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Cardinals Looking In-House For Closer

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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 ninth inning. Interest in Cordero is more curiosity than anything, says Leach.

What about Carpenter? Said Mozeliak, "The right-hander will only pitch out of the bullpen if there is a compelling medical reason to use him there rather than in the rotation." Tony La Russa expressed similar sentiments on Monday, according to Leach, despite Perrotto’s report last week.

Returning Adam Wainwright to the closer role has not been discussed.

Mets Pursuing Redding, Wolf

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THURSDAY: Mike Puma of the New York Post confirms Fitzpatrick’s Tuesday report that the Mets made an offer to Redding.

TUESDAY: Mike Fitzpatrick of the Associated Press reports the Mets have made an offer to Tim Redding and are readying one for Randy Wolf. The Mets need two starters and are also looking at Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez to fill out their rotation. No details on the offer to Redding. Fitzpatrick cites an unnamed source.

In 2008, Redding won ten games for a team that didn’t win 60, finishing with a 4.95 ERA and in 33 starts and 182 innings. In November he had foot surgery and is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

Reds Sign Jerry Hairston Jr.

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Jerry Hairston Jr. is returning to the Reds on a one-year deal reports Mark Sheldon on MLB.com’s hot stove blog. Sheldon writes

"A baseball source told MLB.com that Hairston and the club agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $2 million on Tuesday. It’s an incentive laden deal that could be worth up to $4 million. An announcement is expected on Wednesday."

Alex Gonzalez is not expected to be ready for 2009, so Hairston will be the starting shortstop in Cincinnati.

Padres Eyeing Vizquel, Eckstein

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Padres GM Kevin Towers in an interview today said he expects to sign a shortstop by next week, according to Corey Brook at MLB.com.

"Towers said he had interest in veterans David Eckstein and Omar Vizquel, in addition to a few names he didn’t want to divulge. ’There are a couple of other guys, too,’ Towers said. ’We’ve got three or four options.’"

Mariners Sign Tyler Walker

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From mlb.com, the M’s have signed right-handed reliever Tyler Walker to a one-year deal. Contract details have yet to be announced, per club policy. In a release put out by the team, GM Jack Zduriencik said:

"Tyler is a pitcher we had identified early on as a guy who could help us in the bullpen. He has the ability to pitch in any role: middle relief, set-up and he has experience as a closer."

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times shares some positive opinion of Walker.

Derek Lowe Rumors: Sunday

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3:41pm: Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the Braves are interested in Lowe, but not his price tag. Bowman says the Braves are "keeping tabs on Lowe," but also states that the Braves would be reluctant to even make a larger offer than the three-year, $36MM deal that he rejected from the Mets.

11:44am: Jon Heyman reports the Braves, Phillies, and Red Sox and perhaps the Brewers and Angels are all expressing interest in Derek Lowe. Lowe is still looking for $16MM per year and rejected the Mets offer of 3 years, $36MM, his highest offer to date.

Buster Olney feels Lowe may have missed out on the big money when the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett for 5 years, $82.5MM over him; however, as Heyman points out, Lowe has been far more consistent and durable: "He’s won at least 12 games each of the past seven seasons and thrown at least 199 innings in six of those seven (he threw 182 innings the one year he didn’t reach 199."

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Mets are likely to increase their offer.

Gregg Zaun Interested In Boston

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Gregg Zaun would love to play for the Red Sox. In Cafardo’s interview with the catcher, Zaun said,

"I’d love it. My agent has had ongoing talks with Boston and I would love to see that happen. I feel one of the things I have going in my favor is being in Toronto for so long I have a deep knowledge of the AL East. I would also love the challenge of playing in Boston, where every day you go to the ballpark it’s a meaningful game and you’re fighting for something. That atmosphere, I’m telling you, there’s nothing like it, and to be a part of that would be unbelievable. I played for Tito [Terry Francona] back in the Arizona Fall League… Tito has been watching me a long time."

Zaun, 37, finished with six homeruns and a .340 OBP in 2008 while losing his starting job to Rod Barajas. In comparison, Jason Varitek is 36 and finished with a .313 OBP last season. Zaun has received a few offers but nothing from Boston.

Perrotto’s Latest: Ramirez, Lowe

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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.

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