Dexter Fowler Says Cardinals Made Right Move For Them, For His Career

There were plans for a round of golf and the inevitable informal conversations that happen, from tee to green, when Cardinals executive John Mozeliak visited outfielder Dexter Fowler this past fall in Las Vegas. Turns out they only had time for dinner, and it wasn’t many bites into it when Fowler’s wife broke through any social-call appetizers.

Post-Dispatch

Dexter Fowler Preparing For Shift To Right Field; Small Step For Alex Reyes In Throwing Program; Rowan Wick Claimed; Pace Of Play; Luke Voit Set As Emergency Catcher

When Dexter Fowler debuted in the big leagues with the Rockies in 2008, the 22-year-old brought a speed element to a unit flanked by corner outfielders Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe.
St. Louis Official Site

It has been about four months since Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak flew to Las Vegas to take Dexter Fowler to dinner and sell him on shifting from center to right field.
Bird Land

So for those wondering if the Las Vegas dinner where John Mozeliak presented Dexter Fowler with the plan to move him to right field turned into a heated conversation, the answer is no.
STL Baseball Weekly

Jed Lowrie Surprised He Wasn't Traded; Mets, Phillies, & Royals Scouting Doug Fister; Bob Geren Could Be Next In Line As Mets Manager

Doug Fister, RHP, Red Sox — Right now there are two types of scouts at ballparks — those watching prospective playoff opponents and those watching potential free agents. Fister is getting a lot of attention. The Mets, Phillies, and Royals have had scouts watching his outings of late. Fister can be a free agent after this season, and this time he probably won’t have to wait until late May to sign a major league deal. Question is, will the Red Sox be interested in re-signing him with Steven Wright due back next season?

Boston Globe

Matt Holliday, Kolten Wong Receiving Honors In Elite Prospect Leagues

The story has been told a few times how, out of the blue one day, Kolten Wong received a phone call and an invitation for an all-expense-paid trip to St. Louis and his first immersion into the Cardinals clubhouse with a veteran player as host and hitting partner for several days.

Bird Land

Angels Request Unconditional Release Waivers On Brad Hawpe

Eric Kay Twitter

Angels Designate Brad Hawpe For An Assignment

Mike DiGiovanna Twitter

Angels Sign Brad Hawpe To Minors Deal

Jeff Fletcher Twitter

Pirates Release Brad Hawpe

Rob Biertempfel Twitter

Collateral Damage: Hasta Luego, Albert Pujols

When a wrist is forced into hyperextension as Pujols’ was, it moves into what is called the “closed pack position” of the radiocarpal (radius and wrist bones) joint. The closed pack position is the position of the joint in which the bones have the maximum amount of contact with each other, and therefore the most bony stability.

Baseball Prospectus

Ryan Ludwick Starts As Padres DH Vs. Twins

For the first of six games against American League teams, San Diego manager Bud Black penciled left fielder Ryan Ludwick into the designated hitter spot in the starting lineup against the Twins.

Padres Official Site

Cardinals Need Better Health, Not Blockbuster Trades

The Cardinals don’t need to make a massive trade this summer. Players currently languishing on the disabled list can fill nearly all of their team needs.

Tipsheet

Ryan Ludwick Taking To The Road Like An All-Star

The road has been kind to Padres left fielder Ryan Ludwick recently, and San Diego's nine-game road trip that begins Monday could potentially land him a spot on the National League's All-Star roster.

Padres Official Site

Ryan Ludwick Vying For Second Trip To All-Star Game

Runs have been hard to come by for the Padres in the first two months of the season, though San Diego left fielder Ryan Ludwick is trying to do something about that.

Padres Official Site

Tony Cruz Debut Ont To Remember; Daniel Descalso Does It Again; Kyle McClellan Has Another Strong Outing

Catcher Tony Cruz had a big league debut to remember Tuesday.

Fox Sports Midwest

No Serious Discussions Between Marlins, Giants About Mark DeRosa

Rumors were flying this week about the Marlins eyeing a potential deal with the Giants for Mark DeRosa. But (A) sources who have spoken to both teams report they've had "no serious discussions" about that swap, (B) the Marlins -- whose third basemen are hitting .304 with an .812 OPS so far -- appear to be in no rush to address that position, and (C) DeRosa is back on the disabled list with lingering wrist issues, so it's all a moot point anyway. For now.

ESPN

Padres Top Braves On Ryan Ludwick's Walk-Off Shot

There was no sense in having Ryan Ludwick break down every nuance of his 13th inning at-bat Monday against the Braves because, honestly, the Padres' left fielder couldn't recall them if he tried.

Padres Official Site

A Season Later, Ryan Ludwick Still Lost In San Diego

Maybe trading away Ryan Ludwick wasn’t such a ridiculous idea after all.

Many Cardinal fans seemed unwilling to forgive general manager John Mozeliak for dealing away the popular Ludwick last season in a three-way trade to land pitcher Jake Westbook.

STL Today

Here's How Padres Stack Up Against Cardinals

When the Cardinals open the season Thursday, March 31, against the Padres at St. Louis, here is the likely San Diego lineup they will face:

Retro Simba

Five-Year Probabilistic Model Of Range: Rightfielders

The five year look at PMR using an objective probabilistic model of range continues with rightfielders. Here is the data for the teams in right over the five year span:

Baseball Musings

Albert Pujols, The Free Agent

As David Gassko noted earlier this week, it's looking more and more likely that Albert Pujols wants more money than the Cardinals want to pay him, and so he could become a free agent after the coming season. Recent reports also indicate that "there is 'virtually no chance' the Cardinals reach a deal with Albert Pujols before the slugger's spring deadline." Given Pujols' claim that he will test the market if not extended before spring training, where might Pujols go if given the chance? What are his best fits?

The Hardball Times