Pre-Season Prediction

[JTWood]

I'm betting/hoping that Aubrey Huff is a Cardinal before the year's over.

[j_d_mcnugent]

huff is too young. my guess is luis gonzalez of the arizona variety. he is everything walt and tony look for...old, high priced, solid but declining obp, 'damage' at the #2 spot in the batting order.

[Pogotheostrich]

I've been thinking about this and there isn't much to trade. Marquis was speculated to be on the block this winter but if they wait too long who will want him. He's a FA after this year and the only teams that would want to rent a player for half a year would be playoff teams and I don't think too many teams headed for the playoffs would be interested in Marquis. The other option is to trade one of the young arms which seems like a bad idea since Mulder, Marquis, Suppan and Ponson are FA. If they want to trade Marquis they need to do it soon.

btw - If TB is asking for Olsen for Gathright, they are going to want half the Card's farm system for Huff.

[Pogotheostrich]

Here is a prediction for you: Mulder re-signs during the season. Ponson, Suppan and Marquis leave via FA. Cards sign Buehrle in the offseason.

2007 rotation:
Carp
Mulder
Buehlre
Reyes
Wainright

[j_d_mcnugent]

I've been thinking about this and there isn't much to trade.

thats kind of why i think luis gonzalez is a good fit. he is making about 10 mil plus a buyout of his 2007 option. if the cards take on salary they can get away with giving up lesser prospects.

buehrle has a 2007 option. you can bet that will get picked up.

the cards have some mid level guys like travis hanson or stu pomeranz that could be used salary dump type trades. most of the rest of the guys (reyes, rasmus, etc.) i'd be open to trading but not for rent-a-players.

[JTWood]

I think they ask for Reyes in exchange for Huff.

[cubbyblue_1]

huff is too young. my guess is luis gonzalez of the arizona variety. he is everything walt and tony look for...old, high priced, solid but declining obp, 'damage' at the #2 spot in the batting order.

I don't think I have heard of Huff being considered to young before...what is he 29 or 30? If you guys want another OF'er TB is the place to look, they have a very crowded situation with a lot of talent

[j_d_mcnugent]

I don't think I have heard of Huff being considered to young before...what is he 29 or 30?

poorly worded joke i guess. is there a sarcasm smilie? tony, like dusty, has a hard on for crusty veterans. so calling a 30 year old too young was supposed to be funny.

[Pogotheostrich]

I think they ask for Reyes in exchange for Huff.

I don't think Huff is worth it. Any decent FA SP is going to be at least 7 million and 4/5ths of the rotation are FA after this year. If a young pitcher like Reyes pans out you are saving tons of cash each year. If I thought the Cards were a hitter away from the WS then yeah go for it but a good young pitcher makes more sense for now and the future.

[JTWood]

I was close. He did come to the NL Central.