Catching up with the Cardinals’ off-season

So I’ve been biding my time, waiting, watching, allowing the news to come to me. As I’m sure my loyal readers know (all three of you), it’s been eerily quiet.

Let’s catch up with the goings on…

Cardinals need a Holliday

Ed. Note: My apologies to PHE contributor StLCards, who put this post up a few days ago, and I didn’t even realize it was here.  Please read below.

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Last week amidst all the Jake Peavy rumblings I came across a headline that basically indicated the Rockies were now ready to accept less for Holliday. I instantly started writing a post, but unfortunately by the end of a busy work day that post was left unfinished, so I will start anew.

Today I see many headlines indicating a few things, among them that Peavy is almost certainly going to be moved “The train has kind of left the station”, that Manny is still in play, that Cashman is pursuing pitching, that CC is still available, etc. The teams with the big money, ie Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, Angels, seem to be pursuing pitching. I’m not sure what the Red Sox are doing right now, although they seem to be pursuing pitching as well in Lowe and japan free agent Junichi Tazawa. What this says to me is, STRIKE NOW for Holliday!

The Rockies want to trade Holliday, Atkins, and Fuentes. That would actually make a nice trio to add if you think about, although the key is to for sure get Holliday. Holliday only has 1 year so we would need to make sure he really wants to stay a Cardinal and get him signed to a quick extension. He would provide an everyday left fielder (Duncan would strictly back up Pujols and be a pinch hitter), provide the much needed protection for Pujols, and would be a huge draw for fans. I’ve dreamed of the day when the Cardinals had a 1-2 punch like that.

Taking a look at the other two Fuentes needs no explanation. Atkins on the other hand, well, we move the versatile Glaus to SS and put Atkins at 3rd. We then sign Orlando Hudson to play 2nd, or how about forgetting infield speed althogether and signing veteran Jeff Kent? How about a lineup of Schumaker, Rasmus, Pujols, Holliday, Glaus, Molina, Kent, Pitcher, Atkins? Wow, do I ever like the sound of that. Kent isn’t an everyday player and Glaus could use some time off as well, so it gives lots of playing time for whichever MI are left. Ludwick and Ankiel and Duncan or whoever else could be traded away. That could be too much money but if they could get something along those lines I’d be very happy. We still have Lopez that can play a variety of positions so Atkins isn’t a requirement to get, and either a power hitting 2B or speed 2B could work. Lots of possibilities once we add Holliday.

UCB: Top 7 Prospects

I was asked to take part in a ‘United Cardinal Bloggers‘ project which tasked several of us Cardinal blog writers to list our top seven prospects in the organization.  That was the only instruction, there were no further restrictions.  As such, my list follows:

1.  OF Colby Rasmus - Obviously, any Cardinal prospect list has to start with Rasmus.  2008 was to be Colby’s first full year in triple-A ball, after a pretty impressive spring training with the big club.  Colby started slow at Memphis, as he’s prone to do when moving levels, and just before taking a place with Team USA in Beijing, Rasmus hurt his knee.  He rehabbed at the lower levels of the organization to finish off 2008.  Many are projecting Rasmus to be with the Cardinals in 2009, further complicating the outfield situation in St Louis.  Tony LaRussa’s recent rant about adding ‘impact players’ for next season has raised more speculation than ever that Rasmus may be dealt, but I don’t envision John Mozeliak making that move.  The Cards haven’t had such a highly touted youngster in my recent memory, and I just can’t see Mo shipping him away without just a ridiculous return in trade.

2.  3B(?) Brett Wallace - I really hope that the Cards give this guy a chance to stick at third base.  He’s been playing there for years, why is it all of a sudden incomprehensible that he could play third for many years going forward?  Yeah yeah, I know, Major League Baseball is a totally different game than college.  But figure that he played the hot corner at Arizona State with aluminum bats rapping baseballs his way, and he managed fine.  Anyway, soapbox aside, Wallace is a hitter.  Wherever he winds up fitting in on the field, the guy can rake.  He tore up pitchers in the Midwest League putting up .327/.418/.490 for Quad Cities.  He got a call to Springfield for their playoff push, and proceeded to do even better there at .367/.456/.653 in 49 at-bats.  Wallace could well be a defensive liability no matter where the Cardinals finally land him, but his bat should more than make up for that liability.  I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wallace start next season at Memphis, furthering the 3B logjam in the upper levels of the organization.

3.  C Bryan Anderson - Anderson has hit at every level he’s played.  His defense has always been his question mark.  A bit of a slump late in the season at Memphis dropped his average, but Anderson has been around .300 or better for his entire minor league career.  I give him a little extra boost for the purpose of this ranking, because Anderson right now is probably the Cards’ most marketable talent in the minor leagues, at a premium position nonetheless.  The Redbirds obviously have an entrenched incumbent at the catcher position in the big leagues, with Yadier Molina obviously having staked his claim, especially after a fantastic offensive campaign this year.  Would Yadi’s stranglehold on the position be weakened at all if LaRussa was no longer managing the club?  Doubtful, especially if he can continue to hit like he has in 2008, but it’s worth discussion.  I would love to see the Cards have Anderson apprentice a season as Molina’s backup before trading him, just to see what they really have in the kid - but I realize that if he were to struggle, his trade value drops.  Will be interesting to see if Anderson is still with the organization come spring.

4.  CL Chris Perez - Perez now has a few chinks in the armor, as he’s been roughed up recently.  His slider still needs work.  His control still needs work.  His fastball still gets up on hitters at 98 mph.  Given the opportunity, he will be a nasty closer for the Cardinals in 2009 and beyond.  I see Perez chiming in for 30+ saves for many seasons with the Birds.  Assuming that someone finally stops Dave Duncan’s reliever-to-starter conversion machine from taking over the world, envision a Kyle McClellan, Jason Motte, Perez back end of games for the next bunch of seasons.  I like the sound of that.

5.  OF Daryl Jones - Prior to this season, Jones surely would not have registered on a list like this.  Always a ‘tools guy’ who had never really put it together, Jones had a monster year between high-A Palm Beach and double-A Springfield.  This breakout season for Jones is helping to reinforce the organizational approach to the draft and minor leagues under the watch of Jeff Luhnow.  Drafting guys who are athletic and have a skill set that they hope can be coached into statistics hopefully will continue to pan out with guys like Jones and Pete Kozma (still holding out hope on that guy).

6.  SP Jaime Garcia - Tough break about Garcia’s elbow.  I have some growing concern about the prevalence of injuries to Cardinal pitcher arms, but that’s a topic for another time.  The ‘Tommy John Surgery’ procedure has come a long way, and it’s been said that a TJ can sometimes add velocity for a pitcher.  Again, not something you’d choose to go through just for that, but if it has to happen, might well look on the bright side of it?  Garcia was a leading candidate to pick up the fourth or fifth spot in the Cards rotation for next season.  He was probably rushed to the bigs this year as a necessity, but certainly could’ve been ready as a full-time guy next season.

7.  OF Jon Jay - Jay had a bit of a hiccup at the plate last season when he was promoted to Springfield, but impressed enough there this season to earn a call to Memphis where he showed even better.  The organization is seemingly deep at the outfield positions, so it should be interesting to see what happens personnel-wise in the next season or two - Mozeliak may be in a position to position-shift some of his better young talent.  Jay flashed more power this season than he had shown in previous seasons, perhaps at 23 growing his body into his talent.

Near misses:  3B David Freese, RP Jason Motte, SS Nico Vazquez

It sure is fun to be able to undertake a project like this and have something to write about.  I’m not sure I could’ve said the same a few years ago.  Thanks to C70 for the invite to take part in this gig, I look forward to future UCB projects.

Check out the other entries by following these links: C70 at the Bat, CardinalsGM, Future Redbirds, Get Up Baby, Mike On The Cards, The Redbird Blog, Redbird Ramblings, Rockin’ the Red, and Viva El Birdos.

John Mozeliak dishes the dirt

Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak conducted a live chat via STLToday.com on Wednesday (it was apparently the second such appearance he’s made over there).

I just saw it for the first time yesterday, and I have to say that I was surprised.  Not by the typical Cardinal organization ‘non-answer/generalizations’ like this one:

Jason Winders: Greetings, JM. After watching the Cardinals’ big league talent slide every year since the final out of the 2004 World Series, I gotta ask what it will be this off season: “Market gone crazy” or “Keeping our powder dry” for that trade deadline 2009 pickup?

Be straight with us, JM, we won’t hate you.

But the fans are growing tired of these lines. Why does the Cardinals front office/ownership refuse to play it straight with fans regarding everything from injures to trades? We’re suckers, we’ll still buy tickets.

John Mozeliak: My hope is that I am straight with all of you (but specifically YOU) now saying that I look at this off-season as an opportunity to build on this year, we will have a stronger rotation and and our outfield will have a full year of experience. I do think we need to look for more offense from the middle infield and also add left-handed to strengthen our pen.

But if I fail to deliever it was not from being straight or candid…it was from not getting a deal done.

Now, I’m not completely naive - I know that he surely can’t dish out the Cards’ blueprint for the off-season, but I thought the question about being dodgy with injury reports, etc was a valid one, even if the seeming non-response was expected.

All of that aside, lots of Mo’s responses caught my eye.  At the risk of duplication, here are a few:

Steve Earp: Mr. Mo, who can we expect to see showcased from our increasingly, majestic farm system come September? Will you offer Cards fans a taste of the future with Rasmus, Wallace, Anderson, D. Jones, Freese, Barden, Greene, et al? BTW, thanks for being disciplined at the deadline.

John Mozeliak: I have a meeting scheduled for Friday to determine who we think deserves the call-ups. I have laid out certian criteria that I feel needs to be met before we begin the promotion process. I do think we will benefit from the expanded rosters. At this point I will wait until everyone has had a chance to weigh in before making any public annoucement. Our young players have had a strong year and that is good news for Cardinal fans.

Not terribly shocking, but refreshing to know that Cardinal management is on the same page with a lot of fans.  They have forty slots available come September 1.  I would hope that we will see, at the very least: Colby Rasmus, Brian Barden, and Jason Motte.  This is not to mention the guys who have already flip-flopped this season like Nick Stavinoha, Mark Worrell, Mitchell Boggs, and Brendan Ryan.  Hell, we may even see guys like Kelvin Jimenez and Josh Phelps get some love.

This one is interesting for a couple of reasons:

BDAx2: Mr. Mozaliak,

Thank you for doing these chats..it obviously goes above and beyond your duties.

3 REALLY quick questions

1. Where do you realistically envision Colby Rasmus April 1, 2009?
2. Assume Carp and Waino healthy to start 2009, do you see a need to try and go outside the organization to add to the major league starting rotation in the offseason?
3. Do you see the SS position as a position where you are willing to accept below league average offense in exhcange for above league average defense?

John Mozeliak: 1. Rasmus will likely find himself competing for a major league job next spring, where he starts will be based on how he performs.
2. Looking at our ‘09 rotation of Carp, Waino, Wellemeyer, and Pineiro it would make sense to add another arm. I do like what we have seen from Boggs but I do not want to rush him if we do not have to.
3. I would prefer above average offense and above average defense…that is much more desirable.

I’m glad to see the response to the first question.  Rasmus should get a shot, and I suspect he’ll wind up on the roster as the team heads north next spring.  Answer two is kind of another ‘duh’ answer - “we’ll add a pitcher if we see fit” - thanks for the insight.  And number three was another ‘duh’.  Great Mo, Cards fans would love to see that too, except there are only about three of those playing professional baseball right now.  Ok, so maybe only one of those answers was interesting for a good reason.

Finally, this was the one that spurred me to write this post.  This answer speaks volumes, in this scribe’s humble opinion:

Steve: Have you announced who will be replacing Izzy on the roster yet??

John Mozeliak: We have not made a roster as of today and with the off tomorrow it will likely wait until Friday.
Izzy had a great career with the Cardinals, he cared and wanted to compete at a high level. It is a disappointing ending but if he decides to pitch again, I only wish him the best.

Jason Isringhausen *had* a great career with the Cardinals?  I’m not saying I disagree, or that I’m upset at the implication that statement makes, but *had*?  That’s a major league slip of the tongue at this stage of the season and shortly after his injury, don’t you think Mo?  Especially with your manager apparently stumping for Izzy to rehab and pitch again next season?  You’re wishing him the best *if* he decides to pitch again, and wishing him the best?  Sounds like Mo has turned the page…

I’m not saying that Mo is wrong.  I suspect the Cardinal chapter has ended for Izzy’s career, regardless of whether his career has ended or not.  But it strikes me as unorthodox to make that statement now, with the guy, one who had a lot better career wearing the Birds-on-the-Bat than most fans will remember, perhaps riding off into the sunset.  It’s important for Cardinals fans to remember the good Izzy, the one who was dominant from 2002-2005.  Not the injury-plagued struggle it was for Izzy to even pitch, much less succeed in the last two or three seasons.

One way or another, this organization is clearly poised to move on with young players coming up through the system.  The self-sustaining program is likely going to be a must for the Cardinal organization going forward, and they have a great start on it.  I think it’s important though, not to forget those who have gotten the franchise to such an elite status in the Major League Baseball annals.  Let’s celebrate the Izzy’s of this team’s last decade.

Cheers Izzy - I hope you do pitch again.

Q&A with Erik from Future Redbirds

With the trade deadline fast approaching, and every post I write seemingly spouting off about “why can’t we trade this minor-leaguer for an All-Star?”, I thought it appropriate to get some information from a better source.  Erik from Future Redbirds was gracious enough to take the time to answer some (admittedly) off-the-cuff questions about the state of the organization below the St Louis level and who could potentially be moved.

First, if you were an opposing GM, and taking organizational needs that most teams emphasize when making trades out of the equation, how would you rate the top 10-15 Cardinal prospects on a “tiered” basis?  Most discussion around trade rumors centers on Tier 1 prospects, Tier 2 prospects, and so on.  How do you see the top Cards’ prospects on that scale?

Good question.  The new draft picks won’t be on any GM’s list because they aren’t tradeable commodities yet, but if I were a GM I would put tier one as Colby Rasmus and probably Brett Wallace.  Tier two would be Chris Perez and Bryan Anderson.  Tier three would include Jaime Garcia, Clayton Mortensen, Jess Todd, Daryl Jones and Pete Kozma.  Lance Lynn probably would fit in that category as well.  Next would be Mitch Boggs, Jon Jay, Adam Ottavino, Joe Mather, Tyler Herron and Nico Vasquez.  Vasquez could be jumping tiers rather quickly based on his numbers.  I’d be rather curious to get a scouts’ view on him.

Much has been made of the Cardinals’ bullpen struggles of late. Assuming guys like Mitch Boggs, Jaime Garcia, and Mike Parisi are assumed to be starters in the organization, are there any internal options at reliever that are big-league ready in the organization? Should we expect to see Chris Perez back sooner than later? Is Mark Worrell still too unpolished to be counted on?

Chris Perez just needs to find his lost slider.  Once he does that, he would hands down be the best choice. Mark Worrell is someone who deserves more of a look but should only be brought in to face right-handed batters.  I think he has been overlooked, and with his funky delivery he would give batters something to think about.  One thing that I notice about the big league pen is that Springer, Izzy, Franklin, and McClellan are not vastly different than each other stuff wise.  They’re not exact copies, but they don’t really offer opponents a different look like a Perez (who is a flamethrower) or a Worrell (who is just plain funky) does.

Obviously Colby Rasmus is the “top dog” in the Cards organization and future plans, and trade talk surrounding him has been shouted down by the Cardinal management. Are there any other players that GM John Mozeliak should absolutely refuse to trade as the deadline approaches?

I don’t think anyone should be regarded untouchable after Colby.  For the right deal I think anyone is tradeable.  Anderson is the best chip they have right now, and he is just about certain to be traded at some point- either this month, this winter, or next July.  I think his value could be close to peaking right now.  I’d also offer up the conspiracy that he hasn’t been named to Team USA yet because he is going to be traded soon.

Can Jaime Garcia or Mitchell Boggs be counted on as a fifth starter for the Cardinals as the organization patiently waits for Adam Wainwright and/or Chris Carpenter to get healthy? It seems as if one of these guys may be counted on as a regular starter down the stretch.

Absolutely, I think both Garcia and Boggs have already shown they have the stuff to pitch in the big leagues.  I’d prefer Boggs, as Garcia probably needs more time in the minors.  Boggs is pretty much a one-dimensional hurler, but I think he can have some Jason Marquis-like value as a 5th starter.

The Cards have, for a few years now, put together a makeshift middle infield to begin the season. Is there relief on the way in the system? Can Pete Kozma and Nico Vasquez eventually provide answers at 2B and SS?

It’s a little too early to fully determine, but both certainly have big league upside or they wouldn’t have been drafted as high as they were.  I certainly am hoping to see it, as Vasquez represents a power bat at the keystone, and by all accounts Kozma should be able to reach the majors on the strength of his glove alone.  He may not be the bat they were hoping for out of the first round, but we can hope can get rid of that slappy swing of his.

With Ankiel, Ludwick, and Rasmus being touted as the Cardinal outfield of the near future – which of the many minor league outfielders that are nearing or at “major-league ready” do you think are most available and most attractive to other teams in a trade? It would seem that at least one or more of Chris Duncan, Skip Schumaker, Brian Barton, Joe Mather, Nick Stavinoha, and/or Shane Robinson would be plenty available for a trade around this year’s deadline.

There are a glut of outfielders, but I’m not certain any of them will fetch you much in a trade.  Obviously Barton and Duncan are not available because they are on the disabled list.  That makes Skip non-expendable for the moment.  Mather, Robinson and Stavinoha might not fetch a lot, but Mather has the most value of the three for his plus power.  Robinson has really struggled in AAA after hitting unconscious in AA, and Stavinoha doesn’t profile as more than a 4th OF because of his lack of patience and lack of power.  He has some power, just not what you’d like to see out of a corner OF.  He has one tool-hitting for average.  He’s like a big Aaron Miles in an outfield corner.  Looking at the recent past, Terry Evans, who is sorta similar to Mather, got the Cards Jeff Weaver.  Sean Danielson, who is similar to Robinson, got us Joel Pineiro.

What’s the best package you could put together from the Cards’ organization for Orioles reliever George Sherrill? Brian Fuentes? And one name that probably isn’t on the tip of every Cardinal fan right now – Mark Ellis?

I think Sherrill’s price is bound to be inflated because of the amount of saves he’s racked up, and the O’s reportedly are wanting starting pitching and a middle infielder.  Former 1st round pick Tyler Greene may interest them, but I think it would also take Jaime Garcia to get it done and I don’t know if the Cardinals would be willing to do that.  As for the others, I’d just forget Fuentes.  O’Dowd’s asking prices are completely insane–I’m sure he’d demand Colby and more.  Not happening.  As for Ellis, I’m not sure what he offers that Jarrett Hoffpauir couldn’t do at a cheaper rate.  I’d sooner call up KC and find out what it would take to get the ageless Grudz back.  They should’ve met his contract demands in the first place.

If you were John Mozeliak and had to make one deal to better the big-league club this season, but not mortgage the future of the organization in any way – what would that trade be?

I’d see if I couldn’t talk Baltimore into taking Greene and Anthony Reyes for Sherrill, but that would be a stretch and I’m sure a little lopsided.  If they were OK with Greene but didn’t like Reyes, maybe they’d like Herron or Ottavino instead.  I dunno. I’m not sure I like how this trade deadline is working out for Mozeliak, I certainly don’t envy him right now.

Finally, shock Cardinal Nation. Make a wild prediction of a deal that will be made – prospects or not – that no one who follows the Cardinals will be expecting.

OK, but this is totally random: Huston Street and Alan Embree for Bryan Anderson, Jess Todd, Joe Mather and Tommy Pham.

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I tried to piggy-back a final question onto the list just as Erik was answering these.  That question was about whether Bryan Anderson really had a future with the Cardinals, given that Yadier Molina is firmly entrenched at catcher with the big club.  I quickly found out that he had already answered that question pretty definitively above, expecting Anderson to move sooner than later.

I hope this provides some good insight into the farm system and its impact on the trading deadline - I know I learned a lot from Erik’s much-appreciated time.

If you want to learn more and keep up with the youngsters, please visit Future Redbirds, they have lots of good information over there.

Thanks again Erik!

Mozeliak has to make a move

Now, before everyone attacks me about this being a rebuilding year and the Cards shouldn’t be giving up propects for rentals, don’t sell the farm, they’re in this position because Walt Jocketty mortgaged the future for now, etc., please listen.

It doesn’t have to be a big move.  I’m not talking about shipping out Colby Rasmus anywhere.

What concerns me though, is that I sense a palpable difference in the way the Milwaukee Brewers have approached these last two games, and the way the Cards have played.  When the Brewers were down early in both games, they never seemed to sweat it, they seemed confident that if they played their games, they would win.  Ultimately, that’s exactly what happened.  As evidenced by the CC Sabathia and Ray Durham moves (hell, they even signed Jay Gibbons) and even in the words of Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin, the Brewers are playing to win, and win now.  The Cardinals on the other hand, had their current mindset summed up in Kyle Lohse’s performance last night.  Lohse seemed to have enough left in the tank when he trotted back out to pitch the eighth, but it was probably a situation best left to a lights-out setup/closer combo.  Problem is, Tony doesn’t trust his bullpen.  The Cards are now playing not to lose.

Sure, LaRussa went on a tirade post-game about how the bullpen didn’t lose the game, the offense has sputtered, they can’t expect to win while scoring only three runs - and while he may be right about the offense needing more pop (how about some hits beyond the third inning, fellas?) - he couldn’t be more wrong about the bullpen.  Of course, he can’t say it, because their already fragile mental states don’t need to be run down by their manager too, but the bullpen cost them the last two games.  This one in more grandiose style than Monday’s.  Not only did Kyle McClellan physically blow the game, but you could reasonably blame the bullpen for losing the game based on LaRussa not being confident in using them in the eighth inning.

So the Brewers have made some moves that have loosened up their clubhouse, and improved their team.  The Cubs have made a move to improve their team - but they are the Cubs, so have managed to turtle up and lose four out of five since the All-Star Break.  Meanwhile, the Cardinals are waiting for Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright to return - which would be a huge boost in and of itself - but I don’t think it’s the complete answer.

It seems as if the trade market so far this season is a bit weak - teams asking for a lot in return, settling for what is ultimately the best deal available.  In those terms, it shouldn’t be hard to get someone who can make a difference for this team down the stretch.

Now, I do think Cards management and fans should give up on the Matt Holliday’s, Brian Fuentes’, and Jason Bay’s.  The capital investment to get any of those guys is going to be just too high.  But there are plenty of “Tier 2″ guys available that can help this team, and now.

The Pirates are supposedly high on Chris Duncan and Anthony Reyes.  This should be John Mozeliak’s wildest dream come true.  Sure, you’re probably still selling low - but why not package Duncan, Reyes, and say, Brendan Ryan for either Damaso Marte or John Grabow and Jack Wilson?  Bullpen help and upgrade the middle infield for three guys who are ultimately replaceable parts in the long-term organizational plans.

I floated the Jarrod Washburn and Arthur Rhodes idea on Monday (admittedly behind the times on that one, Viva El Birdos gets credit for the Washburn part there).

The Cardinals have recently made well-known their interest in George Sherrill.  I saw Sherrill pitch earlier this season, and I have to say he impressed me.  He has nasty stuff, and could close to boot.  This is another situation where I wonder if the Cards have the capital (that they’re willing to trade) to make a deal here.  According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cards had scouts watching the O’s Tuesday night, but Baltimore is looking for a close to ML-ready shortstop or outfielder for Sherrill.  The Cards aren’t going to deal Rasmus for him, Duncan is likely not on the O’s radar, and if the Cardinals had a close to ML-ready shortstop, he’d already be in St Louis.  Would someone like Jon Jay be enough to get it done?  Joe Mather?  Maybe Shane Robinson-plus?  Sherrill might fall under that “too pricey” tag, but I’d sure be excited to see him in a Cards uni.

You’ll notice I’m focusing on bullpen help, and primarily left-handers at that.  I still think that a big arm or two in the bullpen would be enough to keep this team in contention.  That’s why I think the Cards are sitting in a great position to make a deal - you don’t have to give up a lot (in theory) to massively improve your team here.  Carpenter and/or Wainwright’s return(s) will have an impact as well.  We could see any one of Braden Looper, Todd Wellemeyer, or Joel Pineiro back in the bullpen this season.  Looper has history as a closer, and could well be the answer there.  Any of them moving back to the bullpen would allow optioning Kelvin Jimenez who, despite a couple decent performances, still doesn’t strike me as a Major League reliever.  Mitchell Boggs could go back for more seasoning.  Ron Villone could go back to LOOGY work, instead of having to go multiple innings.  They could reduce some of the massive innings that McClellan has pitched in his rookie season.

Get Carp and Waino healthy (health is really the key there, PLEASE do not rush them back if they are not ready), allowing a bullpen reinforcement from your own rotation.  Get yourself a solid left-handed option in the bullpen to complement Villone and get Randy Flores out of the picture.  You might even be able to shore up the middle infield in the process.  Whatever it is, just do something.  Make this team believe that they can win in late innings.  Make them believe that you’re not sacrificing them for next year’s team.  But don’t give up the farm.

Sound easy enough?  Make it so, Mo.

An Open Letter to Jon Heyman

SI.com’s Jon Heyman, who wrote that the Pirates would seek high return to trade Jason Bay, continues to insist that the Cardinals are willing to trade Colby Rasmus.

His persistence is somewhat amusing since Rasmus’ availability has been repeatedly refuted and flat out denied, including two published reports from Devan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that indicated the Pirates have not talked to the Cardinals about Bay, Rasmus, or even Xavier Nady - even saying in the first linked article:

One national report linked Nady and Bay to the Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals, but sources on all three fronts, including the Pirates, yesterday debunked that.

And in the second?  Kovacevic adds:

Before this one grows any legs beyond one national report, [ed. note - Kovacevic is staring at YOU, Mr Heyman] the Pirates are not in discussions with St. Louis regarding outfielder Colby Rasmus, one of the top prospects in all of baseball. The reason, as they and other teams have been told by the Cardinals: Rasmus is untouchable.

So both teams involved in the rumor flat denied it.  Interesting.

The Pirates and other teams are being told that Rasmus is untouchable.  Fascinating.

That would seem to fit with Cardinal owner Bill DeWitt’s comments to Joe Strauss of the St Louis Post-Dispatch in the linked article above:

P-D: Is there a chance that Rasmus could play his first major-league game in another uniform?

BDJ: I don’t anticipate that. No.

So we’ve now got two teams supposedly involved in these “Rasmus is available” talks denying any rumor, we’ve got the owner of the Cardinals saying Rasmus won’t be going anywhere, not to mention the overwheming evidence that Bay isn’t worth anywhere near Rasmus straight-up.

I think you’re fishing here, Jon Heyman, and I’m calling you on it.  Stop with the nonsense.  Are you trying to create your “I told you so” moment?  Is this some kind of “scoop” you’ve dreamt up?

Obviously, I’ll have egg on my face and come back here praising your journalistic abilities if the Cards inexplicably ship Rasmus in a deadline deal, but I don’t forsee that being necessary.

The only possible reason I could see for trading Rasmus at this point would be a meddling father (read toward the bottom of the comments).

As for you Mr Heyman, please stick to reporting what you know, not what you’re guessing (and whiffing) at.


Filed Under Bill DeWitt, Colby Rasmus, Non-Cardinals

2 Comments | Posted on July 19, 2008 by PHE | Subscribe!

Late to the Bonds party

So, it appears that I’ve missed the boat on this one.  Half the Cardinal blogosphere is calling for Barry Bonds to be signed.

Kujo over at Rockin the Red was the first one I saw, then Scott Wuerz from the Belleville News-Democrat put a bit on his blog View From the Cheap Seats, InsideSTL.com jumped on the wagon, there is a fanpost at Viva El Birdos on the subject, rampant discussion on the fan forums at STLToday.com, and finally even Bernie Miklasz from the Post-Dispatch jumped into the fray.

There seems to be a lot of waffling going on in all of those discussions, lots of “should-we or shouldn’t-we” back and forth, plenty of doubt.  Unfortunately, I’m probably not going to be much different.

There is no denying the presence Bonds still carries at the plate.  One need only look at his statistics from last year to know that they guy can still hit (when he’s pitched to).  Heck, he even hits lefties relatively well.

Bonds would come at a price otherwise unfathomable for a player of his stature.  His agent has made that clear:

The outfielder, who turns 44 on July 24, has been offered by Borris to all 30 teams for a prorated share of the $390,000 minimum.

Borris said Bonds even would play for free — offering to donate whatever salary he receives to purchase tickets for children.

That rate sure sounds a lot better than the Colby Rasmus for Jason Bay rumors that have been flying around (that have since been debunked).  So what’s the problem, then?

You’ll hear a lot of “problems” depending on who you ask.  There are of course the self-righteous steroid haters, which I agree with Bernie on.  If that’s your reason for not wanting Bonds, you are choosing a really high moral horse to sit on.  Very high.  I still hold a small place in my heart that wants to believe Mark McGwire never juiced, and his 70 home runs should still carry more weight than Bonds’ 73.  That in itself makes it very difficult for me to hold Bonds in a different light based on steroid use (or the assmuption that he did).

There are those skeptical that he could meaningfully contribute this season.  After all, he’ll be 44 in a week and a half.  According to his agent, Barry has continued to work out and can be ready to play in seven-to-ten days.  Doesn’t sound like a concern to me.  Sure, he’s got bad old knees and will be a handicap in the outfield, but so is Chris Duncan and he keeps getting run out there.

Finally, there’s the fact that he seems like a jerk (I say seems, because I don’t know Barry, but where there’s smoke…).  This is my biggest complaint against the guy, and one I don’t think Bernie touches on enough while calling out hypocritical Cards fans.  Again, I agree with the steroid issue - hard for any Card fan who roots for Troy Glaus and Rick Ankiel on a daily basis to look at Bonds with scorn for that reason.  But, the reason why I am skeptical and (at least for the time being) opposed to a Bonds signing is because the guy seems to be a grade A jerk.  His pity-parties for himself with the media, his entourage that must be on the team’s payroll to accompany him to games, his attitude of seeming scorn and despise toward the Hall of Fame and baseball’s record books, et al.  I could go on and on, but I’ll save you the time and let you form your own opinion of what kind of person you think Bonds is.

Ultimately, yeah, Tony LaRussa and his staff could probably reign the guy in.  I’m sure it would be clear to Barry to tread lightly in the clubhouse, and certainly avoid stepping on the toes of one Albert Pujols.  But what evidence do we have that he can change his childish behavior just like that?  None, that I’ve seen.  Rather than just keeping their mouths shut and waiting for the right time and team to come along and finally bite the bullet in signing the guy, they’re running their mouths about collusion (not necessarily incorrectly, mind you, but make your filings and keep out of the news about it!).  They might be able to make a case for - and actually possibly win - collusion against Major League Baseball owners, but don’t you think it’s possible that of 30 teams there are simply 30 different combinations of good reasons why NOT to sign Barry Bonds?  If ten teams each use steroids, jerk, and diminished ability as their reasons for not wanting to sign him, does that necessarily make it collusion?

Truth be told, I’m still on the fence about this one.  I have long maintained that, hypocritical as it may be in some instances and comparisons, Bonds is just a jerk that I wouldn’t want around MY clubhouse.  The Cards management and players might have a different opinion, but if I were in that locker room every day, I wouldn’t want him there too.  LaRussa has openly campaigned for Bonds prior to this season, and we may see that happen again, as a perceived “rift” is supposedly developing between his desire to get after it this season, and John Mozeliak’s attempts to protect his farm system.  This signing would seemingly be the peacemaker in that situation, resolving both issues baseball-wise.

But I say again, can he change his personality to fit in with the team?  We saw last year what can happen when there is bickering and a lot of me-first attitudes on a team.  The Scott Rolen-LaRussa feud should assume a big portion of the blame for last season’s outcome, at least in my opinion.

So sign Barry Bonds if you like - but I think I would be doing everything in my power (or allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement) to curtail his extra-curricular stuff.  No personal doctors or trainers allowed in the clubhouse.  No special treatment on the road.  You will conduct yourself with a certain manner when addressing the media.

Hypocritical?  Sure, maybe.  Trying to keep together and happy a clubhouse full of guys who are loving playing ball right now and seem happy doing it?  That’s my biggest concern…

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