John Sickels runs a very good SBNation blog called MinorLeagueBall.com.  Today he wrote up a profile of Randy Wells which you can check out here: Link

You should go over and give a click to John's website but I'll give you a brief preview.

Randy Wells Profile

Randy Wells was drafted by the Cubs in 2002, a 38th round pick from Southwestern Illinois Community College. Originally a catcher, he converted to pitching late in 2003, then posted a 4.43 ERA with a 121/40 K/BB in 108 innings for Class A Lansing in 2004. He had a decent fastball and usually threw strikes, but needed refinement with his secondary pitches, rating as a Grade C prospect at that point and not making the '05 book.

He took a big step forward in 2005, going 10-2, 2.74 with a 106/22 K/BB ratio in 99 innings for Daytona in the Florida State League, allowing 93 hits. His velocity dipped a bit into the mid-to-upper-80s, but his curveball and changeup improved, and his control was very good. I gave him a Grade C in the 2006 book, noting that he didn't receive much attention but that he could end up as a "back end of the pitching staff guy" if he continued to progress.

.......continued for four or five more paragraphs.  I found it very interesting and more about Wells than you might even want to know, very good info.

The Cardinals traded Jess Todd to the Cleveland Indians to finalize the trade for Mark DeRosa.

Entering the season, John Sickels posted the Cardinals top 20 prospects.

"1) Colby Rasmus, OF, Grade A-: I’m going to cut him some slack due to youth. Power, speed, walks, defense are all still here. Not going to hit for a great average right away.

2) Brett Wallace, 3B, Grade A-: Monster bat should be ready within a year. Glove at third should be adequate in the short run.

3) Chris Perez, RHP, Grade B+: Outstanding closer-quality stuff, just needs to throw strikes.

4) Daryl Jones, OF, Grade B: I buy into the improvement being real. Has always had the tools and skills improved rapidly this year. This is an aggressive grade but I’m comfortable with it.

5) Jess Todd, RHP, Grade B-: Strike-throwing inning-eater type if used as a starter, could be more dominant in shorter stretches if used in pen.

Click on the Sickels link if you want to see the full list, but basically Rasmus isn't officially a prospect anymore (good young player, but he lost prospect status when he hit 130 at-bats), Wallace has already been traded, and Perez has been traded too.  So according to Sickels, Todd would have been the Cards No. 2 prospect left.

More.......

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First and foremost with any Cardinals team there is Albert Pujols.  The stat that pops out to me is .723 SLG.  Take a look at the list of the single season leaders for slugging average.  You have a mix of old-timers, 1990s/2000s roid users, and a couple of Coors Field inflated seasons until you get to around No. 54: Jim Thome slugged .677 in 2002.  Now Albert Pujols slugged .671 in 2006 and he is clearly capable of slugging .680 and besting Thome's 2002.  Even then, I would say Albert Pujols is set for a split along his 2006 season where he hits more doubles instead of HRs.  Bottom line: Albert Pujols had one of the single best halves in baseball: Cards are 49-42

Next, take a look at Ryan Franklin.  He has converted 21 of his 22 SV situations.  His one blown save?  He even ended up getting the win.  Franklin's 2009 line is 0.79 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a .165 BAA.  His 07 & 08 combined line is 3.28 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and .256 BAA.  For his 2009 numbers to normalize... well just look at his 2006 splits to get an idea.

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Jake Fox hit two more HRs tonight to bring his total to 11. 

http://iowa.cubs.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t451&t=g_box&gid=2009_04_27_iowaaa_nasaaa_1

Say what you will, but this is a great story for now.  It would be a huge step back defensively but if Lee hits the DL, we don't really have a choice but to play Hoffpauir at 1B and maybe give Fox some ABs in RF.  He's smashing he ball right now and the Cubs are dinged up with no offense.

Tigers release Gary Sheffield

Wow, not sure if I understand this one.  I'm guessing they called around to see if anyone was interested in trading for him with the Tigers eating some/all of his salary and no one was interested?  They couldn't even get a minor league player for him.  They must want Marcus Thames or Jeff Larish to really get a chance to play. 

Cue the people who say we should sign Sheffield, but I don't think he can play OF anymore.

Peavy Deal Dead

LAS VEGAS -- San Diego general manager Kevin Towers just told reporters that a proposed deal to send pitcher Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs was dead.

"It doesn't look like anything is going to happen with the Cubs," Towers said.

Towers indicated that Cubs GM Jim Hendry pulled out of the deal.

"He said he's got other things going on. I respect his position," Towers said.

Towers will meet with team CEO Sandy Alderson on Monday and speak with Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod, in the coming days to see where they go next.

Towers said one option is pulling Peavy off the trading block and going into the 2009 season with him at the front of the starting rotation.

-- Corey Brock