First, the Cardinals’ search for a general manager continues as Chairman Bill Dewitt, and President Mark Lamping met with another candidate yesterday at Roger Dean Stadium, in Jupiter, Fla. The interview was with Rick Hahn, the Chicago White Sox assistant general manager. Dewitt has also spoken to Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GM Peter Woodfork, and Cleveland Indians assistant Chris Antonetti. Dewitt hopes to have a decision before the World Series begins on Oct. 24. Personally, I’d just assume they give the job to Mozeliak.
Also, former general manager, Walt Jocketty, has apparently been contacted by the Cincinnati Reds. They’d like Jocketty to assume either CEO or president.
Next, the return of Juan Encarnacion doesn’t appear to be anytime soon, if ever. Since the injury to his left eye, on August 31, he has regained only 20/400 vision. I feel bad for Juan. He hasn’t been one of the fans’ favorites these last two seasons. Maybe his style of play wasn’t what the Cardinal faithful were used to, but he consistently put up numbers very similar to his career averages, with no surprises, and did it for a reasonable price. I’ve always been a fan of Encarnacion’s, and felt comfortable when he was in the game. Now he may never play in a ballgame again.
Well, the mid-season trades by the Cardinals that involved “players to be named later”, have all been fulfilled. Right-handed pitcher, and former number one draft pick, Chris Lambert, was selected by Detroit as the PTBNL in the Mike Maroth deal. That one was a bust, although I was ecstatic after his first performance against the Mets. The Russel Branyan trade involved only cash considerations (thank goodness), and outfielder Sean Danielson was selected by Boston as the player in the Joel Pineiro deal.
Speaking of Pineiro, the club hopes to sign him to a multi-year deal before he files for free agency. Pineiro insists that he only wants to start, and won’t go to a team as a relief pitcher. I hope they’ll sign him for two years, but nothing more, and while I’m playing GM, let’s not extend it to more than $4 million a year.
The one year contract extension for pitcher Russ Springer is for $3.5 million.
And finally, Cardinals pitcher Braden Looper has undergone surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, and expects to be fully recovered by spring.
Read more about these stories, and more, from Joe Strauss, here.
