Cardinals Trade Rumors

"Despite that, Mulder is looking more like the star pitcher the Cards sacrificed Danny Haren to get. He is preparing to bolster the Cards rotation in May and create additional trade leverage for general manager John Mozeliak."

"The Cardinals’ opening day starter and present-day ace Adam Wainwright is expected to sign a long-term contract today with the club that assures his place in its future. The Cardinals plan to finalize and announce a multiple-year deal for Wainwright that could make him a fixture in the rotation through 2013. "

"Some free-agent options are available, such as Kenny Lofton and, of course, Barry Bonds. But the Rays seem more likely to first explore trade possibilities, with names to keep in mind including Dave Dellucci (Indians), Gabe Gross (Brewers), Skip Schumaker (Cardinals), Reggie Willits (Angels) and, less likely, Reed Johnson (Blue Jays)."

"The Cardinals had dismissed signing Lohse, but their schedule in April has only two off days, putting stress on a bullpen that may lend at least two pitchers to the rotation. Lohse, once considered one of the top pitchers in an unexceptional free agent class, failed to command a bid approaching the four-year, $48 million deal Carlos Silva signed with the Seattle Mariners."

"Jeff Weaver is unemployed, three weeks before the start of the season. The former Dodgers and Angels pitcher won the game that clinched the 2006 World Series championship for the St. Louis Cardinals, but he is 15-27 with a 5.96 earned-run average the last two seasons. The Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals have expressed interest, said his younger brother, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver."

"Scouts for the Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals clustered behind a chain-link fence to watch Ponson's latest reincarnation. A pitcher who once huffed and puffed to muster an 88 mph fastball threw with little obvious effort and significantly more velocity. "I'm throwing nice and free again. I don't have to force anything," Ponson said."

"The possibility of free agent home run king Barry Bonds hitting behind Albert Pujols in the Cardinals' batting order remained intriguing enough this winter for manager Tony La Russa to take the idea to general manager John Mozeliak and team owners a second consecutive year, La Russa confirmed Sunday. And for a second straight winter, the idea died in committee."

"The agent for lefty David Wells dialed the Cardinals recently to see whether the team was interested in adding the veteran to an unsettled rotation. Wells, 44, has been working out and would like to pitch another season after going 4-1 with a 4.65 ERA in seven starts for the Dodgers at the end of last season. The Cardinals' interest was tepid."

"Insisting that the organization retain enough flexibility to pursue another pitcher if necessary, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has spoken with representatives for 2006 World Series hero Jeff Weaver and 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon. "

"The Phillies are apparently a lot more serious about free-agent pitcher Kris Benson than they've let on. Benson has thrown privately for Phillies scout Chuck LaMar twice in the last week, a baseball source said after Benson's most recent audition yesterday in Atlanta... Several other teams, including Washington, Houston and St. Louis, have had interest, and there were indications yesterday that Atlanta might get involved."

"Can't believe the Cardinals have talked about inviting Juan Gonzalez to spring training -- yes, Tigers flop Juan Gonzalez, 2000 -- but they have. Seems Juan Gone has kept himself in shape and all the injuries that caused him to wash out apparently have healed. Gonzalez is 38 and never has given up on the dream of hitting 500 home runs, which looked like a certainty when he was young. But he's been stuck at 434 since 2004. "

"Two-time MVP Juan Gonzalez is seeking another swing at a comeback after nearly three years since his last at-bat, and the Cardinals have discussed extending him an invitation to spring training. Gonzalez, 38, has been working out at Eduardo Perez's Winter Training Program in Puerto Rico. The Cardinals, intrigued by descriptions of Gonzalez's workouts, are exploring the possibility of signing the former All-Star outfielder, but a source cautioned that no deal is completed."

"By granting Scott Rolen his wish, the Cardinals may have found a way to fulfill one of their own. The Cardinals and the Toronto Blue Jays are close to finalizing a swap of third basemen that would bring Troy Glaus and his stout bat to St. Louis, while shipping the disenchanted Rolen north."

"The Reds announced Friday that Jocketty is a special adviser to the CEO (Castellini). What does that mean? It means that Punxsutawney Phil isn't the only one who should watch for shadows, because Jocketty's will loom large over the personage of General Manager Wayne Krivsky."

"Contract talks between the Giants and incumbent third baseman Pedro Feliz appear to be stalling. Sources said the team offered Feliz a contract of less than the three years he is believed to be seeking, and no deal was struck despite a deadline imposed by the team...A passing deadline does not necessarily mean Feliz is gone, but does mean that with five weeks before spring training, the Giants might have to intensify trade talks for Scott Rolen, Joe Crede or any other third baseman who might be available."

"Scott Boras has a bunker of computers loaded with nearly 130 years of statistical history and 35 staffers dedicated to prepping arbitration cases for clients like Rick Ankiel. Yet even with all his resources whirring into action, it's improbable they'll find a case anything like Ankiel's."

"If the Orioles don't trade for a young center fielder in the coming weeks, they will likely turn their attention to last year's Opening Day starter, Corey Patterson... The only teams with money to spend and a distinct need in center are the St. Louis Cardinals and Patterson's hometown Atlanta Braves."

"Melvin has shown interest in St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen and Texas' Hank Blalock, as well as Los Angeles outfielder Andre Ethier. At this point, he said he is not optimistic a deal can be struck."

"The earth shifted beneath Busch Stadium on Friday night. The Jim Edmonds era is over in St. Louis. The Cardinals have reached agreement on a trade sending the former All-Star center fielder and cash to the San Diego Padres for a minor-league prospect believed to be 24-year-old third baseman and Lafayette High alum David Freese, multiple sources confirmed."

"Free-agent shortstop David Eckstein need only pass a physical in order to become the newest member of the Blue Jays. According to a source close to the deal, the two-time World Series winner has agreed to a one-year deal worth in the region of $4.5 million (dollar figures U.S.)."

"Earlier in the day, the Brewers designated outfielder Kevin Mench for assignment to clear a roster spot for Torres. The Brewers have 10 days to trade Mench or release him outright... 'With the possibility of moving Braun out there, you can't take that risk (of keeping Mench at that salary),' said Melvin, who has shown interest in two third basemen, Texas' Hank Blalock and St. Louis' Scott Rolen, as well as Los Angeles outfielder Andre Ethier."

"La Russa's bluntness caught off-guard those who had walked into the session expecting the typical tablespoons of optimism fed to the media two months before the start of spring training. His comments also blindsided the team's new general manager, John Mozeliak, who arrived in Nashville, Tenn., last Sunday thinking a deal for Rolen possible before re-evaluating the matter when talks broke down Tuesday with the Milwaukee Brewers... The situation has yet to become bleak enough for La Russa or Mozeliak to suggest Anthony Reyes' possible return as a No. 5 starter, perhaps because Reyes is being shopped widely to teams such as the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies. Club sources indicated by week's end that Rasmus could lose his "untouchable" label in a potential deal for Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard."

"Personality clashes and feuds are a baseball tradition, so I have no idea as to why so many fans and media are freaking out over the friction between La Russa and Rolen."

"The Cardinals came home with third baseman Scott Rolen still part of their roster. They also remain in search of a starting pitcher to complete a healing rotation. Thursday's addition may be described as minor, but not negligible."

"Among the possibilities at third base, the Brewers talked about St. Louis' Scott Rolen, Texas' Hank Blalock and free agent Tadahito Iguchi, a second baseman willing to switch to third. Talks with the Cardinals about Rolen broke off but could be revived because of his deteriorating relationship with manager Tony La Russa... With the Los Angeles Dodgers signing free-agent centerfielder Andruw Jones, the Brewers might try to pry away one of their extra outfielders, Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier."

"Scott Rolen, Wes Helms and Abraham Nunez were just a few of the names on a wish list posted in the Marlins' suite at the Gaylord Opryland hotel, a rough draft of candidates Florida might target to replace third baseman Miguel Cabrera."

"The Rockies are emerging as the front-runners for free-agent second baseman Tadahito Iguchi and have spoken with David Eckstein's agent now that Mark Loretta is returning to Houston."

"Speaking at length about a topic that has preoccupied the club this week, Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa on Wednesday laid responsibility for an ongoing impasse between him and the Gold Glove infielder squarely on Rolen’s shoulders, insisting that the club should not craft a trade merely to placate Rolen."

"The feud between Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen provided some heat to an otherwise quiet Wednesday afternoon at the meetings. Rolen asked the Cardinals to trade him at the end of last season because of his distaste for La Russa. The Cardinals have been trying, chatting with several teams, including the Indians. Rolen, however, has a history of shoulder problems. Besides that, La Russa doesn't want to trade him. "

"According to a major-league source, the Rockies have deals in place to trade Jamey Carroll and Clint Barmes if they sign a free-agent second baseman, namely Tadahito Iguchi. St. Louis, Florida and Cleveland are considered the potential destinations for Carroll and Barmes. O'Dowd wouldn't rule out offering a two-year deal to Iguchi, making them a serious suitor. "

"When it came down to making a decision on trading for St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen, it just didn't feel right to Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin."

"As the Padres put final touches on a three-year, $52 million extension to ace Jake Peavy, they revisited the evolving market for free-agent outfielders Mike Cameron, Kosuke Fukudome, Geoff Jenkins and Milton Bradley; and for trade targets such as Astros outfielder Luke Scott, Cubs pitcher Mark Prior and Cardinals pitcher Anthony Reyes."

"Talking up their leverage while trying to accommodate a disenchanted third baseman’s desire to land elsewhere, the Cardinals on Monday intensified efforts to deal away Scott Rolen, possibly to a rival poised to displace them as the NL Central’s dominant franchise. Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has met twice with the Milwaukee Brewers since arriving Sunday night at baseball’s winter meetings and plans to extend discussions today."

"Several obstacles stand in the way of the Milwaukee Brewers acquiring veteran third baseman Scott Rolen in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals."

"St. Louis, for example, wants to trade right-hander Anthony Reyes, who beat the Tigers in Game 1 of the 2006 World Series but slipped to 2-14 in 2007 while clashing with manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. The other thing the Tigers can do is find improvement in what they already have. "

" The Giants need a third baseman because it appears Pedro Feliz will get a multiyear contract elsewhere. Feliz's agents also represent Scott Rolen and were pushing for the St. Louis Cardinals to trade the Gold Glove third baseman - probably to Milwaukee or Texas - and then sign Feliz. The Philadelphia Phillies also consider Feliz an option."

"Given that Rolen is rehabilitating from his third shoulder surgery in two years, potential buyers, such as the Milwaukee Brewers, are insistent that the Cardinals assume a portion of the $36 million owed Rolen the next three seasons. The Brewers' desire to move defensively challenged third baseman Ryan Braun to left field squares with Rolen's availability and the Cardinals' interest in starting pitcher Chris Capuano."

"One trade rumor that won't die has the Brewers interested in acquiring St. Louis third baseman Scott Rolen. Should the Brewers acquire Rolen, they would move National League rookie of the year Ryan Braun from third base to left, filling that vacancy."

"Reportedly, the Brewers are shopping left-hander Chris Capuano to the St. Louis Cardinals in a deal that would bring third baseman Scott Rolen and his $36 million salary over the next three years to Milwaukee."

"If the Twins deal Santana someplace else or not at all, expect the Yankees to try and pry Dan Haren or Joe Blanton away from Oakland... The Braves, who aren't bringing Jones back, might be a taker, but they would want the Yankees to absorb a lot of the money. A long shot is Damon returning to play center field if Cabrera is moved... If Cabrera is traded and the Yankees don't feel comfortable returning Damon to center, they could go after Rowand, Jones or Mike Cameron, or trade for Jim Edmonds."

"Addressing their defense as a precursor to other jarring moves, the Cardinals on Friday signed free-agent shortstop Cesar Izturis to a one-year, $2.85 million contract that all but severs the club's ties with three-year incumbent David Eckstein."

"Three days away from formally extending or rejecting arbitration to former World Series MVP David Eckstein, the Cardinals continue to explore alternatives that include the Baltimore Orioles' Miguel Tejada, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Wilson and free agent Cesar Izturis. "

"The Mets appeared to have a deal in place for days with catcher Yorvit Torrealba, but with only a physical holding up a formal announcement, the two sides parted ways yesterday in a stunning reversal, as first reported by Newsday.com... A person familiar with the situation confirmed yesterday that the Mets took David Eckstein on the standard free-agent tour of Connecticut this past week, but the dinner was characterized as more of an 'information session.'"

"Mets officials dined with free-agent infielder David Eckstein in Greenwich, Conn., this week in the hopes he'll fill the second base vacancy in Flushing."

"With the Mets dismissing Paul Lo Duca and basically handing Tom Glavine to the rival Braves, it could be argued that they are in worse shape than the flawed team that stumbled to the historic collapse in September... David Eckstein is an intriguing free-agent candidate and presumably would not have a problem switching from shortstop. Other options are Tadahito Iguchi, who was cut loose by the Phillies on Friday, and Cesar Izturis, let go by the Pirates."