Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks free agency and trades in his latest column, suggesting that GM John Mozeliak will attempt to fill the Cardinals' holes with a mix of both approaches. Here are the other notes of interest from Strauss:
- No deal with Jake Westbrook is imminent, according to Mozeliak, but "sources familiar with talks" are optimistic about the negotiations. The two sides are currently discussing a two-year contract, perhaps with an option for a third year, Strauss says.
- The Cardinals are reluctant to sign Type A free agents and surrender high draft picks, which may prevent them from pursuing a player like Arthur Rhodes.
- With Jason LaRue retired and Matt Pagnozzi outrighted, the Cards will be in the market for a backup catcher. I don't think we can look at the backup from solely a catch-and-throw standpoint," Mozeliak said. "We need to consider offense, too."
- "Strong sentiment exists" to acquire a veteran third baseman as insurance for the oft-injured David Freese.
- Mozeliak sounds more likely to seek middle infield help through trades than free agency. According to Strauss, however, Orlando Hudson is a free agent who has received "internal support" as a second base target.
I have a good idea: Brandon Phillips!
lol beside the fact the the Cards hate him and he hates the Cards
That’s a splendid idea! I do think that Orlando Hudson would be a nice fit. He wouldn’t be too expensive, and he produces. Why not?
Hmm…what’s in it for the Reds if they consider Phillips part of their long-term equation?
Yadier Molina + Chris Carpenter’s bruieses for Brandon Phillips?
I think that the Reds need to lock Phillips up. He’s a free agent after next season. Hudson in my opinion would fit best with the Padres or Mets, but I wouldn’t mind seeing him on the Cards.
Pass on locking Phillips up, the Reds have a limited payroll and cannot afford to overpay for a player in the downside of their carrier. Lock up Votto, Bruce, Cueto and replace Phillips with Frasier, Vallakia, or Cozart in 2013.
Bruce has been next to a bust so why lock him up long term?
O-Dog is perfect, and he could bring joy to the team. He’s a funny guy. 🙂
Every time a person comments revealing that they didn’t get the joke, I die a little inside.
Nah, don’t die. Not everybody is going to get every reference.
What’s up?
Sarcasm doesn’t go over well here. Lmao
I can’t believe Cards fans would really take that seriously…BUT, with tongue in cheek – the trade should be Phillips for LaRue…
boooooooooo haha
Bautista for Rasmus!
Roy Halladay for Rasmu….ohh, wait.
i don’t think anyone will sign rhodes if he is gonna cost a first rounder(a la juan cruz).
Did the Reds actually offer Rhodes arbitration and did he actually turn it down? It seems that arbitration would really benefit an old player not looking for a long term deal like Rhodes
Rhodes is a lefty with very good numbers and a proven track record against both LH and RH batters. He may not get big dollars, but he will get offers. Being a LF reliever really makes a big difference
I see Rhodes staying right where he is.
Rhodes will be 41 next year and won’t even throw 60 innings. Would you essentially trade a first round draft pick for 55 innings from a 41 year old left hander? If he’s offered arb and turns it down he’s going to limit himself to bad teams who’s picks are protected.
or maybe the Yanks or another team sign a type A and take the opportunity to add him?
ps rolen is old and how many guys played over their heads for the reds this yr? 70% Anyhow O-Dog isn’t a fix. Zach Cox is your second base fix Cards
Zach Cox may very well be the Cards solution for second base, but not till late 2012 or 2013. They still need a capable bat and glove to hold things down in the meantime.
I was just getting ready to say that…Cox is about 2 or 3 years away and more than likely will be @ 3B. Hudson is the ideal top of the order guy. Good bat…takes walks..and can run. And defensively..he’s one of the best 2B. A 3 year deal around $16-20 Million I believe can lock him up. Plus a great clubhouse guy and can keep this team loose. At times this team gets very uptight when things aren’t going their way.
Waaay to much for a quickly aging Hudson. Maybe give him an Adam Kennedy type 2 year 10 mil….and that’s a maybe.
which would bewhy the cardnals getting hudson for a 2yr deal worth around 9 or 10 million with an option for a third yr would be a perfect fit plus one thing hudson brings to the table is speed adn that is one thing the cardinals have really been lacking lately is a good base stealer
no its not. i don’t think anyone will give hudson more than 1 year with all the big name second baseman available next offseason(uggla, johnson, weeks, sanchez, potentially hill and phillips).
No disagreement here
As much as I would like to see the Cards acquire the O-dog to lighten up that clubhouse, I think they’ll get a guy that can play third and short like Miguel Tejada or Juan Uribe. You never know what you’re going to get from Freese’s injuries or Ryan’s bat so insurance for the left-side of the infield should be a priority.
I see maybe a platoon of Schumaker and Greene at second and maybe even throwing Descalso in the mix if Schumaker continues to decline. Also, if Cox improves even a little bit there’s a good chance we’ll see him next year simply because he’s already a very mature hitter.
I’d rather just get rid of Schumaker altogether and sign Hudson. Bring in better defense.
Agreed! I wish they would’nt have signed that 2-year deal with him last offseason because now we’re stuck him next year.
Unfortuneately since we’re stuck with him LaRussa is going to stick him in the lineup most of the time because he’s so well liked in the organization and there’s not really a place for him in the outfield.
I just pray that Mo gets rid of him so Tony can’t force him into the lineup every day, just like what happened with Chris Duncan.
their is always the trading him away option which the cardinals are said to have been in the market for
Who would take him though? He has no speed, no real power, below-average defense at 2nd, his bat doesn’t profile to be a corner outfielder…
Someone might just take him and cover his $2 million or so contract but I don’t see anyone giving us any type of real prospect for him.
Who would take him though? He has no speed, no real power, below-average defense at 2nd, his bat doesn’t profile to be a corner outfielder…
Someone might just take him and cover his $2 million or so contract but I don’t see anyone giving us any type of real prospect for him.
gordon beckham straight up for colby rasmus…rasmus solves the left handed athletic out field need of the sox and beckham solves the middle infield D and bat the cards need….I dont know much about the cards i would assume there is a player in their system that could play CF if they cant pick up a stop gap ….and the whitesox have omar, lilibridge, and escobar in the minors that could fill in for gordon..
Cardinals would pass. It would be much easier to find a viable middle infield stop gap such as Hudson than it would to replace a 5-tool CF. Not to mention Beckham had a offensive season almost identical to Skip Schumaker (.265 avg, .328 obp, .338 slg from Skp vs .252, .317, .378 from Gordon)
For sure! Beckham has the potential to be a tremendous player but as it stands right now, that would be a HUGE risk for the Cardinals. You just can’t replace the skill-set a guy like Rasmus brings to CF.
If by some chance we do trade him I wouldn’t mind having Jon Jay take over the CF duties if his September slump from last year doesn’t follow him into 2011.
no, i say stay with the current deal that was origanly thought of carlos quentin for colby rasmus and maybe a coulple of minor leagures here and their what st. louis really needs right now is a solution to the middle of the order they have a great start with pujols and holliday but after that it seems to disapate with molina although he is a good player you cant depend on a catcher for much of the offensive side of the game hes got enough on his plate what with the handling of the entire rotaion
“what st. louis really needs right now is a solution the the middle of the order”
dude, last i checked, a middle of the order of pujols-holliday-rasmus is probably top 3 or 4 in baseball. Thats one of the last things they need. Quentin isn’t anywhere near as valuable as rasmus, especially since he can’t stay healthy and can’t field. Cardinals aren’t trying to do the whitesox any favors.
Yeah, Carlos Quentin is actually one of the worst players in Baseball. The only way I see the Cards moving Colby Rasmus, is for Zack Greinke…But I still don’t see him getting moved. I’d like to see the Cards sign Brad Hawpe and O-Dog.
“carlos quentin for colby rasmus and maybe a coulple of minor leagures”
Please tell me your joking.
they signed him to a major league deal and will not allow 2 or possibly 3 years to go by without him getting a look at a major league starting job. he’ll be getting that look this spring especially after the fall he’s having and the winter ball he will have
Why not? It’s not like he’ll hit free agency any time quicker. Just more years of Arb.
Dude has 15 AB’s in the minors, and currently has a line of .222/.280/.333 in the Arizona Fall League, and you think the Cards will go into Spring Training thinking they could hand him the MLB starting 2B job? Are you hoping for a repeat of 2010, where the front office relies on unproven rookies to hold down vital positions with little depth in case of injury/slumping?
Did the Cardinals lose Pagnozzi? What does him being outrighted mean?
Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe it means that he was taken off of the 40-man roster. I’m not sure if that means that other clubs can claim him or not…
Anyone know for sure?
He was taken off the 40 man roster and was outrighted to Memphis. I believe this would allow him to either accept this assignment or elect to become a minor league free agent…which it seems he has chosen to just accept the move.
Yeah thanks for the info. He just went to Memphis. I don’t know why they don’t just give the job to Matt. He hit very well in his time at St. Louis. Saw him shoot the ball to both gaps and played great defense. Boom, there is your backup catcher.
although the cards aernt sure if hes complelty ready for the bigs yet yes hes proven himself worthy but i do agree it may benefit instead of going and getting a veteren it would save them some money to spend on another free agent or on pujols
Blue Jays send JP Arencibia and a couple of arms for Rasmus.
Yadier Molina.
Really, that’s all I have to say about this.
that would be nice except for the fact that the blue jays have like 5 guys on their roster that can play in the outfield..
couple of other arms? like kyle drabek and zach stewart? seriously, did yadier molina just fall off the face of the earth or something..i think they already have a starting C
BACKUP catcher. I may be stupid, bit I’m not insane.
so the centerpiece of a trade for rasmus should be a backup catcher? yeah, i think your pretty insane.
he is a much better 2B than 3rd and O-Dog isn’t a locker room cancer but he is not a GREAT clubhouse guy either
I thought Cox had only played a limited time at 2B and was more proven at 3rd…
3rd is typically considered to be a much tougher position to play and Cox went to college instead of playing pro ball to make improvements to stay at the position. He’s played both positions but I’m sure he would rather stay at 3rd since he would be more valuable there.
No, third is easier than second. Please refer to the Fangraphs defensive adjustments.
They’re different. Fangraphs saying something doesn’t make it so. Third base requires quickness and a stronger arm. Second takes much more range, an ability to throw from a variety of angles and all the stuff involved in double plays. Having said all that, the Cards would be crazy to rush a rookie up that quick unless he really is all that special.
The problem some teams have with Hudson is more of a personality thing. He’s kind of joyful, kind of a talker, like he never shuts up. Some teams like that kind of player; some teams don’t. He would not survive the Cardinals team full of dead men walking.
But please, lets not think of him as a trouble maker, or a poor teammate. He is who he is-mostly just a chatterbox. Not that he says anything bad, or that he’s not a nice guy. It’s just that he never stops talking. Heath Bell is the same way. It’s why the Mets finally got rid of him. They couldn’t stand the constant chatter.
WIGGINGTON!!!!!!!
my vote is they bring in bill hall. he can play 3b, ss, 2b, even a bit of outfield. brings a bit of pop off the bench. 2yr/6million?
I think Hall is going to look for more than that after the year he had. Maybe not a starting spot but I’d guess something around 2yr/$10 or so. Surely he didn’t expect to get his option picked up but I doubt he want to take that big a pay cut. Not sure what he’ll get but my guess is he’d turn down 2yr/$6, at least early in the offseason. He’s be a good fit with the Cards and a lot of other teams though.
Well, I already picked Bill Hall for the Indians. He’s a perfect fit for a one or two year contract there. They could use help at all infield positions, they are a little short of right handed bats, and he would probably end up with more playing time there. The Indians could sure use some experienced players too.
He’d be a great fall back for them while they wait for their third baseman of the future to arrive, the real Asdrubal Cabrara to declare himself yay, or nay, and the second baseman of the future to arrive. He’s such a perfect fit for the Indians needs right now-I’m confident they won’t do it, though. That’s how they roll-the logical becomes illogical.
The Cardinals already have a catch and throw, all glove-no hit catcher, they really don’t need another. I think Mozeliak is right if he’s planning on looking for an offensive minded backup to Molina.
The Cubs have a team full of people who get no hits, nor do they have a glove.
Orlando hudson is the one we need hes a player that could really help us not only on the offensive side but the defensive side as well he should be only one of a few moves that need to happen with st. louis this offseason another lefty in the pen for the cards would be valued why not add matt thorton to the mix of the deal for rasmus hes a hard throwing lefty that at times is complelty unhittable along with Quentin i believe that would be a deal that would be worth while for the cards and white sox then adding a shortstop why not bring back Renteria he has proven himself worth bringing back plus he is a serious upgrade from Ryan both offensively and deffensively then there is the matter of a closer Frankie plans to retire after this upcoming season why not go out and finnnaly nab Fuentes like they have been inquiring about for the past 3 or 4 years
First off, Trading Rasmus will not happen. While bringing Edgar back, would be nice, he is not an upgrade when it comes to defense. His defense doesn’t completely suck, but he doesn’t have much range anymore.
so 1 year of thornton and the semi-useless quentin for rasmus? PUNT!
Orlando Cabrera’s option was declined by the reds, Maybe we get him .~~~Starting Lineup~~~2B-Orlando HudsonCF-Colby Rasmus1B-Albert PujolsLF-Matt Holliday3B-David FreeseSS-Orlando CabreraRF-Jon JayC-Yadier MolinaPitcher~~~Starting Pitchers~~~WainoCarpJaimeWestbrookLoshe….:(
Bench
Backup Catcher- Don’t care who, yadi will play almost every game unless he gets hurt.
Skip
B-ryan
Stavinoah
So where are you going to place Allen Craig? Craig is going to be on the major league club next year as far as I know.
Replace Craig with Stav, Forgot about him.
u kidding me? o-cab is a joke. doesn’t hit or field now. rather stick with ryan and hope he finds a median between 09 and 10 offensively but still get GG defense.
He did pretty well with the Reds this year. Now that I think of it, I’d rather get Furcal.
on what grounds did he do good with the reds? was it his stellar .263/.303/.354/.657 slash that enticed you? perhaps it was his sterling 3.7UZR compared to ryan’s 11.5UZR. or that terrific 1.3WAR. i agree, furcal is a better choice. maybe the dodgers eat a bit of his 13million salary(say 7million) and we send then Ryan and Motte.
no way, that would not be enough to get you furcal.
That Furcal trade is not happening
Ryan and Motte for Furcal AND the Dodgers have to eat 7 million of Furcal’s contract?
Yeah, sounds like Ned.
furcal isn’t a free agent though.
Dodger’s expressed interest in trading him, and Ryan and Motte wouldn’t get it done? Alright, +1 B prospect and it would. Motte is going to be a good closer, and you could use him if you get a repeat performance from Broxton this year.
Really? Ryan can field but he can’t hit, furcal can field AND he can hit. And also, i would take jansen over motte to be our future closer. I just don’t think you know how valuable furcal is to the dodgers.
Heres wat u do.. Get uribe(platoon) and hudson(2b) and crawford in RF,
Lineup
Crawford
Hudson
Pujols
Holliday
Rasmus
Freese
Molina
Wainwright
Ryan
Uribe, schumaker, jay, craig on bench
is this before or after Musical comes out of retirement and plays for league minimum? because no way in hell can we afford that group.
Ahh ur one of those! So your going to tell me a team that has pulled in 3 million fans 11 out of the last 12 years (they hit 2.9 million once) been to the world series twice in the last six years, is top 5 in apparel sold and won a world series in 06 doesnt have 110-115 mill a year payroll?! Well u my friend like alot of people here in st louis are taken for granted by the owner because they know for a fact that no matter how much money the team spends or does fans here will always show up..well my friend this is about keeping pujols in st louis and u spend money to do that
no, i do believe we can raise payroll to 110million. however, unlike several other teams, the cardinals own their own stadium, not some other company. That is 365million dollars of money out of DeWitt’s pocket. i think the lease is over after 2012 so until then, we will have to settle for a payroll sitting around 95-100 range.
I understand that and many fans dont comprehend that but im talking about the albert pujols be happy side of things and im guessing hed take a cut of pay to help the team till end of lease..who knows but they need a revamped offense
yes well i’m not one of those guys that is like “keep pujols at all costs” junk. i say go no more than 8 years and no higher than 27.5million a year or trade him. team first, pujols second.
Im definitely not that type either and to be completely honest with u im all about the pujols for uggla and hanley ramirez trade..i just made that up but right now u could get something like that
well pujols isn’t worth uggla and hanley so..yeah. but i get what you mean( i think ).
Steve Hill or Brian Anderson not the former or current Brewers Annoucer but the Catcher.
Hm… Is Dioner Navarro available?
Yes but why would we want a catcher who’s an average defender and can’t hit anymore?
I’m all for the Cards going out and getting a catcher who has a good bat I don’t see any on the FA market that would take a backup job. Does anyone know who’s on the trade block that we’d be interested in?
First off, haha on the brandon phillips. second off, we’re not trading Rasmus. Thirdly, Orlando Hudson is a great option, we should have signed him like 2 years ago. By the way all of those Rasmus trade ideas suck. Orlando Cabrera is a bad idea. Simple as that. We’re not players for Werth, Crawford, Lee or any of the bigger names. You want to know why we can’t afford them? There’s a elephant in the room named Albert Pujols. It doesn’t matter if we’ve had 3M fans over the past 10 or so years, it just doesn’t matter. Especially if ownership isn’t willing to expand payroll. I’d say an offseason that the Cardinals will have will look something like this:
Sign Hudson/or trade for Kelly Johnson
Sign Nick Punto
Sign a lefty reliever
sign a backup catcher
Re-sign Westbrook (If we fail to re-sign Westbrook, I’d like to see us go after Jon Garland, but even he might be too expensive)
Sign Albert to an extension. I don’t care what it costs, he is a public icon that stl needs to keep at all costs. mapquest has already threatened to take stl off the map if he leaves the Cardinals (that was a joke for the less smart of you).
This might be a bit of a stretch, but I’d give Albert 10 years/$200MM
I’m right there with you dude. I can’t stand it when people throw out those out-landish predictions about signing Crawford or trading Rasmus for Quentin.
I do think though the Cards tipped their hand with their backup catcher option when they outrighted Pags. It looks as though Anderson will be the backup catcher/bat the Cards are going with. If he can improve his defense he will be a very nice/cheap addition to the 25-man roster.
Unfortuneately I think Pujols is going to be commanding more than an average annual salary of $20mm. I see something like a 8 yr / $250mm-$275mm with maybe a couple of club options thrown in there.
what about a bid for Benji Molina. An excellent bat off the bench, a backup for pujols on first, and an above average backup for molina.
Bengie wouldn’t be too bad of an option, but I’m guessing he still sees himself as an everyday catcher. I still see him as one too. there’s a lot of teams out there that could use an everyday catcher, and Bengie shouldn’t have any trouble finding himself a job… I’d like to go after Miguel Olivo who probably considers himself in the same boat.
Let’s save the money and use Bryan Anderson as our backup catcher. If he gets a fewer pointers from Molina I’m sure his defense will improve.
And I doubt Bengie would ever take a job as a backup catcher, especially to his younger brother.
Barring a trade, there is 0% chance that the backup catcher isn’t named Bryan Anderson.
From everything I’ve read, it looks like the Cardinals don’t think he’s ready for the backup roll. I can almost promise you that the Cardinals will sign a backup catcher