Cards Give Cesar Izturis a One-Year Shot

It seems St. Louis Cardinals fans can forget about seeing their scrappy free agent shortstop in a Red Bird uni next season, as they've signed utility infielder Cesar Izturis to a $2.85 million, one-year contract rather than offer arbitration to lead-off hitter David Eckstein.

Izturis, a 27-year-old switch-hitter, batted .258 in 110 games last year between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates. His best offensive season came in 2004, when he hit .288 with a career-high 32 doubles, four homers, 62 RBIs and 25 steals with the Los Angeles Dodgers; the same year he earned his one and only Gold Glove award.

[MLB]

David Eckstein to San Diego?

If the St. Louis Cardinals don't re-sign 2006 World Series MVP David Eckstein, the scrappy shortstop could land with the San Diego Padres.

There are two apparent reasons why the Pads are a good fit for Eck.

First, they may need a leadoff man/second baseman in the possible absence of free agent Geoff Blum, and the lovely Mrs. Eckstein is a Blue Collar TV actress in Los Angeles. Perfect!

I'm sure everyone in southern California is thrilled with the prospect of four or five years of David Eckstein in their infield.

For an updated list of free agents, click here.

[San Diego Union Tribune]

Eckstein On The DL

The St. Louis Cardinals took another hit this weekend, as David Eckstein was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain, retroactive to June 14th.

The scrappy shortstop left Wednesday's game at Kansas City with tightness in his lower back, sat out Thursday and again on Friday for the series opener with Oakland.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa expects him to be out the minimum with no need for a rehab assignment before rejoining the club. Eckstein is hitting .313 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 192 at-bats.

In a related move, the Cards called up Brendan Ryan from the AAA Memphis Red Birds to start in Eckstein's place.

[USA Today]

David Eckstein's Side Hurts Again

Scrappy, leadoff-hitting shortstop David Eckstein will miss up to two weeks of Grapefruit League action with pain in his left side. The St. Louis Cardinals will be very careful not to rush him back, as he missed nearly a month with a similar injury last season.

Eckstein said he felt no discomfort this spring until Wednesday's opener against the Florida Marlins, and he's not sure how he got hurt. TNA wrestling maybe?

[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]