I haven't posted in a year, but the Holliday trade prompted me to write. Thanks to everyone for providing

 those out of town with insightful information. Reading the site everyday, I find myself agreeing with Kindred, Hardcore and Fourstick alot and the recent trade is another example. Sure, Wallace's future is uncertain, but we needed to risk that he could be a cost controlled impact bat for payroll reasons. I think a move for Willingham and a league average 5th starter would have given us three wins over the former league worst LF production and the worst starter in the major leagues. If Welley takes his turn every fifth day (they should go to four man in August) his WHIP will exceed his weight by the end of September.

 In sum, I'm surprised lboros expressed some optimism on the payroll front for next decade and don't know if DeScal and Freese project well enough...but who knows. 

This gets me to my question. Given the LaDunc reaction to Duncan's trade, how much of the Holliday trade was LaRussa's doing? I know much of it can be attributed to him, but do people feel like it was an ultimatum or else he would leave after this year? To the extent it this is true, did the FO think that TLR's departure would seriously jeopardize the resigning of Pujols? Is TLR's presence in STL as important as being competitive? I know that Pujols wants the club to spend money, but even he must realize that attempting to sign Holiday to more than 5 years (he rejected $72/4) and himself would hurt his objective of playing for a winner unless Garcia and Boggs pan out or the draft yields something quickly. Albert's going to want at least $25 million. I don't see how they can have Holliday and Albert and a sub $100 million payroll, but if Holliday walks then the Cards aren't committed. I just don't see Albert staying. Ironically, if they did win the WS, he might say that I've accomplished enough here and want to get paid elsewhere.

What I don't want to happen is see this dragged out through mid 2011, with the club saying they're making a full faith effort to negotiate and then saying he cost too much.

Separately, I really hope the Moneyball movie isn't made in five years.

There I said it. Although I've been thinking that we should sell since Wainwright went down, I promised I wouldn't suggest it until we were in third place.

1) Does anybody believe without hesitation that Wainwright and Carpenter will be back in the first week of August, especially considering management's track record with injuries? Even if they do return, how effective will they be? That Boddicker comparison scares me. Wouldn't it be prudent to shut them down until 2009?

2) Milwaukee's schedule is far more favorable. Nobody  talks about this, but it seems like a problem.

3)Welley is shakey.

4)It is imperative that we sell an OF with Rasmus coming up. lboros is right that Schu's cost is too good to pass up. However, maybe its time to sell Ludwick if we can get a strong MI back. At the least, play Duncan and hopefully his value could improve. Our outfield sucks against LHP (Ank has a 270 OBP, Schu is hitting about .210, Ludwick's career reverse split is well known and Duncan is Duncan). TLR won't even play Mather, but maybe he will against Duke or Doumit.

5)TLR wants a bat, but lboros is right again. Unless that bat is named Ellis or Kinsler, I don't see where it would fit. Getting the Rock's LF, or for that matter, LHP will likely cost too much.

I know its human nature to want to win now, but I wouldn't risk the farm for AJ, Bedard or even Wolf. And please no Bonds. Please...I know he's ready in 10 days apparently but that would be awful.

Sorry to be so cynical