MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that St. Louis has between $6MM and $7MM worth of "wiggle room" in their payroll that may have to last the club through the rest of the season. But, as Leach notes, "the Cardinals aren't holding onto money for a midseason trade as much as they are for an acquisition during camp."
St. Louis GM John Mozeliak hinted that he may make another move during Spring Training if none of the team's young players step up to adequately fill the Cards' problem areas: "As we move forward and get into spring, we should have a better idea of what that [greatest need] might be. It may be nothing. But it usually is always something and more than something."
Matt Holliday dominated the headlines in St. Louis over the winter, but aside from that major re-signing, the Cardinals were fairly quiet in the offseason; only Brad Penny and possibly Rich Hill could be considered major additions to the club. As Leach pointed out, however, the Cards have signed two free agents over the last two springs (Kyle Lohse and Dennys Reyes) and are still looking for backup outfielders, a left-handed pinch-hitting option and possibly another reliever or two.
cardsdrummer
Well Brendan Ryan just had wrist surgery, and Felipe Lopez fired Boras to sign with the same group as Pujols. Seems like an open and shut case to me.
Benjamin B
Mo, Lopez &/or Smoltz please
cardsdrummer
Brendan Ryan wrist surgery + a Scott Boras firing + a new client at the Pujols friendly Beverly Hills Sports Council = Felipe Lopez back in STL.
Brandon Woodworth
Why they didn’t sign Jim Edmonds is beyond me. They just listed 2 things that Edmonds is, and outfielder, and a left-handed pinch hitter. What dumbasses.
Aranathor
Those things he might be… doesn’t mean he’ll actually hit.
Brandon Woodworth
I’d rather have Edmonds than Garret Anderson lol. When the Braves signed him instead of Edmonds, I wanted to cry.
InTheKZone
I think most Cardinal fans wanted Edmonds back but more as a coach instead of a player. Maybe as another special assistant.
adieuordie
Edmonds wanted 400+ at bats. That won’t happen in St. Louis.
Seals
Colby Rasmus bats left-handed. The backup centerfielder should bat right-handed. If Joe Mather can fill that role, the left-handed bat should be more of a corner outfielder or infielder (like Flip Lopez). If not, they’ll have to go out and get one because the Cardinals don’t have anyone else in-house that fits.
Edmonds had a nice career with the Cardinals but he doesn’t fit their current needs.
Brandon Woodworth
Well who else is left that would be better than Edmonds?
InTheKZone
Ummm… Damon, Lopez, Dye. Shall I continue?
Brandon Woodworth
Maybe you should list someone who will take a backup job. Dye already turned one down and Lopez isn’t really a backup outfield option.
chaifetz10
Willy Tavarez, Rocco Baldelli, Endy Chavez, and Jonny Gomes just to name a few…
Edmonds would be nice in a Ray Lankford comeback kind of way…but does he offer any actual improvement over someone like a John Jay, Joe Mather, or Allen Craig? The answer is no. He isn’t a gold glover in the field anymore and his offense would be nothing better than a number 8 hitter (a bad one at that). Bring in youth, speed, and defense and we’ll be just fine.
Brandon Woodworth
Hey hey, in 08, he had damn good numbers against rightys. And you don’t need gold glove defense for the bench. I agree Chavez would be good, Gomes probably wants a starting job.
Ricky Bones
You’re all hung up on Jim Edmonds man. Let it go. He’s done.
Ricky Bones
You’re all hung up on Jim Edmonds man. Let it go. He’s done.
David McCutcheon
Willy Tavares might be the worst player in the MLB. I’ll give you Gomes and Baldelli, Endy is up in the air and Willy’s laughable.
Brandon Woodworth
I never got why I heard so much about him. When he signed with Cincinnati last year, I thought it was a big deal. But alas, I was wrong.
Ricky Bones
Chris Duncan is w/o a doubt the worst player in baseball. He cannot hit, run, field or throw. He serves no purpose.
Ricky Bones
Chris Duncan is w/o a doubt the worst player in baseball. He cannot hit, run, field or throw. He serves no purpose.
InTheKZone
All you asked was who was left that is better than Edmonds. I answered. Now for a backup, I wouldn’t mind Chavez or Gomes
Tyler
I’m not much of a Cardinals buff, but seems like adding in a guy like Kiko Calero could really do them no harm if they have the extra money to burn.
Holy_Roman_Emperor
Or MacDougal, to step in if Franklin pulls an Isringhausenesque implosion or regresses to his career norms.
Ricky Bones
MacDougal? Are you sick in the head?
Ricky Bones
MacDougal? Are you sick in the head?
danmenges
The Cardinals never should have let Kiko go in the the Mulder trade. WORST trade ever in STL history. Haren and Kiko for Mulder. Horrible.
Ricky Bones
The trade made a lot of sense at the time. Nobody had any way of knowing Mulder’s body would completely fall apart & while Haren looked nicely up & coming for every one Haren who pans out there’s a dozen more who fizzle.
danmenges
The Cardinals never should have let Kiko go in the the Mulder trade. WORST trade ever in STL history. Haren and Kiko for Mulder. Horrible.
JohnOrpheus
So they’re gonna wait till camp? What sack of bargain bin garbage will be worth spending 7 mil on at that time? Let’s see, couldn’t they have signed Rich Harden for that a while ago? I’m sure he would have rather play in Busch than that launching pad in Texas. Anyway, just sign Lopez and Smoltz like someone else said. Surely they can both be had for under 7 mil.
Ricky Bones
I sincerely doubt they’re going to spend 7 million in any one place or even in several places. The money is there but that doesn’t mean they’re just going to burn it.
Ricky Bones
I sincerely doubt they’re going to spend 7 million in any one place or even in several places. The money is there but that doesn’t mean they’re just going to burn it.
Ryan Dell
I dont know if Lopez would be worth it, he wants to be a starter and unless he steals the job from Lugo if Ryan is out for a while he wont be. The best option is to sign Calero, you can never have too much pitching. Or you could sign an outfielder like Baldelli who can play center.
Redbirds16
The Cards are in a commanding position and can afford to be patient. Well done Mo for not spending all the budget before ST. Address needs as they present themselves and not a moment before action is necessary. I’m amazed at how much composure Mo has shown this offseason.
Guest 1551
I say they keep that 7 mil and drop the prices on beer… just an idea.