Gammons might not have been talking out of his ass when he mentioned that the Cardinals were interested in Norris and Harrell. Strauss is mentioning that the Cardinals have a problem with racking up innings. So maybe I'm wrong about setting up for a bigger trade.

FWIW, Strauss and John Maracek were laughing at anyone who thinks Porcello isn't an upgrade.

tkihshbt wrote:

FWIW, Strauss and John Maracek were laughing at anyone who thinks Porcello isn't an upgrade.

Good for them. Porcello hasn't proven to be anything yet but a serviceable fifth starter. As AP indicated, Lynn isn't exactly the second coming of Sandy Koufax, but he's already had more wins in a season than Porcello and Norris. You can say Norris' win-loss record suffered because he played on a Double AA team last year, but Porcello was on a team that went to the World Series.
 

"1) Why Lynn is being pushed ahead of Miller without Miller getting a fair chance, as least according to Miller advocates . . . because they plan to trade Lynn and don't want the other team to demand Miller."

Well, Lynn did win 18 games last season and make the All-Star team, so in that sense Lynn has probably done more to earn a spot than Miller.

Having said that, I have absolutely no problem if they decide to move Lynn in a deal that makes sense.  And I'd shop him as a "cost-controlled 18 game winner who just made the All-Star team."  But I'm not shopping Lynn for Rick Porcello.  Porcello isn't an upgrade and he's due $5.1M this season.

Quite frankly, seeing that Porcello is due $5.1M this year, I can't imagine a scenario in which the Cardinals would take on that salary.  Unless Detroit is so desparate to be rid of Porcello that they'll pick up a decent sized chunk of it and, if that's the case, what does that say about Porcello.

artie_fufkin wrote:

"1) Why Lynn is being pushed ahead of Miller without Miller getting a fair chance, as least according to Miller advocates"

Lynn is in the rotation, Max. The battle for the fifth spot is between Miller and Kelly. If there's anything fishy going on about that competition, it's that they'll give it to Kelly so they can squeeze more time out of Miller before he's eligible for arbitration and free agency. I don't know if that's a factor because they brought up Miller last season, but there might be an exemption for September callups.

Sorry, brain freeze.  I meant Kelly.  I haven't been well lately.

I agree with the thoughts here that the Cardinals don't need Porcello, Norris or Harrell. Porcello is Joe Kelly with a bigger price tag. If the Cardinals gave Kelly a full season in the rotation he would probably produce identical numbers. They throw hard sinkers, strike out nobody and give up too many walks. I can't think of anything more redundant than trading for Porcello. 

Here's the Strauss thoughts this morning:

@JoeStrauss Cards checking out Porcello.

@drewsilv Why? RT 
‏
@JoeStrauss Why not?

@JoeStrauss Love the reflexive reaction by many that the Cardinals couldn't possibly entertain an upgrade in rotation. They aren't the '71 Orioles yet.

Joe Strauss No comment @drewsilv: @JoeStrauss Shelby Miller is better. Joe Kelly probably is too.

Joe Strauss ‏@JoeStrauss Give the BFIB credit: Once fed a narrative they ain't letting go.

Joe Strauss ‏@JoeStrauss Give the BFIB credit: Once fed a narrative they ain't letting go.

John Marecek @JoeStrauss And would help the innings issue they have that, which is as big an issue as this SS thing, but not an April issue so overlooked

Joe Strauss ‏@JoeStrauss 6h@JohnMarecek Your third-level thinking will get you in trouble, sir. #StickToNarrative

John Marecek ‏@JohnMarecek

@JoeStrauss My bad. I forgot none of these unproven kids will have career beginnings like Porcello. Destination Cooperstown

Joe Strauss ‏@JoeStrauss 6h

@JohnMarecek Yep. There are 4 guys at Memphis, Springfield who'd win 18 this year if Mo'd just give them chance. Signed, the #HPGF.

John Marecek ‏@JohnMarecek

@JoeStrauss One thing I miss about the job, the full board of complaints I'd receive for going on the air and saying trade the unprovens.

Curt Quinn ‏@quinnsft34 6h

@JohnMarecek @JoeStrauss not against trading unproven for proven. Who on the list of candidates is proven? Porcello, Harrell, Norris...

John Marecek ‏@JohnMarecek 6h

@quinnsft34 @JoeStrauss I'll take Rick, possible 200 inning guy this year, middle of the rotation guy. Need innings badly.

forsberg_us wrote:

"1) Why Lynn is being pushed ahead of Miller without Miller getting a fair chance, as least according to Miller advocates . . . because they plan to trade Lynn and don't want the other team to demand Miller."

Well, Lynn did win 18 games last season and make the All-Star team, so in that sense Lynn has probably done more to earn a spot than Miller.

Having said that, I have absolutely no problem if they decide to move Lynn in a deal that makes sense.  And I'd shop him as a "cost-controlled 18 game winner who just made the All-Star team."  But I'm not shopping Lynn for Rick Porcello.  Porcello isn't an upgrade and he's due $5.1M this season.

Quite frankly, seeing that Porcello is due $5.1M this year, I can't imagine a scenario in which the Cardinals would take on that salary.  Unless Detroit is so desparate to be rid of Porcello that they'll pick up a decent sized chunk of it and, if that's the case, what does that say about Porcello.

why would the cards deal pitching for pitching.  They dont need more pitching.  That is their surpluse.