The Cardinals as sellers

[kah]

Different people face disappointment in different ways. Some refuse to accept defeat--"We'll trade for Jason Bay and a lefty relief pitcher!". Some fly into rage--"#@(@%TW(#(!!% Isringhausen!". And some, like me, give up.




Let's say you accept that no team that HAS A 10-4 LEAD IN THE EIGHTH INNING AGAINST THE GODDAM PIRATES AND STILL MANAGES TO LOSE is going to make the playoffs, either as NL Central champs or as the wild card. Let's say you realize that with Mulder taken out to be euthanized, Wainwright not coming back until it's too late, Carpenter not coming back in 2008 (who are they kidding?) and NOT A SINGLE FUCKING PITCHER WE CAN COUNT ON IN THE BULLPEN, NOT A GODDAMN ONE, that this team will probably finish, oh, .500 at best.

You sell, right? You chalk 2008 up as indeed the rebuilding year everybody thought it would be in March, and sell. So who do you sell?


*Kyle Lohse. There has to be a team out there that would give us something decent for a pitcher who's checking into the All-Star Break with an 11-2 record and a 3.39 ERA.

*Russ Springer. Hey, he's got a 2.24 ERA and is striking out nearly a batter an inning.

*Ryan Ludwick. Two words: sell high.

*Rick Ankiel. This is 007's idea.

*Skip Schumaker. Surely the eventual promotion of Colby Rasmus will make him expendable.



Well? And don't say any of our minor-league prospects. Sellers want more developing talent, not less.

[007]

Chris Perez and Ryan Ludwick bear thought with Perez getting more thought to getting moved...

And Ankiel? I'm tabling him to get moved till the offseason...think it works better, much like drew's deal to ATL so many moons ago...

[kah]

We could get something for Ludwick. Dude has 20 HR at the break, just made his first all-star team, and can play any outfield position although you probably don't want to stick him in center too much.

[kah]

And I'd definitely start shopping Lohse. At this stage there's no reason not to. And what pitcher that people are talking about being on the market would fetch more than Lohse?

[007]

We could get something for Ludwick. Dude has 20 HR at the break, just made his first all-star team, and can play any outfield position although you probably don't want to stick him in center too much.

They definitely could get "something" for him...but what? Don't think the line would be long of teams willing to part with anything beyond B-level prospects in return...

[Bleacher Creature]

We could get something for Ludwick. Dude has 20 HR at the break, just made his first all-star team, and can play any outfield position although you probably don't want to stick him in center too much.

My only hesitation at giving him up, is that he's the only righthanded bat in the outfield.

[kah]

They definitely could get "something" for him...but what? Don't think the line would be long of teams willing to part with anything beyond B-level prospects in return...

Okey doke. Maybe one of those B-level prospects would turn into an A-level prospect. Do it, Mo!

[007]

And I'd definitely start shopping Lohse. At this stage there's no reason not to. And what pitcher that people are talking about being on the market would fetch more than Lohse?

A.J. Burnett (should he opt out), CC Sabathia (should he not sign an extension), and Ben Sheets (same) ...

[WinstonSmith]

Lohse would have gain something.

Isn't there something in his contract whereas the Cardinals have to pay him more if he's traded? I swear I remember that.

But, he has to get a good prospect if he can be dealt.

[WinstonSmith]

A.J. Burnett (should he opt out), CC Sabathia (should he not sign an extension), and Ben Sheets (same) ...

Of those three, only one would be moved before the deadline.

[007]

Of those three, only one would be moved before the deadline.

I read his response as free agent market, not trade...

[007]

Lohse would have gain something.

Isn't there something in his contract whereas the Cardinals have to pay him more if he's traded? I swear I remember that.

But, he has to get a good prospect if he can be dealt.

$500K if dealt...

[WinstonSmith]

Not terrible.

I think you have to move the guy if this keeps going south -- or, really, if it doesn't go north -- in the next week or so.

[Razzy]

Unless they have ruined the value of Reyes completely, I'd like to see the Cardinals trade him.

Hell, I'd like to see them trade him no matter what. It drives me nuts seeing him languishing in the minors when he pitched decently (not great) out of the 'pen earlier this year and they dont give him any chances that they give to these other fuckups.

[007]

Some poster at Cards Talk (yes, yes: I know) stated that with Eric Byrnes possibly being out the remainder of 08 w/ a hamstring tear, the radio home of the 'Backs (KTAR) reported that the club checked on the availability of Ankiel that would include Orlando Hudson and Max Scherzer coming back this way....

With Eric Byrnes out for the year, the D'Backs are looking at Tony Clark or have had preliminary discussions with Cardinals concerning the availability of Rick Ankiel. The Cardinals are believed to be interested in Orlando Hudson and Max Scherzer. It is believed that one or more prospects would be involved in any potential trade.

Me? I think if Ankiel continues to play like this, his offseason value on the trade market will be extremely high...