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Cardinals Infield Rumors

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5:06pm: MLB.com’s Matthew Leach says a team source was "somewhat nonplussed" by the report of the Lopez offer, and Lopez says he has not been informed of anything.

Leach says mutual interest is clear with Edgar Renteria, but the Cardinals were not among the ten teams to have expressed interest in Rafael Furcal.

2:32pm: According to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have already made an offer to free agent infielder Felipe Lopez.  Lopez, a Scott Boras client, is said to desire a multiyear contract on the strength of this year’s resurgent 169 plate appearances with the Cards.

Keith Law’s thoughts on Lopez: "He’s not a .385 hitter and probably isn’t even a .300 hitter, but as a guy who could easily hit .280/.350/.400 and play a capable second base, he’s one of the best infield options on this market."  However, Law notes that Lopez’s effort level has been questioned often.

Odds and Ends: Ankiel, Hoffman, Mussina

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Linkage for Thursday…

The Trevor Hoffman Situation

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In a post on his blog, Padres exec Paul DePodesta outlines the progression of the Trevor Hoffman negotiations (and also explains why exercising Brian Giles’ option was an easy call).  Tom Krasovic also provides details, including quotes from Hoffman’s agent Rick Thurman.

  • Thurman believes the $4MM offer for ’09 (with a club option at the same salary for ’10) was insincere.  He feels the Padres never intended to sign Hoffman and calls the chances of a deal "miniscule."  Hoffman is also upset that owner John Moores did not want to meet with him.  Plus, Thurman seems annoyed that Towers contacted Hoffman directly regarding the Moores meeting.
  • On the Padres’ side, CEO Sandy Alderson notes that the offer was not of the "take it or leave it" variety and it is not common let an offer sit for a prolonged period of time.  Thurman did not a make a counteroffer, and the Padres never wanted these negotiations to be public.
  • This is not a black and white situation.  While the Padres’ initial offer was low, the two sides could’ve kept things private and met in the middle in the $5.75MM range.  I also think Moores should’ve been willing to meet with Hoffman, as this is not a normal player negotiation.
  • If Hoffman does leave, Thurman considers the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Mets, Indians, Angels, and Rangers potential suitors.  Why no mention of the Tigers?  Jim Baumbach likes Hoffman for the Mets.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hardy, Flowers, Wolf

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Another day, another column from Ken Rosenthal.

  • With multiple vacancies in the rotation and bullpen, the Brewers may need to see what kind of pitching Mike Cameron and/or J.J. Hardy can bring in return.  GM Doug Melvin is not ready to shop Hardy.  He’s received interest, but most teams have not given names (one team suggested swapping him for a pitcher Melvin termed, "a fifth starter.")
  • The Padres have asked the Braves to substitute catcher Tyler Flowers for center fielder Gorkys Hernandez in their Jake Peavy offer.  Dave O’Brien sees this as unlikely.
  • If they can’t sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels are ready to shift gears to C.C. Sabathia, Francisco Rodriguez, or other players.  The idea of a Manny Ramirez pursuit was "tabled rather quickly."
  • The Cardinals plan to add one or two lefthanded relievers, probably free agents.
  • In his quest for righthanded power, Reds GM Walt Jocketty inquired on Matt Holliday and Josh Willingham before they were traded.  Purely speculative – Jermaine Dye could be a nice fit.
  • At least half a dozen teams have expressed interest in free agent starter Randy Wolf.

Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Zaun, Blanco

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Links for Tuesday…

Matt Holliday Trade Roundup

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It seems that the Rockies will send left fielder Matt Holliday to the A’s for Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, and Huston Street soon (assuming Smith’s elbow checks out).  While the A’s were rumored to be in the mix for Holliday, the trade still comes as a surprise to most.  Let’s round up today’s links on the topic.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Peavy, Dempster

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • It doesn’t seem likely that Randy Johnson re-signs with the Diamondbacks, though Johnson is holding out filing for free agency until the possibility is exhausted.  The D’Backs hope he will take a significant hometown discount; they have roughly $10MM to spend for Johnson and a second baseman.  If a Mark Loretta type takes $2MM, will Johnson take $8MM after earning $15.1MM for a fine ’08 season?
  • The Braves are frustrated with the progress on the Jake Peavy talks, and will explore other options (especially once the free agent market opens Friday).  Rosenthal says the Padres sent revised proposals to the Cubs and Braves yesterday, but those teams intend to stick with their offers.  Will the Padres crack and make a deal before Friday?
  • Rosenthal criticizes the Padres for the classless farewell to Trevor Hoffman.  They pulled their reduced offer, and didn’t agree to the meeting with ownership he requested.
  • Suddenly there may be more solid free agent closers than teams seeking one.  The Mets have their pick.  To me this is a sign that K-Rod will fall short of five years, $75MM.
  • Rosenthal believes Kevin Gregg is next up on the trading block for the Marlins, with Jeremy Hermida another possibility.
  • Casey Blake doesn’t have any geographic leanings regarding his next destination.  His agent feels a three-year deal is reasonable.  The Twins and Indians are among seven teams eyeing Blake.
  • The Cubs offered Ryan Dempster something in the range of Kyle Lohse’s four years, $41MM.  Teams don’t like to use the Carlos Silva deal as a benchmark, because it was such a clear mistake.

Cardinals Rumors: Hudson, Lopez, Kennedy

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The Cardinals have moved on from Matt Holliday for the time being; let’s see what else is cooking.  Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest.  Middle infield seems to be the primary concern now. 

One option is to pursue a trade for Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar of the Braves, but that will probably require Ryan Ludwick.  However, those talks must wait until the Braves resolve their chase of Jake Peavy.

On the free agent front, the Cardinals are interested in Orlando Hudson but not Felipe Lopez. Scott Boras seems to be aiming for a multiyear deal for Lopez. 

Adam Kennedy wants out of St. Louis, and the D’Backs may be interested.  GM John Mozeliak is said to be reluctant to eat a "significant piece" of Kennedy’s $4MM.  The D’Backs barely seem willing to spend that amount on Randy Johnson.

The bullpen is the other concern, but Trevor Hoffman is apparently not on the radar.

Holliday To Cards Dead

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MONDAY: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch also checked in with Mozeliak, who said, "That one’s not happening – at all" in reference to a Cards-Holliday trade.  The Cardinals balked at the required player package.  Mozeliak was irritated that (inaccurate) details of the talks leaked to the press.  The Cards are looking at other things now, though Strauss’s source believes Holliday talks could be resurrected.

SUNDAY: Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News talked to Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, who admitted the idea of a Matt Holliday trade is dead.  The Rockies sought Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker, and Mitchell Boggs from the Cards, and talks hit a wall.

The A’s may still be in play, while Ringolsby says the Phillies did not discuss Holliday with the Rox during the GM meetings.  The Phils are unwilling to part with Shane Victorino.  Ringolsby adds that the Red Sox, Rays, and Yankees have expressed interest in Holliday.  Joe Strauss recently said the Mets are in pursuit, and Bill Ladson had him as a Nationals target.

Odds And Ends: Saltalamacchia, White Sox, Ludwick

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Links for Sunday…

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