Cardinals to make strong offer for Halladay

Cards Willing To Make Strong Offer For Halladay

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 15 at 1:29pm CST]
The Cardinals are prepared to offer talent for Roy Halladay, but they're not going to disassemble their entire system to acquire the Jays ace, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"We may be able to give up an arm or a leg," a Cardinals source told Strauss. "But we're not going to sacrifice the whole body."

Strauss hears that the Jays want major league-ready pitching in return for Halladay. This could pose a problem for the Cards, as they may have to surrender Jess Todd or Francisco Samuel to complete the Mark DeRosa deal. The Blue Jays wanted top Cards prospect Brett Wallace in the 2008 draft.


Not only do the Cards have a history of pulling off big trades (Larry Walker, Scott Rolen), they have a history of picking up former Blue Jays starters. Chris Carpenter, Woody Williams and Pat Hentgen all pitched for the Jays then the Cardinals.

If they are able to make this move that could make them the favorites in the National League if Carpenter and Wainwright stay healthy

If the Cardinals get Hallady, in the words of Hawk - "this ballgame is ovah!!"

Nothing like mortgaging the future to win now! How did that work out for Milwaukee last year?

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Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

Nothing like mortgaging the future to win now! How did that work out for Milwaukee last year?

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Uh, it worked out fine. They made the playoffs which is exactly why they got CC.

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Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

Nothing like mortgaging the future to win now! How did that work out for Milwaukee last year?

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Kinda like the Cubs have done... :wink:

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Originally Posted by TarHeelHawk

Nothing like mortgaging the future to win now! How did that work out for Milwaukee last year?

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They made the playoffs for the first time in how long? I forgot, but it was a long time.

In addition, Halladay is signed through 2010, so it's not just about win right now, though it would put them in a great position to do so.

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Originally Posted by gocubs2118

Uh, it worked out fine. They made the playoffs which is exactly why they got CC.

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Well they don't have him anymore. Basically, they handed over their best prospect for a first round playoff exit. Was it worth it? :biglaugh:

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Originally Posted by DJK15

Well they don't have him anymore. Basically, they handed over their best prospect for a first round playoff exit. Was it worth it? :biglaugh:

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They made a ton more money than they would have otherwise, and they also got two supplemental draft picks, as he was a Type A. And Matt LaPorta, while a good prospect, is not a world beater. I'm sure they'd do it again.

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Originally Posted by DJK15

Well they don't have him anymore. Basically, they handed over their best prospect for a first round playoff exit. Was it worth it? :biglaugh:

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Yes it was. Like someone just said that was the firs time they had made the playoffs in 20 years.

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Originally Posted by gocubs2118

Yes it was. Like someone just said that was the firs time they had made the playoffs in 20 years.

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Whoop-de-freaking-doo! The Cubs have won the damned division the past 2 seasons, do you think that means squat to Cubs fans?!

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Originally Posted by DJK15

Whoop-de-freaking-doo! The Cubs have won the damned division the past 2 seasons, do you think that means squat to Cubs fans?!

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It should. If you don't win the division or wild card, you don't even have a chance at winning the world series. The playoffs are a crap shoot and once you get it anyone can win it.

Cards won't do it. Toronto wants major league-ready pitching talent, which the Cards don't have. Their player development system overvalues their own prospects and they don't have the flexibility in payroll to take on Halladay's contract, especially if they want to resign Pujols anytime soon.

What the Cards really need is another bat in the lineup. Glaus is being fast tracked back to the majors but he can't even throw a baseball from third to first right now, and he will likely require more surgery when the season is over. DeRosa is allegedly returning sometime in the next 7-10 days; hopefully he will get a hit when he comes back.

All I know is that with the Cards and Brewers looking at making at least 1 big splash possibly by the trade deadline, Jim Hendry even with the ownership situation can't afford to let the status quo be good enough. BJ Ryan is not the acquistion that will put them over the top but its a low risk move that could be part of a couple different deals they need to make.

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Originally Posted by gocubs2118

It should. If you don't win the division or wild card, you don't even have a chance at winning the world series. The playoffs are a crap shoot and once you get it anyone can win it.

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I have to somewhat agree with this. I mean the Cards had the worst regular season record of all playoff teams the last time they won the WS. Had they played in any other division that year I think they would have finished no higher than 3rd in any of them if I remember correct.

Pujols has said that he would take a pay decrease to stay in St Louis if they put together a competitive team with a legitimate chance of winning in the playoffs. Has never said how low he's willing to go, but is willing to re-sign for less than he currently makes if they field a better team. He doesn't want to leave St Louis, he has too much invested in the city--his restaurant, his foundation, and he loves being there.