Quote:
Originally Posted by VAChief
All do respect, you hang on to Bader. His defense doesn't slump and is ideal for that number 9 spot in the order if we ever find a catcher that can hit his way out of paper bag.
I would see what Carlson could bring back in a trade before Bader/ONeill. ONeill has more value to us than we would get back in a trade.
I would look at what we could get for Liberatore before he craters (I like Thompson more long term).
What could we get for Liberatore/Carlson...Montas? Haven't heard how his MRI went, but if healthy he will command a high price.
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They need to take a real swing and fix the front/middle of this rotation. The only place that's going to happen is with Miami. And the pieces match up EXTREMELY well.
That team has 7-8 young arms that could easily be the most high ceiling arm in our system. Many of whom have multiple years of team control.
The obvious target is Pablo Lopez but Lopez does have some significant health issues that make him extremely high risk as your only addition. However, Trevor Rodgers has fallen slowly out of favor as well and has a higher floor and a better health record, even if he doesn't likely have the ceiling Lopez does.
So get 'em BOTH. And yeah, pay for it.
Carlson and Gorman for Lopez and Rodgers? Yeah, I think you make that deal at this point.
Your long-term IF is still Arenado - Winn - Edman - Goldy/Walker
Your OF is still TON - Bader - Donovan
DH becomes Burleson/Yepez as a real nice L/R platoon (just as it should've been to start the season).
Short term you have Donovan at 2b and Yepez/Nootbar in RF while calling up Burleson to suck up some DH at-bats as the long side of a platoon with Pujols.
Your SP is now Lopez - Wainright - Mikolas - Rodgers - Hudson/Matz. If Matz comes back healthy you move Hudson to the bullpen where his shitty fastball command won't hurt you as badly. Liberatore and Thompson have stuff that will play up well in relief and give you two viable lefties. Hicks/Gallegos/Helsley gives you three strong righties as well. Oviedo and Hudson can be the swing guys you've been looking for. Pallante rides the memphis shuttle.
Long-term you still have Graceffo (who's the highest ceiling arm in the system, IMO), Hence and McGreevy as possible 2-3-4 starters.
They HAVE to stop pretending like this is the Cardinals system of 4-5 years ago when they could just keep throwing arms at the problem. The guys they thought would be those guys just aren't getting the job done. Oviedo never developed into a viable starter. Liberatore's stuff is fringe-average as a rotation option.
If they're serious about trying to build a winner, they're going to have to take chances. ****ing off in the margins won't get them anywhere with this sorry ass pitching staff. Trading Burleson for Kluber is just every bit of reeruned and yet that's the kind of nonsense I can see them pursuing because it's less scary.
It's also Moe's MO. So I'm sure it's what will happen.