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Chris Carpenter

Cards’ Carpenter Wants To Start

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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter told The Associated Press that he wants to start in 2009, although he’s willing to move back to the bullpen if his body can’t hold up to the rotation pressures.

"I’ll do whatever they want me to do," Carpenter said. "If that’s the case, that’s the case. I’m just going to take it one game at a time like I have all the time in the past. I’m going to do everything I can to take the ball every fifth day. With everything that I’ve gone through, obviously, some of it is out of my hands. I’ve done everything I can in the past four months to go out and pitch."

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has said earlier in the offseason that he might use Carpenter as a closer if he is unable to start every fifth game.

Carpenter, 33, has had elbow and shoulder surgeries on his pitching arm. The righty threw 15 1-3 innings in 2008 for a 0-1 record with a 1.76 ERA.

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.

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.

Cardinals Have Flexible Payroll

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Bernie Miklasz passes along some quotes from Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. about the team’s offseason plans. DeWitt didn’t pin the Cards’ 2009 payroll down exactly, but he said it will be over $100MM. Whether the payroll’s slightly or considerably higher than that "depends on who is available or what the value is."

DeWitt said the organization would "consider" signing expensive players if they could make a big difference on the team.

Miklasz heard Tony La Russa’s thoughts on the St. Louis bullpen now that they missed out on Brian Fuentes. La Russa said Chris Carpenter could close next year, since he’s reluctant to expect 30 starts from Carp and he doesn’t think Chris Perez and Jason Motte are completely ready.

Carpenter Injury Results Shape Cards’ Approach

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4:31pm: The results were positive; Carpenter will start a throwing program in January.  The Cards could still pursue another starter though.

9:43am: According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter had a nerve conduction test yesterday.  The team will learn the results today, and if they’re concerned they could target an additional starter for 2009.  Given this uncertainty, the Cardinals’ decision not to offer arbitration to Braden Looper seems strange. 

Elsewhere on John Mozeliak’s agenda, Joe Strauss says he still seeks a second baseman and a closer.  We haven’t heard many names in recent weeks, perhaps because Mozeliak was focused on the Khalil Greene and Trever Miller acquisitions.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday

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2:05pm: Braves GM Frank Wren spoke to the AP today about the Peavy rumors.  He still says the Braves will not trade their top prospects.  He notes that much of the talk lately is based on questionable speculation by rival executives.

12:27am: Let’s kick things off with the freshest Jake Peavy rumors.

  • Dan Hayes of the North County Times says "as many as 14 clubs" inquired about Peavy so far, with some teams taking an aggressive approach.  Barry Axelrod and Kevin Towers want to slow things down now, have some meetings.  A trade will not be announced during the World Series and is not likely until the November 3-6 GM meetings at the earliest.  Axelrod and Towers again suggested Peavy could stay in San Diego.
  • Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says at least three Padres scouts watched Braves pitching prospect Tommy Hanson in the Arizona Fall League recently.
  • J.C. Bradbury explains that the only team that benefits from Peavy’s below-market contract is the Padres.  Is it too early in the morning for econ?
  • Cardinals GM John Mozeliak "all but dismissed" the idea of being in the mix for Peavy.  They have their ’08 rotation locked in, pending Chris Carpenter’s health.  They’ve already got more than $32MM committed to the current group of starters.
  • ESPN’s Keith Law does not feel that a package of Tommy Hanson, Jordan Schafer, and one of Kelly Johnson/Yunel Escobar is a reasonable expectation for Peavy.

Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Payroll, Needs

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest Cardinals buzz…

  • The Cards are going to stand pat with their starting rotation until they learn more about Chris Carpenter’s injury.  He’ll be examined in late November.  Strauss says a swing man type acquisition is possible as insurance.
  • The Cardinals are likely to approach Albert Pujols about an extension before he enters his 2011 option year.  Pujols will earn just $16MM in each of the ’09, ’10, and ’11 seasons.  Teams must be salivating at the prospect of Pujols on the free agent market, but the Cardinals will try to prevent that.  Pitchers Hit Eighth recently did a roundtable about this very topic.
  • The ’09 payroll is projected in the $106-108MM range.  The Cardinals have $20MM+ to spend, with the exact number depending on several arbitration cases.
  • The Cardinals need middle infielders and lefthanded relievers.  Strauss says, "The club prefers to deal from its surplus of righthanded relievers, outfielders, minor-league pitching and corner infielders."  I have argued about this in chats a bit…is there really a surplus here?  To me a surplus in baseball means more starters than positions (rather than just good depth).  The Cards have a starting outfield of Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, and Skip Schumaker, with Colby Rasmus coming on fast.  Rasmus will be a rookie, while Ankiel is a Boras client eligible for free agency after ’09.  There are other interesting players on the roster (Brian Barton, Joe Mather, Chris Duncan), but the Cards aren’t overflowing with starters.
  • Viva El Birdos contests the idea of a surplus of righty relievers, and would like to see Russ Springer re-signed.
  • Strauss says the Cardinals have yet to talk to the agents for Cesar Izturis and Felipe Lopez.  He sees players such as Rafael Furcal and Khalil Greene as possible middle infield targets.

Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin

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Linkage for Friday…

  • River Ave. Blues discovered that Mike Mussina’s wife may be a bigger factor than we thought in regard to his retirement decision.
  • David O’Brien tosses out some names for the Braves to consider: Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Willingham.  Everyone likes Lowe…Anthony McCarron says the Yankees and Mets should consider him.  Those clubs could also enter a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, says Bob Klapisch.  Will C.C.’s postseason record diminish his contract?  I don’t think so.
  • Greg Couch doesn’t want Javier Vazquez pitching for the White Sox again.  Maybe Ozzie is right, Vazquez is not a big-game pitcher.  But why say that publicly?
  • Joe Christensen seems certain the Twins will exercise Mike Redmond’s $950K option.
  • Chris Carpenter’s shoulder injury is unprecedented among pitchers.  Do the Cardinals need to add veteran rotation insurance?  Speaking of unprecedented procedures…Takashi Saito had platelet-rich plasma injected into his elbow in July.
  • Joe Starkey thinks the Pirates should…non-tender Adam LaRoche?
  • Mike Timlin could retire.
  • Huge E-Ticket Manny Ramirez feature from Bill Simmons, wherein Scott Boras is blamed for his Boston exit.  Good read.

Odds and Ends : Snyder, Ludwick, Bradley

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Reading material for Tuesday…

  • Chris Carpenter is reportedly dealing with a unique and career-threatening nerve injury, which could increase the Cardinals’ need for starting pitching this winter.
  • Viva El Birdos says the Cardinals should offer Ryan Ludwick and others for Matt Cain.  Can’t hurt to ask.
  • The Cubs claimed outfielder Brad Snyder off waivers from the Indians.  He was the 18th overall pick in 2003, but hasn’t produced enough in the minors.
  • Milton Bradley stands to earn another half-million bucks if he can snag seven more plate appearances.  Bradley met with the Rangers a few months ago to discuss a long-term deal, but nothing is close.  Bradley feels the Rangers are dragging their feet, and gives 50-50 odds on a return.  He said he’d quit baseball if he couldn’t find a multiyear deal somewhere.
  • Sam Mellinger reminds Royals fans that their long-term success hinges on the development of in-house youngsters rather than free agent signings.
  • Steven Goldman notes that the Red Sox are far better prepared for the future than the Yankees.
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