Major League Baseball doesn’t allow major team announcements during the World Series. So, although the Cardinals say they are still considering a short list of potential general managers, they may have already decided.
Chris Antonetti, an executive from the Cleveland Indians’ organization, was in St. Louis on Friday for a meeting with Cardinals’ president Mark Lamping. He and his wife also took a tour of Busch Stadium, and drove through a few neighborhoods around the city. Antonetti is only 33 years old, and is widely recognized as a “moneyball” guy. He seems to fit the mold the [...]

As the offseason trudges on, and the speculation on the Cardinals’ roster continues, we extend our discussion of the team’s needs and luxuries. This week I’ll take a look at the infield. If you missed the evaluation of the bullpen, check it out here.
Barring any trades, most of the infield from last season remains intact. The look of the everyday players, however, might not resemble the ‘07 squad much. The Cardinals suffered through a ton of injuries last year, and had only one player on the entire roster that appeared in more than 120 games.
That player [...]

It’s official. Earlier today, in a press conference at Busch Stadium, the announcement was made. Tony La Russa will return as the manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. The club and manager have agreed to a two year deal, which keeps Tony around at least through the ‘09 season.
“One (year) is the wrong message, because from spring training on it’s the same deal,” La Russa said. “Two (years) lets the players know I’m back for” a longer stay.
La Russa became the winningest manager in franchise history earlier this year, and has accumulated 1055 wins in his [...]

As we Cardinal fans keep playing the waiting game, likely without any news for another two weeks, other teams are proceeding with their agendas. It was announced today, that Jim Riggleman, the Cardinals minor league field coordinator, has accepted a bench coaching position with the Seattle Mariners. Riggleman had been considered an option for St. Louis, if La Russa was not returning.
“I would hope Mr. DeWitt and the new general manager would consider me a candidate if and when Tony leaves, but I can’t wait around for one position that I may or may not have a chance [...]

The Cardinals are still looking for a general manager, even with interim John Mozeliak waiting in the wings, and calling the shots. The Post Dispatch is reporting that the timetable for finding a suitable replacement to Walt Jocketty has been extended. Originally projected to last 2 to 3 weeks, the decision now might not come until November 6, when the general manager’s meetings begin in Orlando. While the front office continues to hold interviews, the status of manager Tony La Russa remains unclear. He has said that he isn’t ready to commit, without first having a [...]

What do you do this time of year, when your favorite team isn’t in the playoffs? We Cardinal fans haven’t had this problem very often during the Tony La Russa era. When Colorado finished their sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks last night, and we all had to relinquish the title of National League Champions, the time to really start thinking about next season’s roster began. For me, it probably began before the ‘07 season even started. I’ll start taking a detailed look at the Cards’ roster, examine who is under the team’s control, and speculate possible [...]

Interim general manager John Mozeliak has kept busy so far this offseason. Starting pitcher, Joel Pineiro is the third potential free agent retained by the Cardinals since the dismissal of Walt Jocketty.
“We felt very strongly at the time of the trade that Joel had the ability to improve our starting rotation once he had time to condition himself for that role,” Mozeliak said. “We are extremely pleased to have re-signed Joel and project him to be a steady performer for us, much like he did down the stretch this past season.”
The deal is reportedly worth $13 million, over two [...]

There’s an excellent article in today’s Post Dispatch, written by Joe Strauss, covering some of the hardships that the new GM of the St. Louis Cardinals will face. It got me thinking whether or not the position really is “a premium job in baseball,” as Dewitt says it is. It raised a lot of questions.
First, what kind of control and authority will the new GM actually have, and for that matter, is it any different than what Walt Jocketty had this past season? It seems that the club’s scouting, drafting, and minor league farm system, will all [...]

First, the Cardinals’ search for a general manager continues as Chairman Bill Dewitt, and President Mark Lamping met with another candidate yesterday at Roger Dean Stadium, in Jupiter, Fla. The interview was with Rick Hahn, the Chicago White Sox assistant general manager. Dewitt has also spoken to Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GM Peter Woodfork, and Cleveland Indians assistant Chris Antonetti. Dewitt hopes to have a decision before the World Series begins on Oct. 24. Personally, I’d just assume they give the job to Mozeliak.
Also, former general manager, Walt Jocketty, has apparently been contacted by the Cincinnati Reds. [...]

Two Cardinals players receive special honors this month.
Legendary Cardinal Hall of Fame slugger, Stan “The Man” Musial, will receive the Lone Sailor Award, which is given to naval veterans “who have distinguished themselves in their respective careers while exemplifying the core values of honor, courage, and commitment.” The Awards Dinner will be held in Washington, D.C., on October 29th. MLB.com reporter, Matthew Leach, has more of this story here. Musial hit .331 with 475 homeruns in 22 seasons with the Cardinals.
Current Redbird, Albert Pujols, has already received a Distinguished Alumni Award for his [...]