NomarFan5
12-12-2004, 10:27 PM
ANAHEIM -- Cardinals manager Tony La Russa arrived at baseball's annual Winter Meetings on Friday night, and by Saturday afternoon he already shared his club's dour outlook about the chances of a return by shortstop Edgar Renteria.
"We're on the pessimistic side of the line," La Russa told reporters at the Anaheim Marriott. "We've got a shot, but I think in the end I can't think of too many times where we've gone after a key guy and thought that we had to pay the market or more than the market. And right now it looks like that's what it might be.
"If playing in St. Louis doesn't mean that he cuts us a little slack, we usually don't get the guy."
And for the moment, it doesn't appear that Renteria and his agent, Jeff Lane, are prepared to cut that little slack to the Redbirds. La Russa has been participating in organizational meetings about the Cards' direction for the 2005 season. The team is pondering its possibilities with and without Renteria as its shortstop.
"Walt [Jocketty] has got everybody here," La Russa said. "We're talking. There's different setups for our club depending on which way we go. We're trying first of all to figure out which gives us the best competitive chance.
"We can't afford to get everything we want at every position, so you have to decide. And there's three different ways, without getting into it. We're still trying to figure out which is the best way."
One of the most heavily circulated rumors on Saturday in Anaheim was that Renteria is signed, sealed and delivered to the Red Sox. Lane, however, dismissed the notion that any deal was finalized.
"For right now, I can just tell you that what I saw today, an hour ago, everyone is saying he's signed and he's left the Cardinals," Lane said. "I can't say that's the case. I'm still working with both of those teams."
La Russa has spoken with his star shortstop -- the team's unofficial captain -- since the season ended, but not extensively in recent weeks.
"We've exchanged messages in the last month," he said. "This is an important [time]. When you get to certain points in your career, this is one. You get to be a free agent, your contract runs out, you get another shot. This is an important time for him."
The presence or absence of Renteria ties in directly with what St. Louis can do about its starting rotation. Published reports on Saturday linked the Cardinals with Boston ace Pedro Martinez, who reportedly has been offered three-year deals by both the Red Sox and Mets. Speculation persists that the Cards could acquire Oakland's Tim Hudson in a trade, though the likelihood of such a move is fading.
But with or without a major addition, La Russa likes his rotation. Despite the departure of Woody Williams, and no significant additions thus far, the manager feels he has the makings of an impressive quintet in 2005.
Which is not to say he wouldn't like to add Martinez -- dollars permitting.
"We're looking for a quality pitcher, a starting pitcher to deepen our rotation," La Russa said when asked about Martinez. "And he's a quality starting pitcher. Quality money is another problem."
"We're on the pessimistic side of the line," La Russa told reporters at the Anaheim Marriott. "We've got a shot, but I think in the end I can't think of too many times where we've gone after a key guy and thought that we had to pay the market or more than the market. And right now it looks like that's what it might be.
"If playing in St. Louis doesn't mean that he cuts us a little slack, we usually don't get the guy."
And for the moment, it doesn't appear that Renteria and his agent, Jeff Lane, are prepared to cut that little slack to the Redbirds. La Russa has been participating in organizational meetings about the Cards' direction for the 2005 season. The team is pondering its possibilities with and without Renteria as its shortstop.
"Walt [Jocketty] has got everybody here," La Russa said. "We're talking. There's different setups for our club depending on which way we go. We're trying first of all to figure out which gives us the best competitive chance.
"We can't afford to get everything we want at every position, so you have to decide. And there's three different ways, without getting into it. We're still trying to figure out which is the best way."
One of the most heavily circulated rumors on Saturday in Anaheim was that Renteria is signed, sealed and delivered to the Red Sox. Lane, however, dismissed the notion that any deal was finalized.
"For right now, I can just tell you that what I saw today, an hour ago, everyone is saying he's signed and he's left the Cardinals," Lane said. "I can't say that's the case. I'm still working with both of those teams."
La Russa has spoken with his star shortstop -- the team's unofficial captain -- since the season ended, but not extensively in recent weeks.
"We've exchanged messages in the last month," he said. "This is an important [time]. When you get to certain points in your career, this is one. You get to be a free agent, your contract runs out, you get another shot. This is an important time for him."
The presence or absence of Renteria ties in directly with what St. Louis can do about its starting rotation. Published reports on Saturday linked the Cardinals with Boston ace Pedro Martinez, who reportedly has been offered three-year deals by both the Red Sox and Mets. Speculation persists that the Cards could acquire Oakland's Tim Hudson in a trade, though the likelihood of such a move is fading.
But with or without a major addition, La Russa likes his rotation. Despite the departure of Woody Williams, and no significant additions thus far, the manager feels he has the makings of an impressive quintet in 2005.
Which is not to say he wouldn't like to add Martinez -- dollars permitting.
"We're looking for a quality pitcher, a starting pitcher to deepen our rotation," La Russa said when asked about Martinez. "And he's a quality starting pitcher. Quality money is another problem."