Cardinals Talking To Renteria
Redbirds also trying to add frontline starting pitcher
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
November 10, 2004
ST. LOUIS -- Edgar Renteria officially became a free agent Friday, reaching the open market and becoming available to any team that might want to offer him a contract. That doesn't mean the Cardinals' All-Star shortstop is looking to hit the highway.
Between the Cards' long running season and this week's general managers' meetings in Florida, there hasn't been a lot of time for the team and its unofficial captain to talk business. The team's exclusive negotiating window is over, but negotiations are just beginning.
Renteria is the highest priority among the Cardinals' own free agents, but getting him signed goes hand-in-hand with adding a starter to the front of the St. Louis rotation. The native of Colombia has been happy and successful as a member of the Redbirds, and has expressed no desire to head elsewhere.
"During the season, [general manager Walt Jocketty] said that all things being equal, he thinks Edgar would like to stay in St. Louis," said Jeff Lane, Renteria's agent. "There's no doubt in my mind that Edgar does best when he is comfortable. He's gonna have some options to go elsewhere, but it's not a situation where he's gonna have to go to the highest bidder. It's gonna depend on what St. Louis can do."
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