Heyman On Strasburg, Pedro, DeRosa

"It is believed that Stephen Strasburg's people don't want him to pitch in the majors this year."

Doesn't make any sense for him too anyways.
He should spend a full season in the minors, maybe take the Price approach.

I think it meant they don't want him pitching period, as in the majors or minors....

Cla Meredith is keeping runs off the board for the Padres and would be an interesting solution for the Rays in the Closer role. Question is: What would the struggling Padres want back? Ben Zobrist certainly makes sense with a gap at 2B after this season, but is Meredith worth it? As a Padre fan, I'd like to think so...

Upton is unreal. Opposite field power and a 1.001 OPS at age 21....

I think that a Chris Perez or Jason Motte along with Brian Anderson or Tyler Green for Jason Bartlett of the Rays would be a win-win for both teams. Rays would get a closer of the future and both Perez and Motte are thought of pretty highly and the Rays get either an average defensive SS in Green with some pop or a backup catcher to compliment Navarro in Anderson (who has been ready for the majors for a while now but we might as well trade him cause he won't take the job from Molina). This would also allow Zobrist to be an everyday player at SS for the Rays who is raking this year. I think that this is a pretty good swap. Though I really would like to see the Cards get Derosa.

"Trading Zobrist is RIDICULOUS. I wouldn't move him without a MAJOR haul. He's under team control for several seasons, and I'd rather see him and his 1.033 OPS than Iwamura - I'd plug him into RF and bench Gross. Moving Zobrist just makes no sense.

Posted by: Michael M | June 24, 2009 at 04:26 PM"

Absolutely, they will keep him and let him super sub.

"He shouldn't be subbing. He should be playing 150 games a year.

Posted by: Michael M | June 24, 2009 at 04:34 PM"

Super sub.. you play about 85 percent of the time and play everywhere.

Cardinals fans... you can't ask for filet and give poo in return. Bartlett or Zobrist ain't happening unless any package starts with Wallace or Rasmus... maybe both.

Bartlett is a superior defensive SS. His O this year may be an aberration, but he, right now, is worth more than the Cardinals entire pen.

Zobrist is a good defensive player posting a 1.000+ OPS. He is patient, hits for power, and has good speed.

Both players are cheap, too.

Middle infielders who can hit are hard to find... as you Cardinal fans well know. Perez and Motte have done nothing to prove to be reliable, shut down closers... hence why Ryan freakin Franklin, the same guy released from the Mariners, is currently closing.

carini26: Way to go overboard. If you think Zobrist is worth Rasmus AND Wallace then keep your one year wonder. Seriously, your statement is absolutely asinine.

The Cards don't need a SS, they have Brendan Ryan who is providing better defense than both Zobrist and Bartlett. Oh, and he's getting on base and setting the table well now too.

If the Rays had a power hitting, great fielding 3B available then absolutely the Cards would be willing to trade Wallace to get him. The Cards don't need more supersubs...they need a RH masher to put behind Pujols.

Go dream on about getting superior players for your league average utility guy. Seriously, think about this stuff before you post it. You are not using logic and are falling into the "my crap is worth your talent" fan category.

Got it - yeah, he is most valuable as a super sub, my bad. I evisioned a super sub as just a really good utility guy, aka part-time.

I also think Zobrist is having a year he will likely not duplicate, but asking for him now would be a poor decision. The Rays would have no choice but to ask for a haul in return, considering present value and contract status.

"carini26: Way to go overboard. If you think Zobrist is worth Rasmus AND Wallace then keep your one year wonder. Seriously, your statement is absolutely asinine.

The Cards don't need a SS, they have Brendan Ryan who is providing better defense than both Zobrist and Bartlett. Oh, and he's getting on base and setting the table well now too.

If the Rays had a power hitting, great fielding 3B available then absolutely the Cards would be willing to trade Wallace to get him. The Cards don't need more supersubs...they need a RH masher to put behind Pujols.

Go dream on about getting superior players for your league average utility guy. Seriously, think about this stuff before you post it. You are not using logic and are falling into the "my crap is worth your talent" fan category."

Yes, Billiken, Ryan and his 8 BBs and .359 BABIP should hold up just fine over the long haul...

I do think about stuff before I post. People like you should read and learn from it.

Bartlett and Zobrist at SS and 2B would be a massive upgrade over anything St. Louis is currently throwing out there.

They are controlled. They are cheap. This makes them extremely valuable.

There's a reason the Cards went out and got a declining Khalil Greene: They thought he was still better than an everyday Brendan Ryan at SS.

"He's having a great season, yes. A fluke season at that though. To truly believe this guy just randomly will be a top offensive threat for years to come is foolish.

Looking at his minors history, he has never had more than 7 HR's in a season and averages about 5. RBI's: 45 high and about a 35 average. This is his best season by far as a professional baseball player. It also goes against everything he has done in the past. You may think he's the most valuable player out there...everyone else realizes he's just overstepping his talent."

Please, pull out all of those articles talking about a fluky season... I am searching, but can't find any.

All I see are articles about how he's changed his approach and swing prior to the 2008 season. All it's done is add power and patience to his game.

As far as full disclosure is concerned, I am not even a Rays fan. Far from it.

"And you think that Zobrist is the real deal now? Seriously, you can't compare the guy to Pujols."

Fangraphs.com - try it out sometime.

Zobrist wont hit like this forever.

He broke down his swing, and now he hits everything hard.

Ben Zobrist might be the most valuable player in the AL.

"Fangraphs.com - try it out sometime."

So your one of those people that does not form your own opinion about anyone? Just read things and believe thats the way it is and will be?

"Well you should be happy then. Luckily for you you will get to see that middle infield for a while. Because no team is going to give you the moon for either of those players, no matter how much you want them to. Zobrist is a one year wonder. When he comes back down to earth have fun.

Your right, I'm wrong, the Rays middle IF is the best in the majors, and therefore the Cards should trade Rasmus and Wallace for one half of it. I'm so glad your here to set me straight.

Thank you, goodnight, and congrats on being the best darn fantasy baseball/messageboard manager of the day. I'm sure your mom is proud.

Oh and no matter what you respond with, I'm not going to read it. I'm not going to waste any more of my time arguing with someone who believes that Ben Zobrist is as good as Albert Pujols."

Posted by: Billiken

Dude how old are you 10? He said if he were the Rays hed ask for either Wallace or Rasmus. He never said thats what Bartlett or Zobrist are worth. You say you wont read anymore of what he has to say, but it looks like you cant read at all. Bartlett before he was hurt was in talks about being the MVP of the AL. Hes back now and still hitting well. Granted thats not why the Rays got him hes doing a heck of a job. Zobrist has always done well when given playing time. He did well last year with way less PT. He now broke down his swing which gave him power and alot more paitence. Now before you speak formulate a compelling argument please thankyou.

I wouldn't take that idiot Boras and his contract comparisons serious. remeber this past off season when he was demanding Tek get a contact in the 4/48M that the Yankees Posada had just received? Rmember what Boras/Tek had to come begging back to Boston for? 2/10M with the 2nd year being a club option?