The Cardinals are exploring several options as they look to the outfield market, with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporting that the club is thought to have spoken to the White Sox about a trade for Adam Eaton. The Rockies are also open to the idea of swapping Charlie Blackmon for “a high return” and Goold notes that the Cards and Rox have held discussions in the past. Goold also notes previously-reported Cardinals targets as Lorenzo Cain and Jarrod Dyson of the Royals and free agent Dexter Fowler, plus another notable free agent name in Ian Desmond. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported yesterday that the Cards had held some internal discussions about pursuing Desmond’s services.
All of these players would fit the Cardinals’ stated goal of upgrading their defense and athleticism and all play center field, which would allow the Cards to keep Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty in corner outfield roles (though Eaton and Blackmon bring more defensive value in corner spots than as center fielders.) It doesn’t appear that St. Louis is necessarily close to a move, however, as GM John Mozeliak said Tuesday that he didn’t feel he was “a phone call away” from completing an acquisition, though he was in talks about at least five potential moves.
Now that Chris Sale has been traded, it would seem that the White Sox are at least open to discussing a deal for any player, though Eaton would come at a high cost. The outfielder signed a contract extension in March 2015 that keeps him under team control through 2019 at the earliest, and potentially through 2012 via club options. While Chicago may be in rebuild mode, the team surely hopes to be on track quickly enough that Eaton could be part of the next White Sox contender.
Blackmon comes with two years of control via his arbitration years, and while the Rockies plan on contending in 2017, they could look at a Blackmon deal as an opportunity to solve an outfield logjam (to find a spot for Gerardo Parra) while also addressing other roster holes. Starting or relief pitching are the most obvious needs for Colorado, and while the Cards have some arms to spare, they’ve already dealt perhaps their clearest pitching trade chip in Jaime Garcia. The Rox also have an open spot at first base, so perhaps Matt Adams could factor into a potential trade package, though it would certainly take more than just Adams to land Blackmon. Blackmon also has some questions marks due to his ordinary career numbers away from Coors Field.
Rather than sacrifice prospects or roster depth in a trade, the Cards could instead just sign Fowler or Desmond, though either of those signings would cost St. Louis a draft pick (both outfielders are qualifying offer free agents) and a significant cash outlay. Given that the Cardinals have been so heavily linked to Fowler this winter, it makes sense that they’d also be considering Desmond, who can similarly be an option in both center and left. Desmond has received interest from the Nationals, Orioles and Blue Jays this offseason, and while he had talks with his former team in Texas, the Rangers’ re-signing of Carlos Gomez doesn’t help Desmond’s chances at a return.
I know its off topic but
Trade Proposal
Tampa Bay Rays send Jake Odorizzi to the Miami Marlins, Marlins send Marcell Ozuna to Rays; Los Angeles Dodgers send Kike Hernandez, Chase de Jong to Tampa Bay Rays; Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir, Trevor Oaks to Miami Marlins. Dodgers receive Braxton Garret, Luis Castillo, Cody Poteet from Marlins.
They should give Harrison Bader a chance, he’s a very similar player to Stephen Piscotty. If not, id have to imagine the White Sox ask would he around Luke Weaver, Magneuris Sierra, and Kolten Wong, considering his high value defense in addition to above average offense. It should take the same to acquire him as it would Kevin Kiermaier, who teams are barking on the asking price for. On a side note, I think Cutch, Quintana, and Robertson will be going to the Nats. Nats will give something like Lucas Giolito, Juan Soto, Dane Dunning, Wilmer Difo, and AJ Cole for McCutchen, and will need to eat the contract. They will give something like Reynaldo Lopez, Joe Ross, Erick Feede, and Andrew Stevenson for Robertson and Quintana.
I think that’s way too much for Cutch and not enough for Quintana/Robertsom.
I agree with chive….I think if u swap Giolito and Lopez in the 2 deals….both trade offers would be closer….the Sox would get Giolito because of the years if control the Nats get in Quintana….
That wouldn’t even be close to enough to get quintana alone
Quintana has more trade value than McCutchen. And the contract on McCutchen is very reasonable so “eating” it isn’t even going to come into discussions.
The Sox won’t need Wong….as Moncada will be the 2B as soon as 2017-2018….if they go after a 2B at all it will be a vet that can play there for 1 year until Moncada is ready….someone like Phillips or Kendrick…
Not a chance they give up that much for McCutchen. They would more likely sign a FA outfielder if they use that many prospects to land Quintana and Robertson.
We don’t need Quintana. We already have 6 guys fighting for 5 positions in the starting rotation.
The Cardinals said that Bader is going to be up in a year or two but not this year. He still needs some more triple-a time before he his up.
So why sign Fowler to a 4 year deal…? Sigh a stopgap or trade for a guy that’s in a walk year just to bridge the gap to Bader. Dyson and Cain both make a lot of sense.
> Luke Weaver, Magneuris Sierra, and Kolten Wong
That might too much, IMHO. Take out Wong and insert a B-level prospect, or Gyrko.
I think Cardinal fans, including myself, tend to value Wong, at this point, more than the reality.
The Cardinals should wait and hope for the explosion coming with Wong. Next year should be the determining year in whether he explodes or implodes. At this point, I can see how teams would look at Wong as nothing more than just a potential bust.
>>>”I think Cardinal fans, including myself, tend to value Wong, at this point, more than the reality.”
Probably not as much as the Cardinals’ GM, who recently said he sees Wong as a future All-Star and Gold Glover. I don’t think they’re going to trade as part of any package, because then they’ll be stuck with Gyorko at second, who’s pretty bad defensively.
I’d take Gyrko any day over Wong.
The only thing that Gyorko has over Wong is that he hit 30 HRs last year…which was double his normal amount. He struck out more, hit about the same average, and is worse at defense. Considering that the home runs probably aren’t the new normal for Gyorko, I’m not seeing “any day” over Wong.
I would be fine with Bader, at this point. Or sign Fowler and give Bader a chance to win the No. 4 outfield position.
The asking price for Blackmon/Eaton via trade will be too much, in my opinion.
Bader probably isn’t ready for the majors yet (he struggled in Triple A), and Sierra (the only other legit OF prospect the Cardinals have in their system) is further back. That’s probably why the Cardinals are interested in short-term solutions like Dyson and Cain; it gives Bader time and the Cardinals depth, with Pham as the fourth outfielder and Bader in Memphis when somebody (probably Pham) gets injured.
oh man, Eaton has club options through 4 years ago
We have to go back!
So what is it gonna take to get Eaton?? I’m not thrilled about any of the free agents except for Fowler and I would like it if he were a little younger and as far as Cain No way unless sign him to an extension right away! JMO!
Bader, Sierra, and Weaver should get Eaton.
I think I might take that deal, mostly because of Eaton’s contract situation.
Sox fans and Cardinal fans would be satisfied with that move. Why would the Cardinals need to keep a stud prospect in AAA when they would have a set outfield for the next 3-4 years?
The Cards might choose to trade Grichuk and keep Bader (down the road a year or two.)
I really think Kiermeier would be the best option. I would also personally love Lorenzo Cain, but the asking price is steep for 1 yr of control-Jason Heyward 2.0. Fowler would be a good addition, but the 1st round pick attached to him is tough to get over especially because it would go to the Cubs.
I also would love seeing Kiermeier’s defense in St. Louis, I’ve heard the asking price is out of this world on him and archer both. Just don’t see that happening when his offense hast shown up yet
In last week’s chat (I think, could be the week before), Derrick Goold said that the Rays aren’t motivated to trade Kiermeier, which is probably why they’re asking for the world. They’re only going to trade him if they get a king’s ransom in return.
The Cubs are getting that pick, anyway. Only might float up or down a spot or two.
I would like to see Kiermeier in CF and leading off. The question again is Mozeliak, IMHO there is NO ONE on the Cards roster I believe to be ‘untouchable’; and that includes Reyes, Martinez and yes… even Molina (the most overrated catcher in baseball)!!
The Nats have had talks about Blackmon in the past and it would not be a bad idea to go for him I would think
No doubt Luke weaver would have to be involved in an Eaton trade, he’s not a bad fit for the Cardinals at all he’s very controllable but the asking price won’t be cheap. Lorenzo Cain would be a terrible pickup he’s only got one year left on his contract and he has more trade value. As for Fowler or Desmond they both are good fits it’s just the attached draft pick makes it hard.
I believe Cain ends up with the cards
Forget about the draft pick. They would lose a mid to low pick anyways so now is the time to sign a FA. I would say sign Desmond and call it a day. He can play outfield and SS if needed should Diaz have a slump or injury. Ian Desmond is a clone of Matt Carpenter. Would be nice to have 2 Carpenters on the team.
Ian Desmond is nowhere near Matt Carpenter. Carp walks at more than twice the rate of Desmond and has like 60 points on him in ISO.
Carpenter is leaps and bounds ahead of Desmond offensively.
Fowler is much closer with a similar walk rate and closer (but still significantly less) power.
The Cardinals should just sign Fowler and try and limit it to 3 years with a higher AAV.
If we got Cain, who’s way superior to Eaton who’s peripherals are not better than Grichuk btw..what makes y’all think we won’t resign Cain to an extension??
> what makes y’all think we won’t resign Cain to an extension??
Jason Heyward.
They did offer big money to him though they did give it an effort.
Heyward also took less money with the Cubs than what the Cardinals were offering.
The last pending FA they traded for was Holliday, I think. And the Cardinals have a good track record resigning their own guys, like Molina, Wainwright, and Carpenter. So, there’s no reason to believe the Cardinals wouldn’t be able to resign Cain if they wanted to. Just isn’t a guarantee.
We all know if the Cards get Cain he won’t come back for 2018 I think Eaton or Fowler out their best options especially Eaton he’s younger than Cain has 4 years left of control and he had arguably his best season plus he doesn’t have as much value
I’m not sure why you think this, but Eaton has a ton more value than Cain. They have been similar players on the field, but once you factor in Adam Eaton’s ridiculously team friendly contract for the next 5 years and his youth compared to Cain’s 1 year of control and it’s not even close.
Agreed. Eaton’s value is Sale-like (even better).
The only other CF worth going after (other than Eaton) is Pollack.
Cain, Desmond, Ozuna, and Dyson are not.
What make you think those r the only two they should get. I would say ur leaving out the best option anyways in Kevin keirmeier but I wouldn’t mind seeing ozuna either.
Probably what Cardinal Fan 2011 says just below is why. I like Eaton and Pollack because they get on base more than the 2 you mentioned.
Eaton and Pollack are great players. Cain is also a great player, but who dealt with injuries last year, Dyson is a platoon player, and Ozuna probably wouldn’t be a lead-off guy.
Eaton also is pretty bad playing center, so that means Grichuk most likely would stay in CF (not a terrible arrangement, since has shown he’s actually a good corner outfielder based on a smaller sample size).
Pollock, coming off of a lost season, probably isn’t available. Diamondbacks would be selling low on a guy who you shouldn’t be, and the new GM has indicated he’s not interested in trading him.
The others would be less costly, out-of-the-box moves that could still meet their needs. Dyson’s OBP is lead-off quality, he’s probably the fastest runner of all the players mentioned, and he’s an extremely strong defender in center. Cain’s main issue is that he’s a pending FA; otherwise, he’d be in the same conversation as Pollock and Eaton. Ozuna is a good young CF with a cannon arm and who hits for power (23 HRs, .452 SLG) and is coming off a breakout season after an erratic 2015.
They’re all worth pursuing, because they would all add sizable value to the Cardinals’ outfield. They’re just not perfect fits, and some obviously would be fallbacks.
Of the names listed, Eaton is my favorite. He’s got a team friendly contract, he can hit, he’s athletic, fast and is an upgrade defensively. The more I hear about him the more I like
I hope he stays in Chicago
Surprise move for Byron Buxton or Travis Jankowski. Boom.
I think they could get Buxton. I live in MN… The org up here isnt pleased with his development, they know they wont be completing anytime soon. So a package for Buxton would work. Move Bader in it. I think Buxton is a better prospect.
Sign Fowler. It costs a draft pick and money but the Cards can afford that.
Screw trades. They had a great opportunity to trade Garcia and Adams and maybe a Weaver and a Flaherty combination for a CF just as Eaton or Blackmon, but with Garcia gone for scrap metal, we are pretty thin in the rotation when it comes to depth. At this point, we need to keep Luke Weaver, for he is now the Cardinals’ No. 6 starter. With Lynn coming back from injury, keeping Weaver may be more important to the team. And with Tim Cooney gone, and Tyler Lyons and Marco Gonzales coming off injuries, there isn’t a lot of depth behind Weaver.
Mo should have been fired for the Garcia trade alone. A SP for 3 piles that wont contribute much if anything. Mo is living off of past success and isnt motivated to do ANYTHING of significance. Guy is playing 9 steps behind good GMs like Theo. Thats why were middle of pack Central for the forseeable future.
What would it take to get Eaton and Quintana to the Cardinals??
What would it take from the Cardinals to get both Eaton and Quintana?
Easily would take Weaver, Sierra, Bader and another pitching prospect. To start that conversation. but my thoughts are why don’t we try to pull Eaton and say Frazier/Abreu to St Louis and unload Gyorko/Peralta with prospects and have an infield of Frazier/Abreu, Diaz, Wong, Carp, and Yadi. I think our pitching is set as long as Lynn comes back healthy.
“…and potentially through 2012 via club options.” 2012? That soon?? Typo, guys….. 🙂
The Yanks would be glad to trade you Gardner for a mid-tier prospect.
McCutchen should be the target for Mozeliak! Let’s see what happens. Not holding my breath.
Agree, 100%!
Would love it but the package it’d take to trade within division will be outrageous
Mo missed the boat a few years back when the Marlins Giancarlo Stanton was pissed cause the Marlins were unloading player.s. Back then, I told my fellow baseball fans that Mo should have offered Martinez, Tavares, and another pitching prospect to Miami for Stanton. Impact players COST !! Mo has NO BALLS! MO MUST GO!
To catch Cubs, Cain or McCutchen patrolling CF for StL in ’17…Eaton is not much of an upgrade worthy of package it would take.
Hey, the important thing is Mo keeps pocketing all that money he has to spend the last couple years. WS caliber teams go out and notice the needs they have and attack. Cubs and Sox did that. While Mo continues to shop as Dollar General looking for pennies on the dollar type players.
so true! Remembering the Whitey Herzog era and his willingness to go for the high fruit, 😉 its really disappointing to have a clown like Mozeliak running the player negotiations! MO MUST GO!
I’m not crazy about Fowler being a Cardinal next season, and with all the money the Cardinals make from their die hard fans every year, it’s a bit of a slap in the face that the GM drags his feet all the time. When he does pull the trigger, it’s for an average player. Cardinals need to be bold and actually compete with the Cubs this year. Make a statement and stop being so cheap.
I don’t like that a slightly above average player.. not a superstar.. can make 10-15 million a year, but that’s the market. Open that pocket book and lets go!
Move Wong to Center and trade for Dozier. Lol