Cardinals Rumors

Week in Review: 10/5 – 10/11

By Steve Adams | October 12, 2008 at 1:45pm CDT

Let’s kick things off this afternoon with the week in review…

Rich Harden doesn’t need surgery, and he also doesn’t need to worry about where he’s pitching next year. The Cubs exercised his $7MM option this week. That one was a no-brainer, good news for Cubs fans.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, the Twins exercised backup catcher Mike Redmond’s option for $950K. While that’s great news for Twins fans, the bigger story for them is that Delmon Young could be available this offseason. Personally, I think trading a 23-year-old outfielder with that kind of upside would be a colossal mistake. I realize the Twins feel the need to acquire some infield help, but trading a former #1 overall pick after one disappointing season when he’s just 23 holds zero logic in my mind. I still like the Young/Matt Garza trade for Minnesota in the long run.
Couple of notes on the Brewers’ 1-2 punch, as C.C. Sabathia told reporters he’s open to playing anywhere, and wants to get his free agency over with quickly, and early in the offseason. As for Ben Sheets, despite his elbow injury, he is likely to be wearing a new uniform when 2009 comes around. His injury is apparently not too serious anyway.
We saw a few different rumblings about a possible Jake Peavy trade. Peavy doesn’t like the idea of a full-scale rebuilding project in San Diego, and an interview with his agent hints that he may be willing to play for the Yankees. If he’d prefer to be somewhere closer to home (Alabama), the Braves could be an interesting suitor.
Ryan Howard’s name has been tossed around as a potential trade candidate, but he’s likely to remain in place. One slugging first baseman from the NL will be available though, it seems: Tim takes a look at several potential landing sites for Prince Fielder. Trading Fielder is only a good idea if they can get a cheap, young, potential ace in my mind. With Sabathia and Sheets on their way out the door, the Brewers are going to need that offense working on all cylinders.
For those teams that need power, but lose out on the Fielder sweepstakes (assuming he’s moved that is), there’s still power to be had. Here’s a list of this year’s free agent home run leaders.
Tim covered his Offseason Outlook for the Twins, White Sox, Cardinals, and Astros.
Curt Schilling will either pitch for a contender in the second half of 2009 or retire.

Odds and Ends: Moore, Manny, Hudson

By Tim Dierkes | October 9, 2008 at 11:06am CDT

Reading material for Thursday…

NBC San Diego reports that John Moores plans to sell his 49% of the Padres as part of his divorce settlement.
Derrick Goold looks at the many teams that might consider Rafael Furcal, including the Cardinals. Imagine the kind of contract he’d be looking at if he’d been healthy all year.
I did a Q&A with Sox and Pinstripes recently.
According to Mariners president Chuck Armstrong, the new GM will have less power and a smaller payroll than Bill Bavasi. The list of candidates is down to ten.
MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel talked to Royals GM Dayton Moore, who wants to add an offensive player (a hitter, not a guy who offends). Moore won’t be moving Joakim Soria to the rotation, though some in the organization support it. Also, MLB Interviews chatted Royals with Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post sees a parallel between Mike Mussina and Jimmy Key. Some Yankees officials expect Mussina to file for free agency to keep his options open.
In another article, Sherman warns suitors that Manny Ramirez is a "con man."
ESPN’s Buster Olney runs through possible destinations for Orlando Hudson, including the Mets, White Sox, Indians, and Angels.
Anthony Marenna of DC Metroblog provides an offseason plan for the Nationals, while Jacob Jackson takes on the A’s at Athletics Nation.

Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

By Tim Dierkes | October 8, 2008 at 9:44am CDT

The Cardinals are next in our Offseason Outlook series. Their likely commitments for 2009:

C – Yadier Molina – $3.25MM
C – Bryan Anderson – $400K
1B – Albert Pujols – $16MM
2B – Adam Kennedy – $4MM
SS – Brendan Ryan – $400K
3B – Troy Glaus – $11.25MM
IF – Aaron Miles – $1.4MM+
IF/OF – Chris Duncan – $439K
LF – Skip Schumaker – $400K
CF – Rick Ankiel – $900K+
RF – Ryan Ludwick – $411K+
OF – Brian Barton – $400K
OF – Joe Mather – $400K

SP – Chris Carpenter – $14MM
SP – Adam Wainwright – $2.6MM
SP – Kyle Lohse – $7.125MM
SP – Todd Wellemeyer – $1MM+
SP – Joel Pineiro – $7.5MM

RP – Chris Perez – $400K
RP – Ryan Franklin – $2.5MM
RP – Kyle McClellan – $400K
RP – Jason Motte – $400K
RP – Brad Thompson – $414K+
RP – Josh Kinney – $400K
RP –

Buyouts: Mark Mulder – $1.5MM

That’s about $78MM, plus arbitration raises for Miles, Ludwick, Wellemeyer, and Thompson. The Cards apparently had around $30MM to spend before signing Lohse, so now they have roughly $21MM. Unloading Kennedy is unlikely to save much money.

I don’t have much to add beyond the musings of Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos. The Cards will probably look to re-sign Felipe Lopez, maybe Jason Isringhausen at the right price. They’ll ink a few lefties, maybe a swingman pitcher, and a backup catcher.

It seems the Cardinals can either spend good money on a shortstop or a reliever, but probably not both. It could boil down to Rafael Furcal or Brian Fuentes; you know I prefer Furcal. It’s easier to piece together a bullpen than find a starting shortstop.

John Mozeliak could also pursue a trade. Some thought to be available who might fit: Brian Roberts, Dan Uggla, Jack Wilson, B.J. Ryan, George Sherrill, Kevin Gregg, and Huston Street. Top prospect Colby Rasmus figures to be off-limits; you just can’t trade a potential star center fielder. And Ankiel, a Scott Boras client, is a free agent after ’09.

The Cardinals will always be fearsome with Pujols anchoring their lineup. If they can find a shortstop this winter and keep the rotation healthy, they’ll contend.

Odds and Ends: Bonds, Crow, Odalis Perez

By Tim Dierkes | October 7, 2008 at 1:29pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

Barry Bonds is enjoying his freedom.
MLB.com has a list of all the potential free agents. The Dodgers lead with 14, while the Royals and Giants have only two.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin may get an extension soon.
Rich Harden will have a shoulder exam soon, which will inform the Cubs’ decision on his $7MM option.
MLB.com’s Matthew Leach sees the Cardinals letting starter Braden Looper leave, but attempting to re-sign infielder Felipe Lopez.
The Kansas City Star’s Bill Reiter catches up with Aaron Crow, who is basically just chillin’ right now. MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel says the Royals like Crow, but he may not be around when they draft 12th in 2009.
Ken Rosenthal agrees that the Rays owe their success to much more than just top draft picks.
Pete McElroy notes that Odalis Perez would love to re-sign with the Nationals. Perez pitched 159.2 respectable innings but earned less than a million bucks.
Eddie Bajek has his final Elias rankings for NL relievers. Type As: Ryan Dempster, Russ Springer, Juan Cruz, Doug Brocail, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, and Jason Isringhausen. Type Bs: Joe Beimel, Jeremy Affeldt, Brian Shouse, Bob Howry, David Weathers, Trevor Hoffman, Eric Gagne, and Brandon Lyon. If one of these players is offered arbitration, turns it down, and signs elsewhere, his old team gets one or two draft picks.
MLB.com’s Spencer Fordin doesn’t see the need for the Orioles to sign Jeremy Guthrie to a long-term deal this winter.

Odds And Ends: Cardinals, Astros, K-Rod

By Alejandro Leal | October 4, 2008 at 10:32am CDT

Links for Saturday…

It doesn’t sound like Jon Daniels has autonomy in Texas.
Ian Hunter of Country 103.9 in Ontario recently talked to MLBTR about the Blue Jays. Click here to download the mp3.
Reds GM Walt Jocketty has talked to three or four of the Reds’ nine free agents. John Fay speculates those players are David Weathers, Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Lincoln, and Jeremy Affeldt.
The Padres’ grievance against shortstop Khalil Greene won’t be heard until spring. The case of Doyle Alexander may be a precedent; the Yankees were not able to recover any money after Alexander broke a knuckle by attacking a dugout wall in ’82.
Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at the Redbirds’ upcoming offseason. Leach estimates that after all the contract and arbitration items are settled, the Cards will have around $25MM to look for a middle infielder, a middle reliever, and perhaps a new closer or #4 or #5 type slugger.
Likewise, earlier this week Astros MLB.com beat writer Alyson Footer reported on GM Ed Wade’s offseason plans. Wade is expected to make some tweaks to the roster, but it’s unlikely he’ll make any major moves. Footer suggests the Astros could look for a couple of rotation arms, and speculates on the possibility of signing Ben Sheets.
The O.C. Register’s Mark Whicker doesn’t see Francisco Rodriguez coming back to the Angels.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 {at} umpbump {dot} com. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Holliday, Teixeira, Mussina

By Cork Gaines | October 3, 2008 at 1:12pm CDT

A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

MetsBlog recognizes that Francisco Rodriguez will improve the team and appease fans, but is not sure he is worth a four or five-year deal.
Mets Geek projects the Mets ’09 roster and looks at some options from outside the organization with Pat Burrell and Derek Lowe being the biggest offseason targets.
Was Watching says bringing back Brian Cashman was a mistake.
River Ave. Blues assesses the Matt Holliday market and feels that Phil Hughes and Robinson Cano for Holliday "doesn’t make much sense."
Sox and Pinstripes provides an in-depth preview of the upcoming offseasons for the Yankees and Red Sox and wonders if Theo Epstein can convince the Rockies to take J.D. Drew and a top prospect for Matt Holliday.
iYankees notes that Brian Cashman wants to make the Yankees’ OBP a priority this winter and feels Mark Teixeira fits the bill.
Oriole Post does not want to see Mike Mussina return to the O’s and would prefer they "stay the course" with young players.
C70 At The Bat takes a look at the Cardinals’ decision to sign Kyle Lohse and what it could mean for the offseason ahead.
Viva el Birdos projects the Cardinals ’09 roster and payroll.
McCovey Chronicles reacts to some quotes from Brian Sabean and what they mean for the Giants’ offseason.
Newberg Report thinks the price for the Rangers to acquire Jake Peavy would be too high, even if he’d waive his no-trade clause to go there.
Athletics Nation sees no point in signing Jason Giambi.

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

Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin

By Tim Dierkes | October 3, 2008 at 10:46am CDT

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: Byrnes, Teixeira, Swisher

By Tim Dierkes | September 30, 2008 at 3:25pm CDT

Random links for Tuesday…

SI.com’s Jon Heyman notes that a Cy Young award for Johan Santana would lock in his 2014 option at $25MM.
Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball wonders if the Mets might end up signing Ivan Rodriguez.
The Jays officially received Fabio Castro to complete the Matt Stairs deal. Buster Olney had this one in August.
Bummer to see Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos stepping down from blogging. He’s been my favorite Cardinals writer.
Nick Piecoro wonders if Eric Byrnes could be traded for another bad contract player like Luis Castillo.
The Red Sox treated Mark Teixeira poorly when he was drafted as an 18 year-old. That will have no bearing this winter, though.
From last Friday…Nick Swisher is frustrated with his lack of playing time in Chicago. Doesn’t make him trade bait, though.

Lohse Signing May Complete Cards’ Rotation

By Tim Dierkes | September 30, 2008 at 9:03am CDT

Today we have more on the Kyle Lohse signing from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. After several weeks of negotiation, Lohse agreed to a backloaded four-year, $41MM deal with full no-trade protection (Rob Neyer calls this a "dreadful use of resources.") Scott Boras is certain Lohse could’ve gotten more money and years on the open market, but this doesn’t seem like much of a discount. It was Lohse who told Boras to initiate extension talks.

Strauss finds it unlikely the Cards will ink another starter to a long-term deal now, instead going after a swingman type. Chris Carpenter is expected to choose rehab over surgery; if that doesn’t work out the team’s plans could change. Strauss says the Cardinals have not talked to Braden Looper about a new contract. He seems likely to sign elsewhere.

Right now the Cardinals are situated with a rotation of Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro.

Kyle Lohse Signs Extension

By Tim Dierkes | September 29, 2008 at 6:06pm CDT

6:04pm: The deal is official – four years, $41MM according to the AP. Lohse also gets a full no-trade clause. It’s a bit better than the Silva price.

10:19am: According to Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals plan to finalize a four-year extension for starter Kyle Lohse this morning. Sources tell Goold and Strauss the deal will be similar to Carlos Silva’s four-year, $48MM contract.

It may be tempting to call this a loss for Scott Boras, since his client chose not to test the open market. Lohse settled for $4.5MM in March this year after turning down a three-year, $21MM offer from the Phillies. However, Boras still comes out a winner as the Cardinals are not getting any kind of discount. Plus, taking the Phillies’ offer would’ve been a mistake.

I’m with Viva El Birdos on this one – there’s no upside to signing Lohse at this price. What are the odds this deal looks solid even halfway through?

Goold and Strauss say the Cardinals earmarked about $15-16MM for the rotation this winter. That means Lohse is the big signing and the other pitcher will be a bargain buy. The Cards will use another $15MM or so to fill other needs. Brian Fuentes and Orlando Hudson could be considerations.

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