You’re Walt Jocketty — what do you do?
June 26th, 2006Here’s the scenario of the St. Louis Cardinals as I see it:
– You’re in first place by two games, but the past six games provide some evidence that you can’t compete with the big boys. Houston is only five games back and should get a boost from Roger Clemens’ return.
– Your starting pitching is in shambles. Chris Carpenter and Anthony Reyes are OK, but Mulder is hurt, and Marquis and Suppan both have ERAs over 5. Ponson isn’t going to be much help in the rotation, either.
– Your outfield has gaping holes. Jim Edmonds is showing his age in center field and seems to be declining quickly. Juan Encarnacion has turned it around nicely as of late, but he’s average at best. Left field is a black hole, and nobody has emerged as a legitimate big league starter there.
– Your closer is unreliable. Jason Isringhausen has a 4.06 ERA, with a dreadful 1.58 WHIP. He’s blown five saves already.
– The rest of your bullpen is unspectacular, but not terrible. Adam Wainwright has been stellar. Josh Hancock and Braden Looper have been good. Brad Thompson hasn’t been as strong as he was last year. Randy Flores is average.
– Your farm system is depleted. There are a few prospects here and there, but on the whole, there’s little to be excited about.
So, pretend you’re Walt Jocketty. What do you do? There are three options:
1. Make trades to fill holes. Try to acquire a starting pitcher and an outfielder. If you pursue this course, who do you trade? Who do you try to acquire?
2. Bail on the season. Admit that you don’t have the horses to contend legitimately for a World Series title. Trade Edmonds, Isringhausen, Marquis for some young talent to help next year.
3. Stand pat. Acknowledge that your team might be strong enough to make the playoffs as is, and take your chances once you get there. Hope that Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter are enough to get you to the World Series. Don’t do any more damage to a weakened farm system to get the one or two players who may or may not help the team make it deep into the playoffs.
What do you say?
#2 is not an option, in my opinion.
#1 could be done, but only if the ownership opens up the pocketbook….which they seem to be reluctant to do.
Try to get through this season with Edmonds as the center fielder. Sad to say, J-Rod and some of the other LF contenders have not stepped up. Maybe Marquis could play left and hit sixth the two games after his starts.
Bring back Reggie Sanders! If only for the rest of this year.
There is talk that the Cards are interested in the Brewers’ Carlos Lee. Hmmmm………………..
As bad as the Cards have looked for the past week, it seems a bit early to go into panic mode. There probably aren’t any teams (except the Twins, of course) who are capable of beating the Sox or the Tigers right now. St. Louis still has the second-best record in the NL, and right now the Mets are the only team that I’d consider a serious threat to them in the playoffs. Houston did nothing to impress me when they played the Twins last week, and the Dodgers and Reds are pretenders. If I were Jocketty, I’d try to ride it out, at least until the trade deadline gets a little closer.
I don’t think it’s panic mode, I think it’s a solid forecast of how things will shake out.
There’s no way they’ll bail. But with not a lot to offer by way of prospects, Jocketty might have to take on some big contracts to get some help.
Gotta go for arms if I am them.
I would love to say build on the fly but with the available options I don’t know what sort of choices there will be. Realistically who wants the Cards spare parts? Edmonds would be tradable (although I think they waited two years to long), I could see the Yankees or Dodgers making a run at him. But could you get major league level prospects in return for Izzy or Mulder? I say keep Mulder for the year let him become the free agent and get the compensation pick out of him. Trade pool is looking shallow right now and I hope they dont overpay for a temporary spare part…
I also don’t believe it is time to think drastically. I think the pitching will come around. Marquis went through a horrible slump last season and came back strong. Keep Edmonds this season. Offer up Ponson, Bigbie, Rodriguez, Perez and Miles for a good outfielder with a bat. When Mulder comes off the DL hopefully he will give you some good outings. If he doesn’t then he is also trade bait. Someone will take a chance on him if he is healthy.
You guys are sounding a lot like Cubs fans. Trade all our junk for solid parts. Not gonna happen.
I agree, Zoner — and that’s the Cards’ main problem. We don’t have anyone we can trade to get the players we need to win the World Series. Those we would be willing to part with — Bigbie, Mulder, Ponson, etc. — nobody wants them, nor should they want them.
I just hope that the Cards’ front office doesn’t make desperation mid-season moves for the sake of this year’s campaign that result in “mortgaging” the team’s future
I hope not either Tony. Get rid of the junk parts.
Tim - Don’t be surprised by a team taking on players that haven’t proved themselves. It has happened before, especially if they are wanting to get rid of a big salary. I agree it isn’t smart, but it is still worth looking into. There have been some boneheaded moves in the past by GM’s.
Who fits that description that is currently on the Cards? And what do you expect to get for them?
The biggest need is pitching. And that always costs the most.
I really don’t know who is available as a pitcher. I agree that we could improve our pitching staff. I’m not sure who is moveable out there.
I believe teams would take a chance on Miles , Rodriguez, Mulder and Ponson. I expect to get a player with a big salary that the team wants to dump, possibly right at the trade deadline. It might not happen, but it is possible.
The O’s traded Schilling, Harnisch and Finley to Houston for Glenn Davis.
How about the Mariners sending Derek Lowe and Varitek to the Red Sox for Slocumb
I don’t think the teams that are trading–non-contenders–would want anything to do with any of those guys.
Of the players that all of you are mentioning to trade (Mulder, Marquis, Suppan, etc.), most are only under contract through the end of the year. You can’t get an impact player or a top-flight prospect in return for a two-month rental. I’d like to see them try and shop Izzy to see what kind of value he has. Chris Duncan is another guy that might draw a little interest.