Scott Rolen for Troy Glaus (Update: Finalized!)

[EastonBlues22]

I tend to agree more with Cpebbles on this one. I've always liked Glaus' bat, but he is far inferior defensively and has injury issues of his own. When healthy, Rolen is clearly superior to Glaus. Even last year when both weren't healthy, he was slightly better than Glaus.

If Rolen's healthy enough for this trade to go through, then there's a good chance he's healthy enough to play well for at least a few months-half a season and re-establish some trade luster. At that point (or at the end of the season) you can revisit these talks with Glaus from a position with more leverage, or engage in others.

Toronto is getting a player with roughly equivalent risk who was better last year (and many years before that), and who has significantly more upside...and we're even paying them for the honor. The only way this is a win for the Cardinals is if Rolen's shoulder stays the same or degenerates even further and Glaus's health improves significantly. Just how likely is that to happen (in 2008, which is all I care about if I'm looking to deal Rolen for sure) if Rolen is medically cleared for this trade? I don't like those odds at all.

If it goes through, it's a terrible trade in my opinion.

[stlouie_lipp]

Being "medically cleared" for a trade is not the same as "returning to pre-injury" form.

[dangerous]

Being "medically cleared" for a trade is not the same as "returning to pre-injury" form.

link?

[Ace]

Being "medically cleared" for a trade is not the same as "returning to pre-injury" form.

++

[EastonBlues22]

He doesn't have to return to "pre-injury" form in order for the Cards to lose this trade...he just has to stay where he was in 2007 and not have Glaus significantly improve. Any improvement whatsoever makes the gap that Glaus has to close that much larger.

Considering that Rolen put up an average year for him "pre-injury" in 2006 after his main injury, I think it's very likely that you're going to see some improvement on 2007's numbers in 2008. Considering that Glaus put up and OPS+ in 2007 that was essentially average for him even with his injury, I don't think it's likely that you're going to see significant improvement from him. Considering that their overall worth last year was roughly equivalent (with Rolen coming out on top), I have a very hard time believing that the Cardinals are going to come out winners in this deal. I don't even think it's all that likely that the deal will come out a "push."

[Phyrkrakr]

I'm sorry, but I just don't buy Rolen getting better. It's been about three years now where it's "wait til he's healthy, then you'll see" Well, I haven't been seeing it, and I'm losing faith that it will ever happen.

As far as getting Glaus, that's a push. Better bat, worse defense, and same price/age, basically. It gets us out of a long term high money deal for an injured player, but it's not like we're making space for a rising youngster or getting some young talent in return.

Why is Toronto trading Glaus, out of curiosity? Is he unhappy up there, or what?

[StatmanCrothers]

Glaus has also been injury prone but the difference might be that he has been super productive between injuries, which Rolen hasn't.

I would rather that we keep Rolen and that he bounce back with a great year, but as far as what I might have expected us to get in return, I would be ecstatic if we got Troy Glaus.

[EastonBlues22]

I'm sorry, but I just don't buy Rolen getting better. It's been about three years now where it's "wait til he's healthy, then you'll see" Well, I haven't been seeing it, and I'm losing faith that it will ever happen.

As far as getting Glaus, that's a push. Better bat, worse defense, and same price/age, basically. It gets us out of a long term high money deal for an injured player, but it's not like we're making space for a rising youngster or getting some young talent in return.

Why is Toronto trading Glaus, out of curiosity? Is he unhappy up there, or what?

<sigh> It's really not like 2006 was that long ago. He put up .296/.369/.518 with a 126 OPS+ over 142 games...that's post-injury, and it's a better year with the bat than all but three that Glaus has ever had.

Toronto is willing to trade Glaus because they know this deal makes their team better.

[StatmanCrothers]

As great a defender as Rolen is, you NEED offensive production from 3B.

I will do some research to see if my impression of Glaus as an offensive force is anywhere near the reality.

[InvincibleCakeEater]

As great a defender as Rolen is, you NEED offensive production from 3B.

I will do some research to see if my impression of Glaus as an offensive force is anywhere near the reality.

It's not. He's good, but he's no force.