Rotation help wanted

RockintheRed · 06-30-2008, 04:51 PM

The plan to trade Kyle Lohse at the trade deadline for a more long-term return on our investment seems to be a long shot by now. With Mark Mulder staying in relief at the moment, Matt Clement still rehabbing in the minors, and the possibility of Chris Carpenter as a reliever, there isn't a whole lot of room in the rotation to subtract guys. Viva El Birdos sums up the reliever and starter situation and comes to the conclusion that we'll most likely need another starter somewhere down the line, either externally or internally. Perusing MLB Trade Rumors, there could be a match with the San Diego Padres, who have a couple decent starters to consider.

Randy Wolf, signed to a one-year contract at $4.75 million, has a no-trade clause that may or may not include the Cardinals, but he has been good enough to be a good trade option for the Cards. He has a 4.13 ERA in 98.0 innings, but his main attraction is a 8.17 K/9 and a 2.41 K/BB ratio as a lefthanded pitcher. While he hasn't played a full season since 2003, Wolf has always had the ability to put up good numbers when he has pitched. Featuring a 88 mph fastball and a 68 mph curve, Wolf doesn't quite fill the smoke-and-mirrors mold, but he's not going to blow pitches by you. If he can stay healthy for a full season, which is the big question, he would be a very valuable part of anyone's rotation. He'll be 32-years-old in August.

As for what it'll take to get him, Lboros speculates that it'll take an important prospect to get him. Who's an important prospect? Names like Bryan Anderson, Jonathan Jay, and Shane Robinson come to mind. The Padres might even find a guys like Mike Parisi and Joe Mather attractive, given how well they have fared in Memphis this season. Given San Diego's outfield situation, I think they'd value a guy like Jay, who has offensive potential and defensive prowess with a few questions surrounding his arm.

Greg Maddux is another Padre that could be a rotation target. He brings grit, experience, and a heck of a resume, coupled with his 3.52 ERA and 3.95 FIP. At $10 million and a no-trade clause, he has a bigger price tag and could be out of our budget. Still, he would be Tony and Dave's dream - a pitch-to-contact veteran with post-season experience. The Cards have made their runs at him before, but maybe one last chance at a October run would be enough to convince him to come to St. Louis. The Braves or Cubs might be better suitors for the 42-year-old.

Excluding the fact that he doesn't strike out many (4.57 K/9), Greg has some good peripherals this season: 1.58 BB/9, 0.79 HR/9, and a 50% ground ball rate. It's tough to judge what it'd take to get him, but it would probably be similar to Randy Wolf, as Maddux might not have much left after this season. Would the Padres take a chance on Chris Duncan? Maybe a healthy Anthony Reyes would be better, as they could replace the old with the new.

Beyond that, the Padres don't have that many other rotation solutions for the Cards to consider. I seriously doubt they'd put Chris Young on the block, but if they did he'd have to be a top target. Shawn Estes is washed up. Jake Peavy? I wish...

More...

06-30-2008, 04:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
RockintheRed Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 176	Rotation help wanted The plan to trade Kyle Lohse at the trade deadline for a more long-term return on our investment seems to be a long shot by now. With Mark Mulder staying in relief at the moment, Matt Clement still rehabbing in the minors, and the possibility of Chris Carpenter as a reliever, there isn't a whole lot of room in the rotation to subtract guys. Viva El Birdos sums up the reliever and starter situation and comes to the conclusion that we'll most likely need another starter somewhere down the line, either externally or internally. Perusing MLB Trade Rumors, there could be a match with the San Diego Padres, who have a couple decent starters to consider. Randy Wolf, signed to a one-year contract at $4.75 million, has a no-trade clause that may or may not include the Cardinals, but he has been good enough to be a good trade option for the Cards. He has a 4.13 ERA in 98.0 innings, but his main attraction is a 8.17 K/9 and a 2.41 K/BB ratio as a lefthanded pitcher. While he hasn't played a full season since 2003, Wolf has always had the ability to put up good numbers when he has pitched. Featuring a 88 mph fastball and a 68 mph curve, Wolf doesn't quite fill the smoke-and-mirrors mold, but he's not going to blow pitches by you. If he can stay healthy for a full season, which is the big question, he would be a very valuable part of anyone's rotation. He'll be 32-years-old in August. As for what it'll take to get him, Lboros speculates that it'll take an important prospect to get him. Who's an important prospect? Names like Bryan Anderson, Jonathan Jay, and Shane Robinson come to mind. The Padres might even find a guys like Mike Parisi and Joe Mather attractive, given how well they have fared in Memphis this season. Given San Diego's outfield situation, I think they'd value a guy like Jay, who has offensive potential and defensive prowess with a few questions surrounding his arm. Greg Maddux is another Padre that could be a rotation target. He brings grit, experience, and a heck of a resume, coupled with his 3.52 ERA and 3.95 FIP. At $10 million and a no-trade clause, he has a bigger price tag and could be out of our budget. Still, he would be Tony and Dave's dream - a pitch-to-contact veteran with post-season experience. The Cards have made their runs at him before, but maybe one last chance at a October run would be enough to convince him to come to St. Louis. The Braves or Cubs might be better suitors for the 42-year-old. Excluding the fact that he doesn't strike out many (4.57 K/9), Greg has some good peripherals this season: 1.58 BB/9, 0.79 HR/9, and a 50% ground ball rate. It's tough to judge what it'd take to get him, but it would probably be similar to Randy Wolf, as Maddux might not have much left after this season. Would the Padres take a chance on Chris Duncan? Maybe a healthy Anthony Reyes would be better, as they could replace the old with the new. Beyond that, the Padres don't have that many other rotation solutions for the Cards to consider. I seriously doubt they'd put Chris Young on the block, but if they did he'd have to be a top target. Shawn Estes is washed up. Jake Peavy? I wish... More...