Thursday, December 23, 2004

 

Musical infielders comes full circle

By Jerry Crasnick

ESPN Insider

David Eckstein has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, a source told ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick.

 

2004 SEASON STATISTICS 
GM HR RBI R SB AVG 
142 2 35 92 16 .276

Eckstein became a free agent earlier this week when the Anaheim Angels signed Orlando Cabrera and declined to offer him a contract by the Dec. 20 deadline. He will replace Edgar Renteria, who recently left for Boston as a free agent, as the starting shortstop in St. Louis.

 

 

Eckstein, Anaheim's shortstop since 2001, batted .276 last season with two homers and 35 RBI in 142 games.

 

 

Eckstein, 29, has a .278 career batting average. He hit .293 with eight homers and 63 RBI during the Angels' 2002 championship season. He hit safely in 13 of Anaheim's 16 postseason games that year, and scored six runs in the seven-game World Series.

Done deal: Eckstein agrees to 3 year deal with Cards

 

Cardinals told Eck's agent they plan to play him at SS...

 

(but that isn't etched in stone)....

 

also plan to bat him leadoff...

 

Derrick Goold had it first; kudos to Goold.

 

cardinals confirm....

 

we'll be talking about it on KMOX....

 

developing....

 

-B

 

3 year deal lands Eckstein in St. Louis

 

David Eckstein has agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, a source told ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick.

 

2004 SEASON STATISTICS

GM HR RBI R SB AVG

142 2 35 92 16 .276

 

Eckstein became a free agent earlier this week when the Anaheim Angels signed Orlando Cabrera and declined to offer him a contract by the Dec. 20 deadline. He will replace Edgar Renteria, who recently left for Boston as a free agent, as the starting shortstop in St. Louis.

 

Eckstein, Anaheim's shortstop since 2001, batted .276 last season with two homers and 35 RBI in 142 games.

 

Eckstein, 29, has a .278 career batting average. He hit .293 with eight homers and 63 RBI during the Angels' 2002 championship season. He hit safely in 13 of Anaheim's 16 postseason games that year, and scored six runs in the seven-game World Series.

Eckstein was a fan favorite in Anaheim.

Many are sorry Eck was let go.

 

What! Is Anaheim .....St Louis' farm team.

Edmonds, Eckstein and previously Orlando Palmeiro.

 

Congrats "Eck" Factor.

:hat :hat :hat

What! Is Anaheim .....St Louis' farm team.

641704[/snapback]

 

Nah, Oakland is...

Cardinals Sign David Eckstein

 

ST. LOUIS, December 23 -- The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have signed free-agent shortstop and leadoff hitter David Eckstein to a three-year deal. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

 

The 29-year-old Eckstein batted .276 in the lead-off spot for Anaheim last season scoring 92 runs with two homers and 35 RBI. He had an on-base percentage of .339, walking 42 times, and was the second-hardest player to fan in the A.L., doing so just once every 13 at-bats (49 K /566 AB). Last season, Eckstein posted a career-best 18-game hitting streak from 5/14-6/3. Defensively, he led all Major League shortstops with a .988 fielding percentage, committing just six errors.

 

"We are extremely pleased to add David to the St. Louis Cardinals," said Senior Vice President/General Manger Walt Jocketty. "He addresses two of our needs -- that of a shortstop and leadoff hitter. David also has a style of hard-nose play that we feel will fit in well in St. Louis."

 

The 5-7, 165 pound native of Sanford, Fla. has four years of big league experience and was a member of the Angels' 2002 World Championship team.

 

(I dont know how sure I like this move.. It's gonna suck not watching Rent but we wont need much outta Eckstein.. Just what he brings into every game.. Scrappy little player.. He's Bo Hart but with the talent.. He'll be well recieved in St. Louis.. Welcome Eck!)

he's no tony womack but he'll do.

he's no tony womack but he'll do.

641714[/snapback]

 

Last year Eckstein had a .343 OBP as a leadoff man (520 ABs) and scored 92 runs.

 

Womack: .349 OBP, 91 runs.

 

But Eckstein has been a more consistent leadoff man over the last three seasons than Womack, with an OBP of .346 from 2002-2004.

 

Eck also swiped 16 bases last season....and can probably get into the 20s in the NL style.

 

Younger than Womack, too.

 

--- David Eckstein signed for 3 years/$10.5 million...

 

LaRussa mentioned on KMOX Right now:

 

Abraham Nunez - Signed him Sunday or Monday the week of the Winter Meetings.. Switch hitter.. Gonna be playing SS and/or 2b..

 

2b - Interested in Hairston Jr.

 

Lineup so far:

1. David Eckstein, SS

2. Admin Walker, RF

3. Albert Pujols, 1b

4. Scott Rolen, 3b

5. Jim Edmonds, CF

6. Reggie Sanders, LF

7. Alex Cora/Jerry Hairston Jr./Abraham Nunez/Hector Luna, 2b

8. Yadier Molina, C

 

Bench:

Einar Diaz, C

John Mabry, INF/OF

So Taguchi, OF

Hector Luna, INF

Roger Cedeno, OF

 

Rotation:

1. Mark Mulder

2. Chris Carpenter

3. Matt Morris

4. Jeff Suppan

5. Jason Marquis

 

Bullpen:

Closer - Jason Isringhausen

Setup - Julian Tavarez

LHP - Ray King

LHP - Mike Myers

RP - Al Reyes

RP - Mike Lincoln

RP - Cal Eldred

SP/RP - Rick Ankiel

 

Not bad.. Not bad..

And you have been crying? That is one helluva team.

Yeah I was crying.. But then I remembered our 2-3-4-5 hitters :lol ..

 

Super - Can you give me some details on Eckstein so I know him a little more? Thanks a lot

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

Fans will miss Eck

The Orange County Register

 

"Today we say goodbye to our inspiration, our heart and our 'little home-run hitter.' We will miss him, cherish the memories he gave us and cheer him no matter where he ends up next year. Thank you Eck!"

 

Sean O'Connor

Santa Ana

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"David Eckstein will be truly missed. He is one of a select few ballplayers who plays because of his love for the game."

 

Bernard H. Smith

Villa Park

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"This evening was very sad around our house when learning the Angels were no longer going to have David Eckstein around. He is the epitome of the 'never-say-die' attitude and I never, ever have seen anyone give 110 percent, 110 percent of the time. My son, who is 5 years old, refers to him as Mr. Grand Slam for his league-leading 2002 season. And although he is listed at only 5-foot-7, everyone in our family will always look up to him. Mr. Eckstein, you will be missed!"

 

The Amy Family

Aliso Viejo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"First, (owner) Arte (Moreno) wants to make them the Los Angeles Angels, now they release their heart in David Eckstein. What are the Angels trying to be, the Yankees?"

 

Shawnna Johnson

Placentia

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How do I explain to my son that the one player who does not use steroids was not good enough to stay with the Angels?"

 

Paul LeBaron

Fountain Valley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"It looks like Bill Stoneman has joined the ranks of the baseball GMs who look at numbers only. Someone needs to tell him that 'heart' is the major ingredient of which David Eckstein had plenty to go around."

 

James Boyd

Anaheim

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Los Angeles Angels. No (Troy) Percival, (Troy) Glaus or Eckstein. I'm outta here Arte."

 

John Pacuska

Fountain Valley

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Angel fans will truly miss David Eckstein. But the first time they see Orlando Cabrera backhand a grounder in the hole, turn and fire a rope to first to get the runner, those feelings of sadness will quickly disappear. It's going to be an exciting 2005! Thanks, Bill Stoneman, for making some smart moves to improve this team."

 

Thom Cammarota

Tustin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I really like what the Angels have been doing the last couple of years, but there has to be a place for a guy like this to be on the team. The Eck Factor will be sorely missed. Good luck David, and wherever you land will be one of my favorite teams right away."

 

Rick Robbins

Tustin

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hey, Arte Moreno, are you trying to totally alienate all Angels fans? First the slap in the face with the name change idea and now the most popular Angels player - David Eckstein - is gone! Careful, you're close to wearing out your welcome!"

 

Steve Hedges

Fountain Valley

Yeah I was crying.. But then I remembered our 2-3-4-5 hitters :lol ..

 

Super - Can you give me some details on Eckstein so I know him a little more? Thanks a lot

641745[/snapback]

 

Eckstein is about a .280 hitter overall. Eck usually starts slow, then heats up but cools off in September. He does well in post season though. He is a good fielder with the highest fielding percentage in 2004 MLB but his range is limited. Eck's arm and accuracy improved in 2004 after he strengthed his arm in the off-season, but he does not have the arm to make the long throw from the hole. Eck has an un-orthodox way of throwing, Eck requires to position his feet 1st then throws to 1st, which may not get a truely fast runner like the Marlin's leadoff guy, Juan Pierre. Eck has above average speed and steals maybe 12 bases a year. Eck has lead MLB in HBP's in 2 years. When Eck is slumping the Angels moved him to # 8 or 9 spot in batting order.

 

Eck wrote a book, I think is titled "Have Heart" about his family's struggles with kidney disease. Eck signs autographs freely and makes local apearances.

Eckstein gets 3 year, $ 10.25 million contract!

 

Link

Thanks.. Sounds like a good fit in St. Louis

 

Eckstein agrees to $10.25 million, three-year deal with Cardinals

 

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- David Eckstein agreed Thursday to a $10.25 million, three-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, completing a trio of shortstop switches.

 

Boston started it by luring Edgar Renteria from St. Louis with a $40 million, four-year contract. Anaheim then chose to cut loose Eckstein on Monday and give a $32 million, four-year deal to Orlando Cabrera, who played last season for the Red Sox.

 

``David was the player we focused on right away after Cabrera signed,'' Cardinals assistant general manager John Mozeliak said. ``Given the current free-agent market at shortstop, it pushed salaries higher, but we still felt this was a value signing for us.''

 

St. Louis had considered 40-year-old Barry Larkin for shortstop.

 

``But once Eckstein became available, he fit our plans short term and long term,'' Jocketty said. ``It's a good fit for St. Louis. He's a very good player.''

 

Eckstein, who'll replace Womack in the leadoff slot, said several teams were interested in him. He chose the Cardinals because they aggressively pursued him, and because he likes their chances of returning to the World Series.

 

``I'm thrilled,'' Eckstein said. ``They have a great nucleus of guys. That lineup they put out there, you're playing with a bunch of All-Stars, and it's going to be fun to be a part of it.''

 

Eckstein, 29, was a fan favorite in Anaheim, helping the Angels win the 2002 World Series title with his spunky play. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa told him to keep it up.

 

``Mr. La Russa said just to play my game, be a pest at the plate and play solid defense,'' Eckstein said during a telephone interview.

 

[More in URL]

 

Everyone always seems happy to come join the Cardinals..

I don't think I've ever been so excited over a move. I didn't know much about Walker when we got him, but he's alright.......................

 

This is very cool to have David. I think he'll be a fan favorite immediately in Cardinal Nation.

Yeah I was crying.. But then I remembered our 2-3-4-5 hitters :lol ..

 

Super - Can you give me some details on Eckstein so I know him a little more? Thanks a lot

641745[/snapback]

 

Eckstein is about a .280 hitter overall. Eck usually starts slow, then heats up but cools off in September. He does well in post season though. He is a good fielder with the highest fielding percentage in 2004 MLB but his range is limited. Eck's arm and accuracy improved in 2004 after he strengthed his arm in the off-season, but he does not have the arm to make the long throw from the hole. Eck has an un-orthodox way of throwing, Eck requires to position his feet 1st then throws to 1st, which may not get a truely fast runner like the Marlin's leadoff guy, Juan Pierre. Eck has above average speed and steals maybe 12 bases a year. Eck has lead MLB in HBP's in 2 years. When Eck is slumping the Angels moved him to # 8 or 9 spot in batting order.

 

Eck wrote a book, I think is titled "Have Heart" about his family's struggles with kidney disease. Eck signs autographs freely and makes local apearances.

641786[/snapback]

 

Eckstein is Catholic and virgin type until last year when he hooked up with a Hollywood actress from his home town area though much younger than Eck. They appeared together at the Angels' wives food drive at the stadium last year. I don't recall her name, though they are not married.

He drives a Black Yukon XL which replaced his sister's car that he drove.

 

((I like gossip)).

According to ESPN.com, David Eckstein received a three-year, $10.25 million contract from the Cardinals.

He gets a $250,000 signing bonus and salaries of $2.25 million, $3.25 million and $4.5 million. We were thinking $4 million per year, so this isn't quite so bad. Dec. 23 - 8:55 pm et