Earlier today, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa confirmed that Colby Rasmus requested a trade earlier this season. While La Russa seems confident that Rasmus' desire to be relocated has since cooled off, the 24-year-old was reluctant to address the story and would not say whether he wanted to return to St. Louis in 2011. This also isn't the first time that the talented center fielder has asked for a one-way ticket out of town: La Russa acknowledged that Rasmus requested a trade in his rookie year last season.
With what appears to be a serious rift, one would imagine that the Cards would look to deal their unhappy outfielder. However, GM John Mozeliak is obviously less-than-thrilled about the prospect of parting with a 24-year-old star in the making. Rasmus has followed up a strong 2009 debut with an even better 2010. In 117 games, the left-handed hitter has a slash line of .264/.349/.495 with 19 homers. While his -7.0 UZR/150 this season doesn't impress, his 13.5 UZR/150 from his rookie campaign shows that he is capable of playing better in the field.
There's no question that Rasmus would yield a strong return for the Cardinals, but St. Louis would obviously prefer to keep the burgeoning hitter. With his dissatisfaction now public, it may not be advantageous for the Cardinals to move him this offseason. Albert Pujols says he should go, Tony La Russa won't say much, but we want to know what you have to say.
If you were in the position of GM John Mozeliak, would you trade Rasmus this offseason?
Get rid of the 65-year-old manager, or the 24-year-old player.
Hmmmmm. What a TOUGH decision.
i blame glenn beck for this.
Kemp for rasmus
Rasmus for Ethier, La Russa will bench Kemp too.
I don’t think the dodgers would want that trade. kemp has clearly fallen out of grace in LA and rasmus definitely looks like he will at least be shopped this offseason. I’m not saying that La Russa wouldn’t bench kemp, but maybe a change of scenery for both of these young players will help them be more productive on the field and in the clubhouse
The Dodgers wouldn’t do it, you’re right. Anyone sane would do it however.
I’d do Rasmus for Ethier in a heartbeat.
Would the Cards even be able to pay Kemp ?
I hope poeple stop saying albert said to get rid of him….alberts comments should be infered as this “if he wants to be here keep him here, if he does not get rid of him” mich like strasburg said about bryce…if colby wants to stay in STL and play with the cards then albert will back hiim up 100% and if he wants out then albert will support that….Colby could help restock the cards system…and might bring a return that will help then next season….but after getting rid of ludwick(FLOP!!!!!!!!) they need a power hitting out fielder like colby
i just want to say that Pujol’s comments were taken out of context. he said basically that if rasmus wants to be here, than great, but if he doesn’t, we should find a way to move him. he didn’t flat out say “get rid of him”
However, Albert also needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. When TLR is gone, Albert will leave as well.
he shouldn’t keep his mouth shut. He did the right thing. He has earned the respect and he is the leader of this team. Pshh Albert should keep his mouth shut…Come on man. Seriously.
Explain how him making that comment improved the situation. If saying something will not improve the situation, why say it?
Explain how him making that comment improved the situation. If saying something will not improve the situation, why say it?
the ironic thing about the pujols comments are that if he was benched in favor of a 37 year old low tier player he’d ask for a trade to
What an odd story. Well written, but odd.
Did Rasmus really believe he could change ANYTHING by requesting a trade? Did he believe he would be traded? Wait a few years before demanding anything more than a new bat, kid.
BJ Upton for Colby Rasmus. Who hangs up first?
the cardinals. and they laugh at Andrew Friedman while throwing the phone against the wall.
If that trade ever went down, Mo needs hung from a flagpole by his underwear.
If that trade ever went down, Mo needs hung from a flagpole by his underwear.
If that trade ever went down, Mo needs hung from a flagpole by his underwear.
Trade with the Braves, take our next Wainwright off our hands please… 😉 Still #2 behind Texas trade as worst ever!
Being as A’s fan, I ‘d love STL to trade TLR to Oakland for…Eric Chavez and Bob Geren. I wouldn’t even care if Billy threw in Matt Carson and Gabe Gross.
I’m an A’s fan too. And seriously though…What about something like Ryan Sweeney, Pedro Figueroa, and Max Stassi for Colby?
not one of those guys is a top 50 prospect or a major contributor the big league team. why would you think this is even remotely close? generally your pretty good w/ trades but not this one…
Well considering things, I’m glad and thank you for the complement. But Stassi is very young…Has tons of upside, and Sweeney is a Baseball player who hits.300 and plays a solid RF. Just saying. But maybe something more along the lines of a package built around either Stephen Parker or Grant Green.
Well considering things, I’m glad and thank you for the complement. But Stassi is very young…Has tons of upside, and Sweeney is a Baseball player who hits.300 and plays a solid RF. Just saying. But maybe something more along the lines of a package built around either Stephen Parker or Grant Green.
Well considering things, I’m glad and thank you for the complement. But Stassi is very young…Has tons of upside, and Sweeney is a Baseball player who hits.300 and plays a solid RF. Just saying. But maybe something more along the lines of a package built around either Stephen Parker or Grant Green.
Colby Rasmus and Mitchell Boggs to Tampa Bay for Matt Garza and Sean Rodriguez.
In an ideal world, the Cards would not entertain trading Rasmus, but if Rasmus is truly unhappy with his place with the Cards it is better for them to move him now while his trade value is still somewhat high.
Matt Garza would be a solid #2 pitcher with the ability to be a #1 in the NL. With the Cards in a salary crunch, unless they can move Matt Holliday and his huge contract, Carpenter is probably gone after 2011, so for 2011, the Cards can march out Carpenter, Wainwright, and Garza and make a serious run at a pennent next year and would receive two high draft picks to help rebuild the team after the almost certain departure of Carpenter.
Rodriguez would be one of those LaRussa players, can play multiple positions (SS/2B/OF), hits close to .300, average power, with plus speed and plus-plus defensive play.
But again, it would still be nice to see Colby in red and white but if he doesn’t want to be, he’ll be shown the door.
I don’t like giving up Mitchell Boggs. He is potentially the Cards next closer.
I don’t like giving up Mitchell Boggs. He is potentially the Cards next closer.
I don’t like giving up Mitchell Boggs. He is potentially the Cards next closer.
matt garza doesn’t have that much value to get rasmus. i gurantee that the rays will be outbid if thats all they offer, their won’t any shortage of interest in Rasmus in the offseason. atleast 15 teams would be in on him….. who wouldn’t want a cost conntrolled young centerfielder that has plus speed and OPSing around .850 at age 24.
Matt Kemp, Jonothan Broxton for Rasmus?
Matt Kemp, Jonothan Broxton for Rasmus?
Matt Kemp, Jonothan Broxton for Rasmus?
matt garza doesn’t have that much value to get rasmus. i gurantee that the rays will be outbid if thats all they offer, their won’t any shortage of interest in Rasmus in the offseason. atleast 15 teams would be in on him….. who wouldn’t want a cost conntrolled young centerfielder that has plus speed and OPSing around .850 at age 24.
Whatever happens STL either will end up with a very good Rasmus or a very nice haul of prospects because I can see many teams step into the bidding including teams with great prospects like Texas, Tampa and Atlanta.
Not so crazy three way trade idea:
To STL: Drew (SS) from AZ and Dunn (LH relief prospect) from ATL
To ATL: Rasmus (CF)
To AZ: Delgado (SP ace prospect) plus other top but lesser prospects from ATL and Ryan (SS) from STL
Does that seem fair?
No? We get an overrated not very good SS and a relief prospect for one of the young rising stars in the game? hmmmmm no thanks
No? We get an overrated not very good SS and a relief prospect for one of the young rising stars in the game? hmmmmm no thanks
No? We get an overrated not very good SS and a relief prospect for one of the young rising stars in the game? hmmmmm no thanks
what????? a shortstop and a relief pitcher for rasmus? idfc if he held a gun to tony’s head, he isn’t getting traded for that sort of scrap.
what????? a shortstop and a relief pitcher for rasmus? idfc if he held a gun to tony’s head, he isn’t getting traded for that sort of scrap.
If they looks like I offended the STL contingent here. I didn’t realize Steven Drew was such a heap of suck.
If they looks like I offended the STL contingent here. I didn’t realize Steven Drew was such a heap of suck.
If they looks like I offended the STL contingent here. I didn’t realize Steven Drew was such a heap of suck.
NO. Atlanta can’t trade Michael Dunn to St. Louis. San Diego is the place for him. Don’t you dare trade him to anyone until you talk to Jed. I mean that. Don’t do it. Please. We want a left Mike to go with our right Mike.
How is it that Atlanta is so stacked in pitching that they left Dunn in the minors anyway? What an awesome problem to have, by the way.
NO. Atlanta can’t trade Michael Dunn to St. Louis. San Diego is the place for him. Don’t you dare trade him to anyone until you talk to Jed. I mean that. Don’t do it. Please. We want a left Mike to go with our right Mike.
How is it that Atlanta is so stacked in pitching that they left Dunn in the minors anyway? What an awesome problem to have, by the way.
NO. Atlanta can’t trade Michael Dunn to St. Louis. San Diego is the place for him. Don’t you dare trade him to anyone until you talk to Jed. I mean that. Don’t do it. Please. We want a left Mike to go with our right Mike.
How is it that Atlanta is so stacked in pitching that they left Dunn in the minors anyway? What an awesome problem to have, by the way.
Give Arizona Dunn, and I think you need to throw in Teheran and Delgado to STL. Remeber this is Rasmus, one of the top CF that’s going to be a great player. Don’t trade Mike Minor or Vizcaino
Give Arizona Dunn, and I think you need to throw in Teheran and Delgado to STL. Remeber this is Rasmus, one of the top CF that’s going to be a great player. Don’t trade Mike Minor or Vizcaino
Give Arizona Dunn, and I think you need to throw in Teheran and Delgado to STL. Remeber this is Rasmus, one of the top CF that’s going to be a great player. Don’t trade Mike Minor or Vizcaino
Wasn’t sure where to jump in on the TLR back and forth. But here is my opinion. It is time for him to go. I have said this for the last couple weeks now, not just because of all this coming out. Everyone bashing Colby needs to think about it. He is the one that kept this internal, he didn’t go to the media about it, he handled his problems the right way.
If you watch this team everyday you see that they just aren’t motivated. They play like Larussa acts. They play with no emotion and never have any fun(besides the Cincy series in early August) This team is just flat and boring. TLR used to be able to motivate and put his players in the best situations to succeed. But after so many years you have to start to wonder if his message just doesn’t get through anymore. I have never wanted TLR to leave, but now I believe it is time. Do it this offseason and bring in someone Albert approves of, then get his extension hammered out. Colby stays and we will be ready to get back in the playoff hunt for 2011
Wasn’t sure where to jump in on the TLR back and forth. But here is my opinion. It is time for him to go. I have said this for the last couple weeks now, not just because of all this coming out. Everyone bashing Colby needs to think about it. He is the one that kept this internal, he didn’t go to the media about it, he handled his problems the right way.
If you watch this team everyday you see that they just aren’t motivated. They play like Larussa acts. They play with no emotion and never have any fun(besides the Cincy series in early August) This team is just flat and boring. TLR used to be able to motivate and put his players in the best situations to succeed. But after so many years you have to start to wonder if his message just doesn’t get through anymore. I have never wanted TLR to leave, but now I believe it is time. Do it this offseason and bring in someone Albert approves of, then get his extension hammered out. Colby stays and we will be ready to get back in the playoff hunt for 2011
Tony has run Ozzie Smith, Ray Lanklord, Scott Rolen (who is playing at the hot corner for the first place Reds while we trot out Pedro Feliz), Jim Edmonds and a host of other talents. People blamed Rolen last time. Looks like they were dead wrong. How many Hall of Famers does this guy have to run out of OUR city? Send Tony packing.
I was seriously just about to post the exact same thing, totally agree man
I was seriously just about to post the exact same thing, totally agree man
Tony has run Ozzie Smith, Ray Lanklord, Scott Rolen (who is playing at the hot corner for the first place Reds while we trot out Pedro Feliz), Jim Edmonds and a host of other talents. People blamed Rolen last time. Looks like they were dead wrong. How many Hall of Famers does this guy have to run out of OUR city? Send Tony packing.
I get sick of Rasmus’s wimpy, whiney attitude everytime he gets a hangnail. He has potential but is too big for his britches right now (and needs to learn to throw from center field). He needs to be a bit patient and learn ML baseball. Tony platoons everyone.
I get tired of the whiney, wimpy Rasmus everytime he gets a hangnail. He needs to grow up and be a ML player. He has talent but needs to learn how to throw from center field and begin to pay attention to the team more than his dad. Tony platoons most everyone. Keep him and hope he matures. (I’s much rather have Ludwick, who knows how to get over injuries and knows how to throw the ball, but…..)
let Tony walk… Albert will manage the time (practically thinks he does in a lot of ways now)…. I find it irritating that no one ever questions why Albert finds it to be his place to comment publicly on an issue that doesn’t involve him. If he wants to say Colby should shut his mouth and the “Cardinals” manage the issue, then Albert should do the same and stay out of it. Speaking out publicly against your teammate does wonders for team chemistry, I am sure….
manage the **team**