Do the Cardinals and Rockies match up?
Hundreds of trade conversations will take place between clubs in the weeks leading to Opening Day. Few of the discussions will lead to actual deals, but teams will scout each other heavily, seeking possible fits.
If the Rockies and Cardinals are not already eyeing each other, they should be soon. The Rockies are deep in starting pitchers and infielders, two areas in which the Cardinals suddenly have needs.
Just this week, the Cardinals lost right-hander Adam Wainwright, who will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire season, and infielder Nick Punto, who has a sports hernia and will be out two to three months.
The Rockies currently have seven starting pitchers –right-handers Ubaldo Jimenez, left-hander Jorge De La Rosa and righties, Aaron Cook, Jason Hammel, Jhoulys Chacin, Esmil Rogers and Felipe Paulino. Cook already is experiencing shoulder soreness. Paulino is out of options, and cannot be sent to the minors without clearing waivers.
The Rockies’ extra infielders – Chris Nelson, Eric Young Jr., Jonathan Herrera and Jose Lopez – also could appeal to the Cardinals. Herrera, a switch-hitter who can play shortstop, probably is the most valuable member of the group.
No talks have taken place between the teams, according to a major-league source; the Cardinals are exploring internal options first, and the Grapefruit and Cactus seasons have yet to begin.
For now, talk of a possible match is merely speculation. But the Cardinals and Rockies will be two teams to watch, even if they do not deal with each other.
— Ken Rosenthal
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Herrera and JR I hope are kept around to see how they develop. I think cook would be a good fit for the cards, we seem to be holding on to him every year hoping for performaces from the past. Don't get me wrong, I like cook but I think a change if scenery would do both clubs good.
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Cook and Herrera would be good pickups for the cards. The only problem I that the cards are very thin in the minors and the Rockies are getting deeper every year. They also added Maine who wasn't mentioned in the article that might surprise this year. The Rockies will definitely be dealing from a position if strength with the Cards but I really don't see much they have that the Rockies don't already have. It all sounds good in theory, but unless the Rockies are just giving players away, the only thing they can expect in return I a low level reliever, which is all the Cards can afford to deal right now
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Of the Pitchers I can see Hammel or Rogers being dealt. Jimenez is obviously off limits(unless the Cards go insane and are willing to deal Pujols) De La Rosa is the only lefty, Chacin is too promising,Cook is a bit knicked up, and Paulino lacks options. Hammel has been a solid pitcher for the Rockies but, he is approaching 30 while, the Cardinals may not see Rogers as a starter, alike many who see Rogers as a setup or middle reliever. If the Rockies do trade an infielder I would guess it would be Nelson given: EYJ can play 2nd and Right as well as be a demon on the basepaths, Herrera provides late-inning matchup problems for opposing bullpens and can play all infield postions except 1st, Lopez has the exact same position flexibility as Herrera and I don't see the Rockies trading him after acquiring him only a couple months ago.
