What I Really Need Is Consistency (And Trading Scott Rolen)
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by Dneuner82
The St. Louis Cardinals just went quietly to the Marlins 4-0, dropping to 42-48 on the season. The Cards seem to have a knack with following quality games with ones like tonight. Then when you count them out, they'll put on a show like they did Sunday night. I don't know what to expect at this point 90 games into the season. I think the Cardinals will end up being sellers at the deadline, although good luck getting rid of Scott Rolen and his bloated salary.
I think the time has seriously come for the Redbirds to get rid of Scott Rolen. Time after time, he comes up to the plate in key situations and does one of the following:
A) pop up B) ground into a double play C) strike out
Going into today, Rolen had a SLUGGING PCT. of .373. You read that right, that's barely higher than Magglio Ordonez's BATTING AVG. Rolen is owed quite a bit of money over the next couple seasons, so that will be a sticking point for many teams. Who wants to pay $8M a year for a third baseman with a shoulder problem and who is too proud to admit that it is still bothering him. He would be a good fit with the Dodgers; it might be the spark that ignites their run to the NL West title. Rolen has always been beloved by Cards fans, which is why it is so hard to watch him struggle this year. I think it would be best to trade him and get some good pitching prospects in return. He isn't the same player he was 2002-2004.
Good article on espn.com today from baseball writer Jerry Crasnick on the state of the Cardinals:
Lastly, if there is any good news to be reported tonight, and while I never wish ill will on anyone, Ben Sheets is going to be out 4-6 weeks with a finger injury. We'll see if the Brewers bats are enough to keep fending off the red-hot Cubs, who are 16-4 in their last 20 games.
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