12.07.2009 1:42 pm
Cardinals closing in on pitcher Brad Penny (updated)
By Derrick Goold
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

INDIANAPOLIS " The St. Louis Cardinals are close to finalizing a one-year contract with starting pitcher Brad Penny, and according to multiple baseball sources the completion of the deal could hinge on only a physical, which is pending.

Penny, last with the San Francisco Giants, turned down a one-year, incentive-laden deal with that club so that he could explore free agency. Several baseball sources have described the talks with the Cardinals as progressing toward an agreement on Monday afternoon. One person with knowledge of the negotiations described them as “still talking.” It was believed the smaller print on the agreement had not yet been finalized. A physical would have to be completed before the Cardinals announce a deal.

Specific terms of the deal were not yet known, though the person with knowledge of the deal said reaching all of the incentives would take it to around $9 million.

The fireballer had reportedly been receptive to a one-year deal, and he fits the profile of the pitcher the Cardinals have turned to in the past as a turnaround project.

A Cardinals official declined comment, referring all questions to GM John Mozeliak. The official did not refute that the Cardinals were engaging in discussions with Penny’s representatives.

Mozeliak is meeting with agents this afternoon at the hotel hosting the annual Winter Meetings here in Indianapolis. The Cardinals have expressed a wish to meet with Scott Boras sooner rather than later and have their place with free-agent Matt Holliday clarified.

Mozeliak has a meeting with the media scheduled later this evening.

In the past Mozeliak has said a veteran pitcher on a short-term deal would be appealing to the club.

He also said that the team had enough depth to take on a pitcher coming back from injury. It was believed the club would at least make inquiries into Ben Sheets. Penny was also acknowledged as a starter who fit several of the categories the Cardinals were interested in pursuing.

Penny signed a one-year, $5-million deal with Boston last year. He was released from the Red Sox. He finished the season with the Giants, going 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA. The 31-year-old Oklahoma native is one of the hardest throwing starters in the game.