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Cards Agree To Terms With Draft Pick Kolten Wong

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The Cardinals have agreed to terms with first round pick Kolten Wong, reports Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter). He will receive a $1.3MM signing bonus, slightly above MLB's slot recommendation of $1.287MM for the 22nd overall pick.

Wong, a second baseman from Hawaii, was expected to be in St. Louis this weekend as the two sides neared a deal. Baseball America (subs. req'd) says he has "professional approach at the plate and a good understanding of the strike zone" with surprising power for a 5-foot-9, 190 lb. middle infielder. They also mention that Wong might fit best as a "Chone Figgins type who moves around the field" down the road.

Check the status of all first and supplemental first round players right here.

Draft Links: Wong, Simon

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Teams have 51 more days to get their draft picks signed before the August 15th deadline. Let's round up the latest draft news here…

  • Cardinals first round pick Kolten Wong was expected to visit St. Louis today as he nears a deal with the team, reports The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wong ran into some travel issues but is still expected to meet with the team soon, and scouting director Jeff Luhnow said they are having "active ongoing and daily discussions." A second baseman from Hawaii, Wong was the 22nd overall pick earlier this month, which comes with a slot recommendation of $1.287MM from MLB.
  • Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have signed fourth rounder Kyle Simon, a right-hander from Arizona. MLB's slot recommendation for the 125th overall pick is approximately $231K, but it's unclear how much he received.

Cardinals Notes: Reyes, Reifer, Samuel, Brown

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Let's check out a couple of notes on the Cardinals as they take on the Blue Jays at home..    

  • Roger Hensley of STLToday.com led a roundtable discussion on the idea of the Cardinals pursuing Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.  Derrick Goold argues that such a deal is not realistic because the Mets are looking for a haul similar to what the Athletics were seeking for Matt Holliday.  Most agree with Goold's view and are also doubtful that the club could afford to keep Reyes beyond this season.
  • The club now finds themselves with a logjam on the 40-man roster, writes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  The Cards could put reliever Adam Reifer, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, on the 60-day DL, but doing so would put him on the major-league payroll and start his service time clock.  They could also drop Francisco Samuel or Andrew Brown, but they would risk losing them to another team.  With five weeks to go before the non-waiver trade deadline, it appears that the Cardinals are shopping and their moves will reach deeper than the majors.

NL Central Notes: Pujols, Valdes, Pirates

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On this date in 1984, Ryne Sandberg hit game-tying home runs off Cardinals reliever Bruce Sutter in the 9th and 10th innings as the Cubs beat the Cardinals 12-11. Willie McGee hit for the cycle in the memorable contest between the rival clubs. Here's the latest from their division…

Cardinals Release Miguel Batista

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The Cardinals announced that they have released Miguel Batista (Twitter link). In a related move, St. Louis called up Lance Lynn from Triple-A. Lynn was already on the 40-man roster, so the move opens up a 40-man spot for the Cardinals.

Batista was part of yesterday's bullpen implosion against the Phillies. The Cardinals allowed nine runs in the eighth inning and Batista didn't help, allowing two walks and a single to the three batters he faced. The 40-year-old pitched 29 1/3 innings for the Cardinals this year, posting a 4.60 ERA with more walks (19) than strikeouts (16). Batista's ground ball rate dropped from his usual 50% figure to 36.8% this year, but his average fastball velocity remains respectable. Even after 17 seasons in the majors, the righty averages 92.6 mph.

Phillies, Mariners, Reds Inquired On Ludwick

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The Phillies, Mariners, and Reds are among the teams that have inquired on the availability of Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  The Padres appear willing to move the 32-year-old, who is eligible for free agency after the season.

Ludwick is hitting .255/.322/.393 with nine home runs in 299 plate appearances this year, with most of his production coming in May.  He's been a little better away from PETCO Park, slugging .419 on the road.  Ludwick earns $6.775MM this year, with potentially around $2.2MM remaining on July 31st.  Inquiries from the Phillies and Reds may be a sign that those two clubs can squeeze in a salary of that size.  Ludwick profiled as a Type B free agent the last time we checked, so that will be a factor.

Morosi adds that the Phillies and Cardinals are among the teams that have checked in with Padres GM Jed Hoyer on relievers Heath Bell and Chad Qualls, who will also be free agents after the season (Qualls has a $6MM club option with a $1.05MM buyout).  Morosi expects Mike Adams to be popular as well, but as we've heard before the Padres are inclined to keep him since he's under team control for 2012. 

Cardinals To Explore Trades For Bullpen Help

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The Cardinals will explore trades for bullpen help, GM John Mozeliak told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio (Twitter link).  Mozeliak also said he has not had conversations with the Phillies about recently-designated lefty J.C. Romero and doesn't consider Romero an upgrade.  On June 16th, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had written that the Cards planned to investigate Romero's availability.

With a 3.94 ERA, the Cardinals' bullpen ranks 12th in the National League.  The club was dealt a blow when Eduardo Sanchez hit the DL recently for a shoulder strain.  The Cards still have a strong group of righties in Fernando Salas, Jason Motte, and Mitchell Boggs.  I covered potentially available lefty relievers today, and the many right-handed relievers last week.

Albert Pujols Injury Reaction

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The Cardinals will lose Albert Pujols for four to six weeks with a small fracture in his left arm. Here's the latest reaction to the news, which could affect the Cardinals' approach to the trade deadline this summer and the first baseman's first free agent contract after the season:

  • When he returns, Pujols may face the biggest pressure of any prospective free agent in the history of the game, writes ESPN's Buster Olney.  One NL evaluator opined that the fracture could cost him $50MM or more, as many wrist injuries are career-altering. 
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports doesn't expect that the injury will affect Pujols' free agent value as long as he returns in time to prove his health. "The only way the injury will damage his position in the marketplace is if it affects his long-term ability as a hitter," Rosenthal writes, "and does anyone really see that happening?"
  • Yahoo's Jeff Passan argues that it's time for GM John Mozeliak to work out an extension with Pujols, who belongs in a Cardinals uniform. One agent suggests an eight-year, $224MM deal for Pujols, who appeared to want $300MM before the season.
  • Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says that the Cardinals will be able to get by without Pujols by playing Jon Jay every day and shifting Lance Berkman to first base.
  • My take on Pujols' free agent value: he had better hope the Cardinals stay in the race without him, since a standout postseason performance like the one Carlos Beltran had in 2004 could catapult his free agent value back into $300MM territory.

Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.

NL Central Notes: Pujols, Bell, Brewers

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Albert Pujols will miss four to six weeks with a fracture in his left arm, further confirmation that no NL Central club appears ready to run away with the division. The 40-33 Brewers would deal a catcher, the defending champion Reds are eyeing arms and the Pirates are lurking around the .500 mark. Here's the rest of tonight's NL Central-related news…

  • Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Matthew Leach of MLB.com that he isn't ready to determine how aggressive the Cardinals will be in trade talks leading up to the July 31st deadline. The GM acknowledged that Pujols' injury opens "some potential opportunities out there that maybe [the team] wouldn't have explored 48 hours ago."
  • Here's more reaction to Pujols' injury from earlier tonight.
  • Jim Callis of Baseball America hears that Pirates draft pick Josh Bell is set on going to the University of Texas, where he has committed to playing. Despite that, Callis likes the pick for Pittsburgh, which should have plenty of money to dangle in the prospect's direction.
  • Adam McCalvy and Audrey Snyder of MLB.com explain how one lucky Brewers fan signed a one-day contract with his favorite team.

Contenders In Need Of A Shortstop Upgrade

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As many as six contenders are lacking at shortstop.  Let's take a look.

  • Rays:  The Rays have been employing Reid Brignac at shortstop lately, though Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez are also capable.  None of them are hitting, though Brignac's defense is a plus and Rodriguez has some pop.
  • Brewers:  The Brewers have used Yuniesky Betancourt at short, with Craig Counsell pitching in.  The numbers say Betancourt has been terrible both offensively and defensively. 
  • Cardinals:  Ryan Theriot has been manning shortstop for the Cards, and his bat has been more than acceptable.  However, he's probably better-suited defensively for second base.
  • Reds:  They've used the Paul Janish/Edgar Renteria tandem, with the 28-year-old Janish getting more playing time.  Janish is strong defensively, and since the Reds have the best offense in the league they might be able to tolerate his struggles with the bat.  Prospect Zack Cozart is hitting .317/.361/.498 at Triple-A, but the Reds are not at the point of making a move yet.
  • Pirates:  The Bucs have been searching for a long-term answer at short for a while now, but right now they have Ronny Cedeno.  Brandon Wood is showing some signs of life this month, and he could be an option at shortstop.  The Pirates also have Chase d'Arnaud playing well at Triple-A.
  • Giants:  Miguel Tejada was signed as the team's shortstop, but it's rookie Brandon Crawford at present.  He's strong with the glove but doesn't provide much offense and skipped Triple-A upon his call-up.

All four NL Central contenders are weak at shortstop, so if one of the clubs acquires a prize like J.J. Hardy it also takes an option away from direct rivals.  The Orioles aim to talk extension with Hardy before the All-Star break.  If that possibility falls through with time to spare before the July 31st deadline, Hardy will be a hot commodity.

A couple of top options in Jose Reyes and Stephen Drew appear to be off the board, since the Mets and Diamondbacks are in contention.  Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes, and Rafael Furcal (if healthy) may be available.

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