http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2256199

Left-handed reliever Ricardo Rincon has agreed to terms on a two-year, $2.9 million contract with St. Louis. The Cardinals expect to finalize the deal after Rincon undergoes a physical examination early this week.

 

Rincon, 35, went 1-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 67 games with the Athletics last season. He has a 21-24 record with a 3.53 ERA in 552 career games with Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Oakland.

 

Rincon gives the Cardinals a lefty middle man to replace Ray King, who was traded to Colorado last week for outfielder Larry Bigbie and second baseman Aaron Miles.

 

"He's excited," said Dave Stewart, Rincon's agent. "St. Louis has a pretty good track record of getting into the playoffs and doing some good things, so he feels really good about this."

wow. im starting to get nervous about the white sox' need for a second lefty out of the pen...

The lefties that are available suck.

 

Truthfully, if they're going for another reliever, I'd like to see them grab Octavio Dotel. He's coming off of a fairly serious injury, but he's always had filthy stuff -- 10.87 Ks/9 in his career. In fact, every year he's been in the majors (save 1999), he's had more K's than IP.

 

He seems like a good candidate for a first year, incentive laden deal with a team option for a second year. He wouldn't have to close, either -- or, at least, he'd be the third option, if not way behind that. I'd much prefer Dotel to Vizcaino, or to some crappy lefthander who's only on the team 'cause he throws left-handed (cough:kevinwalker).

Dotel is now saying that he won't be ready to pitch until midseason.

 

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?...9580.xml&coll=1

 

There's no way Kenny signs a reliever that won't be able to pitch for half the season when we already have Hermanson who may miss time with his back.

Who's still avaible that is pretty decent and would be considered as an option for a bullpen spot?

Who's still avaible that is pretty decent and would be considered as an option for a bullpen spot?

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Just a bunch of old gascan lefties:

 

Wilson Alvarez

Joey Eischen

Alan Embree

Buddy Groom

Chris Hammond

Felix Heredia

Terry Mulholland

 

By the way, nice avatar.

Edited December 12, 200520 yr by SSH2005

wow. im starting to get nervous about the white sox' need for a second lefty out of the pen...

Why?

 

What about pitching with your left hand makes players more qualified for a job at the major league level?

Why?

 

What about pitching with your left hand makes players more qualified for a job at the major league level?

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Well, with the way Ozzie managed the bullpen last season I think some people are worried he is going to waste Cotts on just one or two lefty batters.

Edited December 12, 200520 yr by SSH2005

Just a bunch of old gascan lefties:

 

Wilson Alvarez

Joey Eischen

Alan Embree

Buddy Groom

Chris Hammond

Felix Heredia

Terry Mulholland

 

By the way, nice avatar. 

 

I wouldn't mind Heredia. I know he had a horrible year in 04. He was very good in 02 and 03, though. He's got some pretty good stuff. I think Coop could get him back on track.

Well, with the way Ozzie managed the bullpen last season I think some people are worried he is going to waste Cotts on just one or two lefty batters.

But how does bringing in another lefty like your boy Walker help that? If anything that only enables Ozzie to make that decision.

 

Don't give Ozzie the second lefty, and he'll be forced to only use Cotts in higher leverage situations vs. lefties.

You can look at this two ways, I think. Either KW is missing out on all these guys, or he's already got someone else on his radar that we might not even know about (trade, possibly).

Felix Heredia? No thanks, I wouldn't even want him pitching for our AAA team. Eischen is a solid lefty, but I heard the Nats want to bring him back.

There are still decent young lefties with upside that could be dealt for. We could use Borchard, Willie, and prospects to nab one.

The lefties that are available suck.

 

Truthfully, if they're going for another reliever, I'd like to see them grab Octavio Dotel.  He's coming off of a fairly serious injury, but he's always had filthy stuff -- 10.87 Ks/9 in his career.  In fact, every year he's been in the majors (save 1999), he's had more K's than IP. 

 

He seems like a good candidate for a first year, incentive laden deal with a team option for a second year.  He wouldn't have to close, either -- or, at least, he'd be the third option, if not way behind that.  I'd much prefer Dotel to Vizcaino, or to some crappy lefthander who's only on the team 'cause he throws left-handed (cough:kevinwalker).

Ahh Keith, I see were both on the same page on Dotel. He'd definately be a good pick up.

Felix Heredia?  No thanks, I wouldn't even want him pitching for our AAA team.  Eischen is a solid lefty, but I heard the Nats want to bring him back.

 

Just an idea. I've always liked his arm. After what Coop was able to do with Contreras last year, I wouldn't doubt he could get Heredia back on track. However, I see that Heredia only pitched in 3 games last year. He must've had a serious injury. Forget about it if he isn't healthy. I'm really interested to see what Kenny has up his sleeve. Because I don't see jack out there right now.

Dotel is now saying that he won't be ready to pitch until midseason.

 

http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?...9580.xml&coll=1

 

There's no way Kenny signs a reliever that won't be able to pitch for half the season when we already have Hermanson who may miss time with his back.

 

If Williams won't, another team will. Hermanson's back troubles, if anything, should give Williams more initiative to sign Dotel. In the event Hermanson requires an extended amount of time off, it'd be nice to have an option such as Dotel available midseason IF options aren't available via trade or minor leagues. Or in the unfortunate circumstance of an injury to another reliever.

 

It doesn't matter to me whether a left-hander is sign specifically for the duty of retiring left-handers. My concern? Williams better locate a reliever of equal or greater value than Marte. And despite the consensus Marte was a headcase and seemingly worthless to this team, I'll GUARANTEE we'll be happy if his replacement deplicates Marte's numbers from last year.

It doesn't matter to me whether a left-hander is sign specifically for the duty of retiring left-handers. My concern? Williams better locate a reliever of equal or greater value than Marte. And despite the consensus Marte was a headcase and seemingly worthless to this team, I'll GUARANTEE we'll be happy if his replacement deplicates Marte's numbers from last year.

Marte literally was horrendous last year, I won't be happy with any reliever that duplicates Damaso's year.

Marte literally was horrendous last year, I won't be happy with any reliever that duplicates Damaso's year.

 

If Marte was horrendous, what was Mike Jackson two seasons ago? Or Shingo Takatsu earlier last season? I don't want our ballclub to endure any pitching retread (ie, the remaining FA bullpen help) that will remind us of the previously mentioned players.

 

Not many appear worried about trading Marte. If you believe he departure was neccessary, fine. Now, locate a suitable replacement. Where's he going to come from, for how much, and is the pitcher of equal or greater value? I just won't accept a drop in bullpen production for the sake of a supersub in Macowiak.

 

Signing Dotel seems a reasonable solution, but it doesn't help us for the first several months.

Edited December 12, 200520 yr by Flash Tizzle

I would not mind Mullholand

 

He is not bad for the occasional lefty out from the pen...we can always upgrade at trade deadline....maybe get Eddie Guardardo from the Ms then

I would not mind Mullholand

 

He is not bad for the occasional lefty out from the pen...we can always upgrade at trade deadline....maybe get Eddie Guardardo from the Ms then

 

Championship teams don't trade relievers and replace them with Mullholand. I better not hear his old ass connected with our club in any form.

 

I don't approve the philosophy of simply treading water with a terrible pitcher and potentially upgrading them midseason. I'd prefer Williams works out his problems now. That's what the offseason is for. Don't leave positions open for your roster and merely hope a player is available at the trading deadline. Do it now.

Edited December 12, 200520 yr by Flash Tizzle

If Marte was horrendous, what was Mike Jackson two seasons ago? Or Shingo Takatsu earlier last season? I don't want our ballclub to endure any pitching retread (ie, the remaining FA bullpen help) that will remind us of the previously mentioned players.

 

Not many appear worried about trading Marte. If you believe he departure was neccessary, fine. Now, locate a suitable replacement. Where's he going to come from, for how much, and is the pitcher of equal or greater value? I just won't accept a drop in bullpen production for the sake of a supersub in Macowiak.

 

Signing Dotel seems a reasonable solution, but it doesn't help us for the first several months.

Basically, I'm looking at it like the Duke is Damaso's replacement. Another reliever would just be an extra I guess you could say, that's why I honestly have no problem with a Baj or Munoz. I do love the Dotel idea though. Anyways, I think Orlando will be much better in the pen then Damaso was last year, his arm is so much stronger coming out of the pen that it makes his junk much better as well. Cheat makes a good point about Kenny not even giving Ozzie a chance to be cute with a 2nd lefty.

Basically, I'm looking at it like the Duke is Damaso's replacement.  Another reliever would just be an extra I guess you could say, that's why I honestly have no problem with a Baj or Munoz.  I do love the Dotel idea though.  Anyways, I think Orlando will be much better in the pen then Damaso was last year, his arm is so much stronger coming out of the pen that it makes his junk much better as well.  Cheat makes a good point about Kenny not even giving Ozzie a chance to be cute with a 2nd lefty.

 

If Duque is willing to work out of the bullpen, I'd have no problem with that. Quotes from Guillen several weeks ago didn't appear too open to the idea. Perhaps his position has changed with Marte gone.

I would not mind Mullholand

 

He is not bad for the occasional lefty out from the pen...we can always upgrade at trade deadline....maybe get Eddie Guardardo from the Ms then

 

Last season taught us that it's never a guarantee that you're gonna be able to make a move at the deadline. I'm sure Kenny is aware of this and will try and make all the moves needed before next season starts.

Basically, I'm looking at it like the Duke is Damaso's replacement.  Another reliever would just be an extra I guess you could say, that's why I honestly have no problem with a Baj or Munoz.  I do love the Dotel idea though.  Anyways, I think Orlando will be much better in the pen then Damaso was last year, his arm is so much stronger coming out of the pen that it makes his junk much better as well.  Cheat makes a good point about Kenny not even giving Ozzie a chance to be cute with a 2nd lefty.

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On the whole, I think that El Duque could be more effective out of the bullpen than Marte. But lefties absolutely destroy El Duque.

On the whole, I think that El Duque could be more effective out of the bullpen than Marte.  But lefties absolutely destroy El Duque.

When he was in the rotation they sure did. In his brief stint in the pen he did just fine against them though. Adding 3 mph or so to his fastball in the pen is just so huge as it also makes his breaking junk more effective. Obviously he's not a sure thing but I'm much more confident in him then I was or would be with Damaso.