But for Skip to really bring positive value to this team and to achieve a positive WAR ... he needs to boost OBP in order to compensate for his truly horrific fielding.  Big time.  We need him to get back up to .350 or so.  If he performs the same or worse at the plate this season, the Cards will officially be absent of having a decent leadoff hitter unless Freese or the dual-headed Craig/Jay somehow perform out of their collective gourds.

I wasn't a big fan of the Holliday signing.  I realize that its primary purpose was to compel Pujols that the Cards were serious about winning NOW.  After this season though, I'm warming up to the original contract because I see just how valuable it is to have a fairly decent Home-Run bat in the lineup.  Homer hitters really dropped off the map last season and their value will increase dramatically if that trend continues.  Especially since many available HR hitters are primarily DH and 1B types.  And Holliday's speed, defense, and OBP all added to his power really are adding up to a possible good value in the signing.

Still, I like your idea trading Carp and Holliday *IF* we can't resign Pujols.  Because without Pujols, we have to enter rebuilding mode. 

And to summate, the Westbrook signing was AWESOME.  Mozeliak did a good job picking him up at a nice value for 2 seasons (when hopefully Shelby Miller will be ready to go). 

I agree - I don't see how it's an upgrade.  Theriot makes a little more contact, hits for a little higher average and has a little more speed but hits with even less power (which seems almost impossible) and plays a clearly inferior SS.  He's a slight upgrade offensively but is still probably going to be one of the least productive hitters in the league.

If I heard correctly, the Cardinals aren't done yet and are trying to pull the trigger on a deal for a shortstop, making Theriot compete with Schumacher for playing time at second base (maybe a lefty-righty tandem, I don't know) or just making him a utility player.  They're throwing "Theriot as the starting Shortstop" out there now because due to the Free Agent rules and regs, they can't discuss deals that they're currently trying to work out.  Don't be surprised if in the real near future, they announce the acquisition of a starting Shortstop...

Posted by trsnoke on 12/1/2010 8:43:00 PM (view original):
I agree - I don't see how it's an upgrade.  Theriot makes a little more contact, hits for a little higher average and has a little more speed but hits with even less power (which seems almost impossible) and plays a clearly inferior SS.  He's a slight upgrade offensively but is still probably going to be one of the least productive hitters in the league.

Theriot may have a little more speed than Ryan, but he's a dumbass on the basepaths, thereby negating that advantage.

If he's a slight upgrade offensively, Ryan must really suck.

Career .259/.314/.344 so, yes.

Okay, so the Cardinals sign Berkman to a 1yr $8mil deal. If he really crushes the ball this might not be bad, but it still kinda seems like spending money in the wrong place. Jay/Craig cost $800k.
I'd say overall I like this deal inspite of myself. I mean its Lance Berkman. This is the last chance for the Birds to win it all, so may as well push all the chips forward.

Rasmus better stay healthy because they're going to need him to run down everything in that OF.

So the Cards will have Holliday and Berkman in the corners?  Wow...we don't have the worst defensive OF in the division now!!

As long as you have Soriano out there.....

Not even close.

Maybe we can teach Berkman to do that cool hop?

Posted by trsnoke on 12/5/2010 2:25:00 PM (view original):
Rasmus better stay healthy because they're going to need him to run down everything in that OF.

Maybe Edmunds can come back as a coach and show how to do that thing where he overplays the ball so he can make the ESPN-highlight diving catch.

GREAT IDEA!