Game 60 Open Thread: June 10, 2007, 1:15 CDT

I wouldn't want to give up much for him since he's only so far established himself as a mediocre middle reliever. The Rangers have their middle infield locked up longterm but there aren't many interesting prospects at those positions in the upper levels of their farm system, except maybe 2B German Duran who looks like a great hitter, at least. Doug Mathis is pitching well at AA.

(Game 60, too)

The Cardinals best option is to stand pat, i know it is hard and it will make for a long year, but i would rather stay where we are than try to salvage the season by doing costly prospects-for-veterans deals that could set the organization back 4 to 5 years. Besides, our farm system is weak enough as it is, we cannot afford to start shipping more guys off for more 30+ ball players, eventually every team has to go through a youth movement.

we've got one more year (after '07) of Edmonds, Enc, Eck, Mulder, & Izzy (if we pick up his option). of those, the only tradeable pieces are Enc and Izzy. Enc's salary has become pretty affordable, judging by last year's market, and he's definitely movable to a team that suffers an OF injury, but that's the only scenario which would generate a strongly positive return. Izzy could be much more valuable, but he's a 10-5 player, and he seems to have a lot of ties to the organization and the organization seems to have a lot of ties to him. it would have to be a great deal for us (and him) for him to go. Eck isn't tradeable, because he basically sucks; too many defensive errors, and not nearly enough offense to make up for it. the team is counting on Mulder for next year; we haven't got any other pieces to trade, excepting a minor deal for Wilson or something inconsequential like that. truth is, we won't get any really great prospects for anyone we've got, barring major injuries to a contending team. so there's no point in dealing; better to ride it out and hope we can make it to the postseason with the current roster.

next year, Wilson/Taguchi should be gone, and will clear up spots for Ankiel/J-Rod/Stavinhova. hopefully, Miles will also be gone if we can sign Belliard or somebody like him for a bench role at the minimum. and maybe DeJock will spring for an impact OF, and trade Enc for a servicable starting pitcher. unlikely, but that would be the hope. the money will be there for at least one big signing; it's only a question of whether they can pull the trigger, and convince a big name to come to St. Louis.

It also seems to fit TLR's MO to bring in a (Capital V) Veteran like Percival if a move was in the works.  Should a trade go down, I would expect Franklin to be given the chance to close, with Percival as an insurance policy, ala Cal Eldred.

For my money, now is a perfect time to sell high on Isringhausen.  He's more healthy and effective than he has been in years.  It seems reasonable that a contending team with bullpen issues would give up some quality prospects for a veteran arm like Izzy and the chance to win now.  And at 34, it's hard to imagine Izzy maintaining this level of effectiveness much longer.

1. Izzy.  It seems to me many contending teams look for bullpen help in the stretch.  As bg said "He's more healthy and effective than he has been in years."
2. Blooper.  As much as I'd hate to see him go, he is a valuable comodity, a mid to back of the rotation guy making ~$5/ year.
3. Reyes, though if we trade him, I'm sure its at a loss for us.
4. Edmonds.  Think Larry Walker '04.  A veteran OF still capable of gold glove defense will probably be useful to one or two contenders by mid summer.
5. Taguchi.  I know it sounds outrageous, but I'd bet some clubs would be willing to overpay for the guy.  He still does play an average CF and is "clutch."  I'm not saying we'd get much for him, but even a low level prospect could help us.

1. Isringhausen (if Troy pitches well Izzy would seem expendable), he's in the last year of his deal with an option for next year)
   
2. Looper (buyers are always looking for starting pitching.  Loop has been decent enough to be pretty valuable, only 1 year left on his contract after this year)
   
3. Juan Enc (has been pretty good since he's been back, only 1 year left after this on his contract)
   
4. Ryan Franklin
   
5. Russ Springer
   
6. David Eckstien
   
7. Randy Flores
   
8. Kip Wells (wouldn't bring much, but we need to get rid of him)

Our post-deadline team
Rotation

1. Carp
   
2. Mulder
   
3. Wainwright
   
4. Thompson
   
5. Reyes
   

C: Yadi
1b: Pujols
2b: Kennedy
3b: Rolen
SS: Ryan
LF: Dunc
CF: JEd
RF: J-Rod
Bench
C: Bennett
IF: Miles
IF: Spiezio
OF: Gooch
OF: Ludwick

Looks good to me.  I think we could get a decent haul of prospects for Izzy and Looper.  And if we package some of the other guys we could get some good deals.  We could especially get good prospects if we are willing to eat some of these guys salary (which we should be able to do).  I say go for it, if the market doesn't look favorable we can hold back and stand pat.

Rolen and Dunc with days off.

Nice D from Gooch.

Also, when was the last inning the Angels went 1,2,3 like that.

Damnit.

Moonman!

Or, if you prefer:
"The world cannot exist without tape.  Second, baseball couldn't exist without tongue depressers. he-he-he-he."

Will Shea get a pitch to the keester in his next at-bat?

Nice, nice catch by Taguchi as I was looking up this Fungoes piece noting that Flores was our worst 2006 reliever in Inherited Runs Prevented.

If we hold on to this one, I'll need a drink.  If we don't, I'll need 5.

Maybe Hombre can smack another one out next inning for some insurance.

I'd prefer the top of the lineup lifts us out of a save situation in the bottom of the inning and Cavazos get the six outs, of course.

...except we aren't on FSN.

i wish everyday was sunday.

But I still love his bat (despite the strikeout).