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I actually feel a bit sorry for Encarnacion. He's not a bad guy. I'm not sure why the fans take their frustrations out on him. He is what he is--a very average major-league outfielder. In this case the Cardinals got what they paid for.

Even so, I'm sure he's gone ASAP. Probably to anyone willing to absorb at least a chunk of his salary. I doubt we'll get much for him besides a mediocre prospect and some salary relief, but it only makes sense for next year to move him and give Ankiel a shot at playing right field every day. If Ankiel struggles, we'll platoon Ludwick or somebody with him.

It's a well known fact that no one likes LaRussa so no surprise here. (well maybe not everyone but close)

I would love to get rid of Enc, not because I don't like him or anything but he's money not well spent. I'm still dreaming of a Duncan, Ludwick, Ankiel OF the rest of the way maybe LaRussa can help me with my dream.

Futureredbirds.com has a link to a piece about all the outfield prospects in our farm system right now. If we started Duncan, Ankiel, and Ludwick, we'd still have guys like Mather and Haerther stranded in the minors with no place to go. And then there's Rasmus to think about in a couple of years. And there's other interesting prospects as well (Amauri Marti?).

Makes me wonder if Skip Schumaker can learn how to play second base. I don't know if he's ever played there before, but he's built like a second baseman. Skip is not too bad of a hitter if you judge him by second-baseman standards rather than as an outfielder. And I wouldn't mind getting someone into the lineup who can steal a base once in awhile. Ehh, I'm sure it will never happen, probably for very good reasons that I don't know about.

We have a lot of talent in the outfield and we need a future third baseman and mostly starting pitchers. What about trades in the winter?

Sberl wrote:We have a lot of talent in the outfield and we need a future third baseman and mostly starting pitchers. What about trades in the winter?

Ever since Walt got killed on the Haren trade, he's been trigger shy. But hey who knows Walt may not be with us much longer anyways.