Cardinals Rumors

Cardinals Release Brad Thompson

By Tim Dierkes | November 4, 2009 at 12:20pm CDT

The Cardinals released righty Brad Thompson today, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The arbitration-eligible Thompson would've been a likely non-tender in mid-December anyway.

Thompson, 28 in January, posted a 4.84 ERA in 80 innings this year (eight starts, 24 relief appearances). He's typically shown strong control and home run prevention but a weak strikeout rate. His best asset is his ability to get groundballs – 52.7% of the time this year. If Thompson has a successful '10 season for his new club, that team could elect to retain him for '11 as an arbitration-eligible player.

Cafardo On Pujols, Mauer, Holliday, Damon

By Luke Adams 2 | November 1, 2009 at 10:56am CDT

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has a new column up, and he addresses a few topics of interest from around the majors. Some highlights….

Cafardo examines the crossroads that superstars Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer will soon face with their current clubs. He passes on this quote from one baseball official: "I think Mauer has a better chance of staying in Minnesota than Pujols in St. Louis. Mauer is from Minnesota, while you have to give Pujols an A-Rod type contract and I’m not sure the Cardinals would do it."
His source thinks that the best way for the Cardinals to keep Pujols in St. Louis is to continue showing him they're committed to going after championships by making moves like this year's Matt Holliday acquisition.
Cafardo sees "no downside" to the idea of Holliday patrolling left field in Fenway next season. From an on-field standpoint, that statement could apply to virtually every team in the league, but the Red Sox are probably one of the few clubs that could absorb the financial blow.
Johnny Damon could be a good fit in the south side of Chicago, according to Cafardo. The White Sox will be looking for a leadoff hitter, and it's still unclear whether or not Damon will be back in New York.
Casey Kotchman may not fit into Boston's plans next year, but Cafardo thinks he could also be a solid addition to the White Sox — especially if Chicago doesn't retain Mark Kotsay.
Cafardo wonders why a power-hitting right-hander, like the New York Mets covet, would want to play in Citi Field, which he calls a "death valley" for righties.

Odds & Ends: Gaston, Cardinals, Rays

By | October 31, 2009 at 3:22pm CDT

Happy Halloween! Remember to drive carefully tonight. Let's check out some links…

As expected, Cito Gaston announced Saturday that he will step down as Blue Jays manager after the 2010 season and begin a four-year tenure as an organizational consultant. "I think maybe I can probably help the organization as far as being an advisor," Gaston said (via MLB.com's Jordan Bastian). "It's something that I want to do in my life — just step back and maybe do something different besides manage."
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune believes the Cardinals are deserving of the title "Franchise of the Decade" for the way they've consistently put together winning teams while working with a middle-of-the-road payroll.
Steve Slowinski of DRaysBay.com breaks down several trades from Tampa Bay's past. "Like middle-school history teachers always say," he writes,"'You can't know where you're going until you know where you've been."

Pujols Hopes To Stay In St. Louis

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 29, 2009 at 11:29am CDT

Albert Pujols surprised many, including the Cardinals front office, when he said he wasn't "desperate" to sign a long-term deal earlier this month. Now, Pujols tells ESPN radio in St. Louis that he wants to be a Cardinal for life, he just doesn't see the need to obsess over his contract yet (transcription from Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

"You know the Cardinals need to worry about signing Matt Holliday and all the free agents," Pujols said. "There's no rush for me to sign right now, you know? But if they come tomorrow and say 'Albert, you know, we want to lock you up,' – hey, they know that we're open to that."

Pujols, who will hit free agency two winters from now if the Cards pick up his 2011 option, repeated that he wants to be a Cardinal for life. The 29-year-old combines above-average defense with one of the most potent bats in baseball history.

Odds & Ends: Kikuchi, Astros, Smoltz, Hermida

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 29, 2009 at 9:31am CDT

Some links to read for Thursday morning…

The AP reports (via the Miami Herald) that the Seibu Lions won the rights to negotiate with top Japanese amateur Yusei Kikuchi.
Another top young pitcher, Stephen Strasburg, hit 100 mph repeatedly in his third AFL start, according to ESPN.com's Jason Grey.
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says fans and media members need to hold Astros owner Drayton McLane accountable, and says it wasn't GM Ed Wade's fault that managerial candidate Manny Acta signed with the Indians.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that the Cardinals still have interest in bringing John Smoltz back next year, perhaps as the team's fourth starter. The club seems likely to find a fifth starter within the organization.
The Pirates and Reds will swap A ball affiliates next year, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Padres GM Jed Hoyer offered contracts to all of the organization's scouts and player development personnel, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs expects Tim Hudson to be worth the extension he's expected to sign.
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro lists the Blue Jays, Mariners, Rays and Mets as possible destinations for Jeremy Hermida. The Marlins may trade the outfielder, who should hit free agency after 2011.

Odds & Ends: Mets, McCourts, Cardinals

By | October 28, 2009 at 8:33pm CDT

A few more links to peruse, including some fascinating news out of Queens and L.A….

Sources have informed SI.com's Jon Heyman that the re-signing of longtime Mets scout Sandy Johnson is an indication of the "diminishing faith" in general manager Omar Minaya. Johnson was apparently talked into returning because of the stability he brings to the front office. He had been considering retirement.
According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Frank McCourt revealed in his divorce filing Wednesday that he fired his wife, Jamie, as Dodgers CEO because she had an affair with her personal driver and "undermined the chain of command by not reporting directly to him." This is only going to get uglier and could hurt the stability of the organization as we near the offseason.
SB Nation's Viva El Birdos is hosting an ongoing discussion on some of the Cardinals' potential offseason trade chips. Skip Schumaker, Ryan Ludwick and Mitchell Boggs are among the names being thrown around.

Odds & Ends: DeRosa, Mateo, Mets, Cubs

By | October 28, 2009 at 6:32pm CDT

A few links to click through before the Phillies and Yankees do battle in Game 1 of the World Series…

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Mark DeRosa underwent surgery Monday to repair a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. He's a free agent this winter and is expected to be fine by the start of spring training.
Wagner Mateo, a 16-year-old Dominican outfielder, won Bo Jackson's first annual Five-Tool Challenge over the weekend. It's an event open to 18-year-olds. Mateo's contract with the Cardinals was nullified a month ago after the organization discovered he had an eye problem, but he is expected to sign with the Giants soon.
Marty Noble of MLB.com takes another round of Mets-related questions.
Bruce Miles of the Arlington Heights Daily Herald hopes the Cubs will steer clear of Gary Matthews Jr., who told reporters Tuesday that he wants out of Anaheim.
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution is high on Jair Jurrjens, who has been mentioned as a potential trade chip by commenters on his blog. "I can’t see how the Braves would seriously consider trading Jurrjens this winter," writes O'Brien. "And I don’t believe they have, or will, seriously consider it." The 23-year-old went 14-10 last season with a 2.60 ERA.

Aroldis Chapman Review

By Tim Dierkes | October 28, 2009 at 10:52am CDT

With all the information swirling around about free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman, I thought a summary would be helpful. Chapman has been declared a free agent and can sign at any time, though a deal is unlikely before the conclusion of the World Series. One GM told Yahoo's Tim Brown in July, "I'm sure all 30 teams will be interested to some degree." Nonetheless, let's look at specific suitors.

Red Sox: They've been a top suitor from the start. Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus says Chapman was scheduled to throw a bullpen at Fenway today but it was cancelled due to inclement weather. ESPN's Peter Gammons believes Boston's signing of former Chapman teammate Jose Iglesias may impact the pitcher's decision.
Yankees: They've also been a top suitor from the start. ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. said Chapman met with GM Brian Cashman and other Yanks officials at the October 25th playoff game and "had good conversations." Several reporters see Chapman as another Yankees-Red Sox battle.
Mariners: Add them to the list – our source says they'd like to meet with Chapman in the next week.
Cardinals: A scheduled October 26th meeting was cancelled due to the Tony La Russa announcement. The meeting is expected to be rescheduled.
Orioles: They've maintained interest and are pushing for a meeting soon. In September, president Andy MacPhail admitted interest to MASN's Roch Kubatko, but added, "If some of the big boys are going to go after him, like the Red Sox did with Dice-K, that's not a risk that I would be willing to take."
Mets: They met with Chapman on October 23rd. The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch said the Mets were out after being told Chapman wants up to $60MM to sign. I'm not so sure the Mets and Chapman actually discussed dollar figures.
Tigers: They've confirmed interest.
Angels: Scouting director Eddie Bane admitted interest in July, but noted that Chapman's breaking pitches are not yet effective in talking to Mark Saxon of the OC Register. Bane more recently told Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times that he'd need to see Chapman throw against live hitters before investing. Chapman has mentioned L.A. as a place he'd like to visit.
White Sox: Our source said they've expressed interest.
Cubs: Our source said they've expressed interest.
Athletics: Named by Arangure Jr. as one of the teams "paying varying degrees of attention to Chapman." Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle confirmed Oakland's interest but says they haven't met with him.
Giants: Named by Arangure Jr. as one of the teams "paying varying degrees of attention to Chapman."
Dodgers: They aren't likely to be serious suitors, according to one of Arangure Jr.'s sources.
Blue Jays: We named the Jays as an interested club, but GM Alex Anthopoulos told reporters that signing Chapman is "not realistic."
Astros: Owner Drayton McLane seemingly considers Chapman too pricey, based on his comments to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.

La Russa Signs Extension With Cardinals

By Steve Adams | October 26, 2009 at 11:36am CDT

MONDAY, 11:36am: At a press conference today, La Russa confirmed he's returning on a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2011. He also confirmed the hiring of McGwire as the Cards' hitting coach. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has quotes from La Russa.

SUNDAY, 8:07pm: Buster Olney of ESPN reports that La Russa, like Braves skipper Bobby Cox, may only manage for one more year. Olney writes that La Russa's new deal is for one year, plus a mutual option for 2011, giving either party the ability to cut ties after this year.

5:33pm: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that the Cardinals will announce that La Russa will return next season at a press conference Monday morning.

3:13pm: According to an ESPN report, while Olney's sources say a deal is in place, La Russa himself has not yet confirmed:

"We're getting closer," La Russa, who has managed the team for 14 years, said earlier Sunday. "But nothing has been decided. I can't tell you anything yet."

Both chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. and general manager John Mozeliak would like La Russa to return. His current two-year, $8.5MM contract expires at the end of the month.

2:35pm: ESPN's Buster Olney has informed MLBTR, via email, that Tony La Russa has signed a new multi-year contract to return as the Cardinals manager. La Russa's coaching staff will look different though, as the Cards have fired hitting coach Hal McRae. The leading candidate to replace him? According to Olney, it's former Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Giants, Nationals

By Zachary Links | October 25, 2009 at 8:00pm CDT

Let's take a look at some early evening links:

After striking out on Manny Acta, the Astros must continue their search for a skipper. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the search is now focused on three candidates: former Astros manager Phil Garner, BoSox bench coach Brad Mills and interim manager Dave Clark. One source told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Mills would get the nod and that it would be a "surprise" if Garner were brought back. Another source said that Clark remains a possibility. Houston would like to reach a decision before the start of the World Series (Wednesday), but may even expand their search beyond these three choices.
Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are both too pricey for the Giants, writes Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle. Holliday is represented by Scott Boras, who compared him to Mark Teixeira in hopes of fetching a deal similar to the eight-year, $180MM contract the first baseman received from the Yankees.
Johnny Holliday of MASN Sports writes that the Nationals will announce the identity of their manager for 2010 "any day now." Interim skipper Jim Riggleman remains a candidate.
Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is likely to return in 2010, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Duncan has said that his decision will be dependent on the return of Tony La Russa, who has reportedly agreed to an extension.

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