Cardinal Player Movement..... | St. Louis Die Hards Group Blog

I was disappointed to see that Jess Todd was the PTBNL in the DeRosa deal. If the Cards do not sign DeRosa past 2009, I believe Chris Perez and Todd was too much to give up to get him.

The Cards have now surrendered Todd, Perez and Brett Wallace in recent deals, three of the primary jewels of their minor league system over the last couple of years. Three guys we drafted, developed and planned to have on our big-league roster for years to come. The deals may be worth it if we bring back DeRosa and Holliday, but if those guys leave as free agent's in the offseason and we don't have significant post-season success this year........I'm afraid we'll look back on these deals with a lot of regret.

That said, I applaud Mozeliak and DeWitt for making aggressive moves to try and improve the team right now. For the last couple of years, the Cards have sat on their hands at the trade deadline, so this is a refreshing departure from the norm. I am excited about what this lineup can do the rest of 2009 with DeRosa, Holliday and Julio Lugo contributing. For most of 2009, the Cards have had almost zero production out of the LF and 3B positions. Holliday and DeRosa in particular are huge upgrades to help alleviate those problems.

I think the thing the Cards still need is one more starting pitcher to replace Todd Wellemeyer in the rotation. I'm not sure that will happen, though. With several off-days in the coming weeks, the Cards could easily go to a four man rotation at times, mitigating the need for that fifth starter. Plus the Cards seem to be committed to the fact that Wellemeyer can get better. I'm not sure what they base that on, other than his 2008 performance, but I truly believe they should insert Mitchell Boggs into the rotation and dump Wellemeyer. LaRussa keeps saying they don't have a better option, but there is no way in my mind that Boggs could be any worse than what they've gotten out of Wellemeyer.

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July 27, 2009 04:04 PM ET

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I completely agree that Wellemeyer is not the answer, a team with playoff hopes cannot afford to throw away every 5th game. At this rate we should just give that start to Boggs or Blake Hawksworth to see what we really have. Considering the fact that we've only got three starters signed for next year and our top prospect (Jamie Garcia) is on the mend, we need to find out what we've got in these two.

As for re-signing DeRosa and Holliday, if we don't bring them back, the prospects we gave up for them will be the least of our worries. Without firm commitment from management (i.e. re-signing these two) Pujols will conceivably walk after his contract is up.

This is the time for ownership to follow through on at least one of their promises to this city, the tax payers footed the bill for the new stadium that we were told was required to keep the Cardinals competitive. If the added revenue doesn't go to re-signing Holliday and DeRosa, and we know it's not going to Ballpark Village, then where is it going?

STLCards81

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July 28, 2009 09:44 AM ET

couldn't agree more on Wellenmeyer. He's an abortion on the mound. As far as the prospects we've lost, I'm not quite as down as you. Perez, very well may end up being decent, but thus far has not really demonstrated that ability in St. Louis or Cleveland. The reports on Wallace, are starting to make the trade look better, and better. Many apparently think he's such a defensive liability that he could only play DH. If that's the case, and we can resign Holliday, the trade will be a success. I like Dero alot, and I think Larussa will push hard to get him resigned...we'll see.

BBK - Now it's all…

Orlando, FL

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July 28, 2009 12:53 PM ET

I completely agree on Wellemeyer too. I can't believe they still put him out there.

I understand the point on giving up our prospects, but I think if Holliday and DeRosa are here next year, then it will have been worth it. If not, then it probably isn't.