Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009

Cards decide it's time to cut Thompson loose

Organization also makes changes in minor league staffs

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday released pitcher Brad Thompson and announced the organization's minor-league coaching and training staffs for the 2010 season.

Thompson, who was arbitration-eligible, was 2-6 with a 4.84 ERA in 32 games this season, including eight starts. The 27-year-old right-hander was 21-17 with a 4.36 ERA in 185 career games with the Cardinals, 32 as a starter.

Infielder Jarrett Hoffpauir, who batted .250 (3-for-12) in eight games as a rookie this season, was placed on waiver and claimed by Toronto.

Twelve Cardinals coaches will change positions in 2010, with four managers staying in place in Memphis, Springfield, Johnson City and the Gulf Coast League. Six affiliates will have new pitching coaches.

"We are excited about our minor-league staff for the upcoming season, as they will help us continue to build on the progress we have made in recent years," said Jeff Luhnow, vice president of scouting and player development. "Our minor-league staff has a unique balance of experience, knowledge and work ethic and will work closely with the coaches in St. Louis to help produce as many future impact Cardinals players as possible."

Derek Lilliquist will serve as the pitching coach at Memphis (Class AAA) in his eighth year in the Cardinals organization. Lilliquist spent the last two seasons as the Jupiter complex pitching coordinator where he helped in the rehabilitation of pitchers Chris Carpenter, Jaime Garcia and Mike Parisi.

Dennis Martinez was moved from Palm Beach (high Class A) to Springfield (Class AA), two years following his transition from the Gulf Coast League (Rookie) to Palm Beach in 2008.

The last two Cardinals Minor League Pitchers of the Year in 2008 (Jess Todd) and 2009 (Lance Lynn), both started their seasons with Martinez in Palm Beach.

Johnny Rodriguez was promoted from hitting coach in Johnson City (Rookie) to the managerial position at Quad Cities (low Class A). He will be flanked by pitching coach Tim Leveque, who has moved up the organizational ladder each year beginning in Johnson City in 2008 and Batavia in 2009.

Dann Bilardello takes over as manager in Batavia (high Class A) after serving as the minor-league catching coordinator for the past three seasons. Bilardello previously served as manager in the Red Sox and Dodgers farm systems from 2002 to 2005. Bilardello's pitching coach will be Ace Adams, who was in Quad Cities in 2009.

Carlyle High graduate and former Cardinals reliever Bryan Eversgerd and Ramon Ortiz have received new assignments, with Eversgerd taking over as pitching coach in Palm Beach and Ortiz, the hitting coach duties in Johnson City.

Chris Maloney, Ron "Pop" Warner, Mike Shildt and Steve Turco return to their same managerial positions from 2009. Mark Budaska, Derrick May, and Jeff Albert will do the same as hitting coaches. Doug White becomes the only incumbent pitching coach with his 2009 affiliation.