Baseball

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Carlos Beltran is more concerned with health than spring training stats.

Entering with a .190 average in eight exhibition games, Carlos Beltran hit his first home run for the St. Louis Cardinals, a leadoff drive off Julio Teheran in the sixth inning during Monday’s 4-3 win over the Atlanta Braves.

Beltran, who signed as a free agent after splitting last year between the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, also had a single. His home run went deep over the right-field fence.

“I think that was a pretty good indication of his strength,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “He wristed that and it was a rocket. He’s getting close and that pretty good timing for us.”

St. Louis gave Beltran a $26 million, two-year contract following the departure of Albert Pujols. The Cardinals are confident the switch-hitter can provide run production if his troublesome knees don’t sidetrack him.

“I’m just happy that I feel good physically,” Beltran said. “I haven’t been concentrating on results. I knew that would come. My focus is on staying healthy. I’ve been working hard and my knee feels good.”

A bout with the flu and a sore shoulder did keep Beltran out of a few games, cutting the at-bats he needs to get his timing down.

“I don’t care who you are, you want to see hits as you get ready for the season,” Matheny said.

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn pitched four perfect innings, then allowed one run, two hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly in the fifth. He is being prepared to join the rotation if Chris Carpenter isn’t ready to start the season.

“I thought he did a great job,” Matheny said. “His pitch count was exactly where we wanted it and he’ll be stronger the next time out.”

Developments

Hong-Chih Kuo released by Mariners: Less than two years after making the N.L. All-Star team with the Dodgers, left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo has been released by the Seattle Mariners. Signed to a $500,000 contract last month, Kuo had a 17.55 ERA in six spring training appearances.

Game Highlights

In Clearwater, Fla., Detroit third baseman Miguel Cabrera left a 4-3 loss to Philadelphia with a bloody face after a hard grounder from Hunter Pence hit him near the right eye. Cabrera was taken to a hospital to receive stitches and get precautionary X-rays. Before the game, the Phillies announced that second baseman Chase Utley left camp to see a specialist for his injured knees and he’s likely to start the season on the disabled list. … In Jupiter, Fla., Miami’s Anibal Sanchez gave up six runs and seven hits in just 22/3 innings as the Marlins fell to the Astros, 7-4. … In Fort Myers, Fla., Felix Doubront’s bid for a spot in Boston’s starting rotation took a hit when he allowed eight hits in 42/3 innings. The left-hander gave up two runs, struck out three and walked one in an 8-4 loss to the Twins.

Pitching on his 24th birthday, N.L. Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw allowed one run — his first this spring — and three singles over 51/3 innings as the Dodgers beat the Indians 4-3 in Goodyear, Ariz. … Norichika Aoki had three hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs as the Brewers beat the Rangers, 5-3 in Surprise, Ariz. … In Phoenix, Manny Ramirez hit a home run off the center-field batter’s eye, about 430 feet away, and Josh Reddick and Brandon Allen also went deep as the Athletics beat the Diamondbacks 6-5.

Seattle starter Jason Vargas was pounded for seven runs and eight hits while getting just two outs in a 12-7 loss to the Cubs in Peoria, Ariz. … Chris Sale pitched two-hit ball over six innings and struck out six as the Reds beat the White Sox 1-0 in Glendale, Ariz.

I’m always struck by a faintly queasy, caught-in-the-middle feeling when news breaks regarding an injury to a key player on a rival team. I certainly enjoy the advantage that the misfortune affords to my favorite team, but I find it hard to actually take joy in the fact that a player is hurting. I’m even torn about whether to root for the guy to effect a speedy recovery or to extend his rehab for a full season. Setting aside mixed feelings for the moment, though, there is not denying that the St. Louis Cardinals ace, Chris Carpenter, is a key piece in their hopes to return to the post-season in 2012. In many respects, the World Series championship that the Cards grabbed in 2011 can be attributed to Carpenter, who won four playoff games and lost none. There is also no denying that Carpenter’s bulging disc, which was revealed on March 12, could be a major boon to my Cincinnati Reds, who will seek to reclaim the National League Central division crown this season.

Carpenter had to leave Cardinals practice last week with a stiff neck, and there was little reason for concern at that point. Even though Carpenter will soon be 37 years old and threw 237 innings in 2011 before the post-season run, his recent track record suggested that he was prepared to be a workhorse, and an effective one, again this season. He has pitched 190 or more innings in each of the last three years and run up a 44-22 record during that span. Carpenter is a major reason that the Cardinals fight for a top spot every season.

Now, it appears that the Cards are ready and willing to move reliever Lance Lynn into the rotation in Carpenter’s absence. The fact that they are so eager to jump to that option makes me think that they have doubts about a speedy return for Carpenter and, obviously, that Lynn can carry the load of a starter. And who knows? Maybe Lynn will be a world-beater. Maybe he will make Cardinals fans forget about Carpenter, at least for a while.

As for me, I’m trying to balance visions of a summer without the Reds having to face Chris Carpenter with the hope that he can recover and resume his career quickly. It’s an ugly, age-old battle between the Reds fan in me, and the baseball purist.

Adam Hughes was raised, and still lives, in rural Indiana. He has been a Cincinnati Reds fan since the early 1980s, when gods like Dan Driessen and Cesar Cedeno roamed the ethereally green Riverfront turf. He thinks that Dusty Baker is the anti-Davey.

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VIERA, FL — Shelby Miller isn’t likely to break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals this spring. The 21-year-old pitching prospect gave a good indication, though, that he’s not that far away from being able to make an impact in the big leagues.

Overcoming the early jitters of his first spring training start, Miller allowed one run on two hits in two innings against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in a game stopped after nine innings with the score tied at 3.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was particularly impressed with the way Miller was able to mix up his pitches, instead of simply relying on an overpowering fastball.

“He’s just got good stuff,” Matheny said. “He’s starting to use his off-speed pitches a little better. He’s getting a feel of when to use them when he’s behind in the count. He’s maturing every time he gets out there.”

Jordan Zimmermann threw three scoreless innings in his spring training debut for the Nationals. He struck out three and gave up three hits.

Zimmermann has said he hopes to throw at least 200 innings this season after the club limited him to 161 1/3 in 2011 when he was a year removed from Tommy John surgery.

“I just wanted to locate the fastball,” Zimmermann said. “I had kind of a rough time today. I was all over the zone with it. But when I needed to make a pitch, I was able to make a pitch. That’s the main thing, locate the fastball and mix in a few off-speed (pitches) for the first time.”

Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn gave up a tying, two-run homer to Carlos Maldonado in the ninth.

Daniel Descalso homered for St. Louis.

Ian Desmond led off the game for Washington with a double and later scored on a single by Jason Michaels.

That first inning also produced a scare for St. Louis when Miller collided with Descalso, who was chasing a wind-blown popup from third base.

Miller said he felt pain in his calf, but insisted he would be all right. He retired the Nationals in order in the next inning.

Miller has been picked the Cardinals’ minor league pitcher of the year the past two seasons. While he is likely to start this season in Triple-A, he isn’t hiding the fact he’d like to make the jump to the big leagues at some point soon.

“I definitely feel closer than I have the past two years, just because I’ve thrown in the high minor leagues and succeeded,” he said. “I had a really good year last year and hopefully will get an opportunity to pitch in St. Louis this year.”

Being able to rely on more than just his fastball is not only something he learned facing Double-A hitters last season, it also could be the key to ramping up that big league timetable.

“It’s something that needs to be done for me to get to St. Louis, because it’s something that’s going to help me in the long run,” Miller said. “I’ve always loved throwing fastballs more in the past, but now I’m getting to love to throw my changeup and curveball more because it’s fun to watch the pitch move, and it’s fun to make the hitters look a little silly sometimes, if you can.”

VIERA, Fla. – Shelby Miller isn’t likely to break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals this spring. The 21-year-old pitching prospect gave a good indication, though, that he’s not that far away from being able to make an impact in the big leagues.

Overcoming the early jitters of his first spring training start, Miller allowed one run on two hits in two innings against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in a game stopped after nine innings with the score tied at 3.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was particularly impressed with the way Miller was able to mix up his pitches, instead of simply relying on an overpowering fastball.

“He’s just got good stuff,” Matheny said. “He’s starting to use his off-speed pitches a little better. He’s getting a feel of when to use them when he’s behind in the count. He’s maturing every time he gets out there.”

Jordan Zimmermann threw three scoreless innings in his spring training debut for the Nationals. He struck out three and gave up three hits.

Zimmermann has said he hopes to throw at least 200 innings this season after the club limited him to 161 1-3 in 2011 when he was a year removed from Tommy John surgery.

“I just wanted to locate the fastball,” Zimmermann said. “I had kind of a rough time today. I was all over the zone with it. But when I needed to make a pitch, I was able to make a pitch. That’s the main thing, locate the fastball and mix in a few off-speed (pitches) for the first time.”

Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn gave up a tying, two-run homer to Carlos Maldonado in the ninth.

Daniel Descalso homered for St. Louis.

Ian Desmond led off the game for Washington with a double and later scored on a single by Jason Michaels.

That first inning also produced a scare for St. Louis when Miller collided with Descalso, who was chasing a wind-blown popup from third base.

Miller said he felt pain in his calf, but insisted he would be all right. He retired the Nationals in order in the next inning.

Miller has been picked the Cardinals’ minor league pitcher of the year the past two seasons. While he is likely to start this season in Triple-A, he isn’t hiding the fact he’d like to make the jump to the big leagues at some point soon.

“I definitely feel closer than I have the past two years, just because I’ve thrown in the high minor leagues and succeeded,” he said. “I had a really good year last year and hopefully will get an opportunity to pitch in St. Louis this year.”

Being able to rely on more than just his fastball is not only something he learned facing Double-A hitters last season, it also could be the key to ramping up that big league timetable.

“It’s something that needs to be done for me to get to St. Louis, because it’s something that’s going to help me in the long run,” Miller said. “I’ve always loved throwing fastballs more in the past, but now I’m getting to love to throw my changeup and curveball more because it’s fun to watch the pitch move, and it’s fun to make the hitters look a little silly sometimes, if you can.”

NOTES: Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche had hoped to make his spring training debut Wednesday, but now it looks like Saturday at the earliest as he continues to work his way back from a slightly sprained left ankle. LaRoche played in a minor league game Wednesday, which gave him a chance to see some live pitching. … Jayson Werth’s strained forearm is not a concern and he is in the Nationals’ lineup for Thursday. … Matheny said reliever Fernando Salas would pitch Thursday against Boston. … Cardinals OF Adron Chambers’ pants were noticeably tighter Wednesday after former St. Louis star Willie McGee told the speedster the baggy pants he had on made him look less aerodynamic. “Willie told him that early in the day, and by the end of the day, he’s already got leotards on,” Matheny said. “That’s respect.”

VIERA, Fla. (AP) — Shelby Miller isn’t likely to break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals this spring. The 21-year-old pitching prospect gave a good indication, though, that he’s not that far away from being able to make an impact in the big leagues.

Overcoming the early jitters of his first spring training start, Miller allowed one run on two hits in two innings against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in a game stopped after nine innings with the score tied at 3.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was particularly impressed with the way Miller was able to mix up his pitches, instead of simply relying on an overpowering fastball.

“He’s just got good stuff,” Matheny said. “He’s starting to use his off-speed pitches a little better. He’s getting a feel of when to use them when he’s behind in the count. He’s maturing every time he gets out there.”

Jordan Zimmermann threw three scoreless innings in his spring training debut for the Nationals. He struck out three and gave up three hits.

Zimmermann has said he hopes to throw at least 200 innings this season after the club limited him to 161 1-3 in 2011 when he was a year removed from Tommy John surgery.

“I just wanted to locate the fastball,” Zimmermann said. “I had kind of a rough time today. I was all over the zone with it. But when I needed to make a pitch, I was able to make a pitch. That’s the main thing, locate the fastball and mix in a few off-speed (pitches) for the first time.”

Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn gave up a tying, two-run homer to Carlos Maldonado in the ninth.

Daniel Descalso homered for St. Louis.

Ian Desmond led off the game for Washington with a double and later scored on a single by Jason Michaels.

That first inning also produced a scare for St. Louis when Miller collided with Descalso, who was chasing a wind-blown popup from third base.

Miller said he felt pain in his calf, but insisted he would be all right. He retired the Nationals in order in the next inning.

Miller has been picked the Cardinals’ minor league pitcher of the year the past two seasons. While he is likely to start this season in Triple-A, he isn’t hiding the fact he’d like to make the jump to the big leagues at some point soon.

“I definitely feel closer than I have the past two years, just because I’ve thrown in the high minor leagues and succeeded,” he said. “I had a really good year last year and hopefully will get an opportunity to pitch in St. Louis this year.”

Being able to rely on more than just his fastball is not only something he learned facing Double-A hitters last season, it also could be the key to ramping up that big league timetable.

“It’s something that needs to be done for me to get to St. Louis, because it’s something that’s going to help me in the long run,” Miller said. “I’ve always loved throwing fastballs more in the past, but now I’m getting to love to throw my changeup and curveball more because it’s fun to watch the pitch move, and it’s fun to make the hitters look a little silly sometimes, if you can.”

NOTES: Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche had hoped to make his spring training debut Wednesday, but now it looks like Saturday at the earliest as he continues to work his way back from a slightly sprained left ankle. LaRoche played in a minor league game Wednesday, which gave him a chance to see some live pitching. … Jayson Werth’s strained forearm is not a concern and he is in the Nationals’ lineup for Thursday. … Matheny said reliever Fernando Salas would pitch Thursday against Boston. … Cardinals OF Adron Chambers’ pants were noticeably tighter Wednesday after former St. Louis star Willie McGee told the speedster the baggy pants he had on made him look less aerodynamic. “Willie told him that early in the day, and by the end of the day, he’s already got leotards on,” Matheny said. “That’s respect.”

VIERA, Fla. (AP)—Shelby Miller isn’t likely to break camp with the St.
Louis Cardinals this spring. The 21-year-old pitching prospect gave a good
indication, though, that he’s not that far away from being able to make an
impact in the big leagues.

Overcoming the early jitters of his first spring training start, Miller
allowed one run on two hits in two innings against the Washington Nationals on
Wednesday in a game stopped after nine innings with the score tied at 3.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny was particularly impressed with the way
Miller was able to mix up his pitches, instead of simply relying on an
overpowering fastball.

“He’s just got good stuff,” Matheny said. “He’s starting to use his
off-speed pitches a little better. He’s getting a feel of when to use them when
he’s behind in the count. He’s maturing every time he gets out there.”

Jordan Zimmermann threw three scoreless innings in his spring training debut
for the Nationals. He struck out three and gave up three hits.

Zimmermann has said he hopes to throw at least 200 innings this season after
the club limited him to 161 1-3 in 2011 when he was a year removed from Tommy
John surgery.

“I just wanted to locate the fastball,” Zimmermann said. “I had kind of a
rough time today. I was all over the zone with it. But when I needed to make a
pitch, I was able to make a pitch. That’s the main thing, locate the fastball
and mix in a few off-speed (pitches) for the first time.”

Cardinals reliever Lance Lynn gave up a tying, two-run homer to Carlos
Maldonado in the ninth.

Daniel Descalso homered for St. Louis.

Ian Desmond led off the game for Washington with a double and later scored
on a single by Jason Michaels.

That first inning also produced a scare for St. Louis when Miller collided
with Descalso, who was chasing a wind-blown popup from third base.

Miller said he felt pain in his calf, but insisted he would be all right. He
retired the Nationals in order in the next inning.

Miller has been picked the Cardinals’ minor league pitcher of the year the
past two seasons. While he is likely to start this season in Triple-A, he isn’t
hiding the fact he’d like to make the jump to the big leagues at some point
soon.

“I definitely feel closer than I have the past two years, just because I’ve
thrown in the high minor leagues and succeeded,” he said. “I had a really good
year last year and hopefully will get an opportunity to pitch in St. Louis this
year.”

Being able to rely on more than just his fastball is not only something he
learned facing Double-A hitters last season, it also could be the key to ramping
up that big league timetable.

“It’s something that needs to be done for me to get to St. Louis, because
it’s something that’s going to help me in the long run,” Miller said. “I’ve
always loved throwing fastballs more in the past, but now I’m getting to love to
throw my changeup and curveball more because it’s fun to watch the pitch move,
and it’s fun to make the hitters look a little silly sometimes, if you can.”

NOTES: Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche had hoped to make his spring training debut
Wednesday, but now it looks like Saturday at the earliest as he continues to
work his way back from a slightly sprained left ankle. LaRoche played in a minor
league game Wednesday, which gave him a chance to see some live pitching. …
Jayson Werth’s strained forearm is not a concern and he is in the Nationals’
lineup for Thursday. … Matheny said reliever Fernando Salas would pitch
Thursday against Boston. … Cardinals OF Adron Chambers’ pants were noticeably
tighter Wednesday after former St. Louis star Willie McGee told the speedster
the baggy pants he had on made him look less aerodynamic. “Willie told him that
early in the day, and by the end of the day, he’s already got leotards on,”
Matheny said. “That’s respect.”

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Lance Berkman thinks the St. Louis Cardinals will be just as dangerous this season without Albert Pujols in the lineup as they were with him batting third.

“If I play up to my ability they’re not going to notice much of a drop off,” Berkman said. “It’s just a matter of playing up to my ability.”

The 36-year-old Berkman will replace Pujols at first base in his second season in St. Louis, moving in from right field which now belongs to free agent acquisition Carlos Beltran.

Berkman had a revival while helping St. Louis win the World Series title. He hit .301 with 31 home runs, 94 RBIs and a .412 on-base percentage, his best season since 2008. He was seventh in the MVP voting, two spots behind Pujols.

Berkman played 145 games after hobbling through 122 games in 2010 following left knee surgery during spring training.

“You don’t realize what it’s like to try to get through a season and compete at this level when you’re not right,” manager Mike Matheny said. “You’re fighting an uphill battle the whole time.”

Beltran, who played with Berkman in 2004 in Houston, was not surprised to see Berkman regain his old form.

“Here’s a guy who’s had years like that in his past,” Beltran said. “But when you’re not healthy there’s a lot of things you’re not going to be able to accomplish out there.

“Last year he showed he was healthy and he’s the same player he was when he was in Houston.”

The biggest issue this spring is not his health but Berkman’s increased role in the absence of Pujols, who left St. Louis after 11 seasons to sign a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels.

Berkman could follow Pujols in another area. Not only is he returning to first base, he is a candidate to replace Pujols in the No. 3 spot in the order.

Berkman, Beltran and Matt Holliday are Matheny’s the options.

Yet, Berkman is not worried about replacing a man who has averaged more than 40 home runs and 120 RBI in his career.

“I don’t know that our lineup will be quite as explosive as it was last year because it’s hard to replace 40 home runs,” Berkman said. “But we’re still going to score runs, I think we still have a very strong lineup up and down, and our pitching staff is going to be better.

“I look for us to be extremely competitive. I don’t see any reason why we can’t compete for the title.”

Berkman was so comfortable in St. Louis after spending his entire career in Houston — with the exception of two months with the Yankees — that he re-signed with the Cardinals last September, in the middle of their remarkable run to the title.

After making $8 million in 2010, he received $12 million for this season. The importance of Berkman returning was magnified when Pujols left.

“There’re some smart people in our front office,” Matheny said. “That just wasn’t a chance thing. That was very calculated. You just never know how things are going to go in the offseason. It was a great move.”

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

JUPITER, Fla. — The St. Louis Cardinals made certain another big star did not get away.

Four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract Thursday that kicks in next season and will keep him in St. Louis through the 2017 season. The deal makes Molina, long known for his premier defence and with a much improved bat, the second-highest paid catcher in the majors.

“He’s the best catcher in the game,” teammate Carlos Beltran said. “When you have the best catcher in the game you have to sign him. It’s great for the organization, to keep a guy like that.”

Unlike Molina’s close friend Albert Pujols, who bolted for a 10-year, $240 million deal with Anaheim in December, the Cardinals stepped up before another of their cornerstone players entered the final year of his contract. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called Molina a “franchise-type player.”

“I don’t think there was added pressure,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “When you look at a core or elite type player, that’s how we view them.”

The total price tag could easily top $90 million over seven seasons with Molina due to make $7 million this year and a mutual, $15 million option for 2018. The deal trails only the Twins’ Joe Mauer (eight years, $184 million) among catchers.

Molina won his second World Series with St. Louis last fall and said, “I’m happy to be a Cardinal for 5-6 more years. I’m looking to like six more championships. This is a great organization.”

“I grew up here, I feel good here,” Molina said. “It was my first choice to stay here.”

Talks accelerated after Molina’s longtime agent, Melvin Roman, arrived at the team’s spring training site last week. Roman has represented the catcher since he signed his first contract with St. Louis in 2000, when Molina was a fourth-round pick.

“The whole process was very easy,” Roman said. “We worked very hard to get it done.”

The 29-year-old Molina is a lifetime Cardinal and one of the best defensively at any position, winning a platinum glove last season in voting by fans. He also is coming off the best offensive season of his career.

Molina batted .305 in 2011 with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs, and added 12 RBIs during the team’s World Series title run. He’s been durable, too, averaging 138 games the last three seasons.

Put it all together, and the body of work stood out for the Cardinals.

“He’s at the peak of his career and we’re just thrilled to have him,” DeWitt said. “He’s a premium player, plus he plays so much. We were both highly motivated to get this done.”

Both Mozeliak and DeWitt said it was more difficult to project what Molina might have made had he waited for free agency because defence is such a large part of the position. Mozeliak consulted new manager Mike Matheny, a former three-time Gold Glove catcher, several times and said Matheny’s response was that pursuing a long-term deal with Molina was a “no brainer.”

“When you think about traditional metrics today, it’s more offence-oriented,” Mozeliak said. “But when you factor in not only the hardware he’s received but also the intangibles that go into a position like catcher, when you talk to our pitchers they’re thrilled this was done.”

Matheny caught for St. Louis from 2000-04, leaving for free agency in 2005 after losing his job to Molina. He said Molina came to camp motivated and has set the tone for younger players.

The Cardinals had been saying since the start of spring training that they were hopeful of reaching a deal. Molina came to camp with a stance hardened by Pujols’ departure, and said the team would not get a hometown discount. He didn’t set a deadline for getting a deal done but was happy to have it out of the way before the season.

“I still think this is a business, but my idea was to stay here and my commitment was to stay here,” Molina said. “We had a pretty good idea we were going to leave the door open for them.”

The Cardinals had offered Pujols more than $200 million over 10 seasons, and have used those funds and more to build a contender without the three-time NL MVP. Beltran signed a two-year, $26 million free agent deal and shortstop Rafael Furcal re-signed, getting a two-year, $12 million contract.

St. Louis has payroll flexibility going forward, with contracts totalling more than $30 million for first baseman Lance Berkman and pitchers Kyle Lohse and Jake Westrbrook due to expire, and value Molina’s role with tutoring young pitchers. The team has a payroll of around $115 million heading into this season.

Molina is the youngest and most talented of three brothers to catch in the major leagues. His arm has been particularly deadly on pickoff picks at first base with Pujols, but he’ll need to develop teamwork with Berkman this season.

Molina has thrown out 44 per cent of basestealers for his career, better than Mauer’s 35 per cent, with 41 pickoffs. The opposition rarely runs on him, averaging just 56 attempts his seven full major league seasons.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – The St. Louis Cardinals made certain another big star did not get away.

Four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract Thursday that kicks in next season and will keep him in St. Louis through the 2017 season. The deal makes Molina, long known for his premier defense and with a much improved bat, the second-highest paid catcher in the majors.

“He’s the best catcher in the game,” teammate Carlos Beltran said. “When you have the best catcher in the game you have to sign him. It’s great for the organization, to keep a guy like that.”

Unlike Molina’s close friend Albert Pujols, who bolted for a 10-year, $240 million deal with Anaheim in December, the Cardinals stepped up before another of their cornerstone players entered the final year of his contract. Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called Molina a “franchise-type player.”

“I don’t think there was added pressure,” general manager John Mozeliak said. “When you look at a core or elite type player, that’s how we view them.”

The total price tag could easily top $90 million over seven seasons with Molina due to make $7 million this year and a mutual, $15 million option for 2018. The deal trails only the Twins’ Joe Mauer (eight years, $184 million) among catchers.

Molina won his second World Series with St. Louis last fall and said, “I’m happy to be a Cardinal for 5-6 more years. I’m looking to like six more championships. This is a great organization.”

“I grew up here, I feel good here,” Molina said. “It was my first choice to stay here.”

Talks accelerated after Molina’s longtime agent, Melvin Roman, arrived at the team’s spring training site last week. Roman has represented the catcher since he signed his first contract with St. Louis in 2000, when Molina was a fourth-round pick.

“The whole process was very easy,” Roman said. “We worked very hard to get it done.”

The 29-year-old Molina is a lifetime Cardinal and one of the best defensively at any position, winning a platinum glove last season in voting by fans. He also is coming off the best offensive season of his career.

Molina batted .305 in 2011 with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs, and added 12 RBIs during the team’s World Series title run. He’s been durable, too, averaging 138 games the last three seasons.

Put it all together, and the body of work stood out for the Cardinals.

“He’s at the peak of his career and we’re just thrilled to have him,” DeWitt said. “He’s a premium player, plus he plays so much. We were both highly motivated to get this done.”

Both Mozeliak and DeWitt said it was more difficult to project what Molina might have made had he waited for free agency because defense is such a large part of the position. Mozeliak consulted new manager Mike Matheny, a former three-time Gold Glove catcher, several times and said Matheny’s response was that pursuing a long-term deal with Molina was a “no brainer.”

“When you think about traditional metrics today, it’s more offense-oriented,” Mozeliak said. “But when you factor in not only the hardware he’s received but also the intangibles that go into a position like catcher, when you talk to our pitchers they’re thrilled this was done.”

Matheny caught for St. Louis from 2000-04, leaving for free agency in 2005 after losing his job to Molina. He said Molina came to camp motivated and has set the tone for younger players.

The Cardinals had been saying since the start of spring training that they were hopeful of reaching a deal. Molina came to camp with a stance hardened by Pujols’ departure, and said the team would not get a hometown discount. He didn’t set a deadline for getting a deal done but was happy to have it out of the way before the season.

“I still think this is a business, but my idea was to stay here and my commitment was to stay here,” Molina said. “We had a pretty good idea we were going to leave the door open for them.”

The Cardinals had offered Pujols more than $200 million over 10 seasons, and have used those funds and more to build a contender without the three-time NL MVP. Beltran signed a two-year, $26 million free agent deal and shortstop Rafael Furcal re-signed, getting a two-year, $12 million contract.

St. Louis has payroll flexibility going forward, with contracts totaling more than $30 million for first baseman Lance Berkman and pitchers Kyle Lohse and Jake Westrbrook due to expire, and value Molina’s role with tutoring young pitchers. The team has a payroll of around $115 million heading into this season.

Molina is the youngest and most talented of three brothers to catch in the major leagues. His arm has been particularly deadly on pickoff picks at first base with Pujols, but he’ll need to develop teamwork with Berkman this season.

Molina has thrown out 44 percent of basestealers for his career, better than Mauer’s 35 percent, with 41 pickoffs. The opposition rarely runs on him, averaging just 56 attempts his seven full major league seasons.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals have agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract with four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina that will keep him in St. Louis through the 2017 season.

The team announced the details Thursday, including a mutual, $15 million option for a sixth year.

General manager John Mozeliak said the Cardinals consider Molina to be the best catcher in baseball and team Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called him “a signature player, franchise-type player.” The contract makes Molina the second-highest paid catcher in the majors, trailing only the Twins’ Joe Mauer (eight years, $184 million).

“I grew up here, I feel good here,” Molina said. “It was my first choice to stay here.”

He won his second World Series with St. Louis last fall and said, “I’m happy to be a Cardinal for 5-6 more years. I’m looking to like six more championships. This is a great organization.”

Talks accelerated after Molina’s longtime agent, Melvin Roman, arrived at the team’s spring training site last week. Roman has represented the catcher since he signed his first contract with St. Louis in 2000, when Molina was a fourth-round pick. Both parties said it was easier dealing face to face.

“The whole process was very easy,” Roman said. “We worked very hard to get it done.”

The 29-year-old Molina is a lifetime Cardinal and one of the best defensively at any position, winning a platinum glove last season in voting by fans. He also is coming off the best offensive season of his career.

Molina batted .305 in 2011 with 14 home runs and 65 RBI, and added 12 RBI during the team’s World Series title run. He has been durable, too, averaging 138 games the past three seasons.

Put it all together, and the body of work stood out for the Cardinals.

“He’s at the peak of his career and we’re just thrilled to have him,” DeWitt said. “He’s a premium player, plus he plays so much. We were both highly motivated to get this done.”

New manager Mike Matheny was a three-time Gold Glove catcher for St. Louis from 2000-04, leaving for free agency in 2005 after losing his job to Molina. He said Molina came to camp motivated and has set the tone for younger players.

“I don’t think you can have any expectations higher than he has for himself,” Matheny said earlier in camp. “I can honestly say I’ve watched him quite a few years and I don’t think I’ve seen him work as hard. … I think certain players have the ability to push themselves beyond contracts, beyond recognition.”

The Cardinals had been saying since the start of spring training that they were hopeful of reaching a deal. Molina came to camp with a stance hardened by close friend Albert Pujols’ departure for a free-agent deal with the Angels, and said the team would not get a hometown discount.

Earlier in camp, Molina said Pujols was like a big brother to him, and that the failed negotiations in St. Louis definitely affected him. But he also has emphasized he’s happy in St. Louis, and that his absence from the team’s Winter Warmup fan festival and the team’s White House appearance were simply because he had other commitments.

The Cardinals had offered Pujols more than $200 million over 10 seasons, and have used those funds and more to build a contender without the three-time NL MVP. Outfielder Carlos Beltran signed a two-year, $26 million free agent deal and shortstop Rafael Furcal re-signed, getting a two-year, $12 million contract.

St. Louis has payroll flexibility going forward, with contracts totaling more than $30 million for first baseman Lance Berkman and pitchers Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook due to expire. The team has a payroll of around $115 million heading into this season.

Molina is the youngest and most talented of three brothers to catch in the major leagues. His arm has been particularly deadly on pickoff picks at first base with Pujols, but he’ll need to develop teamwork with Berkman this season.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — Postseason stars David Freese and Allen Craig will make slightly more than the major league minimum this season for the St. Louis Cardinals, who agreed to one-year contracts with 24 players.

Freese, the NL championship series and World Series MVP, will make $508,000, just $28,000 above the minimum of $480,000. If the 28-year-old third baseman from St. Louis County is optioned to the minors he’d make $249,600.

Craig also gets a split contract. He will make $495,000 in the majors and $248,400 if he is optioned. Craig, who hit three homers in the World Series last year, gives the Cardinals another option in the outfield but will miss at least the first month of the season while recovering from knee surgery.

St. Louis announced the deals Wednesday.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) – Postseason stars David Freese and Allen Craig will make slightly more than the major league minimum this season for the St. Louis Cardinals, who agreed to 1-year contracts with 24 players.

Freese, the NL championship series and World Series MVP, will make $508,000, just $28,000 above the minimum of $480,000. If the 28-year-old third baseman from St. Louis County is optioned to the minors he’d make $249,600.

Craig also gets a split contract. He will make $495,000 in the majors and $248,400 if he is optioned. Craig, who hit three homers in the World Series last year, gives the Cardinals another option in the outfield but will miss at least the first month of the season while recovering from knee surgery.

St. Louis announced the deals Wednesday.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

DECATUR — A piece of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2011 World Series victory made a stop in Decatur on Saturday, giving many in the area a chance to see it up close.

The U.S. Cellular store near Water Street and Pershing Road was host to the 2011 World Series Trophy the Cardinals won from the Texas Rangers last year in seven thrilling games, granting many red-clad visitors the chance to get their photo taken with it and to take advantage of special promotions at the store.

“U.S. Cellular is the main wireless carrier for the Cardinals, so this tour is designed to travel to U.S. Cellular retail stores and allow our wireless customers and the surrounding community to come by and take a picture,” said Roy Koonce, a Bloomington store manager for U.S. Cellular.

Among many standing in line out the door Saturday was Rob Porter of Assumption, a manager at Grain Systems Inc. who said he fondly remembers the Cardinals’ 2006 World Series win over the Detroit Tigers, when he sat in the stands for the final game.

He said he later visited St. Louis for a look at that trophy. Porter said right fielder Lance Berkman’s mighty bat made this past season memorable for him.

“I thought he really put us in there in the playoffs,” Porter said.

Scott Franklin of Mount Zion brought along his two sons and two of his neighbor’s children for a close look at the Cardinals’ prize. His son’s favorite player is outfielder Jon Jay. Franklin was in the stands at the pivotal Game 6 won by the Cardinals in extra innings, but for the Game 7 win he was at home. He and his young charges were proudly decked out in red while they waited to get to the head of the line.

“I think it was one of the best comebacks, both in the World Series and the end of the season, in baseball history,” Franklin said making the playoffs on the last day of the season before an improbable run to the title.

Koonce said the trophy made a long trip through Illinois, with Decatur its last stop before it heads out to Oklahoma to meet fans in that state.

“We’re really proud to be part of this,” Koonce said. “They’ve been traveling all year. The main goal is to reach all the regions that are impacted by the Cardinals.”

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