Cards looking at Fuentes

[love_that_reefer]

Fuentes is waiting on what the Angels do with either Manny or Teixiera. Fuentes has stated he would like to play for the Angels. There are still starters out there that could be had and for cheap. Brad Penny is a guy the Cards should look at. Dave Duncan is the best when it comes to reviving player's careers. Still a lot of offseason left but if the Cards can get their biggest need now, then they could focus the rest of the offseason on rounding out the rotation either by free agency or trades.

[CrazyEights]

According to Frank Cusumano of Channel 5 in St. Louis, the Cardinals are "turning the page but not shutting the door" on Brian Fuentes after making an aggressive offer and apparently not hearing back. It's been suggested that Fuentes wants three years at more than $10MM per. He's seemingly waiting on Mark Teixeira to see if the Angels will have the available funds to sign him.

This is a good thing. The Cardinals are still open to getting Fuentes at a "reasonable" price. I'm still not sold that $8 or $9 Mil for a closer like Fuentes is reasonable, but I'm not totally against it either. Especially if it's only for 2 years. I am completely against a 3 year $10 plus Mil deal. Let Fuentes wait on the Angels and see what happens once they do sign Tex. I'd be shocked if Tex signed elsewhere.

[CrazyEights]

Fuentes may land in offseason bargain bin
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Posted by Buster Olney

Brian Fuentes began the offseason as, theoretically, the second-most-coveted reliever, following a season in which he earned 30 saves and a 2.73 ERA. He also held left-handed batters to a .184 average, with 20 strikeouts in 49 at-bats.

The 33-year-old has been a closer and a set-up man, and he would always be effective, at the very least, as a matchup guy against lefty hitters. What's not to like?

Well, it's becoming increasingly clear that Fuentes might wind up getting a deal far less than he probably expected a year ago. Blame the economy, blame the fact that he's a Type A free agent and signing him means giving up a draft pick, and blame the fact that there happens to be a glut of closers on the market this winter.

Executives believe his asking price will go down, and Fuentes may soon become one of the great bargains of the winter shopping season. Rather than landing a $30 million contract, Fuentes may eventually have to consider a three-year deal in the $15-18 million range.

3 years at $15-$18Mil for Fuentes. That would be something the Cardinals should do... if they have the chance.

[ljshorty89]

Wow, I can't imagine him getting that little. He was talking 3 years, 33 million before....maybe everyone except NY doesn't have money...

[love_that_reefer]

Now that the Angels are out of the Teixeira sweepstakes, I can see Fuentes working out a deal with them. Once again, the Cards are not addressing their needs.

[CrazyEights]

The Cardinals needs are not to spend $11Mil per year for 3 years on a reliever. You are right about them not addressing their needs though. Except for adding a SS, they have pretty much sat on their hands. What they need is two good pitchers. Why not go after Ben Sheets who is being ignored by almost everybody... Looper, Redding, and the others.

[love_that_reefer]

I personally don't know if Sheets can even pass a physical. The Cards needed a closer last year at the deadline and need one now. Its looks like they are going to miss out on the best closer available now meaning needs aren't being met. Even the Greene acquisition isn't that impressive. Cards are not improving on what was a good team last year.

[ljshorty89]

At the very least why aren't they making a push for Juan Cruz or Brandon Lyon to improve their dreadful bullpen. Could adding one or both of those guys hurt at this point?

[love_that_reefer]

The great Trevor Miller didn't blow your hair back?

[ljshorty89]

Well, Lyon has experience as a closer, and Cruz is considered to be a dominant reliever and possibly closer material if his command improves. Both would be cheap closer options.

[CrazyEights]

Well, Lyon has experience as a closer, and Cruz is considered to be a dominant reliever and possibly closer material if his command improves. Both would be cheap closer options.

The Cardinals have enough right handed middle relievers. What they need is a couple of southpaws and a good closer. Cruz is good, but he has never been a closer. He would help though. As for Lyon, he didn't have a very good season last year. I would much rather have Chris Perez as our closer than Lyon. We need a good closer, but not one that costs $11 plu Mil per year.

[love_that_reefer]

Sorry but good closers cost money. You get both a southpaw and closer with Fuentes. With out him, you're looking at another season the Cards do not make the playoffs.

[ljshorty89]

Then go after a Joe Beimel? I mean, the bullpen last year was horrendous. There need to be changes made.

[CrazyEights]

Lets sign Looper and make him our closer. He'll cost less than Fuentes.

[CrazyEights]

Sorry but good closers cost money. You get both a southpaw and closer with Fuentes. With out him, you're looking at another season the Cards do not make the playoffs.

Fuentes will probably sign with the Angels. It's a little early to give up on the playoffs isn't it. Last year nobody thought the Cardinals even had a shot. They did a lot better than anyone thought they would.