Jon Lieber Action
You know it’s a rough year for pitching when Jon Lieber is a hot commodity. I kid – he’s not that bad. Liebs turns 37 next April, and figures to be the most expendable of Philly’s six starters. He’ll make $7.5MM in 2007.
Home runs and hits got the best of Lieber last year, though his command remained elite. He had a 4.93 ERA overall, but can probably pitch at his second half level (4.53).
The Pirates wanted to bring him back, perhaps hoping they could right the wrong of trading him to the Cubs for Brant Brown. However, John Perrotto tells us that interest has cooled because the Phillies asked for Salomon Torres. Seems like a fair deal to me.
Joe Strauss wrote last week that the Cards could pursue Lieber, just as they did at the trading deadline. For all of Walt Jocketty’s posturing, the team needs one starter. Not sure if any talks are going on here.
A week ago, the Phils had a deal in place to send Lieber to Milwaukee for Kevin Mench and Derrick Turnbow. However, talks dried up two days later. Jim Salisbury threw Texas’s hat into the ring in the same article. The Rangers were another team trying to trade for him in July.
Speaking of last July, the Mets wanted in at that point too.
Cardinals Talking To Tomo Ohka
According to Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are talking to free agent hurler Tomo Ohka.
Ohka is slowly but surely being elevated to God-like status as the market thins. The Jason Marquis contract really inflated the lower end of the pitching market.
You can read my full profile of Ohka here.
Cardinals Checking On Carl Pavano
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals are "doing some advance work to check out Carl Pavano‘s physical status." He later notes:
"PLEASE do not say something like, ‘Bernie says the Cardinals are getting Pavano.’ Because I’m NOT saying that."
It sounds like the Cards are at least kicking the tires a little bit. Pavano makes $10MM in 2007 and $11MM in 2008 with a $13MM club option for 2009 with a $1.95MM buyout. Basically, he’s owed $23MM for his age 31-32 seasons.
Relief Is On The Way
Couple of reliever signings occurred today.
The Cards inked righty Russ Springer to a one-year deal for $1.75MM. Can’t complain about that one in a world where Mike Stanton got two years. The Devil Rays may have to focus on David Riske now.
Meanwhile, the White Sox locked down Mike MacDougal for three years and $6.45MM with a club option for 2010. The idea here is to buy out his arbitration years and perhaps first year of free agency. If healthy, he provides a viable alternative should Bobby Jenks be unable to pitch the ninth inning.
Did Cards Meet With Bonds?
The Mercury News reports that Tony La Russa met with Barry Bonds‘s agent, Jeff Borris, and requested a meeting yesterday. Walt Jocketty and Borris didn’t exactly deny interest when asked, either.
While pitching is rightfully Jocketty’s top priority, he could have a bargain on his hands here. The fact is that Bonds would add wins to the 2007 Cardinals. He’s also a low-risk signing if it can be done for one year. Plus there’s that little home run record thing to bring increased revenue.
Can you imagine it? Two .400+ OBP sluggers hitting back-to-back? That’s Manny/Papi-like.
UPDATE: Walt Jocketty got fed up with this stuff and told MLB.com, "There’s nothing on Bonds." In addition, the slugger did not meet with La Russa.
Schmidt Deal Not Done?
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have been told there’s no deal yet for Jason Schmidt. This is as of 4:14 CST today.
I quote:
"DeWitt and Jocketty have been told that there’s no deal yet — and that they (Schmidt and his agents) would like to still have discussions…. so as far as the Cardinals are concerned, there’s still reason to have discussion with Schmidt’s agents… and I am told the Cardinals are making a ‘strong" offer.’"
This would be quite a development, as the deal has been reported all over.
Cardinals Trade Rumors
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with some Cardinals trade rumors. And I quote:
"Talking Pavano trade with Yankees (but Jocketty denies)…still monitoring Schmidt…More focus on Padilla and Batista …front-runners for Luis Gonzalez, but price may be getting too high…Strauss thinks they will make a trade this week; could be part of a 3-way."
Leach: Carpenter Extended Through 2011
MLB.com’s Matthew Leach has the scoop: the Cardinals have extended Chris Carpenter’s contract through 2011 with an option for 2012.
Carp’s current contract calls for $7MM in 2007 and $8MM in 2008. Hat tip to Viva El Birdos for this one.
UPDATE: The AP reports that the deal is for about $65MM and that his ’08 option will be exercised including the $1MM buyout.
Cardinals To Meet With Jason Schmidt’s Agents
Joe Strauss’s article from this morning confirms that Walt Jocketty will meet with the Hendricks brothers, who represent Jason Schmidt. About a week ago, Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz mentioned the Cards’ interest but seemed to think the switch to the Hendricks brothers will be a hurdle. Jeff at Lookout Landing had this to say on Schmidt:
"Jason Schmidt is a guy whose name value rather substantially exceeds what he actually brings to the table on the field."
As Larry from Viva El Birdos has mentioned to me, the Cardinals pursue a big-name pitcher every winter and usually fail. Examples include Mike Hampton, Pedro Martinez, Tim Hudson, and A.J. Burnett. They did snag a big fish in the Mark Mulder deal, however.
Cards Still Looking For Starters
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a roundup this morning of Walt Jocketty’s remaining agenda.
With one starter (Kip Wells) and a second baseman (Adam Kennedy) now in tow, the mission is to find two more starters and an affordable outfielder.
Goold names Jason Schmidt, Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver, and Mark Mulder as players whom Jocketty has contacted or will contact soon. As Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos has told us, the Cards always target a top flight starter before settling for less (see Burnett, A.J. last year and many more).
The outfielder of choice seems to be Luis Gonzalez, who’s been a speculative Cardinal for what seems like a month now.