Greene Deal Basically Done

Papers in both San Diego and St. Louis are reporting it, so it's about as official as it gets without a press release.

Reading the comments on the San Diego site, it looks like Greene was a fan favorite over there, which doesn't necessarily mean much, but hopefully it indicates he's not a jerk.  A minor thing, to be sure, but it can carry some weight, I believe.

Bernie gives the strengths and weaknesses of the new shortstop and after reading that I feel a little better about the deal.  It does require considering last year more an aberration than a trend, but if that's the case his pop in the bottom part of the order will be useful.  And if someone can get him to strike out less, that'd help a lot as well.  The latter may be a lost cause, however.

It also helps that Greene is going into the last year of the contract.  One, because of that general "free agent boost" that is at least rumored.  (I can't remember if there have been studies on that or not.)  Secondly, though, it doesn't tie up the Cardinals long term.  If he comes in and performs, they can work on an extension.  If he doesn't, he walks at the end of the year.

It still doesn't sound like the players going back will be a huge loss.  (Someone on the SD paper's comments said they'd be happy if Perez and Motte were coming.  Sorry, but that's just not happening, because they are worth more than Greene, for one, and the reports indicate minor-league pitchers, which they aren't.)  A smart, low-risk move by Mozeliak.  It's not a sure thing, big splash move, but maybe knowing the cost now for the shortstop will help for a bigger move farther down the line.

EDIT: Dustin Mattison sent along his recent interview with Mark Worrell.  To me, this really increases the odds he's one of the ones going to SD.  If he's expressed this kind of frustration to management, they are likely to send him along.

EDIT2: Looks like Worrell is going. No word on the other PTBNL.


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