How Much Does Hanley Ramirez Cost?

Okay…so the question of the season is…What is it going to take to get Hanley Ramirez in a St. Louis Cardinals uniform? As far as trades go, here are the nigh-untouchables from the perspective of the organization:

1. Albert Pujols
2. Yadier Molina
3. Chris Carpentar
4. Colby Rasmus
5. Adam Wainwright

That’s it…you have to think the organization sees everyone else as expendable in the right deal…but – here is a list of additional guys I’m unwilling to part with at this point:

1. Rick Ankiel
2. Skip Schumaker
3. Jamie Garcia
4. Either Chris Perez or Jason Motte (gotta’ keep one of ‘em)

I would hate to see anyone go, but I really think Skip and Ank have a future with this team…especially if we get Ramirez with Skip’s ability to get on base in front of him. So…the question is…what kind of package are we willing to put together to pull Ramirez from Florida?

Just a refresher (in case some of you are unaware), Ramirez is a studly shortstop with a big bat and a high average. He’s arbitration eligible after this season, and we all know the Marlins – they’ve already said they won’t increase payroll until the new ballpark is open (about 3 years from now). It also just so happens that many of their big names are also up for arbitration…and keeping Hanley Ramirez would mean saying goodbye to several of them (possibly including Uggla). So…a betting man would guess Ramirez makes the most sense for them to trade away for a group of young players.

Just for fun, I’m thinking something like the following package (off the top of my head):

1. Cesar Izturis (a veteran shortstop with good hands to help them finish the season)
2. Bryan Anderson (great hitter – but unusable as long as Yadi is in the picture)
3. Chris Perez (I’m going with Motte as the future closer – but if not, throw Motte in here instead)
4. Todd Wellemeyer
5. Brad Thompson or Anthony Reyes

That’s all for now…I know seeing names like Perez and Anderson in a trade are heart-breaking, but come on…we’ve got Motte to take over closer duties…a solid relief corp such as Franklin, McClellan, Springer, Flores, etc…and Yadi is solid for years to come…we gotta’ get a shortstop with power and they are in short supply (no pun intended)…

Now…having said all of that…once Colby comes up, we are going to have to trade away an outfielder…most likely either Skip (ouch) or Dunc (like him, but…)…so, if it takes an outfielder (other thank Ank or Skip) to close the deal, so be it…(but Barton could prove much too difficult to trade as a Rule 5 guy, not to mention predicting his worth and career at this point)…

Okay, okay…now it’s REALLY it for now…

GO CARDS!!!!

Walt Jocketty Is Red All Over…

Walt Jocketty, former General Manager of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2006 World Series Champion team, has been reportedly hired as the Reds’ new GM. See the link below for the story (a press conference is scheduled for this afternoon).

Congrats to Walt. His service in the Cardinals’ organization is much appreciated, and we wish him well as he assumes the reigns of one of our division rivals.

Of course, you know – this means WAR!!!

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/SPT04/304230046

Brendan Ryan Storms Into Springfield

If last night’s performance is any indication of Ryan’s readiness – he’s ready. Thursday night, Brendan Ryan began the next phase of his rehab assignment in the Cardinals Double A affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals. Leading off and playing short, Ryan set the table for a 20 – 5 barn-storming of the visiting Tulsa Drillers at Hammon’s Field.

In his first at bat, the scrappy young infielder lifted a pitch into short left field. From there, it was all fun and games. Ryan finished the night going 4 for 6 with a double, a solo HR, and a stolen base. He did have one strikeout on the night, but let’s be fair – every pitch thrown to Ryan in that at bat was 100 mph or higher (that pitcher, by the way, topped out at 103 mph!). Rather than risk reinjuring a healing rib section trying to catch up to such an offering, Ryan wisely stayed out of the way of the slightly wild right-hander and calmly watched the pitches zoom by.

Defensively, he looked good – even great, at times. His range looked fine and he seemed to be moving to balls without hesitation, which is a good sign with a rib injury. On two occasions, Ryan could have clearly stretched out for a ball up the middle but thought better of it – no doubt employing wisdom in a runaway game – choosing not to risk his ailing ribs.

Overall – Brendan Ryan looked great and was clearly the main attraction. Before the game, he stopped more than once to sign autographs with adults and kids, always sparing a moment to speak to the fans. When I caught up with him and cornered him with my son’s baseball, I asked him how his ribs were feeling. “They’re a little tight, but they’re okay.” I followed with, “I hate to see you get injured, but it’s sure good to see you down here.” He responded (laughing a bit): “Well, I was always hurt here, so it kind of fits.”

A Quick Note on Bryan Anderson: The young Springfield catcher can sure swing the bat – no question. In fact, he proved that by driving a ball over the wall near the visitor’s bullpen in the fifth inning, quickly earning all fans in attendance an Andy’s Frozen Custard concrete for only a buck. But I see now what the organization means when they say he needs to work on his defense. He has the talent and the skills – but he just needs to work on his habits and overcoming his instincts. When he blocks balls in the dirt, he’s having a hard time overcoming his instinct to catch the ball in his mitt rather than blocking it with his body. The result is a lot of past balls because he keeps wanting to pull his body up a bit when the ball bounces. We’ll see…I certainly think it’s something that can be taught…and with Yadi in the Bigs, the organization can easily afford to give him all the time he needs.

Well…that’s all for now…GO CARDS!!!