I’m a tad worried. Why is that, you ask? lboros had an excellent entry today at VEB regarding the trade possibility with the White Sox for Mark Buehrle for Colby Rasmus and Chris Perez. He concluded that the price was too rich, even for the Cardinals blood, and that it was not a likely possibility. Call it Mark Mulder syndrome but I’m not 100% Jocketty would pass on an offer from Ken Williams. Just venting a little apprehension here. Later in the day, I was not at all thrilled to see rumor peddler extraordinaire Ken Robenthal made mention of both Cardinal prospects in his latest rumorpalooza round up.
Scouts rarely volunteer praise for Cardinals’ prospects, but Class AA outfielder Colby Rasmus and Class AA right-hander Chris Perez are exceptions. Rasmus, the 28th overall selection in the 2005 draft, is viewed by one scout as “a middle-of-the-order, above-average two-way player; everything he does, he does easy.” Perez, the 42nd overall pick in the 2006 draft, is a closer with a 100-mph fastball and plus slider, the scout says.
Now I’m seeing a sportwriter relaying word from a scout saying Perez throws 100? I’ve always heard he throws in the mid-nineties, 96 tops. Who’s saying this? Could it be a Cardinal scout? Was there a second shooter on the grassy knoll? Yes, I am being a little paranoid. Rosenbot is a channel for teams to cheaply advertise their wares. It’s been fun covering the farm system so far, but if Rasmus is traded I think my head will internally combust, which’ll make it hard to blog here anymore. I consider myself a bit of a pacifist, but I fear what DanUp will do to Mr. Jocketty should something go down. He will not be stopped, my friends. He will not be stopped. Here’s a brief sampling of previous DanUp comments here, the first regarding what Dan would do if they took Julio Borbon in the first round:
I will stab [Cardinal official who I'll call blank] in the throat. I don’t want to do it, but I will do it.
I swear to god if the Cardinals draft another safe college pitcher in the first round I will break them.
Ladies and gentleman I give you Don DanUp, hit man for disgruntled Cardinal bloggers. Don’t do it, Walt.
Speaking of Springfield Cardinals and Cardinal bloggers, Dustin of Whiteyball has an on the spot report of a recent AA game he attended with thoughts on Perez and Rasmus, amongst others.
Filed under: Chris Perez, Colby Rasmus, Trade rumors
erik
azruavatar
fewgoodcards
roarke49
theredbaaron
I’m glad we’ve got some muscle on our side. Anyway, I’m wondering what you’re thinking about Perez in the medium term. We’ve seen quite a recent draft picks (Papelbon comes to mind) blow through the minors (of course none are Cardinals, sigh). Surely the walks are a problem; do you see him as a guy with a chance to make the club out of spring training in 08? Will he get a chance in Memphis this year?
I think he has a chance to make the club out of spring training if he keeps pouring on the gas. It depends on what he does to get noticed, as TLR and DD do their evaluating there and usually go with the hot hand.
I also think there’s a good shot he’ll end up closing for Memphis by the all star break. The walks still are an issue, and occasionally he’ll have a blow up, but it seems like once or twice a week he strikes out the side in a perfect 9th.
Wait, so there was a rumor of a trade for Buehrle for Rasmus and Perez? I’m kind of lost. Because seriously I wouldn’t even give up Perez for Buehrle. You don’t trade for someone who is going to get 80M for someone who will make a total of less than a 1M dollars his first 3 years in the bigs, that will give you similiar production. Although I still really like Reyes, it seems he’ll never get a fair chance here, so I would pretty much do Reyes for Buehrle straight up, which is still a good deal for the Sox I believe, considering all the money they save, just remember just last year Reyes was rated the #41 prospect by BA. And he will be cheap for the next couple of years. Only time will tell how good of offers they get for Buehrle or just let him walk for a pick.
Also I don’t know if people remember this but Buehrle was far from good last year, just something to point out.
2004: 4.14 xFIP
2005: 3.95 xFIP
2006: 5.01 xFIP
2007: 4.09 xFIP
So last year kind of worries me, even though he has been fairly consistant throughout his career. Also, not that I care but Buehrle consistantly gets in the mid 40%’s for his GB%, Reyes was at 42.2% this year, but yet the Cards hate Reyes, not sure what to make of that. I don’t get why the Cards don’t go after groundballers if thats what they love, why not go after someone like say Paul Maholm, who is struggling and is a GB pitcher, but the only thing is in division. Or hell go all out and try getting one of the best GB pitchers in the game in Derek Lowe from the Dodgers, they do have excess pitching somewhat. But he would probably come somewhat expensive right now. Just some thoughts.
It is patently obvious that if you can get solid players like Perez coming up through the system who can adequately fill roster spots (especially now that even reliever salaries are going through the roof) before arb eligible years, it makes a world of difference. I don’t understand that Cardinals’ unwillingness to invest in the draft. And while I understand that some prospects never make it, I’m with you that if they trade 2-3 of their top prospects this year, I’m going to lose it. You need these guys to enable you to commit high dollars to key people (AP, CC, SR, etc.).
Shhh. yeah, it was in there, just not in the post, but lboros guessed later in the comments that the chisox asking price would be perez and rasmus
http://vivaelbirdos.com/comments/2007/6/12/95434/6705/4#4
Rosenbot isn’t as good of a nickname as Robothal
As the rumors say, Lunhow is moving up in the Cardinals’ organization and is a favorite of Dewitt. If this is true, I just don’t see the Cardinals trading 2 of Lunhow’s first round picks. The Cardinals’ brass says that it wants to start developing its own talent, why would they trade away 2 of its best prospects?
Since Reyes seems to have fallen out of favor with LaDunc, I could see him be included in a deal for Buerhle.
http://whiteyball.wordpress.com
Great comment from Joe Strauss today from his live chat.
“Hey, sports fans, this team has not had a winning streak longer than four games since last July 16. In financial terms, I think the time is past to refer to this as a “market correction.” This team requires a significant move. That opinion is shared by some in uniform as well as some Knights of the Keyboard.”
In other words if ownership does not step up it is going to be a rough next couple of years for the Birds, not to mention the fact that this year is already lost due to a total lack of a rotation.