Shuffling shortstops

Four days after watching shortstop Edgar Renteria sign with Boston as a free agent, the St. Louis Cardinals 19 years ago today sign David Eckstein, the free agent shortstop from the Anaheim Angels.

No worries for the Angels, though, as three weeks later they sign free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera, formerly of the Red Sox, who already replace him by signing Renteria, whom St. Louis then replaces with Eckstein.

Edgar Renteria

Renteria lasts only one season with the Red Sox, who a year later flip him to Atlanta for corner infielder Andy Marte.

Marte is a Red Sox in name only as Boston regifts him seven weeks later to Cleveland in a seven-player, January 2006 trade that sends outfielder Coco Crisp to Boston.

Cabrera enjoys three seasons in Anaheim, where he hits .281 over 449 games and earns a Gold Glove for his work in 2007.

Eckstein does even better in his three seasons for St. Louis, batting .297 over 398 games with two All-Star Game selections and – most important – earning the 2007 World Series MVP award after the Cardinals beat Detroit in five games.

Orlando Cabrera