Cardinals Trade for Pedro Feliz

The Cardinals got some help at third base on Thursday, acquiring Pedro Feliz from the Houston Astros for minor league pitcher David Carpenter.

The Cardinals also placed catcher Jason LaRueon the 60-day disabled list. LaRue sustained a concussion in a fracas with the Reds earlier this month.

“We really felt it was in his best interest to not have to feel like there’s pressure to come back,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “He recognizes why we had to make this decision, but he also told me he would do whatever is best for the organization.”

Felipe Lopez has been starting at third base since David Freese was sidelined by injuries in June. He’s slumped at the plate and in the field lately, committing two errors on Wednesday, prompting the Cardinals to go after the 35-year-old Feliz.

He started for the Phillies 2008 World Series team, and has played 97 games for the Astros while batting .221 with four homers and 31 RBIs. Feliz also has the second-best fielding percentage among third baseman since 2007 at .967, and Mozeliak said that was the biggest selling point.

“He ranks up there with almost any third baseman in the game today,” Mozeliak said. “I understand this is not the biggest deal in the world, but I do think it addresses a very big need.”

He’s made 60 starts at third base and 10 at first base for Houston.

“It’s been a tough year for him, and with the changes that we’ve made, his playing time would continued to be limited,” Astros general manager Ed Wade said. “This deal puts him back into a pennant race and his veteran presence should help the Cardinals.”

Source: AP

My take: Like the trade no loss for the Cards in regards of the trade. Pedro is an excellant defensive third baseman. Since playing with the Giants in 2000 to the present his fielding percentage has never gone below .900. Pedro can also play shortstop, outfield and first base. Pedro just might be the Ceasar Cedano we needed to lead the Cardinals to the 85′ World Series against the Royals.

LaRue Placed on the DL

The St. Louis Cardinals placed catcher Jason LaRue on the 15-day disabled list Friday with concussion-like symptoms.
LaRue was involved in Tuesday’s scuffle against the Reds. X-rays revealed that LaRue does not have any broken bones, though he is still dealing with significant bruising and soreness in his ribs along with the concussion.
In 29 games this year, LaRue is batting .196 with two homers and five RBI.
To take the spot on the roster, outfielder Nick Stavinoha was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. In 60 games for the Cardinals this year, he is hitting .258 with two homers and seven RBI.

Cardinals Have Intrest in Brandon Inge

The Cardinals search for a third baseman is now high priority. Felipe Lopez’s defensive skills at third base is sub par at best. Brandon Inge is a better defensive third baseman than any of the other candidates the Cards have. This will be very tricky and hard for the Cards to obtain Inge. With a .560 winning percentage the Cards have means that all AL and NL teams with a lower percentage will get first crack at Inge. Would love to see Inge playing third base here but it might be a hard waiver deal for the Cards to make.

Cardinals Call Up Steven Hill

The St. Louis Cardinals placed pitcher Jeff Suppan on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a sore groin.
Suppan developed soreness running on Monday after his scheduled start Sunday against the Marlins was rained out in Miami. The veteran right-hander has made eight starts for St. Louis since being signed in early June and has a 4.14 earned run average and 1-4 record.
The 35-year-old was released by Milwaukee earlier this season after appearing in 15 games, making two starts, and posting a 7.84 ERA and 0-2 mark.
To fill out the roster, catcher Steven Hill had his contract purchased from Double-A Springfield. Hill was leading the Texas League with 22 homers and 86 runs batted in at the time of his callup. He holds a .280 average in 93 games this year, having earned Texas League All-Star honors for a second straight season in 2010.

Source: Sports Network

Jimmy Baseball Traded to Reds

The NL Central-leading Cincinnati Reds have made a move to try to strengthen their outfield for a playoff run, getting Jim Edmonds from Milwaukee for outfielder Chris Dickerson.

The trade gives the Reds a veteran outfielder as they try to fend off the St. Louis Cardinals and reach the playoffs for the first time since 1995. The Reds lead the Cardinals by two games heading into their three-game showdown starting Monday night.

The 40-year-old Edmonds batted .286 with eight homers and 20 RBIs in 73 games with the Brewers. He could take over for center fielder Drew Stubbs, who has struggled offensively. Stubbs is batting .234 with 14 homers.

Dickerson has missed most of the season because of a broken bone in his right hand that required surgery.

Cards Sign Nate Robertson

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson to a minor league contract.The 32-year-old Robertson was released by Florida last month. He was 6-8 with a 5.47 ERA for the Marlins and his last start came on July 20.
The Cardinals said Monday that Robertson will report to triple-A Memphis.
Robertson started for the Detroit Tigers from 2004-08. He won a career-high 13 games in 2006 and started Game 3 of the World Series that year.

Six Questions with Matt DeMargel

Matt DeMargel a St.Louis native and a second cousin of mine has spent the last ten years as Director of Media Relations/Promotions for the Durham Bulls. Matt a life long St.Louis Cardinal fan has also written Durham Bulls Baseball: History and Statistical Summary. If your a fan of the Durham Bulls this is a must have when it comes to the history of this iconic team. I was able to catch up with Matt for a brief interview for The McBrayer Baseball Blog.

McBrayer: How in the world did you become in charge of promotions for the Durham Bulls?

DeMargel: I started my baseball career as an intern with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox (COL-AAA) as a promotions intern in 1998. After a great summer there, I was hired by the Lake Elsinore Storm (LAA-High A) to run the 1999 California/Carolina League All-Star Game. Once that was over I became Community Relations Director and Assistant PR Director for the Storm. By fall I was in charge of the Game Entertainment and that winter took over PR duties. When the Bulls had an opening for a Game Entertainment/PR Director in the fall of 2000, I was a good fit. I began working with the Bulls in January, 2001 and have been here ever since.

McBrayer: Congrats with the Bulls being in first place and having a fifteen game cushion over Charlotte. This must exciting for you and the team. Can you tell us who we might see coming up from the Bulls when they expand the roster in September?

DeMargel: The two most talked about talents are Jeremy Hellickson and Desmond Jennings. Hellickson is actually making his Major League debut tonight as part of Joe Maddon’s six-man rotation. Jennings is a better bet to last through the Bulls’ season and head up to Tampa Bay in September.

McBrayer: Will we be seeing anything new regarding you in either the Milb or the MLB?

DeMargel: I don’t think you will in the major leagues, but you never know in the minors. Right now I’m enjoying what I do with the Bulls and hope to continue doing it for a long time.

McBrayer: What has been your favorite promotion you have done so far for the Bulls organization?

DeMargel: From a team standpoint, it was probably the night we had Clay Aiken here to sing the National Anthem. This was in 2004 when he was a finalist on American Idol and the crowd here was unbelievable. We brought him in with a helicopter, he made a quick speech to the crowd and sang a beautiful anthem. It was great to have such perfect execution on a night where we were featured nationally.
On a personal level, it was probably doing shtick with WWE legend Sgt. Slaughter. I was a big wrestling fan growing up so getting to participate as a heel was great fun.

McBrayer: Do you see anything possibility happening to the Cardinal organization in regards to trading through waivers?

DeMargel: Well, my position with the Bulls doesn’t afford me any kind of expertise or information regarding player moves with the birds, but if the offense struggles I wouldn’t be surprised to see a bat added. I guess it will depend on what’s available.

McBrayer: What did you think of the Ludwick for Westbrook trade?

DeMargel: Not a big fan, but will be happy to be proven wrong.

Thank you Matt for taking some time out for this interview.