Cardinals begin sorting out pitching staff for 2003

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- After falling three games short of the World Series, the St. Louis Cardinals have begun the process of renovating their pitching staff for 2003.

The opening gambit came Wednesday when the Cardinals chose not to exercise the $5.25 million option on reliever Dave Veres' contract. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Woody Williams and middle reliever Rick White filed for free agency.

Four other Cardinals pitchers are expected to file for free agency in the next two weeks, including starters Andy Benes, Jamey Wright and Chuck Finley. Lefthanded middle reliever Jeff Fassero is eligible for free agency if the Cardinals, as expected, decline an option on his contract.

The Cardinals later will announce a decision not to exercise the $6 million option on Benes' contract for 2003, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Instead, they will pay him a $1.5 million buyout before discussing a one-year, incentive-laden deal.

Cardinals management is involved in budget meetings in Jupiter, Fla. General partner Bill DeWitt Jr. already has projected payroll of $78-$79 million for 2003, an estimate that likely precludes the team from making major additions should it retain two of its free-agent starting pitchers.

The decision to decline Veres' option was a foregone conclusion; the club already has told Veres it would like to retain him but at a much lower salary. Veres received a $500,000 buyout.

General manager Walt Jocketty talked to Veres on Wednesday and told him they wanted to bring him back.

"They've got a lot on their plate right now," Veres said. "They have to make decisions about guys like Woody and Finley. I don't think it's gonna be a quick thing (regarding re-signing).

"I think everybody wants to find out what the market is first, but if everything can work out it would be my first choice to come back. I felt like that the whole year; nothing has changed in the last couple of weeks."

Veres' previous contract was negotiated as a closer. Last season he saved only four games after the Cardinals signed Jason Isringhausen to be the closer. Veres was 5-8 with a 3.48 ERA.

As far as going to another team to be a closer instead of a set-up man, Veres said that was not his top priority.

"At this point in my career, winning means a lot," Veres said. "What good is it to go somewhere and get 40 saves and not have much chance to win? I know if they can do what they want to do this team will have a big chance to win."

The Cardinals have only two holdover starters, Matt Morris and rookie Jason Simontacchi, under contract or control next season.

Jocketty has said it was possible the club could keep a rotation comprised of holdovers from this season. However, the club is believed unlikely to re-sign both Finley, who turns 40 next month, and Williams, who lost 13 weeks of last season to oblique muscle strains.

The Cardinals have much interest in Wright, acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in August but excluded from the postseason roster because of his performance and arm fatigue.

Garrett Stephenson apparently also remains in the club's plans after missing most of the past two seasons with injuries.