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Matt Carpenter is awesome. Sometimes this fact can be easy to forget because of how consistently awesome Matt Carpenter has been. In his six years wearing the Birds on the Bat, Carpenter has put up over 23 fWAR. He has never ended a season with a wRC+ under 117. As Matthew Ludwig wrote Tuesday morning, appreciating him should not be so hard. So why would the Cardinals look at Eric Hosmer? Earlier this offseason we discussed that Carpenter is more likely a better value than Hosmer. Would the Cardinals possibly trade their most valuable position player over the last six years to make room for another player?
Turns out they do not have to trade him to make room for Hosmer. Matt Carpenter comes through again - he can play multiple positions.
According to Jon Morosi, that is just what they hope to do:
Source: #STLCards remain involved in pursuit of Eric Hosmer, among other options to upgrade lineup. Cardinals also interested in third basemen, including Josh Donaldson in trade. Matt Carpenter’s versatility means Cardinals could add a 1B as easily as a 3B. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 2, 2018
Because of Carpenter’s ability to play third base or first base, both Hosmer and Josh Donaldson are still in play. Of course, Hosmer is a free agent and does not appear to be highly sought after. He will be the easier get. On the other hand, Josh Donaldson would need to be traded for and has only one year left on his current contract. However, Steamer projects Donaldson’s fWAR at 6.4 while Hosmer’s is just above average at 2.6, so it is quite obvious who the better player is. Sorry, we still have to suffer through the Hosmer rumors a little longer, but look, look! Josh Donaldson! Doesn’t he look lovely?
We are all in this together folks. Deep breath.
what else is going on in baseball...
Dee Gordon calls Marlins firesale “embarrassing” | SBNation.com
Ex-MLB Advanced Media executive reportedly forced out due to misconduct | SBNation.com
The Yankees don't appear to be done re-tooling | SBNation.com
Dick Enberg dies at age 82 | SBNation.com
This minor league baseball player paid off his parents' mortgage for Christmas | SBNation.com
Let’s Watch Arizona’s Newest Reliever Strike Out Nolan Arenado | FanGraphs Baseball
Sunday Notes: Dick Enberg Was an Iconic Broadcaster | FanGraphs Baseball
See how baseball players bid farewell to 2017 on social media | MLB.com
Joe Posnanski compares Carpenter vs. Zambrano | MLB.com
Five New Year's resolutions for baseball in 2018. | Sports on Earth
Hyun-Jin Ryu and his bride-to-be have the baseball-field engagement photos of your dreams | MLB.com
Remembering those MLB lost in 2017 | MLB.com
My Baseball Hall of Fame picks for the class of 2018. | Sports on Earth
These five rookie debuts should be one of the best parts of the 2018 season | MLB.com
MLB Buzz: Trade talk, deals and rumors | MLB.com
Top 100 plays of 2017 MLB season | MLB.com
10 active players who could make Hall of Fame | MLB.com
Let's take a look at baseball players wearing the most beautifully ugly Christmas sweaters | MLB.com
This animated children's book tells the story of the 2017 baseball season | MLB.com
2017 gave us a World Series Game 5 for the ages. | Sports on Earth
Lance McCullers Jr. helped reunite a lost dog with his owner through Twitter | MLB.com
Sit back and enjoy one of Andruw Jones' most unbelievable catches | MLB.com
Longest-tenured active players with 1 club | MLB.com
Team USA's WBC title among top stories of 2017 | MLB.com
what the cardinals are up to...
Yankees, Pirates renew Gerrit Cole discussions | MLB.com
Ozuna is One Piece, but Cardinals Still Have Offseason Moves to Make | 101Sports.com
Cardinals Winter Opinions: Catching the Cubs and the Death of 'Whiteyball' | 101Sports.com
Hochman: Cardinals need closer to finish the shopping season | Benjamin Hochman | stltoday.com
Video: St. Louis Cardinals pitcher helps teen get life-saving Leukemia treatment | Local | stltoday.com
Maple is a staple for Cardinals slugger Ozuna | St. Louis Cardinals | stltoday.com
Ortiz: MLB must take a stand against intentional tanking | Jose de Jesus Ortiz | stltoday.com
Flaherty, Bader named Cardinals' minor leaguers of the year | Cardinal Beat | stltoday.com
Daniel Poncedeleon returning form brain injury | St. Louis Cardinals
KNOW THINE ENEMY...
the nl central
2018 ZiPS Projections – Milwaukee Brewers | FanGraphs Baseball
Top 25 Prospects: Pittsburgh Pirates | FanGraphs Baseball
Roberto Clemente's legacy still resonates | MLB.com
Pirates' Jameson Taillon confident for 2018 | Pittsburgh Pirates
Remembering that time Kerry Wood struck out 20 | MLB.com
Cubs Anthony Rizzo an example to team | Chicago Cubs
Tweet or e-mail me links @lil_scooter93 or at lil_scooter93 AT msn DOT com!
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