Comments on: Daily Farm Report – 5/15/08

By: Forsch31

Forsch31 — Sat, 17 May 2008 16:22:38 +0000

But if Barton doesn’t implode, then there’s no reason to send him to Memphis, and there’s nothing to bargain for. If he’s struggling, he’s taking up a roster spot better suited for another player or prospect, and the Cardinals are limited in what they can do. They’re play as a team is hurt, and Barton’s development is hurt. The Indians–who don’t have to do a thing–are the ones with the bargaining power. Getting Barton back isn’t the point for Cleveland–they know that the Cardinals like him, which is why Mo took a chance on a Rule 5 draft player. Getting something back for Barton now that they’ve lost him would be in their interest, and depending on how desperate the Cardinals are in sending Barton to Triple A, they’ll squeeze them to overpay.

It’s not public relations hubris. It’s reality and the risk you take with Rule 5 picks. They have to be ready to play at the major league level in some role, or you’re risking a roster spot for someone who can produce more.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 17 May 2008 04:44:22 +0000

Disagree Forsch31. Until Brian completely implodes, we’re the ones with the bargaining position. We have Barton and they don’t. There is egg on the face of the Indians front office. They miscalculated in leaving him unprotected. Thus, they are spouting public relations hubris about how rigid their bargaining position is. All the Cards have to do is get to roster expansions in September (or if they fall out of the race) and Barton is property of the Cardinals. That is leverage. It requires the Indians to discount their asking price for Barton all things considered. It’s rather plain despite what the Indians front office may publicly say.

By: BigJawnMize

BigJawnMize — Sat, 17 May 2008 00:52:54 +0000

AZ-

I was thinking that he would be a free agent after 09. They basically will need to make a decision on him after the year. If they want him they probably need to come up with a deal over the offseason to buy ou the last year of arb and some extension years or try to trade him.

By: Forsch31

Forsch31 — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:52:46 +0000

Joe,

The Indians weren’t happy to lose Barton. They thought he could slip through because of his recent knee surgery. They’re the ones with the bargaining position. If the Cardinals seriously want to send Barton to Memphis, then the Indians will make the Cards pay probably more than his value to make it happen.

By: azruavatar

azruavatar — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:46:16 +0000

Looking at Cot’s they have him at a little over 4 years of service time, so you’re probably right. He reaches 5 at the end of this year and 6 at the end of 2009.

By: Shhh

Shhh — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:29:40 +0000

Pretty sure Ankiel is a free agent after the 2009 season.

By: azruavatar

azruavatar — Fri, 16 May 2008 22:06:24 +0000

BJM — Ankiel doesn’t have the service time to be a free agent. The Cardinals will have him through 2010 for arbitration.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:17:51 +0000

To Bill
>>Barton can’t go to AAA. He’s a Rule 5 guy <<
Of course he’s a Rule 5 guy. If you read the post closely it says “work a deal with the Indians so we can send Barton to Memphis”. Essentially you trade for Barton from Indians. As we have the Rule 5 gig hanging over their heads, it ups our bargaining position. Not to say it would be an easy deal to make but we have way more leverage in such a case than if we were to try and pry a similarly situated prospect from another team.

By: roarke

roarke — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:45:41 +0000

It is official: Izzy is on the DL and Perez is up with the team. I have been looking forward to seeing Perez up with the big club ever since spring training. I was more impressed with Perez than any other player there.

By: Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:42:29 +0000

Mather to me is the perfect utility guy. Reminds me of Spiezio a lot. He can hit for power, can play the OF positions (I assume he could play CF in a pinch, not sure how good he is there though) and he can play the CIF. He makes Duncan expendable.

Rasmus, Ankiel, Barton, Ludwick and Mather would make a pretty nice OF in 09.