Cardinals interested in Billy Wagner

[ManEatingTarp]

I know Ed Wade is a pretty awful GM, so he may not realize it, but the Phillies really shouldn't be in a rush to trade Wagner unless they're getting top of the line prospects, cause they'll be getting 2 draft picks when he walks anyways.

 

That said, Walt usually surprises at the trade deadline,

 

Here's hoping he surprises with another Sterling Hitchcock or Mike DeJean-esque move :)

 

Every silver lining has a touch of grey...

;)

 

I would LOVE to have Wagner, but the under the radar move that may happen...

I have a funny feeling that Jason Schmidt might be a Cardinal by the end of the month.

Marquis, Reyes and ________.

[genghiskhan]

Wagner is a free agent, so he won't be as expensive as one might think.

 

Why?

 

 

Because he's a rental, and the team that trades for him has no guarantee of retaining his services beyond 2005.

[1wizard]

Also, where Wagner wants to go will have little to do with where Philly trades him.

 

I assume than that Wagner does not have a no trade clause.

 

 

 

I think Walt will be willing to move Wainwright or Reyes for the right deal. If he thinks Wagner is the main need I could see a trade involving one of these two prospects. Likewise, I could imagine Walt working a deal with one of the pitching prospects for a good hitting outfielder to platoon and take over next year. Either way, I don't think Walt is at a point that he has to jump at the first offer because the team does not have any glaring weaknesses at this time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Also, where Wagner wants to go will have little to do with where Philly trades him.

 

I assume than that Wagner does not have a no trade clause.

 

 

 

I think Walt will be willing to move Wainwright or Reyes for the right deal. If he thinks Wagner is the main need I could see a trade involving one of these two prospects. Likewise, I could imagine Walt working a deal with one of the pitching prospects for a good hitting outfielder to platoon and take over next year. Either way, I don't think Walt is at a point that he has to jump at the first offer because the team does not have any glaring weaknesses at this time.

 

You are correct in that the team doesn't have any weaknesses that need to be fixed in order for them to make the post season. The Cardinals, sans a collapse of epic proportions, will be in the playoffs. What Jocketty has to ask himself now, is what weaknesses this team will have in a short series and how can those be remedied and if it is worth the cost. It's different than teams trying to make a deal to get to postseason. The cost-benefit analysis is much more critical in this instance.

[ManEatingTarp]

Also, where Wagner wants to go will have little to do with where Philly trades him.

 

I assume than that Wagner does not have a no trade clause.

 

 

 

I think Walt will be willing to move Wainwright or Reyes for the right deal. If he thinks Wagner is the main need I could see a trade involving one of these two prospects. Likewise, I could imagine Walt working a deal with one of the pitching prospects for a good hitting outfielder to platoon and take over next year. Either way, I don't think Walt is at a point that he has to jump at the first offer because the team does not have any glaring weaknesses at this time.

 

You are correct in that the team doesn't have any weaknesses that need to be fixed in order for them to make the post season. The Cardinals, sans a collapse of epic proportions, will be in the playoffs. What Jocketty has to ask himself now, is what weaknesses this team will have in a short series and how can those be remedied and if it is worth the cost. It's different than teams trying to make a deal to get to postseason. The cost-benefit analysis is much more critical in this instance.

 

B-I-N-G-O was his name-o

 

In a short series, what would be of the most benefit to the Cards?

Improved Pen?

Another Frontline Starter?

Impact OF?

A 4th OF?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Also, where Wagner wants to go will have little to do with where Philly trades him.

 

I assume than that Wagner does not have a no trade clause.

 

 

 

I think Walt will be willing to move Wainwright or Reyes for the right deal. If he thinks Wagner is the main need I could see a trade involving one of these two prospects. Likewise, I could imagine Walt working a deal with one of the pitching prospects for a good hitting outfielder to platoon and take over next year. Either way, I don't think Walt is at a point that he has to jump at the first offer because the team does not have any glaring weaknesses at this time.

 

You are correct in that the team doesn't have any weaknesses that need to be fixed in order for them to make the post season. The Cardinals, sans a collapse of epic proportions, will be in the playoffs. What Jocketty has to ask himself now, is what weaknesses this team will have in a short series and how can those be remedied and if it is worth the cost. It's different than teams trying to make a deal to get to postseason. The cost-benefit analysis is much more critical in this instance.

 

B-I-N-G-O was his name-o

 

In a short series, what would be of the most benefit to the Cards?

Improved Pen?

Another Frontline Starter?

Impact OF?

A 4th OF?

 

Personally, I believe a front line starter would be more valuable. The offense is fine. It may have a hole here or there, but it should be able to score. Bullpen would be number two, but only if it was for a guy I knew would be a shut-down kind of pitcher. Impact OF would be number three.

 

Saying that, however, some cost analysis would come into play. How much would the front-line starter cost opposed to the bullpen guy or Impact OF? If the starter is going to cost more than I'd want to give, I'd move on to the other and so forth.

 

Wagner would be nice to have in the play-offs. With him and Izzy in the pen, you're down to a seven inning game. On the other hand, if you find a starter who can shut the other team down for two games for 6-7 innings that appears to be more valuable.

[UK1679666180]

Its a fair statement to say the Cards have the top talent in MLB along with Boston.

 

I don't think they need another front of the rotation starter, they have that with Carpenter and Morris ( :pukel: ), as well as good to decent starters in Marquis, Mulder, and Suppan.

 

They could use another bat, I'd go after Stairs if I was on a limited budget in terms of salary and players.

 

But, a combo of King, Wagner, and Isringhausen would be deadly, if healthy.

[ManEatingTarp]

Schmidt is my #1 hope.

Wagner #2

Vernon Wells or Adam Dunn #3

 

If Walt can get any of those guys.... Well, they'd be pretty good.

[dalgreen]

Schmidt is my #1 hope.

Wagner #2

Vernon Wells or Adam Dunn #3

 

If Walt can get any of those guys.... Well, they'd be pretty good.

 

I said this last August and I'll say it again this year -- I think the Cardinals win the World Series with Randy Johnson instead of Larry Walker. Why the improved their strength I don't know.

 

This year I think it's the opposite. Improve the offense. Rolen may be a question mark the rest of the year, how will Molina fare the rest of the season, as well as Walker, and Grudz is finally hitting like the Grudz we Cub fans knew he'd revert to.

 

The pitching is fine, especially the starters, although you should get one more reliever. Tavarez to Izzy is solid, but getting to Tavarez may be a problem. But maybe Suppan or Marquis can be that link. Ray King has been a little disappointing this year. Well, for me, since I'm a Cub fan, he hasn't been disappointing.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Schmidt is my #1 hope.

Wagner #2

Vernon Wells or Adam Dunn #3

 

If Walt can get any of those guys.... Well, they'd be pretty good.

 

I hope the Cards get Wells too.

[1wizard]

But, a combo of King, Wagner, and Isringhausen would be deadly, if healthy.

 

That is top on my wish list!

 

 

 

ChicagoCardFan wrote:

Schmidt is my #1 hope.

Wagner #2

Vernon Wells or Adam Dunn #3

 

If Walt can get any of those guys.... Well, they'd be pretty good.

 

Is Schmidt an upgrade over Mulder or Marquis? He has been battling injuries.

[indifferent]

My fear is twofold:

 

1. Because we have no real glaring holes, I wonder how steep of a price Jocketty would pay for strengthening an area like the bullpen or a 4th outfielder, especially relative to other teams who have a single identified need.

 

2. I agree with many assessments here on our prospects. Outside of Reyes/Wainwright, it's pretty thin. Perhaps Lambert? No real position prospects to speak of.

 

Thanks for everyone who took the time to analyze the Cards. Insightful stuff.

[Brian]

Preston Wilson is still available :)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

My fear is twofold:

 

1. Because we have no real glaring holes, I wonder how steep of a price Jocketty would pay for strengthening an area like the bullpen or a 4th outfielder, especially relative to other teams who have a single identified need.

 

2. I agree with many assessments here on our prospects. Outside of Reyes/Wainwright, it's pretty thin. Perhaps Lambert? No real position prospects to speak of.

 

Thanks for everyone who took the time to analyze the Cards. Insightful stuff.

 

Lambert's not a bad prospect. If I were SF or Philly, I'd want one of Reyes/Wainwright in return for Schmidt or Wagner, but I expect Jocketty would balk at that.

[dalgreen]

My fear is twofold:

 

1. Because we have no real glaring holes, I wonder how steep of a price Jocketty would pay for strengthening an area like the bullpen or a 4th outfielder, especially relative to other teams who have a single identified need.

 

2. I agree with many assessments here on our prospects. Outside of Reyes/Wainwright, it's pretty thin. Perhaps Lambert? No real position prospects to speak of.

 

Thanks for everyone who took the time to analyze the Cards. Insightful stuff.

 

My how fast John Gall has fallen. I thought he was supposed to be in the majors by now?

[Holy Cow]

My fear is twofold:

 

1. Because we have no real glaring holes, I wonder how steep of a price Jocketty would pay for strengthening an area like the bullpen or a 4th outfielder, especially relative to other teams who have a single identified need.

 

2. I agree with many assessments here on our prospects. Outside of Reyes/Wainwright, it's pretty thin. Perhaps Lambert? No real position prospects to speak of.

 

Thanks for everyone who took the time to analyze the Cards. Insightful stuff.

 

I agree with this. I think a move for a real impact player like Wagner or Wells would be a bad move. The cards have no major holes, but plenty of teams do. Jocketty will have to outbid other teams which really need another bullpen arm or big bat, and who have a stronger farm. Any such move would probably make the organization worse.

[Bench Coach]

With the rest of the season in doubt, taking on unecessary salary doesn't make sense either.

 

We're not out of this yet. Our bullpen needs shoring up, and obviously getting Wagner would do that.

[vaball]

Preston Wilson is still available :)

 

Ha, not any more. :D

 

Thank you Nationals.