Renteria, Cards Ok Terms
Mike Eisenbath
Post-Dispatch
February 2, 2000
Hoping to secure a nucleus of talented young players for several years to come, the Cardinals have locked up shortstop Edgar Renteria as a key part of that plan.
"He is such a quality young player," general manager Walt Jocketty said, "we want to make sure he's a Cardinal for a long time."
On Tuesday, Renteria and the Cardinals agreed to a contract that guarantees him four years and includes club options for two more years. Financial terms weren't disclosed, but the deal probably will pay Renteria a total of nearly $ 20 million the next four years.
The Cardinals acquired Renteria, 24, about a year ago from the Florida Marlins in exchange for pitching prospects Armando Almanza and Braden Looper and minor-league shortstop Pablo Ozuna. He batted .275 with 11 homers, 63 runs batted in and 37 stolen bases in 1999. Renteria led the Cardinals in several categories, including games played, hits, doubles and stolen bases.
The Colombia native spent his first three major-league seasons with the Marlins and was a key member of their 1997 World Series championship run. He had the winning hit in the title-clinching victory over the Cleveland Indians.
Considered at one time as a candidate to be the Cardinals' leadoff hitter because of his ability to steal bases - a total of 110 the past three years - Renteria showed signs of being a quality RBI man last year. He also displayed steady improvement defensively, dazzling on occasion with far-ranging moves into the hole behind third base.
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