Cardinals News

Sigh! It's Tim Lincecum's Cy Young
Comment
November 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A win for nouveau statistical analysis became a shared loss Thursday for the Cardinals' co-aces, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. In one of the closest and perhaps most scrutinized votes in the award's history, San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum captured his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award. Lincecum became the first starting pitcher ever to win with fewer than 16 victories in a non-strike season, and emerged despite third-place finisher Wainwright garnering more first-place votes. Based on a weighted 5-3-1 scoring system, Lincecum drew 100 points and 11 first-place votes. Carpenter amassed 94 points and nine first-place votes while being left off two of 32 ballots ..."
Wainwright got jobbed in Cy Young voting
Comment
November 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Chris Carpenter was the best starting pitcher in the National League. When he pitched, he was the toughest starter to hit. That is why he won the league's earned-run average title. Adam Wainwright built the best season -- from start to finish -- so he deserved the NL's Cy Young Award this season. But Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum got it instead, to the great agitation of Cardinal Nation. What went wrong? * Many baseball writers downplayed the value of actually winning games, since Lincecum won just 15 times with a decent supporting team. * Wainwright and Carpenter split a lot of votes as teammates. Wainwright earned the most first-place votes, but still finished third in the balloting. ..."
Sabean: Bay and Holliday unlikely
Comment
November 20
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Tim Lincecum's live press conference just ended. Afterward, we talked to GM Brian Sabean, who said he has not contacted agents for the two big hitters on the free-agent market, Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, and does not expect to either. I'll have the direct quotes later, but Sabean essentially said he refuses to be a "stalking horse" for any player who is just using the Giants to get more money elsewhere, and that the Giants will talk only to free agents who have a genuine interest in coming to San Francisco."
Wainwright got jobbed in Cy Young voting
Comment
November 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Chris Carpenter was the best starting pitcher in the National League. When he pitched, he was the toughest starter to hit. That is why he won the league's earned-run average title. Adam Wainwright built the best season -– from start to finish -- so he deserved the NL's Cy Young Award this season. But Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum got it instead, to the great agitation of Cardinal Nation. What went wrong? * Many baseball writers downplayed the value of actually winning games, since Lincecum won just 15 times with a decent supporting team. * Wainwright and Carpenter split a lot of votes as teammates. Wainwright earned the most first-place votes, but still finished third in the balloting. ..."
Phillies focusing on third base
Comment
November 19
ESPN.com
 columnist Jayson Stark
"Third base appears to be the Phillies' first order of business once the free-agent negotiating period starts. But they don't seem to have a clear-cut top choice among Mark DeRosa, Placido Polanco and Adrian Beltre. DeRosa is a great fit in many ways, but there are concerns that he's never played 75 games in any season at third base. Polanco has sent signals he's open to playing third for his old team, but he has started only 38 games at third base in the last seven seasons combined. And while Beltre is probably the best pure baseball fit, he figures to want a longer contract than the Phillies are interested in offering. So this hunt could still move in a lot of different directions. Pedro ..."
Angels owner: Bay, not Holliday, a possible pursuit
Comment
November 19
Foxsports.com
 
"Angels owner Arte Moreno said today that he could envision his team pursuing Jason Bay — but not Matt Holliday — in the event that his team's prominent free agents sign elsewhere. Moreno said he would like to bring back John Lackey, Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero but acknowledged that it's unlikely the Angels can afford all three."
Giants' Lincecum repeats as Cy Young winner
Comment
November 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"San Francisco Giants starter Tim Lincecum won the 2009 Cy Young Award, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced this afternoon, giving the righthander his second consecutive award as he edged St. Louis Cardinals starters Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Lincecum is the first pitcher to repeat as a Cy Young winner since Randy Johnson won four consecutive in the National League from 1999-2002. The voting was exceptionally close with Wainwright receiving the most first-place votes of any of the three. The vote tallies on a 5-3-1 points system with five points going to first on each ballot and one point going to No. 3 on the ballot. 1. Lincecum … 100 pts 2. Carpenter … ..."
Cards optimistic on Holliday
Comment
November 19
Foxsports.com
 
"Once the free agent market opens in earnest Friday, we could learn quickly whether the Cardinals will be able to make a competitive bid to keep free agent slugger Matt Holliday. Holliday is expected to draw widespread interest, and a number of teams with payrolls larger than that of the Cardinals are likely to be involved. For now, though, club president Bill DeWitt III remains optimistic. "Like any club, you have to set your budget and make sure you live within it," DeWitt said in a telephone interview with FOXSports.com. "As it relates to Matt, we have an internal sense of what we can do. Hopefully, he'll view that as enough. "The process has to play itself out. There's no point in ..."
No place like home
Comment
November 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The tip of his fishing pole bobbing behind him, young Adam Wainwright didn't have far to pedal from his boyhood home to Wildlife Drive and a little ribbon of this island that he considered his little slice of paradise. Under the canopy of live oaks, Wainwright would bike to a spot where there was both a freshwater pond and seawater lake within casting distance. There was one house in this nook of St. Simons Island, Ga., back then, and it was owned by the doctor who delivered Adam. This was "my dream property," the Cardinals' starting pitcher and Cy Young Award contender told a visitor this past week, "where I wanted to be my entire life." It just won't be. The house is gone. The 14 acres ..."
Infielder Mark DeRosa's glove could be good fit for New York Yankees
Comment
November 19
New York Daily News
 columnist Mark Feinsand
"Is Mark DeRosa headed for a happy homecoming? DeRosa, 34, hails from Passaic, N.J., and was a standout at Bergen Catholic, but his career has never taken him back home, as he has played for the Braves, Rangers, Cubs, Indians and Cardinals over his 12-year career. Yankees brass met in the Bronx yesterday for their organizational meetings, which are scheduled to continue today as the team considers its 2010 roster. If the Yankees bring back Johnny Damon, DeRosa would be a good fit because he could play left field on days when Damon serves as the designated hitter. DeRosa, who has started 212 games in the outfield, 311 at third base, 304 at second base, 139 at shortstop and 23 at first ..."
DeRosa could fill in for Phils at third
Comment
November 18
MLB.com
 
"The Phillies see Mark DeRosa as a potential replacement at third base for Pedro Feliz. DeRosa sees the Phillies as a fit, too. FOXSports.com reported early Wednesday morning that the Phillies are the favorite to land DeRosa, according to a Major League source. But the Phillies also are seriously interested in Placido Polanco and Adrian Beltre. Other potential candidates such as Miguel Tejada could become possibilities, depending how the market develops. DeRosa hit .250 with 23 home runs and 78 RBIs last season with the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. He hit .285 with 21 homers and 87 RBIs in 2008 with the Chicago Cubs. He had wrist surgery on Oct. 26, but his representatives ..."
Hollywood nights not in cards for Holliday
Comment
November 18
MLB.com
 
"Here's a rundown of Tuesday's biggest Hot Stove news, rumors and rumblings. Holliday out in Anaheim? The big-ticket item of the day came from Angels general manager Tony Reagins, who told the Los Angeles Times that Monday's FOXSports.com report listing the only plausible suitors for free-agent slugger Matt Hollday as the Angels, Yankees and Red Sox was, well, probably slightly inaccurate -- at least the "Angels" part. Reagins told the paper that his "focus is not on" Holliday but rather on retaining his slew of free agents: starter John Lackey, third baseman Chone Figgins and, possibly, Vladimir Guerrero and Darren Oliver. Meanwhile, St. Louis chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. told ESPN radio that ..."
Source: Phils favorite for DeRosa
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November 18
Foxsports.com
 
"Of the almost two dozen teams that have expressed interest in free- agent infielder Mark DeRosa, the Phillies loom as the favorite, according to a major-league source. DeRosa attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. His hard-nosed style would fit that of the two-time defending National League champions. And his price range might be realistic for the Phillies, too. The Phillies, who declined their $5 million club option on Pedro Feliz, want to spend between $4 million and $6 million on a third baseman, a second source said. DeRosa, 34, is coming off a much lower salary ($5.5 million) than two other prominent free-agent candidates at third, Miguel Tejada ($13 million) and ..."
Cards say Bay is not priority
Comment
November 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals see left fielder Matt Holliday as a unique talent within this year's free agent pool, and they apparently do not envision themselves as bidders for the market's presumptive second choice should Holliday defect. General manager John Mozeliak confirmed Tuesday that the Cardinals' priority signing would shift away from offense if Holliday proves too pricey for the club to retain. "We'll see how the market develops," Mozeliak said. "Is (Jason Bay) a possibility? Sure. But right now it's fair to say he's not one of our top priorities." The Cardinals have yet to submit a formal bid to Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, and are unlikely to do so until free agents can begin accepting ..."
Astros not interested in Smoltz
Comment
November 18
MLB.com
 
"Don't expect the Astros to pursue veteran pitcher John Smoltz. Smoltz was said to have drawn interest of several teams according to a report by Foxsports.com, a list that included the Astros. And while the Astros have kicked around dozens of names from the list of free agents who have filed, sources indicate their interest in Smoltz just isn't there. Smoltz is open to starting or relieving and could serve in the closer's role for a team in need of help at the back of the bullpen. Astros general manager Ed Wade said late on Tuesday that he wasn't going to comment on Smoltz."
Troy Glaus, Jason LaRue, right-handed relief
Comment
November 18
MLB.com
 
"GM John Mozeliak pretty much ruled out the possibility of Troy Glaus returning to play 3B for the Cardinals in 2010. Glaus is just too big of a question mark, healthwise, to rely on to play 3B all year. He's likely a much better fit for a team that needs a designated hitter or perhaps a first baseman. Asked if there was anything to be read into the fact that Jason LaRue has not yet signed, given that the Cardinals often act quickly to re-up their backup catcher, this was Mozeliak's response:"
Mets eye durable free-agent pitcher Joel Pineiro
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November 17
New York Daily News
 
"The Mets, in search of an innings-eater to stabilize their rotation, are particularly intrigued by free-agent righthander Joel Pineiro, according to a team insider. Pineiro, 31, had 15 wins with the Cardinals in 2009, one shy of the career high he set with Seattle six years earlier. While tossing a career-high 214 innings, Pineiro produced a 3.53 ERA, struck out 105 and walked 27. Pineiro's walks-per-nine-innings rate (1.14) was the best in the majors in four years among pitchers who reached 200 innings, and was ahead of runner-up Roy Halladay's 1.32 this season. That would distinguish Pineiro on a Mets staff that walked 616 batters last season, one off the franchise record set in 1999."
Similar studs top free-agent outfield crop
Comment
November 16
MLB.com
 
"Every free-agent market has a focal point, and in this one, the bull's-eye falls on a pair of outfielders who are strikingly similar. Matt Holliday and Jason Bay provoked the most anticipation, and are expected to generate the most attention and dollars. Both are powerful right-handed hitters of comparable age, with Bay one year older at 31. Both are modest, soft-spoken individuals much better at playing a good game than at talking it. So, fittingly, both are being led into the free-agent wilderness by outspoken, opinionated agents. The selling by Scott Boras, Holliday's man, and Joe Urbon, Bay's guy, is already under way. Urbon: "I think the most important thing about Jason Bay is that ..."
CARP: Why Wainwright should win Cy Young
Comment
November 15
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Chris Carpenter
"Look at his body of work. Just start with that. What Adam Wainwright did this year, he did all year long. He was consistent through the whole season. Look at whatever number you want. Wins, ERA, strikeouts — he's at the top of them all, and he took the ball every five days. That's most important. I've been able to do that a few times in my career. But I've also been a guy who hasn't done it. That's why I know how hard it is to do. It is hard to be that guy who goes out there and takes the ball every day, strikes out 200 guys and always gives your team a chance to win. Maybe, for one year you can do it. Possibly. But it's a hard thing to do again and again. And it gets even harder when ..."
WAINO: Why Carpenter should win Cy Young
Comment
November 15
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Adam Wainwright
"What Chris Carpenter did to deserve the Cy Young Award sort of speaks for itself. He went 17-4, had that 2.24 ERA, missed six weeks of the season and still had as many wins as everybody else. The discussion really should be over there. Chris Carpenter, besides maybe Tim Lincecum, has the best stuff of anyone in the major leagues that I have seen. He is, really, an amazing specimen of a pitcher. He has missed years of his career with shoulder and elbow issues, then he had the nerve trouble, and he pitched most of this season with an oblique strain that probably no one knows about. But there he was wearing these patches for every game and just going out there and battling through it, ..."
Another Award for Pujols
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November 13
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Albert Pujols, the leading candidate to win the National League MVP, continued his annual awards spree Thursday night with the announcement that he had won the National League Silver Slugger award at first baseman. This is the second consecutive year that the St. Louis Cardinals first baseman has won the Silver Slugger, and it is the fifth Silver Slugger award of his career. He won previously in 2008 at first base, 2004 at first base, 2003 in the outfield and 2001 at third base. The Silver Slugger award — like its unofficial cousin, the Gold Glove — is presented to the best offensive player at each position in each league. The winners are decided by a vote of coaches and managers, similar ..."
Two St. Louis Cardinals win Gold Glove awards
Comment
November 12
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The tradition in the last 20 years of Cardinals catchers winning Rawlings Gold Gloves continued Wednesday with the announcement that Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina had won his second straight defensive award. Molina is the third Cardinals catcher to have won multiple Gold Gloves since 1991 with Tom Pagnozzi (1991, 1992, 1994) and Mike Matheny (2000, 2003, 2004) each one award ahead of Molina. So far. Molina is only 27. On the other hand, no Cardinals pitcher had won a Gold Glove since Joaquin Andujar in 1984, and before that, Bob Gibson, who captured the last of his nine Gold Gloves in 1973. But righthander Adam Wainwright surprisingly ended that streak. The 28-year-old Wainwright, the ..."
St. Louis Cardinals will stay in Holliday hunt - up to a point
Comment
November 12
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals returned home from baseball's general managers' meetings Wednesday afternoon much as they had left two days earlier - still wondering about the timeline for free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday's decision whether to return or bolt after three months with the franchise. As general manager John Mozeliak returned to St. Louis with assistant John Abbamondi, Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, remained at the O'Hare Hilton to further cultivate a market for his client during a meeting with Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. The Red Sox continue to pursue their own free-agent left fielder, Jason Bay, but apparently have interest in Holliday if talks with Bay go nowhere. ..."
Rollins, Victorino again get Gold Gloves
Comment
November 12
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino did not win the World Series again this year, but they are repeat winners of the Gold Glove at their positions.Rollins won his third consecutive National League Gold Glove at shortstop yesterday, while Victorino claimed his second straight in the outfield.Rollins, who will turn 31 on Nov. 27, led all major-league shortstops with a .990 fielding percentage and made just six errors, fewest among full-time big-league shortstops. He had an 86-game errorless streak during the season.Rollins is the first NL shortstop to win three straight Gold Gloves since Rey Ordonez did so with the New York Mets (1997-99). He is the first Phillie to win three in a row at any ..."
The Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro
Comment
November 11
SI.com
 
"The Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro, who's said to want a three-year deal for $30 million. Minaya met with Pineiro's agent, Arn Tellem. The Cardinals helped resurrect Pineiro's career, but they do not seem likely to pursue him -- not with so much else on their docket. Similarly, Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus and Khalil Greene are expected to leave via free agency."
Mixed signals from Mets' Holliday meeting
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November 11
SI.com
 
"People who have spoken to Minaya suggest he is extremely interested in Holliday, who some Mets people see as the perfect middle-of-the-order and clubhouse presence they need to try to turn things around. Minaya has never shied away from the high-priced star player. Mets people clearly prefer Holliday to Bay and the Mets seem like a logical landing spot for Holliday (others include the Giants, Cubs, Braves, Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners and incumbent Cardinals) since they were the only team not to hit 100 home runs in '09 and have a gaping hole in left field. Yet, there are mixed signals about how aggressive they'll be in pursuing Holliday. While Minaya appears to be a major fan of Holliday, ..."
Phils, Cards, LA each take two Gold Gloves
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November 11
MLB.com
 
"They flashed leather, pulled off web gems, picked it, got their uniforms dirty, and stoked stadiums with razor-sharp routes, dazzling dives and wall-scraping wows. They're the 2009 National League winners of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards, announced on Wednesday. At first base, San Diego Padres slugger Adrian Gonzalez repeated his 2008 crown by tying for fourth in the league with a fielding percentage of .995. Gonzalez made only seven errors in 1,367 total chances in the midst of his second straight All-Star campaign. The second base Gold Glove returned to the possession of Orlando Hudson, the Dodgers veteran who won Senior Circuit hardware in 2006 and 2007 while with the D-backs after ..."
Minaya going after, well, everybody
Comment
November 11
Foxsports.com
 
"The Mets plan to pursue virtually every big name on the free-agent and trade markets, from Roy Halladay and John Lackey to Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. Agents and rival executives, however, are skeptical that the Mets actually will land any of those players, believing that the team ultimately will settle for second-tier talent. Mets general manager Omar Minaya loves to play at the top of the market. And the Mets, coming off a 92-loss season, are not about to tell their fans that they will aim low. Still, the Mets' needs are significant enough that one or two major additions might not put the team in contention. Minaya says he wants to add at least one starting pitcher. The Mets also need ..."
Smoltz wants to pitch next season
Comment
November 11
MLB.com
 
"John Smoltz doesn't know where yet, and the role may be undetermined as well, but this much is sure: The veteran right-hander does intend to pitch in 2010. A representative of Smoltz's agents confirmed on Tuesday that Smoltz has decided he wants to pitch a 22nd Major League season. He met with his representatives at their Atlanta office on Tuesday to discuss his future. Smoltz said after the Cardinals were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs that he would make a decision in early November as to whether he wanted to pitch again, but even then he was leaning toward a return. Smoltz, 42, went a combined 3-8 with a 6.35 ERA in 2009 in stints with the Red Sox and Cardinals, but he ..."
Mets open talks with Holliday, eye Molina
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November 11
New York Post
 
"Omar Minaya met with Scott Boras for 45 minutes last night to begin to determine the price on Matt Holliday. The meeting comes at a time when the Mets are still debating whether to big-game hunt this offseason for offense (Jason Bay or Holliday) or simply augment around their core of fragile, but talented players. "We need a left fielder and two of the best are in the [free-agent] market," one Mets executive said. "We are not doing our jobs if we don't look into it." Another official said he thought the Mets were not averse to giving a contract for as many as six years to a player of Holliday's ilk. However, officials from other teams who have talked to the Mets said they expect the team ..."
McGwire will talk to press soon
Comment
November 11
New York Daily News
 
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak reiterated Tuesday at baseball's GM meetings that new hitting coach Mark McGwire will address his return to the game with reporters, either in a press conference or a conference call. He said he wasn't sure when that would happen. "I think that's going to be needed, yes," Mozeliak said. "How we define that, I think we'll use our time to still figure that out. That does seem logical." McGwire is sure to be asked whether he used performance-enhancing drugs, particularly steroids, during his storied career, a question he refused to answer before Congress in 2005. Mozeliak also said his team could have handled the explosive news that it was hiring ..."
Boras likens Matt Holliday to Mark Teixeira
Comment
November 11
New York Daily News
 
"Despite believing the bidding for outfielder Matt Holliday will exceed their appetite, Mets officials intended to meet with agent Scott Boras before leaving the GM meetings, which conclude today. Boras has set the bar high. The agent Tuesday night labeled Holliday a "franchise player" and maintained his client merited a contract similar to the eight-year, $180 million deal he negotiated for Mark Teixeira last offseason. Unlike Teixeira, Boras said Holliday already has "served that example" as a franchise player because he led the Rockies to the 2007 World Series. "Last year we had one club that went out and made a commitment to a franchise player and they won a world championship," Boras ..."
No fast track on Big Mac talk
Comment
November 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak conceded Tuesday that the club continues to ponder how and when to re-introduce Mark McGwire, hitting coach, to the team's fan base and expectant local and national media. During an afternoon break in baseball's general managers' meetings, Mozeliak said he intends to contact McGwire personally or through manager Tony La Russa in the next two weeks. The club's hope is that the former single-season home run record holder will soon address questions regarding his return to the game following a self-imposed eight-year exile. The club also recognizes McGwire will be pressed to answer questions about allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs ..."
Holliday's agent draws line
Comment
November 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Free agency officially began Tuesday inside the O'Hare Hilton. Emerging from an hour-long sit-down with Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak, the agent for free agent left fielder Matt Holliday commissioned the franchise the USS Moneybags. When asked about a mid-market franchise's capacity to remain competitive after retaining a franchise player with a payroll-rattling long-term deal, agent Scott Boras sneered at the premise. "I don't know what a mid-market franchise is. That's like a midsize aircraft carrier," Boras said. "They all have the potential to have an economic bomb. If you're drawing 3.3 million fans and you're averaging $50 a fan coming in, I just don't know that mid-market ..."
Holliday, Bay bidding may surpass Mets' appetite
Comment
November 10
New York Daily News
 
"Omar Minaya arrived at the GM Meetings at the O'Hare Hilton on Monday night maintaining it was his obligation to investigate the price tags of top-tier free agents. However, a team insider told the Daily News he expected that the salary demands of outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay would exceed the organization's comfort level. Instead, the Mets expect to sign a left fielder from the second tier group of free agents, or acquire one via trade, a team source said. Picking up a power bat in left field would allow the Mets to follow through with their intention of using Daniel Murphy as the primary first baseman next season. One report listed Mike Cameron as a potential target for left ..."
Wellemeyer files for free agency
Comment
November 10
MLB.com
 
"Todd Wellemeyer became the ninth and final Cardinals player to file for free agency on Monday, the fifth day that eligible players could formally file. Wellemeyer heads into free agency off a disappointing season in which he had the second-highest ERA of any National League pitcher with at least 120 innings. A year earlier, he was one of the Cards' most pleasant surprises, but he pitched his way out of the rotation in 2009. As a result, it is likely that Wellemeyer will be pitching elsewhere next year. The Cardinals would have little stomach for a return engagement with Wellemeyer in their rotation, and the team's bullpen is already all but set. Rick Ankiel, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, Khalil ..."
Cards mull life without Holliday
Comment
November 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As prelude to a possible meeting today with agent Scott Boras, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak insisted Monday the club will not become paralyzed by negotiations with free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday. "We have to be prepared if we can't sign him," Mozeliak said before attending a Monday night dinner at Major League Baseball's annual general managers' meetings. "We need to have other options to pursue. And we do." Mozeliak allowed that the team still hopes to retain Holliday, the centerpiece of July's trade for former first-round draft pick Brett Wallace, pitching prospect Clayton Mortensen and minor-league outfielder Shane Peterson. The Cardinals, who retain exclusive ..."
Cardinals expect little to happen at general managers' meetings
Comment
November 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A year after doing business at an ostentatious resort perched on Southern California bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Major League Baseball is sticking with a minimalist theme for this week's annual meetings of general managers. Club executives are scheduled to begin meeting this afternoon for parts of no more than three days at a hotel attached to O'Hare Airport. There will be no oceans, no golf courses and little expectation of a high-decibel takeoff to the offseason. "I'd say the chances of us making anything happen there is very small," said Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak, a central mover during last November's weeklong meeting at Dana Point, Calif. "My expectation is ..."
Phillies decline Feliz' 2010 option
Comment
November 9
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"THE PHILLIES are officially in the market for a third baseman, bringing a new level of intrigue to the offseason as members of the front office arrive in Chicago today for the start of baseball's annual general managers meetings. Last night, the club announced that it has declined Pedro Feliz' $5.5 million option for the 2010 season, making the 2-year starter a free agent. It leaves general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. with an opportunity to upgrade a lineup that led the National League in runs and home runs, but was prone to maddening stretches of impotence, thanks in part to its vulnerability against lefthanded pitchers. Feliz contributed to both areas, driving in 82 runs and hitting .336 ..."
McGwire's mum return
Comment
November 7
Washington Times
 columnist Dick Heller
"The sadly misguided St. Louis Cardinals have hired Mark McGwire as a hitting coach for 2010. The question is, why in the name of Stan the Man do they want him? No matter how good he might be in the role - and I suspect not very - let's call it a Cardinal sin. Look at the record, as political challengers like to say. For 16 seasons in the bigs, Big Mac batted a very ordinary .263. This included such stellar averages as .231, .235 and .201 for the Oakland Athletics from 1989 to 1991 and .187 in 2001, his last season with the Cardinals. But what about those 70 home runs in 1998 and 583 lifetime? Ay, there's the rub, as Willie Shakespeare (or his designated ghost) might say. We don't know for ..."
Eight teams that will go Holliday shopping
Comment
November 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"One of the biggest names available in baseball's free-agent market this winter is Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, who is expected to apply for free agency within the next week. The All-Star and former batting champ is certain to draw suitors from both leagues and both coasts. But bargain hunters and penny-pinchers need not try. He's available to the discerning (read: well-financed) consumer only. Some franchises that have the need and the financial wherewithal to do some Holliday shopping: Cardinals • The local club paid a healthy price in prospects to land Holliday, thinking his bat would get them to the playoffs (check) and their culture would win him over long-term (TBD). They ..."
Matt Holliday a prize as MLB free agency begins
Comment
November 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals have 15 days all to themselves to woo Matt Holliday, the free-agent outfielder the club publicly has called a "high priority" to re-sign. But the Cardinals are pragmatic about the real value of an eleventh-hour sales pitch before Holliday and the other free agents hit the open market in two weeks. That's what the previous three months were for. "We need to spend some time with Matt and his agent and share what our vision is, what we have to offer, and at some point I'm sure we will," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "But at the same time, that's part of why we traded for him, to get him here, and at some point you'd think he has a pretty good idea of what we have ..."
Tony La Russa not surprised at Joe Girardi's success
Comment
November 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals manager Tony La Russa laughed Thursday when he was told that Joe Girardi, manager of the New York Yankees, had said he chose to wear No. 27 because he wanted the Yankees to win a 27th World Series title, just as La Russa had chosen 10 in St. Louis. In 2006, some 10 years after La Russa had taken charge, the Cardinals indeed finally did win a 10th title. La Russa recalled Girardi as a backup catcher for his 2003 team and said, "He really could have managed then. "He had a really good career as a catcher. He had played for Joe (Torre). I was really impressed with him for the year he was with us. He was as advertised." La Russa said Girardi, who won the World Series in his second ..."
St. Louis Cardinals part ways with Brad Thompson
Comment
November 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals began a day of fall housekeeping Wednesday with a scrubdown of their 40-man roster that included the release of middle reliever Brad Thompson. In order to create more space on the roster, the Cardinals moved infielder Joe Thurston and reliever Matt Scherer to the Class AAA Memphis roster, and they lost infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir to Toronto via waivers. Thompson, 27, would have had his second crack at arbitration this winter, and the Cardinals opted to set him loose as a free agent now rather than wait for the deadline to offer contracts to arbitration-eligible players. The moves give the Cardinals 36 players on their 40-man roster, including players like Matt Holliday, John ..."
Cardinals release Brad Thompson, make roster trims
Comment
November 4
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"In an attempt to cleanup their 40-man roster for the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals made a series of moves this morning that included releasing reliever Brad Thompson. The roster moves started last night with Jarrett Hoffpauir being picked up off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Cardinals also moved infielder Joe Thurston and reliever Matt Scherer to the Triple-A Memphis roster. The official name of the transaction is called "outrighting" the two players to the Class AAA affiliate. All four moves have been done to make room on the 40-man roster."
Aaron shows he's fan of Pujols
Comment
November 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"If the Cardinals' season had progressed to the point that many had thought, first baseman Albert Pujols would have been on hand before Game 4 of the World Series in St. Louis to personally accept the Hank Aaron award for offensive excellence in the National League. But the Cardinals didn't win any playoff games, Pujols had another elbow operation recently and, with that reason being cited by Major League Baseball, Pujols was not on hand Sunday night to receive his second Aaron award. New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, who has some unfinished business in Philadelphia, was on hand to accept the American League award. The award winners are derived from online fan balloting. Pujols had ..."
For Mark McGwire and baseball's other steroid cheats the truth would be a hit
Comment
November 1
New York Daily News
 columnist Mike Lupica
"If Alex Rodriguez is on his way to getting the key to the city because of the way he hits this October, then Tony La Russa can bring Mark McGwire back as a coach in St. Louis. McGwire can teach the Cardinals about hitting the way he said he was going to teach kids about the evils of performance-enhancing drugs. Rodriguez admitted to steroid use last spring, finally held a press conference at Legends Field, Tampa, with his teammates looking on. Andy Pettitte gave the same kind of press conference one spring training before that, talking about what he said were just a couple of uses of human growth hormone. Were these full confessions? They weren't. They never are. Do you really believe that ..."