St. Louis Cardinals Trade Rumors

La Russa, Pujols irritated about trade rumors
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March 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals are quickly discovering that enjoying the game's premier player comes with a price. Three-time NL Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols is two seasons shy of reaching free agency. However, his insistence that he will not engage in negotiations for an extension once the season begins and his subsequent leverage to veto any trade have already incited a speculative flash fire. A day after declining to address published innuendo by ESPN citing a claim by anonymous sources that the Philadelphia Phillies were willing to offer first baseman Ryan Howard for Pujols, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Monday, "We're not trading him ... period." Mozeliak had little else to say on ..."
Mo' Confirms the Obvious: Albert Going Nowhere
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March 16
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak was making a move toward his rental car moments after Thursday's 6-5 walk-off loss to the New York Mets when he was overtaken by a question about first baseman Albert Pujols' possible availability for trade. Mozeliak initially had no comment Sunday about an ESPN report about the Philadelphia Phillies contemplating a trade proposal of first baseman Ryan Howard for the Cardinals' three-time NL MVP, Albert Pujols. Monday, he sought to quash any percolating intrigue. "We're not trading him… period," Mozeliak said before making his getaway with assistant GM John Abbamondi."
Howard unfazed by 'false' trade rumor
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March 15
MLB.com
 
"Ryan Howard spoke and Shane Victorino chanted. "Al-bert! Al-bert! Al-bert!" Howard on Monday morning addressed an ESPN.com story that the Phillies have discussed proposing a Howard-for-Albert Pujols swap. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, "It's unequivocally false," on Sunday night. Howard gathered his thoughts before he addressed reporters in the Phillies' clubhouse at Bright House Field. Victorino said Pujols' name in the distance, ending the interview as Howard cracked up. "I don't really have anything to say about it, to be honest with you, really, truthfully," Howard said. "I can go back to all the stuff that happened when I was in Double-A and all the talk about trade ..."
Albert Pujols for Ryan Howard? Tony La Russa calls rumor 'abusive'
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March 15
USA Today
 
"St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa calls the trade rumor "abusive" and "disrupts the players," according to USA TODAY's Steve DiMeglio. More after the jump. It doesn't take much to send the online world into a frenzy these days, and ESPN's Buster Olney lobbed a trade-rumor grenade into the blogosphere with his report that the Philadelphia Phillies have had internal discussions about a swap of first basemen, sending Ryan Howard to the St. Louis Cardinals for Albert Pujols. Other than the fact that both of these guys are likely headed to the Hall of Fame, one is regarded as the best hitter in the game right now and the other has the brand appeal to share air time with Jared from ..."
Phillies GM Amaro denies swap talks
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March 14
ESPN.com
 
"It's the sort of thing that is much more likely to happen in fantasy baseball than in real life, but according to sources, an idea has been kicked around the Phillies' organization internally, with discussions about proposing a swap of slugger Ryan Howard for St. Louis superstar Albert Pujols. It's not fully clear whether the Phillies actually have approached the Cardinals with the idea, and even if St. Louis were to seriously consider such an offer, executives with the Cardinals would have to swallow very hard before dealing Pujols, a player widely regarded as the best in the sport."
Holliday recovering at home from possible allergy attack
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February 24
MLB.com
 
"Matt Holliday's first structured full-squad workout with the Cardinals will have to wait at least one day. Holliday took ill on Monday night and was absent from Tuesday's practice. Tuesday marked the beginning of full-squad workouts for the defending National League Central champions, and Holliday's name was nowhere to be found on the schedule. He stayed at his Spring Training residence recovering from what may have been an allergy attack."
Pujols: I have '95 percent' chance of avoiding Tommy John's surgery
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February 21
MLB.com
 
"Albert Pujols said on Sunday that there is now a very good chance he will never have to undergo 'Tommy John' reconstructive surgery on his persistently troublesome right elbow. Pujols first injured his elbow back in 2003, and over the intervening years he has had to manage it in a variety of ways. But all the while, he was aware that at some point during his career, he might eventually have to have ligament replacement on the joint. However, a pair of surgeries the past year-plus have assuaged that fear. Pujols had his ulnar nerve transposed in late 2008, and during this past offseason, he had bone spurs removed from his elbow. After the second procedure, he was told that the chances of ..."
Sources: Cards, Padres pursuing Lopez
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February 18
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cardinals and Padres are among the four teams currently pursuing free agent infielder Felipe Lopez, multiple sources told FOXSports.com. Lopez played for St. Louis in 2008, and the Cardinals' interest may be linked to the recent right wrist surgery of shortstop Brendan Ryan. San Diego, meanwhile, doesn't have much depth at the middle infield spots. Lopez could help there, since he has spent most of his career at shortstop and second base."
Cardinals sign Rich Hill, not pursuing any additional pitchers
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January 27
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"The Cardinals' signing of lefthanded pitcher Rich Hill to a minor-league contract Tuesday apparently will be the team's last addition to the pitching staff before spring training begins in three weeks. "We are not pursuing any other pitchers at this time," said Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak. The Cardinals had been looking for another pitcher to create competition for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, which they believe Hill will provide, but also were said to be searching for a pitcher who could potentially either start or relieve. Mozeliak said Hill will come to camp as a starter. The pitcher who some observers thought would be the perfect fit to fill that role already ..."
Cardinals sign former Cub pitcher Rich Hill
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January 27
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals may have made themselves a little bit deeper on Tuesday. Betting no more than $575,000, the Cardinals signed ex-Chicago Cubs lefthander Rich Hill to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to major-league camp. Hill will headline a group of 17 non-roster invitees that includes eight pitchers and four catchers due to report on Feb. 17. Hill, who turns 30 in March, will receive an opportunity to compete with reliever Kyle McClellan and rookie lefthander Jaime Garcia, among others, for the fifth starter role. The Cardinals insist Hill is healthy after requiring surgery in August to repair a tear in his shoulder cartilage. It is thought that Hill walks into camp with ..."
Edmonds talking with two teams, Cardinals appear out of running
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January 27
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"All that hoopla created by Jim Edmonds coming out on stage at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation charity benefit and saying he wanted to play for the Cardinals for free might turn out to have just been part of the show. Globe-Democrat.com learned Monday that the field of potential suitors for Edmonds has been narrowed to two and that the Cardinals are not one of those teams. The identity of the two teams was not immediately known, but they obviously are teams willing to pay Edmonds more than the minimum salary which the Cardinals likely would have offered. He also would likely have been invited to camp as a non-roster player for the Cardinals and would have had to make the club after ..."
Edmonds talking with two teams, Cardinals appear out of running
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January 26
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"All that hoopla created by Jim Edmonds coming out on stage at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation charity benefit and saying he wanted to play for the Cardinals for free might turn out to have just been part of the show. Globe-Democrat.com learned Monday that the field of potential suitors for Edmonds has been narrowed to two and that the Cardinals are not one of those teams. The identity of the two teams was not immediately known, but they obviously are teams willing to pay Edmonds more than the minimum salary which the Cardinals likely would have offered. He also would likely have been invited to camp as a non-roster player for the Cardinals and would have had to make the club after ..."
Edmonds waits on Cardinals, will consider other team's offers
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January 22
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"When Jim Edmonds told Tony La Russa he wanted to come back and play for the Cardinals this season, he thought he would get a simple yes or no answer. He's found out, however, that it might not be so cut and dried. While Edmonds said in a radio interview on 1380 AM in St. Louis Thursday that he wants to play for the Cardinals, he also revealed that within the first couple of days of the word getting out that he wanted to play in 2010, his agent had heard from three or four other clubs, including the New York Yankees. Now, Edmonds doesn't know what he's going to decide. He knows that the Cardinals have a set outfield and if he does play in St. Louis, he will be a part-time player and a ..."
Jim Edmonds mulling options
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January 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Former Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds, a possible Hall of Fame candidate someday, has been working out diligently this offseason and has instructed his agent, Paul Cohen, to see if big-league teams are interested in his services for 2010. One of the teams, in theory, would be the Cardinals, for whom Edmonds starred for eight seasons from 2000-2007, playing on six playoff teams and in two World Series. But is there really a match? General manager John Mozeliak said Wednesday that he and manager Tony La Russa had had discussions just in the previous day or two about tweaking the roster concerning reserves and pitching help but had not drawn any conclusions. "And as we look toward our ..."
Edmonds' eyes not just on Cards
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January 20
MLB.com
 
"Cardinals or not, Jim Edmonds wants to return to the Major Leagues -- period. That's what his longtime agent, Paul Cohen, expressed to FoxSports.com recently, when he told the Web site his 39-year-old client has formally asked him to speak on his behalf "with a series of particular teams about his comeback." "He feels great," Cohen was quoted as saying on Tuesday. "He would love to get back to the playoffs and reach 400 home runs. Those are the two goals he's talking about right now." Cohen told FoxSports.com that Edmonds -- an eight-time Gold Glove center fielder with 382 career home runs -- would consider playing any outfield position or first base. The agent said Edmonds "obviously has ..."
Ryan Ludwick excited, relieved about new contract with Cardinals
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January 20
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Outfielder Ryan Ludwick did more than just sign autographs at the Winter Warm-Up during his trip to St. Louis over the weekend. Ludwick and the Cardinals spent time finalizing a one-year contract worth $5.45 million for 2010. The deal, which avoids arbitration between the two sides, is a raise of $1.75 million from his $3.7 million salary a year ago. "I talked to them there at the Warm-Up and obviously my agent was in touch with them quite a bit," Ludwick told Globe-Democrat.com Tuesday night. "We just hammered it out and got it done. I'm excited. I'm glad that I am going to be in a Cardinal uniform next year. I am really excited about the opportunities that we have as a team." Ludwick, ..."
La Russa's visit to Edmonds' restaurant ended year-long feud
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January 20
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"If Jim Edmonds does return to the Cardinals, it might be because of a visit Manager Tony La Russa made to Edmonds' F15teen Steakhouse and Lounge last September. Edmonds and La Russa had not spoken for more than a year before La Russa learned that the former outfielder was hosting a party at the restaurant to celebrate its second anniversary. Many of Edmonds' former St. Louis teammates were invited, as were members of the Cubs, who were in town playing the Cardinals. La Russa had not been invited, but showed up anyway, bringing a bottle of wine as a congratulatory gift. Witnesses said Edmonds had his back turned when La Russa arrived, and his former manager walked up and tapped him on the ..."
Cardinals agree on contract with Ryan Ludwick
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January 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals reached agreement Tuesday with right fielder Ryan Ludwick on a one-year, $5.45 million contract that will allow the parties to avoid a potential salary arbitration hearing next month. Resolving Ludwick's contract leaves second baseman Skip Schumaker as the only Cardinal to seek arbitration. The parties exchanged figures Tuesday, with the club offering $1.45 million and Schumaker seeking $2.75 million. Schumaker made $430,000 last year. "There are still some question marks" on how close a deal with Schumaker is, general manager John Mozeliak said. "It is nice to have Luddy done." Though the difference in the bids presented by the club and Schumaker appears daunting, both sides ..."
Cardinals' Albert Pujols is using his power
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January 20
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Bryan Burwell
"When he was still a young man in the process of nurturing his burgeoning legend, we thought the entire source of Albert Pujols' power came off the meat of his bat. Yet now that the Cardinals slugger has become baseball's undisputed, preeminent star, we're just now discovering what Albert seems to already know all too well: There is swelling strength in his voice, too. The words Pujols has kept uttering over the past year or so concerning his undetermined financial future are starting to sound very much like he's a man with a rather intelligent plan. Call it the Pujols Insurance Policy. Is it possible that with his reluctance to put his name on any quickie contract extension, the three-time ..."
Ludwick, Cards agree to one-year contract
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January 19
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"The Cardinals announced on Tuesday morning that they have come to terms with outfielder Ryan Ludwick on a one-year contract for 2010. The deal avoids arbitration between the two sides. Terms of the deal were not disclosed but Ludwick, who hit .265 with 22 home runs and 97 RBIs last year, will earn more than $5 million in 2010 after making $3.7 million a season ago. "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Ryan," Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said in a statement. "Ryan has proven to be a steady run-producer for our ballclub for the past two-plus seasons and we look forward to another strong season from him in 2010." The deal leaves Skip Schumaker as the only ..."
Cardinals will discuss possibility of bringing back Jim Edmonds
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January 19
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"What Manager Tony La Russa thought was intended to be a joke might turn out to be the answer to the Cardinals' quest for outfield depth and a lefthanded bat to come off the bench this season. La Russa said Monday he found out Sunday night that former Cardinal Jim Edmonds was serious in saying he wanted to play again this season, and do it with the Cardinals. Until that point, La Russa thought Edmonds had simply been teasing him as the two exchanged text messages over the past few days. Edmonds, however, came on stage at the end of La Russa's fundraising event for his Animal Rescue Foundation at Chaifetz Arena and said he would play for free, a statement he later amended to say he would ..."
Pujols ready to talk contract, hopes to finish career in St. Louis
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January 19
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"Albert Pujols said Monday that he is ready to talk with the St. Louis Cardinals about a contract extension, adding that he would give the club a hometown discount if it meant a chance to compete for a World Series title. Speaking at a news conference before he signed autographs at the Winter Warm-Up, Pujols reiterated his desire to sign an extension to stay in St. Louis – if the two sides can get a deal worked out in time. Pujols, who hit .327 with 47 home runs and 135 RBIs in 2009, said he won't negotiate an extension during the season. "Whenever they are ready to talk, me and my agent - we will be ready to talk," Pujols said. "But I don't want to bring that distraction into a season ..."
Edmonds makes clear he's eager to return
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January 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"During intermission Sunday at Tony La Russa's benefit concert for his Animal Rescue Foundation, former Cardinals center fielder Jim Edmonds was backstage, greeting the musicians and chatting with Mark McGwire. Asked if he might visit spring training this year, Edmonds said, "I hear No. 15 is available." He wasn't joking. Edmonds went public with his wish to attempt a comeback with the Cardinals, jumping on stage with La Russa at the end of that night's concert to say he'd play for the minimum for a shot at a return. What had started with a few text messages that La Russa thought was a joke has blossomed into a conversation Cardinals management will have in the coming days: Is there room on ..."
Pujols is open to idea of entering free agency
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January 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals are about to learn that Albert Pujols can be a very patient man. Mixing support for new hitting coach Mark McGwire with answers about his future, the three-time NL Most Valuable Player insists he remains in no hurry to discuss a long-term contract extension and is open to the possibility of pursuing free agency after the 2011 season. "My timetable is when I'm a free agent," Pujols said before sitting for a two-hour autograph session Monday at the Winter Warm-Up. "Right now, we've got a couple years. I don't need to worry about that right now. Right now, my job is to let my agent do the talking. We're open to talking about it. But I tell you: When the season starts, we're not ..."
Albert Pujols in No Rush for Extension
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January 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals first baseman and three-time NL Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols told a media gathering this afternoon that he feels no urgency to negotiate a contract extension with the club, adding that he will not carry any pending talks into the season. "My timetable is when I'm a free agent," said Pujols, who is eligible for free agency after the 2011 season. "Right now we've got a couple years. I don't need to worry about that right now. Right now my job is to let my agent [Dan Lozano] do my talking…. We're open to talk about it. But I tell you: When the season starts we're not talking about it." Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and president Bill DeWitt III have listed making Pujols "a Cardinal ..."
Edmonds says he wants to make comeback with Cards
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January 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"Jim Edmonds wants his No. 15 uniform back. After hanging out with his old teammates all weekend, he wants to stage a comeback with the Cardinals. In fact, he told the crowd assembled at the Animal Rescue Foundation benefit Sunday night that he would play for free. Edmonds later amended his offer, saying he would play for minimum plus some expense considerations. But you get the idea. Right there, on stage at Chaifetz Arena with manager Tony La Russa at his side, Edmonds made his pitch as the "Stars to the Rescue" concert wrapped up. It seemed like an elaborate prank . . . but the longer this exchange dragged on, the more serious Jim seemed. He put his old manager on the spot, uncomfortably ..."
Skip Schumaker expects a new contract soon
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January 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals second baseman Skip Schumaker has more hair now than the clean pate he sported last season. "I had a baby daughter and I didn't want to scare her," said Schumaker, who suggested that it was a short-term look. Soon, probably this week, Schumaker is expected to have more money in the form of a new, short-term contract — one year for somewhere close to $2 million. "No deal done yet," Schumaker said Sunday at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. "But I think we're close. "I don't think either one of us wants to go to arbitration. I don't have anything bad to say about (the Cardinals), so I really don't want to go." Schumaker hit .303 in his first ..."
Knuckleballer Zink inks with Cardinals
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January 15
MLB.com
 
"The Cardinals have added some depth to their Minor League rotation with an intriguing signing. Knuckleballing right-hander Charlie Zink has agreed to a Minor League deal with St. Louis. Zink, 30, has been in the Red Sox organization since 2002. He has made one Major League start, in 2008. He was once regarded as one of the Boston organization's better prospects. Zink struggled in 2009 at the Red Sox's Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate, going 6-15 with a 5.59 ERA and nearly twice as many walks as strikeouts. A year earlier, however, he was voted the International League's Most Valuable Pitcher. In 2008 at Pawtucket, Zink posted a 14-6 record, a 2.84 ERA, 106 strikeouts and 49 walks in 174 1/3 ..."
Cardinals talking contracts with Ludwick, Schumaker
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January 15
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
 
"John Mozeliak has checked off some pretty important boxes on his "to-do" list in the last couple of weeks, but the Cardinals' general manager has a few more tasks remaining before the team reports to spring training next month. One of the those is to complete contract negotiations with the two Cardinals eligible for arbitration, outfielder Ryan Ludwick and second baseman Skip Schumaker. Even though the true deadline to complete a deal and avoid going through the arbitration hearings is the date of the hearings, in mid-February, the two sides will exchange figures on Tuesday if a deal is not reached before then. Dan Horwits of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, who represents Ludwick, said ..."
Ex-St. Louis Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire admits to taking steroids while breaking home run record
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January 11
New York Daily News
 
"Mark McGwire, the St. Louis Cardinals slugger whose home run legacy was tainted by performance-enhancing drug allegations, admitted using steroids in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday. McGwire acknowledged using steroids on and off for nearly a decade and apologized for his illicit drug use. "I wish I had never touched steroids," McGwire's statement to the AP said. "It was foolish and it was a mistake. I truly apologize. Looking back, I wish I had never played during the steroid era." At a late October press conference to announce that Tony La Russa would return to St. Louis for at least one more year, the Cardinals coach said that McGwire would return to the team as its ..."
With Holliday signed, focus turns to Pujols
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January 8
MLB.com
 
"As the Cardinals introduced Matt Holliday as their newest re-acquisition, an air of celebration filled the press conference room at Busch Stadium. In under 24 hours, though, the club's front office gets back to work on matters large and small -- one of them bigger and potentially even more difficult than retaining Holliday's services for seven more years. By locking up Holliday to a seven-year, $120-million deal, the Redbirds cleared their last major bit of business as far as assembling their 2010 roster. They may yet add a third baseman, or a fifth starter, or help for their bullpen or bench, but Holliday was the biggest piece. Any remaining moves will be complementary. However, another ..."
Will Pirates land Ankiel?
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January 7
Foxsports.com
 
"The Pirates want to sign free-agent outfielder Rick Ankiel, but their chances of completing a deal are in question. While one major-league source says he expects the Pirates to "win out" for Ankiel, a second source is more pessimistic. The Pirates' interest in Ankiel is "real," the second source said, but the team might fill its need with another player rather than continue waiting on Ankiel and his agent, Scott Boras. Ankiel, 30, would play right field for the Pirates, enabling the team to use Garrett Jones at first base. The Pirates also could add a different outfielder, or find a first baseman and play Jones in right."
Up next: How to pay Pujols
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January 7
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"The Cardinals have locked in Matt Holliday for seven more years. Next up on Bill DeWitt Jr.'s agenda is securing a career-spanning extension for Albert Pujols. Is it possible to satisfy both players and still contend year after year? Of course it is, although it won't be easy. Here are some thoughts on where the team stands: * Holliday's deal did not set the market for Albert's next contract. First baseman Mark Teixeira set it last season by signing his eight-year, $180 million contract with the Yankees. Teixeira is a great player, but he's not Pujols -- so there is the bar the Cards will have to comfortably clear to get Albert's attention. Yahoo! Sports columnist Jeff Passan does the ..."
Tony La Russa's dream is to have Mark McGwire return as pinch hitter
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January 7
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Cam Inman
"Tony La Russa vowed Wednesday to put on a nice show. He meant his Animal Rescue Foundation's 19th annual benefit gala Saturday night in Walnut Creek. But he's as excited about another upcoming extravaganza: Mark McGwire's return to baseball, as the St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach and — get this stunning scenario — as a possible pinch-hitting slugger for a postseason run. "If we're in contention, we'll put him on the roster Aug. 31. It's a nice little dream," said La Russa, who's managed the perennially contending Cardinals since leaving the A's after the 1995 season. "Is it likely? Probably not. I don't think it's a zero possibility. The point is, you'll see him in spring training. He ..."
Cards interested in Miguel Tejeda
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January 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 (scroll down)
"The Cardinals could wait on the market to offer other options. The club has been intrigued with free-agent infielder Miguel Tejada, a former MVP and a shortstop who had 199 hits last season for the Houston Astros. The Cardinals' interest is predicated on Tejada's willingness to move to third base and the possibility of fitting him in on a short-term deal. Members of the Cardinals' leadership have eyed Tejada as a trade target in recent seasons, and manager Tony La Russa recently stated publicly that the club has "talked about Miguel." The same considerations would be in place for Felipe Lopez, a former Cardinal who could be a fit as a part-time third baseman and a switch-hitter off the ..."
How the payroll puzzle comes together for the Cardinals
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January 6
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"How could the Cardinals offer Matt Holliday top dollar while sticking to a $100 million budget? There are three reasons: The elimination of dead payroll money (finally!), the healthy supply of young (cheap) players and the presence of freebie Julio Lugo. Better money management and player development created this opportunity. A year ago, the Cards had almost a quarter of their season-starting payroll sunk into the Ghost of Troy Glaus (useless after shoulder surgery), poor Khalil Greene (victim of anxiety disorder) and Adam Kennedy (paid to play elsewhere). Those financial commitments are long gone now, to owner Bill DeWitt's considerable relief. Shedding that burden gave general manager ..."
Holliday agrees to seven-year deal with Cardinals
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January 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Matt Holliday said today he has agreed to a seven-year, $120 million deal to stay with Cardinals. The team confirmed an agreement pending a physical and said a formal announcement is expected within 48 hours. Holliday broke the news while speaking on ESPN radio this afternoon. "I felt like it was a good fit for me and my family," Holliday said on the Doug Gottlieb show on ESPN. "I'm going back to the Cardinals. It was very appealing to me. This has been a bit of a long process. There are some emotional ups and downs that go with it. It hasn't exactly been a walk in the park. "To be back there ... to have friends there, not starting off new, we're excited about it." The contract -– the ..."
La Russa says deal or no deal this week
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January 5
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Amid growing signs that the Cardinals and free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday were on the brink of a franchise-record contract to keep the former batting champion in St. Louis, manager Tony La Russa acknowledged Monday that any deal should be finalized sometime this week. "I think we've made it clear how much we want to keep him," La Russa said. "At some point you have to go in one direction or the other." That direction began to clarify during a weekend flurry of face-to-face meetings among Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., general manager John Mozeliak and Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, in Austin, Texas. Holliday, who had not spoken directly with Cardinals officials during his free ..."
La Russa: Cards, Holliday getting close
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January 5
MLB.com
 
"One way or another, it appears the long courtship between the Cardinals and Matt Holliday is coming to a head. Manager Tony La Russa said in a radio interview on Monday that he believes the saga is approaching a "conclusion," ESPN.com reported Monday evening that the club and Scott Boras, Holliday's agent, are "close to a deal" and that the team has "centered on" a seven-year framework. Re-signing Holliday has been the team's top priority since the season ended. General manager John Mozeliak left baseball's annual Winter Meetings having made some progress, and negotiations picked up some steam after the meetings ended. "Plan B" options have continued to come off the board, with third ..."
Cardinals move closer to deal with Holliday
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December 31
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The wait might have been worth it for the Cardinals, as the club and free-agent outfielder Matt Holliday are working toward an agreement that multiple sources described as gaining momentum and potentially is the largest ever offered by the franchise, passing the $100 million extension signed by Albert Pujols in 2004. The Cardinals have had a growing sense of optimism in recent weeks that they would be able to re-sign the left fielder and former batting champion, willing to let the market move around them while they focused on Holliday. Sources with knowledge of the negotiations said progress is "strong" and a resolution could come as early as next week. Holliday's representatives and ..."
DeRosa is set to sign with Giants
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December 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Mark DeRosa, the versatile fielder the Cardinals saw as a Plan B if they failed to sign outfielder Matt Holliday, was poised Monday night to stop waiting for the Redbirds. DeRosa was in San Francisco for a physical, which multiple news outlets there said he passed. His contract with the Giants is expected to be announced today, the San Francisco Chronicle reported on its website. According to multiple reports, DeRosa has agreed to a two-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $12 million. The Giants were among the first teams to make a contract offer, doing so around the winter meetings. The Cardinals, according to DeRosa's agent, remained in a "holding pattern" with their pursuit until ..."
DeRosa is hoping to make move soon
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December 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Still perceived as in a "holding pattern," the Cardinals may be approaching a critical point in their negotiations for free agent left fielder Matt Holliday. At least one possible alternative to Holliday, free agent Mark DeRosa, hopes to make a decision soon with or without a bid from his former team. "We have had continuous dialogue with the Cardinals and with other ballclubs about Mark. Waiting on the Cardinals is not going to stop him from signing a deal," DeRosa's agent, Keith Grunewald, said Thursday Such a situation is just what the Cardinals hoped to avoid when they engaged their former cleanup hitter in talks. Helped by a slow-moving market, general manager John Mozeliak has ..."
Time is of no essence to Boras
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December 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The agent for outfielder Matt Holliday doesn't see the dwindling days on the calendar as motivation to accelerate negotiations, saying instead the market will set the pace and, to the extent they're inclined, so will the Cardinals. "The acquisition of a franchise talent is not about a wristwatch," Scott Boras said Sunday when asked if he saw his client signing before the holidays arrive. "That's about all I can tell you. It's not a particular time. It's about the club recognizing the benefit of having that player and how they'll be dramatically impacted by the loss of that player. "When that realization takes place, when there is recognition of the player's place in the market," Boras ..."
Scenarios emerging to keep both Holliday, DeRosa, for the right price
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December 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals fans are having fun with all the Hot Stove League action this winter. In many ways, this off-field maneuvering is more interesting than a mid-week series against the Reds or Pirates down at Busch Stadium. Multiple story lines are playing out at once. Scenarios change from minute to minute. Intrigue is building. John Mozeliak and Bill DeWitt have a game plan for retooling the Cardinals for 2010, but they are dealing with some vexing variables. All along, I've made the case for signing gritty Mark DeRosa over Matt Holliday. I believed Matt could return here only if the free-agent market for him collapsed. That hasn't happened yet, but it appears current market pricing could allow ..."
Sources: Red Sox offered Holiday $82.5 million before signing Lackey
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December 19
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Boston Red Sox moved swiftly from their jilted offer to Jason Bay to their introduction of pitcher John Lackey and outfielder Mike Cameron as the newest players at Fenway Park. But did they take a swing at signing Matt Holliday on their way out of the Bay hunt? That seems to be the indication from two national reporters on their Twitter feeds today. Both MLB Network's Peter Gammons and ESPN.com's Buster Olney referenced offers the Red Sox made to Holliday this afternoon on their respective Twitter accounts. (They are captured here in this blog at ESPN Boston.) The tidbits didn't advance past Twitter, but the the 140-character statements were interesting because the offer from the ..."
With Cardinals in "holding pattern" with Holliday, DeRosa weighs options
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December 18
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said he has been keeping the "lines of communication open" with several free agents who the club would pursue if Matt Holliday heads elsewhere. One of those free agents that figure prominently in the Cardinals so-called "Plan B" is Mark DeRosa. He's waiting, too. But there's no telling how long he will continue to do so. DeRosa's agent, Keith Grunewald, said he spoke with Mozeliak today (Thursday) and was told that the Cardinals continue to be in "a holding pattern" with Holliday. That makes it difficult for the team to ramp up efforts to re-sign DeRosa, who they are unlikely to offer a contract to if Holliday comes back. DeRosa finds himself in that ..."
Holliday intrigued by Orioles?
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December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"Free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday might be more intrigued by the Orioles now that the team has signed his close friend, third baseman Garrett Atkins. Yet, Atkins isn't Holliday's only close friend on the team. Holliday also is close with Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. Both are involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The Orioles are pursuing Holliday, major-league sources say, but they should know better than to expect a "buddy discount" from Holliday's agent, Scott Boras. Still, if the O's are willing to meet Holliday's price, they could offer him a built-in comfort zone with the team."
Sources: O's interested in Holliday
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December 17
Foxsports.com
 
"The Cardinals are not the only team pursuing free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday. The Orioles have jumped into the bidding, though both the seriousness of their efforts and Holliday's desire to play in Baltimore are in question, major-league sources say. Holliday, 29, is unlikely to go to the Orioles — a team coming off 12 straight losing seasons — unless they make him a much stronger offer than the Cardinals. The Orioles, meanwhile, might only participate in the Holliday sweepstakes as a token gesture, an effort to demonstrate to their fans that they are trying to improve. Still, the idea of Holliday signing with the Orioles could make sense for a number of reasons: Holliday would join ..."
Mets tweak offer to Bay, re-enter chase for Holliday
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December 16
SI.com
 
"Moving aggressively to try to secure a power-hitting left fielder, the Mets tweaked their offer to Jason Bay to give him a possible five-year alternative and are getting back into the ballgame for Matt Holliday, as well, SI.com has learned. Mets GM Omar Minaya and Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, spoke at length on Tuesday. Minaya is thought to have signaled a willingness to go to a five-year deal (at slightly lower dollars per year than the original four-year offer for close to $65 million), but with Bay still believed to be seeking a six-year deal from them, the Mets apparently have decided to dip back in on Holliday. The Mets, who are now believed willing to go to about $75 million for five for ..."