Derrick Goold and Tom Timmermann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch have a round-up of what the Cardinals could be planning now that Albert Pujols has left town…
- The Cardinals "have explored what the market is" for Carlos Beltran. Beltran would see most of his playing time in center field, since Allen Craig is slated to be the everyday right fielder.
- Jimmy Rollins' desire for a five-year contract will probably keep the Cards out of the bidding unless Rollins is willing to accept a shorter-term deal. The team is still talking to Rafael Furcal and would like to bring back Nick Punto as a veteran backup, should the Cardinals decide to look within and give Tyler Greene a shot at the everyday shortstop job.
- The team is looking for a left-handed reliever and have spoken to representatives for Mike Gonzalez and J.C. Romero.
- The planned $110MM payroll for 2012 won't be lowered because Pujols is gone, said GM John Mozeliak.
- In regards to the Jake Westbrook/Kyle Lohse trade rumors, Mozeliak said no deals materialized and one of the starters would be dealt only if the Cards need to "reallocate" some money towards another move.
I saw Beltran play in AT&T park. Putting him in CF is a pretty bad idea unless you want to see his knees explode.
He was more than serviceable in RF. He looked pretty good in the spacious RF of Citi Field for half the season. I still think he has a lot left to offer a team. Too bad the mets are broke and terrible because id love to have him back
my guess is he’s an average defender in right field at this point and probably a few runs below average in center. my concern would be less about defense in center but durability over a full season out there
with pujols gone, the cards could certainly use his bat. beltran actually hit as well as albert in 2011
22 homers to 37?
mark reynolds also hit 37 homers. did he hit as well as pujols? no, stop it
wOBA
beltran .389
pujols .385
reynolds .348
I’ll take Jon Jay all day over Beltran. We need to go after ss, bottom line.
I agree.. As crazy as the Marlins have been this offseason why cant the Cardinals offer a trade to send Gabby Sanchez and Hanley Ramirez over?
They certainly could, but doesn’t that leave the Marlins with no corner infielders? Maybe if they sign Prince Fielder I suppose…
3 way trade with the Angels/Cardinals/Marlins…Morales & cash to Marlins.. Sanchez and Ramirez to Cardinals… whoever & cash to Angels but no Miller
Huh? Marlins give up Sanchez and Hanley and receive a huge question mark at 1B and cash, which they seem to have quite enough of?
Well Morales plays 1st(could also go with Trumbo) and maybe some prospects.. I dont know I was just using that as an example..
But the Marlins actually dont have the cash right now, they assume they will get that much with the new rev streams. So should be funny if fans dont turn up and they fall in a deeeeeeeeep hole
I sure wouldn’t. But even if you would, Beltran is valuable as a Craig replacement until he comes back, and then you have a three man rotation between center and right field. Given lack of certainty surrounding Jay’s true ability and Craig’s ability and health, Beltran would be a terrific signing, and would likely provide a lot more value than any shortstop other than Rolens or Hanley Ramirez, both of whom are unlikely to be aquired.
Bottom line: you can’t just pencil Jay and Craig in for a certain level of health and performance. Depth is key.
Considering Rolen plays 3rd …not SS
I believe he was referring to “Rollins.”
I sure wouldn’t. But even if you would, Beltran is valuable as a Craig replacement until he comes back, and then you have a three man rotation between center and right field. Given lack of certainty surrounding Jay’s true ability and Craig’s ability and health, Beltran would be a terrific signing, and would likely provide a lot more value than any shortstop other than Rolens or Hanley Ramirez, both of whom are unlikely to be aquired.
Bottom line: you can’t just pencil Jay and Craig in for a certain level of health and performance. Depth is key.
Jon Jay’s wOBA .333 Carlos Beltran wOBA .389, it’s not close. Ideally you would have a three way platoon for center and right field with Jay and Beltran in center and craig and beltran in right.
I think they could sign Furcal as well with Beltran, but there really isn’t a better option at shortstop. Rollins just doesn’t do it for me.
Beltran to alternate between Center and Right makes a lot of sense at the right price. Any idea what he’s looking for?
In July it looked like he was in line for a multi year deal. But with a limited market who knows if he will get any offers more than 1 year. If Berkman got a 1 year 10 MM (i think?) last year maybe that is his price range per year. I dont think he signs until later when desperate teams are looking for offense
I’d rather him play in RF til Craig is back and have Jay in CF. Holliday/Jay/Beltran
They should try to get Kendry Morales or Trumbo from the halos
I wouldn’t give anything of much value for either. Trumbo is a poor hitter besides power and who knows what you get out of Morales. I would rather take a gamble on Morales than Trumbo though.
Neither.. do you know how weak that would look if we made a trade with the Angels to fill the gaps from THEM stealing our superstar?
I wouldnt trade for either mayb pick up Morales if they Non tender him! I think if he can get fully healthy he will be a complete beast! Wouldnt it be funny if we did sign him and he turned out to be a better sign than POO! Man that would be classic!
It would also be classic if the Mets signed Yuniesky Betancourt and he hit better than Jose Reyes? Pretty sure that’s just as unlikely.
Its def not likely! I was just sayn that if he was non tendered the Cards could sign him for way less than 254 mill. I feel when or if he is fully right he will be a .300 30 hr 100 rbi guy. It wasnt long ago we gave a guy that had cronic injury problems a chance (Carp) and he turned out just fine IMO. This isnt as far fetched as your statement!
They didn’t “steal” anyone. They offered him a better deal, and Albert accepted. Get over it.
i would put him in LF not center
I would really like the Cardinals to get there lefty so there pitching is set. I keep hearing Ryan Ludwichs name as a 4th outfielder and hes rigght handed hitter along with Skip Shoemaker could be out 5th outfielder or starting 2nd basemen. Hanley Ramerez would look nice in Cardinal red just dont know what it would take to get him.
I would love it, but it would probably start with Miller
I think it would start with Garcia, they are trying to win now!
That and Miller is nowhere near Latin
I would love it, but it would probably start with Miller
Given all the Schumaker and Ludwick t-shirts I’ve seen around Busch, you would think fans would’ve learned to spell their names by now. This disappoints me.
Given all the Schumaker and Ludwick t-shirts I’ve seen around Busch, you would think fans would’ve learned to spell their names by now. This disappoints me.
The cardinals have a somewhat rebuilt farm system. I say do whatever it takes to get Asdrubal Cabrera. He’s young and can definitely be a franchise shortshop. The Cleveland Indians have gone on record to say they cannot afford to extend his contract because of money.
mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/indians-rumors-extensio…
I would love to get him but after the year he had last year I beat they would want Shelby or Carlos Martinez +
I’d like Cabrera as well. But Mo said yesterday that he would prefer not to get into the farm system and to instead deal with Free Agents. But if it’s possible, I’d be in favor of dealing Martinez + others for him. Just not Miller.
What about Cody Ross? Can play center, bats right handed, good in the clubhouse. Would be cheaper than Beltran.
He would also be much worse than Beltran. I suppose Ross wouldn’t be a terrible option off the bench, though.
Ross? No we need an impact player
Not sure why we need an impact player. The plan all along was to put Craig in right. Now that he is out for a month maybe to start the season, all we need is someone to hold down the fort. Just because we have money to spend now doesn’t mean we have to make a big deal to be competitive.
Yeah but when you lose your superstar and you’re trying to defend you’re championship you have to go out and get an impact player.
We need a SS, a lefty spec and a bat. The way I look at it is go get furcal(leadoff and good def ss), add either g sherril, jc romero or d oliver, and the bat i would say beltran is the best bat you could add. Play Jay in CF and Beltran in RF till Craig gets back. Then u can play Beltran in CF but will def have to give him more days off to keep him from breaking down.
I wonder what it would take to trade for Carlos Gonzalez?
let’s just say “lots”
Starts with S Miller and O Tevaras +
Definitely not worth it, birds.
If the price is right he is… young, almost an MVP, 5 tool player
Probably would take the Rockies’ choice of any three players not named Holliday, Wainwright, or Carpenter.
ya right
Pull an AA Mozeliak, and trade for Hanley right now. Worked out for the Blue Jays with Yunel.
Pull an AA Mozeliak, and trade for Hanley right now. Worked out for the Blue Jays with Yunel.
Go BIG, I say get Beltran,Rollins, and either Fielder or oswalt. I know that will never happen but what I’m getting at is they need to do something big.
maybe not fielder since they already got berkman at 1B. But beltran and rollins sound like a great fit for this team, if not they could bring furcal back instead of rollins like it said in the article. im not so sure about oswalt but they should give it a shot
I like the Oswalt idea, but Westbrook would be the only starter to trade or do you pay him to come out of the bullpen and make spot starts. The Cards said they have money burning a whole in their pocket, they need to spend on a bat.
Go BIG, I say get Beltran,Rollins, and either Fielder or oswalt. I know that will never happen but what I’m getting at is they need to do something big.
Before Craig recovery….
Holliday in Left, Jay in Center, Beltran in right, Schumaker fill-in
After Craig recovery…
Holliday – Left, Beltran – Center, Craig – Right, Jay fill-in
If no Beltran signing…
Sign Manny!
I know Kemp just extended but I would trade Jay, Miller, Cox, Tavaras + for that guy
You are probably the only one…with Lohse and westbrook gone after this year and Carp gone in two years, there is no way the Cards deal Miller because he is slotted to be a starter in 2013. Getting rid of a cost controlled stud is dumb to trade for a CF…not to mention all the other pieces they would send over in the deal as well
Rollins and Micheal C. who use to be with Twins and when Craig gets back Berkman in CF.
heres the lineup;;;; Fracual Jay Berkman Holliday Beltron Freese Molina Schumaker Wainwright!! Who needs Pujols?
The Cards will have a great rotation next year with Waino coming back, not saying this will offset losing Albert, but it will take a little sting out because we won’t need huge productions of offense every fifth day cause Kyle isn’t making a start
I wouldnt mind seeing Beltran in a cards jersey and I also think that holiday needs to go with his performance in the playoffs last year. Holiday for Hanley?
You can’t write him off for having a bad playoff run, especially when the team won the World Series. He was one of the Cards best all season, and probably is the best position player left on the roster going forward, so get used to him until his contract is up.
Holiday plus for Hanley?