Cardinals Checking On Carl Pavano
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.
Relief Is On The Way
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.
Did Cards Meet With Bonds?
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.
Schmidt Deal Not Done?
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.
Cardinals Trade Rumors
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with some Cardinals trade rumors. And I quote:
"Talking Pavano trade with Yankees (but Jocketty denies)…still monitoring Schmidt…More focus on Padilla and Batista …front-runners for Luis Gonzalez, but price may be getting too high…Strauss thinks they will make a trade this week; could be part of a 3-way."
Leach: Carpenter Extended Through 2011
MLB.com’s Matthew Leach has the scoop: the Cardinals have extended Chris Carpenter’s contract through 2011 with an option for 2012.
Carp’s current contract calls for $7MM in 2007 and $8MM in 2008. Hat tip to Viva El Birdos for this one.
UPDATE: The AP reports that the deal is for about $65MM and that his ’08 option will be exercised including the $1MM buyout.
Cardinals To Meet With Jason Schmidt’s Agents
Joe Strauss’s article from this morning confirms that Walt Jocketty will meet with the Hendricks brothers, who represent Jason Schmidt. About a week ago, Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz mentioned the Cards’ interest but seemed to think the switch to the Hendricks brothers will be a hurdle. Jeff at Lookout Landing had this to say on Schmidt:
"Jason Schmidt is a guy whose name value rather substantially exceeds what he actually brings to the table on the field."
As Larry from Viva El Birdos has mentioned to me, the Cardinals pursue a big-name pitcher every winter and usually fail. Examples include Mike Hampton, Pedro Martinez, Tim Hudson, and A.J. Burnett. They did snag a big fish in the Mark Mulder deal, however.
Cards Still Looking For Starters
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a roundup this morning of Walt Jocketty’s remaining agenda.
With one starter (Kip Wells) and a second baseman (Adam Kennedy) now in tow, the mission is to find two more starters and an affordable outfielder.
Goold names Jason Schmidt, Jeff Suppan, Jeff Weaver, and Mark Mulder as players whom Jocketty has contacted or will contact soon. As Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos has told us, the Cards always target a top flight starter before settling for less (see Burnett, A.J. last year and many more).
The outfielder of choice seems to be Luis Gonzalez, who’s been a speculative Cardinal for what seems like a month now.
Cardinals get Wells, Kennedy
The Cards finally made their first moves: they signed Adam Kennedy, brought in Kip Wells, resigned Gary Bennett, and gave Eli Marrero a minor-league deal. No monetary details, but Bernie Miklasz guesses $15M for three years, while Rosenthal thinks it’s three years for $10M.
With Kennedy, Bennett, Scott Spiezio, and Jim Edmonds on board for 2007, the Cardinals appear to have their position players mostly set. They’ll probably still add an outfielder, but that would seem to be a low priority. Wells is a nice addition to fill out the rotation, but even counting on Adam Wainwright in the rotation, that leaves one more hole to fill. My money’s on Jeff Weaver coming back, but surely Walt Jocketty is exploring plenty of options, including some via trade.
By Jeff Sackmann
Drew, Roberts, Aurilla, and Dunn
SI reported yesterday that the Red Sox are close to signing JD Drew.
Are sign’s of desperation starting to appear? Gregg Zaun‘s agent has been in ‘consistent’ contact with Cashman and Julio Lugo has already talked to the Cubs and agreed to play CF.
Speaking of Zaun, Mercury News is reporting that Zaun’s agent is having ‘consistent’ contact with the Giants, that the Giants are close to signing Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia, and that they haven’t closed the door on re-signing Pedro Feliz or second baseman Ray Durham.
I hope Zaun’s agent gets paid by the hour.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that all the market value craziness might benefit the Pirates. When pigs fly, you say?
Anyway, the article mentions that the Pirates front office had considered acquiring Adam Dunn. That tidbit sent Pirate bloggers into overdrive —
Honest Wagner said that if the Pirates got Dunn he ‘would become the team’s best or second-best hitter‘, I suppose forgetting that Sanchez and Bay were on the same roster. At Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke Pirate blog, Pat said Dunn ‘would look awfully nice protecting Jason Bay’, but possibly forgetting Dunn NEEDS protection – he doesn’t offer much, especially playing at PNC Park.
My take? I said the same thing I said back at the July trade deadline in 2006 – we don’t need a $10m Adam Dunn to whiff all year for us. What did you expect me to say? hehe
Dan Perry at Fox Sports talks about how the Cardinals have a great deal of work to do now to compete in 2007.
Humbly I report that a list has finally come out that does not include anyone from Pittsburgh – The Goggle Gang by Bill Madden at the New York Daily News.
And yes Jeff, the Brewers getting rid of Davis for Estrada was a great move – I agree.
By Jake at Bucco Blog