If general manager John Mozeliak had wondered about the tone of his post-Pujols reception at the Saturday open of the Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up, he didn't have to wait long before landing well within a comfort zone.
Mozeliak told a standing-room audience at the downtown Hyatt that the negotiations to keep three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols were "exhausting, frustrating," but ultimately the "right decision ended up happening."
A year ago any suggestion that talks would lead to Pujols leaving for the Los Angeles Angels via free agency would have brought hoots of disapproval. On Saturday, Mozeliak's recollection elicited applause.
Mozeliak, approaching his fifth season as Cardinals general manager, referred to Pujols' dramatic exit from the reigning World Series champions as 'spilled milk" and asserted the club is only looking forward.
"With where we want to go and how we operate, it just creates new opportunities for us," Mozeliak said. "As I look back on it, I don't think I can look at it any other way than spilled milk at this time. It's not something I think we can sit here and (obsess over). It's time to move on."
Asked to reflect on his immediate reaction to Pujols' departure, Mozeliak said he intentionally took several hours to collect himself, even slipping away from the Winter Meetings hotel through a side door.
"The last thing we wanted to do was put ourselves in a position where we looked angry or upset," Mozeliak said. "We understand that we put our best foot forward and it didn't work out."
He did term the process "very emotional."
The subsequent addition of free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and the return of co-ace Adam Wainwright to a balanced roster are strong positives, Mozeliak reminded. "The Cardinals," he said, "are in a great spot."
Last season's National League wild card team appears more vulnerable to injury than failed performance. Several projected key pieces â€" including third baseman David Freese, shortstop Rafael Furcal and outfielder Allen Craig â€" have missed significant time in recent years. First baseman Lance Berkman turns 36 before camp while knee issues also have affected Beltran in recent years.
"No one can speak on the health issue; accidents and injuries happen. But when you look at the club as a whole, you're going to look at guys ... past their sophomore year," Mozeliak said. "It does look good on paper. But games aren't won and lost on paper. I do think as we're constituted today there is reason for optimism."
Mozeliak asserted that the team's payroll is assured to be more than $110 million despite Pujols' absence. That figure represented something of a limit last season but, according to Mozeliak, the club remains in the market for a veteran reliever â€" likely righthanded â€" to enhance a talented but young bullpen. Mozeliak downplayed the possibility of landing another starting pitcher such as free agent Roy Oswalt, whose asking term has dropped to one year.
"A move like (Oswalt) would create its own complications," said Mozeliak in an oblique reference to the no-trade leverage held by current starters Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook.
• Mozeliak endorsed former manager Tony La Russa's decision to remain away from the organization this spring in deference to his successor, Mike Matheny. La Russa explained Friday night that he didn't want to become a distraction as Matheny assumed the manager's chair with no previous managerial or coaching experience. The same factors led the club to reject overtures to become the subject of Showtime's sports documentary "The Franchise."
• Mozeliak attempted to minimize catcher Yadier Molina's absence from the Warm-Up for a second straight year, saying he discussed the matter with the Gold Glove backstop's agent and anticipated that Molina would make a contribution to Cardinals Care in lieu of making his scheduled appearance.
Mozeliak insisted he was told that Molina's absence had more to do with a lack of enthusiasm for the crush for autographs at the event than being irritated over the club's failure to retain his close friend Pujols or his contract status. The Cardinals assumed the $7 million option on what becomes a five-year, $21.5 million contract after last season.
"I just don't think he really loves the autograph process and going through all that," Mozeliak said.
Mozeliak insisted Molina wasn't being fined but allowed that the catcher "understands the club's stance on this."
"In terms of what we're doing (about an extension) and how we're doing it, I really can't get into those types of details," Mozeliak told gathered fans. "But I assure you we're going to try to find a way to make it work. I know that he also wants to be here as well. Usually when you have that type of understanding and mutual agreement, you usually can get something resolved."
• Mozeliak acknowledged recently stemming the Houston Astros' access to Cardinals front office personnel after two members of the club's analytics department followed former vice president of scouting and player development Jeff Luhnow to the division rival. The Astros hired Luhnow as general manager during last month's winter meetings.
"You're always trying to be professional and allow people to have career growth. But there is a point where you can only take so much of a fracture to your own infrastructure," Mozeliak said. "That was something that was starting to become something of a concern. I was happy Jeff got the opportunity. But at the same time it was not going to be at the cost of us going backward."
• The Cardinals are more likely than not to take reliever Kyle McClellan to spring training than to trade him, according to Mozeliak. A numbers crunch among righthanded relievers and McClellan's second round of arbitration make him a leading candidate to be moved if there is indeed a trade; however, Mozeliak insisted there is a "high probability" McClellan will be with the club in Jupiter, Fla., next month.
"We're just exploring what makes sense for the organization," Mozeliak said of past and present trade possibilities.
Posted in Professional, Sports on Sunday, January 15, 2012 12:05 am Updated: 11:55 pm. | Tags:
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