Eck factor? Guess who’s coming to Arizona
(updated 5:05 p.m.) HOUSTON — The Cardinals jet to the desert after this afternoon’s game for what could amount to one big, festive and unexpected Class of ‘06 Reunion in Arizona.
Lefthander reliever Randy Flores will join the team Monday when rosters expand to their September limit, manager Tony La Russa confirmed Sunday morning. Josh Kinney said Saturday that he will join the team at Chase Field on Tuesday. Chris Carpenter, fresh from his light bullpen session Sunday, is expected to join the bullpen at about the same time.
And if all of those returns weren’t retro enough to give off an October 2006 vibe, there’s this:
Multiple reports out of Toronto’s press corps this morning indicate that this afternoon the Blue Jays were deep into negotiations that would send David Eckstein, the Cardinals shortstop a year ago, to Arizona in time to meet his former team. The deal was completed Sunday after noon after Eckstein had two hits a victory against the New York Yankees. Afterward, Eckstein was informed of the deal that puts him on an unexpected collision course with the Cardinals.
“When you play this game, you play for a world championship,” Eckstein told reporters, according to The National Post. “That’s the only reason why you show up. So now, going into a position where there is an opportunity for that, that’s definitely going to be the goal.”
MLB.com’s Jays beat writer also confirmed the early talks about the deal, writing that Sunday could be Eckstein’s last day with Toronto.
From this MLB.com article:
Talks with the Angels appear to have broken down, but Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi confirmed that he’s still discussing a possible deal with the Diamondbacks. Ricciardi didn’t mention Eckstein specifically, but the infielder is an expendable player who fits a need for Arizona.
Sunday night is the deadline for a traded player to be eligible for the postseason.
Eckstein signed a one-year, $4.5-million deal with Toronto after discussions with the Cardinals fell apart before they truly began. No need to rehash the drama year, but it’s fair to say both sides were bothered by the divorce — especially how it was handled in the days after Eckstein signed with the Blue Jays.
The former World Series MVP — and husband to an animated Jedi and Star Wars star — has been mostly a bench player for the Jays in recent months, making Saturday his first start at shortstop since July 26. With Cito Gaston as manager, according to MLB.com, Eckstein has started just six of Gaston’s 62 games. Eckstein is hitting .272 with a .352 on-base percentage. He has seen playing time at designated hitter and second base, where he could fit for Arizona.
The Angels had reportedly pursued Eckstein a few times this season, flirting with the idea of a reunion with the shortstop. He won a World Series there in 2002 was a fan-favorite before being non-tendered and becoming a Cardinal. Instead, irony is afoot. The potential return to LA has now become a chance to be cross paths again with the Cardinals — only this time as a sudden opponent.
For a three-game series, the Arizona series could be packed.
“David is one of my favorite guys on this team,” Gaston told Toronto reporters. “You’re talking about a guy that’s just absolutely been great here with me and I haven’t been able to play him as much as I’d like to. … Whatever you’ve asked him to do, he will go and do it for you. He’s a class act.”
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
DG,
From your comments it seems that Carp may be available to pitch from the pen as early as Tuesday. That seems pretty quick. Can you clarify if that is the case, and if so, what role will he fill in the bullpen? Late innings, mop-up duty, middle-man? Thanks in advance for your response.
could you please enlighten me on the josh kinney situation? will/how will he be used and if expected right away
Awesome, I’m glad to see Eckstein back in the post-season hunt. I would have preferred it with the Angels, but whatever works.
DG,
The great thing about coming over to Bird Land is there is always fresh Cardinal seed to feed on just for us RED BIRD fans. I hope you are still here when the weather turns cold, otherwise this old bird will starve.
Before I fly I just want to THANK YOU for all the good reading. I rarely miss a post. I also enjoy your insights on FSN Midwest. God Bless…
MHandshear,
You read the news right and I’m sorry for not getting back to you more promptly. That is exactly what is going on. Carpenter told me this morning that he threw a shorter bullpen today so that he would be ready to throw in relief as early as Tuesday. No role yet. Duncan said they will get him innings first and then let how he does, how ready he is, how quick he recovery dictate how he is used. Closer, you ask? Nope, the ninth still belongs to Chris Perez.
Eager,
Spoke to Josh on Saturday, and he has a ticket to Arizona for Tuesday. He’ll throw for Springfield on Monday and then head west to join the major-league team. La Russa said there is a spot for him in the clubhouse. Finding him an inning or so to throw will be determined by the games. The Cardinals are eager to see healthy.
Westy,
The schedule has a sense of humor: Eckstein is traded to Arizona the day before the Cardinals go there and a few weeks before the Diamondbacks come back to St. Louis. Guess, Eckstein will play in St. Louis this season after all. I think there could be a few stories written about that …
D’boc,
Bird Land has been a year-round blog since its birth back in 2005. No reason to stop now. Granted there will be a few times that I take a blog break — maybe jet off with the family somewhere — but there is always something to write about and already I’ve got some plans for things to do with the blog.
Maybe there will be enough interest to restart the mailbag?
dg
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I still have no clue as to why we couldn’t have signed Eck and asked him to play 2nd, his natural position. He still could have platooned at SS when needed and we could have not only pursued a better offensive FA SS than Itzuras — it would have prevented the signing of Kennedy. Could someone please remind me as to why this option was never pursued. I’d greatly appreciate any feedback on this question. Thanks.
Dale-
That’s a great idea. Eckstein would be a much better option than Lopez at 2nd and it would be a good idea to have an attitude like his to show the young players next year.
The Cards don’t need Eckstein, we all ready have 4-5 light hitting middle infielders. What they need is an impact bat up the middle. Yesterday was solid proof, Miles is 2-4 which helps his average but he comes up with 1st and 2nd with no outs and hits a double play. He is hitting over .300 but it is a quiet .300.
Ripper001 — Of course, we don’t need Eck now. That wasn’t what I was suggesting. However, if we had just signed Eck after 2006 and asked him to play 2nd, we could have perhaps signed Tejada at SS. Doesn’t that have a nicer ring to it than Izturas/Kennedy?
The D-Backs are a young club, and Eck will bring leadership and expierence to a team that has very little veteran leadership, and very little playoff expierence under their belts.
I’m glad the Cards didn’t get in on the Tejada talk, and try and trade away prospects to nab him. He has been surrouned by controversy regarding his true age, he is on the downside of his carrer, with not as much range defensivly as he used to have. This season he has hit .281 with 12 homers. True, that that is better production that what Izturis, Miles, Ryan, and Lopez have given the Cards, but the one thing remarkable about the 2008 Cards has been their team chemistry. Tejada is to controversial, and not a TLR type player.