A Midsummer's Morning's Chat

Mornin', folks. I would imagine we're all feeling a bit more charitable toward the team this morning than we have of late. Two in a row over the Hated Cincinnati Reds will do that for you. (I've decided we should start referring to them as Hated now. Usually that's reserved for the Cubs, but I figure any team with Dusty Baker managing should automatically qualify, not to mention the whole Brandon Phillips thing.) Of course, considering the recent history between these clubs of the sweeper going in the tank while the sweepee flourishes, I'm going to hold off on much celebration for now.

Anyhow, I've thought about this long and hard, and I'm going to throw out my one magic bullet player who I would hope the Cardinals will take at least a serious look at trying to acquire: Hiroki Kuroda. One of the most underrated pitchers in all of baseball, Kuroda wouldn't command a king's ransom, I wouldn't think, and his presence would allow the field management team to move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen where I feel he belongs in a way which is somewhat less distasteful to them. (i.e. they wouldn't be embarrassing him by  handing his spot to a rookie in Lance Lynn, nor would they be forced to admit it was just a failed idea; just a solid veteran pickup to help shore up two weaknesses all at once), and Kuroda would do wonders for the middle portion of this rotation. Heath Bell doesn't make sense to me, Jose Reyes is a pipe dream, J.J. Hardy looks likely to be extended. Kuroda is my guy now.

Okay, I've got about two hours free, so between now and, say, 11:30-ish let's have us a chat. The midpoint of the season has come and gone, the trade deadline is coming up, we've all had our fill of fireworks (if, that is, you could ever get your fill of something as wonderful as fireworks, which I can't imagine), and there aren't really a whole lot of other sports taking our attention away from baseball. (The lone exception being women's world cup soccer, which I generally avoid for personal reasons.) So let's chat us up some baseball. Or some boat shoes. Or whatever.

The Baron's Playlist for the 6th of July, 2011

"Ride a White Swan" - T. Rex

"Mambo Sun" - T. Rex

"Band of Gold" - Afghan Whigs

"Double Day" - Afghan Whigs

"Failsafe" - The Choir Practice

"Up All Day" - The Choir Practice

"Caught In the Middle" - Charlie Rich

"Midnight Blues" - Charlie Rich