November 29, 2004
La Russa Return Stuck on Pitching?
By Brian Walton
A source very close to the Cardinals has reported an interesting rumor. The prevailing feeling among some insiders is that part of the reason that Tony La Russa may not have come to terms on his expected contract extension is due to the ongoing uncertainty about the make-up of the 2005 pitching rotation.
Here is the line of thinking. Long-time pitching coach Dave Duncan is said to be pushing hard for a trade for Randy Johnson. In fact, it was clearly stated in a Joe Strauss Post-Dispatch story on Wednesday that Duncan actually wants two power arms added to the rotation for 2005. La Russa was represented as being in agreement with Duncan’s stance. Walt Jocketty acknowledged what the two want, but admitted that "in an ideal world we'd like to see that, but it may not be possible."
Duncan has both professional and personal motivation to see an improvement in his charges next season. It was reported that Duncan was irritated that on the final day of the season the Cardinals bullpen cost him an incentive bonus due if the team had finished #1 in ERA in the National League. The Redbirds came in just behind Atlanta in ERA at 3.75 to 3.74.
Still, Duncan should not be hurting for spending money. When Rudy Jaramillo was re-signed to a three-year contract as the Texas Rangers hitting coach last week, it was widely reported that Jaramillo’s new salary eclipsed Duncan’s $500,000 yearly salary as the highest coach in baseball. An interesting comparison point is the $575,000 that Jim Tracy earned last season as the manager of the National League Western Division Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. It goes without saying that Duncan’s return in 2005 is directly tied to La Russa’s decision.
Since the Cardinals did not win the World Series, La Russa’s offer to manage the team for free is unfortunately a moot point. And his urging to the players (and himself) to put talk of new contracts aside during the season to focus at the task at hand has expired. La Russa reportedly made about $2 million per year on his 2000-2001 two-year contract and that was upped to the $3 million per season range for his just-ended three-year deal.
No one is suggesting that La Russa won’t be coming back in 2005. He’s already made his plans to return for a record-tying tenth season at the helm of the Cardinals very clear. In fact, the last time his contract was up, three years ago, La Russa’s extension was not announced until January 22. In addition, La Russa reportedly has never signed a new contract while the old one was in force. So, the delay could just be business-as-usual.
Still, the late January contract signing timing is most interesting if it is repeated this off-season. By then, a lot more will be known about the 2005 Cardinals. Contracts will have had to be offered to all returning players, those heading to arbitration will have had to exchange amounts with the team and those offered arbitration, but rejected it (Edgar Renteria?) will have either had to sign or will be unable to do so until May 1. By the way, no word if La Russa and Duncan have offered to defer salary to help pay for the proposed pitching additions.
Let me make it clear that I did not ask any of the principals about this rumor. After all, would Jocketty, La Russa or Duncan ever validate it, even if was true?
So, believe it or not, the speculation is that Duncan and La Russa may be using what leverage they have to push Jocketty into initiating some big moves and ownership into letting him do it.
As long as the future is not mortgaged in the chase for Johnson, why not?
