St. Louis Cardinals 2015 Season
There is no way I can see Matt Holliday being able to play 1B. But if he can figure it out, great!
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Hope he can. He did play some infield (third base, I believe) very early in his career.
Holiday's longevity will be directly tied to his ability to move to the American League. The guy is so big and strong with no flexibility that he will struggle to play anywhere on the field. At some point you will need to hide him. Isn't this the last year of his current contract?
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
This could be fun to watch. Holiday was a QB in HS with big offers for college. I don't know how that translates to 1st base, but it shows some versatality. If he could be adequate at 1st, it would definately give him a chance for a couple more summers in the sun.
Ryllini
- Lombard
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/cardinals-discussing-starting-pitcher-trade-with-rays.html
I hope it is Odorizzi. This guy is and will be a stud. I don't know who we'd have to give up, but I would love that have this guy wearing the birds on a bat. He is a good pitcher and will be under control until 2019, so not really sure why Tampa would be hearing about offers for him, makes me think they are in the catbird seat on these negotiations. Should it be Smyly or Moore, I would be ok with as well, but I really like Odorizzi.
I hope it is Odorizzi. This guy is and will be a stud. I don't know who we'd have to give up, but I would love that have this guy wearing the birds on a bat. He is a good pitcher and will be under control until 2019, so not really sure why Tampa would be hearing about offers for him, makes me think they are in the catbird seat on these negotiations. Should it be Smyly or Moore, I would be ok with as well, but I really like Odorizzi.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Another possibility, apparently, is Mike Leake:
http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...-to-sign-free-agent-pitcher-mike-leake-121815
Ryllini
- Lombard
I like Leake, but when I see a guy like Odorizzi, for me, I try to get it done. The market might be drying out for Leake, but I think he wants to be out west and ultimately would take less to be out there. So what, do you pay a little more money to get Leake or give up some players to get Odorizzi? Do you know if Leake had a qualifying offer tendered by the Giants? I would hate to send one of our compensation picks back for Leake.
I would go as far as to offer Adams, Wacha and a prospect of either Edmundo Sosa or Diaz for him. Obviously I'm not a GM, but if something like that were to go down, we would be able to keep our young pitching prospects in tact(Gonzales, Reyes, and Flaherty) to go along with CMart and Odorizzi in the future. Also, our young outfielders in the system(Sierra and Plummer) would still be here to develop and we would have either Sosa or Diaz still here to develop and take over for Jhonny when his contract is up in 2 years.
I love talking about things that probably won't happen. Let's face it, the Cubs are the favorite and probably will be for some time, but if we can add young impact players with a little extra cash flow coming in the future, we can get right back in this game.
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Mark Buehrle (from St. Charles, MO) seems like such a natural fit for you guys that I'm surprised it hasn't already happened.
Seems like he could be a Lackey 2.0.
Seems like he could be a Lackey 2.0.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Yea, I think it has always been a dream of his to pitch in STL, but I wonder how much his heart is in it. Didn't he retire in Toronto, but had second thoughts about it? Talking about local kids, Odorizzi is from Breese, Il, not too far from STL.
IlliniFan85
- Colorado Springs, CO
No Qualifying offer because he was traded mid season by the Reds.
Jake is from Highland, actually. You may be thinking of josh thole, catcher for the bluejays. He's from breese, and close in age. Highland is only 30 miles east of stl right along I-70. He grew up a cardinals fan for sure. His wife is also pregnant, so moving back home may be a welcome change for him to be back around family and friends. Or maybe he wouldn't want the pressure that comes with playing at home, that can be a lot to handle for a young pitcher, although he looked good when he pitched in stl a couple seasons ago.
It's all rumors at this point anyway, we'll see.
Ryllini
- Lombard
You are right it is all rumors, but I still get excited. Jake was born in Breese, educated in Highland, but I don't know when he moved there. Doesn't matter, either place isn't far from the metro area.
Ryllini
- Lombard
You are right! Thanks!
Everyone from this area is born in either breese, greenville, or maryville. That's where the hospitals are with maternity wards. I and all my siblings were born in breese. My son too. My wife was born in maryville. Highland has a hospital, but they don't do deliveries. Small town living, lol
Odorizzi is rumored to be the one they are talking about.
So I'm trying to weave some possibilities from the rumors. Would the Rays need Holliday for DH? That would open up left field for Gordon and return us a pitcher.
I'd like to see Holliday finish out his career in StL but that really depends on how much longer he wants to play.
I'd like to see Holliday finish out his career in StL but that really depends on how much longer he wants to play.
Joey Butler had 8 HR and 30 RBIs in 2015
Ryllini
- Lombard
I doubt he would waive his no trade to go to Tampa.
Play 1/2 his games indoors. Lives in Glorida now. Not the worst scenario.
Illwinsagain
- Cary, IL
I don't catch a lot of Rays baseball and really pay attention to the NL Central (Cards fan in Chicago). Why would you give up Wacha and more for this guy? I believe Wacha will be stronger in 2016 and be solid 2 or even 1 going forward.
Why on earth would you give up one of your best pitchers plus much more for a guy that is older and less accomplished? I think the Cardinal fanbase would be call for Mo to be fired over that kind of move. When Wacha is healthy he is literally one of the best pitchers in baseball and he is only 24 years old.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
Another interesting spin on Heyward's signing with the Cubs:
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/artic...e_to_be_the_man_in_st_louis/s1_11027_20080147
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/artic...e_to_be_the_man_in_st_louis/s1_11027_20080147
Ryllini
- Lombard
Nothing against Michael Wacha, I like him a lot, but I would suggest to you and the rest if the fanbase to check out Odorizzi. Let's not act like he is substantially older than MW, he is only 25 compared to 24. He has been the main return piece in two trades, one involving Grienke and one Shields. He isn't just some throw in, teams have seen his value.
For comparison sake, they are very similar, but I will tell you that JO plays on a significantly worse team in the Rays and he plays in a significantly deeper league in the AL, but his numbers last year don't lie. They are different pitchers, but put up similar numbers. JO is a ground ball pitcher with a nice splitter and cut fastball. He has more pitches at this point than MW.
For what you claim that MW is one of the best pitchers in baseball, well JO's numbers were slightly better across the board. He had a better ERA, WHIP, FIP, WAR, SO9, and BB9 all against better and deeper lineups in the AL.
I may have worded it a 3 for 1 in this deal, but obviously we would need to get another piece in return, but a trade like the one I suggested would free us of Matt Adams, clearing room for a Piscotty or maybe Holliday take over at first. Odorizzi and Wacha are virtually on the same deal: under team control through 2019 and not eligible for arbitration until 2017.