I ahve to admit, I don’t like the idea of trading Rasmus ( a guy who profiles to be an all star by the way) or Anderson (a good prospect who everyone is hopeful comes into his own) for a rental of a starter.

not so much on Ludwick. Isn’t he under team control for 3 more years? My math might be wrong on that, but if he is, you sure the better hope that he will not have another season in the next three anywhere close to his 2008 season. I think that 2008 might just be the norm for Ludwick, I don’t want to trade a cheap, productive outfielder that we can put out there for the next 3 years just so we can get some prospects. That is just looking way too far down the road.

They can afford one star-quality middle-infielder. They can either go for a Furcal/Hudson/Cabrera at short and platoon Lopez and Miles at second, or they can go for a Roberts/Uggla type at second and re-sign Izturis at short. Either way, you can still keep Lopez and Miles around as your MI bench.

They can probably get one nice LOOGy (Ohman, Bannister) and one so-so LOOGy (Villone) unless Ty Johnson can return to form. The right side of the pen is currently overloaded with short arms (Springer, Izzy, Perez, Motte, Franklin). Only three of these guys will be staying, I believe, because you need one long man, two LOOGys, and an expected new closer.

As far as the outfield goes, this has been discussed ad nauseum IMO, but the current crop hits so well, it’s difficult to see how there can be a home for an “impact bat” out there. The “impact” would come at the expense of two of our top four hitters. I don’t see it. The only place to park another slugger is in the middle infield, and that means either Furcal, a trade for Tulowitzki, or a trade for Roberts, Uggla, etc.

In terms of the rotation, they could surprise us all and step up for Burnett or Lowe. I’m expecting no help at all on that front, save a “swingman” scrap-heaper who can take Brad Thompson’s role in the pen and do it worse for more money.

On the closer front, they have talked about Fuentes enough that I think it’s a strong possibility. Particularly if there’s a trade for a cost-controlled middle-infielder instead of a FA acquisition. I can see Perez as set-up/understudy, or I can even see Perez traded. But I think Tony’s made up his mind that Perez isn’t going to be the 2009 closer unless he has to be.

If they really want to deal Peralta, I could see us being a good trade partner for them. They have some pitiful outfielders once you get past Sizemore. I’m not sure where to grade Peralta’s defense for the position but his bat is a huge plus. His age makes him a good long term option. I’d really love to find a way to stop playing the stopgap game for SS every year. Doesn’t look like the farm is ready to help for 3 years or so, so let’s find a longterm option now and save ourselves the hassle of flea market shopping for a critical position for the next several years.

If you can’t find a trade partner for SS, then I’m inclined to make a strong push for Furcal.

I’m not inclined to spend money, or more importantly – years, to relievers. I wouldn’t mind a starter for a 1-2 year deal, or trading from the outfield depth for one after you figure out how SS will be addressed.

ok, so fourstick doesn’t like the Burrell idea…then I guess go after Perralta, or Furcal…I don’t like Cabrerra, and Renteria might work, but it won’t be the same ole’ Edgar.

I think we should get only 1 LHP, and see how Johnson holds up…remember, he was doing pretty well last year until tendinitis knocked him out. and he got overused.

I am still dreaming of a Burrell signing, but if that doesn’t happen…maybe we can get the “other” Rockies outfielder…Brad Hawpe!!! Come on, you know you wouldn’t mind him, especially if we get Furcal.

it sounds like they would rather move cabrera to SS and have peralta be the odd man out. although they do have josh rodriuez in the minors. he’s still a year or two away though.

We may already be paying Carp $15mil/yr to not pitch…I don’t think it would be good to have two guys making $15mil+/yr to not pitch.

i’d say no. even for a less years i’d say no. throwing 200+ innings he is bound to have a down year next year. plus he’ll be 32 at the start of the season.

looks pretty scary imo.

on an innings-pitched basis, simply because Burnett will spend time on the shelf. With Carpenter’s situation and the whole five-year-pitcher-deals-can’t-be-insured stuff from the last go round, I give something like that happening in St. Louis about a 2 percent chance. They would be better off signing Sabathia for $20 million than Burnett for $15. Not that that would happen, either…

i think Mo hopefully makes a call to tampa bay, cleveland, LAA, boston, and atlanta and if none of those options are available or if they will just cost too much i hope he makes a strong push for furcal.

. . .

Done.

But I don’t want Furcal. I love him as a player, but he will be too expensive. I don’t mind dreaming about getting Furcal, but as you stated, the Cards do not have a track record to outbidding others on the FA market. Jocketty’s record was based on small trades not outspending.