Post-Dispatch Cardinals Update

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently spoke to Cards GM Walt Jocketty, and has an article full of updates.

The Cardinals are still trying to bring back Mark Mulder and/or Jeff Weaver, but aren't interested in other free agent pitchers.  Jeff Suppan would have to offer a discount, which is unlikely.  The Cards have a two-year offer out to Mulder.  Weaver might wait out both Zito and Suppan before signing.  Outside options like Brian Lawrence and Tomo Ohka might be out of the picture.

It also appears that Jocketty doesn't have any trades on the horizon despite their earlier interest in Carl Pavano.  Right now, the rotation appears to be Carpenter, Wells, Reyes, Wainwright, and Looper.

The Cards will bring back Rick Ankiel on a minor league deal.  Preston Wilson hopes to return as well.

Comments

[BaLLooNNoT]

Looper is in the rotation?? lmfao! Every team in their division will love them for that! Looper sucks!

[stormstarter28]

Yes, RIGHT NOW Looper is in the rotation. He won't be as soon as we sign Mulder or Weaver, or any other free agent backup plan like Ohka. Looper will not start a game, so calm down.

[allabouthephils]

I still wouldn't pick against the Cardinals in the division.... You know Jocketty isn't going into spring training with Looper being the starter...Their rotation ( once they fill the 5 slot) will be as good as any in the division.. Their lineup is as good as any in the division. I don't like the Cubs to be anything more than an expensive 500 team... The Astros will be struggling for pitching ( especially if the rocket doesnt resign)... I think the division will be the Cards again... The only team I see capable of sneaking in is the Brew Crew.....

[Aduncaroo]

I would definitely not say that the Cards lineup is as good as any in the division. Once they fill the 5 spot in the rotation, which they will, I do agree that their pitching will be as good as any, but not any better. However, besides Pujols, no one impresses me at all in their lineup. Rolen and Edmonds are just getting older, so I really don't see either one of them even matching their numbers from last season. Once teams get wind of that, Pujols might FINALLY stop getting pitches to hit. I think Houton and Chicago have better lineups, and probably Cincy too. The division will be wide open, but I will give the WS champs their credit and say that they are probably the favorite.

[plh903]

Edmonds and Rolen will be fine next year. Rolen is 31 and had an .890 OPS, and Edmonds won't be seeing double.

Looper won't be more than a stopgap, if that, mark it down.

Kudos to Walt Jocketty for not mortgaging the future on marginal talent.

Also, Suppan to the Beermakers, 4-year deal. Their immediate future looks a little brighter.

Go Birds

Hi Dunc!

[StLknows]

The cardinals definitely did not need Suppan for 40 mil dollars. We got nothing coming up from the minors so any real deals we make have to be especially thrifty. I'll take Kennedy over Belliard, Kip Wells over Marquis, wainwright in the rotation is a certain plus, which I think outweighs the loss of Suppan. I am thinking Walt is smart enough to keep Looper in the pen. especially with Izzy not coming back for a bit.

[plh903]

Between Garcia, Hawk, Wainwright, and Reyes, the back of the rotation is looking good and cheap.

It's just missing that top of the rotation punch that could have been in, Mulder, Haren, Bud Smith, Schmidt, Burnett, Ankiel and whoever else. Walt will make it happen, and then things are looking up for the Cards again.

[nrmax88]

"I still wouldn't pick against the Cardinals in the division.... You know Jocketty isn't going into spring training with Looper being the starter...Their rotation ( once they fill the 5 slot) will be as good as any in the division.. Their lineup is as good as any in the division. I don't like the Cubs to be anything more than an expensive 500 team... The Astros will be struggling for pitching ( especially if the rocket doesnt resign)... I think the division will be the Cards again... The only team I see capable of sneaking in is the Brew Crew....."
Good post, i agree with it all. The brewers do seem to have a good young core, a nice staff, and young talent from last year that is 1 year more experienced.

[unclegrubworm]

Duncan doesn't make a lot of idle comments. I think he's serious about giving Looper a shot.

Mulder is a big gamble. He might be worth the risk, but there's a good chance '07 will be a lost year for him. The list of pitchers who have retained close to all of their velocity after surgery for a partially torn rotator cuff is pretty short. I can only think of one--Roger Clemens, who was operated on by James Andrews in '85.