Cardinals Rumors

Cardinals Scouting Nationals

By Tim Dierkes | July 11, 2008 at 1:04pm CDT

Here’s a nugget from MLB.com’s Jim Molony:

The Cardinals had a scout watching the Nationals recently, though it is unclear which player(s) were being scouted — perhaps Tim Redding or Odalis Perez, both available inexpensive options who have been pitching well lately.

You’ll find both starters in our recent Trade Market post, and they do make sense for St. Louis. However, Tony La Russa is primarily pushing for a bat to protect Albert Pujols. Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman wouldn’t qualify, but he would be an improvement over Cesar Izturis and Brendan Ryan.

Odds and Ends: Kemp, Kearns, Carrasco, Garcia

By Tim Dierkes | July 11, 2008 at 10:32am CDT

Friday linkage…

Yesterday I linked to Dave Cameron’s piece, in which he wondered whether Matt Kemp is overrated. Here’s the other side of the debate, a response from Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness.
Joe Sports Fans names the seven worst trades of the decade. I have some arguments here; what do you think? I wrote this post on the Pierzynski/Nathan/Liriano/Bonser deal two years ago, but I still think it holds that Brian Sabean’s trade looked reasonable at the time.
Joel Sherman wonders if the Mets and Yankees should consider trading for Washington outfielder Austin Kearns.
Matt Gelb takes a look at Phillies prospect Carlos Carrasco, who does not want to be traded.
The Yankees rightfully don’t view Freddy Garcia as much of an upgrade, since he won’t be ready until late August at the earliest.
Tracy Ringolsby runs through various players on the trade market. Interestingly, he does not see A.J. Burnett being traded.
Cardinals Diaspora suggests the Cards tangle with Billy Beane again, this time for Joe Blanton.
Dave Dombrowski doesn’t see Ryan Perry in the Tigers’ bullpen this year, after all.
Armchair GM challenges SI.com’s Jon Heyman to put his money where his mouth is.

No One Wants Bonds

By Tim Dierkes | July 11, 2008 at 9:25am CDT

FRIDAY: Just to hammer it home a little further, we have Bonds rejections from the Dodgers, Yankees, Cardinals, and Phillies today.

THURSDAY: Barry Bonds’ agent Jeff Borris makes it clear that none of the 30 teams are interested in his client:

"I am not talking to any club about Barry Bonds, because they all made it very clear to me they are not interested in him. Every club. I can’t believe he doesn’t have a job. No one has offered even the minimum salary. He made the All-Star team last year, and there’s no reason to believe he wouldn’t have a repeat performance in 2008, except for the conspiracy against him."

Borris says Bonds could be ready in ten days. Contenders such as the Angels, Rays, Tigers, and A’s have gotten subpar performance out of the DH spot but they’ve all decided to pass on Bonds for various reasons. Borris would have to admit that even some of these clubs would have trouble fitting Bonds onto the roster.

Molony’s Latest: Mahay, Loretta, Erstad, Guzman

By Tim Dierkes | July 10, 2008 at 11:01am CDT

Let’s check in with MLB.com’s Jim Molony.

The Rays are scouting lefty relievers Brian Fuentes and Ron Mahay. The issue? The price for Fuentes seems exorbitant, and Mahay may not be available. Troy E. Renck names the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, and Marlins as the main suitors for Fuentes aside from the Rays.
A few contenders have inquired with the Astros as to the availability of Mark Loretta and Darin Erstad.
As you might imagine, the Rangers are open to trading Frank Catalanotto. We mentioned yesterday that his contract is a bit of a burden.
It seems that Jim Bowden is listening to offers for Cristian Guzman while also trying to sign him to an extension. From Guzman’s point of view, it might make sense to enter a weak shortstop market this winter.
The Matt Capps injury apparently affects Damaso Marte’s availability.
The Marlins may make Mark Hendrickson available. The big lefty was replaced in the rotation by top prospect Chris Volstad.

La Russa Pushing For Additions

By Tim Dierkes | July 10, 2008 at 9:26am CDT

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak does not want to make a reactionary move to counter the recent CC Sabathia and Rich Harden trades. He’s suggested that the returns of Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright would match those deals.

Manager Tony La Russa doesn’t agree, and he suggested publicly that Mozeliak needs to improve the club. The needs: a bat to protect Albert Pujols, a lefty reliever, and starting pitching (apparently in that order). Mozeliak responded to La Russa’s comments, saying that he doesn’t want to make a move that could hurt the team two to four years in the future.

As always, Viva El Birdos does a fine job dissecting the possibilities. Larry Borowsky suggests several names he’d like to see: Milton Bradley, Ryan Spilborghs, Rich Aurilia, Randy Wolf, and A.J. Burnett. Aurilia, Wolf, and Burnett are the most likely to be traded, in my opinion. On the lefty reliever front, the Cards are one of nine teams linked to Brian Fuentes.

Rockies Trade Talk: Torrealba, Taveras, Podsednik, Herges

By Alejandro Leal | July 5, 2008 at 10:28am CDT

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News reports the Marlins have inquired on the availability of Rockies’ catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and outfielders Willy Taveras and Scott Podsednik.

Torrealba has been on Marlins radar and there’s continuing speculation that they will be buyers come July 31st.

Meanwhile, St. Louis inquired on pitcher Matt Herges to provide a veteran pressence in their bullpen.

Freddy Garcia Suitors

By Tim Dierkes | July 4, 2008 at 9:15am CDT

MLB.com’s Jim Molony posted an article yesterday, much of it concerning rehabbing free agent starter Freddy Garcia. Garcia’s showcase is still expected to take place later this month.

We compiled reports and came up with these suitors: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Tigers, Rays, Astros, and Cubs. Molony adds the Cardinals, Dodgers, and Twins – giving us at least 13 suitors.

Odds and Ends: Phillips, Chacon, Hewitt, Griffey

By Tim Dierkes | July 1, 2008 at 5:22pm CDT

Random links for Tuesday.

Interesting news out of Philly…Brett Myers accepted a minor league assignment. The Phils seem likely to acquire a starter this month.
That was quick – the Mets designated Andy Phillips for assignment.
Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released without pay, but the players’ association plans to file a grievance. It’s a matter of a million bucks.
The Phillies signed first-round pick Anthony Hewitt, a high school infielder. He’ll get about $1.4MM.
The Cards officially inked top pick Brett Wallace, a college third baseman.
Three scouts watched Reds reliever David Weathers last night. Just throwing it out there, the Marlins are looking for a righthanded reliever.
NPB Tracker discusses Yu Darvish.
The Reds offered Ken Griffey Jr. to the Mariners, and they declined.
Tom Verducci’s article about Tim Lincecum and pitching biomechanics is a must-read.

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Fuentes, Torrealba

By Tim Dierkes | July 1, 2008 at 9:02am CDT

The Rockies have been even worse than the Padres – 19 games under .500, 10 games out in a lousy division. According to Tracy Ringolsby, they’ll decide at the All-Star break whether to officially become sellers.

Let’s start with closer Brian Fuentes, whose ERA jumped from 2.56 to 3.94 last night. Reports had the suitors at the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s. Ringolsby says to cross the A’s off the list and add the Rays, Cubs, and Cardinals. Ken Rosenthal tossed the Cubs into the mix on June 12th, but then changed that report. Troy E. Renck adds the Cardinals to the list.

Ringolsby rattles off teams interested in Matt Holliday: Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals. Definitely some new names in there. Holliday is hitting .332/.415/.538 in 299 plate appearances (.309/.401/.472 on the road). Ringolsby says the A’s will "kick the tires" on Holliday but are more likely to pursue Willy Taveras.

We also have RotoWire, which reports that catcher Yorvit Torrealba told the Tigers’ radio network that he wants to be traded. After nearly signing with the Mets, Torrealba inked a two-year, $7.25MM deal with the Rockies. He is hitting as badly as expected: .252/.291/.387 in 180 PAs. He’s thrown out only 24% of runners, up slightly from last year. Torrealba has been splitting time with Chris Iannetta since May.

Draft Roundup: Wallace, Alvarez, Scheppers

By Tim Dierkes | June 30, 2008 at 9:01am CDT

Here’s the latest draft pick signing info.

The Cardinals are close to signing their top pick, Brett Wallace. The bonus is expected to be around $1.85-2MM. What position is he going to play long-term? Does left field make the most sense?
The Pirates are negotiating with Pedro Alvarez, but both sides are staying mum on the details.
The Bucs are also talking with Tanner Scheppers. They’re still trying to gauge his health.

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