Cardinals Trade Rumors

Cardinals sign touted Dominican teen
Comment
July 2
MLB.com
 
"The Cardinals continued their recent push into Latin America with a major signing on Thursday, as they announced a deal with 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo. Once all but a non-factor in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, the Cardinals have increased their efforts in those areas in recent years. Mateo is the highest-profile fruit of that labor to date. According to multiple reports, he will receive a bonus of $3 million or a little more. That would be the second-largest bonus ever paid to a Latin American free agent, and the largest to a hitter, trailing only the $4.25 million the A's gave pitcher Michael Ynoa last year. "This agreement is a significant step for the ..."
Khalil Greene likely to go on DL
Comment
June 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The trade of righthanded reliever Chris Perez to Cleveland on Saturday night for Mark DeRosa left the Cardinals with 12 pitchers, and manager Tony La Russa admitted Sunday, "I don't like (12)." Pitching coach Dave Duncan had surmised before Sunday's game that righthander Kyle Lohse, recovering from a strained forearm flexor, might be the 13th pitcher when he returns after one or perhaps two rehab starts. But La Russa said after Sunday's 6-2 loss to Minnesota, a 13th pitcher might come sooner than later. "(Thirteen pitchers) was too good for us," said La Russa. Unfortunately, the roster move that will make this possible, probably as early as today, is one the Cardinals don't want to make. ..."
Mozeliak goes for contending and retooling
Comment
June 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak proved willing to sacrifice future assets to make the present less tense. "I get beat up a lot - and the organization gets beat up - for not making these short-term decisions," Mozeliak observed Sunday. But acquiring gritty infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa could actually pay long-term dividends without undermining the organizational reconstruction. Contending and retooling are NOT mutually exclusive concepts. Let's walk through the particulars: -- Although DeRosa could become a free agent after this season, he seems open to making this a longer-term relationship. DeRosa always enjoyed playing against the Cardinals, and he feels a good vibe in ..."
Trade for DeRosa proves Cards are serious about winning
Comment
June 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Moments after a loss Sunday, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols paused at the door to the players' lounge and reflected on the previous night's acquisition of former Cleveland Indians infielder-outfielder Mark DeRosa. "I guess we're trying to win," Pujols said. By trading reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named for DeRosa and the remainder of his $5.5 million salary, the Cardinals and general manager John Mozeliak altered their earlier long-term vision to address a team need. "There are times when you have to react to situations that are now," Mozeliak said before the Cardinals took the field for a 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. "There are other times when you can have vision ..."
Brewers asked about DeRosa
Comment
June 28
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
 
"Assistant general manager Gord Ash confirmed Sunday that the Brewers had interest in Cleveland second baseman Mark DeRosa, who was traded to St. Louis in a move that should help the Cardinals greatly in the NL Central race. Ash said general manager Doug Melvin contacted the Indians about DeRosa but didn't have what Cleveland wanted – young, major league-ready pitching. St. Louis sent young reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named to the Indians in the trade. "They didn't feel like we had the type of players they were looking for," said Ash. "The big thing will be who the second player is. I would imagine it's a pretty good player. "(The Cardinals') interest in him is similar to ours – ..."
Deal set for young outfielder
Comment
June 28
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals and representatives for 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Wagner Mateo have agreed in principal on a signing bonus that would make Mateo the franchise's highest-priced amateur acquisition out of the Caribbean, according to sources familiar with the situation. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak refused to confirm a deal being in place, citing baseball's prohibition against officially signing players out of the Caribbean until July 2. But sources insist the Cardinals have swayed the 6-foot-1 player with an offer worth about $3.1 million. ESPN Deportes also reported a deal being in place Friday afternoon. Mozeliak returned last week from a trip to the Dominican to attend a ..."
Cards' front-office not alone in looking for deals
Comment
June 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"The major league baseball trade mart is quiet right now, to the exasperation of Cardinals fans. Many fans don't accept that explanation from Cards owner Bill DeWitt or general manager John Mozeliak. Many fans don't believe these guys are willing to make changes. Of course, fans in other cities are saying the same things about their owners and general managers. The Cards have the second-best record in the National League, so most of their rivals are even more eager to make changes. "I'd say right now we're buyers," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "We're looking for a hitter." Trouble is, not much is available on the market. Some fans believe DeWitt and ..."
Source: Injured Glaus has trade appeal at 1B/DH
Comment
June 23
Foxsports.com
 
"Here's another name to consider for all those teams in the market for a first baseman or designated hitter. Troy Glaus. Glaus, who has yet to play this season while recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, is progressing better with his hitting than his throwing, according to a source with knowledge of his recovery process. While Glaus hit off a pitching machine for the first time Monday and could be ready for a minor-league rehabilitation assignment by the middle of next week, he is struggling to throw at distances of greater than 90 feet, the source said. If Glaus cannot play third base, he will be of virtually no use to the Cardinals. Albert Pujols, perhaps the best player in the ..."
Ten ball clubs that can add payroll
Comment
June 22
SI.com
 
"Baseball is doing better than most businesses. But you know something's amiss when even the Yankees are claiming they can't add salary or expand their payroll. Ultimately, the $200 million team just might find a few mil in the seat cushions. But for now anyway, they're saying they are tapped out. The same may be true for the Cubs, yet another storied big-market club that may not spend this summer. The Cubs' situation could be compromised by the glacial pace of the team's sale. At present, their player dealings appear to be in the same sort of limbo as the sale, meaning their big in-season acquisition may be limited to recovering star Aramis Ramirez. The Rangers also are believed to have ..."
The Indians are ready to deal Mark DeRosa
Comment
June 22
ESPN.com
 (scroll down)
"The Indians are ready to deal Mark DeRosa, but they want a young pitcher in return, and the Cardinals are not willing to give up any of their better young relievers (Jason Motte, Chris Perez or Kyle McClellan), and the Mets won't part with Bobby Parnell. The Yankees demonstrated some interest in DeRosa before, and if they believe that Alex Rodriguez might continue to struggle this year, DeRosa would be a heck of an insurance policy. But even the Yankees are coping with some financial limitations this season, and they haven't been engaged on DeRosa for awhile."
Why would St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols be in any rush?
Comment
June 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Bryan Burwell
"Even though I haven't talked to Albert Pujols about this recently, I have a hunch. Maybe there's a very good reason why there have been no active contract talks between baseball's greatest player and the franchise that desperately needs to get his name signed at the bottom of a lucrative new contract extension. Maybe, just maybe, it's actually Pujols, not the Cardinals, who doesn't want to rush into this. My columnist tag-team partner, Bernie Miklasz, started this conversation in Monday's Post-Dispatch with a column that raised the issue of why Cardinals ownership has apparently dragged its organizational heels on an issue that most of us simply assumed was a mandatory, yet predictable ..."
Sox not in a hurry to trade Brad Penny, Street being scouted
Comment
June 15
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"The Red Sox now "aren't in a hurry" to trade Brad Penny, who hit the mid-90s in his last start vs. the Yankees, even with John Smoltz seemingly ready to go. While it appears they have too much pitching, they also know there's no such thing. The market also hasn't been great so far for Penny, thanks to his $5 million salary. Perhaps with the pitching market dying, though, he'll begin to look better to someone. • Rockies closer Huston Street is being heavily scouted. Among the teams that need a reliever are the Yankees, Rangers and Angels. The Rays, Cubs and Twins might also consider bullpen help. • The Cardinals continue to scour the market for a bat. • Giants lefty Jonathan Sanchez is on ..."
O's getting serious about 16-year-old shortstop
Comment
June 14
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles will attend a three-day workout for top Dominican shortstop prospect Miguel Angel Sano this month, another sign that the organization is considering making a serious run at signing the coveted international free agent. Sano, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound 16-year-old who has drawn comparisons to Florida Marlins star shortstop Hanley Ramirez, worked out for the Orioles at their Dominican baseball academy June 5. Orioles director of player development David Stockstill said he was very impressed but the club wants to get a more extended look at the player who is reportedly seeking a signing bonus of about $5 million or $6 million. International free agents cannot sign with clubs until July ..."
Cardinals Target Tejada
Comment
June 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 (scroll down)
"The Cardinals have expanded their search for an additional hitter to include Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada fits the profile of what the Cardinals are seeking — an offensive deterrent capable of playing multiple positions. The Astros are experiencing financial problems and could part with a player owed $13 million this season. Tejada entered Wednesday leading the NL in batting with a .357 average and 21 doubles. He ranked third in the league with a .354 average against righthanded pitching."
Cards dip into high school ranks topitcher
Comment
June 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Righthander Shelby Miller, from the Texas deer-hunting outpost of Brownwood, is the first high school pitcher to be taken in the opening round of the free-agent draft by the Cardinals since 1991 when Brian Barber was chosen out of an Orlando, Fla., high school. Barber, one of three Cardinals first-round picks that year, was plagued by persistent arm troubles and didn't have much of a big-league career. He went a combined 5-8 with a 6.77 earned-run average for the Cardinals and Kansas City from 1995-98. But Jeff Luhnow, vice president of scouting and player development for the Cardinals, offered up the physical comparison of the strapping, 6-foot-4, 207-pound Miller to a much more prominent ..."
Mo knows: The heat is on
Comment
June 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak took the helm of the baseball operation after the 2007 season, replacing Walt Jocketty after the team finished 78-84. Mozeliak inherited an aging team with medical issues. Three factors beyond his control have worked against him: 1. The Cards have continued to suffered a staggering number of injuries. Chris Carpenter, Mark Mulder, Adam Wainwright, Rick Ankiel, Chris Duncan, Troy Glaus and Kyle Lohse have been just some of the key players lost for extended periods. 2. Scott Rolen and Adam Kennedy clashed with manager Tony La Russa, necessitating their departures. Both players are having solid seasons in the American League this season. 3. Owner Bill ..."
St. Louis Cardinals 'always open' to deals, chairman Bill DeWitt says
Comment
June 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. emerged from a 25-minute, closed-door meeting with manager Tony La Russa on Monday morning, but DeWitt said no trades were imminent. "It was usual, catch-up stuff," he said. But that doesn't mean that trade possibilities didn't come up, and DeWitt said that the Cardinals would not blanch at taking on a large contract if they had to. "We're always open," DeWitt said. "We're always looking. But I'm not certain a market's developed for any of the players who would help us. We'd be reluctant to do something on a marginal basis, just to make a change." With the season just more than one-third completed, DeWitt said he believes "it's too early for clubs to ..."
Lohse may miss another start
Comment
May 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Percentages are working against Kyle Lohse. After ending a Friday bullpen session early, Lohse struck pitching coach Dave Duncan as being at "about 75 percent." Saturday afternoon Duncan estimated there is "a 90 percent chance" the sore-armed Lohse would miss a second consecutive start,Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. Lohse continues to cite stiffness in the area struck by a pitch May 23 against the Kansas City Royals, describing the sensation as "a burning cramp." The sensation grows more intense as Lohse exerts himself. "It's become frustrating because it's not getting better," he said. The Cardinals skipped Lohse's turn Friday night but had hoped his side session would put ..."
Cardinals Weigh Move With Greene
Comment
May 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Today's lineup does not include Khalil Greene at shortstop, a change from what manager Tony La Russa had planned before Greene endured a trying game Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. Greene met with La Russa shortly before today's game and the club is believed to be considering a roster move with their Opening Day cleanup hitter. Greene admits to feeling extreme pressure this season and, according to sources, is dealing with anxiety-related issues. The club has discussed the possibility of approaching Greene about a stint on the disabled list as he seeks treatment for the condition. Greene made his first start since May 17 Tuesday, committing a fielding error while going 0-for-3 ..."
Cards wary of bad news about Glaus
Comment
May 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals are preparing a search for a righthanded-hitting third baseman or outfielder given what they expect to be a pessimistic report about third baseman Troy Glaus. General manager John Mozeliak admitted Tuesday that a "gut feeling" tells him "probably less than a 50-50 chance" exists that Glaus will return this season from surgery in January to repair a muscle supporting his right shoulder. "In fairness I'm speaking more from the gut or the heart," Mozeliak said. "It seems if he were getting better or improving to where he was getting closer to doing some baseball activities we would be getting more feedback. "I'm not hearing that. So as I sit here today and we're talking about ..."
Ankiel's progress is slow
Comment
May 23
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel went on the 15-day disabled list May 5 with assorted injuries, mostly a bruised right shoulder and a sore left side, accumulated from running into a wall. Right fielder Ryan Ludwick went on the DL eight days later with a strained right hamstring. Now, it seems possible, almost probable, that Ludwick will come back on time next Friday in San Francisco and Ankiel, bothered more by his left side than anything else now, will be behind him. "I would never have thought it," said manager Tony La Russa on Friday night. "There is a chance (that would happen)." La Russa said Ankiel surely won't be activated this weekend with the Kansas City Royals in town. ..."
Carpenter may start Wednesday
Comment
May 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Friday night's postponement against Milwaukee may cause the Cardinals to bring Chris Carpenter off the disabled list as early as Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs rather than Friday as planned against Kansas City. Manager Tony La Russa broadly hinted at the move Saturday morning while discussing the complications posed by the rainout and Monday's make-up against the Brewers. "He's one of the guys we're considering," La Russa said. La Russa suggested Friday night that Kyle Lohse would return on short rest after making a two-inning appearance before Friday's downpour. Lohse is tentatively scheduled to work Monday night's make-up if he reports Sunday that he is sufficiently recovered. Joel ..."
Carpenter to throw off mound Tuesday
Comment
May 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"With Chris Carpenter scheduled to throw from a mound today for the first time since injuring his oblique, the club has bumped No. 5 starter Mitchell Boggs' next start to Thursday's series finale against the Pirates. Boggs' turn on normal rest fell on Monday. Moving Boggs to Thursday allows Todd Wellemeyer and Joel Pineiro to remain on regular rest while giving Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright an extra day."
St. Louis Cardinals' Rick Ankiel remains out of lineup
Comment
May 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals center fielder Rick Ankiel, still healing from a bout with the Busch Stadium wall (the wall usually wins), wasn't in the Cardinals' lineup Wednesday night and probably won't be this afternoon in the finale of the four-game home stand. "I heard somebody refer to him as Evel Knievel," manager Tony La Russsa said. But La Russa acknowledged that Ankiel likely wouldn't be test-driving his body today, either. Ankiel did not take batting practice or work out on the field Wednesday night. "He's sore," La Russa said. "He's less sore in some places and more sore in others. That's exactly how he explained it to me. I think we'll buy another day or two and see what kind of improvement he ..."
For now, La Russa gives 'pen priority
Comment
May 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals manager Tony La Russa entered Tuesday night's game with, by his own count, 2 1/2 players available on his bench, but ample buffer for the bullpen. With Rick Ankiel unavailable because of the lingering aches from his crash into the center-field wall and shortstop Khalil Greene just medically cleared to play, La Russa was working with two completely healthy and available hitters on his bench: backup catcher Jason LaRue and infielder Brian Barden. La Russa said he'd rather go with a short bench for a few days than be exposed by having too few arms in the bullpen. "You play seven games in a week and you'll regret having one less pitcher more than one less hitter," La Russa said. ..."
Lohse, Boggs to make starts this week
Comment
April 27
MLB.com
 
"Two somewhat hazy rotation spots in the coming week have been cleared up for the Cardinals. According to manager Tony La Russa, there is now "no doubt" that Kyle Lohse will start Tuesday's game against the Braves in Atlanta. And Mitchell Boggs will get a second start, on Thursday at Washington, following his fine performance on Saturday. Lohse injured his right knee in Thursday's home game against the Mets. He jammed the joint on a play at first base, but an MRI exam revealed no structural damage to the knee. Lohse skipped a side session Saturday, but continues to improve from day to day. "The way he's improved, I don't have a doubt [about the next start]," La Russa said."
Lohse MRI Clean; Status Evaluated Later Today
Comment
April 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"A magnetic resonance imaging performed on Cardinals pitcher Kyle Lohse this morning found no structural damage to his right knee, according to a club source. Lohse, who apparently jammed the knee covering first base on a bungled fifth-inning grounder Thursday, is unlikely to be assigned to the disabled list but may have his next start pushed back or skipped entirely. The matter will be discussed among general manager John Mozeliak, manager Tony La Russa, pitching coach Dave Duncan and team medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta this afternoon at Busch Stadium. A club official described today's finding as "clean" and called it "very good news." The club intends to make an official ..."
Cards expected to add a pitcher
Comment
April 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals will announce a roster move before Sunday night's game against the Chicago Cubs. Needing innings for the bullpen, David Freese may be in trouble. Limited to five at-bats on the current road trip and four starts in 13 games, the rookie third baseman could become expendable if the club subtracts a bench bat for another arm. Even if Freese survives Sunday's move, manager Tony La Russa recognizes he is caught in a squeeze. "I think we're in a difficult spot with Freese," La Russa said. "It's a pretty easy comment to make. He's a young guy. When he's played, he's played all right. He doesn't have much to show for it." Freese stepped on deck twice during Saturday's 11-inning loss ..."
Chris Carpenter looks like he'll be "out for awhile," La Russa says
Comment
April 15
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"It is a motion St. Louis Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter has made enough in his career to know nothing good usually comes from motioning for the trainer to come out on the field. But what else was he supposed to do in the fourth inning Tuesday? He couldn't fire a pitch without significant pain. "Couldn't throw," Carpenter said. "I tried to throw the last one there and it hurt pretty good." Carpenter was removed from the game after throwing his warmup pitches for the fourth inning. The righthander was diagnosed at the scene with a strained rib-cage muscle. Carpenter later described it as an oblique injury, pointing to the left side of his torso as he explained that it was still sore after ..."
Tigers working on deal to send Ryan Raburn to St. Louis
Comment
April 1
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals have recently discussed a trade that would send infielder/outfielder Ryan Raburn to St. Louis, according to one person in the industry with knowledge of the talks. Raburn has been battling for one of the final spots on Detroit's Opening Day roster, but left-handed-hitting prospect Jeff Larish may have moved ahead of him in the competition. The Tigers can send Raburn to Triple-A Toledo without putting him through waivers - he has one minor league option remaining - but they may prefer to trade him for a pitching prospect. Raburn, who turns 28 this month, has played five different positions in the majors - all three in the outfield, in addition to second ..."
St. Louis Cardinals closer to getting back Chris Carpenter.
Comment
March 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals manager Tony La Russa interrupted a chat with the media Friday morning to crack a Cheshire-cat grin as he eyed starter Chris Carpenter walking out to the field. "There's my fantasy," La Russa said. The fantasy inched closer to reality Friday. In his second start of spring, Carpenter threw 37 pitches, ducked trouble and finished two innings of work against the New York Mets. Carpenter didn't have the command of his fastball that he wanted, but he worked his changeup and he worked out of trouble. In each inning, the Mets got a runner to third base and weren't able to bring him home. "That was definitely more of a battle," Carpenter said. "I felt strong, and that might have been ..."
St. Louis Cardinals' Ryan Ludwick's deal cements status
Comment
February 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Ryan Ludwick arrived at his first spring training with the Cardinals in 2007 and found himself assigned to the placeholder group for workouts, the pack of hitters who filled in the blank spots on manager Tony La Russa's daily schedule. If that meant his group took batting practice after conditioning, so be it. They weren't the priority. It is, La Russa said later, an "unfair" way to get through spring. When Ludwick takes the field today for the Cardinals' first official full-squad workout of spring training, he'll find a far different schedule awaiting him. The outfielder who became an All-Star in 2008 and a $3 million player Monday will be part of what La Russa called "the featured ..."
Looper reemerges on Brewers' radar
Comment
February 9
MLB.com
 
"The Brewers might have changed their minds about adding payroll. A Milwaukee sports radio station reported Monday that the team was likely to sign right-handed free agent Braden Looper to bolster the starting rotation. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin did not answer his cell phone on Monday morning to discuss the veracity of the report, which first aired on ESPN Radio 540 and also appeared on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Web site. Looper's agent, Alan Hendricks, did not immediately return a call to his office. Looper, 34, is one of a number of veteran free-agent pitchers to draw some interest this winter from Milwaukee, a list that also included at various points Randy Johnson, John ..."
Manny Ramirez: 'No one wants to sign me'
Comment
January 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic -- Albert Pujols is encouraging the St. Louis Cardinals to sign Manny Ramirez. The Cardinals slugger, who won his second NL MVP award in November, acknowledged the team might not have enough money to land the free-agent outfielder "I speak with Manny every three days and he tells me, 'Man, no one wants to sign me,' Pujols said today during a news conference. "I'm not an agent or general manager, but I can't understand how Manny has not signed." Pujols passed along Ramirez's telephone number to St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. "Maybe St. Louis doesn't have the money to sign him, but he could give them a discount because St. Louis is a great city that ..."
A's close to deal with Springer
Comment
January 24
MLB.com
 
"More bullpen depth could be on the way for the A's. Right-hander Russ Springer, who has appeared in 70 or more games in three straight seasons, is nearing a one-year deal with Oakland, according to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. The 40-year-old is reportedly looking at a deal worth about $3 million. The Twins also are believed to have interest in Springer. With the Cardinals in 2008, the right-hander was 2-1 with a 2.32 ERA in 70 appearances. He threw 50 1/3 innings, and struck out 45 while walking 18 in a setup role."
Source: Brewers, Counsell agree at 1 year, $1M
Comment
January 23
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent infielder Craig Counsell has reached preliminary agreement with the Brewers on a one-year, $1 million contract, according to a major-league source. The deal is pending a physical. The Cardinals, after losing third baseman Troy Glaus, did not actively pursue Counsell, sources said. The Mariners did have interest, but Counsell, who lives in Whitefish Bay, Wi., preferred to stay home with the Brewers. Glaus could miss Opening Day after undergoing surgery to repair a torn muscle near his right shoulder, but the Cardinals could turn to prospect David Freese, Joe Mather or free agent Joe Thurston as a stopgap in April. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that ..."
Rockies joining Benson viewing party
Comment
January 22
MLB.com
 
"The Rockies are one of at least seven teams who will spend Saturday in Phoenix looking at veteran pitcher Kris Benson, who finished last season in the Minors healthy after having missed 2007 with a shoulder injury that required surgery. In addition to the Rockies, Benson, 34, will be watched by the Dodgers, D-Backs, Rangers, Indians, Padres and Cardinals, and a few other teams are considering attending, his agent, Gregg Clifton, said Thursday morning. The Rockies have spent the offseason building rotation depth, and could be looking for one more pitcher to add to the mix. The Rockies have also expressed interest in another experienced right-hander, Josh Fogg, a member of the rotation that ..."
Is either Chris Perez or Jason Motte ready to be closer?
Comment
January 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When Cardinals reliever Chris Perez was still new to pitching professionally and Jason Motte was just plain new to pitching, the two fireballers shared a bullpen in Class A Quad Cities. It didn't take long for a duel to ignite: fastballs, at 60 feet, 6 inches. "We've always been competitive," Perez said. "It's usually who can throw harder." This spring, their contest won't be for velocity in the 90s. It's all about the ninth. With the start of the Cardinals' spring training less than a month away, Perez and Motte, the two righthanded relievers who can thrill radar guns with their mid- to high-90s mph fastballs, are being cast as contenders for the open job of closer. Both manager Tony La ..."
Arbitration intrigue lingers for St. Louis Cardinals
Comment
January 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Experiencing baseball's arbitration season for the first time, Cardinals breakout slugger Ryan Ludwick has found the process as compelling as the process may find him. "I'm really intrigued by the whole aspect of it," Ludwick said Saturday at the team's Winter Warm-Up. "I've gotten into the numbers of past cases. I've looked up cases from the last 10 years. It's intriguing." His intrigue could linger for at least a few more days. The Cardinals have five arbitration-eligible players still unsigned, though deals with three of them - Todd Wellemeyer, Brad Thompson and Chris Duncan - are close enough that announcements could be imminent. Ludwick and outfielder Rick Ankiel present trickier ..."
St. Louis Cardinals optimistic on ace Chris Carpenter
Comment
January 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Chris Carpenter is scheduled to appear this morning at the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm-Up at the Millennium Hotel. Even more significant, the club is "cautiously optimistic" the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner will appear among the team's opening day pitching staff. Last seen in a game Sept. 2 in Arizona, Carpenter has begun a throwing program that would allow him to work from a mound during next month's run-up to spring training and, barring complications, to open the season, preferably in the Cardinals rotation. Carpenter, 33, is two months removed from surgery to transpose a nerve near his right elbow. More significant, five months have passed since Carpenter exited a start Aug. 10 with ..."
Padres sign ex-shortstop Eckstein, install him as their second baseman
Comment
January 16
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"The Padres, trying to end a bad run at second base, signed longtime shortstop David Eckstein to a one-year deal for $850,000 Thursday and announced him as their second baseman. The Most Valuable Player of the 2006 World Series, Eckstein is easily the most recognizable player acquired by the Padres this offseason. He was the shortstop for World Series championship teams with the Angels (2002) and Cardinals (2006) and a member of National League All-Star teams in 2005-06. "We signed a very good second baseman who we're very excited about," General Manager Kevin Towers said. Manager Bud Black said Eckstein, who will turn 34 on Tuesday, will bat behind leadoff man Jody Gerut when not ..."
Braves taking aim at Lowe, Kawakami
Comment
January 10
MLB.com
 
"The Braves are expected to make an offer to Derek Lowe early next week, but by that time, they may have already added Kenshin Kawakami to their starting rotation. Multiple Major League sources confirmed on Friday night that the Braves are nearing completion of a deal that would bring Kawakami to Atlanta to strengthen the middle of a rebuilt rotation. Kawakami, who has spent the past 11 seasons as one of the top pitchers in Japan's Central League, is expected to arrive in the U.S. on Sunday. At that time, the 33-year-old right-hander and his agent, Dan Evans, are expected to move closer to finalizing their decision. If negotiations continue to progress at their current pace, Kawakami could ..."
Too soon to write off Cards' efforts?
Comment
January 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Just because John Mozeliak missed on Brian Fuentes, did he have to bail on the lefthanded relief market entirely? Did he have to take passes on Joe Beimel and Will Ohman, too? Why did he opt for lefthanded "protection" rather than seek a lefthanded difference-maker? Cardinal Nation has every right to fret about this. Trever Miller, Royce Ring and Charlie Manning doesn't represent a murderer's row of lefthanded relievers for manager Tony La Russa. As you know, The Skipper loves to play the left-right-left game while employing a Parade of One Thousand Relievers to get out of games. There is no evidence to suggest these three offer an upgrade over Randy Flores and Ron Villone -- especially ..."
St. Louis Cardinals' cash flow not as fluid as many thought
Comment
January 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Not that the Cardinals have spent that much this offseason, but they might have less to spend than many have surmised. After a couple of minutes of calculations at his Busch Stadium desk Tuesday, Cardinals vice president and general manager John Mozeliak came up with a figure, probably conservative, that his team would owe at least $10 million more this season to its five arbitration-eligible players. Those players are outfielders Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel and Chris Duncan and pitchers Todd Wellemeyer and Brad Thompson. Collectively, that fivesome made just more than $3 million in 2008, but as players with three years' big-league service, (nearly three in Duncan's case) you would be lucky ..."
Fuentes waits, so Birds mull options
Comment
December 17
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Increasingly impatient over talks that may have slowed to accommodate another suitor, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak vowed Tuesday he would not allow the pursuit of free agent closer Brian Fuentes to "create a paralysis" within the club's pursuit of pitching help. The Cardinals have extended a two-year bid believed worth $16 million-$18 million for Fuentes, who earlier this week voiced a preference to pitch for the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels, however, remain focused on the sweepstakes for free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. Until Teixeira decides on his new team the Cardinals may face the possibility of bidding against themselves. "From my end it's been a slow-moving ..."
Free agent Fuentes sees fit in Angels
Comment
December 14
MLB.com
 
"The top ninth-inning man left on the free-agent market told his hometown newspaper that he'd prefer to stay close to home. Outgoing Rockies closer Brian Fuentes said he sees "a great fit" with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a Saturday report in the Merced Sun-Star. Fuentes was born and raised in Merced, Calif., which is due east of San Jose and about 300 miles from Angel Stadium. The other leading contenders for Fuentes' services would require considerably more time on the highway. They include St. Louis (1,645 miles from Merced to Busch Stadium, according to Google Maps), Milwaukee (1,750 miles to Miller Park) and Detroit (2,000 miles to Comerica Park). "Anaheim would be a great ..."
Cardinals let Miles, Flores, Johnson go to free agency
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December 13
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals continued reshaping their bullpen and may have cleared a spot on their bench Friday by choosing not to tender contracts to three players on the 40-man roster. Utility player Aaron Miles and lefty relievers Randy Flores and Tyler Johnson were all notified of the Cardinals' decision not to table contracts by the deadline of 11 p.m. (St. Louis time). All three wake up this morning as free agents, though any could re-sign with the Cardinals. Letting Flores, who is coming off an inconsistent season, and Johnson, who is coming off shoulder surgery, hit the open market is not unexpected. The move with Miles was less certain, though the Cardinals did the same thing last year and, a ..."
Kennedy, Rasmus back in favor
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December 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"When discussing two members of his 2009 club who ended this past season in the organization's limbo, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa did more than describe the healing power of playing time. He understood their need for peace of mind. In one of the final interview sessions Wednesday with managers at baseball's winter meetings, La Russa welcomed the idea of having disenchanted Adam Kennedy back as the team's starting second baseman and extolled the ability hotshot prospect Colby Rasmus has to help his bid for a major-league spot. Less than a few months after Kennedy had requested a trade and the organization was identifying hurdles for Rasmus' ascent, La Russa embraced both as key ..."
Focus is firmly on Fuentes
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December 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"As the availability of proven closers narrows, the Cardinals now classify free-agent lefthander Brian Fuentes their "No. 1 priority," manager Tony La Russa said Wednesday. Though general manager John Mozeliak denied having extended a formal offer to Fuentes, the Cardinals were expected to meet with the pitcher's lead agent, Rick Thurman, late Wednesday night. Fuentes is seeking a three-year framework, a threshold the Cardinals had not reached entering the meeting. Mozeliak confirmed the club is now focusing on acquiring a closer over a starting pitcher. "We're open and willing to explore it," Mozeliak said. "We're also not giving up hope on some other front as well, should we not be able ..."
Search for a closer escalates
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December 10
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Going where the free agent current takes them, the Cardinals have made the search for a veteran closer their priority after apparently bidding too little for free agent Francisco Rodriguez. General manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that he would not confirm rejected bids, but a source said the Cardinals pursued Rodriguez before the former Los Angeles Angels closer reportedly accepted a three-year, $37 million bid from the New York Mets. Unable to acquire both a top-shelf closer and a second-tier starter through free agency, the Cardinals have met with representatives for free-agent lefthander Brian Fuentes, but first the team plans to explore trades. Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz, the ..."
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