Cards Hope To Re-Sign Eckstein
Last we’d heard, David Eckstein was expected to leave the Cardinals and sign with the White Sox, Tigers, or Mets. However, the Cards’ team spokesman said two days ago when Joel Pineiro was signed that John Mozeliak’s next order of business was to re-sign Eckstein.
Eckstein earned $4.5MM this season in the last year of his three-year deal. He turns 33 in January, and has averaged 120 games in the last two seasons. Eckstein has a solid career OBP of .351. There’s some great point-counterpoints about whether the Cards should re-sign him. Their best estimate is that he would earn about $6-7MM per year on a two or three-year deal. The Cards stand to net some solid draft picks if they let Eckstein walk in favor of Brendan Ryan or an external candidate.
I don’t think Ryan is ready to handle the everyday SS position. Can we spend $6-8 million for Renteria or Tejada?
By: motle on Oct 18th, 2007
Tagged as: Cardinal Small Talk
I’m mixed if I want Eck back or not.
I’m not.
If we get him back, I don’t want him to lead-off. Need a new lead-off man.
Problem with that is that TLR doesn’t want them to steal cause Albert is coming up.
I love Eckstein’s hustle and heart, but I think we’ve seen enough of him as a Cardinal. I also like Ryan, but don’t see him as an everyday type. I would, put up with him at short if it meant saving money for a good pitcher.
I would rather see Eckstein become a 2nd baseman. I know it would be tough as he has played SS all of his career, but he no longer (not that he reall ever did) has the arm to play SS. At 2nd base, he would at least be able to get the ball to first easily. If the Cards do re-sign him, make it for only one year.
Agreed, Eckstein only needs a one year deal.
If they could get Renteria from the Braves fairly cheaply in terms of prospects (a possibility since they have some minor leaguers that are ready for the job), I’d be all in favor of having him back.
I’d take EdRent!
EdRent won’t come cheap. I would rather have Atlanta’s backup.
Who is that, tom?
Yunel Escobar
Sorry I didn’t include that.
Get rid of Eckstein…Renteria is our answer.
Sure, getting one of the Braves young shortstops (there’s another one as well, right, besides Escobar? Lillebridge?) would be great, but it’d cost a lot more in talent. Renteria could possibly be had for a single-A guy and picking up his contract.
Well so much for Renteria since he just got taded to Detroit today. Go to plan B……