UCB Roundtable

As you regular readers know, this week, some of the United Cardinal Bloggers spent time discussing the issues of the day via e-mail.  Last Monday, it was Anthony Reyes.  Tuesday, we took a look at the roster farther into the year.  Wednesday, there was some discussion of trades, the bullpen, and TLR.  Thursday was Ballpark Village, outfielders and pleasant spring surprises.  Finally, Friday took on spring disappointments and Mozeliak's work as GM.

You can tell from reading the above that it didn't leave me much to ask about and that coupled with a weekend could be why participation was down on this one.  Still, some good discussion was held.  Let's take a look.

Daniel (C70 At The Bat): OK, y'all have done such a great job on the questions this week that I don't know there is much left for me to toss out.  But here's something to discuss this weekend (and Monday, in case you are away from the computer this Easter weekend).  No real theme to the questions, just kind of a general wrap-up.

First up,we've talked a little about trades, with the outfield and the bullpen.  If you could reasonably make a trade, what would it be?  Either specific (Duncan for Player X) or general (an outfielder for a pitching prospect).

Bryan (Rockin' the Red): I know the Rays are a hard team to deal with, but they could use an outfielder and we have a wide variety of them - lefthanded ones, righthanded ones, young ones, old ones, converted ones, versatile ones, etc.. I would suggest possibly Chris Duncan for shortstop Ben Zobrist and prospects. The goal is to beef up the talent in the middle infield, especially at second base. I think if a trade happens, it'll either be from our outfield surplus or our starting pitching surplus as guys get back.

Mike (Stan Musial's Stance): Duncan's still probably our best trade chip, but I could see Schumaker being traded as well.  If we move someone, given our glut of outfielders, it will probably be one of them; and I agree with Bryan, it should be for a middle infield prospect.  That's really where we're weakest.

Daniel: The Rays would seem to make a good trading partner.  They are pretty deep in the young pitching, as well, but that might not be something that the dugout group wants to deal with.

I could see Looper (if he does well) being moved at the deadline if the Cards aren't in it, as well as some of the bullpen pieces like Springer and possibly Franklin, and maybe even Pineiro, Clement and Mulder, depending on their health status.

Mike W (Mike on the Cards): I've read some rumors about Skip going to the Rays, but I don't know if there's anything to them.  Besides Schumaker, I think the trading chips are Duncan, Looper, Thompson, Reyes, Franklin, and Anderson.  I'm not terribly attached to any of them, except maybe Skip, so if I were making a trade, it would involve any combination of them for a middle infield prospect.

Don (The Redbird Blog): In terms of a specific trade, my philosophy is you can never have enough pitching.  So the Rays seem like an obvious trade partner at this point, given their "surplus" of young pitching and need for outfield help.  It appears they are most coveting a left-handed outfielder who can play center and right.  Schumaker would be the obvious candidate, especially since he's cheap.  I think the Cards could sweeten any deal by throwing in Anthony Reyes.  I disagree with the Cards' approach, but it appears Reyes does not figure into LaDuncan's future plans.  Rasmus is ready, and Schumaker's departure would open a spot for him.



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Daniel: Changing gears, the starting rotation will apparently be Wainwright, Lohse, Looper, Wellemeyer, Thompson.  How long will this rotation stay together?  Who will be the first person replaced, by whom and where will the replacement go?

Bryan: I could see Braden Looper taking a step backward, but I think one of Brad Thompson and Todd Wellemeyer will need to be replaced. I want a final shot for Anthony Reyes so very badly, almost to the point that I hope one of them struggle to give him another chance.

Mike: So Reyes is not in the rotation as of today?  I think we've found the source of his troubles - LaRussa and Duncan.  This stinks.  Are they going to force the organization to move Reyes too because they don't like him?  I beginning to think Reyes' troubles are physical, or related to his ability - they're because LaRussa and Duncan don't know how to coach his skillset, and/or they can't deal with him on a pesonal level.   Wellemeyer's the first guy out - his pitch count numbers will do him in.  The team will probably move heaven and earth to give someone else a shot before they bring Reyes back up for anything but a spot start.

Mike W: I don't really get why Reyes is out, especially if one of the others will get displaced when the first of the cavalry comes back.  Either way, I think Pineiro will be the first back, mid April, and either Wellemeyer or Thompson goes to the pen, replacing Jimenez.

Don: I think most believe that Thompson will move to the bullpen as soon as Pineiro is ready.  I believe that will happen around May 1.  Once Clement is ready (probably closer to May 15 or June 1, I can see Looper heading back to the 'pen if he struggles in the rotation.  If not Looper, then Wellemeyer.  This team will have some real interesting choices to make if Mulder is ready before the All-Star break, and then Carpenter.  Things never seem to work out as planned when you're banking on injured pitchers, but there exists the possibility that the Cards will have some chips to trade in July (e.g., Duncan, Schumaker, Reyes, Lohse, Wellemeyer, Thompson, Mulder).

Daniel: Finally, when it's all said and done, which teams in the division will the Cardinals finish ahead of?

Bryan: Pirates and Astros. I have the Brewers, Reds, and Cubs ahead of us, in that order.

Mike: We'll best the Pirates and Astros.  1-3 in the division will be Cubs (pains me a little to say that), Brewers, and Reds.

Mike W: My bold prediction for the Central: