As we approach the trade deadline, the Cardinals are likely done wheelin’ and dealin’. They’ve stripped the farm of 6 of their Top 10 prospects over the last month.
But there are still players in the system and they do have value.
So, with that in mind, I thought I’d try a fun little exercise.
Looking at the current trade market, what would this package bring back:
- Pete Kozma (RH) SS
- Daryl Jones (LH) OF
- Lance Lynn (RH) P
- Single A relief Pitcher
Discuss
Entries (RSS)
Scott Rolen and Jason Frasor.
I really don’t think this will get us much at all. Scouts are split on what Jones future will be especially with injuries. Kozma seems to be destined to be a light hitting middle infielder platoon player in the bigs. IMO Lynn has the most value to other teams, especially for teams like the Rockies who really need pitchers who can keep the ball down and on the ground.
Gil Meche plus cash?
In which case I don’t remotely consider pulling the trigger on such a trade if I’m Mo.
3 bags of chips and a half drank soda…lol
Not likely. Try again.
I’m not sure… it seems like Jones and Kozma have a lot more value to our organization than they would to another organization.
What would this get us? With the way we’ve been dealing prospects lately probably a “proven” closer like Heath Bell and not much else.
if that.
I don’t think Kozma and Jones get us anything worthwhile unless we are trading with a team that routinely has firesales and they are looking for prospects. Kozma and Jones for Capps? I do want them to hold onto Lynn, I like the idea of a good natural sinkerball pitcher getting up to the Bigs and working with Duncan and making him that much better.
I am not a huge Kozma fan but how many 20 year old SS’s are their in AA ball right now? How many are holding their own and projected to stick at the position?
It’s hard to get a feel for what the trade market is like. The rumored asking prices in some of these potential trades are just ridiculous (Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin for Heath Bell? Really?!).
I’d say that package gets you an established, but not elite, starting pitcher (Meche was mentioned)…maybe Paul Maholm? That wouldn’t be terrible. A lot to give up, but Maholm is a good young pitcher with a team friendly contract.
Incidentally, it feels like there’s way more activity today than in recent deadline days: Rolen, LaRoche, Washburn, V-Mart, Nick Johnson, Orlando Cabrera…that’s just off the top of my head. Including last night/yesterday, you could add Grabow/Gorzelanny, Cliff Lee (maybe two days ago) uh who else?
Anyway, point is: busy 24 hours. In contrast, if memory serves, the past few trade deadlines have been very anticlimactic
I would suggest all three, Kozma, Jones and Lynn will be alot more valuable to the Cards one year from now, either as part of the Cards 25 man roster, on the verge of a call up or a trade chips for what they need next year.
With better health and presumed success at 3A Jones will be highly valued. I can see Kozma solidifying himself at 2A and up to 3A in midseason at 21 years old. Lynn should be up to 3A at the start of the season and if he progresses as he has so far should have alot of value or be looked at as a 4th or 5th starter this time next year
I kind of like looking back to the beggining of the seaons’ prospect list with Wallace, Perez, Mortensen, Todd, etc. and thinking what we could have got for them all together. If we told other teams “Hey, we are willing to trade Wallace, Perez, Todd, Jones, Kozma, and Mortensen. What’s your best offer?” we probably could have got a really nice haul. Maybe at the start of the season, if you include Ankiel, that could have gotten us Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells/Alex Rios with Toronto paying a sizeable portion of the outfielder’s contract.
Brandon Wood? I can’t figure out what the Angels want from that guy, but I’d love to give him a run at SS/3B here.
Wouldn’t want to part with Lynn especially, but I like Arch’s suggestion of Maholm. He’s from the Memphis area so probably likes the Cards, he’s a young lefty under team control for a few more years, and Pirates could use some speed in outfield with Jones and a replacement for Jack Wilson with Kozma in a few years.
This is off topic, but I’d like to see Craig get a shot at 3B next year if DeRosa walks. If we throw a bunch of $$$ at Holliday, DeRosa might be left out in the cold. I’d also like to see Descalso get a crack at 2B next year.
But who am I kidding? Neither scenario is likely.
Thanks for all the replies.
It is important to note that none of what you all believed we would get back is at an elite level, which shows just how stripped down the farm system has been left this year.
Does anyone think that if Jones can stay healthy he would be good trade bait for next year especially if we are able to resign Holliday to a long term contract this winter.
HL,
How did you get 6 out of the top 10? I count 5 players being traded that could be considered prospects (Wallace, Perez, Todd, Mort and Peterson). Who am I missing? Looking at the prospect rankings from the beginning of the season, only Wallace, Perez and Todd could be considered consensus top 10 prospects. Mort was #6 on the Baseball America list but was #14 on the FR list and #17 on Sickel’s list. Peterson only showed up on Sickel’s list at #23. I don’t consider using mid-season rankings as useful as they typically don’t include 2009 draftees. (Especially those that haven’t signed yet.)
Well too people have to realize that Luhnow has only been doing the drafting for a few years now. And most if not all the guys who were talking about are his people. So its not like this farm system was deep to begin with…Jones if he can stay healthy will be a top or near the top guy next year likely. But will that mean he will get a shot at the bigs?? depends on whos there. If Holliday signs. Then there is no chance.Kozma should be moving up but maybe he was too much of a reach. And lets not forget Tyler Greene. he will likely get a shot next year to stick at the bigs…Plus Brian Anderson. he was hurt and didnt play much, but he should be back too right??
Wouldn’t it be a kicker if after all of this the Cardinals don’t make the playoffs?
A kicker in the nuts.
Chad Qualls and Doug Davis plus cash.