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St. Louis Cardinals Wiretap

Boras Blames Cardinals For Letting Weaver Go

The Seattle Mariners officially announced Jeff Weaver is the newest member of their starting rotation Tuesday, barely two weeks after Cardinals manager Tony La Russa had described the free-agent righthander as potentially "the final piece" of the defending World Series champions' pitching makeover.

Weaver's agent insists La Russa's words never translated into action by the club.

Well aware of criticism directed at his client for failing to return to the Cardinals, agent Scott Boras redirected blame at the Cards for failing to make a "competitive" bid for Weaver.

"The fact is, they weren't even close," Boras said before accompanying Weaver to Seattle. "Jeff gave St. Louis every opportunity. We let them know what Jeff's market was. Their response was to make an offer literally appropriate for a relief pitcher."

Via Post-Dispatch


Cardinals Re-Sign Preston Wilson

Preston Wilson will still be a member of the St. Louis Cardinals when he gets his ring.

The reigning World Champion Cardinals on Monday re-signed the outfielder to a one-year contract.

Via Yahoo.com


Former St. Louis GM Bing Devine Dies

Bing Devine, the St. Louis general manager who helped build Cardinals teams that won three National League pennants and two World Series in the 1960s, died Saturday. He was 90.

Via AP


Sources: Weaver Agrees To Deal With Seattle

Jeff Weaver decided not to return to St. Louis when he accepted a more lucrative offer Friday from the Seattle Mariners, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Weaver, the last attractive free-agent pitcher other than Roger Clemens, jumped at an offer that guarantees him a base $8.325 million salary plus a series of appearances incentives worth potentially an additional $1 million.

The deal will be announced Monday in Seattle after Weaver passes a team physical, a source said Friday night.

Via Post-Dispatch


Marichal Believes McGwire Deserves To Be In HOF

Add former Dominican baseball star Juan Marichal to the list of Mark McGwire's backers.

Marichal said Saturday the embattled slugger deserves to join him in the Hall of Fame, days after McGwire failed to net enough votes to enter on the first ballot.

"McGwire belongs in the Hall of Fame. All those home runs that he hit make him worthy, as do Sammy Sosa's," Marichal told The Associated Press.

Via MLB.com


Cardinals Jan 2007 Archive