Cardinals Trade Rumors

Cards' free agents include pitching coach Duncan
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September 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals have a passel of potential free agents, a number about to diminish by one when righthander Kyle Lohse re-ups, as expected, today. But none may be more important than pitching coach Dave Duncan, who has been here since 1996 with manager Tony La Russa and since 1983 has been with La Russa at Chicago and Oakland. Duncan said after Sunday's season finale that he wanted to return but that contract negotiations hadn't been concluded. He is interested in just a one-year extension, which would put him on the same year with La Russa, whose two-year contract would expire after next season. "We're talking," said Duncan, "but we haven't come to any kind of agreement yet. I hope it ..."
Cards, Lohse close to deal
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September 29
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals scratched Kyle Lohse from his last start of 2008 because a contract was in the works for him to be a part of the club in 2009 and beyond. The Cardinals plan to finalize a four-year extension with Lohse this morning. Lohse skipped his scheduled start Sunday for a physical and said afterward he hopes a deal is on the horizon. "We're close, and that played a part in why I didn't go out there," Lohse said after the Cardinals' 11-4 season-ending victory at Busch Stadium. "I would have liked to pitch on the last day, but there's other things going on." General manager John Mozeliak declined to discuss details but confirmed negotiating with Lohse's representative. Multiple sources ..."
Cards ace may face another surgery
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September 24
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Disabled Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is suffering from compression and scarring of a series of nerves feeding his right shoulder, prompting an area thoracic neurosurgeon on Tuesday to recommend the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner undergo surgery. General manager John Mozeliak confirmed the finding less than a week after Carpenter submitted to three days of tests administered by several local neurologists. Carpenter will consult with another "independent" specialist today and may seek additional opinions. Barring a conflicting diagnosis, the 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner would likely have surgery within the next several weeks. Mozeliak said there is a "reasonable chance for him to be fine ..."
Building a bullpen rates as big challenge
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September 21
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"No matter the year and the team, a bullpen typically ranks among a general manager's most intriguing winter projects. Assigned status as Public Enemy No. 1, the Cardinals' relief corps is no exception. Indeed, while manager Tony La Russa publicly lobbies for an elusive "impact bat" and Chris Carpenter's shadowy status redoubles the need to perhaps add two fresh starters for next season, John Mozeliak's most fascinating pursuit before next February might be a workable seven-man bullpen. The baseball world is well aware the Cardinals have fumbled 30 saves and lost 27 games when tied or leading after seven innings. The difference between them and the second-place Milwaukee Brewers isn't just ..."
Molina could start Sunday
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September 14
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Manager Tony La Russa expected catcher Yadier Molina to return to the starting lineup Sunday after missing several games with a deeply bruised thigh. Molina was available to pinch hit if needed Saturday, and the catcher felt good enough getting into and out of a crouch that he'll be cleared to handle his position before the weekend's final game at PNC Park. Molina injured the leg Wednesday against the Cubs when pitcher Ted Lilly collided with him at home plate. Troy Glaus is less likely to return to the field Sunday as he soothes an achy right shoulder. Glaus called Saturday "evaluation day" and planned to put the shoulder through a series of tests, including hitting off a tee and ..."
Mozeliak pledges to be aggressive
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September 14
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals stood 61-49 and in a virtual tie with the Milwaukee Brewers for the NL wild card when the non-waiver trade deadline passed without incident on the afternoon of July 31. Virtually tied for the National League's second-best record that afternoon, the Cardinals entered Saturday night's game in Pittsburgh 17-20 since, a fourth-place team now clutching the league's sixth-best record with ace Chris Carpenter's return exposed as false promise. Empty (but paid) seats were obvious at Busch Stadium during last week's three-game series against the Chicago Cubs. Eleven days have lapsed since manager Tony La Russa spoke for himself and a significant portion of the team's fan base by ..."
Glaus hears good report after his exam
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September 11
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"An exam of Troy Glaus' ailing right shoulder revealed no structural damage, the third baseman said Wednesday, and he hopes the treatment he received will put him back in the lineup by this weekend. "If the medication does what it's supposed to do then everything will be fine," Glaus said. "And then we can strengthen it and get going." Glaus left in the middle of Tuesday's game with a sore shoulder that has been reclassified as a rotator cuff strain and tendinitis. He received his second cortisone shot in four days to tame the ache, though Wednesday's was a pinpoint injection targeted at the inflammation. It will take two to three days for the medication to take root, at which time Glaus ..."
Pujols considering elbow surgery
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September 9
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, riding what he calls his best wave of offense in a couple of years, raised the specter of his elbow injury Monday, saying in a televised interview that he's considering offseason surgery. Pujols and the Cardinals have said since last winter that the former MVP some day would require reconstructive surgery to repair a shredded ligament in his right elbow. But Pujols resisted minor surgery last winter, and both sides have been optimistic he could play this season - and perhaps the rest of his career, a team doctor once said - without surgery. At his annual charity golf tournament, Pujols told KSDK (Channel 5) he's pondering a surgery that could cost him ..."
Elbow surgery for Garcia?
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September 3
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals' pitching plans for next season may become a bit more complicated as lefthander Jaime Garcia is weighing ligament replacement surgery on his left elbow, according to sources familiar with the situation. Garcia, who made one spot start and nine relief appearances for the Cardinals this season, was expected to seek a second opinion after receiving an initial recommendation of surgery, sources said. The Cardinals had projected Garcia, 22, as among the mix for next spring's competition for the No. 5 starter. Garcia opened this season at Class AA Springfield before reaching the major leagues after making 12 appearances at Class AAA Memphis. Garcia was 7-6 with a 3.65 ERA in the ..."
Promotions on tap
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September 2
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 
"The Cardinals will officially promote six players from Class AAA Memphis today after elevating lefthanded reliever Randy Flores on Monday. Today's arrivals will include infielder Brian Barden, who starred for Team USA's bronze medal entry at last month's Olympics. Also being promoted are infielder Brendan Ryan, righthanded relievers Kelvin Jimenez, Jason Motte and Josh Kinney, and non-roster catcher Mark Johnson. The moves will not become official until today as the Cardinals must subtract three players from their 40-man roster to accommodate Barden, Kinney and Johnson. Though already on the major-league roster, Kinney has not counted against the limit while listed on the 60-day disabled ..."
Flores Back Today
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September 1
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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"When rosters expand to 40 today, the Cardinals will recall Randy Flores from Class AAA to be the second lefthander in the bullpen. The rest of the Cardinals' promotions - which are expected to include Brendan Ryan and pitching prospect Jason Motte, among others - will probably happen Tuesday, manager Tony La Russa said. Before being optioned late last month, Flores had been inconsistent this season. He had a 4.56 ERA and lefties were slugging .477 against him. In Memphis, Flores has gone 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 15 relief appearances. "Maybe he just needed to pitch more," La Russa said. "He's throwing the ball well.""