Cards Sign Kennedy & Kip Wells

stlkat · 11-28-2006, 02:51 PM

From Bernie's Pressbox (http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=422546)

Cards sign Adam Kennedy, Kip Wells, and re-sign Bennett, and Eli Marrero (minor league contract).

BleacherBum593 · 11-28-2006, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the good news. I was hoping that they would sign Kennedy to play 2B. Looks like we've got at least 1 more pitcher to sign yet.

ibby001 · 11-28-2006, 03:39 PM

I really like this signing if it is a cheap signing. I have watched Kip here in Pittsburgh for several years. I have always liked his attitude. He has the stuff, just never got it in the right direction. He has had a few too many trips to the DL, but hopefully that is behind him. This will definielty be our Ponson/Weaver/project pitcher. With that said, the Duncan factor, makes me feel good that we might be able to get some thing out of this reclamation project.

Carpenter
???
Suppan/Weaver????
Reyes
Wells/Wainwright

ArRedbird · 11-28-2006, 03:43 PM

Anyone with info on Kennedy's range at 2b? -- that would be appreciated.
(That's my only concern, actually.)

Wells, Bennett, and Marrero are all okay with me.
Bennett's ok -- esp. when you look at alternatives and the $$ they'd cost.

Carp, Reyes, Wells, and who else?

(I saw BleacherBum's interesting info about moving T Johnson back
to the starting rotation. But would they require him to get
some innings at AAA before bringing him up?)

If Narveson comes into spring training and pitches well there,
I wouldn't be surprised to see him make the rotation.
But it all depends on ST. He'll get a shot, at least.

BleacherBum593 · 11-28-2006, 03:44 PM

On Kennedy - Bernie M reported 3 years - 15 mil, but other sites are reporting 3 yrs - 10 mil.

If he gets 3 yrs - 10 mil, it looks to be a very good signing.

If Duncan can work his magic with Wells, he could be a good #4/5 type pitcher for this rotation.

ArRedbird · 11-28-2006, 04:15 PM

3 yrs/ $10m -- that's the deal Eckstein signed too!

tulcard · 11-28-2006, 04:28 PM

I, too like these signings. Hopefully, Wells will work out fine and I welcome the other three back as well.

Bleacher, we need 2 starters still. Wainwright should be kept in the pen as closer whether Izzy is here or not. I wouldn't mind Narveson as he looked good to me in his short stay. I'm hoping we can re-sign Weaver and if are not trading for anyone possibly mulder to return. Yes, even I would take him back if "healthy."

Ewttexas · 11-28-2006, 07:09 PM

It looks like WJ ia working his usual magic. I would have prefered Vidro but Kennedy gives us a solid infield for years to come. I'm happy that the revolving door has stopped. WJ should lock up Eck for a few more years before he becomes a FA after 2007. Wells is a good signing. I see him as a #3 pitcher instead of #4 or #5. Most impressive is that both of these guys wanted to be in St. L. They turned down more money to sign. I've always liked Eli. Let's see how that deal worked out. Atl has no one from the trade. We have had Marquis, King, Wainwright, Bigbie and Miles. Wainwright and Miles remain and now, we have Eli back. Not bad. I'm less enthused about Bennett but I guess that he is an adequate backup for Yadi. In all an excellent day for the Cards. I'm hoping that we resign Weaver and finalize Gonzo before the winter meetings next week. He would only need to deal for 1 pitcher and possibly, an OFer. He would have the money to sign Schmidt, Lilly or Zito or deal for Buehrle, Willis or Ramirez. Nice position to be in.

Ewttexas · 11-28-2006, 07:33 PM

I tried to edit my reply and it wiped out. We'll try it again. Good day for the Cards. I would have preferred Vidro but Kennedy gives us a solid 2nd baseman for years to come. The next move should be an extension for Eck. I like Wells. I believe that he can be a #3 pitcher instead of #4 or #5. I wish that we could have gotten an option assuming that he pans out. The best part of the signings is that both players wanted to be in St.L and turned down more money elsewhere. It's nice to have Eli back. Let's see how this worked out. Atl got Drew and Eli for Marquis, King and Wainwright. The Cards traded King to Colo for Miles and Bigbie. Atl ends up with no one and we have Wainwright, Miles and Eli back. Not a bad deal. I'm less enthused about Bennett but I guess that he's an adequate backup for Yadi. I would like to see us resign Weaver and finalize a deal for Gonzo before the winter meetings next week. That way, WJ is only looking for 1 pitcher and possibly an OFer. With the money saved he can sign Schmidt, Lilly or Zito or trade for Willis, Buehrle or Ramirez. Nice position to be in. BTW- according to a post of an interview with WJ at Scout.com, Taguchi will be back.

ducksnort2 · 11-28-2006, 08:06 PM

Wells looked very good for Texas last year just before he got injured and was out for the rest of the year.

Good signing.

BleacherBum593 · 11-28-2006, 11:17 PM

Wells' deal is for 1 yr, $4 million.

No word on Bennett's deal yet.

Updated information on todays signing's per an article by R.B. Fallstrom at http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

Quote:

Kennedy's contract calls for salaries of $2.5 million next year, $3.5 million in 2008 and $4 million in 2009. He made $3.38 million this year in the final season of a three-year contract.

Quote:

The Cardinals made their first big moves since winning the World Series, agreeing Tuesday to a $10 million, three-year contract with Kennedy and $4 million, one-year deal with Wells. They also agreed to a $900,000, one-year contract with backup catcher Gary Bennett and a minor league contract with Eli Marrero, once their starting catcher.

645 · 11-28-2006, 11:27 PM

Kip Wells that is a nice little signing and mybe he'll start pitching well now that he is finaly going to a good team.

BleacherBum593 · 11-28-2006, 11:36 PM

Tulcard - 1 is the minimum amount of pitchers that the Cards need to sign. It's possible that the Cards will look inward for the other pitcher.

Depending on the pieces available and the cost involved in getting 1 pitcher via Free Agency and a possible power hitting corner OF (can you say Manny Ramirez?) via trade or vice versa, the Cards may go with 1 of the following as the 5th starter - TJ Johnson, Chris Narveson, Josh Hancock and/or Jorge Sosa.

Right now the rotation is Carpenter, Reyes, Wells.

Personally, I think WJ is far from being done this off season.

Kodiak · 11-29-2006, 01:17 AM

Great deals IMO. I'm glad Kennedy was for 3/$10 mil and not 3/$15 mill. Makes the deal a lot better. I think he and Eck are going to do great together and I suspect that Kennedy will have something resembling a career year (just a hunch).

Kip Wells is a decent signing. For only $4 mill he is a bargain price, especially if he can put up close to 200 innings with an era a little over 4. He could really flourish here.

Bennet and Marrero I'm indefferent too. I see both as solid backup players. Marrero fits in the TLR mold of playing a lot of positions so I suspect he'll get every opportunity to make the club in the spring.

Kodiak · 11-29-2006, 01:24 AM

I think Walt is going to find us a solid number 2 starter before the offseason is over. I don't think we can afford to go into spring training with what we have now. I say sign Weaver. If there is the money I wouldn't mind Schmidt but I do NOT want to overpay him (in years or the money). I think Zito is out of the question because someone is going to give him a ridiculous contract. Furthermore, the A's have me wondering about their pitchers considering how poorly Mulder and Hudson have faired since leaving there.

On the question of picking up a power bat outfielder. I'm all for it. But not if its Man Ram. The Red Sox will no doubt ask for a guy like Wainwright or Reyes. Furthermore, he is going to make a ton of money for the remainder of the contract. Doesn't it make you wonder why the Red Sox are signing Drew and trying to get rid of Manny? Instead of entertaining any notion of signing a headcase/ clubhouse cancer in Manny, I'd much rather bring Drew back. Though I don't envision Drew every being in a Cardinals uniform again....at least not as long as TLR is managing.

As for other options in the outfield? I don't really know who is available to trade for but I would really like that added power bat....

11-28-2006, 02:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
stlkat Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St. Louis Posts: 160	Cards Sign Kennedy & Kip Wells From Bernie's Pressbox (http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=422546) Cards sign Adam Kennedy, Kip Wells, and re-sign Bennett, and Eli Marrero (minor league contract).

11-28-2006, 03:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
ibby001 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 59	Wells will be interesting I really like this signing if it is a cheap signing. I have watched Kip here in Pittsburgh for several years. I have always liked his attitude. He has the stuff, just never got it in the right direction. He has had a few too many trips to the DL, but hopefully that is behind him. This will definielty be our Ponson/Weaver/project pitcher. With that said, the Duncan factor, makes me feel good that we might be able to get some thing out of this reclamation project. Carpenter ??? Suppan/Weaver???? Reyes Wells/Wainwright

11-28-2006, 03:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
ArRedbird Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 568	Kennedy Anyone with info on Kennedy's range at 2b? -- that would be appreciated. (That's my only concern, actually.) Wells, Bennett, and Marrero are all okay with me. Bennett's ok -- esp. when you look at alternatives and the $$ they'd cost. Carp, Reyes, Wells, and who else? (I saw BleacherBum's interesting info about moving T Johnson back to the starting rotation. But would they require him to get some innings at AAA before bringing him up?) If Narveson comes into spring training and pitches well there, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make the rotation. But it all depends on ST. He'll get a shot, at least.

11-28-2006, 04:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
ArRedbird Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 568	Kennedy 3 yrs/ $10m -- that's the deal Eckstein signed too!

11-28-2006, 03:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,870	Thanks for the good news. I was hoping that they would sign Kennedy to play 2B. Looks like we've got at least 1 more pitcher to sign yet.

11-28-2006, 03:44 PM	#5 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,870	On Kennedy - Bernie M reported 3 years - 15 mil, but other sites are reporting 3 yrs - 10 mil. If he gets 3 yrs - 10 mil, it looks to be a very good signing. If Duncan can work his magic with Wells, he could be a good #4/5 type pitcher for this rotation.

11-28-2006, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
tulcard Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 866	I, too like these signings. Hopefully, Wells will work out fine and I welcome the other three back as well. Bleacher, we need 2 starters still. Wainwright should be kept in the pen as closer whether Izzy is here or not. I wouldn't mind Narveson as he looked good to me in his short stay. I'm hoping we can re-sign Weaver and if are not trading for anyone possibly mulder to return. Yes, even I would take him back if "healthy."

11-28-2006, 07:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Ewttexas Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 689	It looks like WJ ia working his usual magic. I would have prefered Vidro but Kennedy gives us a solid infield for years to come. I'm happy that the revolving door has stopped. WJ should lock up Eck for a few more years before he becomes a FA after 2007. Wells is a good signing. I see him as a #3 pitcher instead of #4 or #5. Most impressive is that both of these guys wanted to be in St. L. They turned down more money to sign. I've always liked Eli. Let's see how that deal worked out. Atl has no one from the trade. We have had Marquis, King, Wainwright, Bigbie and Miles. Wainwright and Miles remain and now, we have Eli back. Not bad. I'm less enthused about Bennett but I guess that he is an adequate backup for Yadi. In all an excellent day for the Cards. I'm hoping that we resign Weaver and finalize Gonzo before the winter meetings next week. He would only need to deal for 1 pitcher and possibly, an OFer. He would have the money to sign Schmidt, Lilly or Zito or deal for Buehrle, Willis or Ramirez. Nice position to be in.

11-28-2006, 07:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ewttexas Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 689	I tried to edit my reply and it wiped out. We'll try it again. Good day for the Cards. I would have preferred Vidro but Kennedy gives us a solid 2nd baseman for years to come. The next move should be an extension for Eck. I like Wells. I believe that he can be a #3 pitcher instead of #4 or #5. I wish that we could have gotten an option assuming that he pans out. The best part of the signings is that both players wanted to be in St.L and turned down more money elsewhere. It's nice to have Eli back. Let's see how this worked out. Atl got Drew and Eli for Marquis, King and Wainwright. The Cards traded King to Colo for Miles and Bigbie. Atl ends up with no one and we have Wainwright, Miles and Eli back. Not a bad deal. I'm less enthused about Bennett but I guess that he's an adequate backup for Yadi. I would like to see us resign Weaver and finalize a deal for Gonzo before the winter meetings next week. That way, WJ is only looking for 1 pitcher and possibly an OFer. With the money saved he can sign Schmidt, Lilly or Zito or trade for Willis, Buehrle or Ramirez. Nice position to be in. BTW- according to a post of an interview with WJ at Scout.com, Taguchi will be back.

11-28-2006, 08:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
ducksnort2 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 19	Wells looked very good for Texas last year just before he got injured and was out for the rest of the year. Good signing.

11-28-2006, 11:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
645 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,010	Kip Wells that is a nice little signing and mybe he'll start pitching well now that he is finaly going to a good team.

11-28-2006, 11:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,870	Tulcard - 1 is the minimum amount of pitchers that the Cards need to sign. It's possible that the Cards will look inward for the other pitcher. Depending on the pieces available and the cost involved in getting 1 pitcher via Free Agency and a possible power hitting corner OF (can you say Manny Ramirez?) via trade or vice versa, the Cards may go with 1 of the following as the 5th starter - TJ Johnson, Chris Narveson, Josh Hancock and/or Jorge Sosa. Right now the rotation is Carpenter, Reyes, Wells. Personally, I think WJ is far from being done this off season.

11-29-2006, 01:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 746	Great deals IMO. I'm glad Kennedy was for 3/$10 mil and not 3/$15 mill. Makes the deal a lot better. I think he and Eck are going to do great together and I suspect that Kennedy will have something resembling a career year (just a hunch). Kip Wells is a decent signing. For only $4 mill he is a bargain price, especially if he can put up close to 200 innings with an era a little over 4. He could really flourish here. Bennet and Marrero I'm indefferent too. I see both as solid backup players. Marrero fits in the TLR mold of playing a lot of positions so I suspect he'll get every opportunity to make the club in the spring.

11-29-2006, 01:24 AM	#15 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 746	I think Walt is going to find us a solid number 2 starter before the offseason is over. I don't think we can afford to go into spring training with what we have now. I say sign Weaver. If there is the money I wouldn't mind Schmidt but I do NOT want to overpay him (in years or the money). I think Zito is out of the question because someone is going to give him a ridiculous contract. Furthermore, the A's have me wondering about their pitchers considering how poorly Mulder and Hudson have faired since leaving there. On the question of picking up a power bat outfielder. I'm all for it. But not if its Man Ram. The Red Sox will no doubt ask for a guy like Wainwright or Reyes. Furthermore, he is going to make a ton of money for the remainder of the contract. Doesn't it make you wonder why the Red Sox are signing Drew and trying to get rid of Manny? Instead of entertaining any notion of signing a headcase/ clubhouse cancer in Manny, I'd much rather bring Drew back. Though I don't envision Drew every being in a Cardinals uniform again....at least not as long as TLR is managing. As for other options in the outfield? I don't really know who is available to trade for but I would really like that added power bat....