OK, football, as we know it locally, is over, and the Blues are spinning their wheels. Though the situation is different, some would say the Cardinals are also doing the latter.  But is that unusual these days in baseball? Probably not.

Q: Commish, my question deals with Aaron Miles. I, like many Cardinal fans, enjoyed watching Miles in his time as a Cardinal. He was non-tendered a few weeks back by the Cards, but that does not exclude the possibility that the Cards could still make a run at bringing him back. You know you’re  going to get 100% from the guy every night and solid defensive play. Will Miles be in Cardinal red for the 2009 season? Thanks….

EMC

A: If Miles doesn’t get a multi-year deal from somebody, like, say, Walt Jocketty and the Reds, I think the Cardinals have a good chance at re-signing him. Usually teams don’t rush into re-signing or signing utility players, so this could take a while.

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Q: Dear Mr. Hummel, this may seem like a stupid question but why have GMs/owners let agents, like Scott Boras, have so much control over the pace of the FA market?  It would seem like putting a time limit on offers would prevent them from dragging things out–say yes or no, and move on.  I’m just curious about the dynamics that have developed over the past few offseasons.  I can’t imagine that the players like not knowing where they will be playing until just a few weeks before spring training. Thank you.
Lynda

A: Lynda, I think you’ll find after the first of the year and players have no jobs that many will tell their agents to take the best thing they can find. You’re right. They don’t like not knowing and they’re generally impatient. The Cardinals, to name one team, seem to be counting on such impatience. As for Boras, he usually has the top-of-the-line players that the big markets seek and he often plays one against another or even a team against its ownself. His processes take time and unfortunately, it slows down the progression to free agents of lesser value.

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Q: Hello Mr. Hummel. The hot-stove league has cooled.  How long do you see this “bearish” baseball market lasting?  When/if the “bull” comes back do you think it will run past the Cards, or do you think the Cards will still be players? Thanks Mr. Hummel, happy holidays to you and yours.
Dave

A: Thanks, Dave. I don’t think the Cardinals will be much different from a dozen other teams who are waiting for the same thing. But I bet this type of market lasts well into January.

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Q: Rick, it seems to me teams interested in signing Jason Isringhausen would wait until his status as a Type A free agent expired rather than give up a 1st round draft pick. I have to think the Cardinals would have extra leverage in negotiations considering few suitors would be willing to part with a first rounder to sign him. It does not seem fair (i.e. I don’t think the MLBPA would allow it) for a player to remain unsigned indefinitely because of his status as Type A or B. How long does a player remain a Type “A” or “B” free agent?
Thanks,
Matt

A: Since Isringhausen wasn’t offered arbitration by the Cardinals, there would be no compensation for another team signing him. The teams had until about early December to offer arbitration to their free agents and only two accepted _ Darren Oliver and David Weathers _ who returned to the Angels and Reds as signed players, salaries to be determined later. So Type A players offered arbitration remain Type A players until signed. This list includes Fuentes, Lowe, Perez, Sheets, among others, and the “B” list includes Paul Byrd and Jon Garland. “B’ list signees who were offered arbitration cost only a “sandwich” pick between the first and second rounds. “A” players merit  first-round compensation and a sandwich pick to the team losing them.

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Q: Hi, Commish:  Thanks for having this blog for us.  With the current situations with the Rams and the Blues, this is the best suicide prevention hotline in town.  To my mind, Peavy could become “low hanging fruit” if Mo is “patient”.  I think San Diego has to get rid of his salary.  Right now, San Diego is still fishing, but in the end, I think they have to take the best deal they are offered, even if it isn’t what they want, and it is obvious that they are not being offered what they want. Of course, there is the possibility that Mo might not have enough “dry powder” left when San Diego gets to the point of a salary dump.  What do you think?  Would the Cards take Peavy if the price in players was very favorable, but his salary caused them to go over their budget by 5 or 6 million dollars?

Thanks.

George

A: If the budget wasn’t busted too badly, I would say yes. But the Cardinals really don’t have what the Padres want _ young starting pitching and perhaps infielders. The Padres may be able to make a better deal for Peavy around the July 31 trading deadline.

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Q: Rick, the Birds have a tendency to pick up, should we say, “has beens,” like  Will Clark etc. Would it be possible to make a deal with LA and Andruw Jones?. LA would have to pay a large portion of his contract but at least it would be a little, helping them afford Manny. We could then deal one of outfielders.
Thanks,
Dave Pagano

A: I’m not sure the Dodgers would be willing to pick too much of that $18 million. And the Cardinals probably don’t need another strikeout-prone OF, especially a CF, if they think Rasmus is ready to play.

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Q: Hello, Commish. The Cards could use some help both in the starting rotation and in the bullpen. Smoltz is a free agent and can fill either role. Would the Cardinals have any interest in him? Maybe a one-year deal? Also, is there anybody who can be called up from AAA who could fit at second base? I know Freese and Wallace are both concidered third basemen and maybe too big to play second, but one guy comes to mind when I look at their size _ Jeff Kent. In your opinion who is the better hitter, Freese or Wallace? Your thoughts, please.

Steve

A: I’m always in favor of picking up a player like Smoltz, but I have serious doubts when/if he would be able to pitch this year. I don’t see anybody in the system at 2B and, no, I don’t think either Freese or Wallace would/could be moved there. Kent probably was an exception at 2B. Freese is the more complete player now, but I think Wallace is viewed as the better hitter for the future.

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Q:Commish, do you think the Cards might resign Mark Grudzielanek?  I see he’s 39 in June 2009, but he is great at double plays and hits well (.297, .302, .299 in 2006-08).  I don’t buy that Adam Kennedy can’t be moved, if the Cards are patient.  Someone will develop a need.  But why’d Grudzielanek play only 86 games last year?  (2) I understand batting Puhols 3rd gets him a few more at bats, but as cleanup he protects the first three hitters, especially 2nd and 3rd, and gets more men on base.  Maybe his intimidation value is underused.  I wonder if any statisticians have looked at what Ludwick and Ankiel (as 2 and 3, or vice versa) before Puhols would have done for run production?  (3)  Last, here’s another vote for renegotiating a longer-term deal with Albert.