Officially, I've adopted the Cardinals as my "second team," which I've been putting thought to since January, and which I documented here (I love self-referencing!). But the Cardinals won out because of the prospect of a cheap, relaxing train ride, and some friends who live in the area. The Cardinals' new ballpark (above, Greg posing), was also a draw. It's pretty beautiful, with that neo-classical feel that is the rage in ballparks now. The buzz of the crowd, the way they cheer for every good play regardless of which team makes it, and the reverence that the facility is treated with all points to the fact that St. Louisans (?) really love their team, but also really love baseball.
The Cards won both games we went (ripping up the Padres' pitching staff), we visited, among other places, the Arch (TM), and some old courthouse building that I forget the name of. The best part? Our hotel was right on the next block. We also went to St. Louis' gorgeous Byzantine style Cathedral Basilica.
Looking from the back entrance toward the front. The tour group in the pews gives you an idea of the scale.
Front entrance facing the main street. It's within walking distance from St. Louis University, or the SLU, as my kids who are attending this fall have informed me.
Up at the roof. I'd love for Chicago's cathedral to be like this. Sigh.
Anyway, back to the baseball. The trading deadline is in 24 hours, and the Angels have just picked up Mark Texeira for a song, and the Yankees have addressed, though ultimately futilely, their own holes with XNady and Damaso Marte. But the tightest race is in the AL Central, and rumblings and rumors are swirling around the Sox since they're about to cough up the lead to Twins, maybe before the weekend hits (breaking eye contact with sharp objects... now). Can the Sox do anything to improve by trade?
Basically, no, not really. They actually have some pieces they can move, probably Josh Fields and the oft-mentioned pitching prospie Aaron Poreda, even Juan Uribe. The potentially exciting shortlist is:
1) AJ Burnett, RHP, Tor - A big name, big contract, and the big dreaded "has great stuff, but..." tag. Really, a guy who looks great on a scouting report but has an ERA north of 4, like Javy Vazquez. Basically a rental.
2) Justin Duchscherer, RHP, Oak - "Duck-sure". The best value because he's having a good year and there's a good chance to re-sign after the season. I'd gamble that this is one Oakland pitcher that won't break down once he's traded. Even if he does, you don't lose much.
3) Brian Roberts, 2b, Bal - Would look great hitting leadoff, playing good D, and stealing bases. But he's a got a big contract, he's a little older, and you have to displace either Cabrera or Alexei.
I think the top priority is a good starting pitcher, repeat GOOD, because the guy to bring would ideally be better than the top 3 of Danks, Floyd, or Buehrle, or else this is a one round and out. What ends up putting the stop to a deal for a good starter is Joe Crede's balky back, which makes Fields untradeable. What'll most likely happen, if anything, is a trade for a reliever that'll shore up a bullpen that's been overused by necessity.
I realized that this roster, this team as currently configured, is on its last legs. 2008 is pretty much the last time the window of opportunity will be open for a while. This roster was KW's vision since the title in 2005; this is the roster he figured would keep the Sox in contention for the rest of the decade (re-signing Contreras, trading for Vazquez and Thome). Things are bleak in 2009 with a core that is aging not so gracefully, and few younger players to replenish the core (nobody wants to think where this season would be without Danks, Floyd, and Quentin). So, it kind of makes sense to go big THIS year, because it's the best chance for a while. Roy Halladay, come on down! Farm system, schmarm system. We don't have the young core that teams like the Rays or the Cubs (ugh) or even the Cardinals have, so I say go for it while it's still reasonably within grasp. Or else losing the division lead by the weekend will just be the beginning.
Aside from trade possibilities, it would help a whole fricking lot if Paul Konerko would stop getting all Sylvia Plath about his hitting approach, and if Orlando Cabrera could stop hacking away like a blindfolded kid at a pinata party.
