http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/26 Recent articles about the St. Louis Cardinals en-us CC was the trade the Cards could've tried for, and tonight, CC showed them why. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:54:05 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294687 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294687 As Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds play out what appears to be their final years in baseball I'm reminded of the all-time greatest father-son duo's to ever suit up. The obvious one's are the Bond's, Griffey's and the Manning's, but over time there have been many more than just three families to grace the record books. Without further adieu here's the list in order of greatness. www.rawsportsblog.com Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:39:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294503 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294503 The poor guy just came of the DL, and now, this... Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:13:37 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294403 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294403 Now would be a good time for Mozeliak to prove he's part of the team. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:45:17 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294383 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294383 News regarding the St. Louis Cardinals affiliates. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:50:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294329 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294329 Tidbits regarding the St. Louis Cardinals. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:38:39 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294271 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294271 Slated for another rehab start in the minors. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:31:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294265 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294265 Righty-lefty-matchups too much. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:22:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294255 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294255 Photographer: "Ok, Dmitri, for this shot just look like a silly bastard. Perfect." Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:20:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294252 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294252 Not quite like Waiver Wire, this piece examines potentially available players that focus on a specific category. If you need some power, we have a suggestion. If you need some speed, we have a suggestion. If you need some K's, we have a suggestion. Unfortunately, these players will not help your fantasy team (most of the time) outside of the category they are listed. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 07:32:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294231 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294231 The trade winds are swirling in St. Louis as the July 31st deadline looms, and although the Cardinals have shocked the baseball world with their performance this season, there are some glaring weaknesses. No one is saying this team isn't resilient, but they aren't dominant either. Wins sometimes tend to seem more miraculous [...] Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:05:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294137 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294137 If anyone from the Cardinals' bullpen wakes up in the middle of night in a cold sweat, screaming, "Hall! Oh noooooo!" he'll need to pinch himself, because it might not be a nightmare at all. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:22:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294113 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294113 July 22, 2008 Pat Gillick, Senior Vice President & General Manager Philadelphia Phillies Citizens Bank Park One Citizens Bank Way Philadelphia, PA 19148-5249 Dear Mr. Gillick, With the recent trade for Joe Blanton from the Oakland Athletics, it has become apparent that the Phillies are not going to acquire an "A List" starting pitcher. I understand that the Phillies just did not have the prospects to get the deal done with the Cleveland Indians for CC Sabathia, and it seems that the Seattle Mariners' asking price for Erik Bedard is just too steep. Rich Harden is obviously no longer available as he was recently traded to the Chicago Cubs, although I do not understand why he is not a Phillie right now considering the Athletics received better prospects for Blanton than Harden. Regardless of why the Phillies were unable to land Harden, it is now irrelevant. What is important now is that we focus on the deals that can be made, and that means Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes. It has been widely reported that the Colorado Rockies are interested in dealing the pair to the Phillies for centerfielder Shane Victorino, top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco, catching prospect Lou Marson, and pitcher JA Happ. That certainly seems like a lot to give up, and it is. With Victorino, the Phillies would be losing a quality defensive centerfielder, as well as a switch hitter with some serious speed. Victorino, despite not having as good a season as we all would like, is still a very versatile player that can lead off, hit second, or deeper in the lineup when needed. Most people balk at the idea of trading away a catching prospect because Chris Coste is already in his mid 30's and Carlos Ruiz has been an all around disappointment. This is not an area of serious concern, however, as one of the Phillies' other big prospects is Jason Donald, also a catcher. The Phillies can afford to trade away Marson. Happ was good in his brief stint in the majors this season, but has also had his share of ups and downs. He is a promising young pitcher, but is the type of player you have to give up to get players the quality of Holliday and Fuentes. The obvious big chip here is Carrasco. I can understand your reluctance to part with the top pitching prospect in the organization, especially since there is not a lot of pitching depth in the minors, or the major league club for that matter. Carrasco, however, is the key to the deal. By trading him you lose a lot, but you also stand to gain a lot. Rather than dwell on Carrasco and what the Phillies lose by trading him, I'd rather focus on what they gain by acquiring Holliday and Fuentes. Let us begin with Brian Fuentes. For starters, Fuentes provides the Phillies with that much needed second left arm in the bullpen. As the only left hander in the pen, J.C. Romero is relied upon more than is probably healthy. Fuentes will be able to carry some of that load and take the pressure off Romero. Likewise, with 101 career saves, Fuentes can step in and get a save once or twice a week to give some time off to all star closer Brad Lidge. He would also take the pressure off of Tom Gordon as the 8th inning set up man. Fuentes is arguably more important to the Phillies right now than Holliday. That's not to say that Matt Holliday wouldn't be a huge acquisition for the Phils. As you already know, Holliday is batting .338 this year with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs. Add on top of that 13 stolen bases and you have one of the most complete players in the major leagues. Holliday has hit over 30 home runs in each of the last two seasons and is well on his way to eclipse that mark again this season. The most impressive aspect to Holliday's game is his ability to hit for average despite being one of the premiere power hitters in the league, hitting above .300 in every season of his career except his rookie year in 2004, when he hit a paltry .290. Since it is apparent, as I said before, that the Phillies are not going to be able to land that ace starting pitcher, then you need to position this team to outhit their opponents. This team currently has the type of pitching that will at the very least keep them in every game. With the addition of Holliday, it would give you a starting lineup that looks like an all star roster. Here's an example of what a Phillies' batting order could look like: SS Jimmy Rollins 2b Chase Utley RF Matt Holliday 1B Ryan Howard LF Pat Burrell CF Jason Werth 3B Pedro Feliz C Chris Coste P Cole Hamels Mr. Gillick, I think that that lineup speaks for itself. This is the year that the Phillies have to go for it as the National League is the weakest it's been in year. The only contenders this year are the Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, and by default the Arizona Diamondbacks. That's not a list of teams that are going to make the playoffs; that's a list of teams that are any good in addition to the Phillies. The Phillies need to put themselves into a position to make it to the World Series this year and not worry about four or five years from now. With the aforementioned lineup, and the number of talented pitchers eligible for free agency this coming off season (including Sabathia and Ben Sheets), the Phillies can put themselves in a position to win and compete for the World Series for at least three more years. That is why you need to pull the trigger on this deal and bring Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes to Philadelphia. Sincerely, Jonathan Atwood HSP Senior Writer Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:33:29 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294074 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294074 Chris Duncan has been put on the 15-day DL with a pinched nerve in his neck. Joe Mather has been called-up from Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. (photo by Barbara Moore) Tue, 22 Jul 2008 18:48:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294029 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/294029 As the start of the second half of the Major League Baseball season is only five days old, several teams have pulled close to their division rivals. But as history tells us, most teams will fade as the season ends...which team will that be? As we start in the American League, two of the three division races are tighter than Joan River's face and damn near as frightening. www.rawsportsblog.com Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:46:47 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293970 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293970