Message Received, Cards Add DeRosa

June 29, 2009 | Clark | Comments 0

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So after rumblings of Matt Holliday to the Cardinals over the weekend, it’s Mark DeRosa who finds himself wearing the birds on the bat.  Was Mo playing poker?  Who knows.  And what of Matt Holliday?  Word from Bernie on Twitter is that deal is dead – with demands for a free agent Scott Boras player making $13 million plus while hitting .270 with 8 home runs deemed a “tad” too much.  And I use the term “tad” with as much mockery as I can muster for the money ball lord.

To be honest, I’d like to see if Holliday can recapture his magic here, but the Coors Field label is looming large and I know Moneyballs stated he wants a better package than what he gave Colorado.  Enjoy the draft picks my friend.

Mo gave the following comments on the deal in today’s Joe Strauss article.  “There are times when you have to react to situations that are now,” Mozeliak said before the Cardinals took the field for a 6-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins. “There are other times when you can have vision and look to long-term planning. One of the things that I get beat up a lot for, and the organization does, is that we fail to make shorter-term decisions. From where I stand, it’s a great message to our fans and to our major league players that we do care about today and we are focused on winning.”

Hey Mo, it’s better than great, it’s one hell of a message that was received loud and clear.  This also speaks to ownership’s dedication to the team.  This move wasn’t made to quell the tide is dissent in redbird land.  They’re proven they have a plan and will stick to it regardless of what anyone else thinks.  No, this move was made to help a team with a chance to win.  Making a move this early may have cost more, but it was needed.  Read the Strauss article to see the player and manager responses, they’re sad to see Perez go, but are happy to see an impact move.  As Pujols put it, “I guess we’re trying to win.”

How do I feel about Perez going?  I guess indifferent.  This team has a lot of depth in that area and while he will probably have a great career, I was troubled by his slider, or lack there of.  You also have to consider the job Ryan Franklin is doing.  Since Izzy’s shadow is no longer cast over him, he’s been incredible and should be able to handle the job for the next couple years while Tony and Dunc groom Motte.  You also have to consider the Cardinals recent second and third round draft choices, power arms with high risk/reward potential.  Just one hits and you already have the next Perez in your organization.

What does the future hold for this team?  I don’t know, but the outfielders are going to have to pick up their game to put this team over the top.  Mo can’t trade and replace the entire outfield.  Mo did hint more moves may come closer to the deadline, depending on the team’s performance.  K. Greene apparently had a relapse, so it seems if the outfielders can get going with DeRosa taking some of the burden off their shoulder then he can slide into third.  The dark house here is Glaus.  Apparently he’s hitting, but doesn’t have arm strength, so it will be interesting to watch, but not likely.  Lohse will be returning, so that will help the rotation who’s only question mark at the moment will be Wellemeyer.

Things are starting to come together for a typical LaRussa second half sprint.  Regardless of what happens, my hat is off to Mo and ownership for stepping up and reinforcing their commitment to this team and its fans.  While they don’t always do what’s popular, they do what’s needed.  Last year the team over performed while Mo and ownership were trying to build assets.  This year, they’re trying to meet the demands of a baseball crazy market while maintaining a long term approach to winning in a sport that clearly needs a salary cap.  Again, job well done.

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