A series of quick updates on St. Louis Cardinals subjects currently in the news.
Infield done?
GM John Mozeliak says the Cardinals roster is about set for 2011 with the possible exception of trading away shortstop Brendan Ryan. The intention is to proceed with some combination of reserve infielders Tyler Greene, Daniel Descalso and Allen Craig. It also seemed to quash what was a resurgence of Jason Bartlett trade rumors.
My take: The pros and cons of dealing Ryan have already been adequately analyzed. Putting aside off-field matters, Ryan would be an ideal late-game defensive replacement, but it seems clear the other issues have him heading out of town, a move that Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith criticized on Monday.
Based on past Tony La Russa teams, it seems unlikely the manager will be satisfied with a cast of unproven reserves filling his bench. One might think he’d be far more comfortable if a veteran like Edgar Renteria is added for the middle. While reports are positive regarding David Freese’s recovery, recent lessons learned the hard way would seem to point to the value of adding someone, perhaps an NRI third baseman, in case Freese is injured again and Craig cannot handle third.
Reserve catcher
The Twitter world was abuzz on Monday with word that free agent Gregg Zaun is on the Cardinals radar to replace Jason LaRue as the club’s backup catcher. Seattle was mentioned as another possibility for the soon-to-be 40 year old, who missed most of 2010 while with Milwaukee.
Last summer, Zaun suffered a torn labrum that was thought to be potentially career ending. He had surgery last June. Milwaukee had a $2.25M option on his service for 2011 that they bought out for $250K.
My take: MLB.com’s Matthew Leach’s tweets indicate he likes the idea. I am considerably less excited. I hope if the Cardinals are serious that Dr. George Paletta checks Zaun out very carefully. Obviously, he is not a pitcher, but catchers need solid arms, too.
It is clear the club does not have confidence in Bryan Anderson, but if a veteran reserve is desired, there would be better choices than Zaun. One option appears to be off the table as the Mets have reportedly signed Ronny Paulino.
Pujols discussions begin
Mozeliak reported a meeting with Albert Pujols’ representatives was held in Orlando, but the GM made it clear he would not be offering a play-by-play account of the negotiations to extend the first baseman’s contract beyond 2011. SI’s Jon Heyman added via Twitter that Pujols may be looking for an A-Rod-type deal, 10 years and $275 million.
My take: The Cardinals have no real choice but to try to get it done. It may take creativity and a lot of deferred money. As a reminder, Pujols is not tradeable without his consent.
Uehara for the pen?
A Baltimore Sun staffer spoke with a Japanese writer at the Winter Meetings about Orioles free agent reliever Koji Uehara, who ended the season as their closer. There is supposedly interest from six teams including the Cardinals. The 35-year-old right-hander appears to be looking for a multi-year deal.
My take: Right-handed relief is both the most plentiful resource on the market as well as one of the Cardinals’ current strengths. Unless they plan to trade away relief to address another need (which public comments indicate is unlikely), then I don’t see why they would look at Uehara. I’d prefer another proven left-handed option beyond Brian Tallet and Raul Valdes.
Update: I just saw a Mozeliak comment to B.J. Rains that the club is not in the bullpen market.
No Hall for Simba
In the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee vote this week, former Cardinals catching great Ted Simmons was not elected, nor were favorites Marvin Miller and George Steinbrenner. Pat Gillick was the only one selected by the Veterans Committee, which included Smith and Whitey Herzog. Individual votes were not released, but Smith indicated Simmons’ difficulty in the election had to do with his defense.
My take: I wonder how Mike Piazza will fare when eligible, then. I would have voted for Gillick, Miller and Simmons.
Promo for Riggins
Mark Riggins has been named the new pitching coach of the Chicago Cubs. He had been the Cubs minor league pitching coordinator since leaving the same job with the Cardinals a few years back. Riggins replaces Larry Rothschild, who moved to the Yankees.
My take: In Riggins, the Cardinals had lost a good baseball man who had been committed to the organization, having been employed by them for almost three decades. Here is hoping he is successful in his new job, except when his pitchers face St. Louis.
Van Slyke interview
Former Cardinals outfielder Andy Van Slyke is one of several candidates interviewing for the New York Mets hitting coach job. Van Slyke had been Jim Leyland’s first base coach in Detroit from 2006-09.
My take: Van Slyke has many talents. He also co-authored a new book with Rob Rains entitled “The Curse – Cubs Win! Cubs Win! … Or Do They?” I have a copy and recommend it.
Hot stove radio show
Hosted by Kevin Wheeler and Mike Claiborne, the “Cardinals Hot Stove League Show” will air on 1120 KMOX and select Cardinals Radio Network affiliates from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Central Time) every Tuesday night beginning on December 7th and running through March 22nd.
My take: They will have name-brand guests and offer more news for those who just can’t get enough! La Russa, Mozeliak and Mike Shannon are among the first guests. KMOX is available via live internet feed for those outside the signal area.
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BD coming into town late and not being at the AP/Lozano meeting is a sign.
My feeling is that AP is desperate to sign with SL………….and they know it. The outside market is exactly as predicted………..only Washington, White Sox and Angels could even think about a big investment…………..Cubs couldn’t market AP ……….they aren’t stupid. Red Sox are through, MT of the Yanks is Boras no-trade……….. BD said months ago that he would let the market dictate AP’s price………….not Baseball salary precedent……………..They may never get to a number.
As BD showed a keen sense for exploiting AP’s weaknesses this past year………….He likely gets what he whats……………….what ever that is…………..
Looks like Marty Mason might land with the Cubbies and Mark Riggins.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_498fd120-022e-11e0-9b2f-00127992bc8b.html
10/275 should be a go, I would think. There would be some structuring, etc. No point trying to sign the best player in baseball for anything significantly less than that. Most likely eat the last couple years unless Albert would be inclined to leave it on the table.
Brian, I haven’t seen any reports on Freese’s recovery, positive or otherwise. Can you provide any detail.
PR article on Freese:
http://mlb-facts-and-rumors.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/26281293
The original Freese article was on FOXSportsMidwest.com. The CBS blog post CC linked to summarized it.
Sounds good, thanks.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_fa3cbec8-0258-11e0-825c-00127992bc8b.html
Baffling statements by Mo……………………….. We want a defensive catcher now…………..and “if you want one of these guys, you have to move here”……………………incredible…………….
Anxious to see what they paid Theriot……………………. somebody’s in business.
Want a defensive catcher now? Where did you see that Westie? From the article you posted:
“….saying that the defensive-orientation they’ve had in the past when it comes to backup catcher is not an deciding factor this year.”
“I don’t think we’re tied to the catch-and-throw model this offseason.”
They haven’t done a thing yet…………….. we want a hitter because Molina s tired legs aren’t tired?
Duncan isn’t concerned about a receiver…………….Zaun has a bad wing and Benji is slower than Yadi………….and the twitter was saying it might happen tonight…………. sounds to me like he is already apologizing for taking the cheapest available and calling him a hitter. And doing it here at the meetings instead of the dead pool…………that makes him decisive?…………..Get a player!!!!
The team needs a catcher……………….that can play the position…………and hit………….
Older is good………but not gimped………………………you have an 8 and 12 million dollar pitcher that is likely going to be spending time with him……………………. it seems unwise at 250,000 dollars a start to to blow it on a guy that will rarely see a pinch hit………………Tony almost never uses his backup catcher anytime before the ninth……………….the talk is BS………… any old guy with a career average of 260 is going to say he can carry the load…………..right.
Benjie would be fine with me………………………
The rumors have intensified that the Cards are after Bengie Molina.
Be sure to check out Burwell’s article on Pujols negotiations
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bryan-burwell/article_0c441c96-8400-57d6-afac-c6b7a0e65d88.html
I just read it. MOron and DumbWitt are starting to rank right up there on my list with the Demon Spawn.
It feels like there is unfamiliarity or at least uncomfortablity with negotiating rhetoric. Here is hoping Pujols and the Cardinals can keep their discussions quiet so folks don’t react strongly based on every word spoken, reportedly spoken or in this case, anticipated might be spoken at some future date.
On a side point, this has to be one of the few writers I have yet to see that thinks the Yankees looked bad in how they handled Jeter. If anything, they were restrained in what they said. The vast majority of the views I read felt Jeter’s demands were unrealistic. When all was said and done, the Yanks still badly overpaid in recognition of the past instead of value for the present and future. It is always easier to be critical when its not your money.
If you are familiar with the cardinals then you had to know there would be a steady PR blitz to try to force Albert to come off of what he is worth. PR is their game but Albert’s image is his biggest asset even though his numbers are terrific. This is a clash of the titans imo.
Albert doesn’t want to be thought of as a money grubbing kind of guy. As huge a christian that Albert is in front of the cameras he can’t go all out and try to break the bank. That would be unchristianlike you see. A bunch of Alberts followers would go the way of Jimmy Swaggert’s followers if they thought Albert wasn’t the god like figure they perceive him to be.
As badly as the Cardinals have played this they have to try and devalue Albert in some way in order to save money while keeping Albert a cardinal. His public image is the best way to do that. So buckle up your seat belts and get ready for this ride as the Cardinals beat guys use their inside and unnamed sources to write story after story in which they bring up that Albert wants to be the highest paid player of all time.
Burwell is not privy to the Cardinal PR blitz evidently as he sides with Albert in this clash.
This will be a weekly issue all year long is my guess unless the Cardinals cave and pay the man. I actually hope they wait to sign him so we can enjoy the verbal sparring via the media that is to come.
But it is their money……………………. You’ve just seem how much money the has been put forward by the taxpayers last week……….let alone the fans…………..
Absolute worst case scenarios is a medium large contract with 15% deferred……….. that is called religion………………and no one will be saved…………….. its likely where this is headed………after a major upheaval mid season……………………. If they take a one armed catcher, the whole thing falls apart.
one other thing…………if the Yankee’s make the series it cost them 10 million more for Jeter……if they won…….another year………………
Puma in the outfield………. one armed catcher???????? BD isn’t stupid……….his bottom line is the victory.
They told BM’s agent what they were looking for and what they were willing to pay for it……….no offer………………… he is “on the fence” about playing next year……….. we could bring him off the fence with a little more doe……………enough for a player…………it we wanted to win anyway………..
Has it been reported that Benjie was the ‘target’?
I’ve removed my tinfoil hat so the positive vibes can flow out and get to Buena Vista.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_a565b3e6-030c-11e0-87a6-0017a4a78c22.html
Try to take this in BB……………………you live in my world now…………..
It wasn’t Benjie that they missed…………
Gawd bb , what sins did you commit that you are condemned to live in hell?
I’m not much of a Burwell fan. He’s entitled to his take. I was more interested in the fact that the article was there at all, the timing, the headline, and that it came from a non beat guy. The Post has three guys to write about the Cards. The Cards have three go to guys to get their spin in front of the public. So, the other side has access as well. Game on.
Burwells doing what he does best.Write garbage and try to stir the pot.His columns aren`t fit to line the bottom of a birdcage.
Bw52 — Yes, they are!
Any article about baseball that contains the word ‘proletariat’ needs to be approached with caution. One doesn’t usually find the sport of Musial, Matheny, Maris, Mantle and McCovey mixed ‘mit Marx’.
Of note, one also doesn’t often find Matheny’s name listed with Musial, Maris, Mantle, and McCovey…
White Sox sign PK and AJ………..Cubs book Pena………….Red Sox add Crawford…………. Angels are paralyzed…………. that means Beltre is stranded……………..SD takes Bartlett…………Mo hints at taking minor leaguer’s for BR…………….. while Tony enters the Fray…not exactly helping out……………….
How do you like the glint in Tony’s eye when he mythologizes the Mange RC? We’ve heard from the heavyweights…………………..will Albert chime in? Only in a sign of desperation me thinks. They may never get to numbers……………just philosophies………….. The market appears to be shot for heroes.
I want Benjie…………………break out a little Money BD………. he is a key player…………..
Now that Boston has signed A. Gonzalez, who could possibly be a suitor for AP if he goes FA? Yankees have Tex, and I can’t see AP willing to take on a DH role. Cubs have the money, but really, Albert a Cub? Not likely. Mets are holding to a budget, so they are not likely to shell out the big bucks. LAA? Maybe . Where’s the team with the money? Thoughts?
Unless his injury caused lasting damage, I imagine that the Angels should be set with Kendry Morales at 1B for a long time. However, any number of teams could shift their first baseman over to DH if they really wanted Pujols.
I can’t see the Yanks moving Tex to DH. Other than Boston and LAA what other AL teams could afford him?
The only other longshot AL team is Tigers.Cabrera could DH and AP to 1B.V Matinez catching..Very long shot.