Here’s a look at some of the latest rumors, speculation and news on the Redbirds:

— During a segment on MLB Network’s Hot Stove Tuesday morning, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports speculated that the Cardinals could be a potential suitor for free agent pitcher and former Kansas City Royal James Shields, who is undoubtedly the best free agent pitcher still on the market not named Max Scherzer (who is a St. Louis native). Rosenthal mentioned that John Lackey will be a free agent after next season and that Michael Wacha’s health could be questionable as support for the idea of the Cards signing Shields. However, Rosenthal just reported a few days ago that according to two major league executives, Shields has a five-year, $110 million offer on the table but is currently seeking a larger guarantee. Shields is 33 years old and has pitched 200 or more innings in eight consecutive seasons, recently posting a 14-8 record with a 3.21 ERA this past season. His postseason struggles have been well documented, though, as Shields posted a 6.12 ERA during the Royals playoff run this past season. Although Shields doesn’t have a bad injury history, a combination of his age, potential health problems down the road due to a high work load, and the fact that it should take well over $100 million to land him, it doesn’t appear overly likely that a move for Shields is in the cards for GM John Mozeliak.

— Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, and Craig Biggio were elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in voting announced Tuesday afternoon, and the quartet will officially be inducted in Cooperstown, N.Y. on July 26.  Smoltz, who spent most of his amazing career in Atlanta, spent his last year pitching for the Cardinals in 2009. In other Cardinals related news, former Redbird slugger Mark McGwire dropped from 11 to 10 percent of the vote during his ninth year of eligibility. Read more on the four elected into the Hall of Fame and a few Cardinals connections from the Post-Dispatch, theScore, and CBS Sports.

— The Cardinals announced the schedule and prices of autographs for the annual Winter Warm-Up, which takes place Jan. 17-19 at Hyatt Regency St. Louis-at the Arch, and tickets went on sale on the Cardinals website Tuesday morning. For more information on times and prices, go to cardinals.com/winterwarmup.

— The club also announced its 2015 caravan schedule on Tuesday. More than 30 current and former Cardinals, including Michael Wacha, Kolten Wong, Matt Adams, and Trevor Rosenthal, will make 22 stops in six different states. Read more about the caravan from Cardinals.com, and for full information visit cardinals.com/caravan.

— Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com recently took a look at the early offseason moves the Cardinals made and the other moves the team could make before spring training, including adding a veteran back-end starting pitcher.

Thanks for reading,

–C.B.

 

Feature image used under Creative Commons from Keith Allison. No changes made. Image License.