Trade Deadline

I love this time of year...even if the Cards stay put. The sad part though is that there isn't any HUGE name being tossed around out there. Mark Teixeira is the biggest name out there, and many people think that once he leaves hitter friendly Arlington his numbers will dip. There aren't any big name pitchers out there at all...unless you consider Jose Contreras a big name. One thing that does appear clear, is that Kenny Williams (the GM of the White Sox) appears to be taking the roll as the Scott Boras of GM's (that is if the reports about him are true). One report had him asking for Hideki Okajima (one of if not the best set up man in baseball this year) for Jermaine Dye. In 50+ innings this year Okajima has only allowed 5 ER. Meanwhile Dye has been pounding the ball to the tune of .235 and is in his walk year. Ah the greed of the human race.
On the Cardinal front there have been a few rumors out there regarding some STL players. One has the Cleveland Indians wanting Troy Percival. With how much the Brewers gave up to get Scott Linebrink, I would be more then willing to explore that if I were Walt. Another rumor had Anthony Reyes going to Philly for OF Michael Bourn. I don't know much about Bourn, but from what I've heard he's a Juan Pierre with a better arm and a better eye. He won't hit for power but has a ton of speed....and of course is young. The biggest problem with getting Bourn would be that in a few years we would have two guys in our OF that although they would be young wouldn't really be the power threat that outfielders have become these days. As far as Reyes goes, in my opinion the Cardinals either need to keep him in the rotation or trade him. His AAA numbers are great and one would like to think that if given a fair shake (the past two years TLR has come out and said that he would have to fight for a rotation spot when everybody else thought it was clear he would get one..especially heading into this year). Reyes didn't pitch BAD in his first 8 games. During those games he never allowed more then 4 ER's...but didn't get any run support (during that time the Cardinals scored a TOTAL of 8 runs!!!!) I say throw him out there and give him the confidence that he is staying up no matter what...and see what happens. Maybe he does flop and maybe he does need a change of scenery, but at least give him a chance to flop with an offense that might actually give him some support now. And if you want to send him back down...trade him!! Don't toy with the guy. Get a prospect or two out of him and let him "fail" with somebody else. All in all I think if given TLR and Duncan's full confidence, he could be a solid pitcher.
And finally, as far as Izzy goes. A week or two ago it was thought by many (including myself) that Izzy was the most likely Cardinal to be traded. However, word has it that Izzy has told Walt he wouldn't waive the no trade clause that he has earned through his 10\5 (10 years in the majors and 5 with the same team). He likes it hear and wants to retire with the Cardinals. As a baseball fan I love to see that loyalty. Kind of like Biggio and Bagwell down in Houston (although they spent their entire career with Houston...which is unheard of these days). Now that your bum hip is all better...we love you in St. Louis too Izzy. And with a reasonable $8 mil option next year, the front office wouldn't mind having you back either I'm guessing.