Scott Rolen to the Cardinals for Placido Polanco, Mike Timlin (the player to be named later when announced initially), and Bud Smith Placido Polanco: good average, not much for power, solid defense and can play 7 positions if needed (should be in the infield, probably a middle infielder, but really is a solid 3rd baseman.. just not the typical power of one) Mike Timlin: player to be named later, thrown in to make trade happen, decent middle reliever Bud Smith: stud rookie year last year... came out of nowhere to suddenly be a starter for the Cardinals last year... suffered so far this year, but the Phillies have wanted this guy since the middle of last season... they like what they see... not a hard thrower, but a placement pitcher... good command, should have a fine career Scott Rolen: Gold Glove winning third baseman, good power, great all around player overall, the trade is beneficial to both teams... it provides the Phillies with some pitching depth, a pitcher for the future, and a young talented infielder (although he will never have power) for the Cardinals this gives the them a power hitting third baseman and someone they think will be able to carry the team at times... this in effect puts an all-star (or former all-star) at every position, save right field for the Cards (only J.D. Drew has not been there as of yet) the money is pretty damn even, so that is a wash... neither team picks up any extra salary (marginal differences at best) the Cards are already working with Rolen for a long-term contract, and i would expect one to be done within 2 weeks... seriously
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/ap/20020729/ap-phillies-cardinals-rolentraded.html my bad, apparently the Cardinals did receive some cash and a minor league pitcher
Well, look at the Cards today and look at them yesterday. They're obviously much better now with a dangerous hitter. Geez, Drew, Edmonds, Pujols, now Rolen. Phillies finally unloaded him and Rolen should be a happy camper now. Good move for the Cards.
As a pHils fan this is a bit frustrating. I think Rolen is worth more than what we got back. Who knows if Smith will bounce back from what's been a rough year. Timlin definately helps, but Polanco is just a utility guy nothing more. I can't help but think at the beginning of the season they would have got more than now. And when the cards come back to philly in mid august they will have JD DRew and Rolen batting right after eachother. Man oh man. But, if smith does come around we have three very solid young starters in Padilla, Smith, and Myers. Throw in Wolf also and its not a bad rotation. But I can't help but feel that they are just spinning their wheels back there.
polanco is no utility guy... his ability to play numerous positions does lead people to think that though... but he is a solid average hitter, a bit light hitting and as such not really a corner infielder i'm not sure how you guys are at second and short, but those should really be his position... right now you guys need a third baseman, and he can easily play that defensively in case you didn't know, in the past 2 seasons, polanco is in the top 5 for most 3 hit or better games bud smith can turn it aroun, he is young and a smart pitcher... he just needs a bit of fine tuning... he's a good one (reminds me of john tudor, only bud throws a bit harder)
I wonder if he'll get the battery treatment like JD did on the first trip back to Philly? What non-knuckleballer doesn't throw harder than Tudor did? Renteria is on a tear. Maybe I'll see more than one other person wearing a Renteria jersey next time I go to a game.
Well, he turned down huge money. Argued with Bowa. Philadelphia fans are ruthless. However he is a third baseman. Maybe you'll have a few idiots from the field level seats doing something. Other than that, I don't think anything will happen to Rolen. But then again, I wouldn't be surprised if something did happen.
Speaking as a Phils phan and Sunday Season ticket holder since 1978, there was nothing else the organization was left with in terms of making this move. However, the ownership is totally to blame for the sad state of affairs this club is in. They've been acting like a small market team in a place where this couldn't be farther form the truth. This group of owners are in a pre-TV money mindset, totally unwilling to spend the cash necessary to build a winner. This was the main issue that Schilling had, and ultimately the same with Rolen. Neither of the two wanted to leave Philly, at first. They each implored the ownership to just try to sign some big ticket free-agents, going so far as to have it written in their contracts. They both knew that Philly is a great place to be when you win. Schilling repeatedly said how incredible it would have been to bring a championship to the city. Two years ago, a pair of top signing might have been all that was needed. But the tightwad, out-of-touch ownership won't compete. That's what ultimately needs to change. As for the implications of the actual trade, well it's a big positive for the Cards, and not as bad as it may appear for the Phils. Rolen is a quirky introvert, not known for his clubhouse leadership. Sure, he plays balls-out on the field, but in the clubhouse he's a churchmouse. With the Cards, he won't have to be anything other than who and what he is. Good for him and good for the Cards. With the Phils, he was a cornerstone, having come up through the farm system, the homegrown star. But his reluctance to be a vocal leader hurt the team. With his departure, guys like Rollins and Burrell will assume this vacant role. Addition by subtraction? That remains to be seen, but I'm optimistic. This season is over for the Phils, but they may go on a tear, serving as a precursor for the future, which does appear to be bright given the young but very talented starting pitching.