bobrob2004 DTF1 MODERATOR Detroit Tiger
Number of posts : 10646 Age : 38 Location : Warren, MI Reputation : 12 Registration date : 2007-10-05
| Subject: Cards Sign Izturis Fri Nov 30, 2007 4:10 pm | |
| Izturis in at shortstop; Eckstein appears out By Joe Strauss ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH 11/30/2007
The Cardinals have reached agreement with free agent shortstop Cesar Izturis on a one-year contract, industry sources confirmed Friday, suggesting that the club will sever ties with three-year incumbent and 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein.
Izturis underwent a team physical this morning in Venezuela as the last detail before the deal was finalized.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Izturis, 27, became a free agent when the Pittsburgh Pirates declined to exercise his option for 2008.
The National League’s Gold Glove shortstop in 2004 while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Izturis hit .258 last season in 110 games split between the Chicago Cubs and the Pirates.
He produced 16 RBIs without a home run in 318 at-bats. The Cardinals become his fourth organization in three years, as the Dodgers dealt him to the Cubs at the 2006 non-waiver trade deadline.
The Cardinals have had minimal discussions with Eckstein’s agent, Ryan Gleichosky, since Eckstein filed for free agency earlier this month.
Eckstein, who last season hit .309 while dealing with numerous injuries, is believed to be seeking a four-year contract; the Cardinals apparently were willing to guarantee no more than two years.
In three seasons with the Cardinals, Eckstein has hit .297 and averaged 72 runs scored as their regular leadoff hitter. Last season, however, his errors spiked to a career-most 20 after he committed six in six more games in 2006.
The Cardinals have until midnight Saturday to offer Eckstein arbitration. The club appears unlikely to do so.
General manager John Mozeliak and the rest of the team’s entourage will travel to Nashville on Sunday to attend Major League Baseball’s winter meetings at the Opryland Hotel.
The Cardinals remain in pursuit of another starting pitcher and are believed to have strong interest in Milwaukee Brewers lefthander Chris Capuano. | |
|