ANAHEIM, Calif. -- With indications that the Boston Red Sox are aggressively closing in on a deal with free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria, the St. Louis Cardinals had scheduled a meeting with Renteria for Saturday that could double as a last-ditch effort, sources close to the talks have told SportsLine.com.
Though St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty has been working exhaustively on bringing Renteria back for most of the past week, a gloom had settled on the Cardinals' personnel regarding the situation Saturday morning.
"We're on the pessimistic side of the line," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "We've got a shot. I think, in the end, I don't think there have been too many times we have gone after a guy and had to pay market value. Right now, it looks like we won't get him."
La Russa said he has spoken with Renteria this offseason, though said over the past month the two have only exchanged messages.
"You get to certain points in your career, you become a free agent, your contract runs out ... this is an important time for him," la Russa said.
The Red Sox reportedly are offering Renteria a four-year deal worth close to $40 million. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Cardinals' last offer was $32 million over four years.
Sportsline
Though St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty has been working exhaustively on bringing Renteria back for most of the past week, a gloom had settled on the Cardinals' personnel regarding the situation Saturday morning.
"We're on the pessimistic side of the line," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said. "We've got a shot. I think, in the end, I don't think there have been too many times we have gone after a guy and had to pay market value. Right now, it looks like we won't get him."
La Russa said he has spoken with Renteria this offseason, though said over the past month the two have only exchanged messages.
"You get to certain points in your career, you become a free agent, your contract runs out ... this is an important time for him," la Russa said.
The Red Sox reportedly are offering Renteria a four-year deal worth close to $40 million. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Cardinals' last offer was $32 million over four years.
Sportsline
