A Third Baseman that is available

[Noe]

Scott Rolen seems to have worn out his welcome in St. Looie with some, including LaGenius.  He is said to be a player that the Dojers are quietly looking at right now in case a trade can be made later.

Scott Rolen at the MMPUS, sticking it to LaRussa any chance he would get?  Just too good to be true and it will never happen.

[mihoba]

Scott Rolen seems to have worn out his welcome in St. Looie with some, including LaGenius.  He is said to be a player that the Dojers are quietly looking at right now in case a trade can be made later.

Scott Rolen at the MMPUS, sticking it to LaRussa any chance he would get?  Just too good to be true and it will never happen.

Dream big I say. My desk is rising at the mere thought.

[Curly]

Lidge to STL to become Poohole's personal BP tosser for Rolen...sure works for me.

[Noe]

Lidge to STL to become Poohole's personal BP tosser for Rolen...sure works for me.

I was thinking more in line with a three way... ahum... trade.  Somehow get Rolen flipped over here from Team X who really wants Chad Qualls (for instance).  I don't know exactly who or what or why or when or even if on Scott Rolen, just saying... it's a nice thought.

He doesn't seem to be wanted in St. Looie and he may be this year's candidate for the covetted "Vinny Castilla leaves Tampa for Greener Pastures" award.

[Curly]

Just pointing out the possible irony.  Rolen better get working on the mullet, it's still in the juvenile stage.

[Amy]

I was thinking more in line with a three way... ahum... trade.  Somehow get Rolen flipped over here from Team X who really wants Chad Qualls (for instance).  I don't know exactly who or what or why or when or even if on Scott Rolen, just saying... it's a nice thought.

He doesn't seem to be wanted in St. Looie and he may be this year's candidate for the covetted "Vinny Castilla leaves Tampa for Greener Pastures" award.

I would think another team would have to be involved.  I can't imagine Jocketty trading Rolen within the division, especially to one of their biggest rivals.  I think it's a longshot, but I like the idea.

[JaneDoe]

RK PLAYER           TEAM  AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI   SB CS  BB  SO  BA    OBP   SLG  OPS
11 Scott Rolen       STL  120 15  26  6   1    2    15    1   2   10  18  .217  .291  .333  .624
12 Morgan Ensberg HOU  108 19  23  6   0    2    11    0   0   17  25  .213  .317  .324  .642

Ok--so Rolen has a greater injury liability, and looking at these stats for this year there is really not much difference.

Is the only reason you want him because he has the possibility of a greater upside?

Does anyone think Ensberg is DONE?

[JackAstro]

RK PLAYER           TEAM  AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI   SB CS  BB  SO  BA    OBP   SLG  OPS
11 Scott Rolen       STL  120 15  26  6   1    2    15    1   2   10  18  .217  .291  .333  .624
12 Morgan Ensberg HOU  108 19  23  6   0    2    11    0   0   17  25  .213  .317  .324  .642

Ok--so Rolen has a greater injury liability, and looking at these stats for this year there is really not much difference.

Is the only reason you want him because he has the possibility of a greater upside?

Does anyone think he is DONE?

Well, he has a much better resume, and about the best glove going. If his bat never heated back up, it'd still be an improvement, and you already have perfectly serviceable injury replacements already on the team just in case. Would that it could happen, there's no real downside, and a lot of potential.

[JimR]

RK PLAYER           TEAM  AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI   SB CS  BB  SO  BA    OBP   SLG  OPS
11 Scott Rolen       STL  120 15  26  6   1    2    15    1   2   10  18  .217  .291  .333  .624
12 Morgan Ensberg HOU  108 19  23  6   0    2    11    0   0   17  25  .213  .317  .324  .642

Ok--so Rolen has a greater injury liability, and looking at these stats for this year there is really not much difference.

Is the only reason you want him because he has the possibility of a greater upside?

Does anyone think he is DONE?

have you seen Ensberg play lately? HE is done.

[JaneDoe]

Well, he has a much better resume, and about the best glove going. If his bat never heated back up, it'd still be an improvement, and you already have perfectly serviceable injury replacements already on the team just in case. Would that it could happen, there's no real downside, and a lot of potential.

$8 million worth of potential?

I'm not against it, just not convinced.

[Noe]

Is the only reason you want him because he has the possibility of a greater upside?

I'm not entirely a performance evaluation guy, more of an approach guy when it comes to baseball.  Compare the approach to the game that Rolen has to that of Ensberg and you get your answer.

But I am saying that Rolen has a better chance to excel with a change of scenery than MoBerg.  Hence the Vinny Castilla reference.

[JaneDoe]

have you seen Ensberg play lately? HE is done.

That is who I was referencing.  Sorry, did not convey that at all did I?

[JackAstro]

$8 million worth of potential?

$3 million more than Ensberg? Lord, yes.

[JaneDoe]

$3 million more than Ensberg? Lord, yes.

nope $8 million more.

Rolen      2007 Salary: $12,311,637
Ensberg   2007 Salary: $4,350,000

Not sure Purpura/McLane would think this was a wise use of $$$$.  Especially when we have Loretta and Lamb.  That is really what I was trying to say.

[Curly]

Compare the approach to the game that Rolen has to that of Ensberg and you get your answer.

Please elaborate.

[JackAstro]

nope $8 million more.

Rolen      2007 Salary: $12,311,637
Ensberg   2007 Salary: $4,350,000

You know what? Absolutely. It's not my money.

[Noe]

Please elaborate.

Uno swings the bat, Uno does not.

[dirty steve]

Uno swings the bat, Uno does not.

what about uno always drawing four?

[Noe]

what about uno always drawing four?

Always?  And in the middle of the lineup?  You need the approach to that job more like Lee has and not like Ensberg employs.

[Curly]

what about uno always drawing four?

Skip it.

[JaneDoe]

Skip it.

No, reverse it quick.

[davek]

Big surprise to me that Rolen is only a few months older than Ensberg....

Would you give up Wheeler or Qualls and Ensberg?...

How about Wheeler or Qualls and Loretta?...

[utastro]

Uno swings the bat, Uno does not.

What about letting Loretta stay at 3rd full time and getting another right handed utility player who makes good contact (i.e. The Crimson Chin).  Ensberg can't fill that role either.  I've always liked Ensberg and thought he would turn it around, but gawd, offensively he is just downright awful right now.

[dirty steve]

Always?  And in the middle of the lineup?  You need the approach to that job more like Lee has and not like Ensberg employs.

i agree--never was really a big fan of 14 hitting 2nd, because i always believed a guy who should be hitting bombs should be batting 5th and not imitating a slappy.  really shocking how far down he haws fallen.

[ValpoCory]

nope $8 million more.

Rolen      2007 Salary: $12,311,637
Ensberg   2007 Salary: $4,350,000

Not sure Purpura/McLane would think this was a wise use of $$$$.  Especially when we have Loretta and Lamb.  That is really what I was trying to say.

And not just 2007. 

07:$12M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M, 10:$12M

[mihoba]

And not just 2007. 

07:$12M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M, 10:$12M

4 yrs/$48 Mil for Rolen? In a heartbeat.

[Noe]

Skip it.

Oh crap, I missed that one!  My bad.  I suck!

[Rammer33]

RK PLAYER           TEAM  AB   R   H  2B  3B  HR  RBI   SB CS  BB  SO  BA    OBP   SLG  OPS
11 Scott Rolen       STL  120 15  26  6   1    2    15    1   2   10  18  .217  .291  .333  .624
12 Morgan Ensberg HOU  108 19  23  6   0    2    11    0   0   17  25  .213  .317  .324  .642

Ok--so Rolen has a greater injury liability, and looking at these stats for this year there is really not much difference.

Is the only reason you want him because he has the possibility of a greater upside?

yes and of course since we are dealing in nonsense - hypothetically, Washington would have no intrest in Pujols or Howard because it would be no upgrade over Dimitre Young ...

[Noe]

Big surprise to me that Rolen is only a few months older than Ensberg....

Would you give up Wheeler or Qualls and Ensberg?...

How about Wheeler or Qualls and Loretta?...

The more I think about it, the more they shouldn't trade for a starter, Loretta or Lamb will do.  They just need to give Mo a chance to play somewhere else.  He ain't a bench guy, he needs to play.

For someone else...

[JimR]

Big surprise to me that Rolen is only a few months older than Ensberg....

Would you give up Wheeler or Qualls and Ensberg?...

How about Wheeler or Qualls and Loretta?...

no, not to the Cardinals.

never Loretta.

[MusicMan]

The more I think about it, the more they shouldn't trade for a starter, Loretta or Lamb will do.  They just need to give Mo a chance to play somewhere else.  He ain't a bench guy, he needs to play.

For someone else...

I'm convinced that the deadline sees Purp making a push for Ichiro!.  Lets you run out a lineup of:

Ichiro!  CF
Loretta/Biggio 2b
Berkman 1b
Lee LF
PENCE!!! RF
Lamb/Loretta 3b
Everett SS
Ausmus C

[Amy]

I'm convinced that the deadline sees Purp making a push for Ichiro!.  Lets you run out a lineup of:

Ichiro!  CF
Loretta/Biggio 2b
Berkman 1b
Lee LF
PENCE!!! RF
Lamb/Loretta 3b
Everett SS
Ausmus C

I'm not convinced we'll need another outfielder.  I'm liking Pence in CF and Scott in RF.  I can do without Lane.  Sure, they still have something to prove.  But I'm thinking they'll do well enough that we won't need to ship out precious prospects for a rental.

[jasonact]

no, not to the Cardinals.

never Loretta.

And while were taking a step back for a minute, does anyone think that the Co-ards would send Rolen to the Astros? I know Noe suggested a 3-way, but still, I don't see the Jakes making a deal they think might help the Astros get Rolen, regardless of how much he may have worn out his welcome with them.

ETA: The only exception being if they think he's COMPLETELY done from a productivity standpoint, in which case the Astros probably don't want him anyway.

[Arky Vaughan]

Skip it.

Approach is not everything. I think even with the perfect approach that Ensberg may not be able to hit again like he did in 2005. Nor might Rolen ever again hit like he did before the injuries really began to hobble him, whatever his approach.

[JimR]

I'm convinced that the deadline sees Purp making a push for Ichiro!.  Lets you run out a lineup of:

Ichiro!  CF
Loretta/Biggio 2b
Berkman 1b
Lee LF
PENCE!!! RF
Lamb/Loretta 3b
Everett SS
Ausmus C

i'm not for a lineup that does not have Scott.

[EasTexAstro]

I'm not convinced we'll need another outfielder. 

I'm not convinced we need any more !s

[strosrays]

I'm sure I am missing something, but why the impetus to trade Lidge now?  Loretta/Lamb appear to be a capable 3B, Wheeler is closing all right, the team is winning, the Astros are already on the hook for a significant percentage of Lidge's '07 salary, and his improvement dramatically strengthens the Astros bullpen at this point.

If you must, at least hold onto him until the deadline, when some desperate contender may be willing to part with a young Bagwell type from the system.  You can keep Scott Rolen and his kind.

[otterjb]

Approach is not everything. I think even with the perfect approach that Ensberg may not be able to hit again like he did in 2005. Nor might Rolen ever again hit like he did before the injuries really began to hobble him, whatever his approach.

That's the thing about Rolen. If he's completely healthy then he's still gonna hit near .300 with something like 30 homers and 100+ rbi's while playing incredible defense. It's his surgically repaired shoulder that might never allow him to do the things that he did before.

[JimR]

what about uno always drawing four?

ha, ha