I'm not sure why everyone hates Lohse so much.  Why is he in the same conversation as Westbrook?  

I don't hate Lohse, I think he's a very solid starting pitcher in the regular season.  He's going to give you close to 200 innings, 3.5 ERA and around 15 wins.  He's way better than Westbrooke in my opinion.  My point was a little competition never hurts and having six veteran starters is not a bad thing if you can afford it, especially in the Cards situation (Carp's innings last year, Waino coming back, Lohse's freak injuries, Jamie's young arm worked more last year, if Oswalt was added his back).  

Only knock I have on Lohse is I'm not confident with him in the playoffs.  His post season ERA as a starter is well over 7.  And he couldn't get anyone out last post season for us.  This is my main reason for signing Oswalt.  I like Oswalt if healthy in playoffs way more than Lohse or Westbrooke for our 4th starter.  But who knows maybe Shelby Miller will make the rotation by then and we can save money on not signing Oswalt and use it on Yadi.  

I've always liked Oswalt as a pitcher and liked the idea of having Berkman, Beltran and Oswalt back together.  But if he wants 10 million thats too much for me.  7.5 million and I would have to think about it, 5 million done!


On Adam Jones the Orioles are asking way too much now and yea everyone would take that trade proposal mentioned besides the Orioles.  They're high balling him now and if they got someone to bite then great but I don't see anyone trading for Jones until the Orioles come back to earth on their asking price.  Teams may wait to the trade deadline to make a move on Jones.  But yea Weiters, Jones, and Roberts(Roberts is getting old and I think he's seen his best days already) are very intriguing trade possibilities.  It would take a ton to get all those guys.  Something more like Carlos Martinez, Zach Cox and Yadi something no Cardinal fan would want to do.  I'm sure there is some middle ground but I don't see us dealing with Baltimore.

And I really can't see the Cardinals trading Yadi.  Fans would go crazy, First Pujols and now TRADING Yadi.

As I recall, when team needed someone to step and be a leader, in 2010, it was Yadi that started that fight against the Reds.  Turns out we didn't have the talent to follow that up, but at least he tried.  He also had the game winning homer against the Mets that set up the Waino strikeout of Beltran and sent us to the WS in 2006.

Given the way these guys are developing new players, I'd take my chances with free agency and take the free draft picks if Yadi goes elsewhere. 

Even if the Cards imploded this season, I can't beleive they would not do their best to keep Yadi. However, the Cards have already demonstrated that they will not get to the point where paying one player would hurt the rest of team. it is my understanding that most of Albert's money is deferred and perhaps Yadi would be agreeable to do the same. Of course, Albert already has enough money in the bank to buy Nicaragua and poor Yadi can "can just get by".

Agreed Pipe, I'm a believer that Yadi plays a major role an major leader on this team.  Obviously I'm not in the clubhouse but I've always felt Yadi is the heart and soul of this team or atleast protector and clutch.  Stolle (probably spelt wrong) from 101.1 disagrees and believes Yadi isn't even the same breath as Pujols as clubhouse lost.  I disagree and really hope they get a deal done with Yadi.  Yadi is the only jersey I own as of now he's been my favorite Cardinal.

I've heard Tony praise him so many times for how he handles the pitching staff.  Big Big lost in my opinion if we lost Yadi.  I also agree with you mlbee if definitely looks like there is no bend in the front office that would affect the team in the future.  Maybe they see the rich getting richer with all the new tv deals and us being near middle ground with the market and for this there is a need to be very smart with our future.

I like the guy. He can start or releive. Could turn out to be pretty good if he can stay healthy.

Even if the Cards imploded this season, I can't beleive they would not do their best to keep Yadi. 

According to what experts are projecting his contract will be after this year, I'm not sure I want Yadi.  I love the guy, but they are eyeing 5/$50+... $10 million a year for a catcher who we've abused the crap out of over the years.  If you remove the games that Molina was actually hurt for last year, he caught something like 85% of our innings.  That's the top 3 in the league, and he's been in the top 5 of the league nearly every year of his 7 full seasons (disregarding 2004 since he wasn't on the team at the beginning of the season).  


I'm not saying he's not worth the money, but he's going to be 30 this summer, and paying $10 million (maybe more) to a 35 year old catcher who's been abused may be a poor business decision.  

I'd love to sign him to a 3/30 but can't imagine he'd be willing to sign such a short term contract. 

If he keeps hitting as well as last year, down the road he could play 1st base some and catch some. 10 mil a year is tough but he may go for 9 if he really wants to stay here. Of course, they all say that!!

I like Yadi. My opionion as far as what I would offer him as a GM at his age with all the wear and tear is 4yr/36m.  or 3yr/30m .
Thats if I was athe Cards Gm .j ust because he has busted it for us for years. 

Another way to think about the Yadi situation is:  Would you rather have Yadi and Jay or Cruz/Anderson and BJ Upton or Adam Jones?  Or even Cruz/Anderson and a pitcher like James Shields.  Or even a second basemen?  I think it's a tougher decission when you look at like that.  Yea we love Yadi but if he leaves then it frees up money for other areas.  I'm not sure what I would rather have to be honest, I just don't know how good Cruz or whoever we have in the minors is and how valuable Yadi is behind the plate.  My gut tells me me very valuable and if anyone would know a thing or two about catching it would be Mike Matheny so I think we will be ok with whatever direction we go.

LOL @ myself.  The more I think about the Yadi situation the more I think we need to think about trade possibilities.  I sadly think he is going to the Angels next year.  I really hate the Angels!!!  Mike Scioscia always prefers defensive catchers and he's not big on Ianetta and his contract is up at end of this year.  We better serriously pursue Yadi and if we can't get a deal done maybe a trade is something to consider.  But in reality I would think Yadi goes to the Angels next year if he doesn't sign with us.  So who would want to trade for him for most likely just this year?

Trade possibilities:  Yadi for Mark Trumbo or Yadi for Howie Kendrick.  Maybe take their big catching prospect Hank Conger in a trade and throw in a prospect.  With Trumbo you are set at first base after Berkman is done or with Kendrick we finally get an allstar caliber 2nd basemen.  I have no clue even if the Angels would bite but I think they be interested in discussions.  If Yadi isn't going to sign it's worth it, I know it will hurt but hopepfully Matheny will be able to groom a catcher like Cruz or Conger.

Let's entertain Trumbo and Conger for Yadi and 3 base prospect or another prospect.

Lineup could be
Furcal ss
Greene 2b
Beltran CF
Holliday LF
Berkman RF/1B
Trumbo 1B
Freese 3B
Conger C
P

That's a very powerful lineup but yes a very slow outfield.  It's not ideal for this year but it solves our big hitter to build a team around and that being Trumbo.  It allows you to also sign Oswalt for this year.  And frees up around 22 million if you don't sign Berkman and Molina next year.  Plus you can move Craig, Beltran, Jay, Berkman, and Trumbo around and keep them rested and gives you more depth.  Also if Conger lives up to his hype you got a catcher of the future.

 

With Trumbo you are set at first base after Berkman is done or with Kendrick we finally get an allstar caliber 2nd basemen. 

As far as a first baseman are concerned, the Cardinals seem pretty high on Matt Adams, who'll be close to ready by the time Berkman is gone.  Kendrick was just exteneded for three more years at roughly 8.35 million and Kolten Wong is expected to be on the fast track through the minors.  In his brief time in the minors last year he hit .335/.401/.510.  In 47 games he had 39 runs, 5 HR's, 25 RBI's and close to a 1:1 K/BB ratio.  I wouldn't be looking to trade for a 2nd baseman for more than 2013 as I imagine Wong has a chance to make it to Memphis by the end of the season.


If the Angels truly want to sign Molina after the season, then a Conger/Molina swap with us throwing in a low to mid level prospect could be an interesting trade.  We'd have to give something up since they'd just be getting half a season of a guy who if they wait, could get him for nothing the next year.


 

As far as a first baseman are concerned, the Cardinals seem pretty high on Matt Adams, who'll be close to ready by the time Berkman is gone.  

Not saying Matt Adams isn't going to make it as a good mlb player but I don't think he is in the same class at Mark Trumbo just my opinion.  For one Trumbo was ranked the #1 prospect in all of baseball and Adams isn't even a top 100 prospect.  If there was a way to get Trumbo I would go for it.  If you haven't seen some of his bombs you should youtube him. 

But I do agree with your post.  Kolten Wong "could" be our future at second base.  Howie Kendrick was an option maybe you consider wong in a trade for Kendrick.  I don't even think the Angels would trade Kendrick but my point is there are options for trade possibilities.  If we offer Yadi our top dollar and he doesn't accept then my point is it might be better to trade him now.  Get rid of the Molina distraction and find a way to get a future all star in Trumbo.  I think the Angels are going for it all now so they may be willing to give up Trumbo for Molina a top 4 catcher in baseball.  And this trade in 5 years will look lopsided in our favor.

Then concerning Adams if you had Trumbo then you have some great trade opportunities at the trade deadline or anytime in the future if Adams keeps progressing as the Cardinals think he will.  

Roy Oswalt Could Decide On New Team By Tomorrow

By Mike Axisa [February 22 at 6:16pm CST]

Pitchers and catchers have reported for Spring Training all across the league, but Roy Oswalt remains unemployed. That could change soon, as ESPN's Jim Bowden reports (onTwitter) that the veteran right-hander could make a decision about his next team as soon as tomorrow.

The market for the 34-year-old Oswalt has faded in recent weeks, as several teams have come out and said they don't have interest in signing him. The Red Sox, Rangers, and Cardinals all showed interest in him at one point, but it's unclear if they have offers on the table at the moment. Oswalt could end up being the bargain of the offseason at this stage of the game.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/base
ball/professional/cardinal-beat/moz
eliak-oswalt-not-for-cards/article_
586a3d84-5e35-11e1-943e-0019bb30f31
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not our team

It certainly appears that Carp will not be ready to go at the start of the season, and for that matter it is not known when he will be available. Therefore, do the Cards sign Oswalt now, or take a chance that another pitcher in the system will be able to fill the hole. I don't think that Oswalt will be availble much longer, and certainly not after another team loses a starter. 

I think Oswalt has had a great career, but it now on its downside.  I don't think signing him is a good move.  Lynn has pitched well this spring.  I'd run with him until Carpenter displays he is ready to come back.  Then, I'd look at how Westbrook and Lynn are doing at that time.  Westbrook has actually put up a very solid spring this year.  He came to camp in great shape and has looked very good as well.  Alot can change once the regular season kicks in.  I just don't think Oswalt gives us what we need.  Experience is one thing, still having the ability to get the ball by the batter is another.  If teams felt he had it, he would already be signed. 

Oswalt wants alot more than anyone (I think) is willing to give him. The Cards are fine waiting to see if he will reduce his asking price. Other wise, he will not be a Card.