Edmonds heading to San Diego

[haltz]

Why isn't it? You'd really pay him 6 million bucks to come back and play in '08 after his '07 season simply because he had a great career as a Cardinal? And you're worried about the decisions Mo is making? C'mon now...there's no way Edmonds is worth 6 million bucks right now...even in THIS market

You said no way, you're already off. You've inadvertently insinuated that you don't know what you're are talking about in the same statement that you insinuated I didn't.

In fact, the Padres value him at a little more than this, obviously, and they were dealing with zero competition. None. And not the FA market which is inherently more expensive. More to the point, the PR hit of letting go of Edmonds is not a variable if he's not under contract. It only becomes part of the equation if he's under team control.

[Colbert Rasmols]

Silva is too dependent upon an impressive walk rate. He has to maintain fantastic control in order to be so much as average.

By this time next year, I'd like to think we could come up with a better mid-rotation option. In the meantime, Jennings or Colon or even Towers should be able to upgrade our rotation...but, again, the necessary money was already available before we dumped Edmonds.

[AlwaysBeClosing]

Why isn't it? You'd really pay him 6 million bucks to come back and play in '08 after his '07 season simply because he had a great career as a Cardinal? And you're worried about the decisions Mo is making? C'mon now...there's no way Edmonds is worth 6 million bucks right now...even in THIS market

You said no way, you're already off. You've inadvertently insinuated that you don't know what you're are talking about in the same statement that you insinuated I didn't.

In fact, the Padres value him at a little more than this, obviously, and they were dealing with zero competition. None. And not the FA market which is inherently more expensive. More to the point, the PR hit of letting go of Edmonds is not a variable if he's not under contract. It only becomes part of the equation if he's under team control.

Whoa whoa whoa there chief...you gotta calm the f down..

I don't know what I'm talking about...the only reason the damn Padres wanted Edmonds is because they ran out of options...they tried to get Fukudome, no, they tried to get Cameron, no, they were in talks with Jenkins, but he ain't gunna play CF, there was talks of them getting Jason Bay, that ain't happening

They did all but contact you or I before settling on Edmonds...so don't think because the Padres wanted him that he's worth 6 million bucks...cause you're wrong

You gotta stop letting your personal love fest for Edmonds get in the way of what the dude is worth, which is CLEARLY not a lot

[EastonBlues22]

OK, so why bring up Edmonds' salary then?

Simply to treat him like I would treat any other FA analysis...cost vs projected production/risk. It's not that we would have to struggle to fit him in, it's that it is just a bad allocation of available resources IMO. Even ignoring the injury concerns, the size of the likely financial commitment isn't offset by a probable increase in production at the position. For a small investment, perhaps that might be overlooked...but for a more sizeable one, it shouldn't be even if it could be.

Edmonds is more likely to help in 2009-10 than Freese is. What the Cardinals need are stars, and Edmonds, down as he is, is much more likely to attain that than Freese is. Spare parts and Pujols aren't winning 95 games.

The difference to me is that Freese has the potetial to fill a position of organizational need, while Edmonds does not. I think Edmonds' days of being a star, or even significantly above average, have sailed...that factors into my decision as well. There's plenty of room for disagreement here, because there's plenty of variance out there in what might be expected from Edmonds moving forward. I feel no need to push my opinion on anyone...I'm just trying to clarify it for those who happen to disagree.

[haltz]

They did all but contact you or I before settling on Edmonds...so don't think because the Padres wanted him that he's worth 6 million bucks...cause you're wrong

Kevin Towers isn't a buffoon. If Edmonds isn't an upgrade over someone like Skip Schumaker he doesn't pay millions and a C prospect. If Towers thinks he's a win and half over replacement, then he pays him the the $6M which is the going rate for a below average ballplayer.

[greenback44]

It's not that we would have to struggle to fit him in, it's that it is just a bad allocation of available resources IMO.

Those extra resources will be headed to DeWitt's pocket. I can understand why the GM-wannabes over at Baseball Prospectus would approve of that. I can't understand it from Cardinal fans.

David Freese's potential is more nominal than real. I'd be happy if something like that was a MiLFA pickup, but for these purposes he's more a balancing item on the ledger than a positive for the future. We're on the opposite side of the Larry Walker trade now, and Kozma is no Tulowitzki.

[Maclowery]

Hard to judge now if this is a solid move. If Jimmy Ballgame is healthy all year in 2008 and has a solid season, maybe we'll all regret it. But if he keeps getting hurt and struggles to hit 20 homeruns, maybe it won't be so bad.

He was (is?) one of my favorite Cardinals for the past decade - I couldn't believe when I got home and saw this news on ESPN.com. Who woulda bet that he'd go before Rolen? Wow!

Personally, since it's not my money, I would have preferred Edmonds to stay another year here, maybe retire after 2008 if he does as I was expecting him to (ie, not that great). We'd be able to maybe bring up RASMUS THE SAVIOR OF ALLL THINGS RED in the second half of next year or something, to platoon while he gets ready for a big starting role in 2008.

If it's 'worth' the 6-7 million off the 2008 payroll to lose one of everyone's favorites, then, well, I guess that's business.

Here's to hoping Jimmy has a solid season or two out west, guys! I'll miss him and I hope he gives fans out there some excitement.

[EastonBlues22]

Those extra resources will be headed to DeWitt's pocket. I can understand why the GM-wannabes over at Baseball Prospectus would approve of that. I can't understand it from Cardinal fans.

I'm sure this places me in the minority, but I just enjoy following a team that goes about its business intelligently. What's the point of spending money on foolish/poor investments "just because you can?" It's the sign of a sloppy orgnization, and poor leadership. For me, as a fan, that's just not a turn on. I want an ownership who cares, who has a plan, and who follows that plan intelligently. I'm not saying this ownership has me feeling all rosy inside...just that I'm worried/disgruntled for other reasons.

David Freese's potential is more nominal than real. I'd be happy if something like that was a MiLFA pickup, but for these purposes he's more a balancing item on the ledger than a positive for the future. We're on the opposite side of the Larry Walker trade now, and Kozma is no Tulowitzki.

I agree...he's hardly a sure thing. Still, if that's all that's offered, I would take it over nothing. I just hope the Cards follow up with some more aggressive drafting, and maybe taking a shot on players like Dallas (who I believe is still floating around) as well. Every possible little bit helps the cause.

[greenback44]

Those extra resources will be headed to DeWitt's pocket. I can understand why the GM-wannabes over at Baseball Prospectus would approve of that. I can't understand it from Cardinal fans.

I'm sure this places me in the minority, but I just enjoy following a team that goes about its business intelligently. What's the point of spending money on foolish/poor investments "just because you can?" It's the sign of a sloppy orgnization, and poor leadership. For me, as a fan, that's just not a turn on. I want an ownership who cares, who has a plan, and who follows that plan intelligently. I'm not saying this ownership has me feeling all rosy inside...just that I'm worried/disgruntled for other reasons.

Poorly run versus well-run isn't the dichotomy for me in this particular instance. Willing to spend/willing to take risks versus sitting on your wallet/hands is. Ultimately baseball is like any other product I buy. I don't care how cost-effective the construction is or whether they're making the necessary profit margin to keep shareholders happy. I am a consumer and I care only about the quality of the product. While making good decisions goes towards that quality, it is by no means the only thing affecting quality, and when I look at the Cardinals' decision-making this offseason, I see good reason to believe one of those other things is headed the wrong direction. It's headed towards Pittsburgh actually.

[Richie Allen]

As sentimental as I am, I'm not as upset as a lot of you on here, which surprises me. For one, I'm ready for some change. In fact, a lot of it. The MV3 ERA is over. As the team stands today, I'd basically only be interested in tuning in to watch Albert, Ankiel and an occasional Duncan AB. As was mentioned before, more often than not, it's been painful to watch Jimmy bat in the last couple seasons. And I'm honestly happy for him if he wanted to play in So. Cal. And he'll probably be playing for a more competitive team than the one in SL.

It's the kind of move that's not going to be popular among Cardinal fans, especially if you focus on the exchange of the two players involved in the trade. But somewhere down the line, that money is going to be invested in someone new. And the position this team is in right now doesn't really allow us the luxury of employing an 8 million dollar CFer that doesn't produce anywhere near like he once did and is typically only healthy 3/4ths of the time or less.

And if this is at all indicative of Rasmus' promotion being accelerated, I'm all for it. If he's ripping it up by mid May, get him up here.

That said, I can say in all honesty that Jimmy is the best defensive outfielder that I have ever seen.