The top-ranked free agent from the St. Louis Cardinals has already been released.
Each year around Halloween, the Elias Rankings are released for all MLB players. So far, the most important subset of these numbers, the ones for eligible free agents, has surfaced. Translated to an alphabetic value, they are an important component of free agent compensation. The rankings are derived from two years worth of statistical data and are specific to groups of positions.
Only Type A and B free agents (if signed before the arbitration offer date or if offered arbitration) would require a compensatory pick and only Type A’s cause a draft selection to move from one team to another.
There is no suspense whatsoever for the St. Louis Cardinals in this year’s process.
The club has nine free agents: RHP Jake Westbrook, RHP Brad Penny, 3B Pedro Feliz, LHP Dennys Reyes, RHP Mike MacDougal, OF Randy Winn, INF Aaron Miles, RHP Jeff Suppan and C Jason LaRue. The latter has already stated his intent to retire.
In a major statement about the productivity of this group of nine over the last two seasons, not a single one of them are Types A or B, meaning they can sign anywhere without compensation.
Westbrook remains the most likely of the group to be asked back for 2011, though it is unclear if his terms will align with the Cardinals wants. He was neither Type A nor B as the result of having missed the entire 2009 season.
There is one other player of note, the only ranked free agent that played for the 2010 Cardinals, infielder Felipe Lopez (pictured). Ironically, the Type B free agent was released late in the year due to some combination of misbehavior and substandard play and re-signed with Boston.
To see Elias Rankings of other clubs’ Type A and B free agents as potential signing targets for the Cardinals, click here. I will share the complete list of all free agents and all ranked players as soon as I can locate it.
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when the brewers released suppan, they became responsible for his 2011 club option/buyout, correct?
Yes, the Cards only assumed the remainder of the season’s MLB minimum salary.
I’m betting Lopez signed on with Boston with the agreement that Boston offer him arbitration and that he would not except. There was no other reason for him to sign on with them or for they to sign him.
Yep, looks like a quick way for the Sox to grab a sandwich pick and doesn’t affect Lopez’ signability for next year.
I’m sure Tony is proud for his old buddy and pal.
http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2010-10/2010-baseball-awards/story/sporting-news-2010-mlb-executive-of-the-year-reds-gm-walt-jocketty
Albert and Yadi both missed out with Holliday the Cards only rep on Sporting News NL All-Star Team. (Those were previously announced.)
interesting list of players who became available yesterday when their options were not picked up.
Peralta, Ankiel, Torrealba, Jon Garland.
Brandon Webb unlikely to be kept by the Diamondbacks………….This looks like a possible pickup by the cards since they seem to gamble on an injured pitcher at least once a year.
Peralta will be re-signed by the Tigers. The buyout of the option was a formality. If for some reason they are not able to agree, I would be interested.
No way to Ankiel.
No to Garland.
Would Torrealba consider signing with a team that might give him just 20 or so (at the most) starts? I certainly wouldn’t if I were him.
bos needs to offer arb, lopez decline, and lopez needs to find and sign a mlb deal for the sandwich pick to kick in. is a mlb deal a given for felipe next season?
Anybody have any thoughts on who the Cards might consider for backup catcher?
They are supposed to be looking for a better offensive backup. The FO must feel Pagnozzi`s hitting was a fluke ( i agree) and Anderson is too much of a risk defensively.
Maybe a Gerald Laird could be signed for a 1 million to backup Yadi. MLB trade rumors thinks the with the glut of catchers on the market some guys will have to take backup money.Laird is one mentioned.
What was Lopez/Lozano’s incentive………….two weeks pay? at the minimum………wouldn’t that be less than the Cardinals check by half?…….
This was to control DL’s business exposure to BD/Mo……………..treating him a bit like SB….. besides, who wants draft picks?
There is likely some fine print in the Collusion agreement rectifying the effected players/markets salary expectation…………..
The Cardinals had many options………..maybe this was the best……who knows?
Posturing 52…………. they have to make it look like they will have a log jam at AAA to justify the Anderson trade…………hopefully avoiding any loss of value…do to a talent rejection…..
bip & Brian — At the time Suppan was signed, MLB.com reported that the Cards were on the hook for his option year/$2M buyout…
“Suppan was released by the Brewers on June 7 with more than $10 million remaining on the final year of his contract worth $12.5 million. The Cardinals will only have to pay a prorated portion of the Major League minimum: $400,000 for the remainder of this season, but there’s a $12.75 million option with a $2 million buyout for 2011 that the Cardinals will be responsible for.”
Here’s the link for full context:
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100612&content_id=11110370¬ebook_id=11110476&vkey=notebook_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl
Yikes HBT, that makes the suppan signing a little more painful. If thats the case it seems to have been a better route to give those innings to one of the Memphis fellas down the stretch.
WC, you bring up an interesting point……How many of the group of Mather, Anderson, Stavinoha, Jay, Craig, Hamilton, PJ Walters, Daryl Jones, and Greene will find their way out of the Cardinals organization this winter? Any speculation as to who will be gone at winters end?
HB, thanks for the link. one yae, one nay
i’ll yield to you and the host, continuing the topic.
RE: lopez incentive to sign w/BOS?
felipe had 1.2mil of incentives in his 2010 contract. could he have been trying to meet criteria like 450 PA’s, for the added earnings?
RC i will take a shot at your question.
Mather-without power since his injury what`s he really offer? bye
Anderson- i think he gets another year to improve.Stays
Stavinoha-stays and ends up in Memphis riding the back and forth express……..he will pass waivers because he offers only PH ability.
Jay-platoo OF
Craig-playtoon OF
Hamilton-have fun somewhere in the American league.Bye
Daryl Jones-one last shot at AA.
Walters-spring training to fight for spot.
Greene-stays as backup SS unless a deal is made for another SS
I think that article is simply incorrect.
Once he was released, the Brewers assumed the contract (net of any potential pro-rated minimum should he sign somewhere else).
We have no connection to his Brewers contract. We didn’t assume it. Our contract was separate.
We could lose Stavi and Mather without me losing any sleep. Hamilton almost certainly does have more value in the AL, but I am intrigued by what he might be able to do in a bench role (esp. if he can avoid embarrassing himself in the outfield). If he hits in that role he might up his trade value.
I want to keep Walters and Anderson.
Greene? Probably need to keep him around just in case.
Jones? I have moved on.
Interesting question to contemplate RC……….. truth be known, I think that the desire for all of these players, is to “appear” to fill a need for the Major League club……….. developmentally, it appears to me that little more than that is being done for them……… Mather is a blue chip specimen, doesn’t have a clue as how he might be a better hitter………..Stava should be in the AL, eying DH and depth roles…………Hamilton has an attitude……….big strong boy. He is just watching the AP drama.
Craig?????????? has more value in a trade than he does to this coaching staff……… he could be a great player……he isn’t one now………….coaching seems reluctant to evaluate his future as opposed to his role as the air apparent to a number of players.
Anderson can’t even carry his equipment without looking like its his chance at Williamsport………
Greene has had it handed to him several times……….and didn’t know what to do with it……. he is a true indictment of the “vagaries” of the minor league programs……..and also the ML playing environment………….. how many kids can deal with the AP hype with the scowling YM carrying his cape……. growling off nonbelievers.
Jay is a mystery………… his hand waggle, when it became more of an expression of his “”possession” of a position and an advertisement of his “great ambitions”………unmade him. They watched for a month before they tried an adjustment….an incorrect diagnosis….. as to how he might be stabilized………….. MM is a liability as a coach…….if he is in fact responsible. I don’t know that to be true.
That’s more than than I thought would come out.
easton — It could be wrong as that Strauss quote was the other day re: Tyler Greene being out of options. I’m not saying either way on Suppan, just relaying what I’d read and offering it up for discussion.
Trying to verify it just now, I found an Associated Press story on ESPN.com that says the opposite:
“The Brewers owe the 35-year-old Suppan the remainder of his $12.5 million salary this season [2010] as well as a $2 million buyout of his 2011 club option. Suppan had been a favorite of owner Mark Attanasio, but Melvin said Attanasio wasn’t consulted on the timing of the move.”
Here’s the link to that story:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5260914
Bw52 — Stavinoha is definitely out of options. He first appeared with the Cards on June 22, 2008 and played for the Cards in both 2009 and 2010. If he goes back and forth from StL to Memphis, he’ll have to pass through waivers.
Mather gone:
http://twitter.com/CardsInsider/status/29595403188
Mather claimed off waivers by the Braves. I’d have rather kept him and let Stavi go. Bombs is versatile at least.
HBT – Stavi did not burn an option in 2010 as he was never optioned for more than 20 days. That is actually probably why he was kept over Mather.
Interesting… thanks CC!
Your welcome HBT, do you need a towel to wipe off your sweater?
CC — No sweaters in the wardrobe. Too ‘Mr. Rogers’ for me…
Who is Brendan going to hang with this spring? He may have an identity crisis. No Joey Bombs, no shitty yellow car. I’m serious, he seems pretty fragile.
You would have thought that he had some value in a trade scenario??????????? I guess we aren’t planning any this winter……………..
Lilly gets a nice contract for his age…….. 3.5 to get a home, and 2yr no trade so he can live in it.
I’m guessing the worst Westbrook expects is 3/27………….or 2/20 with gratuity……….. Mo seems to be showing signs of having his offer rejected………..the extra 4 or 5 large that he was saving for a token FA thus absorbed…………….
Off topic. I read where NY city public school leagues are looking at instituting pitch count rules. I’d be interested to know if this is common, and generally any commentary on it.
” . . . a cap of 105 pitches for one game . . . . . In addition to the one-game limit, players will be allowed to pitch on consecutive days provided they have thrown 25 or fewer pitches on the first day. One day of rest will be enforced for outings of 26-53 pitches, two days for 50-70 pitches and three days for 70-90. . . .”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/03/sports/baseball/03psal.html?ref=baseball
Reminds me of Little League. I believe it was 6 innings a game and 9 innings a week. (we played 2 games a week). The reason wasn’t to protect arms but to keep the teams with the best pitchers from totally dominating.
RC — Are your ears burning? Check out the Strauss chat from earlier today if you hadn’t already seen it.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/article_8745f1b6-e78f-11df-8193-00127992bc8b.html
CC — Can you recommend a good source for options data? I’d hate to have to go out and buy a sweater.
I usually use the info at this thread for a start”
http://birdsonthebat.org/showthread.php?t=42692
but it is not always perfect (I’d say it is 90%-95% accurate). For instance he has Stavi totally wrong (misses the option in 2008 and misinterprets the 20 day rule in 2010). For individual transactions the player pages at SBNATION and at those at SI.com list individual transaction such as when players are optioned and recalled which can be used to compute individual players. Brian has a link somewhere for the specific rules if you need them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qot94H6-GZk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/user/101ESPNVIDEO
Out in Arizona Chambers has been easily the top performer among Cards players, but the .215 hitting Cox is picked for the Rising Stars game. It’s not, I guess, based upon actual on-field results. Chambers, by the way, is a guy who must have snuck into the org somehow. He’s too athletic, and looks too smooth in the field. Look for him to be traded.
That is one reason they don’t call it the AFL All-Star Game. They pick the big name players, not the ones currently playing best. Still, I will be there Saturday night. The game will be televised on MLB Network.
Among my interviews yesterday were with both Cox and Chambers. Only Cruz played yesterday during Broderick’s start, but I am hoping Adron, Cox and Kozma will be in the lineup today. I will probably start running the interviews one per day beginning Saturday. In addition to interviews with all the preceding names, I have also done formal interviews with DMay, Swagerty and King and spoke informally with instructor Mark DeJohn and former Cards coach Mitchell Page. Keeping the camera hot, too. A lot going on here in AZ…
(Edit, bip, you were right. I removed one sentence as it might have been misconstrued.)
Regarding the Suppan contract question, some of the confusion may be over the differences between being released vs. claimed off waivers. In the latter case, the contract liability follows whereas in the former case, it does not. Suppan was released so Milwaukee remained on the hook.
The intimation that Mather had trade value (that we chose to ignore) is hilarious.
Bling wrote, “Off topic. I read where NY city public school leagues are looking at instituting pitch count rules. I’d be interested to know if this is common, and generally any commentary on it.”
Bling, I’m guessing every state has different rules regarding pitching and innings pitched.
Alabama allows for:
(1) A player may pitch in a maximum of 14 innings per week (Sunday
through Saturday for regular season, tournament and playoff games).
(2) A player may pitch in a maximum of seven innings in one day or over two
consecutive calendar days, after which three consecutive calendar days of
rest are required before being eligible to pitch again. A player’s eligibility
to pitch is not determined by the number of hours between pitching
appearances.
Exception: The pitcher of record in a game tied at the end of regulation play
may continue to pitch in that game on that day provided his total number of
innings pitched for that day or for two consecutive days does not exceed 10
and his total number of innings pitched for that week does not exceed 14. If
the game suspended at the end of regulation play is continued on the next day
or another day, the pitcher of record at the time of suspension may not continue
to pitch if his total number of innings pitched has reached seven on the
day of suspension or over two consecutive calendar days. (Note: Under no
circumstances can a player pitch in more than 10 innings on any one day or
over two consecutive days nor in more than 14 innings in one week.)
(3) A player may make two pitching appearances in one day or over two
consecutive calendar days, after which three consecutive calendar days of
rest are required before being eligible to pitch again. A player’s eligibility
to pitch is not determined by the number of hours between pitching
appearances.
But right across the border in Georgia things are different. Bobby Howard, the winningest coach in Georgia is the head coach at Columbus High School, has the ability to change pitchers all day and use them as many innings as he wants. Bobby has won more state titles than any other coach in the history of the game in Georgia. He is Georgia’s version of TLR with all of the moves he makes during a game.
I have watched Bobby pull a pitcher 5 times in a game, lets say a LH pitcher, and put him in the OF and bring in a RH to face a RH hitter only to reenter him right after against another LH hitter.
I’ve also watched Bobby pitch a guy 5 innings on a friday (where you play a best two out of three and you play two on friday and the if game is on saturday), then bring the same guy back on saturday and pitch him 7 innings.
The player he used in the back to back days was rated at the time as the number one prospect in the country. A big 6’4″ RH pitcher that was a beast, up to 97 mph. After those two days he was never 97 again.
Bobby used the kid that way because the rules allowed for it. The kid wanted to pitch, because he wanted to help his team win another state championship, so it happened. But it’s probably not a great idea to pitch a guy 5 innings on one day and bring him back for 7 innings the next day.
We play Columbus every year and they are the class of this area…………and its a big time matchup at Golden Park. Bunches of fans…..fun stuff.
easton, maybe if we could turn back the clock a few years on Joey Bombs…
RC, that example really indicates why tighter rules seem to be a good idea.
Don’t be surprised to see Joey B come out smokin this year. The wrist is in great shape now and that was his only issue.
I noticed DeRosa on the front page at MLB.com………..celebrating the Giants World Series Title. He was most likely worth his salary as the team chemistry captain, even if he didn’t play an inning this year.
Brian who was more open and engaging? referring to comment #39.And why make it a question like you should have a preconconceived answer? What`s up with that?
Brian referring to #36 in previous question.
Brian — Thanks for the info on Suppan’s option liability; released vs. claimed off waivers.
Appreciate the info RC, and the time and effort.
[...] and their sequence in preparation for the June 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Despite having had nine free agents, the St. Louis Cardinals have no extra selections this year. They lost no Type A or B free agents [...]