A lot of people are high on Dexter Fowler. I have not been able to jump on this bandwagon. I just think there are more suitable options out there for the Cardinals, both in free agency and the trade market. The Cardinals may not have the farm system that the Cubs or Red Sox have, but one thing they do have is an overload of good pitching prospects. I am aware the teams’ most glaring need is a centerfielder/leadoff man, but I am not so sure that there aren’t ways around this. Plus, is Fowler really that much of a defensive upgrade over Grichuk? He does have the speed to cover more ground, which would also translate nicely to the top of the order along with respectable AVG. and above AVG. on base percentage. There are cons to Fowler as well. 30 years old with injury issues last year and wanting a 5 year deal. I do realize Holliday had hit the 30 year mark when the Cardinals signed him, but he was signed for different reasons. Be an adequate outfielder and hit the cover off the ball, were as Fowler is being signed for his legs more than anything else. Don’t get me wrong, I would not be devastated if they sign Fowler, I just like other options better.
Lorenzo Cain: Cain is on the last year of his contract, so he will be cheaper in a trade than someone who is under control for a number of years. This would give the Cardinals more options after this year as well. They can try to resign him after seeing what happens this year, potentially securing the CF position for the next few years. They can use Cain as a bridge till next year’s free agent market, which includes Lorenzo Cain, Carlos Gonzalez, Jay Bruce, and J.D. Martinez as the tops for the outfield.
Do Something Bold: St. Louis has been waiting for the splash that we have seen other top teams in baseball make in the past and present. What better time than now to do something big, something that would jumpstart the excitement for every fan in this passionate fan base. It may not be the best defensive option, but I would like to see Mark Trumbo in a Cardinal jersey. Trumbo will come at reasonable price. 5 year for $95,000,000, which if he can average 10 to 15 home runs less than he hit last season it would be a good deal. This could be the 2nd coming of the Matt Holliday deal for Mo. After they land that deal put a package together for the Tampa Bay Rays. Alex Reyes is not a player any Cardinal fan wants to see go anywhere, but if you can get Evan Longoria and Chris Archer, I say pull the trigger. Or try an offer not including Reyes. Weaver, Bader, Flaherty plus Kolten Wong and Jhonny Peralta for major league ready players to replace Longoria? Who knows? Wong is under control and those are the types of players the Rays covet; Peralta can take over at 3rd base for Longoria, and 2 top 100 prospects? They could bite, but you’ll never know unless you put something out there on the table. The worst thing they could do is what? Say NO? Then you’re right back where you started and nothing has changed. Can you picture that lineup? Carpenter, Piscotty, Longoria, Grichuk, Trumbo, Diaz, Molina, and Gyrko. I think I’d like it.
Work Something Out with the White Sox: Adam Eaton is not my top choice for the outfield replacement, but he is a good ball player with a good bat, and is under control for a while. I say if this is the option you decide to go with, make it better. You will have to spend to get a player under that many years of control at the salary he’s getting paid, so get an added bonus. Jose Quintana has one year left on his deal and I don’t know the likelihood of the White Sox retaining him after that, so why not try to add that superb left handed arm to your rotation? Try to somehow figure out a way to get Quintana added to the package and I am all for Adam Eaton being your go to acquisition.
These are the types of actions I want to see. Whether they work or not, I just want to see attempts, get involved, and don’t get to caught up on one prize that you miss out on all the other good looking options. The fans are so spoiled to the fact that the Cardinals are always in the mix. You have to keep up with the Jones’…only now the Jones’ are the rival Cubs. No one expects the front office to pass the Cubs up next year, we just expect the moves necessary to get close and stay in the mix.
