The McBrayer-Baseball Blog

Cardinals Sign Scott Linebrink

2012-02-10T23:01:00.000-06:00

Right-handed reliever Scott Linebrink, 35, on Friday signed a minor-league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals.
The deal includes a nonroster invitation to spring training, which begins in 10 days.
Linebrink, an Austin, Texas, native, appeared in 64 games for the Atlanta Braves last season, seeing his most work since the 2007 season. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder was 4-4 with a 3.64 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings.

Linebrink was combined 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in June and July until he landed on the disabled list Aug. 1-14 with a strained lower back.
He limiting opposing hitters to a .235 average and stranded 23 of 33 inherited runners, the second-best mark among Braves relievers.
Linebrink debuted with the San Francisco Giants in 2000 and also has pitched for Houston (2000-03), San Diego (2003-07), Milwaukee (2007) and the Chicago White Sox (2008-10).
He is 42-31 in his career with a 3.51 ERA and eight saves in 607 games.
Earlier this week, St. Louis signed infielder Alex Cora, 36, to a minor-league contract that also included a nonroster invitation to spring training.
Cora will compete to be the primary infield backup under first-year manager Mike Matheny.
The Cardinals aren't expected to make any significant additions between now and the start of the regular season. General Manager John Mozeliak said recently on KMOX-AM 1120 that the ballclub no longer was in active pursuit of oft-injured starting pitcher Roy Oswalt, 34.
Oswalt's salary demands, believed to be in excess of $10 million per season, represent too great a risk for the Cardinals. Oswalt was 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts last season with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Source: BND.com

Read more here: http://www.bnd.com/2012/02/10/2053559/cardinals-sign-reliever-scott.html#storylink=cpy

Rex Hudler Returns to Missouri

2012-02-10T20:06:00.000-06:00

Rex Hudler was one of my favorite players from the early 90's that was the Cardinals utility player from 1990 to 1992. His hustle style of play earned him the name Hurricane Hudler. He was fun to watch. Always sacrificing his body to make a play or get on base. The fans loved him. Well I caught wind of Hudler's new job with the Kansas City Royals today. I am glad to see him back. Here is the rest of the story by Fox Sports Kansas City:

Former Major Leaguer Rex Hudler and veteran play-by-play announcer Steve Physioc will join Ryan Lefebvre, Jeff Montgomery, Joel Goldberg and Nate Bukaty to form FOX Sports Kansas City’s Royals television team in 2012, FOX Sports Kansas City announced today. “Rex brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm for baseball to the booth, while Phiz is an experienced pro who is excited to get back to the Midwest,” said FOX Sports Kansas City General Manager and Senior Vice President Jack Donovan. “We’re thrilled to add them to our team for this highly-anticipated season of Royals baseball.” Hudler comes to FOX Sports Kansas City after 11 years (1999-2009) as analyst for Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim telecasts on FOX Sports West, where he worked alongside Physioc. The “Wonder Dog” played 21 years of professional baseball (1978-1998) as an infielder and outfielder, including 12 major league seasons with the Yankees, Orioles, Expos, Cardinals, Angels and Phillies. He is active in community efforts and he and his wife, Jennifer, founded Team Up for Down Syndrome to help support the Down Syndrome community nationwide. “We’re so excited. To be able to land in a family community…and to step into a place where they could win again soon,” said Hudler. “When I look at this team I see four or five great young players coming along at the same time. They’re going to win.”
FOX Sports Kansas City is entering its fifth season as the exclusive television home of Royals baseball and will televise 140 regular season games and two spring training contests.

Source: FSKC

Alex Cora Signs with The Cardinals

2012-02-06T22:00:00.000-06:00

Well it finally happened, Alex Cora agreed to a minor league contract with the Cardinals. Alex would receive $800,000 if he gets added to the 40 man roster.

Primarily a middle infielder, Cora also has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Texas Rangers in 14 seasons.
The left-handed hitter, who has a .243 career batting average, is among 20 non-roster invitees to spring training.

Source: AP

Alex Cora a Cardinal?

2012-02-05T00:26:00.000-06:00

MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez is reporting that Alex Cora is close to signing a minor league deal with the Cardinals. At this time the Cardinals have not confirm this story. This kinda reminds me of last weekends report on Roy Oswalt coming to terms with the Cardinals in which it did not happen. If this report is true it would be nice to see Cora here as a back up bench player. I also have a feeling if Tyler Greene does not work out Cora could fit in nicely at second base. Cora was best known as the Dodgers second baseman and short stop for seven years. He played with the Dodgers from 1998 to 2004. Alex is also brothers with Joey Cora.

Pujols 5 Out....St.Louis Sports Hall of Fame & Grill In

2012-02-01T23:32:00.000-06:00

KSDK Channel 5 located in St.Louis is reporting that in the next three weeks Pujols 5 will be transformed into St.Louis Hall of Fame and Grill. All of Pujols memorabilia will be taken out and replaced by St.Louis Hall of Fame memorabilia will be brought in. The Hanon family that ran and owned Pujols 5 decided with Albert's support to make the change. The statue outside does belong to Albert's Foundation and it might go with him too. I had a feeling this was going to happen. Oh well. I guess Ozzie's Grill and Jim Edmonds 15 restaurant may have a increase of fan patronage. Adios Pujols.

The Drama Continues.........

2012-01-29T18:12:00.000-06:00

At this time Roy Oswalt is not a Cardinal yet. According to Joe Strauss,
" The Cardinals are actively shopping versatile righthander Kyle McClellan in order to alleviate a numbers crunch within their bullpen and to restore payroll flexibility that could be committed to a free agent starting pitcher." It has come to light that the Orioles are interested in McClellan. To move McClellan will help the Cardinals to sign Roy Oswalt. The rumors that are now swirling out of Baltimore are that the Cardinals want to make a trade for Adam Jones. The names that are floating out there to make such a deal include Adam Wainwright, Jon Jay, Jake Westbrook, and of course McClellan. I would love to have Adam Jones as a centerfielder. His numbers are on the rise and would improve the hitting line up, just in case Holliday loses his swing once again. I can't see the Cardinals trading away Wainwright but it maybe realistic that the Cardinals package up McClellan with Jon Jay, Adron Chambers and Lance Lynn for Adam Jones. As far as I know this is only a rumor in regards to Adam Jones. Hopefully the Cards will clear payroll room soon to get Oswalt on board.

Cardinals and Oswalt Agree to Contract

2012-01-28T01:30:00.000-06:00

It is now 1:25am Saturday and I finally got my story. ESPNBoston is reporting that Roy Oswalt signed with the Cardinals. At this time it is unknown the terms of his deal. I will update soon on salary and specifics. Welcome to the Cardinals Roy Oswalt!!!!

Reports Coming In: Oswalt close to Signing with Cards

2012-01-27T23:48:00.000-06:00

Reports coming in from Jim Duquette from MLB Network announced on Sirius XM that the Cardinals are close to a deal with Roy Oswalt. According to Joe Strauss the Cardinals made an offer of earlier in the winter of $5 million.
He says that the Astros and Boston are also still in the mix. The Rangers have been rumored to be the front runners, but they were not mentioned by Duquette. The Red Sox offered Oswalt a one year $5 million deal yesterday, and that has been the only reported offer.
Oswalt has reportedly wanted to stay near the south, where he is from. The Cardinals and Rangers had been in the lead for a bit, and the Astros seem to be a new team in the mix, where he had previously played before being dealt to the two years ago. I recall that the Cardinals where interested in Roy before he went to the Phillies. With Oswalt possibly in the mix what a starting five we would have.

Projected Numbers for 2012

1. Chris Carpenter 15-10     229 (IP)     3.42 ERA
2. Adam Wainwright     17-7     209.3 (IP)     2.64 ERA
3. Roy Oswalt     13-7     164.3(IP)     3.72 ERA
4. Kyle Lohse     10-9     4.29 ERA
5. Jaime Garcia     14-8     194(IP)     3.40 ERA

It looks like that Jake Westbrook would be moved to a long reliever. Would love to have Oswalt.
Please keep your eyes on my blog for more information on Oswalt.

Source: Jim Duquette/Sporting News Fantasy Report 2012

Yoenis Cespedes becomes a Free Agent

2012-01-26T13:55:00.000-06:00

I was just watching the Prince Fielder news conference when I read the news ticker that Cespedes had established residency in the Dominican Republic. Now that Prince Fielder is signed, the Tigers are no longer intrested in Cespedes. The teams that are now targeting him are the Cubs, Marlins, Whitesox, Indians, Yankees. Phillies, Bluejays and Rangers. It was reported that he has no interest with the Marlins. Too bad that I don't see the Cardinals on the list of potential suitors. I have a strong feeling it will come down to the Cubs or the Indians. Good luck!

Jason Motte Returns to the Cardinals

2012-01-25T21:41:00.000-06:00

Nice to see this happen. Pistol Pete returns. Motte became one of my favorite players during the 2011 Word Series. Loved seeing his intensity. Today he agreed to one year deal that is worth $1.95 million.
The 29-year-old reliever was 5-2 with a 2.25 ERA and nine saves last season, earning the closer’s role in late August and getting five saves in the postseason. Motte closed out the NL championship series and the World Series.

“Being out there, getting that last out, Yaddy (Molina) looking back at me, down on his knees — it’s one of those things I’ll never forget,” Motte said last week.
The Cardinals have no remaining arbitration-eligible players. St. Louis pitcher Kyle McClellan agreed to a one-year deal last week.
Motte made $435,000 last year. He asked for $2.4 million in arbitration and was offered $1.5 million.
He can earn an additional $75,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 each for 50, 55 and 60 games finished.
Motte had 63 strikeouts in 68 innings last season and a 1.93 ERA after the All-Star break. He appeared in 78 games, a franchise record for a right-hander.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: AP

Fielder Signs with Tigers

2012-01-24T17:16:00.000-06:00

Today Prince Fielder hits pay dirt. He signed a contract of $214 million for nine years with the Detroit Tiogers today. Geez Albert Pujols got $240 Million for ten years. Looks like Prince got a better deal than Pujols. Less money with more at bats. Fielder will be more durable at first base and probably last longer in the bigs than Albert. Here is more information about the signing by Chris Snyder via CBS SPORTS.:

The Tigers were recently dealt what appeared to be a pretty severe blow, as Victor Martinez tore his ACL and could miss the entire 2012 season. So there went Miguel Cabrera's lineup protection, right? Think again. Owner Mike Ilitch really wants to win a World Series championship and this signing indicates one of the strongest reactions one can even imagine to news like that.

Heyman also notes that the finalists to land Fielder were the Nationals, Tigers and one other "mystery team." So it's entirely possible the Nationals would have come away with Fielder had Martinez not torn his ACL. It's funny how things work sometimes.

A Fielder-Cabrera combo in the middle of that order will dominate AL Central pitching. Throw Justin Verlander into the mix, and the Tigers have three of baseball's biggest stars.

Fielder, 27, hit .299/.415/.566 with 38 homers, 120 RBI, 95 runs and 36 doubles last season for the NL Central champion Brewers. He finished third in MVP voting and also took home the All-Star Game MVP. Though Fielder is a large man, he is as durable as they come. He hasn't played in less than 157 games in a season since becoming a regular. He played in all 162 last season, following up seasons where he appeared in 161 and 162 games, respectively.

The smart money with Fielder and Cabrera is a split at first base, with the other serving as the designated hitter. Then again, what if the Tigers got nuts and tried to shove Cabrera back across the diamond to play third base again -- where he began his career? That would mean the infield defense would be awful, but would also leave room for a better hitting DH than Brandon Inge (who, at this point, looks like the third baseman). And if Victor Martinez comes back healthy? It works even better.

The Tigers won the AL Central by 15 games last season. Even if Martinez misses all of the 2012 season, Fielder is a pretty sizeable upgrade to the offense. So it would appear the division is the Tigers' to lose.

For now, though, the only details that really matter are that Prince Fielder is heading to Detroit -- where his father once held down the middle of the order -- and he's going to make a whole lot of money.

Chris Snyder

David Eckstein Retires

2012-01-22T18:43:00.000-06:00

I just picked up this bit of news from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that David Eckstein has decided to call it quits from Major League Baseball. Being a Cardinal Fan Eckstein has become part of Cardinal lore. This gritty player has warmed up to Cardinal Nation as a fan favorite. With only three years with St.Louis he became an All Star short stop twice and a World Series MVP in 2006. I was hoping for a comeback but I guess he decided to hang it up for now. Maybe we will see him pop up again sometime soon.

Matt Adams On The Rise

2012-01-21T23:32:00.000-06:00

There are a few players in the Cardinals Farm System that I feel are truly legit enough to make the majors in a few years or less. One of the players I can't wait to see take his place as the Cardinals official first baseman is Matt Adams. This 6'3 hulking figure has only spent two in the Cardinals minor league system to amass 64 home runs and 241 RBIs while playing for Johnson City , Batavia, Quad Cities and Springfield from 2009 to 2011. Matt was also chosen for Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year (2011). Adams also finished his turn at the invitation-only Arizona Fall League this past month with a .250 average, four homers and 19 RBIs in 20 games. A scout with an opposing National League team calls Adams "the top position prospect they have" in the Cardinals' system. I believe that the Cardinals will make room for his bat. With one more year with Berkman at first base we should see this power hitter in 2013. I am hoping big things for this big man.

Cardinals Sign Kyle McClellan

2012-01-17T16:51:00.000-06:00

It was nice to find out that the Cardinals avoided salary arbitration with McClellan and signed him for a one year deal. No information in regards to salary has been released at this time. I thought that Kyle did a great job in 2011 splitting his time as a starting pitcher and a middle reliever. In 17 starts he 6-6 with a 4.61 era as a starter. McClellan was a part time starting pitcher till the Cardinals traded for Edwin Jackson.

I had always felt that McClellan had a lot of talent and had enough worth to help upgrade the Cardinal team if they needed to trade him. With McClellan now in place the Cardinals are now working with Jason Motte in regards to a deal

Cardinals Sign Koyie Hill

2012-01-10T18:03:00.000-06:00

The Cardinals has signed Koyie Hill to a minor league deal today. A light hitting back up catcher that has spent five years with the Cubs. Koyie had posted a .194/.268/.276 line in 153 plate appearances for the Cubs in 2011, he had a rate of 24% of stolen base attempts. Koyie a eight-year veteran had a career batting line of .211/.275/.298 and has stopped 28% of the stolen base attempts against him. Koyie will be competing with Tony Cruz and Bryan Anderson for the role of back up catcher for Yadi Molina for the 2012 roster. Good luck Koyie!

Dave Duncan Stepping Down

2012-01-05T20:23:00.000-06:00

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Dave Duncan is taking a leave of absence. Duncan, 66, is leaving the team so he can be with his wife, Jeanine, who underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor on Aug. 21, sources said.
The Cardinals intend to make a formal announcement Friday and leave open the possibility that Duncan can return to the organization at a later time.
Duncan missed more than a month after his wife’s surgery last season, but rejoined the team for the final day of the regular season and remained with the club through the Cardinals’ march to the World Series title.
Bullpen coach Derek Lilliquist served as pitching coach during Duncan’s absence. It is not known whether he will become pitching coach under new manager Mike Matheny.

Ken Rosenthal

Zambrano Traded to The Marlins

2012-01-04T21:50:00.000-06:00

I am looking forward to the Miami Marlins new season. There will be a lot of fireworks between Ozzie Guillen and Carlos Zambrano. These two fiery personalities will light up the Miami night skies. Here are the particulars to the trade:

Carlos Zambrano will get a much-needed fresh start with the Miami Marlins.
The Chicago Cubs traded their former ace Wednesday for Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad, pending physicals and approval by Major League Baseball, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn’t announced a deal.

Zambrano wore out his welcome in Chicago because of repeated meltdowns and tantrums. The most recent came when he cleaned out his locker and talked about retiring after giving up five homers and being ejected during a loss to Atlanta on Aug. 12. He was suspended without pay and then it was decided he would sit out the rest of the season.
In Miami he’ll be joining another former Chicagoan, Ozzie Guillen, who expressed interest in acquiring Zambrano when he was hired as the Marlins’ manager in October after stepping down as the White Sox’s skipper. Zambrano joins a franchise on the upswing after a winter spending spree resulted in the signings of All-Stars Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell.
Zambrano finished last year 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA. The Cubs expected more when he signed a $91.5 million deal over five seasons through 2012, including a $17,875,000 million salary last season and $18 million in 2012. As part of the trade, they’ll likely pay much of his salary.
Volstad went 5-13 last year with an ERA of 4.89, and his career record is 32-39. He has given up 69 homers over the past three seasons, which could mean trouble for him at Wrigley Field.
Zambrano is 125-81 with a 3.60 ERA after breaking in with the Cubs in 2001, and he threw a no-hitter against the Astros. But he had difficulty controlling his temper.
In 2007, he got into a fight with teammate Michael Barrett, first in the dugout and then in the locker room. Barrett ended up with a bruise under his eye and a cut lip.
In 2009, he went on tirade against an umpire, throwing a baseball into the outfield, pretending to eject the umpire and slamming his glove against the dugout fence, a tantrum that led to a suspension.
In 2010, Zambrano was placed on the restricted list for six weeks and sent to anger management after a verbal altercation with then-teammate Derrek Lee.

Bill Buckner Hired by Cubs Minor League Team

2012-01-04T21:37:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite Boston Redsox players Bill Buckner got hired with the Cubs minor league team Boise Hawks as a batting coach. The Hawks is a part of a short season Class A Northwest League.

Buckner played for the Cubs from 1977-84 and won the 1980 NL batting title. He was a career .289 hitter over 22 seasons.

The 62-year-old Buckner was a manager last year for Brockton, a Massachusetts team in the independent CanAm league. He previously was a hitting coach for the Chicago White Sox and held the same position in the minors for Toronto.

Yahoo Sports

Joe Torre to Become Dodgers Owner

2012-01-04T19:26:00.000-06:00

While on my way home from work today I was shocked and surprise to learn from ESPN101.1 that Joe Torre step down from his job with MLB to become a owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here is the rest of the story:

Joe Torre stepped down Wednesday from his post as Major League Baseball's executive vice president for baseball operations, both sides announced, so that he could dedicate himself full-time to pursuing ownership of the Dodgers.
Torre, 71, the Yankees' manager from 1996-2007, officially has joined the group of real estate developer Rick Caruso. If the group succeeds in purchasing the Dodgers from beleaguered owner Frank McCourt, then Torre, who managed the team from 2008-10, would likely oversee its baseball operations.
"In Rick I found a partner who understands consumers and fully appreciates that the Dodgers are a treasured L.A. institution," Torre said in a statement. "Since moving to Los Angeles, I have seen firsthand Rick's dedication to business and the people of Los Angeles."
The idea of an ownership stake in the Dodgers has intrigued Torre since his days managing them, when McCourt's divorce cast doubt about his future viability as an owner. Initial bids are due Jan. 23, and according to the terms of an agreement that McCourt cut with MLB, McCourt must choose a winner of the sweepstakes by April 30. All franchise sales must be approved by 75 percent of the other 29 owners.
The Dodgers, despite the damage they have suffered under McCourt's watch, are expected to set a record for a baseball sale; the Cubs, sold to the Ricketts family in 2009 for $845 million, hold the mark. Although Torre's presence would appeal greatly to central baseball, there looks to be a fierce competition for ownership control.
Among those reported to be interested in purchasing the Dodgers are hedge fund magnate Steve Cohen (who also tried to buy the Mets); a group featuring basketball great Magic Johnson and former Braves and Nationals executive Stan Kasten; former Dodgers owner Peter O'Malley; Dodgers greats Steve Garvey and Orel Hershiser; former Dodgers general manager Fred Claire; and a group including White Sox executive Dennis Gilbert (who tried to purchase the Rangers last year) and former talk-show host Larry King.
Said Caruso, in a statement: "Joe has a proven track record of fielding winning teams, and I am looking forward to our group benefiting from his unique experience. I am a lifelong Angeleno; I love this city and have dedicated my career to creating world-class destinations that support this community and foster great customer experiences. Joe and I believe in the Dodgers and Dodger fans and know that together we will foster a winning culture."
The MLB post essentially served as a layover for Torre, who accepted the job in February 2011. In overseeing umpires and discipline for on-field matters, he gave the job star power it had not had. He also further solidified his once-broken relationship with the Yankees, attending his first Old-Timers' Day since his departure as manager.
His post will be filled on an interim basis by his three lieutenants: Joe Garagiola Jr., Kim Ng and Peter Woodfork.
In a statement, commissioner Bud Selig said: "Joe has been an invaluable resource for me and all of us at Major League Baseball this year and has splendidly communicated with our on-field personnel, general managers and the umpires. I understand his desire to pursue an opportunity in Los Angeles. Joe has been a lifelong friend and I know that will continue in the future."
Torre's new pursuit will allow him to spend the bulk of his time in Los Angeles, where he moved his family after taking the Dodgers' managing job. In his MLB post, Torre traveled significantly and spent much time at baseball's New York office.

Kevin Davidoff, Newsday

Cardinals Considering Oswalt?

2012-01-03T18:48:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago I happen to come across some news about Lance Berkman trying to coax Roy Oswalt to become a St.Louis Cardinal. As much as I would love to have Oswalt, what would we do with the other starting pitchers? Could we used Westbrook as a middle relief guy but he would be a 8Mil relief guy. I would tend to think someone needs to move in order for Oswalt to work.

Today The Boston Globe reported: The St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Yankees are reportedly interested in free-agent Roy Oswalt.
Oswalt has seen his stock rise in recent weeks after it became apparent that the 34-year-old starter would be willing to seek a one-year deal in order to prove his own health. He had been looking for a three-year contract, however some teams were wary of his back issues which forced him to miss several starts last season for Philadelphia.
Oswalt had his option declined by the Philadelphia Phillies in October, making him a free-agent. As a result, the three-time All-Star received a $2 million buyout instead of $16 million in salary over the course of 2012.
In 23 games started for Philadelphia last season, Oswalt posted a 9-10 record with a 3.69 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 139 innings pitched. For his career, Oswalt has posted a 159-93 record with a stellar 3.21 ERA in 11 seasons with the Houston Astros and the Phillies.

Boston Globe

Top Five St.Louis Cardinal Stories of 2011

2011-12-31T00:02:00.000-06:00

Number Five for me is the trade that sent Colby Rasmus along with Brian Tallett, Trever Miller, and P J Walters to the Toronto Bluejays for Mark Rzepczski, Corey Patterson, Octavio Dotel, and Edwin Jackson. At first I was upset with this trade, I believe we could of gotten better players. Little did I know the impact Jackson and Dotel had getting this team to the playoffs. I also feel that receiving Rzepczski is also a gem in the rough.

Number four was the signing of Lance Berkman. Taking a chance on this aging veteran was the spark plug this team needed to keep the Cardinals a contender. Lance got Comeback Player of the Year, what more can you say!

Number Three, Tony LaRussa Retires! He spent sixteen years as the manager and won two world series and one NL pennant but he began to stale in the last three years with the Cardinals. Was he gonna stay or go? Well he wanted to retire back in September but waited till after the World Series. What a way to go out on top.

Number Two, Albert bolt to Anaheim to become an Angel. Well more power to him as a DH.

Number One, Cardinals win World Series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

San Jose Athletics?

2011-12-27T17:20:00.000-06:00

The Oakland A's facility has needed a face lift for years. The Coliseum has been around since 1968. While other MLB teams gets state of the art stadiums, the Coliseum remains a rust bucket. The move for the A's make sense to me. Their new location is sensible and would attract more fans in that area. Here is more news on the possible move:

The Oakland Athletics—having traded two All-Star pitchers in a two-week period—reportedly have a reason behind a full-scale dismantling and rebuilding of the team’s roster: The A’s have received private assurances from Major League Baseball that they’ll be allowed to move to San Jose.
“All signs and top #MLB sources say that the #Athletics will be granted permission to move to San Jose,” CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reported on his Twitter feed.

The Giants long have opposed such a move, claiming territorial rights over San Jose.
During a conference call Friday with reporters, Athletics GM Billy Beane said he was confident the team would be allowed to go forth with a San Jose ballpark and “any other information I have, I'd probably rather keep to myself.”
After trading RHPs Gio Gonzalez (to Washington in a deal completed Friday) and Trevor Cahill (to Arizona earlier this month), Beane said his team is trying to parlay established stars into a core of good young players for a potential new stadium, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“We have no chance but to operate under the possible illusion that we’ll get a new stadium,” Beane said, according to FOXSports.com. “It’s really the only answer for us.”
Until the A’s get approval to move, he added, they can’t succeed in the long term in the American League West, where the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers have distanced themselves from the A’s and Seattle Mariners, both in terms of talent and spending, because of huge local TV deals.
“There wasn't going be a move we could make to compete with Texas and Anaheim,” Beane said, noting that both will have payrolls in the $175 million range. “Just to come up to Seattle, we'd have to spend an extra 40-50 million dollars.”
The A's 2011 payroll was $70 million, and Beane told The Chronicle last month that the team lost money, largely because the payroll had gone up from $52 million in 2010. Two major league sources cited by the newspaper confirmed that the franchise did lose $1 million to $2 million, despite getting revenue-sharing checks of $30 million-plus.
Meantime, the dealing isn’t finished (another All-Star RHP, Andrew Bailey, is likely to follow Cahill and Gonzalez out of Oakland), which could only further frustrate the fan base.
But Beane says the organization has plotted a plan, presumably based on moving to San Jose, and will stick to it, unlike rebuilds in the past.
“I'd rather run a club that has a three- or four-year plan and implements it and see it getting better over time, than going on the patchwork basis of year-to-year,” Beane said. “We haven't been as successful when we go year-to-year.”
In mid-November, FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reported that baseball was trying to accelerate a decision on whether to allow the A’s to relocate to San Jose and that a meeting between commissioner Bud Selig and Giants officials would take place within two weeks.
That meeting still has not happened, according to the Rosenthal’s major league sources.
The Giants remain adamantly opposed to relinquishing their territorial rights to San Jose and the South Bay region. And the Athletics’ situation will not be on the agenda at the next owners’ meetings in January, Rosenthal reported, citing unidentified sources.
If baseball continues to delay approval—and keep in mind, Rosenthal noted, Selig appointed a three-member committee to study the franchise’s situation in March 2009—then the Athletics would be forced to continue assembling one cheap, young team after another, operating in accordance with their sinking revenues.

Sporting News

Cardinals Land Beltran

2011-12-22T20:50:00.000-06:00

Guess what the Cardinal Fans got for Christmas this year, Carlos Beltran! The deal is for two years at $26mil, there is also a no trade clause in his contract. The contract is pending on the results of a physical. I really like this signing. Fills the void of Pujols being gone. With his bat in the line up the Cardinals become favorites in the NL Central.

Here is more information about the deal according to MLB.com

A switch-hitting outfielder, Beltran has one of baseball's most well-rounded offensive games. He is a lifetime .283 hitter with both on-base ability (a career .361 average) and power (.496 slugging percentage). He's one of the most efficient base-stealers in Major League history, with 293 steals in 334 attempts for an 87.7 percent success rate. In 2011, he put up a combined .300/.385/.525 line in 142 games with the Mets and Giants.
The 34-year-old native of Puerto Rico will add depth to a Cardinals lineup that will be without Albert Pujols in 2012. Pujols signed with the Angels as a free agent earlier in December.
Beltran, a three-time Gold Glove winner in center field, moved to right field in 2011 as he made his way back to full strength from knee surgery. He will likely start the 2011 season in right field, with Lance Berkman moving to first base, while Allen Craig is out due to his own offseason knee operation.
Once Craig comes back, Beltran would probably still play plenty of right field. But he also could get more time in center field, spelling Jon Jay against left-handed pitchers and allowing new manager Mike Matheny a great deal of flexibility in making out his lineup.
Best known in St. Louis as the victim of Adam Wainwright's strikeout that ended the 2006 National League Championship Series, Beltran has an extensive history with the Redbirds. He also starred in the 2004 NLCS in which the Cards edged the Astros in seven games, and faced them both as an NL player as well as in Interleague Play, when he was with Kansas City.

source: Matthew Leach

Cardinals Looking at Coco Crisp

2011-12-20T00:48:00.000-06:00

One time St.Louis Cardinals Draftee CoCo Crisp is having discussions with the Cardinals. It is being reported by Steve Henson of Yahoo Sports. If the Cardinals and Crisp make a deal he will become the Cardinals new center fielder.

The switch-hitting Crisp led the American League with 49 stolen bases in 2011, hitting .264/.314/.379 with 27 doubles as Oakland's center fielder. The California native seems to prefer West Coast teams, but he is also looking to play on a winning team. This would move Jon Jay over to right field. Allen Craig would become depth in the outfield. This would also mean that the Cardinals would drop out of the Carlos Beltran race.

Schumaker Signs 2yr Deal

2011-12-13T18:27:00.000-06:00

Skippy's back! I had a feeling the Cardinals were letting him go but they proved me wrong. Here's the story:
Second baseman Skip Schumaker has agreed to a $3 million, two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals, who did not tender a contract offer to infielder Ryan Theriot before Monday night's deadline.
The 31-year-old Schumaker batted .283 in 117 games for the Cardinals this year and hit .381 in the postseason. He had the lone RBI in a 1-0 victory over Philadelphia in Game 5 of the NL Division Series. He made 89 starts at second base and five in the outfield.
He gets $1.5 million in each of the next two seasons and can make $200,000 more annually in performance bonuses. He made $2.75 million last season, completing a $4.8 million, two-year deal.
Theriot hit .271 with one homer and 47 RBIs. He was the starting shortstop until St. Louis acquired Rafael Furcal at the trade deadline. Furcal and the Cardinals have agreed to a $14 million, two-year contract.
Theriot now becomes a free agent.

Source: ESPN