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Cardinals Rumors: Fuentes, Saito, Kawakami, Uehara

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest on the Cardinals’ hunt for pitching.

GM John Mozeliak is getting impatient with Brian Fuentes’ agents, who are waiting for the market to develop.  They might be waiting for the Angels to jump in, but that won’t happen until the Mark Teixeira situation is resolved.  Strauss says the Cardinals have offered two years and $16-18MM, and the ball is in Fuentes’ court.  Fuentes, of course, wants three years and more than $30MM.  The Cardinals are reluctant to give him the third year.

Strauss says the Cards "may investigate the availability" of Takashi Saito, though the Dodgers hope to re-sign him.  Strauss also learned that Mozeliak met with the agents for Kenshin Kawakami and Koji Uehara at the Winter Meetings.

Odds and Ends: Cabrera, Tejada, Teixeira

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A few random notes from around the MLBiverse…

  • The Cardinals signed infielder Joe Thurston and catcher Justin Knoedler to minor league deals with spring training invites. Thurston appeared in four games for the Red Sox in ’08, while Knoedler last appeared in the majors with the Giants in ’06.
  • Jordan Bastian says the Blue Jays are not one of the teams that have offered a contract to Daniel Cabrera. The Jays are interested, but want to see Cabrera pitch in the Dominican Winter League before making an offer…Cabrera’s agent says eleven teams have shown interest and Cabrera has received two contract offers.
  • Jon Heyman is reporting that the FBI is still investigating Miguel Tejada, which will hinder any attempts to trade the shortstop…We previously heard that the Astros were trying hard to move Tejada but had yet to find any suitors.
  • Mike Bauman believes the Red Sox offer to Mark Teixeira could be a direct reaction to the recent signings of C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett by the Yankees. Bauman says the Red Sox "cannot sit idly by and watch the Yanks make dramatic, if incredibly expensive, improvements."

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Details On Tigers’ Failed Putz Bid

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Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press has the details on the Tigers’ failed bid for J.J. Putz:

One proposal involved the Tigers sending Matt Joyce to Tampa Bay and outfielders Wilkin Ramirez and Casper Wells to Seattle. Putz was the only player the Tigers would have received.

According to Joe Strauss, the Cardinals also pursued Putz (as well as Aaron Heilman).

After the proposal failed, the Tigers shipped Joyce to Tampa Bay for Edwin Jackson. Brian Fuentes may be the Tigers’ best remaining option from a baseball standpoint, but Morosi believes they’d have to move other contracts off the books to afford him.  I’m surprised – they’ll spend less than $10MM in ’09 on their new catcher, shortstop, and starter.

Brian Fuentes Rumors: Thursday

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We learned yesterday that Brian Fuentes is a priority for the Cardinals.  Tonight, however, ESPN’s Steve Phillips reports that the Cards’ negotiations with Fuentes have slowed.  Two new unknown suitors have entered the picture.  Word was yesterday that Fuentes could snag a three-year, $33MM deal, even though Francisco Rodriguez was guaranteed only $4MM more.  John Mozeliak told MLB.com’s Matthew Leach the Cards would be extremely hesitant to commit $10MM+ to a reliever.

Dodgers Could Pursue Hoffman; Cards Unlikely

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5:56 pm: According to Jayson Stark, the Dodgers, who are likely to non-tender Takashi Saito, could pursue Hoffman. Stark has sources who say that if the price is low enough and the contract is short-term, the Dodgers might be interested.

9:17 am:Cardinals manager Tony La Russa: "I mean, I love and respect Trevor Hoffman. But I don’t know that that’s the guy we’ve talked about a lot."  Instead, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Brian Fuentes is the Cardinals’ priority.

The Brewers seek a closer as well, but they’ll also take a pass on Hoffman.  We’ll have to see what the Tigers do.  The Dodgers don’t seem passionate; Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune thinks it’s time to mend fences with the Padres if they can afford Hoffman.

Cardinals Reliever Rumors

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5:57pm: K-Rod’s agent Paul Kinzer said the Cardinals did not offer his client a similar contract.

9:08am: According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made a bid for Francisco Rodriguez in the neighborhood of the Mets’ successful three-year, $37MM bid.  The search continues.  Strauss says the Cards plan to explore trades before escalating talks with Brian Fuentes.  Potential trade targets: J.J. Putz, Matt Capps, and Jon Rauch.  Talks for Jose Valverde "stalled abruptly earlier in the week."  The trade bait will probably be on of the Cardinals’ outfielders.

Strauss adds that GM John Mozeliak met with Scott Boras yesterday, possibly to discuss Oliver Perez.

J.J. Putz Rumors: Wednesday

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2:04pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cardinals offered Rick Ankiel and a prospect for Putz.  The Tigers remain interested as well.

9:23am: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, "the Tigers’ interest in acquiring closer J.J. Putz from Seattle appears stronger than ever."  Morosi says the Mariners insist the Tigers include Jeff Larish and Matt Joyce in a deal.  If the Ms acquire Larish and are convinced he can play third base, they may be motivated to shop Adrian Beltre.  Morosi adds that Brewers and Cardinals have also inquired on Putz.

Brian Fuentes still seems too pricey for Detroit, and Kerry Wood is apparently off the board.  Morosi says the Tigers have "mild interest" in Baltimore’s George Sherrill.  Joe Beimel remains their top choice among lefty relievers, but the Tigers have yet to offer a contract.

Brian Fuentes Rumors: Tuesday

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10:59pm: Rosenthal says the Nationals are also in the mix for Fuentes.  His source says they want to sign Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez, plus Fuentes.  Nationals GM Jim Bowden said on November 12th, "We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez."

9:49pm: Rosenthal says the Cardinals, Angels, and Tigers are showing interest in Fuentes.

8:29pm: Doug Melvin said he met with the agents for Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Kerry Wood today.

8:05pm: John Perrotto expects the Brewers to move to the front for Fuentes.  I imagine they might try to sort out the Sabathia situation first.

5:46pm: According to Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss, the Cardinals have engaged in conversation with Brian Fuentes’ agents. With K-Rod setting a lower-than-expected ceiling to the closer market, Fuentes could enter the Cards’ price range.  GM John Mozeliak said on 1380AM today that he’s yet to dig his heels in on Fuentes though.  You have to wonder if the Tigers will take a serious look.

J.J. Putz Rumors: Tuesday

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9:57pm: The Mariners spoke with the Cardinals and Brewers today about Putz, though a Fielder for Putz deal never came up.

7:58pm: Doug Melvin didn’t reference Putz specifically, but he did tell reporters he did not find a match with the Mariners in trade talks.

6:02pm: From ESPN’s Steve Phillips:

The Mariners need a power hitter. The Brewers need a closer. There is speculation that the two teams are discussing a package involving Putz and Prince Fielder.

11:22am: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press says talks between the Ms and Tigers for Putz are ongoing.

11:04am: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Indians "are not really contenders" for Mariners closer J.J. Putz, as they’d prefer to sign a free agent.  He notes lukewarm interest from St. Louis and believes the Tigers and Brewers are more serious.  Baker questions whether the Tigers have the young players to get it done.

As for the Brewers, Baker speaks of a possible large multiplayer deal that’s "all just a concept for now."

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