There was talk among the commenters at MLBTraderumors of adding a pitching prospect. If it was Johnson plus decent pitching prospect for Ludwick, I would definitely consider it.

They may want a minor leaguer as well but the Cardinals should jump at that. I’d have to think long and hard about swapping Ludwick for Escobar as well.

By David O’Brien

November 4, 2008 9:15 PM | Link to this

You in the KJ camp apparently needn’t worry about him going to St. Louis for Ludwick. The Kelly part of that equation was shot down by someone on the St. Louis side.

However, the Braves are interested in Ludwick. Ankiel, I’m not as sure about, but I think they’ve discuss him with the Cards, too.

By N8

1). Assign every player speed scores
2). Calculate the average % (successes per opportunities) of 1st to 3rd or 1st to homes for each speed score against all catchers in the league
3). Calculate the average % versus Molina

I think the speed scores would be interesting and important in determining the quality of the baserunners that are facing the catcher.

I’d love to see that done, but I don’t know of any way to do it. Also, it might not tell us what we want to hear due to the bizarre propensity of the 2008 team to allow advances on defensive indifference in the 9th inning and due to the fact that so few people ran on yadi in critical situations…

there are chips and guacamole on the table and beer in the fridge…

i kid

How would you do it?

he makes it look easy, so no one notices

they really should change the name, heh

but it is cost controlled risk. Three more years for Ludwick vs. 1 for Ankiel before we have to start paying him. I think they should get as much as they can for Ankiel and ride Ludwick as far as possible. Even if he regresses a bit, he’s still really good. And his numbers last year weren’t nearly elite. They were elite.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8762816/Payroll-flexibility-gives-A%27s-option-to-look-at-Furcal

The Rangers are interested in retaining Bradley, and the Blue Jays also would be a logical suitor. While Bradley fits best as a DH, he also could make sense for NL contenders such as the Mets, Cardinals and Phillies, depending upon how the offseason plays out.

Lots of qualifiers in the statements. Nothing has come from the Cards just Ken’s opinion.

maybe Parker Brothers?

Inaz’s total value has him 30 runs above replacement so their pretty much in agreement. For reference, Izturis was a 20 run player last year over replacement according to Inaz, Izturis -2.9 in OPD.

Either way we’re looking at only 5-10 runs switching from Izturis to Escobar all things staying equal.

i did this exact exercise earlier (and mentioned it above actually). interestingly enough, escobar also compares favorably to kelly johnson in GPA, PrOPS, and VORP. so he’s be a shortstop who was a similar fielder to izturis and a similar hitter to kelly johnson. my verdict; ankiel for escobar straight up would be totally sweet.

How about Ludwick + minor leaguer for Escobar + Ohman?

I’d rather keep Lud than Ank, but I’m not sure Ank gets a significant deal done.

GRIT!

Miles eats it, too. Gives them a little crunch.

Is to pull up some scatter diagrams. There should be at least three years of them available by now. You can compare and see. Keep in mind, Ludwick changed his stance in response to Hal MacRae’s suggestion. It opened up his power considerably, and is one of the reasons I don’t think he’s a flash in the pan.

has fluctuated between 18% and 22. It it reasonable to expect Ludwick to be hitting line drives 25 more often than Albert does?

That’s a nice find, there.

at least explains his low clutch rating imo

THT says 26.2%.

If they are smart enough to bat him in front of Pujols for an entire season it might even go higher. His slash lines in front of Albert are outrageous!

/sarcasm aimed at a different website

Cardinals get:
Jake Peavy
Kahlil Greene
Brent Lillibridge

Braves get:
Rick Ankiel
Pete Kozma

Padres get:
Yunel Escobar
Jeff Francouer
Mitchell Boggs

I guess. I hate doing these things. Whose stupid idea was this?

Honest question. I don’t know prospects for any teams besides the Cards very well at all. I’m confused, because I thought they still were gonna have Francoeur and Jones clogging things up. KC is apparently in love with Francoeur, and who wouldn’t want to get rid of Jones right now.

realistically, when do you think this trading will go down?

it seems like posturing. although trying to say that kj is worth ludwick would probably push teams away rather than intrigue them.

i do think that after all the non-happenings at this year’s trade deadline lots of things will happen this offseason. sounds like gm’s were asking way to much for their goodies and i think they will lower those prices to get things done this time around.

if we woulda been in first place, all 3 of them probably woulda won gold gloves

but it says “multi-player” trade. Wonder what the other parts might be?

I wouldn’t mind getting Holliday, but isn’t it like getting almost the same player, but costing us tons, I mean tons, more?

….that there will be a Holiday in the Sun for the Cards for ‘09, and that it will happen pretty soon. This is the "impact bat’ that TLR wants to protect Albert with, and frankly its the only way I see us getting one. If the Peavey to the Braves deal doesn’t go through, we cud very well see both Ludwick and Ankiel getting dealt, leaving the Cards with an OF of Rasmus/Schumacher/Holiday. Tulowitizki may be involved too, depending on cow many prospects the FO is willing to give up. But my twitching tail tells me something is really in the works with Cowlorado.

Ludwick’s bat this year was just as productive as Holliday’s, so I can’t see this being Tony’s impact player in the lineup if you have to give up a guy who is just as good to get him. It would completely defeat the purpose of the “impact bat”

before we trade for a MI i’m pretty sure i’m gonna throw up. especially if that outfielder is one we will have to pay pujols money to.

the last i heard 4/60 wasn’t gonna do it. he a boras client so its probably going to be more like 6/100. Unless dewitt plans on raising the payroll 15 mil i don’t see how this works.

has been stuck in their heads for an eternity. Ludwick is an awfully valuable asset to trade for one-year rental Boras client who wants major jack to sign long-term. Also, wouldn’t a Holliday contract rush the Pujols extension? How can possibly justify paying Holliday more than Pujols—even if it’s just for a couple of years?

it’s just stupid to trade a great outfielder for a more expensive great outfielder, this is hopefully just a rumor!

Tony LaRussa and his temper-tantrum power plays.

Mozeliak will placate him just so maybe he will shut up about the ‘impact bat’ BS.

Give Tony his big, lumbering slugger (see: McGwire, Mark: Duncan, Chris) and then force him to take Rasmus on Opening Day.