UPDATE: Cards Acquire Holliday, page 26

[dexter]

Neyer's slant was taken right from this thread.

[omaha_red]

Neyer's slant was taken right from this thread.

it's funny to read that right after reading rosenthal's article.. very different opinions

[planet planet]

Neyer's slant was taken right from this thread.

it's funny to read that right after reading rosenthal's article.. very different opinions

But both of them were more an analysis of Beane as a GM, rather than of the trade.

[JL21]

This jumped out at me from Rosenthal's article:

They also figure to trade infielder Troy Glaus, who is on a rehabilitation assignment after undergoing shoulder surgery, perhaps for another prospect.

[Swingingbunt]

This jumped out at me from Rosenthal's article:

They also figure to trade infielder Troy Glaus, who is on a rehabilitation assignment after undergoing shoulder surgery, perhaps for another prospect.

That would make sense...but to who? Who needs a 1B/DH guy who may or may not be able to hit? If Mo can get a real prospect out of that I'll take back every nasty thing I've ever thought about him.

[keener98]

What is Rosenthal talking about saying the Cards will now trade Glaus for a prospect? Who the hell is going to give up anything for Troy Glaus at this point?

And wow does he love him some Beane

[phins]

What was Rosenthal's take?

I can't decide if I'm upset over losing Wallace or not. I watched his short swing, and quick hands with above average plate discipline and thought he was going to be an above average hitter, but never did believe he would hit for more than 25 HR type power. Couldn't decide if that made up for the lack of position/poor defense. You go and watch these kids play 40 times a year in your hometown, and you start to develop a bond with them. I didn't see Wallace quite that many times since he was only here the back half of the season, start of this year.

Peterson, I actually wrote in the minor league section a review of Tyler Henley, and it was pretty much similar to how I feel about Peterson. Battler, good glove, patience, but really profiles as a backup. You can get guys like that. Not a big loss there.

Mortensen, I'm a little higher on than some around here, but again it could back to that observer bias. I was able to see his high of high's, a dominant, beautiful start against a very poor hitting AA team. He was able to hit his spots, got his breaking ball over, and was sitting 92 mph with a nice sinker. The problem was, I tended to hold onto that start, and forget the times when he would be up just a little bit, and he had nothing else to get hitters out with, and he'd be a 4 IP, 7 ER, 4 BB, 0 K nightmare. He has probably hit his ceiling, and would always been an inconsistent, back of the rotation starter capable of giving you glimpses that you hold onto for far too long.

I'm warming to this trade more and more as I think of the downside. I'm a risk averse person by nature, in investing, and in baseball trades. The downside versus the probability of reaching that downside is worth it to me.

[skmsw]

This jumped out at me from Rosenthal's article:

They also figure to trade infielder Troy Glaus, who is on a rehabilitation assignment after undergoing shoulder surgery, perhaps for another prospect.

That would make sense...but to who? Who needs a 1B/DH guy who may or may not be able to hit? If Mo can get a real prospect out of that I'll take back every nasty thing I've ever thought about him.

Trade him now for a PTBNL -- two single players (probably prospects) agreed on now but not disclosed -- one if he plays so many games, gets so many AB, or produces at a certain level and another if he misses those targets.

[TheoSqua]

I think a lot of the naysayers are missing the big picture that management may be considering with such moves.

I think a lot of it has to do with appeasing Pujols. He wants to win now, and he's said, subtly, that he thinks management should improve the team.

I've heard reports that the team wants to try to sign Pujols to an extension this offseason. If that's true, then this is the season they have to show Albert that they're committed to winning.

If Holliday only stays for a few months, and Wallace turns into a premier hitter. The card will have lost the trade. But if the perception of the trade causes Albert to be more inclined to sign an extension this offseason, then the Cardinals win regardless of the actual trade.

[Michael]

What was Rosenthal's take?

I can't decide if I'm upset over losing Wallace or not. I watched his short swing, and quick hands with above average plate discipline and thought he was going to be an above average hitter, but never did believe he would hit for more than 25 HR type power. Couldn't decide if that made up for the lack of position/poor defense. You go and watch these kids play 40 times a year in your hometown, and you start to develop a bond with them. I didn't see Wallace quite that many times since he was only here the back half of the season, start of this year.

Peterson, I actually wrote in the minor league section a review of Tyler Henley, and it was pretty much similar to how I feel about Peterson. Battler, good glove, patience, but really profiles as a backup. You can get guys like that. Not a big loss there.

Mortensen, I'm a little higher on than some around here, but again it could back to that observer bias. I was able to see his high of high's, a dominant, beautiful start against a very poor hitting AA team. He was able to hit his spots, got his breaking ball over, and was sitting 92 mph with a nice sinker. The problem was, I tended to hold onto that start, and forget the times when he would be up just a little bit, and he had nothing else to get hitters out with, and he'd be a 4 IP, 7 ER, 4 BB, 0 K nightmare. He has probably hit his ceiling, and would always been an inconsistent, back of the rotation starter capable of giving you glimpses that you hold onto for far too long.

I'm warming to this trade more and more as I think of the downside. I'm a risk averse person by nature, in investing, and in baseball trades. The downside versus the probability of reaching that downside is worth it to me.

Nice post. Thanks for the analysis, phin.