As we outlined yesterday, the Cardinals starting rotation options are more bountiful than anticipated.
With Marco Gonzales and Carlos Martinez cost-controlled for the near future and Jaime Garcia sticking the Cardinals with a 9.25M tab for services rendered in 2015, I assumed that Garcia would be called to the trading block sooner than later.
This AM on ‘The Morning After’, it looks like Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch revealed himself as completely ensconced in the ‘sooner’ camp.
https://twitter.com/tmckernan/status/578173385341030400
I was going to wait until after his 1st regular season start, but it looks like a few good innings in the spring is all we needed.
It’s time to trade Jaime!
Preferably for Cole Hamels. (Side: are the Phillies really not going to trade him? I know, I know – they have to. And are probably waiting for the trade deadline this summer, hoping some team gets desperate…)
Garcia is great trade bait.
He’s still young (28), in a contract year (wants to prove himself) and has loads of talent (when healthy). Oh, and he’s a lefty.
The Cardinals haven’t been counting on him for a while now and have been pretty straightforward about his situation – if he can compete, he’ll compete – no promises on anything.
Remember:
1) Cardinals weren’t pleased with the Garcia shoulder surgery situation.
2) Cardinals left Garcia off 2012 post-season roster.
3) Cardinals have paid Garcia 13.5M for 16 starts the past two years.
I’m not saying things aren’t peachy keen between the team and the player as of March 2015. But I am saying that there is some history between the two that might lead to a mutual parting of the ways not being such a big thing.
All (smart) MLB teams are going to want to see Garcia pitch in regular season action before they start giving up anything of value in a trade AND paying a significant salary. So Strauss is right, it’s time for Mo to start putting out feelers, not trying to finalize a deal.
But a positive side-effect of Garcia’s encouraging spring is that the Cardinals are leaving themselves more positive outs if needs arise during the season.
Or, the Philles can FINALLY just hand over Hamels and we can be done with this nonsense.
Photo: Disciples of Uecker
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