By Tim Dierkes | at
Viva El Birdos has an interesting take on the Mark Mulder signing, and I can’t really argue with it. I’ll leave you with Larry’s concluding quote; read his post on rotator cuff surgery survivors. Says Larry:
"To my eye, it’s 50-50 that Ryan Franklin outperforms Mark Mulder in 2007."
By Tim Dierkes | at
UPDATE: It’s confirmed – Mulder will return to the Cardinals for a guaranteed contract of two years and $13MM. Incentives can kick in to make it a three-year, $45MM pact if Mulder makes 30 starts in each of the next two seasons. It’s a longshot but it could be done if he returns right in the beginning of May. He had shoulder surgery in September of 2006.
Adam Wainwright might be able to remain in the bullpen as a result of the signing.
UPDATE: Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has once source saying Mulder has signed with the Cards. He’s trying to confirm it with more sources.
Mark Mulder could decide tonight between the Cardinals, Indians, and Rangers. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cards have offered two years and potentially $18MM. The lefty probably won’t be ready to pitch until July, but he is looking at two guaranteed years from any of the three clubs.
The Dallas Morning News agrees that a decision is likely today. The three teams have made similar offers. If that’s the case, I don’t know why Mulder would choose to pitch in Texas or even the American League. The Rangers could snag one of Tomo Ohka, Mark Redman, Tony Armas Jr., Steve Trachsel, or Bruce Chen instead. The Rangers could use one more guy so as not to have to go with both Robinson Tejeda and John Koronka.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently spoke to Cards GM Walt Jocketty, and has an article full of updates.
The Cardinals are still trying to bring back Mark Mulder and/or Jeff Weaver, but aren’t interested in other free agent pitchers. Jeff Suppan would have to offer a discount, which is unlikely. The Cards have a two-year offer out to Mulder. Weaver might wait out both Zito and Suppan before signing. Outside options like Brian Lawrence and Tomo Ohka might be out of the picture.
It also appears that Jocketty doesn’t have any trades on the horizon despite their earlier interest in Carl Pavano. Right now, the rotation appears to be Carpenter, Wells, Reyes, Wainwright, and Looper.
The Cards will bring back Rick Ankiel on a minor league deal. Preston Wilson hopes to return as well.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Kat O’Brien of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, "indications are that Mark Mulder is deciding between the Rangers and his previous team, the St. Louis Cardinals, on a two-year deal." Interestingly, the article includes a life-size picture of Mulder’s head.
As far as Mulder’s ERA goes, I don’t think Texas would be a wise choice. Not only is it a tough ballpark, but John Dewan’s recent team defense rankings put the Rangers’ middle infield 23rd in the Majors in 2006. His rankings indicate that the Mets would be a much better choice for a groundball pitcher.
By Tim Dierkes | at
You know it’s a rough year for pitching when Jon Lieber is a hot commodity. I kid – he’s not that bad. Liebs turns 37 next April, and figures to be the most expendable of Philly’s six starters. He’ll make $7.5MM in 2007.
Home runs and hits got the best of Lieber last year, though his command remained elite. He had a 4.93 ERA overall, but can probably pitch at his second half level (4.53).
The Pirates wanted to bring him back, perhaps hoping they could right the wrong of trading him to the Cubs for Brant Brown. However, John Perrotto tells us that interest has cooled because the Phillies asked for Salomon Torres. Seems like a fair deal to me.
Joe Strauss wrote last week that the Cards could pursue Lieber, just as they did at the trading deadline. For all of Walt Jocketty’s posturing, the team needs one starter. Not sure if any talks are going on here.
A week ago, the Phils had a deal in place to send Lieber to Milwaukee for Kevin Mench and Derrick Turnbow. However, talks dried up two days later. Jim Salisbury threw Texas’s hat into the ring in the same article. The Rangers were another team trying to trade for him in July.
Speaking of last July, the Mets wanted in at that point too.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are talking to free agent hurler Tomo Ohka.
Ohka is slowly but surely being elevated to God-like status as the market thins. The Jason Marquis contract really inflated the lower end of the pitching market.
You can read my full profile of Ohka here.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals are "doing some advance work to check out Carl Pavano’s physical status." He later notes:
"PLEASE do not say something like, ’Bernie says the Cardinals are getting Pavano.’ Because I’m NOT saying that."
It sounds like the Cards are at least kicking the tires a little bit. Pavano makes $10MM in 2007 and $11MM in 2008 with a $13MM club option for 2009 with a $1.95MM buyout. Basically, he’s owed $23MM for his age 31-32 seasons.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Couple of reliever signings occurred today.
The Cards inked righty Russ Springer to a one-year deal for $1.75MM. Can’t complain about that one in a world where Mike Stanton got two years. The Devil Rays may have to focus on David Riske now.
Meanwhile, the White Sox locked down Mike MacDougal for three years and $6.45MM with a club option for 2010. The idea here is to buy out his arbitration years and perhaps first year of free agency. If healthy, he provides a viable alternative should Bobby Jenks be unable to pitch the ninth inning.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The Mercury News reports that Tony La Russa met with Barry Bonds’s agent, Jeff Borris, and requested a meeting yesterday. Walt Jocketty and Borris didn’t exactly deny interest when asked, either.
While pitching is rightfully Jocketty’s top priority, he could have a bargain on his hands here. The fact is that Bonds would add wins to the 2007 Cardinals. He’s also a low-risk signing if it can be done for one year. Plus there’s that little home run record thing to bring increased revenue.
Can you imagine it? Two .400+ OBP sluggers hitting back-to-back? That’s Manny/Papi-like.
UPDATE: Walt Jocketty got fed up with this stuff and told MLB.com, "There’s nothing on Bonds." In addition, the slugger did not meet with La Russa.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have been told there’s no deal yet for Jason Schmidt. This is as of 4:14 CST today.
I quote:
"DeWitt and Jocketty have been told that there’s no deal yet — and that they (Schmidt and his agents) would like to still have discussions…. so as far as the Cardinals are concerned, there’s still reason to have discussion with Schmidt’s agents… and I am told the Cardinals are making a ’strong" offer.’"
This would be quite a development, as the deal has been reported all over.
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