The Cardinals are interested in Geoff Blum, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Blum, Craig Counsell and Edwin Encarnacion have all cleared waivers, so the Cards could trade for those infielders without restriction. Brandon Inge also interests the Cards, but if he has cleared waivers, it has not been reported.
The Cardinals are pursuing infield help more aggressively than before, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The team lost David Freese to a season-ending ankle operation, so the front office would like to add a third baseman or utility infielder. GM John Mozeliak says he’s discussing players who have cleared waivers with a number of teams and waiting for other players to be placed on waivers.
"The whole process of waivers is about being patient," Mozeliak said. "At the same token, if we felt like we could do something that will help us sooner rather than later, we would give that real consideration.”
The Cardinals are relying on Felipe Lopez to play third, but he has just a .580 OPS since the All-Star break. Allen Craig has appeared at the hot corner, but is probably not an everyday option there.
I don’t see Geoff Blum as an improvement over their current internal options…
I wholeheartedly agree; even though Felipe has been slumping (and his two errors cost us the Milwaukee game Tuesday night), he certainly is preferable to Blum.
Inge would be ideal, but I doubt that he will clear waivers. Counsell would at least provide a defensive upgrade to Lopez, but the StL Post Dispatch indicated that the Brewers GM Doug Melvin is asking a lot for him. Wigginton would have been nice, but reportedly he was claimed and the O’s pulled him back.
That leaves us with Encarnacion (cleared waivers) and Peralta (waiver status unknown). Encarnacion and Peralta would be what Bill Simmons calls “the poo poo platter.”
We also have Gotay putting up decent numbers at AAA but the fact he hasn’t been called up at all this season suggests that management lacks faith in him.
In summary – it doesn’t look good.
At least a guy like EE has noticeable talent with the bat. Maybe a team like the Cardinals would do him well…
I wouldn’t mind giving EE a shot. He probably is the best option available (currently considering Inge “unavailable” unless he somehow clears waivers).
Indeed, Blum is subpar defensively at 3rd, and has a weaker bat than Lopez. What would be the point?
Obviously Inge would be a good fit, but I doubt he’d clear waivers. Encarnacion may be the best bet for an upgrade, though I don’t think his D is that great either. Figgins would be nice if he cleared waivers, it would give the Cards a legitimate leadoff man for the first time in I can’t remember how long.
Maybe a Figgins/Lohse swap…
Thats is what ive been saying for weeks!!!
And the Mariners would want Kyle Lohse why?
If the Cardinals do anything, I prefer we try to get Inge over any of the others.
FIGGINS!!!!!!!
You guys said it, Geoff Blum won’t do us any good Mo. You’ll have to do better than that.
BLUM is a 3B fail. Inge would be OK. EE has “upside” but in reality will probably belt 2 HR in his first game and then bat .209 for the rest of the season.
I would give Geoff Blum a shot because it doesn’t look good for Brandon Inge or Edwin Encarnacion. If the Cardinals make the deal, we could finally move Felipe Lopez out of 3B and move him to his more natural position which is 2B or shortstop. I wish the cardinals would go after Figgins because he would be an upgrade to what we have right now.
Cardinals just traded for Pedro Feliz.
Horrible!!