Otsuka to Cards?

by kindred on Mar 9, 2007 9:24 PM EST

apparently, Ken Rosenthal is speculating that a Akinori Otsuka trade to the Cardinals makes some sense. i'd love to see it, but i can't imagine it happening. i'm not sure what we have that the Rangers would want (they need SP, we've got a bunch of so-so relievers and so-so OFers), and i don't think they can afford to put all their eggs in Gagne's basket just yet.

Anyway, one of Rosenthal's sources said this was a possibility. two other sources said that Jock hasn't even talked with the Rangers about it.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6549614

again, this just doesn't seem likely. but stranger things have happened, i suppose.

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Never thought about it

To be honest I wasn't ever sold on Otsuka. However after looking at his numbers and splits he is the real deal. The guy has a career ERA of 2.43. I knew he had a good year last year but I thought maybe he was just new to the hitters and it would wear off. To my surprise he gave up 4 runs all of August and September. He would be a good candidate to close until Mr. Izzy is back and then go to being a 8th inning guy.

I not for sure how is contract looks but I have a feeling maybe the Rangers see him as expendable and a dump guy. Not for sure what the Rangers would want but if the want an OF maybe sending them John Rodriguez and a lower pospect. I pretty sure they would go for some starting pitching too. I know this idea won't be popular but maybe send them Narveson. I'm not for sure if Narveson will ever get his chance in the Cardinal organization. Also same idea for Troy Cate.

by stl3bagger on Mar 9, 2007 10:24 PM EST reply actions

scott hairston

would be a heck of a platoon partner for lil dun... why in the world would the Diamondbacks make a guy with a .980 OPS repeat AAA for 3 years?

Do we have anything the Diamondbacks would want?

"God is back in the National League. Matter of fact, he is staying at my house." -Joaquin Andujar

by SleepyCA on Mar 9, 2007 11:02 PM EST reply actions

Outfield Trade

Hairston is a good player but I don't think he's someone the Cards are looking for. I think the Cards will only trade for a major impact outfielder, someone like Andruw Jones or Ichiro. Now I'm not saying the Cards are trying to get either but thats the kind of outfield I see the Cards going for if any.

As for Hairston, I look for the White Soxs to go for him. Posednik in left is way too fragile too rely on anymore.

by stl3bagger on Mar 9, 2007 11:45 PM EST reply actions

The Rangers

could always use some starting pitching. There's no way they'd take Looper for Otsuka. Otsuka'd be nice to have but I'm not sure how we could get him. I don't even know why they'd trade him. I guess b/c they're the Rangers.

by chuckb on Mar 10, 2007 12:14 AM EST reply actions

Hmm

Couldn't the Rangers use outfielders? We've got plenty that could match the price of Otsuka.

On with the youth movement!

by aet15 on Mar 10, 2007 2:11 AM EST reply actions

They've got Slammin' Sammy

what more do they need?

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Mar 10, 2007 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

Who?

Otsuka's a solid set up man who was a solid closer for much of last year. Outside of Duncan and Edmonds, what OF's do we have who would be a match for him? Juan won't get it done.

by chuckb on Mar 10, 2007 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

The Rangers have a players signed to a minor

league deal named Sammy Sosa.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Mar 10, 2007 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

haha

my point exactly.

On with the youth movement!

by aet15 on Mar 10, 2007 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

Reading Minds

Seeing a AAA player as potential impact or NOT makes a huge difference in roster shuffling and potential trades. As in poker, we'll likely not know the full thoughts of TLR and WJ on the likelihood and timing of Schumaker, Ankiel, Ludwick and Rasmus becoming everyday impact players. If they see any of these as possible regulars within a year, that's one thing - 2 years, quite another - if not, even something different - perhaps even trade bait. I suppose the same applies to Hawksworth and Narveson. WJ has a pretty good track record of trading prospects who end up "never heard from again". We may see who his choices for "cast-off" are in the next week or so.

by Hinkster on Mar 10, 2007 11:19 AM EST reply actions

WOuld you guys do...

Chris Duncan for Otsuka and Nelson Cruz?

by gbaby on Mar 10, 2007 6:42 PM EST reply actions

I would

but I don't know that the Rangers would.

by DanUpBaby on Mar 11, 2007 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions

no

no!no!no!no!no

SWH

by BRINGBACKWILSON on Mar 11, 2007 6:04 AM EST reply actions

What about this idea?

I've been thinking about this trade idea a lot because I think Texas is the perfect trading partner. What are some of Texas needs? I'm thinking pitching of any kind and maybe an outfielder. What if we expanded the trade package. Brad Wilkerson has seemed to never fit in Texas and I think Texas would entertain a offer for him. What about a Otsuka/Wilkerson for a Duncan/Narveson/Flores deal. Duncan would be a good fit for Texas because he would be a good DH/1B/OF guy in a hitters park. Flores would be a good lefty in the bullpen and Narve would probably go right into their 5th starter spot. For us, Wilkerson would replace Duncan in left, provide good defense and be a great 2 hitter infront of Pujols. Also we already have a replacement for Flores with Rincon and I don't think Narverson will ever get his chance here in St. Louis. Also I'm pretty sure this is Wilkerson's last year in his contract and we have money to sign him long term, where as Texas has already spent alot of money and still has to sign Texiera, a Boras client. My only worry is Wilkerson's health.

Just an idea that I doubt will ever be considered but seems like a decent deal for both sides.

by stl3bagger on Mar 11, 2007 8:41 PM EDT reply actions

Duncan...

... is younger, cheaper, healthier, and probably better than Wilkerson. i can't imagine TX being high on Narveson, and Flores is fungible for any organization. i honestly don't think that trade would be very good for either organization.

by kindred on Mar 11, 2007 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Trading for Otsuka

Personally, I don't think that Brad Wilkerson is going to come even close to duplicating the kind of production that you can expect from Duncan, even if you're not all that enamoured of him.

That said, I like the idea with Narveson. He's not going to get a realistic shot here, I don't believe, and Texas is looking for help in the starting rotation. On Flores, I don't think you can trade a guy for a certain amount of time after you sign him, but I'm not totally sure on the details of all that contract stuff.

What about throwing Hancock in? He's shown an ability in the past to both relieve and start. Texas would get a potential swingman type and a young, cheap left handed starter. Neither one are world beaters, but the Rangers seem like they could use as much depth as possible. Their pitching right now is very thin, and all the potential help they have coming for the future, (Thomas Diamond, Eric Hurley, etc.) is still a ways off. Failing that, if two major league ready pitchers seems too high, what about one or the other of Hancock/Narvie, and a young OF guy from the system? Not a Rasmus or such, but maybe Nick Stavinoha or Cody Haerther? Both have limied upside, compared to a Rasmus or even a Jon Jay, most likely, but they're decent prospects none the less. Personally, I would love to see the Cardinals acquire Otsuka. I really like his stuff, and I think a legitimate set up guy would help to stabilize this bullpen in a hurry. Not that I doubt the ability of the guys they have in camp, but adding a quality, proven arm at the back end can only be a positive.

by the red baron on Mar 12, 2007 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Logical for Rangers?

If the Rangers are essentially in the same position as the Cards, with a proven closer coming off of surgery, why would they trade away their insurance on Gagne if he, like Izzy, has yet to demonstrate that he is ready for the grind of a full season? If they trade Otsuka to the Cards, wouldn't that put them in the same position as the Cards?

by bgh on Mar 12, 2007 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

That is somewhat true

the only real difference, and I think this may be key, is that the Rangers lack the kind of depth that the Cardinals have. The Redbirds have a substantial stockpile of bullpen arms who can contribute, even in a small way. There may be no closer candidates right off the top, but there are a bunch of pitchers like Dennis Dove, Troy Cate, Sillman, Worrell, etc. who could come up and help fill in at need. The Rangers really struggle in terms of their depth, especially in the rotation. It's a similar situation to the Cards, but they need depth much more than the Birds do, and that's why I think a guy like Otsuka might be useful for them to move. The talent you get back for a guy like him might not be quite as good, but if you can bring in a few guys, it represents an upgrade, almost in an insurance policy sort of way.

by the red baron on Mar 12, 2007 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Otsuka?

Otsuka's great, and heck anything less stressful than watching Izzy would be welcome, but (a) he's about 63 years old and (b) do the Rangers have THAT much faith in the reconstructed bionic Gagne?

All seems shaky to me.

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by rokusan on Mar 14, 2007 7:20 AM EDT reply actions