Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Astros, Smoltz, Hermida

Some links to read for Thursday morning... The AP reports (via the Miami Herald) that the Seibu Lions won the rights to negotiate with top Japanese amateur Yusei Kikuchi. Astros owner Drayton McLane sidestepped the questions Richard Justice asked about Aroldis Chapman and 2010 payroll. It doesn't sound like the Astros will have the money to bid aggressively for the Cuban lefty. Justice says fans and media members need to hold McLane accountable, and says it wasn't GM Ed Wade's fault that managerial candidate Manny Acta signed with the Indians. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that the Cardinals still have interest in bringing John Smoltz back next year, perhaps as the team's fourth starter. The club seems likely to find a fifth starter within the organization.  The Pirates and Reds will swap A ball affiliates next year, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Padres GM Jed Hoyer offered contracts t...