Ray Mileur
December 15, 2004
Cardinals agree to terms with Diaz, Reyes
By Ray Mileur
Catcher Einar Diaz and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a $600,000, one-year contract today as expected.
Diaz will back up Yadier Molina, who became the starter after Mike Matheny agreed to a three-year contract with the Giants earlier this week.
Diaz, 31, batted .223 last year in 55 games with Montreal. He's a .256 career hitter with 20 home runs and 185 RBIs in six-plus seasons with the Indians, Rangers and Expos.
In addition to his salary, according to an AP report, Diaz can earn $225,000 in performance bonuses under the contract agreed to Tuesday.
It is expected that Diaz will get on an average two starts a week and is a welcome addition and an improvement to the roster. Diaz is known as a very good defensive catcher with a strong accurate arm and is a decent backup catcher that won't hurt you behind the plate, just don't expect much from his bat.
Right-handed reliever Al Reyes agreed to a $600,000, one-year contract Wednesday. Reyes had an 0.75 ERA in 12 late-season appearances with St. Louis last season. I'm really looking forward to seeing Reyes at spring training next season. There is some talk that Kiko Calero may be part of a trade with Arizona or Oakland, if so than Reyes could potentially become a key member of the bullpen next season.
