Comments on: What to do with Matt Carpenter?

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 06:33:17 +0000

Taveras should be untouchable. He could be Tony Oliva redux…or maybe even more. I mean, the guy did put up the highest Midwest League batting average since the Eisenhower administration—and did so while also posting an isolated slugging 65% above his league peers. Oh, and of the 31 MWL hitters with an ISO at least 50% above average, Oscar had the 2nd-lowest strikeout rate.

While playing half the season at age 18. That’s phenom stuff.

There’s no one from last year’s Palm Beach squad pushing Cox upwards to AAA, so I’d leave Zack at Springfield for now, and Carp in Memphis. If either of them are *dominant* at their respective levels, it only enhances their trade value come July.

By: Hugecardsfan

Hugecardsfan — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:44:20 +0000

If you’re willing to settle for DD as your 3rd baseman in the event Freese is out for a prolongued period. I’m not. I would keep Carpenter in reserve all year.

By: T-Bird

T-Bird — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:51:56 +0000

I disagree. Matheny has been emphasizing defense in spring training, (at least to the media). TLR has been willing to sacrifice defense for offense in the past. It may be too early to say this, but I don’t see anyway Craig plays 3B this year, and beyond.

By: zuke354

zuke354 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:05:30 +0000

If Cox is a year off, that is one reason why I would trade Carp.

The cards have a starting 3rd baseman right now. Might as well keep the guy who is a bit further away.

By: zuke354

zuke354 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:03:59 +0000

Descalso also does a nice job at third.

By: zuke354

zuke354 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:02:50 +0000

I think we sometimes forget how hard the transition from AAA to the majors is.

Not a single rookie had an OBP above .350.

In 2010, only 4 rookies. Posey, Hayward, Ike Davis and John Jaso.

Now I think it is possible he could post an obp above .350, but I think its tall order for him to do it as a rookie. .320-.340 is more likely.

.280/.340 and 6 home runs.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:36:11 +0000

Unless we package Carpenter with a prospect that’s at least his equal, I doubt we could get Choice or Grant Green. They do have a logjam in the outfield so Taylor is someone they might consider. They also have Jermaine Mitchell and Colin Cowgill at the upper levels and Aaron Shipman, an intriguing guy who reminds me of CJ McElroy with more polish at the rookie level.

As much as I wouldn’t mind bolstering the system’s outfield depth, the dream scenario for me would be to package Carp and Lance Lynn or Eduardo Sanchez to acquire Brad Peacock, who unlike Gray, is tradeable. Because AJ Cole is further away, he might be acquired for a little less, but I do think it would take more than just Carp.

By: Gruntosaurus

Gruntosaurus — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:18:47 +0000

I repeat: there is no trade that would secure Gray at this point, even in theory, because by rule, he’s not tradeable until he has a year under his belt. He doesn’t, obviously.

This said, I wouldn’t be anxious to trade for another right-handed starting pitcher anyway. Those are strengths of the system as it currently stands, and he does not appear so likely to be much better than Rosenthal, Jenkins, Lynn, etc., as to force himself through the logjam and into the majors. If the team trades Carpenter, it should be for something they don’t have in abundance in the minors. Unusually, I’d say that’s a power-hitting corner guy. There’s not much on the farm meeting that description and having decent chances to mash in the majors other than Adams, and I am still concerned about his BB/PA rate.

By: Lou Schuler

Lou Schuler — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 13:26:19 +0000

I’d guess .350-.375, depending on batted-ball luck and whether MLB umpires give him the same strike zone he gets in AAA.

By: Felonius_Monk

Felonius_Monk — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 12:29:32 +0000

But Oakland aren’t in serious contention this year. They could just sign Brandon Inge or something.