St. Louis Cardinals Shortstop Stock Report
Sep 23, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Andrus (1) hits an RBI single scoring second baseman
Ian Kinsler(not shown) against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
It’s become clear that the St. Louis Cardinals are going to make a move in the offseason for a starting shortstop. So who’s stock is rising? Who’s stock is falling? Here is Arch Authority’s stock report on the future Cardinals shortstop.
Stock Rising:
The Texas Rangers could be a popular partner for a trade for the Cardinals. Both teams have pieces they are willing to trade away that the other team is interested in. The Rangers have Jurickson Profar who is rated by many baseball scouting services as the top prospect in baseball and can play either shortstop or second base. However, the Rangers need an everyday first baseman. The Cardinals have Allen Craig and Matt Adams competing for the first baseman job. The Cardinals also have an outstanding prospect in Oscar Taveras who is slotted to play in the right field. The Cardinals will not part with Allen Craig so Matt Adams could be on the move.
I doubt the teams will do a straight up trade and because of Andrus’s $14 million/year salary beginning in 2015, I think the Rangers would have to give up a prospect to get this deal done.
The calm before the storm. The White Sox are being quiet but I still believe Alexei Ramirez will be seriously considered in the Cardinals front office. I do think the Cardinals will pursue Elvis Andrus first because of the depth of the Rangers farm system but the Cardinals will not rule out Ramirez.