Cards Look at Tejada, Wilson

[love_that_reefer]

STLtoday - Sports - Cardinals

Three days away from formally extending or rejecting arbitration to former World Series MVP David Eckstein, the Cardinals continue to explore alternatives that include the Baltimore Orioles' Miguel Tejada, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Wilson and free agent Cesar Izturis.

Hard to believe the Cards aren't bringing Eckstein back because he was a good ballplayer and the fans love this guy. Tejada would be the perfect fit providing offense where Edmonds and Rolen won't and he will embrace Cardinal Nation. The Cards will have to give up something good to the Pirates who play in the same division. Izturis can't hit a lick but has a good glove. He could have a Tony Womack type year but wouldn't count on it.

[missionhockey21]

Either Tejada is going to have a person behind him on the depth chart to make his bat look even more impressive, or the Cardinals are going to have one poor excuse for a starting shortstop.

The Cards sign Izturis per Rotoworld:

Cardinals agreed to terms with shortstop Cesar Izturis, who had been with the Pirates, on a one-year contract.

The Cards go from World Series winners to sub-.500 team and their response is a clear downgrade at shortstop? Izturis isn't necessarily guaranteed of playing regularly in David Eckstein's place, but it looks like the Cards would prefer to spend their money on pitching. Izturis hit .258/.302/.315 in 314 at-bats for the Cubs and Pirates last season. He's at .259/.295/.334 in his career. Also, he's not quite what he once was defensively, though he's still clearly above average. Ideally, he'd be a reserve on a contender.

[love_that_reefer]

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have talked to the Cardinals about a Miguel Tejada trade, but "it doesn't appear to be a good fit."
The newspaper reports that the Cardinals are unwilling to trade top prospect Colby Rasmus and have an otherwise unappealing farm system. The Giants, Astros and Angels are also said to be interested in Tejada.

Of course the Cards are not going to trade Rasmus. He will replace Edmonds when his contract is done and probably sooner if Jim gets hurt.