Show-Me Kings

The trade of Jim Edmonds to the San Diego Padres for minor league prospect David Freese answers some questions about the 2008 St. Louis Cardinals and raise several more. This move, along with David Eckstein’s signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, is clear evidence the Cardinals are finally cutting ties with the past and accelerating the rebuilding process.

I like the move from this perspective: trading a former All-Star center fielder for a guy who doesn’t even crack the Padres top 20 prospects list is a concession that giving Edmonds an extra year on his contract was a serious mistake. (more)

On the same day the St. Louis Cardinals trumpeted the return of manager Tony La Russa, baseball guru Bill James was heralding a “historic bubble” in Major League Baseball. What do the two have to do with one another?

One is about the fate of an organization. The other is about the future of the game. (more)

A series of events converged in the mid 1990’s and the St. Louis Cardinals have reaped the dividends ever since. All the following took place in the 1994-1996 timeframe.

The headlines reveal another season-ending surgery and another pitcher with a sore shoulder. Just a typical day with the 2007 St. Louis Cardinals. Last night’s loss to the Phillies was a perfect microcosm of the season. Given up for dead after being buried with a huge deficit, the club stages an improbable rally only to come up short.

Time to look toward 2008. This is one messy jigsaw puzzle. Whether it’s Walt Jocketty and Tony La Russsa or another GM/Manager combo, they have a lot of work to do. (more)

The Cardinals may be in the midst of a five-game losing streak but the soap opera that stars the players and manager of the baseball team in St. Louis is still spinning out interesting episodes. There are the cast members whose roles have been cut short this season — Chris Carpenter, Scott Rolen, Juan Encarnacion, possibly Chris Duncan and others long since written out of the story line (Preston Wilson was the opening day right fielder).

There’s the off-field behavior that’s led to death (Josh Hancock), the restricted list (Scott Spiezio) and plenty of questions (Rick Ankiel).

Finally, there’s the palace intrigue surrounding the leading man more torn about his fate than Hamlet. (more)

On Monday afternoon, the Houston Astros fired manager Phil Garner and GM Tim Purpura. Much was made of the Astros recent slide to last place after making it to the World Series just two seasons ago. What a difference a game can make.

The Astros and Cardinals have acted like identical twins the last few seasons, acting in tandem as the dominators of the NL Central. (more)

Sort of.

At least when it comes to their three-game series against Milwaukee. Here’s why.

After being swept by the last place Giants over the weekend, The Brewers are in a freefall. The last thing Cardinals’ fans need is for Milwaukee to sweep Chicago or take two of three and start to believe in themselves again.

It’s time to eliminate some competition. The division race becomes easier when you’re chasing one team instead of two. Right now, it’s clear the weakest link is Milwaukee. (more)

Quote of the day: Manager Tony La Russa on the health of Scott Rolen. “When he gets to the park tomorrow, we’ll see how he feels. If he needs to bang one, we’ll give him one.”

OK.

Of all the numbers following the Cardinals 6-4 victory over the Cubs on Monday, it’s this one that stands out to me. St. Louis is looking at playing 35 games in the season’s last 34 days (that would include a makeup of Sunday’s game against Chicago).

With such a brutal schedule, that creates a need in the starting rotation. As good as Looper, Pineiro, Reyes, Wainwright and Wells have been in recent weeks, they’re going to need some help in the final month.

How soon does Mark Mulder get a start in the big leagues? (more)

When Carlos Zambrano signed his five-year, $91.5 million contract on Friday, Albert Pujols had to be a happy man.

With an average annual salary of $18.3 million for Zambrano, there are only four higher paydays in all of baseball.

Average Salary

The Cardinals pound the Brewers and the Cubs lose again. St. Louis is still four games under .500 but only three back (on the loss side) in the standings. Welcome to pennant race baseball, National League Central style.

On a night when the Brewers honored their 1982 American League champion team, the Milwaukee writer says last night’s performance by the Cardinals (19 hits), may have reminded the former players of Game 6 of the World Series that year — a 13-1 spanking at the hands of the Redbirds.

Behold the power of those baby blue uniforms. (more)