DeRosa Staying In St. Louis?
Versatile INF/OF, Mark DeRosa, has had conversations with GM John Mozeliak about a possible extension with the Cardinals.
DeRosa was acquired in the later part of June from the Indians for Chris Perez and Jess Todd, both premier pitching prospects in the Cardinals farm system. Soon after coming over from Cleveland DeRosa found himself on the DL with an injured wrist, which will require surgery in the offseason.
Only hitting .245 and collecting 19 RBIs on his 8 homers in 48 games with the Birds. His versatility is a key with the way Manager Tony LaRussa fancies to fill out his lineup card, which makes him extremely valuable to LaRussa.
DeRosa, making $5.5 million this season, will most likely receive a raise if extended with the Cardinals. Mozeliak wants to see DeRosa stick around, but might lose a key contributor in the process: Ryan Ludwick.
Ludwick, injured part of the season, has played in 119 games for St. Louis and has managed to slug 20 homers and drive in 87 while keeping his average above the .270 marker. Although healthy, Ludwick doesn’t play every day with the plethora of outfielders available to LaRussa.
Mozeliak remains reluctant to offer Ludwick a deal that is more than a year long. Injuries have plagued Ludwick in the past, but he seems to have overcome the issues with his knees. An All-Star a year ago, Ludwick still is producing and protects Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday in the Cardinals lineup.
Redbird Report 