nothing doing

Well, the Redbirds didn't make any last minute trades on this, the trade deadline, but other teams were busy beavers right up until the 3pm CST finish line.

The one that impressed me the most was Jake Peavy. Yes, the infamous Padres pitcher with the infamous no-trade clause (the one that has inspired night sweats in a few GMs) is headed to Chicago, although Cubs fans shouldn't wait for him to get off the 152 eastbound, because he's going to the southside.

soñando

I had a lovely dream about Kyle Lohse last night, the details of which I won't press upon you, but which leads me to believe that Kyle has seen the last of his hard-luck (and less than stellar) starts and will soon reclaim his role as "Mr. Reliable". 

I know it's Wednesday, but I was so sure that last night's game was going to be a wash (ie, rained out) that I gave up and went to bed and completely missed pitching Tuesday. 

Anyway, nothing really needs to be said about Wainwright, much less Carpenter, and Pineiro is fast winning my heart, and so I thought I'd give you my feelings about the guy we all desperately want to count on once again. 

First, I'm really glad he's ours for the next millenium or so. I like the feeling of security that comes with a long-term contract, especially with good players. Second, I think he's destined for great things before his career is over. Nothing specific, just a general sense of expectancy. And third, it truly was a lovely dream....

a little "pop" in the lineup

The Cards' first big trade of the year came in the form of a utility player with more than a little experience in the NL Central.

One Cubs blogger waxed somewhat resentful about the Cardinals/Indians trade that brought the versatile Mark DeRosa to St Louis and sent Chris Perez and (eventually) Jess Todd to Cleveland:

That’s right, Mark DeRosa is now a Cardinal. The Cubs worst offseason trade of the year is now coming back to bite the Cubs in the ass. The Cubs most hated rivals just got better and it’s all because of Mark DeRosa.

Never mind his iffy start with the Cards (ending up on the DL before registering a single hit), DeRosa has been a huge addition to the club. And I'm not just saying that because Cubs fans are unhappy.

+++

Next, as you may have heard, the Cards dispensed with Chris Duncan in the form of a film noir-type "meet on a train in the middle of the night and arrange a mutually beneficial assassination plot in which neither of us will be suspected for the murders we're about to commit" thing. The only apparent motive for either team is that of addition by subtraction. *Wink, wink*

I was not at all pleased with this trade, and I don't see any change in my feelings forthcoming. Lugo is at best a mediocre defender and an adequate hitter. His main asset is his ability to hit lefties for a little better than average. Any other team wouldn't sneeze at an offer to get him, but the Cards are so weak on the left side that we're pretty much willing to give any idiot a shot.

I don't have anything personal against Julio Lugo. I just don't like him.

+++

Our most recent acquisition was Matt Holliday. Last year, when offseason trade rumor-mongers were eagerly sending Holliday to St Louis, I didn't get my panties in a twist over the whole thing. For one, I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of shipping off two of our best outfielders (Skip and Ludwick) in exchange for one outfielder, mainly because the math just didn't work for me.

The other thing that bothered me about the possible trade (back in November) was that Matt would have to pick a new jersey number, seeing as #5 is taken (and hopefully will never be worn by another Cardinal for the rest of all time). In the end, he went to Oakland, where even his magical powers weren't enough to keep the A's out of the basement of their division, and the whole idea of Matt in red & white was put to bed... for the time being.

Then, suddenly, John Mozeliak surprised everyone, including himself, and brought the square-jawed hit-man to our fair city (or rather, to Philadelphia, for a road series), and a true threat behind Albert was finally a reality. We gave up Brett "the walrus" Wallace, a third baseman with a big bat, less than spectacular defense, and a quite large bottom. Um, I mean, powerful thighs. Er, I mean a solid foundation. Yes, that's it. The man is very solidly founded.

Fine print: Of course, those of us paying attention realize that Ryan Ludwick, while a remarkable power hitter and above-average defender, will never get the respect he deserves from pitchers, thus nullifying any actual threat he might pose in the batter's box. We therefore reserve the right to consider him a top quality clean-up hitter, while at the same time conceding our need for someone more publicly recognized as such.

All in all, I am somewhat impressed with our GM's go-get'em-ness (???), but I still feel that now that we've started down this road, we must complete the journey. Get us a starting pitcher (Halladay or Lee will do), Moze, because if there's one thing you don't want, it's for all this farm system looting to have been for naught.

cold-hearted

I deal with a lot of death in my line of work. Some deaths leave you with a sense of closure and peace while some tear your heart right out of your chest, leaving a gaping, bloody, stinking hole where your hopes and dreams used to be, then punch you squarely in the face and laugh as you crumple to the floor in a pathetic heap.



Wow.

Well, three things crossed my mind upon hearing about the trade.

(1) I'll be under the covers crying softly for the next two or three weeks if anyone needs me.

(2) John Mozeliak has some balls. And no heart. I think he must be made of plastic or something. Oh, I understand the motive. He wants to win. He wants to keep Albert Pujols happy, and his plan to accomplish this apparently involves filling up the roster with strangers and mercenaries who will (hopefully) get us into October and then quietly slip out the back door while no one's looking. However, as open-minded as I claim to be, I'm not sure I approve of the means.

The thing is, now that he's made this move, he really needs to bring the hammer down on the whole Roy Halladay situation. If he is truly committed to "the plan" as one would have to assume considering the weight of this decision, then he'd better stick to his guns and finish what he started.

And (3) Wait, don't we already have a shortstop? Or two?


Here's what Moze had to say about the trade:

Chris Duncan was drafted and developed by this organization, and in addition to being a talented player we all recognize him as a high-quality individual. He was an important part of our World Championship club in 2006. I know I speak for our entire organization when I say that we are grateful to Chris for what he has given to the Cardinals and our fans.

Chris Duncan. Some defensive blunders mixed in with some clutch hitting, and, well, it's like a roller coaster ride that you love and hate all at the same time.

Be good to my ba-Dunc-a-dunc, BoSox fans. I know where you live.