David Eckstein wanted to stay with the Cardinals. For a while, the Cardinals wanted him to stay, too. Instead, though, the Cardinals ended up with Cesar Izturis at shortstop and Eckstein was exiled to Canada.
A productive and popular Cardinals player, Eckstein was an effective leadoff batter who earned a special spot in franchise lore when he won the World Series Most Valuable Player Award for his performance with the 2006 champions.
After the 2007 season, Eckstein became a free agent, though he hoped to remain with the Cardinals. His departure from St. Louis was an example of the consequences of poor communication and bad decision-making.
Motivated to find a shortstop in a limited market and uncertain of Eckstein’s intentions, the Cardinals 10 years ago turned to Izturis, a free agent, and signed him on Nov. 30, 2007.
With Izturis in the fold, Eckstein no longer fit the Cardinals’ plans and he accepted from the Toronto Blue Jays a less lucrative offer than what St. Louis first proposed.
Waiting game
After four seasons with the Angels, including a World Series title in 2002, Eckstein became a free agent and signed with St. Louis in December 2004. At 5 feet 6 and with the look of a schoolkid, Eckstein appeared to be the ultimate underdog and he won the hearts of Cardinals fans with his hustle and skill.
In 2005, Eckstein batted .294 with 90 runs scored for a Cardinals club that reached the National League Championship Series. The next year, he hit .292 for the 2006 NL champions. In the five-game World Series versus the Tigers, Eckstein batted .364, drove in four runs and scored three.
At spring training in 2007, the Cardinals approached Eckstein and offered him a three-year, $20 million contract, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Eckstein decided to discontinue contract talks until the season was completed.
It was a decision he would regret.
All talk, no action
Because of injuries, Eckstein was limited to 112 starts at shortstop in 2007. He committed a career-high 20 errors. The year before, he made six miscues.
Eckstein batted .309 for the 2007 Cardinals, but management was alarmed by his lapses on defense. With Eckstein turning 33 before the start of the 2008 season, the Cardinals became concerned about committing to him beyond a year or two.
After the 2007 season, Eckstein told the Post-Dispatch, “I instructed my agent to tell (the Cardinals) of my desire to stay. They knew of my desire.”
The message was delivered, but without details.
“It was never defined by either party what ‘staying in St. Louis’ looked like,” said Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak.
Said Eckstein: “I was not looking for anything specific. I was willing to look at anything.”
While the Cardinals waited for Eckstein to say what he wanted, Eckstein waited for the Cardinals to respond to his expressed desire to stay.
It was a communication breakdown.
As time ticked away, the Cardinals decided it was in their best interests to fill the shortstop spot before their options evaporated.
Playing the field
The Cardinals had trade discussions with the Astros regarding shortstop Miguel Tejada and with the Pirates regarding shortstop Jack Wilson, according to the Post-Dispatch, but nothing developed.
“When you look at the shortstop market, there are not a lot of options,” Mozeliak said.
Izturis emerged as the Cardinals’ top choice.
In 2001, at age 21, Izturis made his major-league debut with the Blue Jays. After the season, he was dealt to the Dodgers and developed into a premier shortstop for them. In 2003, he led NL shortstops in assists (481). The next year, he batted .288 with 193 hits, led NL shortstops in putouts (234) and earned a Gold Glove Award. Izturis was selected to the NL all-star team in 2005.
In July 2006, Izturis was traded by the Dodgers to the Cubs for pitcher Greg Maddux. He split the 2007 season with the Cubs and Pirates, batting .258, and then became a free agent.
The Cardinals signed Izturis to a one-year contract for $2.85 million with incentives. Izturis would turn 28 before the start of the 2008 season.
One-year rental
“He’s looking for a challenge,” Mozeliak said of Izturis. “We wanted somebody ready to take the challenge … One of the things we needed to address in support of pitching was our defense. I think we accomplished that.”
Media reaction to the Izturis signing was mixed.
_ Bernie Miklasz, Post-Dispatch columnist: “The Cardinals like his glove, but others say he’s slipped defensively.”
_Dan O’Neill, Post-Dispatch columnist: “Why do people get bent out of shape about the Cardinals’ signing of Cesar Izturis? It’s not like winning championships with a light-hitting, sharp-fielding shortstop is a foreign concept. For reference, see Dal Maxvill, 1967 and 1968.”
With the door closed to the Cardinals, Eckstein signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays for $4.5 million.
Izturis, a switch-hitter, batted .263 with 24 stolen bases for the 2008 Cardinals. He hit .304 against left-handers and .237 versus right-handers.
Izturis started 110 games at shortstop for the Cardinals _ Brendan Ryan and Aaron Miles also got playing time _ and ranked third among NL shortstops in fielding percentage at .980. Only the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins (.988) and the Astros’ Miguel Tejada (.983) did better.
After the 2008 season, Izturis became a free agent and signed with the Orioles for two years at $5 million.
The Cardinals went with Ryan, who was developed in their farm system, at shortstop in 2009.
Previously: Why David Eckstein was perfect fit for Cardinals
His fielding just collapsed in 2007, sealing his fate. Liked the guy, but there it is.
Amazing how fast he fell from World Series MVP to inadequate major-league fielder.
Ozzie spoiled me. I expect great defense from a Cardinals SS. The tradition is strength up the middle. You got that, you will win some games.
Agree. That said, I don’t think Paul DeJong is the answer for 2018 Cardinals on defense. He seems better-suited for third base.