Cardinals sign Wagner Mateo
by DanUpBaby on Jun 26, 2009 4:46 PM EDT
67 comments
This just Tweeted:
Mateo/Cards deal is $3.1. SF close second. Giants almost offer $3.5 but got cold feet. Cards GM went to Mateo's house to close the deal.
As I mentioned in today's main post, if Derrick Goold's note that the international budget won't affect the Cardinals' bid to sign Shelby Miller is an accurate picture of the Cardinals' plans, this is unreservedly great news. Here is an old piece from Goold that features a scouting report and a video; Future Redbirds talks more about the signing and has tracked down another video.
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Goold's reporting this morning
What evidence do we have that runs counter to Goold’s report this morning? Just Strauss?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Jun 26, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
more or less
that and Luhnow’s initial positioning on the subject, which only suggested that the Cardinals weren’t “guaranteed” to sign Miller.
by DanUpBaby on Jun 26, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Biggest signing bonus ever given
$3M for JD Drew, $2.5 for Rick Ankiel.
godfather of futureredbirds.net
by erik on Jun 26, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this is good news, especially considering it should not effect millers signing.
is there any news about Sano & what team he’s leaning towards?
It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan
by gdm426 on Jun 26, 2009 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think he's close to signing with the Pirates.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he does know that they are the pirates right?
i mean, someone should tell the kid just what he’s getting himself into. he’ll be really good for a few season, then traded for a bag of balls to the north side or bean town where his soul will be sucked outta him
It kind of sounds like he’s [Duncan] just running around like a puppy out there – full speed ahead in random directions. – BTown Birds Fan
by gdm426 on Jun 26, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He should just sign with the Cardinals to make it easy on him
and since we’re making it so easy on him he should sign for 1m or less
Get DeRosa now or at least bring Barden back. Thurston Sucks.
by JoeyBombs on Jun 26, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly.
He’ll be in the majors by the time he’s 20 and then he’ll get traded to a contender…..is there a better situation to be in?
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So how did you get pointed in the direction of that twitter post? The unwashed masses are dying to know
by ajabegg on Jun 26, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Great news...
but if it were my money, no way I’d committ $3 mil. This reminds me of college basketball coaches getting verbal commitments from 6th graders.
by guayzimi on Jun 26, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
good thing it's not your money then
by dcfcblues on Jun 26, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Breaking the bonus record...
for a 16-year-old… How can anyone say with confidence that that is a good way to spend bucks in a nasty recession? When we need help this year… and we have a better looking 1st round draft pick to sign… and we need to accumulate a war chest for the franchise player…
If DeWitt were ready to spend on everything we need, fine, load up on the Wagner Mateos. But he isn’t, and he won’t. We’ll go without something more important. For a 16-year-old with huge bust potential.
by guayzimi on Jun 26, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's an investment
and the upside is greater than the risk. Obviously it he doesn’t have an impact on the major league team than it is a bad move. But the impact that he could have is worth the 3 Mil.
Much better us than signing Adam Kennedy.
by Evilfrog on Jun 26, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We can still get help this year.
Its not like we paid this guy all the money we had.
by JoeyBombs on Jun 26, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can guarantee you..
that not all of the following will occur:
1. Sign Miller
2. Add payroll this summer in the form or DeRosa or some other upgrade
3. Sign Pujols to an extension before things get incredibly tense (by spring training 2011)
If these things don’t happen, it won’t necessarily be Wagner’s fault. But signing him makes all three less likely, if ever so slightly, and I would argue that all three take priority.
by guayzimi on Jun 26, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We'll see
Remember this moment because before spring training 2011 I will have proven you wrong.
And I’ll be there to remind you of it when it happens.
You will rue the day guayzimi.
by JoeyBombs on Jun 26, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll be happy as hell...
if I’m wrong about this.
by guayzimi on Jun 26, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
$3M for a DR 16yo
or, really, ANY 16yo, is kind of crazy.
none of us can make any kind of judgment without having seen the kid, but I kind of think there may be a bit of a “DR cult” behavior going on here.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
by SleepyCA on Jun 27, 2009 4:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe just smoothing things over with APu
4B - beer baseball bands blog
history tells us again and again how GOB points out the folly of man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 29, 2009 3:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wooooooo!
Woooo!
Wooooooooo!
Alright!
Wooooooooooo!
by arch support on Jun 26, 2009 6:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Sounds Good...
But, I thought he could not sign till July 2nd? Are they that far ahead of us down there?
"Rasmus doesn't hit lefties. Instead he bashes them over the head with their own bleeding arm he just raced to the mound to rip off before the ball arrives to the plate. He then smashes that baseball with the pitchers bloody arm over the wall because he does not hit lefites he bashes them." Ted Lilly
by Red Blazer on Jun 26, 2009 6:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that's what I was wondering but thought I had the date screwed up.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is why
If you ask Mo. He will tell you it is absolutely not true that we signed him.
by Evilfrog on Jun 26, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but we all know Twitter doesn't lie.
Ever.
On with the (good) youth movement!
by aet15 on Jun 26, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Is it too early for a nickname?
How about…
Waggles or Swagner…
"Rasmus doesn't hit lefties. Instead he bashes them over the head with their own bleeding arm he just raced to the mound to rip off before the ball arrives to the plate. He then smashes that baseball with the pitchers bloody arm over the wall because he does not hit lefites he bashes them." Ted Lilly
by Red Blazer on Jun 26, 2009 6:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Paint Bucket?
Dip Stick?
How did the pig corner the breakfast market?
by STLRegalia on Jun 26, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love "Waggles."
On with the (good) youth movement!
by aet15 on Jun 26, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing I worry about in young players...
Is that are they “good” simply because they’ve developed physically more than others their age? (which won’t be the case once they reach the majors).
Considering his size , 6’1", 190, it sounds like it’s a possibility…
by DiscoJer on Jun 26, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd like to think major league baseball has at least considered that before shelling out this amount of money.
And I have a sneaking suspicion they have and probably know a little more about him than what the back of his baseball card reads.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB
or the guy who make 30K as a scout, desperate to find a guy worth signing to justify his pitiful existence?
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
by SleepyCA on Jun 27, 2009 4:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So you're telling me Jeff Lunhow
just gives Mateo 3M dollars sight unseen…….c’mon Sleepy. You and I both know Lunhow takes countless trips to the DR, Venezuela and other places to watch talent. He’s seen him play, multiple times.
Plus, it’s not like Mateo just popped on the scene and no one had ever heard of him. I’ve been hearing about him for probably 4 to 6 months. That means the Cardinals and other organization have been scouting him for much longer.
I just don’t get all this consternation out of you and a few other people about giving this kid 3 million dollars. It doesn’t effect the major league payroll (obviously if they’re considering trading for Matt Holliday) and according to MO it doesn’t effect the money they have for signing draftees (i.e., Shelby Miller), so what’s the big deal?
This organization has needed for quite some time an infusion of Latin talent and they’ve just started it in the last couple of seasons. By signing a guy like Mateo (and De La Cruz last year, to an extent) they make themselves major players and legitimate in a market that is tough to gain leverage.
It’s not only a good signing, but a great step forward in a great direction towards filling the organization with real talent year after year.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 27, 2009 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty sure if you sign him it's because of his talent
I remember there being a few guys that size in my high school alone when I was 16, which means there are millions across the world, so I doubt size is the reason they’re signing him.
Remember Freddy Adu in MLS? He wasn’t signed because of size. Scouts see aspects of their talent that lead them to believe they won’t be slowing down.
On with the (good) youth movement!
by aet15 on Jun 26, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and they are wrong 99.5% of the time.
- "I went at it and didn’t slow down, so it kind of bounced off me." -Lil' Dunc
by SleepyCA on Jun 27, 2009 4:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So, how do we go about filling the organization with top tier talent?
Seriously. If you don’t want to sign 16 year old Dominican’s then what? Do you want to rely on the draft and the 1 (maybe?) legitimate player that comes out of each draft per team? If you don’t trust your scouting department, then what other option do you have that doesn’t include spending top dollar on free agents?
By signing Mateo, they basically added a second 1st round pick talent to their draft. I hardly see a problem with that.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 27, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both times the Cardinals
gave signing bonuses this large, the players had tremendous talent and ability. Unfortunately, Rick Ankiel went nuts, but I’d say the JD Drew thing worked out well for us.
"If I prepare myself, my stuff is good and I'm going to get outs. That is a fact." - Chris Carpenter
by spants on Jun 27, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so...
is this a good thing? do we need to be signing another center fielder? won’t it take him forever to make it to the majors? just hope we still sign Shelby Miller
4B - beer baseball bands blog
history tells us again and again how GOB points out the folly of man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 26, 2009 7:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yes. yes. yes. me too.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He will proably move to a corner outfield spot
and by the time he gets here in 3-5 years I’d guess, when he’d be 19-21 years old, We will need more OFers. Do you think Ankiel, Duncan, and Ludwick will last us 5 years? I don’t think so.
I agree that since we have a 22 year old top prospect in centerfield, we don’t need another, but if he moves to a corner, it will be fine. I like the signing and I really think we will still sign Shelby Miller.
by JoeyBombs on Jun 26, 2009 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can never have enough top talent in your minor league system
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not only that.
And I hate to mention it. But what if something happens to Rasmus that prevents him from being the caliber of player that he projects to be. Injuries hit top players also.
by Evilfrog on Jun 27, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how about Rasmus/DJ/Mateo OF
4B - beer baseball bands blog
history tells us again and again how GOB points out the folly of man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 29, 2009 4:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LIES
TAKE IT BACK NOW
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Jun 29, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So with him being 16...
how does this work? I’m not very familiar with international prospects. So does he join the Cardinals minor leage system when he’s 18 or what? I’m totally clueless…
V, b.
by LukeMP1186 on Jun 26, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He joins now (or as soon as it's official).
he’ll probably join the DSL team (Dominican Summer League) after he goes to extended spring training. This really isn’t all that new. They sign guys from DR and Venezuela often and field teams (well, the last couple of years especially). Mateo is just a very well-regarded prospect from that region. The signed one last year who was pretty well regarded (Roberto de la Cruz, i think?) but it wasn’t for near the money and I’m not sure it was for over 1M.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't believe
they just hand the kid 3 large. I’m sure the payout is closely monitored. His family would be a target if not. The Cardinals aren’t using dry powder here by the way. They won’t sign Miller me thinks. It would be encouraging if they did but don’t count on it. Gzimi is right.
by OperaCard on Jun 26, 2009 8:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I just don't get why they would waste their draft pick
and not sign Miller
4B - beer baseball bands blog
history tells us again and again how GOB points out the folly of man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 26, 2009 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not saying they did...
4B - beer baseball bands blog
history tells us again and again how GOB points out the folly of man
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 29, 2009 4:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think if they don't sign him
they’ll get the number 19 next year. But I’d still rather sign Miller than not and take the pick. You can’t count on seeing a talent like him at that spot next year.
I have a very, umm...photographic brain. A lot like Ansel Adams but in color and with a lot more, uh.....insertion and pubic hair.
by Tackle Box on Jun 26, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's just speculating
don’t get worked up over Opera’s speculation
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Jun 26, 2009 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keeping dreaming...
Miller was a Dominican backup plan. He’ll never become a Cardinal.
by guayzimi on Jun 26, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don't see the point in only wanting one
when you can have two. mateo signed for $3.1MM. that’s not very significant relative to the st louis team’s payroll. and it’ll be 4-6 years before we’re paying him above league minimum
miller will sign for what $4-5MM? and it’ll be at least 3 years until his sophomore season. it would be irresponsible not to sign a top-5 prospect like miller and take a 19th-overall-pick talent next year.
and if you can get sano for $7MM or less, take him too. even if it’s at the cost of derosa this season. there’s still no way they sign sano. or so i’m telling myself to prepare for when he goes to pittsburgh for $10MM
by prophetjohn on Jun 26, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's no way the Cardinals can deflect the PR blow that would
come from not signing Shelby Miller
Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation
by azruavatar on Jun 27, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
also, apparently
(and somewhat off topic)
the FO is “redoubling efforts to acquire Oakland A’s left fielder Matt Holliday, according to club and other sources.”
“Such a package would probably include right fielder Ryan Ludwick and either reliever Jason Motte, Chris Perez or Kyle McClellan, plus a prospect.”
interesting potential development. does the specificity of the package imply a deal being near complete? or is it just sports writer wanking?
it’s encouraging considering that there was never a specific target until now. no one ever mentioned derosa by name. dewitt’s feelings on the matter are also encouraging
“Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., who opposed the November deal for Holliday, is apparently on board with assuming the remainder of Holliday’s $13.5 million salary.”
by prophetjohn on Jun 27, 2009 12:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
For all of you who think they won't sign Miller anymore now...
It could also be a case like this:
They talked to Miller, his parents, and his agent. There’s no deal that will satisfy them under $x + slot money. The Cardinals are only wanting to pay him at slot money. It will not happen. We want to get a top prospect signed for this year still…oh look, Wagner Mateo is available at slot money…we’ll just get this 16 year old stud instead of this 18 year old stud. OK. Sounds good.
by stlfan on Jun 27, 2009 9:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know that the Card's have come across as a bit cheapish
at times lately, but wow..all this attacking the FO as being so duplicitous on the Miller-Mateo front is disturbing
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jun 27, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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