Trade Deadline-A-Palooza

With the trade deadline quickly approaching (one hour and counting), I figured that it would be a good idea to take a brief look at what the Redbirds have done come deadline time over the past few years*:

2001- With the rise of El Hombre and the Cardinals en route to the playoffs, Jocketty traded LHP Jason Christiansen to San Francisco in exchange for Kevin Joseph and a player to be named later. Eventually, the Giants sent cash.

2002- In yet another pennant race, the Cardinals made several trades to improve the team. They acquired pitcher Chuck Finley from the Indians for first baseman/outfielder Luis Garcia and a minor league player to be named later (Coco Crisp). Later, they received Scott Rolen and Doug Nickel from the Phillies for Placido Polanco, Mike Timlin and Bud “no-hit” Smith.

2003- In the year of the best fan ever, the Cardinals didn’t make any moves at the deadline, but did trade for Mike DeJean for two PTBNL.

2004- In the magic regular season of 2004, the Redbirds acquired Armando Rios from the O’s, a player who was released a month later. The Cardinals did prove to make a key waiver trade, though, acquiring Larry Walker from the Rox for Jason Burch, Luis Martinez and Chris Narveson.

2005- In the year of the “Miracle at Minute Maid Park”, the Cardinals stood pat at the deadline.

2006- In the Championship Season, the Redbirds made a handful of pivotal moves. They traded for World Series pitching hero, the best second baseman they had had in years, and a homerun-prone reliever, all for a slugger (minor leagues), a player in the doghouse, and a crappy minor league pitcher.

2007- En route to the first losing season in years, the Redbirds traded for Joel Piniero of the BoSox. He turned out to be (arguably) the pitcher who finally crushed the Mets spirits during their enormous collapse.

2008- That brings us to this season. So far, they have sent A-Rey to the Indians for Luis Perdomo.

*Note: as some of you may know, the Cardinals have a different GM this year. Although, he was the assistant GM for years under Walt Jocketty, so it is not as if he is new to the organization.

Most educated Cardinal fans would hate to be in GM John Mozeliak’s shoes right now. The future Hall of Fame manager is pushing for him to sell off pieces of the future so they will have a shot at winning in this so called “rebuilding season”. Ownership is telling him not to do it, especially while “Mo” is unwilling to give up many top prospects. In the mean time, some fans are riding him for not making moves so they will have a shot at winning it all. At the same time, these are the fans who will be TPing his house and harshly criticizing him if he does move any top prospects. Oh man, would I hate to be in Mo’s shoes!

Notes:

Top pitching prospect Jaime Garcia was apparently not with Triple-A Memphis last night. This could mean one of several things: after the send down of Randy Flores, the team is just looking for a better lefty specialist for the pen, or they are trading him. Either way, it should improve the team.

The team has reportedly been shopping ace Kyle Lohse, but will probably have to be blown away to move him. According to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, “Officials of two teams that spoke with the Cardinals report that they've been offering to deal Lohse if they can get back the right package.”

Good luck at the deadline, Mo!