On a side note - on my Cardinals board I put together my manifesto on how I fix the Cards and have them ready to legitimately compete in 2013.
It requires 3 moves.
Quote:
Carpenter to the Yankees for Montero -
I see no reason why this isn't an incredibly fair trade for both teams, especially in light of the Yankees willingness to move Montero last season
Molina to the Red Sox for Oscar Tejada and Jed Lowrie -
Tejada's blocked by Pedrioa and not really capable of playing SS (besides, Iglesias is the future there). Lowrie's a legit SS that they have behind Scutaro for reasons unknown; he'd be a great stopgap while we wait for our next contestant to develop at SS.
Pujols to the Rangers for Moreland, Profar, Scheppers and Davis (drop Davis if necessary) -
[Once again - the Rangers would be an intriguing team to talk to at that point. I know they're high on Moreland, but if Albert waives his no trade and we make them an offer for say Scheppers, Moreland, Davis and Profar maybe that does the trick. Davis is a K machine, but he's an elite defensive 1b that is still young enough to come around, he's also a plus 3b if we give up on Freese. I am extremely high on Moreland (I see him as a mini-Votto) and he's proven capable of playing the OF. Scheppers could be a real closer of the future instead of that lunkhead Motte. Profar's a ways off, but he's a legit SS prospect.
Moreover, it doesn't hurt the Rangers at all. Moreland is replaced at 1b by Albert. Davis is in AAA right now (I think, maybe he's on their bench) as is Scheppers. Profar's below that and blocked by Andrus. It's another deal that I think is pretty reasonable and would really help both squads]. Profar's a high ceiling SS prospect that could team with Tejada in 2 years to create an elite defensive middle IF and provide solid power and speed to our interior.
Now your 'best case scenario' 2013 Birds are:
Montero - C
Davis - 1b
Tejada - 2b
Profar - SS
Freese - 3b
Moreland - RF
Rasmus - CF
Holliday - LF
And if Profar or Tejada aren't ready yet, Lowrie is a more than capable stand in at either position.
Rotation:
WW - 1
Garcia - 2
Miller - 3
Mac - 4
Lynne - 5
Bullpen is being anchored by Scheppers; the rest can be assembled on the fly. Ideally we'd bring back one or 2 more arms in either the Pujols or Molina deals, maybe an arm in lieu of Chris Davis and/or in addition to the Tejada Lowrie package.
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Franklin could be moved to a contender for a relief arm as well. This makes the team younger, hungrier, deeper and with just as much talent. It also frees up a ton of $$ to make a move if it is deemed necessary.
Tough choices need to be made. Make them and we can keep winning. Refuse to close the book on the last decade and we'll be looking at the 70's Cardinals all over again.
Alas, I know which path Captain Ahab and his dipshit minion are going to take.