Adam Wainwright Injured: 10 Trades the Cardinals Can Make To Replace Him
The St. Louis Cardinals were dealt a big blow when they learned that 20-game winner Adam Wainwright could miss the season with an elbow injury.
The last thing a team with playoff hopes wants to hear is that their top-of-the-rotation pitcher is lost before the season even begins.
What this does is turn the Cardinals' attention to finding a replacement.
While the Cardinals say they won’t be looking for a replacement outside the organization, they have to at least consider it. Even if they can’t get someone who is equal to the value of Wainwright, they can at least take a stab at getting someone who can either help them for the future, or just eat enough innings to matter.
The truth is that there are some trades to be made if the Cardinals are willing to do it and these are the 10 trades they could look to for a player to replace their 20-game winner.
10. Tim Wakefield, RHP, Boston Red Sox
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Why They Could Get Him
Tim Wakefield means more to the Boston Red Sox from a historical perspective than he does in actuality. The truth is that he looks locked in (barring injury) to be relegated to long relief and spot starting. This means the Cardinals could get him for relatively cheap. He could eat up a lot of innings but of course wouldn’t be nearly equal to what the Cardinals lost.
If they need a stopgap until Wainwright or their minor-leaguers are ready, Wakefield makes a little bit of sense.
What They Would Have To Give Up
This would be easy for the Cardinals.
Wakefield is a pitcher on his last legs and Boston is a team that had to give up two solid prospects to get Adrian Gonzalez. Giving up outfielder Allen Craig or righty Eduardo Sanchez could be the major piece in the deal.
9. Wade LeBlanc, LHP, San Diego Padres
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Why They Could Get Him
LeBlanc hasn’t impressed much as a Padre. He’s had a great ERA at home but has largely gotten shelled on the road. If the Padres don’t think he’s a long-term solution to their rotation then they might be willing to part with him.
What They Would Have To Give Up
They might be able to get LeBlanc for pretty reasonable market value. If they threw in Ryan Theriot or John Jay and also threw in a prospect, they could have LeBlanc in St. Louis.
8. Kevin Correia, RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Why They Could Get Him
Pittsburgh is known for two things in the baseball world: dealing their stars and losing.
The Cardinals wouldn’t be able to pry the Pirates young ace James McDonald away, but they can get their slotted number-three starter Kevin Correia.
The reality is that Correia isn’t a long term option in Pittsburgh, but he’s got good stuff and the Cardinals could use him in the meantime. In 2009 he had a 3.91 ERA and pitched close to 200 innings.
He could be a cheap option for a team like the Cardinals that don’t want to take on a ton of payroll.
What They Would Have To Give Up
The Pirates need to build their farm system so the Cardinals could be a benefit to them there. The Cardinals could get away with a good prospects and a solid major-leaguer like Ryan Theriot. Correia could return to form with the right coach. The Cardinals could get real value with him.
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7. Erik Bedard, RHP, Seattle Mariners
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Why They Could Get Him
This is what you call a low-risk trade. Bedard has amazing stuff when he’s healthy; the problem is, that is never the case.
Now, if the Cardinals are sure they don’t need anyone, then they could always take a flyer on Bedard. He comes cheap and the Mariners would be willing to part with him for the right price—especially on a team with so much pitching depth.
What They Would Have To Give Up
Bedard hasn’t pitched 90 innings since 2007 so he won’t cost the Cardinals a lot. Under the right coaching and pitching conditioning from Dave Duncan, they could get a guy who could at least help them during the first half of the season to give their minor-league prospects more time to season.
6. Derek Lowe, RHP, Atlanta Braves
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Why They Could Get Him
Lowe, like Wakefield, is in the twilight of his career. There isn’t much keeping him tied to the Atlanta Braves. They are already loaded in their farm system and six-deep in a five-man rotation. Parting with Lowe would be acceptable for the Braves and could be good for the Cardinals too. Lowe would strictly be a stopgap, but he’d be the kind of stopgap you’d want for a team that is in contention.
What They Would Have To Give Up
The Braves have a pretty deep farm system and the Cardinals aren’t trading away their top position prospect, third baseman Zach Cox.
However, trading a piece like John Jay or Colby Rasmus could give the Cardinals a chance to get Lowe.
5. Bruce Chen, RHP, Kansas City Royals
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Why They Could Get Him
The Royals, surprisingly, have some depth in their rotation and they could be willing to deal one of their starters for the right price. Chen is a veteran who pitched well for KC last season and had a 1.38 WHIP. In a good system like the Cardinals', his potential is that much better, so it’s a good possibility that the Cardinals could look at him as an attractive option.
What They Would Have To Give Up
Giving up prospects for Chen would be tough since Kansas City is loaded with talent in their farm system. However, if the Cardinals are serious about trading Colby Rasmus—the temperamental outfielder—Kansas City could be willing to deal Chen and a solid prospect or two.
4. Chris Tillman, RHP, Baltimore Orioles
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Why They Could Get Him
This is really the case for most of the Orioles' young arms. While the Orioles like a lot of these guys, Tillman seems to be the guy they are the least sold on. The Cardinals could get a young guy that could help out now and in the future and the Orioles might not be looking for much in return.
What They Would Have To Give Up
The Orioles are looking to build their farm system which ranks in the bottom 10 of baseball. Giving them a couple of promising prospects and a serviceable major-leaguer like Ryan Theriot could get the deal done.
3. Armando Galarraga, RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks
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Why They Could Get Him
Galarraga had a perfect game that wasn’t perfect last season. However, the rest of his season was far from perfect. He spent time in the minors and showed he has great potential, but with limited results.
This is a guy who’s screaming for a pitching coach like Dave Duncan.
The Cardinals have worked near miracles with pitchers in the past and Galarraga—at full potential—could win 15 games or more. The Diamondbacks are rebuilding so they could use some help and may not see the upside in him the way the Cardinals could.
What They Would Have To Give Up
Galarraga could come cheaper than expected. If they gave up a pitching prospect or two—or if they were willing to deal Colby Rasmus—for Galarraga and another player, they could be in good shape.
2. Joe Blanton, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies
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Why They Could Get Him
The Phillies obviously have a very strong rotation, but Blanton is the weak spot of that rotation. The Phillies might have to worry if there is an injury but they happen to be working with four of the most durable starters in baseball.
So where does Blanton fit in? He doesn’t really. Don’t forget that this is a farm system that is really good and filled with arms. For a fifth starter on that rotation they could plug in a young guy in a no-pressure situation.
What They Would Have To Give Up
The Phillies gained a lot in the offseason, but they lost a little fire power when Jayson Werth signed with the Washington Nationals. If the Cardinals were willing to give up a good prospect and Colby Rasmus they could be in the driver's seat for a trade that would land them an upgrade from what they have in their minor-league system.
1. Mark Buehrle, LHP, Chicago White Sox
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Why They Could Get Him
For as long as Buehrle has been a member of the Chicago White Sox, there has been rumors of him playing for his hometown team. The lefty has two years left on his contract and the Sox are going to have to think long and hard about resigning him.
Buehrle would eat a lot of innings for the Cardinals and as a ground-ball pitcher his style might fare better in the National League. He’s never an injury-risk and he’s a good teammate in the clubhouse.
Why They Would Have To Give Up For Him
The best part about trading for Buehrle would be the price. The Sox would be content at taking a couple of arms out of the St. Louis system, most notably Tyrell Jenkins and Lance Lynn in exchange for Buehrle.
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