Max wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

Beltran doesn't play center field anymore. He's no longer a good defender. Too many injuries.

Could be, but here's another person's opinion.

"Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports: “Those close to Beltran say his knees feel as good as they have in years and that he is capable of playing center field.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_0e9b024a-b39c-11e0-8c72-0019bb30f31a.html#ixzz1Snoib63n"

Geez, a guy who's going to be a free agent claiming he's capable of turning back the clock. Go figure. I'm surprised "those close to Beltran" didn't also say his knees feel good enough to chase down a cheetah.

artie_fufkin wrote:

Max wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

Beltran doesn't play center field anymore. He's no longer a good defender. Too many injuries.

Could be, but here's another person's opinion.

"Tim Brown, Yahoo! Sports: “Those close to Beltran say his knees feel as good as they have in years and that he is capable of playing center field.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_0e9b024a-b39c-11e0-8c72-0019bb30f31a.html#ixzz1Snoib63n"

Geez, a guy who's going to be a free agent claiming he's capable of turning back the clock. Go figure. I'm surprised "those close to Beltran" didn't also say his knees feel good enough to chase down a cheetah.

I dont think any team will sign Beltran with the idea that he is going to play center for the duration of the contract.  I do think a team could take the risk of adding Beltran and playing him in center for the next two months.  The Cardinals have an outfielder playing second, a second baseman playing SS and a first baseman playing RF.  They have also played a first baseman at third, a guy who had played very little short at the position and a catcher at second.  I dont think it should be to hard for a Cardinals fan to see a team putting Beltran in center.  Unless of course your therory is that only the Cardinals are stupid enough to put player in out of position in order to beef up the lineup.

Buster Olney is reporting the Beltran deal is down to 5 teams--Phillies, Braves, Giants, Red Sox, Rangers.

Borowsky offers the best option.  Why doesnt the PD hire him fulltime?

QUESTION: Of all the starting pitchers that you have heard are possibly on the trade block, which is most appealing to you at a price that you believe could be appealing to the Cardinals?

JOE STRAUSS

The Cardinals maintain they are more willing to add payroll than subtract talent. They would prefer to sacrifice second-tier prospects than anyone off their 25-man roster or untouchable young pitchers Shelby Miller or Carlos Martinez. If they are indeed willing to assume money both this year and beyond, the Houston Astros are dangling Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers. Rodriguez is working on a fourth straight sub-4.00 ERA. Myers has been bad. It’s doubtful whether the Cardiinals wish to tie themselves to significant dollars beyond this season.

Atlanta’s Derek Lowe would be a perfect fit; however, it’s questionable whether the Cardinals can put together a convincing enough package of players for Lowe while adhering to their desire not to move top-line prospects. The Braves do seek relief help, and one wonders whether an arm such as Mitchell Boggs, who has been assigned a secondary role here, could provoke interest. Trades between contenders are rare.

The Chicago White Sox’ Edwin Jackson could become a path of least resistence.

DERRICK GOOLD

No-brainer: Big Game James. Not only is Tampa Bay righty James Shields a proven workhorse who has succeeded in the brutal AL East– I mean, just imagine for a second what he could do in a mediocre NL division – and he may have one of the most palatable contracts out there for a player that would be moved. Shields has three years remaining on his current contract, and only once in those three seasons is he set to make more than $10 million in salary. Oh, and all three years are team options. Shields is set to make $7 million in 2012, $9 million in 2013 and $12 million in 2014.

The web site FanGraphs helps illustrate player value by translating player production into salary. Since 2007, Shields’ ability to handle innings and crank out quality starts has made him worth more than $15 million in four of the previous five seasons. That already includes this season, where his production puts him worthy of a $15.4 million salary – and counting. Shields is a game-changer for any team that could lure him out of Tampa Bay, and not just for 2011 but for being one of the best bargain big-game pitchers in baseball. No contest.

RICK HUMMEL

I still think the Cardinals’ biggest need  is a shutdown closer. I believe their rotation is less a problem than the bullpen.

But, there are two pitchers everyone is after. Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez, 27, is being paid $2.8 million this season and is owed $4.2 million in 2012. He has a $5.75 million club option for 2013 and an $8 million club option for 2014 that can be voided if he’s traded.

Tampa Bay’s James Shields, making $4.25 million this year, has club options each of the next three seasons valued at a combined $28 million.

Shields isn’t likely to be dealt and the Cardinals probably don’t have enough to get Jimenez.

JEFF GORDON

Wandy Rodriguez would be the guy to get, but the Astros would want Shelby Miller. If the team could somehow get Rodriguez without giving up either Miller or Carlos Martinez, that would create a stellar rotation. But for a host of reasons such a deal seems like a pipe dream, but maybe Brett Myers could come at the right price. Myers has transformed himself from a power pitcher to more of a ground ball pitcher. The Cards have been impressed by his makeover.

LARRY BOROWSKY (Founder of Viva El Birdos and editor of “Maple Street Press Cardinals Annual†)

I’ll give you two:

1. Hideki Kuroda (Dodgers). Very consistent pitch-to-contacter with excellent control. The bankrupt Dodgers probably would be so happy to shed the $4 million remaining on his 2011 contract that they won’t demand premium talent in return. Kuroda’s ERA has fallen between 3.13 and 3.76 in each of his four MLB seasons, and his FIP has ranged from 3.26 to 3.78 – he’s very, very reliable. He has earned a “quality start† in 12 of his 19 outings this year and pitched into the 7th inning in 9 of them.

2. Chris Capuano (Mets). I’ve been beating this drum for a while. Capuano has 10 quality starts in 18 outings, and he’s pitched into the 7th inning five times. Since May 1 (his last 14 starts) he has a 3.60 ERA and a 3:1 K/BB ratio. His incentive clauses are about to kick in, and the Mets (another financially troubled team) would like to be off the hook for them. So I wouldn’t expect Capuano to cost too much talent.

Raz to the White Sox? ...

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinal-beat/article_27d76ebc-b60b-11e0-aa51-001a4bcf6878.html

APRTW wrote:

Red Sox send Mariners to 14th straight loss

They are last in their division 14.5 games out.  Are you ready to admitt that they are not buyers yet, Max. 

With the Brewers loosing last night the Cardinals move into a tie with them for first.

Well, realize that when this all began they were 2.5 games out of first.  So, I think that their playoff hopes have dimmed.

But as the article I posted a week or so ago mentioned, that doesn't mean they might not buy if a deal presents itself.  But at least as important, they don't have much to sell, leastways not like Cliff Lee last year.  Their big budget guys are either immovable, like Chone Figgins, or else aren't going anywhere, like Ichiro.  If they do move a guy like Figgins, it will be because they pay his salary.  At that point we can debate whether they are buyers or sellers, and I would argue it's the former.

tkihshbt wrote:

For Jackson and Thornton? That would be ridiculous.

I want them to target Kuroda, Lowe, Capuano or Wandy.

It would be an ironic shame if we had to deal anything of value for Capuano at this point.

I thought Wandy has a contract that would make him an unworkable fit.  How would they pay Wandy and resign Pujols?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/01/astros-wandy-rodriguez-agree-to-long-term-deal.html

Brain dump by Jeff Gordon:

"Gordo" makes the logical conclusion that with Strauss's report on negotiations between the White Sox and Cards, that Rasmus is clearly in play, and therefore, not being known for his mental toughness, Rasmus should be traded.

He also has an interesting--and relevant--take on how this could help the infield: "The Skip Schumaker Factor looms in this equation. He hit .299 last month and .346 this month. He is hitting .281 overall this season and he is a .290 career hitter. If Rasmus exits, Schumaker would offer center field protection for Jon Jay. And by playing more innings in the outfield, Schumaker would allow the Cards to give more work to superior fielders Nick Punto and Daniel Descalso. Allen Craig’s imminent return also offers outfield protection.

The only thing he hasn't figured out is how to get anything of lasting value for Rasmus, and that presumably is where the "third team" comes in.



http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_37b6e6b4-b6c9-11e0-8efa-0019bb30f31a.html

Last edited by Max (7/25/2011 1:45 pm)

Whom to believe?!?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/cardinals-shopping-rasmus-widely.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ycn-8841927

SERIOUSLY?! He's got to be kidding! Trade Pujols for Izzy?

Last edited by Webstergrovesalum (7/26/2011 4:18 pm)

Gomes is gone ...

... to Warshington for two minor leaguers.

Alonso up to play left field.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/nationals-acquire-jonny-gomes.html

"I guess Pujols hasn't helped himself with poor performances this year."

He's cost himself some options.
Trading Pujols also makes sense from the perspective that the Cards can move Berkman to first and then go with an outfield of Holliday, Jay, Rasmus and Craig once he returns.
But we're going to be hearing a lot of far-fetched rumors between now and Sunday. I suspect dealing Pujols is one of them.