I don’t know if the Kennedy for Ankiel rumor is fan or media driven or if it is something that’s really been explored or not. Hank Steinbrenner seems to have all but given up on a youth movement in his rotation after missing the playoffs for the first time in what seems like forever. With Andy Pettitte’s “inevitable” return to New York, and the talks with the Brewers for Mike Cameron breaking down, the scenario for the trade is definitely there.
Right now the Yankees are looking at the unexciting prospect of a Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner platoon in center field, so I could see how they would be interested in Rick. As much as it pains me to think of my man crush in Yankee pinstripes, Ian Kennedy would be a fantastic return. But there is a rub. While The Slick Rick Show may be ready for Broadway, I’m not so sure I.K. is a good fit for with the coaching staff. There are some eerie similarities with him and someone else…
Kennedy is a USC grad whose pitching mechanics are directly from the school of Tom House.
His pitches grade as average, with the exception of his change-up, which is a very good offering.
Kennedy dominated the minors but struggled with control in the majors.
Do we really want to go through this saga again? I personally would probably make the trade, but I don’t think Duncan could help himself, he would tinker. My heart can’t take standing by and watching that happening again.
This isn’t farm related, but I haven’t really seen anyone else talking about it. Strauss is saying Mozeliak is tiring of the waiting game Brian Fuentes is playing, and there is now the potential that the Cards could refocus on signing a Japanese pitcher, either Koji Uehara or Kenshin Kawakami.
Here’s some video of both pitchers-
Koji Uehara
Kenshin Kawakami
You can also check out Camden Depot for a rather thorough scouting report on Uehara, and NPB Tracker has this profile on Kawakami.
I’m really hoping deal with Fuentes does fall through, if for no other reason it will make draft day exceedingly lame without a first round pick. As for these two pitchers, give me Uehara.
Glad to see the Cardinals becoming more global in their efforts to unearth talent.
It’s deja vu all over again. I can’t speak for my co-writers, but I for one really don’t want to see an A.J. Burnett signing. For one, he’s logged 200 innings in only three seasons in his ten year career. Secondly, he is a type A free agent who declined arbitration, which would mean no first round pick. Since the Birds didn’t offer arbitration to a soul, their first 2009 draft pick would be a 2nd rounder. For a frame of reference, their last 2nd round pick was spent on Shane Peterson.
When healthy, Burnett is a fantastic pitcher, so I think in the short term he would greatly help. Long term, locking up a lot of dollars for the next five years on a 30 year old who has proven he cannot stay healthy, compounded with the loss of our first rounder, causes me to say “pass”.
The NY Post is saying Khalil Greene has been traded to the Cardinals for two relief prospects. The SD Union-Trib confirms. Given this is a salary dump for the Padres and Greene is coming off his worst season as a big leaguer, I’m not expecting them to be trading our best relief prospects, read: Perez, Motte, Reifer. At least I hope not Reifer. I’m guessing it’s someone like Mark Worrell, Fernando Salas, Francisco Samuel or maybe Luis Perdomo, who was oddly unprotected from the Rule 5 draft.
Greene will be glad to get away from the Petco:
Home OPS- .658
Road-.802
At first blush I think this is a pretty decent move by Mo, I’d like to see who the players that were traded before I first before I judge. Two needs are now filled and there is still some money to play with, so that is good.
And hey, the last time the Pads traded us a shortstop, that worked out pretty well, right? Eh.
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 Ludwicktalk. 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.
“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.
Joe Strauss has his laundry list of the Cardinals needs and wants. Normally this blog is reserved for “future” Redbirds, but I believe there is a good chance of a trade or two happening with the glut of outfield, third base and relief prospects, not to mention Bryan Anderson.
So you be the GM. What prospect would you trade and who would you trade for? Who do you pursue in free agency? And what do you predict Mo will actually do?
For a point of reference, here is a listing of Type A/Type B free agents and a full listing of free agents.
I’ll give you my 2 cents in another post, AZ and Roarke can feel free to do the same. I’ll tell you one thing–I would stay far away from the free agent landmine that is Edgar Renteria.
Why the Cardinals won’t make a serious run for Peavy is left to the imagination.
It could be Peavy’s contract, which isn’t prohibitive, unless Cardinals management believes they’ve already tied up too much long-term money in deals with Chris Carpenter and Kyle Lohse.
It could be the unwillingness to part with the load of prospects that the Padres reportedly are seeking in exchange for Peavy.
Seems like Cardinals are less willing to deal off Rasmus +______+ ______ then I initially thought they might be for a pitcher of Peavy’s caliber. But considering that Peavy is such an injury risk, and is also signed for big $ and long-term, this is a wise non-move for Mo. Unfortunately, the loony birds who don’t know how to say anything but “cheap, cheap” are probably going to come out in full force, especially if he gets traded to a division rival.
Shane Robinson hit a two out RBI double for his only hit in five at bats. He struck out twice.
Adam Ottavino pitched like a first round pick today. He threw three innings of scoreless ball, allowing four hits, no walks and struck out six. 31/51 of his pitches were thrown for strikes. Box.
Hawaii Winter Baseball
Off day. Arnoldi Cruz is leading the league with a 1.112 OPS. James Rapoport is hitting .300/.397/.440.
Caribbean Cardinals
The Mexican, Dominican and Venezuelan leagues are all taking a sabbath. MLB.com has team by team stat pages for participating winter ball players.
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