Edmonds heading to San Diego

[haltz]

Neither the Cardinals or the Padres think Freese has much value, so it's a salary dump either way. We know they don't think Freese has much value (or a great chance to be a productive ML player), because if he does, it means that the Padres think Edmonds is worth somewhere upwards of 9-10 million dollars (or much more) next year.

I know that people differ on this, but I'm off the opinion that trades need to be evaluated on what we know now. If Freese becomes a good player it doesn't mean that it was a good trade, just like if I emptied my bank account on Red 16 and it hits, that doesn't make it a good gamble.

[jdk82]

Its really unfair to evaluate the trade until we find out what the Cardinals do with the $6 million.

[haltz]

Its really unfair to evaluate the trade until we find out what the Cardinals do with the $6 million.

They have the six million either way if they want to do something good with it. The last 16 million that they've spent suggests to me that they won't.

[clevername]

I know that people differ on this, but I'm off the opinion that trades need to be evaluated on what we know now. If Freese becomes a good player it doesn't mean that it was a good trade, just like if I emptied my bank account on Red 16 and it hits, that doesn't make it a good gamble.

To be fair, there's a bit more research done here than just trusting blind luck.

[jdk82]

Its really unfair to evaluate the trade until we find out what the Cardinals do with the $6 million.

They have the six million either way if they want to do something good with it. The last 16 million that they've spent suggests to me that they won't.

I really dont see anyone out on the market that they should go for anyways. Trades? not sure on.

[planet planet]

We know they don't think Freese has much value (or a great chance to be a productive ML player), because if he does, it means that the Padres think Edmonds is worth somewhere upwards of 9-10 million dollars (or much more) next year.

Why does it have to mean that? Couldn't it just mean they felt overpaying for Edmonds was a better move than committing to Cameron for 3+ years for x amount of $? I think it's safe to say Edmonds was worth more to the Padres than 30 other teams. The CF market had dwindled severely and they needed one, it was a good fit.

Good point, jdk.

[Richie Allen]

A number of you have outlined continuously why you think this trade was a bad one, concentrating primarily on Freese's weak potential. But what were the positives that would have come from doing nothing with Edmonds at this point? Farewell tour? Getting nothing for him when he retires at the end of '08? Keeping his salary tied up until the end of next year, a year that most have conceded will be much like this year, if not worse?

I've been quite surprised by the response from this forum. Not so much by the argument that we didn't get enough for him (which is a valid contention) but by the negativity surrounding moving him at this point in his career. This, the forum that was almost universal in it's cynical view of the Cardinals basing their second half chances on one good series against Milwaukee. Wanting then to dump anyone of any value, outside of Albert, to begin the rebuilding that was so evidently necessary. I'm not trying to be a jerk about it, and I'm obviously not calling out everyone but I was under the impression that most of you here felt it was time to starting thinking about the future, as opposed to continually making decisions based on trying to win now.

Again, if there are complaints about the deal itself, being uncertain of Freeze's ability (although without ever seeing him play once, I'll certainly hold off judgment), that's understandable. But the overwhelming support of keeping Jimmy and his multi-million dollar contract, primarily for putting people in the seats for his final season, doesn't seem like the kind of decision-making that would be embraced warmly on this forum. I'm not upset by it, just surprised.

[haltz]

I know that people differ on this, but I'm off the opinion that trades need to be evaluated on what we know now. If Freese becomes a good player it doesn't mean that it was a good trade, just like if I emptied my bank account on Red 16 and it hits, that doesn't make it a good gamble.

To be fair, there's a bit more research done here than just trusting blind luck.

And the research will give Freese certain odds. It might suggest that Freese has about a 37 to 1 shot at being a productive ML third baseman at this point. OK, maybe it's more like 10 to 1, but this guy would be pretty unique if he did, and I'm not asking anyone to take my analogy quite so literally.

[jdk82]

AVG .252 | HR 12 | RBI 53 | OBP .325 | SLG .403

Isnt going to be that hard to replace

As far as defense goes his zone rating was .847 way below his career average coming into the season.

[Richie Allen]

Are some of you suggesting that the trading of Edmonds will result in a permanent decrease of the team's payroll?