Jocketty expects activity earlier
11/06/2005
When Major League Baseball's general managers convene today at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indians Wells, Calif., Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty is expected to be among those looking to serve as a catalyst rather than waiting to react.In need of at least one starting outfielder, a bullpen makeover, a regular second baseman and even a tweak of the starting rotation, Jocketty intends to meet with numerous members of his fraternity to gauge the climate.Jocketty predicted Sunday that transactions "will happen earlier" this year because of a relatively thin crop of free agents. With outfielder Reggie Sanders, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and former 22-game winner Matt Morris no longer under control and few free agent alternatives to replace them, the Cardinals and numerous others probably will be more aggressive earlier in the process."Most trades are driven by the free agent market, but since this isn't a strong market, I think we'll see things happening sooner than in the past couple years," Jocketty projected before trying to calm any raging expectations. "I don't see anything happening in the next couple weeks. We're making contacts. This will be a good week to see what's available."
The Cardinals are among those teams interested in the availability of Los Angeles Angels outfielders Steve Finley and Darin Erstad in addition to the Cincinnati Reds' Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn.Accompanied at the meetings by assistant GM John Mozeliak and vice president for player personnel Jerry Walker, Jocketty also confirmed the club's interest in free agents Brian Giles and Jacque Jones.Jocketty and Giles' agent, Joe Bick, have spoken since the filing period began; however, a club may not make a formal offer to free agents other than its own until Thursday. A lefthanded-hitting right fielder who has averaged 100 RBIs the last seven seasons, Giles, 35, represents a natural replacement for Larry Walker. Giles also promises to be one of the market's most expensive position players at a juncture when general partner Bill DeWitt Jr. has pledged to maintain payroll at its current level, about $90 million."There is interest from both parties. He's interested in our club, and we're interested in him," Jocketty said. "The question is what it's going to cost. I'm not sure where that is yet."Jones, 30, represents a younger and less expensive alternative. A career American League player with the Minnesota Twins, he can play either corner outfield position.This year's pace may be different from last. The Cardinals became hamstrung last November by shortstop Edgar Renteria's free agency. Not until Renteria signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Boston Red Sox did the Cardinals move quickly to trade for starting pitcher Mark Mulder and sign shortstop David Eckstein. Virtually benched during the Chicago Cubs' futile playoff push in September 2004, Grudzielanek became a bargain after signing a one-year, $1 million deal on Jan. 6."I don't think we're going to jump out and make any offers Thursday," Jocketty said. "But we'll see where things are going to go and express our interest in free agents."Jocketty said the club is interested in retaining Morris but added, "I think Matt will probably entertain offers for a while. I think the others will, too, to some extent. I haven't made a great deal of progress with any of our guys."Should Jocketty pursue a trade, he is expected to use pitching as bait. The Cardinals remain undecided about the future of arbitration-eligible Jason Marquis and could make him the centerpiece of a significant deal that might bring outfield and bullpen help. Marquis is expected to command about $5 million in arbitration this winter after going 13-14 last season. Prospect Adam Wainwright also has value to other clubs."I'd be happy with one quality guy in the outfield, then one or two quality pitchers," Jocketty said. "If there's a starter out there, I'd go for that. ... but that would take away from what we have available for the bullpen."Should they land an impact outfielder to play right field, the Cardinals may consider a platoon of So Taguchi and John Rodriguez in left field next season. The two will probably cost not more than $1.3 million combined.While the pursuit of Giles, the status of Morris and the possibility of replacing Grudzielanek have commanded more attention outside the team's front office, Jocketty insists the bullpen is a priority for him.Durable Julian Tavarez and Cal Eldred have filed for free agency, and Al Reyes probably will miss next season after undergoing elbow reconstruction last month. Irked by his failure to appear in any of the Cardinals' nine postseason games, lefthander Ray King remains at odds with manager Tony La Russa and, although softening his comments, hasn't backed down from a trade request made minutes after the team's elimination from the NLCS. Mike Lincoln underwent a second elbow reconstruction last summer.Jocketty said he is not seeking to deal King, who is under contract for 2006 with a club option for 2007. "We'll listen to teams, but I'm not trying" to move him, Jocketty said. Randy Flores, the team's only other returning lefthanded reliever, had surgery Oct. 28 for removal of bone chips from his left elbow."I think the bullpen is definitely an area we're going to concentrate on," Jocketty added. "I think a lot of clubs are going to concentrate on bullpen ... a lot of clubs able to spend money."The Cardinals have led the National League in relief ERA the past two seasons. Chaos in the bullpen played a large part in the team's failure to reach the postseason in 2003, the only miss they've had the past six years.
Source: http://www.stltoday.com/
When Major League Baseball's general managers convene today at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indians Wells, Calif., Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty is expected to be among those looking to serve as a catalyst rather than waiting to react.In need of at least one starting outfielder, a bullpen makeover, a regular second baseman and even a tweak of the starting rotation, Jocketty intends to meet with numerous members of his fraternity to gauge the climate.Jocketty predicted Sunday that transactions "will happen earlier" this year because of a relatively thin crop of free agents. With outfielder Reggie Sanders, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and former 22-game winner Matt Morris no longer under control and few free agent alternatives to replace them, the Cardinals and numerous others probably will be more aggressive earlier in the process."Most trades are driven by the free agent market, but since this isn't a strong market, I think we'll see things happening sooner than in the past couple years," Jocketty projected before trying to calm any raging expectations. "I don't see anything happening in the next couple weeks. We're making contacts. This will be a good week to see what's available."
The Cardinals are among those teams interested in the availability of Los Angeles Angels outfielders Steve Finley and Darin Erstad in addition to the Cincinnati Reds' Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn.Accompanied at the meetings by assistant GM John Mozeliak and vice president for player personnel Jerry Walker, Jocketty also confirmed the club's interest in free agents Brian Giles and Jacque Jones.Jocketty and Giles' agent, Joe Bick, have spoken since the filing period began; however, a club may not make a formal offer to free agents other than its own until Thursday. A lefthanded-hitting right fielder who has averaged 100 RBIs the last seven seasons, Giles, 35, represents a natural replacement for Larry Walker. Giles also promises to be one of the market's most expensive position players at a juncture when general partner Bill DeWitt Jr. has pledged to maintain payroll at its current level, about $90 million."There is interest from both parties. He's interested in our club, and we're interested in him," Jocketty said. "The question is what it's going to cost. I'm not sure where that is yet."Jones, 30, represents a younger and less expensive alternative. A career American League player with the Minnesota Twins, he can play either corner outfield position.This year's pace may be different from last. The Cardinals became hamstrung last November by shortstop Edgar Renteria's free agency. Not until Renteria signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Boston Red Sox did the Cardinals move quickly to trade for starting pitcher Mark Mulder and sign shortstop David Eckstein. Virtually benched during the Chicago Cubs' futile playoff push in September 2004, Grudzielanek became a bargain after signing a one-year, $1 million deal on Jan. 6."I don't think we're going to jump out and make any offers Thursday," Jocketty said. "But we'll see where things are going to go and express our interest in free agents."Jocketty said the club is interested in retaining Morris but added, "I think Matt will probably entertain offers for a while. I think the others will, too, to some extent. I haven't made a great deal of progress with any of our guys."Should Jocketty pursue a trade, he is expected to use pitching as bait. The Cardinals remain undecided about the future of arbitration-eligible Jason Marquis and could make him the centerpiece of a significant deal that might bring outfield and bullpen help. Marquis is expected to command about $5 million in arbitration this winter after going 13-14 last season. Prospect Adam Wainwright also has value to other clubs."I'd be happy with one quality guy in the outfield, then one or two quality pitchers," Jocketty said. "If there's a starter out there, I'd go for that. ... but that would take away from what we have available for the bullpen."Should they land an impact outfielder to play right field, the Cardinals may consider a platoon of So Taguchi and John Rodriguez in left field next season. The two will probably cost not more than $1.3 million combined.While the pursuit of Giles, the status of Morris and the possibility of replacing Grudzielanek have commanded more attention outside the team's front office, Jocketty insists the bullpen is a priority for him.Durable Julian Tavarez and Cal Eldred have filed for free agency, and Al Reyes probably will miss next season after undergoing elbow reconstruction last month. Irked by his failure to appear in any of the Cardinals' nine postseason games, lefthander Ray King remains at odds with manager Tony La Russa and, although softening his comments, hasn't backed down from a trade request made minutes after the team's elimination from the NLCS. Mike Lincoln underwent a second elbow reconstruction last summer.Jocketty said he is not seeking to deal King, who is under contract for 2006 with a club option for 2007. "We'll listen to teams, but I'm not trying" to move him, Jocketty said. Randy Flores, the team's only other returning lefthanded reliever, had surgery Oct. 28 for removal of bone chips from his left elbow."I think the bullpen is definitely an area we're going to concentrate on," Jocketty added. "I think a lot of clubs are going to concentrate on bullpen ... a lot of clubs able to spend money."The Cardinals have led the National League in relief ERA the past two seasons. Chaos in the bullpen played a large part in the team's failure to reach the postseason in 2003, the only miss they've had the past six years.
Source: http://www.stltoday.com/
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