Scott Rolen for Troy Glaus (Update: Finalized!)

[haltz]

Ryan's better than Izturis or Miles even with his concentration issues. This is a matter of style rather than substance.

If you could mark him down for .290/.350/.400, I'd agree. But I think there are a lot of doubters who don't think he'll be able to be counted on for those type numbers again. Hope I'm wrong, as one of his doubters.

Mark Izturis down for .259/.295/.334, (or an OBP-light 67 OPS+) and then take into account that we paid him $3 million dollars.

[Richie Allen]

But he's younger and cheaper than Izturis or Miles, is better than either defensively, and pretty much can't be any less productive offensively.

What's the deal with Izturis' defense? I've heard nothing but negative comments about his D, yet he's considered a defensive specialist with a gold glove. Is he really as bad as everyone says? What's he do wrong? Arm? Glove? Range? This is an honest question, as opposed to the smart-ass variety. I don't know a thing about him defensively.

[UK]

I agree, at this point (if I was a Cards fan) I'd prefer Ryan to have that inside track at SS and win that job.

Having watched the Cubs under Baker and Baylor and their extreme bias towards past reputations and results over unknown yet more talented players, I can relate.

In the grand scheme of things, Ryan vs. Izturis/Miles is a battle of marginal vs. fringe.

[greenback44]

Dammit, a potential Hall of Famer just got traded, and I helped railroad the conversation into Aaron F. Miles.

I'll have to run laps tomorrow.

[UK]

But he's younger and cheaper than Izturis or Miles, is better than either defensively, and pretty much can't be any less productive offensively.

What's the deal with Izturis' defense? I've heard nothing but negative comments about his D, yet he's considered a defensive specialist with a gold glove. Is he really as bad as everyone says? What's he do wrong? Arm? Glove? Range? This is an honest question, as opposed to the smart-ass variety. I don't know a thing about him defensively.

He's getting old and regressing.

Good hands, accuracy, and instincts, arm and leg injuries have restricted his arm strength and range. He's not as good as he was 5 years ago.

[jim]

Isn't Glaus' "injury" the same as Pujols' I would be a lot more comfortable with Pujols recovering from Plantar Facitus surgery rather than Rolen's 4 yr shoulder recovery plan.

From what I know, it is...but that doesn't mean it is to the same degree of severity. We know it's a very painful condition that is very hard to get rid of, and Glaus only played in 115 games last year. How confident can you really be that Glaus will put up 130+ in 2008? It can't be that much more confident than you would have in Rolen putting up the same number.

Did Glauss have surgery for plantar fasciitis? Success rate for that surgery is not so hot. If this is true then this isn't such good news.

[Richie Allen]

Mark Izturis down for .259/.295/.334, (or an OBP-light 67 OPS+) and then take into account that we paid him $3 million dollars.

I don't know if it's completely unrealistic to think that Izturis, at age 28, could possibly put up a season close to his career best, at age 24. 192 hits, 32 doubles, 9 triples, 4 HRs, 62 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, .288/.330/.381 isn't exactly setting the world on fire but it's the kind of production out of a SS you can live with.

[Richie Allen]

He's getting old and regressing.

He's currently 27. Isn't that supposed to be the peak years of ML players? Did he lie about his age too?

[GatewaySnayke]

I'm not sure if I've chimed in yet, and I'm usually a spectator for these epic threads.

At this point, I will pretty much agree with (I think) Haltz, who suggested that La Russa is coordinating the moves. And this goes back to the question I asked a couple of weeks ago: why was it so important to have TLR back? Does he have incriminating pictures of De Witt?

TLR is sabotaging this franchise by doing things his way. His way includes bringing in marginal players, showing unwavering loyalty to his pets and reducing the team to rubble. Whatever happened to the TLR who couldn't fit in St. Louis because of his boldness and love of American League softball? He always had an Aaron Miles (Mike Gallego) with him, but he seems to be overvaluing players who can't even make it on some teams while his boldest moves are the ones that enables crappy players to play.

[UK]

Isn't Glaus' "injury" the same as Pujols' I would be a lot more comfortable with Pujols recovering from Plantar Facitus surgery rather than Rolen's 4 yr shoulder recovery plan.

From what I know, it is...but that doesn't mean it is to the same degree of severity. We know it's a very painful condition that is very hard to get rid of, and Glaus only played in 115 games last year. How confident can you really be that Glaus will put up 130+ in 2008? It can't be that much more confident than you would have in Rolen putting up the same number.

Did Glauss have surgery for plantar fasciitis? Success rate for that surgery is not so hot. If this is true then this isn't such good news.

He went on the DL for that but came back, his surgery is on a nerve in his foot, IIRC.