Wrapping up a few NL Central loose ends from the Winter Meetings:
- GM John Mozeliak said Thursday that the Cardinals will "redeploy the resources" that had been allotted for Albert Pujols, writes MLB.com's Matthew Leach.
- Jon Heyman of the MLB Network tweets that the Cardinals figure to non-tender Ryan Theriot, and names the Mets, Braves, Astros, Reds, Blue Jays, and Royals as teams who may have interest in the infielder.
- New Astros GM Jeff Luhnow was introduced today and said he's "very optimistic" about taking the club in the right direction, as MLB.com's Brian McTaggart writes.
- The Pirates' deal with Erik Bedard includes $500K in potential innings bonuses, tweets ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
- In the Triple-A portion of today's Rule 5 draft, the Pirates selected Aaron Poreda, tweets John Manuel of Baseball America. The former first-rounder was part of the trade that sent Jake Peavy from the Padres to the White Sox in 2009.
Why would the Jays have interest in Theriot?
Utility, I suppose. Eh. He’d be a small upgrade over McCoy.
But can Theriot pitch??
I am working on an app that will administer a painful electric shock to people who make this joke. Stay tuned.
Please hurry with the production.
ya, I guess he gets you more at the plate. However, you lose some speed and position flexibility. It is really too bad that McCoy can’t give you a little more offense.
If the Reds sign Theriot, I may quit watching them.
only $500k? that’s just a really slick signing by the pirates
That’s not his entire contract, that’s just innings bonuses.
yea, got that. but he’s being paid less than harang and capuano, despite being much, much better. his one and only knock is innings, so i assumed the deal would include far stronger incentives than just 500k
really good signing by them
also a nice decision for him, he gets to face some weak offenses, and build some value
I agree. Probably the steal of the off-season so far.
Interesting that Poreda was left without protection… When Peavy was traded back then he was coming off a few seasons (prior to injury) in which he looked dominant. Since then, he hasn’t turned into much… but ah well. Goes to show that prospects are never a sure thing. As much as I’d like to see my Tigers sign Cepedes… he could bust.
I don’t get why the Tigers, who could really use a lefty in their rotation, didn’t try to sign Bedard. They paid $3M to Penny to be their 5th starter in 2011 and he totally sucked in every way. They couldn’t go to $4M for Bedard?
I think a lot of it had to do with teams hanging back and waiting on Darvish, Cespedes, Wilson, Pujols, Fielder, Reyes, and maybe to a lesser extent Rollins and Buerhle and the Pirates used it to their advantage and signed guys they wanted early. Granted the Barmes deal wasn’t very good but the Barajas and Bedard deals were good pickups at decent prices. I think a lot of the teams with money were waiting to see if they could sign one of these bigger fish and hesitant to spend money elsewhere until their respective target’s situations were resolved.
I think a lot of it had to do with teams hanging back and waiting on Darvish, Cespedes, Wilson, Pujols, Fielder, Reyes, and maybe to a lesser extent Rollins and Buerhle and the Pirates used it to their advantage and signed guys they wanted early. Granted the Barmes deal wasn’t very good but the Barajas and Bedard deals were good pickups at decent prices. I think a lot of the teams with money were waiting to see if they could sign one of these bigger fish and hesitant to spend money elsewhere until their respective target’s situations were resolved.
Completely agree. DD has had a solid year, but this offseason has been very dissapointing to say the least. With a team that is on the verge of being a World Series team, he hasn’t done anything to shore up the biggest holes at 2nd, 3rd, or givin any effort, it appears to find a solid leadoff batter, or as you suggested a veteren to compete for the last rotation spot. Seems like all of his focus has been put into a wild card player in Cespedes. Who, if he worked out would be great, but truth is there no way does the free spending Marlins let a cuban player of that talent get away without ridicuously overvaluing him.
Not to mention they already have four OFs (Boesch, Young, Jackson, Raburn), so signing Cespedes would require trading someone, probably Young, who is kind of untradeable due to his lack of defense and all-around Delmon-ness. He wasn’t “in” on Kelly Johnson, but Johnson made a lot of sense for the Tigers when you look at what they need — a 2B and a left-handed #2 hitter (so that Leyland would stop it with the ridiculous revolving door in that slot — 14 different players batted 2nd in 2011, none more than 40 games). It would have allowed for a true platoon of Boesch (no power vs. lefties) and Raburn (way better versus lefties) in RF, and allowed for Santiago and Inge to split time at 3B. Whatever. Not really sure what’s out there at this point but the great thing about Dombrowski is that he’s not afraid of making big deals, so who knows?
I was thinking the same thing, they haven’t been strongly connected to any LHP this offseason, despite that being (IMO) their biggest need. Maybe they’ll trade for Gio or Wandy
Giants should get Theriot, but they want to hoard profits.
All that is really left on the Pirates shopping list is a 1B hopefully either Lee or Pena. I would also like to see them move Hanrahan while his value is as high as it is. Teams are overpaying like crazy for closers Hanrahan is a cheap alternative. Not to mention late inning relievers have been bringing in very nice hauls lately.
As long as the Cardinals dont just spend the money because they have the money I am all for it. Going after Rollins makes sense but at the right price and maybe bring in Beltran for one year with Craig starting on the DL…Lock up Freese and Molina so they can stay with the Cards…but other than that, I hope they dont get stupid and sign guys just to sign guys because they have the money
Im really feeling Beltran. It could be a great sign on a two year deal. Maybe 2/24? With a vesting option for third? Raffy needs to be back on a one year with club option. Trade for a second baseman (ODog shouldn’t cost much in terms of prospects. Cards take on 3.5 mil.) sign Rhodes or M. Gonzo as the LOOGY. Sign back Punto, and a right handed CF backup.
There you go…my dream off season.
That Middle infield defense would be awesome. Do it MO.
and where would they put Beltran? sharing LF with Holliday? or CF with Jay? or RF with Craig??
Craig is on the DL until June because of a knee surgery from when he fractured his kneecap
If Beltran is healthy he plays CF. He is only 34. No Brainer.
12 million per year for Beltran would be a horrible deal…beltran I believe could be had for a lot cheaper than that. I’d rather have a back up playing the field until Craig gets back than giving beltran 12 million for year. Giving Beltran 12 million would be wasting money just because you have it to spend
Well, I heard he was looking for 4-5 years with a AAV around there. He had a good season last year, but maybe 10 mil would be a better place for us.
“the Cardinals will “redeploy the resources” that had been allotted for Albert Pujols”
is there even that much money to spend on what’s left?
if they’re not gonna sign Fielder, all that’s left is basically junk (except maybe Beltran, which isn’t happening or Rollins who imo would be a waste of resources). Why spend money for the sake of spending it? unless they’re taking that money and extending Wainwright, might as well just hold on to it.
Or am I missing someone significant?
Sounds like a filler statement also used to remind the fans that he’s gone.
Why does it have to be through free agency? They have plenty of room to make signings and/or take on salary in trades. It doesn’t have to all be used this offseason but they obviously have a lot of flexibility now.
22 Million… does not mean they will utilize foolishly.
If the Cards can dump Lohse or Westbrook, on top of the money they were going to spend on Pujols, I can still see them having a successful offseason. Now, they’re able to get 3 or 4 pieces, while Berkman makes an easy transition back to first base. I don’t think it’s as bad as it seems.
Cardinals need to try and trade for Hanely and maybe go out and get Beltran
Is there a specific time frame in which teams have to non-tender players? Or is it just whenever?
Instead of Beltran, I would rather the Cards go after Cuddy. Plays OF, 1B & 3B, would get everyday at bats even with Craig and has been relatively healthy over the past few years. Zack Cox would be some nice trade bait for Prado, would have to add a few more pieces, but he’s an upgrade at 2B. And kick the tires on Furcal, see what he’s looking for. A 2 year deal wouldn’t be bad on him.
I would be happy with that line-up. You not going to replace Pujols production, but I think the line-up would be more balanced. I guess the downfall would be it’s heavy right-handed.