My definition basically boiled down to which seven players I thought had the best chance to help the team, whether via their own performance or via trade, during their professional baseball career. As you’ve said, other opinions might (and have, in others’ posts) differ.

C’est la vie…

You can also look at someone like Ludwick that started as a highly rated prospect and ended up labeled as a reserve type player due to injury and advancing age vs his ‘prospect’ status.

I think it was last year that the Yankees minor league player Tabata was one of the highest rated prospects since he was only 18 and had already made the Futures Game. Now this year he is deemed as having some personality issues and was traded away.

As far as Rasmus goes, I really think he will be with the club for a long time manning center field. He showed what he is capable of in Spring Training and he is only 22. He has both power and speed, something the Cardinals really need. Probably what he needs more than anything, besides a few years older, is some seasoning with the big league club and to see how guys like Pujols approach the game.

I do hope the Cardinals add an ‘impact player’ to the team, but what that means is the owners opening up the pocket books. If it means trading away prospects, then that makes no sense as the new policy is to build up the farm team. I understand Tony wanting to get the proven experienced guy and giving up a few youngsters that may never make it in the majors anyway is the price of doing business. Problem is you could just as easily give up an up and coming ‘impact player’ and get in return a broken down player in return.

I really think the Cardinals have a bright future ahead which is maybe two years from now. To me the key won’t be signing position players, except maybe an impact SS, but rather getting some more pitching. Carpenter and Wainwright really are the future right now for the Cardinals, which is why I think putting Carpenter in as the closer for one game a series is ludicrous. Just use this time to let Perez go out there and learn. It’s not like he isn’t used to blowing a game now and then since he has been a closer already, just at a different level.

Nice list, I’d have to think more about how I would rate them myself, but certainly I’d still have Rasmus on top.

Yeah, it’s been said that given Garcia’s mechanics, he was bound to run across arm troubles sooner or later, so maybe it’s best he get that thing rebuilt now and come back with lots of years to play.

Sarah, you’re not suggesting that Colby reminds you of a certain former Cardinal corner outfielder, are you?

It seems like Rasmus has become the big name for the club in terms of prospects (I think everybody had him at the or near the top of the list), but is he really as good as all the hype or are we destined for an injury-ridden, hit-and-miss disappointment? Please forgive my pessimism.

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