There has been quite a bit written about Asdrubal Cabrera going to the Cardinal, however, with the holidays, the amount of discussion has slowed considerably. The St Louis Post Dispatch (Strauss & Gooold), St Louis Today, Redbird Rants, Viva El Birdos, etc. have all written articles both promoting and poo-poo'ing a trade between the Indians and the Cardinals.. Without belaboring the point to the nth degree, but it's being couched by these sources that the Cardinals are in the driver's seat for a trade to happen.. or are they? Personally, I don't care who drives the bus, just as long as it gets to it's destination.. in this case, an equitable trade that satisfies both the current and future needs of both clubs has to be achieved for a deal to be struck. Specifically, the SS position.. In the end, simple works..
Here's simple: Adrubal Cabrera alone to St Louis for Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and Matt Carpenter. This deal was 'floated" by Moz and, imho, stupidly rejected by the Indians who wanted more. Well.. snooze you lose for the Indians. That is a trade that they should have done..
Now, 6 weeks later.. the market has shifted some.. and there are more factors coming into play.. The Cardinals don't want to solve their SS position for only 2 years.. they want to extend the solution out into the future.. The Indians.. are dealing with just the opposite situation.. they want to solve their lack of SP talent, but they are focused more on what can be done to improve the team in 2013 or now !
So, how does this work. Well?.. the Indians have the depth at the SS spot that fits the Cards needs.. the Cards have the major league ready talent the Indians need.. so:
Cardinals get: Asdrubal Cabrera SS, Vinnie Pestano RP, Francisco Lindor SS
Indians get: Jake Westbrook orJaime Garcia (pending a physical check out of Garcia..choice by the Indians), Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn, Matt Carpenter, Matt Adams, and Oscar Taveras.
A match that fixes both teams needs usually has bias applied. Most Cardinals fans look at the loss of Westbrook as a "who cares.. good riddance..etc) In reality, both Jaime and Jake's AAV w/ options is about $ 9 MM / yr. Jake for two years.. Jaime for 5. If $ 9 MM is sent away with one of these two SP's, then the Cardinals would be easily able to resign Kyle Lohse, no problema.
The bias part of the trade involves the two # 1 Prospects.. As much as St Louis fans want to claim OT is going to be the next great OF'er.. the same is being said about Lindor and his incredible ability at SS.. Indian fans rightfully state that SS is a premium position and should be worth more..while Cardinal fans state.. OT is READY RIGHT NOW.. Both arguments are biased.. and hold water..
The purpose of this posting is to solicit response.. what say you?...