Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak has done a good job standing pat, holding his ground and not making a move simply out of desperation.
A lot of hype has been given to National League Central rivals Chicago and Milwaukee for acquiring starting pitchers Rich Harden and CC Sabathia, respectively.
The national media then proclaimed the Cardinals turn to make a major splash.
Would A.J. Burnett be coming to town? If not, how about at least Oliver Perez?
Many Cardinals fans also have been wondering when the team is going to make a move for a starting pitcher.
Don't get me wrong. A starting pitcher would be nice. I'd definitely take A.J. Burnett. But acquiring a big-name starting pitcher right now doesn't make sense.
If Burnett joined the team, most fans would agree he should not be a three-month rental and the Cardinals should make every attempt to sign him to a multiyear contract.
If that's the case, what do you do with Kyle Lohse, who is a free agent at the end of the year? If the Cardinals are going to sign a starting pitcher, it should be Lohse, who currently is 12-2 with a 3.35 earned-run average.
Signing both Burnett and Lohse is something the Cardinals wouldn't do. It would be one or the other.
If the Cardinals sign Lohse, that gives them three top-notch starting pitchers, Lohse, Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, for next year. Joel Pineiro is signed for next year, so that gives you four starters. The fifth starter can be one of many, including Todd Wellemeyer, Braden Looper, Mitchell Boggs, Jaime Garcia or even Kyle McClellan, just to name a few. That's not a bad rotation.
Carpenter and Wainwright are fighting injuries, but it looks like both will be back this season. Carpenter threw four shutout innings Sunday for the Springfield double A team. Wainwright's middle finger is hurt. How much longer can that take to heal? It's crucial to get Carpenter and Wainwright back as soon as possible. They are talking about 1-2 weeks for both pitchers. Carpenter has already made his rehab start and was very good so suspect him back first.
That way, the team can move a couple of starters to the bullpen, which is in desperate need of help.
Speaking of the bullpen, that's the area where the Cardinals need to acquire help. I'm sure Mozeliak has placed a few dozen calls to the Colorado Rockies, asking about left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes.
Talk about the perfect guy. Fuentes is an ideal candidate because he is left-handed and he also can close games. He has experience both as a setup man and a closer.
The Cardinals would love Fuentes in their bullpen, but so would every other team in baseball. With that in mind, the Rockies, who are well out of contention, are going to hold out for the best deal possible.
The Cardinals will have to sweeten the pot. Prospects such as Colby Rasmus, Bryan Anderson and Chris Perez can't be dealt, but there are plenty of players who can go. How about Chris Duncan, Anthony Reyes or Adam Kennedy?
I have a better chance of waking up tomorrow morning with Jessica Alba on my lap than Reyes does playing for the Cardinals next year, so you might as well try to make a good deal for him. He has to be worth something. The dude won game one of the 2006 World Series.
The offense appears to be fine. Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus, Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel have combined for 80 home runs. Aaron Miles and Yadier Molina both are batting over .300, for crying out loud.
Fuentes just might be the missing piece to the puzzle for the Cardinals. Who knows, this might be the one trade that can put the Cardinals over the top.
In the unfortunate situation that Fuentes doesn't work, then Mozeliak should place a call across the state and ask the Kansas City Royals about acquiring Joakim Soria. Actually, I'd be shocked if Mozeliak hasn't already made that call a few times.
Soria is a right-handed reliever who would look awfully good in red and white. The Cardinals couldn't touch him during interleague play this season.
The bottom line is for the Cardinals to continue to be a contender, they need serious help in the bullpen. It has to be the No. 1 priority for Mozeliak. Jason Isringhausen has been a fine player and person in the organization, but he doesn't have much left in the tank.
The Cardinals don't need to make a blockbuster trade. Just someone to help the bullpen would be fine.
Mozeliak is on the job.
Love me or hate me, that's sports through the eyes of Jay. I am out.
- Jay
(StLDieHard)
Sports Through the Eyes of Jay
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Let me hear your thoughts FanNation. What do ya think?
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
I agree bullpen help would be huge for the Cardinals. Being a Brewers fan and getting to watch this series against St. Louis..it seems like your starting pitching is ok..not good but decent. Your bullpen is need of serious help. Last night was the first time in a long time that I saw a look of frustration on Pujols' face after he struck in the 9th I think it was. But, back on topic..your bullpen needs some work. Signing Lohse up long term might not be a bad idea..if you don't think this year was just an illusion.
badgerfan07 back in…
Whitewater , WI
Total Comments (1543)
I think with Carpenter coming back soon, the rotation is going to be pretty solid..., Lohse and Wellenmeyer have played really well this year. But it's true..., the only real weakness on this team is bullpen help..., I like Isringhausen but, it's true, he doesn't have a lot left. Resign Lohse to a two year deal and with a healthy Carpenter and Wainwright coming back, they will be a contender for the wild card, if not the division. Nice blog man.
Kev316
Peterborough, ON
Total Comments (655)
I agree with much of what you said, Diehard, but there is no way we get Fuentes and only surrender the Duncans, Reyes' and Kennedy's off of our roster. If Mo could get that deal done, they should build a statue for him. We'd have to at least give up one of our prospects to land Fuentes. I don't know that I would want to surrender Anderson for him, but he'd be my most likely candidate to package for the Rockies.
TenRingsSTL
Total Comments (4225)
I agree with with the bullpen help Diehard. I really don't think Mo would get the deal with only players like Duncan, Reyes, and Kennedy. Like TenRingsSTL said he'll have to sweeten the deal with at least a good prospect, which really wouldn't be a bad deal if they're going to make a solid run this year.
Cards#1
Total Comments (69)
Baseball Prospectus had this to say. 2009 is the real target year for the Cardinals. Any deal they make which hurts that target is a bad deal. I agree with them. This year is fun; but, the team is in a much better position next year.
I'm all for any deal which looks just as good next year as this year. Roy Halliday, to quote a rumor, would be fantastic. I'm against any deal which is for this year only. We can compete this year. We might even make it this year, I'm against trading prospects for anyone in the final year of their contract unless we can negotiate a contract prior to the trade. We aren't strong enough to take that plunge.
I think both the Cubs and Brewers are going to regret the moves they've made unless they can deliver the big one this year.
CardsFan2
Saint Louis , MO
Total Comments (2149)
Oh, Duncan and Reyes can be dealt at will as far as I'm concerned. Duncan has become a distraction. This team and his role on this team is a distraction to his career. He'd be better off on another team in another city.
Reyes just needs to go. Who knows, he might get it together elsewhere. He's not going to get it together here.
CardsFan2
Saint Louis , MO
Total Comments (2149)
Yeah I am definately for trading Reyes while he is still young and still has some potential ya know?
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
After this series sweep by the Brewers, it's all to apparent we need a closer. Moz can't look the other way anymore.
Cardinals82
Sussex, WI
Total Comments (141)
Every game this series was lost by the bullpen correct? Come on, Mo, pull the trigger. Ever heard of the saying "you have to spend money to get money"?
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
I was informed, last night, that Anthony Reyes was traded to the Indians for minor league prospect Luis Perdomo. Perdomo has a 1.63 ERA in 55.1 innings this year with Cleveland's minor league system. He pitched, mostly, in AA but also had 17 innings with their AAA club.
my time has come
Total Comments (1181)
So I wonder if the Reyes deal is going to be our one "Big" trade before the deadline?
TenRingsSTL
Total Comments (4225)
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