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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.

Cardinals Rumors: Smoltz, Carpenter, Lyon

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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 pitching for us, and if I was told he couldn’t be healthy throwing 100 pitches every five days and he could be a reliever, I’d take him as a reliever."

6:36pm: St. Louis Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa told Matthew Leach of MLB.com that the Cardinals will likely look at Chris Perez or Jason Motte to close games in 2009, but La Russa also hinted that the team could sign a starter with the thoughts of moving the addition to a ninth-inning role.

La Russa said he’d like to give Perez and Motte more time to mature in the minor leagues before moving them into the role of closer for the Cardinals.

La Russa also mentioned that the list of starters who could be converted into a closer’s role is short, Leach writes. La Russa noted that the Cardinals do not want to convert one of their current starters into the closer.

La Russa said that Jason Isringhausen will not probably return to the Cardinals.  The Cardinals could sign a free-agent reliever such as Juan Cruz or Brandon Lyon.  Cruz is unlikely due to his Type A status, however. The Cards remain cool to the possibility of signing Trevor Hoffman.

La Russa did not shut the door on a closer with health issues, such as Takashi Saito or Chad Cordero. Leach also noted that club’s front office has expressed significant reservations about signing any players who are health risks.

Twins Rumors: Kawakami, Lyon, Saito, Mota

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La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has the latest hot stove info on the Twins.

  • The Twins don’t appear to be currently negotiating with Kenshin Kawakami – starting pitching isn’t top priority currently.  Neal says that could change if they need to package a starter in a trade.
  • Reliever names on the radar: Brandon Lyon, Takashi Saito, and Guillermo Mota.  Lyon may be out of their price range.

Olney’s Latest: Lyon, Cabrera, Castillo

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The latest from ESPN’s Buster Olney.

  • Olney says the Brewers "might take a look at" free agent reliever Brandon Lyon, who’s been linked in other reports to the Twins and Red Sox.  It’s been reported that Lyon seeks a multiyear deal and may wait until Brian Fuentes signs.  Nick Piecoro suggested that one unknown Lyon suitor views him as a starter.
  • Olney says the Brewers will probably reach out to Trevor Hoffman, and the Dodgers will also take a look.  He adds that the Dodgers will not attempt to re-sign Derek Lowe despite his sinking price tag.
  • The Dodgers turned back to Rafael Furcal after realizing Orlando Cabrera had an asking price close to the amount Furcal signed for.  The market for Cabrera seems weak, perhaps since he will cost a draft pick.  Cabrera signing with the Dodgers would’ve been ideal for the White Sox, who would’ve swiped L.A.’s #17 draft pick in June.
  • Olney says the Mets continue to attempt to unload Luis Castillo, who has $18MM left on his deal.
  • Interesting note: "For the first time in recent memory, the Yankees’ offices will be closed in the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day — one of the signs of the more measured leadership of Hal Steinbrenner."

Twins Rumors: Lyon, Wigginton, DeRosa

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La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has the latest on the Twins.

  • The Twins are one of several teams in on free agent reliever Brandon Lyon.
  • It does not seem that the Twins are pursuing Ty Wigginton.
  • Nothing new on the Twins’ rumored interest in Mark DeRosa; the two teams don’t match up well (the Twins are not willing to trade Jason Kubel).
  • Neal likes the match between the Twins and Brewers, but J.J. Hardy has not been discussed.

Wigginton Too Pricey For Twins?

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According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:

The Twins like Ty Wigginton but believe he’s looking for a bigger contract than the three-year, $17.5 million deal the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Casey Blake. So the Twins have had little to no dialogue with Wigginton’s agent, Dan Lozano.

I had Wigginton pegged for two years and $12MM or so, but he is four years younger than Blake and outhit him in 2008 (though he had 172 fewer plate appearances and was largely aided by Minute Maid Park).  If Wiggy can really get a better contract than Blake, it would’ve made sense for the Astros to tender him a contract and then trade him.

Christensen adds that the Twins still have hope for acquiring Mark DeRosa, but talks for Garrett Atkins and Adrian Beltre hit dead ends.  Also, Jon Heyman tosses the Twins into the mix for Michael Young.  We’d previously heard about the Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals discussing him.  Heyman did not find evidence talks for Young got serious with any team, though, and he wonders if Young would approve a trade to Minnesota.

In other Twins news, Christensen notes that the Twins expressed interest in free agent reliever Brandon Lyon, who seems to be waiting until Brian Fuentes signs.

D’Backs Rumors: Webb, Lopez, Jackson

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10:25pm: The D’Backs met with Brandon Webb’s agent for more than an hour last night.  They discussed Webb’s desire to stay in Arizona but there is no extension offer at this time.

Also, the D’Backs could sign pitcher Mike Bascik to a minor league deal for depth.

7:55pm: D’Backs rumors for Tuesday…

  • According to Nick Piecoro, the D’Backs met with Scott Boras on Monday to discuss Felipe Lopez.  The D’Backs did not make an offer at that meeting.  Lopez wants a multiyear deal, and figures to be out of their price range.
  • Piecoro heard a Conor Jackson for Kelly Johnson trade was discussed, but it doesn’t have momentum.
  • Joe Beimel does not seem to be a priority for Arizona.
  • At least one team is looking at Brandon Lyon as a starter.

Royals Considering Farnsworth, Springer, Lyon

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10:28pm: Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star adds Russ Springer to the mix for the Royals.  They’d have to find room in the payroll before signing a veteran reliever.

5:32pm: According to MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel, the Royals will hear from the agent for Brandon Lyon, Kyle Farnsworth, and Craig Counsell this week.  Lyon and Farnsworth make sense, as the Royals are known to be looking for righthanded relief help.  They’ve been linked to The Farnz before.  And there was recent word they might look at veteran infielders to replace Mark Grudzielanek.

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