MM reports another team is in on Beltran:

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2013/11/6/5072420/carlos-beltran-mlb-free-agent-rumors

Beltran's overall numbers were very good, but he was streaky. At this point, I think the Cardinals are better served with the draft pick, although it wouldn't be a disaster if he came back for 1 year. I wouldn't give him multiple years though.

"Doing this allows you to either run Tavarez in CF, Beltran in RF, and Craig at 1B --or-- Beltran in CF, Craig in RF, and Adams at 1B while you develop Tavarez."

Everything I've read indicates Taveras isn't a centerfielder, and I can't see Beltran playing center anymore either, so we're probably looking at a scenario again where Jay is the primary centerfielder with Robinson seeing some playing time when the other team starts a lefty.
There are some free agent options like Ellsbury or Granderson who would be expensive and haven't shown a lot of durability. Coco Crisp might have been a cheaper alternative, but the A's picked up his option.
If the Cardinals want to be truly adventurous, Nyjer Morgan is coming off a .294/11/50 season in Japan. Anyone for T. Plush wearing Birds on the Bat?

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Doing this allows you to either run Tavarez in CF, Beltran in RF, and Craig at 1B --or-- Beltran in CF, Craig in RF, and Adams at 1B while you develop Tavarez."

Everything I've read indicates Taveras isn't a centerfielder, and I can't see Beltran playing center anymore either, so we're probably looking at a scenario again where Jay is the primary centerfielder with Robinson seeing some playing time when the other team starts a lefty.
There are some free agent options like Ellsbury or Granderson who would be expensive and haven't shown a lot of durability. Coco Crisp might have been a cheaper alternative, but the A's picked up his option.
If the Cardinals want to be truly adventurous, Nyjer Morgan is coming off a .294/11/50 season in Japan. Anyone for T. Plush wearing Birds on the Bat?

I think they have every intention of starting tavarez in cf, craig at rf and adams at first.  Adding a real cfer is interesting.  Could be the solution.  Keeps taveras in triple a or in the role of roaming outfielder.  Play him in lf, rf and dabble in cf when needed.  Keep him from being overexposed as well.  If they would set the team up in that manner and add a ss the lineup would be really nice.

Ellbury
Carp
Craig
Holliday
Molina
Adams
New short stop
Wong

Everyone seems in the right spots in that lineup.  Speed and obp at the top.  Carp would be a great second slot hitter imo.  Molina isnt asked to repeat his career year for the team to have success.  Adams isnt thrusted into the middle of the order and wong is deep enough in the lineup that he can hit .250 and not be demoted. 
 

"starting tavarez in cf"

I looked at Taveras' minor league stats and they indicate he's gotten most of his playing time in center, so I was either mistaken or I've been paying attention to the wrong sources. Probably the former. But he still lost almost the entire '13 season to injury, so it's not another Evan Longoria-esque situation where someone else was keeping a spot warm for him while he stayed in the minors for too long.
What happens in spring training will likely determine where he starts the '14 season, but I hope someone will urge the Cardinals to tread carefully here. The only ways a can't miss prospect can miss are injury or being rushed too soon. Let's not hope the latter happens because of the former.

tkihshbt wrote:

No, you're right; he's really not a center fielder. That's where he's played, but there's serious questions if he has the ability to hang there over a full season. 

 
This was the opinion before they even played him at center this year In memphis.  Idk if any of his injury issues were caused by playing a more demanding position.   If he can play the position well enough to spot start him in there i would Early in his career.  However with everything that has been said about him being weak at the position i dont see it as a smart move to make him the everyday cfer.  If he can get 350 to 400 ab spot starting and pinch hitting i like the idea of him being the fourth outfielder.  That is if there is an upgrade at cf.  Im done with jay. Also this would help with bench power.  They have to increase the level of bench players.  Having a 4 outfielder/1b rotation would help alot.

Last edited by APIAD (11/06/2013 8:11 pm)

Interesting and correct view point here

"With the No. 31 pick in the 2014 draft and a deep farm system, they won't have to worry much about losing a pick by signing a player who has been extended a qualifying offer; they'll also likely be able to replace any draft pick they might lose with the one they'll get if another team signs Beltran.) "

I have the normal offseason rose colored glasses on.  High hopes of the fo addressing ss and cf

artie_fufkin wrote:

All kinds of rumors about Tulo flying around. Lotsa money and lotsa years for a player who has missed lotsa games.
That's all I'm sayin' ...

I agree.  I am not a fan.  Plus they would have to give alot.  I am out on drew as well.  He isnt much more then eckein.  My current thinking is that jhonny peralta might come faitly reasonable.  I know he has ped baggage.  That might keep the cards away but that aside he would be a pretty good fit on a 2 year deal.  Then i would go big and try and land the best cfer possible via trade or fa.

And then the day got a whole lot better ...

http://www.foxsportsmidwest.com/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/story/Carlos-Beltran-declines-qualifying-offer?blockID=960653&feedID=3578

I agree with artie on his thohght of tulo.  I also agree with fors that trades should come from the excess.  Garcia, adams, kelly, lynn, jay, motte and feese should be shopped.  Not miller, martinez, wacha, rosenthal or tavarez.  Id rather carp be traded in a major deal then those 5.  Having to much pitching seems to work itself out. 

Hardy would have to be traded for right?

I let the groups judgement on jhonnys defense stand.  He is an al player.  I know little.

What is the opinion of the cardinals getting in on kemp or either rumors?

"Hardy would have to be traded for right?"

Yes. I think I read he's on the last year of a contract that pays him around $8 million. I think the plan is to move Machado to shortstop. He got hurt last year, so I don't know how that would impact a decision about trading Hardy.

"What is the opinion of the cardinals getting in on kemp or either rumors?"

I've not heard anything about either except the obvious notion Dodgers have four outfielders for three spots. I've never liked Kemp. He's always been whiny and his health is an issue now. Either would fit in well in the clubhouse, but I question whether he can play center full-time, and he does nothing to improve the Cardinals' lineup against left-handed pitching.
And if Either stayed at ASU for one or two more years, the Sun Devils certainly would have won at least one national title. So he's got that to answer for.


 

Idk tnat they are really 8 deep in the rotation.  I assume you are counting:
Wainwright
Wacha
Miller
Lynn
Garcia
Martinez
Kelly
Rosenthal

I see alot of ways you could make all those guys work.  First off only waiwright can be counted on for a full season workload.  Wacha, kelly, martinez and rosenthal have never pitch a full mlb season.  Lynn, imo, once again showed signs he is a first half pitcher in that hehad to battle much more in the second half of the season.  Garcia is coming off injury and was pretty flighty in year prior.  Imo there is room for most that allows the younger arms to mature in the pen while providing a backup plan for the rotation when shit hits the yearly fan

Wainwright
Wacha
Miller
Garcia
Lynn

MDL:  kelly
MDL: maness
LR:  choate
LR: siegrist
7th: martinez
8th: rosenthal/motte
9th: rosenthal/motte

That is a strong rotation and bullpen.  If they want offense they should sign a center fielder if a ss isnt available.  I dont want to see miller, martinez, wacha or rosenthal traded.  Garcia, lynn and kelly, in that order, i coukd deal with. 

My arguement against trading is that ur weaking a strong point to strengthening a a weak point.  True the roster get more balanced but does it really get better.  A few injuries happen, which always happens and tyler lyonns is back in the rotation.  The cardinals have the money to sign FA help at center and ss if they wish.  Even drew makes this team better in that regaurd because signing him doesnt subtract a strength.