Looking over this list I just pasted together I am unimpressed.  What has been nice is that the issues the Cardinals have at second and third have opened up playing time for Craig, Jay and Descalo.  If Punto and Freese come back playing time will get even more crowded.  I dont see a better option over what they have on the list other then Wright and Reyes. 

Theriot is hitting well right now and I dont think the team see him as a future problem.  Other then Greene being the backup I dont think upgrading at SS is even on the clubs or TLR's mind.  Pushing Theriot to second would be helpfull but that positioin is held by another on of TLR boys. 

Second base is an issue but if they see Craig as the future there I would think they would want to stick with him.  They wont give up on Skip completely and if Punto comes back he adds depth.

I also think the club sees thirdbase as less of a problem then I do.  Are they still depending on Freese to come back from injury?  It will be interesting to see how well Carpenter can play.  I think this postion needs addressed more then the other infield position but I am not impressed by anything on the above list other then Wright who is out of the clubs price range.  Delscao has been good with the glove and had timely hits but I am worried the new will wear off. 

A starting pitcher would be usefull.  Of the guys on the list Jeremy Guthrie would be best but the team would have to give alot up for him.  Erik Bedard interest me.  If he they could get some innings out of him he could add alot to the team.  He can get some groundballs and still strike batters out.  He likely would cost them very little.  Of course Mccellan would have to go back to the pen and I dont know if the team will allow that.

Last edited by APRTW (6/05/2011 9:46 am)

tkihshbt wrote:

With the Mariners very much in pursuit of the AL West, I don't think Bedard is going anywhere.

As bad as that team is hitting I doubt it last long.

artie_fufkin wrote:

Mark Reynolds? Please.

I take it you are joking? 

I thought it funny that they list the Cardinald as being interested in Reynolds and not Blake.  I would have went the other way on that.  200 is a magic number for Reynolds.  It is his batting average and the amount of times he strikes out a year.  Neither are very good at fielding but Reynolds is even wors then Blake.

Right now I'm not sure how active the Cardinals might be at the deadline. As TK has said, this team very much has Larussa's fingerprints on it. Even at the spots where a potential upgrade is easy to see (2B/SS/3B), I don't see TLR bumping anyone. The possible exception being if Freese isn't healthy at the deadline.

Duncan has been telling us for years that McClellan has "starter's stuff." I doubt he gets bumped from the rotation.

I'm not suggesting more of an upgrade isn't warranted, but I still think that as of right now, about the only move they might make is for a better LOOGY

Max wrote:

not only isn't bedard going anywhere, the mariners look to be buyers, and the little bit i pick up about them through osmosis is that they have the resources to make major acquisitions.

I am not saying they will move Bedard but the Mariners are not for real.  They will fade fast.  They are currently last in the majors with a team batting average of .228.  They are second to last in SLG and OBP.  They are 5th in team ERA.  If they plan on staying in the race they need some hitters.

APRTW wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

Mark Reynolds? Please.

I take it you are joking? 

I thought it funny that they list the Cardinald as being interested in Reynolds and not Blake.  I would have went the other way on that.  200 is a magic number for Reynolds.  It is his batting average and the amount of times he strikes out a year.  Neither are very good at fielding but Reynolds is even wors then Blake.

I mean please as in "puh-lease." I'll even take Mr. Close-and-Late platooning with the other Carpenter over Reynolds. Reynolds isn't a completely hopeless fielder. The strikeouts are just too much.

APRTW wrote:

Max wrote:

I think it is their plan to add some hitters.

Wouldnt they have to trade some pitching to get hitters or are they giving them away now?

Not if they have anything stocked up in their minor league system. 

Wow, as Cardinals fans have we really become THAT accustomed to having absolutely nothing of value in our farm system that we forget this is how midseason trades usually come off?

APRTW wrote:

Max wrote:

APRTW wrote:

Wouldnt they have to trade some pitching to get hitters or are they giving them away now?

Not if they have anything stocked up in their minor league system. 

Wow, as Cardinals fans have we really become THAT accustomed to having absolutely nothing of value in our farm system that we forget this is how midseason trades usually come off?

I dont know what they have in their minor but assume there is nobody who can hit or he wouldnt be there.

that's a reasonable assumption, unless he is too far away.  then too, maybe they have some pitchers.  i don't know.

Looking at the names making trade headlines that could help the Cards:

Danny Herrera (brewers) DFA - lefty reliever.

Izzy might be trade bait.  He is doing suprsingly well.  A 3 ERA in 23 innings with 20 SO / 10 BB.  I figure he will end up playing for Walt. 

Jeff Keppinger could help built infield depth that the team currently lacks.

I think if the Cardinals are even thinking about Health Bell they should stop.  Chad Qualls is having a great year after having a crappy 2010.  He has closed out games before and is also a good setup man.  He would likely cost the team alot less.

Last edited by APRTW (6/17/2011 11:21 pm)

But the Mariners were within 2 or 3 just within the last week or so, if i am not mistaken.  I wouldn't count them out as buyers just yet.  Maybe not for rentals, but if something good comes along, the word is they have the will and the bucks to improve.

Max wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

With the Mariners very much in pursuit of the AL West, I don't think Bedard is going anywhere.

hey, we can agree on that!  you beat me to it. 

not only isn't bedard going anywhere, the mariners look to be buyers, and the little bit i pick up about them through osmosis is that they have the resources to make major acquisitions.   wilson is available because brendan ryan has captured their imagination.  his .262 BA currently leads the team!  (ironic that both ichiro and pujols began the season WAY below their standard of consistent excellence).  that the mariners are in contention, given the state of their offense, leads to the conclusion that they will be looking to add offense in a big, big way over the next 7 weeks. 

another thing with that list is that i dispute our "biggest area of need (SP, Middle infield, Third base)".  i think that the team is in good shape this year because institutional depth and a few lucky choices have left larussa with tons of options each time a problem has come up.  but i still suspect that the area they will focus on will be the bullpen, and maybe someone who can play 3B and SS and provide a bit of power off the bench.  a closer or LOOGY, and/or a younger miguel tejada type of player.

one other possibility involves backup catcher.  may 22 was laird's last game, and it was also the day molina got 4 hits and reached his peak BA of .333.  it's possible that the team will see the slide in his BA and try to find help there.

. . . but i doubt it.  Basically, the Cards are in enviable shape, in first place, with lots of gas in the tank.  resting guys who would have to play if we were in a chase.  I see Moz sitting back and seeing how things develop.

I think if you read the links I posted you will find that you were over confident in that statement.  Not only are the the Mariners still sucking at scoring runs but one link calls Bedard there biggest trading chip and he is on the DL.  What does that say about the team that you claimed to have "resources to make major acquisitions"?

Mariners are still

*last in AVG
*last in runs
*last in hits
*second to last in RBIs

If the Mariners are smart, they should be in full blown seller mode.  7 1/2 back, 5 games under .500.  They aren't catching the Rangers or the Angels.

WTF happened to Chone Figgins?  .183 with a .231 OBP???  How is that possible?