"They're not picking up one penny of the [$36 million left on the] contract," says one executive who spoke with them. "And let's just say they're not giving him away."
Rolen probably would have wound up with the Yankees if A-Rod hadn't had Warren Buffett's cell number. But the Cardinals apparently were insisting on Those Young Guys the Yankees Won't Trade (Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy). So that conversation never made it past the back burner.
Now it looks as if the Cardinals are going to bide their time until Cabrera gets traded, then reposition Rolen as the best third-base option out there. And there are all kinds of possibilities, depending on the Cardinals' willingness to digest some of the dollars. The Dodgers, Brewers, Reds and Indians, for instance, all make sense on varying levels.
So we'd bet that one of these days, Rolen will become the first seven-time Gold Glove-winning third baseman in history to get traded. It just won't happen in the next 15 minutes.
I'd really like for Rolen not to be traded to a division rival, unless of course, the Brewers will give us Gallardo, Hardy and Braun for him, plus cash.
In this market, the Cardinals shouldn't pick up a penny of that contract. Rolen can rebound to moderately below 2006 form and still be worth it. In fact, there's a reasonable chance he'll be better than Lowell the next three years.
I think Mo's been really smart about this. When news of Rolen's discontent leaked his stock plummeted. He's kept the price high until the market rebounds and he'll be in good position. And, if he can't get what he wants, we're stuck with a gold glove at third.
Magneto2.0 wrote:Mo's doing the right thing. I agree.
It would be tough as a new GM. You're trying to build trust and establish positive relations with other GMs while at the same time holding a hard line in the best interest of the team. From the anonymous GM quotes, it appears they're thinking Mo's being unreasonable.
Magneto2.0 wrote:Mo's doing the right thing. I agree.
It would be tough as a new GM. You're trying to build trust and establish positive relations with other GMs while at the same time holding a hard line in the best interest of the team. From the anonymous GM quotes, it appears they're thinking Mo's being unreasonable.
Or maybe they're trying to get the best of the newbie GM.