Chris Carpenter Rumors

Tim Lincecum Wins NL Cy Young Award

Tim Lincecum won the NL Cy Young award for the second straight season, edging out Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright. Lincecum, 25, went 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA. He struck out a league-leading 261 batters, walking 68 in 225.1 innings. He made his second consecutive All-Star appearance and led the league in complete games and shutouts. According to WAR, Lincecum was the NL's best pitcher. He'll be arbitration-eligible as a Super Two this offseason and the Giants will likely have to hand out a record-setting contract. Lincecum has said before that he's open to an extension. Wainwright - who obtained...   Continue Reading

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Cards' Carpenter Wants To Start

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter told The Associated Press that he wants to start in 2009, although he's willing to move back to the bullpen if his body can't hold up to the rotation pressures. "I'll do whatever they want me to do," Carpenter said. "If that's the case, that's the case. I'm just going to take it one game at a time like I have all the time in the past. I'm going to do everything I can to take the ball every fifth day. With everything that I've gone through, obviously, some of it is out of...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Looking In-House For Closer

A week ago, John Perrotto mentioned Tony La Russa was considering using Chris Carpenter as a closer. Today, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports Cardinals GM John Mozeliak is comfortable turning toward internal options to fill the closer role. Chris Perez and Jason Motte, as well as Ryan Franklin are listed as most likely options. Franklin had 17 saves last season for St. Louis. Leach mentions the Cardinals could attempt to work out a deal for Brandon Lyon or Juan Cruz, as well as the possibility of signing free agent Chad Cordero, to add depth and expand their options in the...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Rumors: Smoltz, Carpenter, Lyon

11:53pm: More from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strauss suggests GM John Mozeliak hopes to swap an outfielder for a closer-quality arm. Any suggestions? Strauss adds that the Cardinals inquired on John Smoltz. At least seven teams have shown some level of interest in Smoltz, who most expect to return to Atlanta. 8:20pm: The Associated Press has a slightly different take on the Cardinals' approach to a closer. La Russa told the AP that Chris Carpenter could return to the bullpen if the club deems that move will be the best scenario for both parties: "We want Chris...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Ramirez, Lowe

Every Sunday we read John Perrotto's Every Given Sunday: The Giants may be considering two offers for Manny Ramirez. One for two years "with vesting and club options that could make it a four-year, $100MM contract." The other for 3 years, $63MM, with no options. Derek Lowe has not given up on a five-year, $80MM offer, although that remains doubtful. Barry Bonds had hip surgery and wants to return in 2009. Some still speculate he will pursue collusion charges. Tony La Russa is considering using Chris Carpenter as a closer.   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Have Flexible Payroll

Bernie Miklasz passes along some quotes from Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. about the team's offseason plans. DeWitt didn't pin the Cards' 2009 payroll down exactly, but he said it will be over $100MM. Whether the payroll's slightly or considerably higher than that "depends on who is available or what the value is." DeWitt said the organization would "consider" signing expensive players if they could make a big difference on the team. Miklasz heard Tony La Russa's thoughts on the St. Louis bullpen now that they missed out on Brian Fuentes. La Russa said Chris Carpenter could close next year,...   Continue Reading

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Carpenter Injury Results Shape Cards' Approach

4:31pm: The results were positive; Carpenter will start a throwing program in January. The Cards could still pursue another starter though. 9:43am: According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter had a nerve conduction test yesterday. The team will learn the results today, and if they're concerned they could target an additional starter for 2009. Given this uncertainty, the Cardinals' decision not to offer arbitration to Braden Looper seems strange. Elsewhere on John Mozeliak's agenda, Joe Strauss says he still seeks a second baseman and a closer. We haven't heard many names in recent weeks,...   Continue Reading

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Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday

2:05pm: Braves GM Frank Wren spoke to the AP today about the Peavy rumors. He still says the Braves will not trade their top prospects. He notes that much of the talk lately is based on questionable speculation by rival executives. 12:27am: Let's kick things off with the freshest Jake Peavy rumors. Dan Hayes of the North County Times says "as many as 14 clubs" inquired about Peavy so far, with some teams taking an aggressive approach. Barry Axelrod and Kevin Towers want to slow things down now, have some meetings. A trade will not be announced during the World...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Payroll, Needs

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest Cardinals buzz... The Cards are going to stand pat with their starting rotation until they learn more about Chris Carpenter's injury. He'll be examined in late November. Strauss says a swing man type acquisition is possible as insurance. The Cardinals are likely to approach Albert Pujols about an extension before he enters his 2011 option year. Pujols will earn just $16MM in each of the '09, '10, and '11 seasons. Teams must be salivating at the prospect of Pujols on the free agent market, but the Cardinals will try to...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin

Linkage for Friday... River Ave. Blues discovered that Mike Mussina's wife may be a bigger factor than we thought in regard to his retirement decision. David O'Brien tosses out some names for the Braves to consider: Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Willingham. Everyone likes Lowe...Anthony McCarron says the Yankees and Mets should consider him. Those clubs could also enter a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, says Bob Klapisch. Will C.C.'s postseason record diminish his contract? I don't think so. Greg Couch doesn't want Javier Vazquez pitching for the White Sox again. Maybe Ozzie is right, Vazquez is...   Continue Reading

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