Cardinals trade deadline aftermath

The trade deadline for this year has come and gone along with some of Cardinal Nation fan favorites. Did John Mozeliak give up too much? Did Mozeliak make the right moves or were they just to stir the pot to make something happen? Maybe he gambled to force Mike Matheny's hand to play Oscar Taveras. Does he know something about the players that others don't?

In case you haven't read my last blog or seen the episode of The Last Word I made an appearance on, I will simply say I have been proven wrong at least twice. I made the case that we signed the correct catcher and it was wise not to sign the clubhouse menace AJ Pierzynski, then on tv I go on to predict that it would be better to keep Allen Craig and trade Matt Adams if a move had to be made. The point is I am frustrated, probably along with many of you, at some of the moves the Cardinals have made and not made.

The rotation needed help but I don't agree with both of the trades. Justin Masterson was acquired for a minor league outfielder which is a low risk high reward trade. Masterson could be a good innings-eater to help the bullpen. The deal of John Lackey for Joe Kelly and Craig is tough for fans and even players to accept. Yes Lackey is a seasoned veteran and has been called a big game pitcher but he is only under contract for this year and next year as long as the option is picked up. In my opinion, I would rather have Kelly for several years than Lackey for a year and a half. With that said we as fans have to understand that it is still a business and we have a lot of young, talented pitchers ready to be called up. The tough part about being a General Manager is keeping a balance of wanting to win now and the long term plan for the team.

The offense this season has been just plain awful to say it nicely. There are a few like Matt Adams having a nice year but for the most part everyone is struggling. Craig was enduring a bad year and unable to get any momentum going to pull himself out of his slump. Enter Taveras to help in the outfield but nowhere to play with Craig, the starting right fielder, and Taveras not experienced to play centerfield.

Matheny is loyal to his players and especially to veterans who are trying to get going like Craig. In the movie "Moneyball" a situation like this came up where the manager was playing a player he wanted and management wanted another player to play. What happened? They traded the player that was getting all the playing time to insert the player that the management wanted. Sounds familiar but I am not so sure that was the case in the Cardinal brass.

Maybe Mozeliak was not completely sure that Craig would recover from his foot and leg injuries? Maybe he viewed him as an injury prone player and to cut ties now while he still has some credibility? Or maybe Boston asked for Craig? Whatever the case, Craig is now with the Red Sox and is already injured since the trade.

There are two sides to every coin as the saying goes, so I guess that is true for trades. I am sad to lose Kelly and Craig but as one friend recently said "Root for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back". I am starting to agree with that and realize that we have once again reloaded for a strong playoff push. Sending Carlos Martinez down was crucial in my mind too because it will cut some of his innings and he can go down to AAA and get his confidence back in time for the playoffs.

Now lets all hope that Michael Wacha is able to return to the rotation for the playoffs, then we will for sure be a team to be reckoned with.