The Cardinals are working on a couple scenarios that look to include Colby Rasmus as an every day starting outfielder. While any scenario with Colby starting excites me, I’m not sure what to make about this Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar for Ryan Ludwick talk. Johnson is about as Joe Average as you can get. I’m not saying Ludwick will be as great as he was last year, his season wasn’t all smoke and mirrors. Ankiel for either of those players makes more sense, in my opinion, but it’s hard to see Rick in any other uniform but a Cardinal uniform. That would kill a lot of man-crushes in many a St. Louisan.
MLB.com has an interesting look at the Desert Walrus. John Vuch has some kind things to say about his defense.
“The thing we’re more impressed with is the fact that he’s been better than we expected defensively,” Vuch said. “He has an unusual throwing motion, but he has arm strength. He doesn’t look like your prototypical third baseman, but he has first-step quickness and his hands work. We knew he was going to hit, but the thing we’re pleased about is what he’s shown so far defensively.”
There’s also some interesting quotes from Vuch about Tyler Greene‘s newfound consistency and their plans Steve Hill’s defensive position.
Arizona
- Tyler Greene tripled, stole 2B and struck out.
- Steve Hill went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts, but playing C he didn’t allow any stolen bases. Box.
Hawaii
- DHing, Arnoldi Cruz went 1-for-4 in what ended a 0-0 game. Box.
Dominican
- Amaury Marti went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk. Box.
Venezuela
- Luke Gregerson pitched a perfect 1-2-3 innings, getting a strikeout and two groud outs. Box.
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Great to see Tyler Greene muscle his way into the conversations of the Cards needs at middle infield.
Curious to hear thoughts on Ludwick for Escobar. I would hate to lose Ludwick’s production from the right side but would like to secure a young SS for the future.
I’ll bet they didn’t contest Greene stealing 2nd, since apparently he started from Third Base…:+)
Lud’s 2008 had “career year” written all over it to me. That said, Atlanta is notoriously averse to being taken in by career years by people they trade for. I’d certainly want to get more for Lud than Johnson.
Lud’s line drive rates for the last two years suggest that well above avg production is not a fluke, though 37 hr may not be in the cards for him again.
Keith Law says in his chat today that Atlanta wouldn’t do Escobar straight up for Ludwick. Granted, its Law, but I tend to agree.
Escobar would probably be more than they’d like to give up. I’ve heard Lud+top pitching prospect of the Braves. That would be a lot more plausible.
Erik – You mean Ludwick plus a pitching prospect to the Braves for Escobar, or Ludwick for a Braves pitching prospect? If Escobar is too much for the Braves to give up, I’d be fine with trading Ludwick to the Braves for a decent pitching prospect. Our outfield is too crowded.
IF Ludwick gets traded at all, does this open up a spot for Freese, too? Maybe as someone that can fill in at 3B, 1B, and LF?
Oops. I meant Johnson + a top Braves pitching prospect for Thudwick. I’m sure they wouldn’t give up Tommy Hanson, although one could hope. I’d have to look more closely at their farm system to determine who they would have to give up for it to be worth it.
I don’t see what others see – I don’t see how the team can afford to get rid of Ludwick. His production was outstanding, very likely better than we would get out of a season long healthy Ankiel. Unless you replace Ludwick with another impact bat, I think a huge mistake is being made. Rasmus is going to have to adjust to major league pitching, Mather is still young, Barton is inconsistent so far and Ankiel seems to get injured often. I don’t know..
I’d much rather keep Luddy and trade Ankiel.
I would trade Yunel Escobar straight up for Ludwick in about a second. If Keith Law is correct, then add a player to get him.
In addition to being a .836 OPS and .767 OPS middle infielder in his first two years, he was also the second best shortstop (+21) in the John Dewan plus/minus defensive rating system.
i wish escobar was younger…27 is older than i originally thought he was