Mozeliak To Dial Area Code 4-1-6
MILWAUKEE - Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak on Thursday refused to discuss specifically the team’s interest in Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay but allowed that he would be contacting Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi about a potential talent match.
“I’m not going to get into a conversation about another team’s player. It’s my policy not to. But as I said recently, we’re going to take stock of where we stand then more forward accordingly,” Mozeliak said. “Without getting into specifics, it’s fair to say there will be a call to Toronto well before the [non-waiver trade] deadline.”
The Cardinals are among a cluster of teams intrigued by the perennial Cy Young Award contender. And in some ways, they represent a good fit for a player who is under contract through 2010 and enjoys full no-trade protection. The Blue Jays are believed more likely to deal Halladay to the National League, and Halladay is known to have a favorable opinion of St. Louis. Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is among Halladay’s closest friends. St. Louis also offers a more neutral stadium in addition to a less caustic fan base than rumored front-runner Philadelphia.
Mozeliak said the team’s recent trade of reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named for Cleveland Indians infielder-outfielder Mark DeRosa does not necessarily inhibit the club’s ability to make a huge deal. “Another deal would be completely independent and, in my mind, no less possible because of [the DeRosa acquisition].”
The Cardinals, however, are more likely to aim lower, pursuing a set-up reliever and bench help. The timetable for DeRosa’s return from a torn tendon sheath near his left wrist will also affect whether the club believes another front-line hitter necessary.
(12 votes, average: 4.58 out of 5)
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I now live in California, but I was born and bred in Missouraaaaa, So SHOW ME!!!!!
For even most good pitching I’d say no, But this is a unique pitcher, better track record than CC from last year.
RH finishes games, throws 7-9 consistant. Low ERA High K
and works quickly.
Add to his talent he is signed through 2010, he is not a rent.
You figure in the salary the team will dump next off season and even his increase is a push, where would you rather spend that money? No hitting FA will be on the market so easily available.
It does send a message to AP.
It makes the entire Central shudder.
It takes this team with this hitting a true rival to the Doggies for postseason. LA has needs that they can not afford.
Pitching wins in postseason.
Cards dont really have a position for Wallace, as good as he seems he will be, there is nothing to say he will be as good a hitter as RH is a SP.
Throw in PKozuma , and the teams top Catcher prospect, they need a cather, ss and a first baseman in future.
These three get him. Well maybe one more single A
If the team is not willing to give up Wallace, I fear they are hedging against AP leaving and having Wallace at first after.
This is a deal that can be done and makes sense for the next two years both financially and on the field.
There is no downside as two years from now the team makes two WS runs, two drafts from now, two free agent seasons from now.. its all in the future, win while you can and have AP at the top of his game.
WIN!
Who needs Halladay. We’ve got Wellemeyer. And after that SUPERB performance last night, Mo would be a fool not to keep that RELIEVER in the starting rotation. LMFAO
Hope springs eternal…but we ain’t gonna get Holliday… I wish we could, but I don’t see it. As far as the worry about the Cubs getting him, they do not have much to give either!
I’d love to see them do the deal, but not at the cost a 4-5 prospects. Wallace and Todd with one or two lower rated minor league players (or a couple of these major league duds we have playing outfield now) Why should we facilitate a massive salary dump for them and get Memphis raped in the process? Let us not forget, Toronto wants to trade him. That means they’re going to have to be reasonable to a degree. If they hold on to him untill next year his value will drop severely due to his being a rental. Rental players don’t have nearly the value in today’s economy and Riccardi knows it, hence halliday being on the block now. I say to put a deal on the table and put a timer on it. Either they take it or they don’t, but at least you tried
This is definitely a longshot, but in thinking about it there’s one reason this is at least *possible*. Simply put, our top draft picks from 2007 and 2008 just don’t fit all that well here. Wallace is a 50/50 bet at best to stick at third and I just can’t believe he has a future playing 1B in St. Louis. Pete Kozma’s value to the organization has dropped recently with Brendan Ryan playing brilliantly at short. In this economy, with teams reluctant to give up prospects at all and doubly so for a pitcher owed $7 million for the rest of 2009 and $15+ million in 2010, offering those two might be a viable starting point. Unfortunately, the emphasis is on “starting point”.
This move would rock the foundation of Cardinals History. No brainer if we have the prospects they are looking for.
Halladay has been the best pitcher in baseball over the last 6-7 years and still has at least 1 1/2 years left.
Please stop comparing Halladay (now) to Mulder (then)… not even close.
Pujols.
Please, do you really think this bunch would agree to take on a 20 million per year pitcher in their 30’s
Go get him!
Don’t forget Halliday has a no trade clause… Carp needs to convince him to reject all other offers and force Toronto’s hand. Now the odds really go up because money isn’t what is on his mind at this point… it’s winning. Best pitcher in baseball with the best hitter, plus the other studs in the starting rotation… top WS contender for at least 09 & 10. Whatever works Carp… here’s hoping.