The Cardinals' Bullpen Is A Raging, Stinking Tire Fire. So Go Get An Extinguisher

Over the last month the Cardinals’ relievers lead MLB in bruises and contusions. These fellows are getting walloped, with little relief in sight, or on site … unless, of course, you were eerily excited by Preston Guilmet’s two-appearance audition.

101 ESPN

The Stars Are Out

Random thoughts on baseball’s All-Star week:

Memphis Flyer

Guasave Invites Andy Cavazos To Camp

The Presidency League Baseball club authorizes the Algodoneros Guasave to invite to their next test players of the stock Angel Daniel Lopez and Andy Cavazos and later included in his list of assets for the upcoming 2011 season -2012.

Mexican Pacific League Official Site

Current & Former Cardinals Listed On Mexican Pacific League Rosters

Hugo Castellanos - Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon

Andy Cavazos - Algodoneros de Guasave

Amaury Cazana - Mayos de Navojoa

Iker Franco - Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon

Jaime Garcia - Naranjeros de Hermosillo

Edgar Gonzalez - Venados de Mazatlan

Reid Gorecki - Mayos de Navojoa

Mike McCoy - Tomateros de Culiacan

Dennys Reyes - Caneros de Los Mochis

Francisco Rivera - Tomateros de Culiacan

Fernando Salas - Naranjeros de Hermosillo

Dan Serafini - Aguilas de Mexicali

Cardinals International Notebook 2-15-10

Josh Jones’ report on baseball’s international happenings with an eye toward the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cardinal Nation

Andy Cavazos Trying Out For Dorados de Chihuahua In The Triple-A Mexican League, Orber Moreno Could Join Later

The Mexico-American right-handed pitcher Andy Cavazos, from Little League of the United States, will participate on Monday in the postseason workouts Dorados de Chihuahua, looking for a place in the pitching side to the 2010 season of the Mexican League baseball will begin on March 17. (Translated)

MiLB
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Cardinals Winter League Notebook 12-30-09

Adron Chambers is the player of the day in our daily report on Cardinals prospects past and present in winter ball.

The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 12-28-09

Donovan Solano is the player of the day in our daily report on Cardinals prospects past and present in winter ball.

The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 12-23-09

Ruben Gotay is the player of the day in our daily report on Cardinals prospects past and present in winter ball.

The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 12-14-09

Donovan Solano is the player of the day in our daily report on Cardinals prospects past and present in winter ball.

The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Winter League Notebook 11-28-09

Casey Mulligan is the player of the day in our daily report on Cardinals prospects past and present in winter ball.

The Cardinal Nation

Athletics' Chris Carter, Free Agents Jim Magrane & Andy Cavazos To Play For Algodoneros de Guasave

through a press conference Guasave cotton producers announced the hiring of Jim Magrane imported and Chris Carter, in addition to dual nationality player Andy Cavazos, who will come to reinforce the team-white in the 2009-2010 edition of the Mexican League Pacific. (Translated)

Mexican Pacific League Official Site
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Ex-Cardinals Watch 7-30-09: Mike Timlin & Cardoza Tucker Sign Deals; Jack Wilson Traded; Brett Tomko, Julian Tavarez, & Andy Cavazos All Released

Brett Tomko (Free Agent):
Released by Yankees.
Star Ledger Twitter

Adam Kennedy (Athletics):
The non-waiver Trade Deadline is Friday afternoon, so it's certainly possible that Orlando Cabrera and Adam Kennedy will be wearing other clubs' uniforms by Saturday. If that's the case, at least they can say they went out on a high note.
Athletics Official Site

Jack Wilson (Mariners):
The Mariners acquired shortstop Jack Wilson and righty Ian Snell from the Pirates in a seven-player trade Wednesday, sending five players, including former No. 1 Draft choice Jeff Clement, to Pittsburgh.
Mariners Official Site

When Jack Wilson entered the Mariners' dugout in the seventh inning Wednesday afternoon, Ken Griffey Jr. welcomed him in his own Junior way.
Mariners Official Site

It was an odd scene, a rushed one, too, at AT&T Park on Wednesday afternoon. The Giants ushered Freddy Sanchez into an impromptu press conference after slipping a Giants jersey over his head. Minutes before, Sanchez had been in the dugout with his Pirates teammates. Now he was preparing to enter the thick of a pennant race.
Pirates Official Site

Julian Tavarez (Free Agent):
Right-hander Julian Tavarez, who was designated for assignment on July 19, cleared waivers on Wednesday and is officially a free agent.
All Nats All The Time

Jeff Brantley & Chris Sabo (Retired):
The Reds announced Wednesday their Hall of Fame Ballot for the Class of 2010 and fans will get the chance to vote for more than one candidate for the first time.
Reds Official Site

Jim Leyland (Tigers):
Tigers manager Jim Leyland says he's fine with his team, whether it makes a trade or not before Friday's non-waiver Trade Deadline at 4 p.m. ET. He just wants to see it relax and play well.
Tigers Official Site

Mike Timlin (Rockies):
The Rockies continue to stockpile arms, signing free agent Mike Timlin. The reliever is in short-season Casper after throwing well in three separate workouts with the Rockies last week at Coors Field.
Denver Post

Jose Garcia (Newark):
The Newark Bears of the Atlantic League placed him on the disabled list.

Andy Cavazos (Free Agent):
The Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League released him. Cavazos made 23 relief appearances posting an 0-2 record, 5.76 ERA, and four saves. He allowed 21 hits, 16 earned runs, two home runs, 24 walks, one wild pitch, and struck out 20 over 25 innings.

Omar Pena (Worcester):
The Worcester Tornados of the Can Am League activated him.

Cardoza Tucker (Lake Erie):
The Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League signed him to a contract for the 2009 season.

Cardinals Triple-A All-Star Game History

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Busch Stadium on Tuesday evening is understandably the one that most everyone will be watching this week.

The Cardinal Nation

Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon Ship Andy Cavazos To Algodoneros de Guasave

The Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón and cotton Guasave were involved in a couple of interesting exchanges to back up both novenas for the 2009-2010 campaign in the Mexican Pacific League, cotton obtained Justin Lehr and Andy Cavazos; while Daniel Baca and Erasmo Ramirez came to the tribe. (Translated)

Mexican Pacific League Official Site

Yaquis de Ciudad Obregon Of The Mexican Pacific League Keep The Rights To Andy Cavazos

In addition, the Club announced that Obregonense protected the left-handed pitcher Andy Cavazos to its list of confirmed reservations and are reviewing options for the upcoming DRAFT LMP 2009 to be held in the city of Mazatlan Sinaloa this coming July 2 where they will have 4th choice draft of the national and the second in the free foreign players. (Translated)

Mexican Pacific League Official Site
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Former Cardinals Playing In The Independent Atlantic League 2009

Dewon Brazelton - Camden Riversharks
Troy Cate - Long Island Ducks
Andy Cavazos - Bridgeport Bluefish
Jose Garcia - Long Island Ducks
Raul Gonzalez - Long Island Ducks
Gerard Haran - Newark Bears
Johnny Hernandez - Long Island Ducks
Aaron Herr - Lancaster Barnstormers
Brandon Johnson* - Somerset Patriots
Randy Leek - Long Island Ducks
Franklin Perez - Bridgeport Bluefish
Josh Pressley# - Somerset Patriots
Mike Smith - York Revolution
Junior Spivey@ - Camden Riversharks
Preston Wilson - Long Island Ducks
Bob Zimmermann - York Revolution

Cardinals 2009 Spring Camp Tryout:
Eric Ackerman - Lancaster Barnstormers

Atlantic League Official Site
Atlantic League Baseball Blogspot
Atlantic League Opens Their Season On April 23.

Missing In Action From 2008 Season:
Josh Brey (Lancaster), Alberto Castillo (Camden-Retired), Ivanon Coffie (Lancaster-Overseas), Will Cunnane (Newark), Matt Dryer (York-Retired), Chad Ehrnsberger (Newark), Chris Eickhorst (Bridgeport), Richard Giannotti (Southern Maryland), Jutt Hileman (Lancaster), John Nelson (Lancaster), Donovan Osborne (Long Island-Retired), Jason Pearson (Southern Maryland), Luis Rodriguez (Bridgeport), Rich Scalamadre (Newark), Jason Simontacchi (Long Island), Matthew Trent (York), Dave Veres (York), and Charles Weatherby+ (Lancaster).

*-Cardinals 2008 Spring Camp Tryout.
#-Released From Houston Astros Spring Camp.
@-Released From New York Mets Spring Camp.
+-Tagged Along With Eric Ackerman For A Tryout With The Cardinals During 2009 Spring Camp.

Ex-Cardinals Watch 4-15-09: Andy Cavazos & Abraham Nunez Sign Deals, Mets Passed On David Eckstein, Jack Wilson Hurting, Luis Perdomo Makes MLB Debut

David Eckstein (Padres):
Scrappy Padres second baseman David Eckstein reminded the Mets what they missed when they failed to sign him yet again this winter by killing them in their inaugural game at Citi Field with three hits and a walk.
Sports Illustrated

Xavier Nady (Yankees):
Xavier Nady was on the verge of tears yesterday as he discussed his injured right elbow, seemingly resigned to the fact that his season - and most likely, his Yankee career - was over.
NY Daily News

Jack Wilson (Pirates):
Jack Wilson has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to a bruised left middle finger.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Edgar Renteria (Giants):
As Manager Bruce Bochy would say, there's no getting around it: The Giants' new middle infield had an awful first week.
Mercury News

Scott Rolen (Blue Jays):
In the second, Rolen ripped a pitch from Baker to left field, sending the line drive crashing into the stands for a two-run home run that knotted the score.
Blue Jays Official Site

Braden Looper (Brewers):
Looper limited the Reds to three runs on six hits in six innings for the second consecutive quality start by a Brewers pitcher. He benefited from the offensive outburst in the bottom of the sixth, a rally sparked by Prince Fielder's leadoff double against Cincinnati starter Micah Owings (0-1), who was making his Reds pitching debut.
Brewers Official Site

Luis Perdomo (Padres):
Correia's early exit Wednesday had Black dipping into his bullpen earlier than expected as the trio of Luke Gregerson, Edward Mujica and Luis Perdomo covered the final three innings.
Padres Official Site

Jason Marquis (Rockies):
The fans at Wrigley Field greeted Rockies pitcher Jason Marquis' first at-bat of Wednesday afternoon loudly, but not warmly. Marquis, a former Cub, made them even colder with a key two-run single in the second inning.
Rockies Official Site

Sidney Ponson (Royals):
The Royals saw something in Sidney Ponson this spring. They saw an innings-eater and a veteran who could give them quality starts at the back end of the rotation.
Royals Official Site

Andy Cavazos (Bridgeport):
The Bridgeport Bluefish today announced the signings of pitchers Andy Cavazos, Danny Christensen, Kyle Jackson, Matt Pike and Shane Youman. Pike returns to Bridgeport after spending last season with the club, while Youman returns to the Atlantic League after a stint with Lancaster last year. Cavazos, Christensen and Jackson all make their Atlantic League debuts.
Atlantic League Official Site

Abraham Nunez (Newark):
Signed deal for 2009 season with Newark Bears of the Atlantic League.

A Bad Gamble: Luis Perdomo

The Padres claimed Luis Perdomo after the Giants put him on waivers. John Mozeliak had mentioned in recent interviews that the Cardinals would take Perdomo back given the opportunity but the Padres acquired their third St. Louis right-handed reliever in the last 6 months. This one was basically free.

Future Redbirds

Evolution Of The Farm System

Pre-2005 it probably wouldn’t have been much fun to cover the minor league farm system on a daily basis. Part of the success that we’ve had here at FR, besides the dashing good looks of our avatars and lyrical prose*, is that the minor leaguers have actually gotten good and people enjoy watching teams that don’t suck. There’s been one glaring change this year to tell us that the farm system is producing top to bottom but where would we hope to see the farm system head next?

Future Redbirds