Edmonds heading to San Diego

[Ace]

I just heard the news.

That being said, it disgusts me. Jim Edmonds retiring as a Cardinal in 2008 was one of the only things I was looking forward to, and I'm not that big of a Jim Edmonds fan. But I can't help to look at his numbers offensively as a Cardinal and look past the amazing defense he played while wearing the birds on the bat. The guy wasn't perfect, and he wasn't one to crack 500 at bats often, but when he was in the lineup he usually gave it his all.

I haven't heard much about the prospect we got, except for what has probably been repeated numerous times. He is 24 years old and in single A, and he's been known not to do well against breaking pitches. So basically his chances of ever hitting the ML roster are very slim indeed. Even if he did, the chances of him being very productive are probably even worse.

So what exactly is the point of this trade? Jim Edmonds could of bounced back and had a decent year. He was optimistic about his health in the future at the end of last year. Are we trying to free up salary? For what???? Seriously, what is this team doing? It's hard to fathom that they are committed to winning.

For some reason Jim Edmonds as the starting center fielder for the Cardinals in 2008 was one of the few things that felt right, and now it's not a possibility.

Good luck to you JE, I wish you were still on the St. Louis Cardinals roster.

[HawaiiCardFan]

I haven't seen anybody on all the forums I visited this evening ask about what Chris and the rest of the pitchers will say now about knowing that Jimmy will no longer patroling centerfield. Most of you have written off Jimmy as being old and over-the-hill and next to worthless. I beg to differ especially when I see him show up on all those "best of the nights defensive plays". Not bad for an "old man". How many of you seen him throw out a runner at home last year alone. You think the Card pitchers are estatic now that the "old man" is now gone.

I foresee he will finish off his career in SD with a heck of a year and they will ask him back for one more. He is healthy now and will open some eyes in San Diego with his spectular catches and great arm.

Fortunately for me I have a friend with season tickets with the Padres and we have a flight here in Hawaii directly to SD. Both my wife and I are contemplating flying over and seeing that old man play a few games when the Cards come to town and for the first time in 60 years rooting for a team other than the Cards. People lament the term loyalty when it comes to Front office vs players and players vs front office. But this is one the first time I've seen the so-called Card fans turn against one of our great players who has given his body and soul for his team and not complained one bit. Hah! Most of you don't know the meaning of the word ... loyalty. As for my wife and myself, we're done with the Cards after all these years, they are fast becoming the Marlins of St Louis and I'm at an age where I can tell DeWitt and company to shove it. Being a Card fan is no longer fun.

I also look for Albert to have second thoughts about playing for a team that treats their ballplayers in this fashion.

I may still look in occasionally out of habit, but for me and my missus, our love for the Cards are now history.

Aloha from paradise...

[New Pagodi]

Well I sure didn’t see this one coming. On a personal level, I’m really disappointed; and I hope Edmonds returns to health in So Cal and has 2 or 3 more good years to nail down a case for the hall of fame.

I have absolutely no idea what to make of it from a Cardinal perspective. It could be that Cardinal management has finally woken up to the fact that this team isn’t that good any more and is willing to take the brutal steps needed to return to where they were a few years ago. Or it could be the first real proof that the tin foil hatters were right when they said Dewitt is just going to milk the profits from the new stadium for a few years and then sell the team. I hope it’s the former, but they no longer get the benefit of the doubt from me. (Not that I think Cardinal management cares how I feel.)

Either way, I am looking forward to next year a little less now. And I’m sorry to hear about Longhorn’s dog.

[Richie Allen]

Are we trying to free up salary? For what???? Seriously, what is this team doing? It's hard to fathom that they are committed to winning.

I would guess that, yes, they're freeing up salary. And I would hope it would be to invest in new talent. As far as for whom, I wouldn't have any idea. And they might not have anyone in mind yet either, but if something comes up that looks like a good investment, we'll be able to make a move (hopefully).

[Ace]

Are we trying to free up salary? For what???? Seriously, what is this team doing? It's hard to fathom that they are committed to winning.

I would guess that, yes, they're freeing up salary. And I would hope it would be to invest in new talent. As far as for whom, I wouldn't have any idea. And they might not have anyone in mind yet either, but if something comes up that looks like a good investment, we'll be able to make a move (hopefully).

Ya, there really is no one available that makes any sense. Maybe we'll be able to use that money on a trade during mid season I guess.

[Richie Allen]

I've said for a couple years now that Cardinal fans are going to be in for a rude awakening when Jimmy leaves and we start seeing balls dropping in right-center, left-center, not to mention short and deep center, that we're used to seeing tracked down. Even last year it was amazing to see balls right off the bat that you're sure the CFer will get to, only to see it bounce ten feet in front of Taguchi. No, Jimmy wasn't the fastest runner in the OF but he was one of the quickest (jump-wise), the smartest and the best judge of what he could or couldn't get to (in a split second) that there's ever been. I got the feeling he loved playing in Busch II more, however.

[Richie Allen]

The ESPN article mentioned this;

The paper said that leading Cardinals prospect Colby Rasmus is expected to be given the opportunity next spring to vie for Edmond's vacated center-field slot.

[New Pagodi]

The ESPN article mentioned this;

The paper said that leading Cardinals prospect Colby Rasmus is expected to be given the opportunity next spring to vie for Edmond's vacated center-field slot.

I highly doubt Rasmus starts next season with the big league team if for no other reason than to push arbitration/free agency back a year. But more likely he'll need at least a few months at AAA to see some more developed pitchers than he saw last year.

But then again, they didn't let that get in the way with Adam Wainwright, and that move turned out alright.

[EastonBlues22]

...and when I look at the Cardinals' decision-making this offseason, I see good reason to believe one of those other things is headed the wrong direction.

I agree, but it's not my reaction to the Edmonds trade that puts me in agreement with you.

I'm also concerned with the quality of the product, but I understand that quality in this sport is usually cyclical in nature. Right now we don't have the means to aquire young impact talent through a trade (not without gutting what little future we have in the system), and there are simply no FAs worth dumping a load of cash on. The team is short on talent, long on injury concerns, and the minors are fairly barren...with most of what little talent we have multiple years away. How are they supposed to acquire the talent needed to compete next year? They obviously didn't have it barring massive miracles with regards to Edmonds/Rolen/Mulder/Carpenter/Reyes/etc.

The writing is on the wall...things are going to be rough for a couple of years. If the Cards start passing on quality FA talent when/if it starts becoming available, and don't try to build a competitive team around what talent we do have coming down the pipes in a few years...then I'll really be upset. Until then, all I would like to see is a consistent plan unfolding that involves building/preparing for that time and beyond.

[doe_boy]

G'bye Jimmy Hollywood!

G'bye Jimmy Baseball!

What a great run.

Wonder if he'll keep his club open?