Colby Rasmus Trade Rumor

[Balta1701]

I don't quite get it why you don't understand the value of Colby Rasmus now and in the future...

Why does it seem no one is nervous about the step back Rasmus has taken this year? Serious question? Are we just expecting him to return to form the moment he hits Chicago?

[Reddy]

Why does it seem no one is nervous about the step back Rasmus has taken this year? Serious question? Are we just expecting him to return to form the moment he hits Chicago?

almost EVERY young player has a sophomore slump. almost. every. single. one.

[BigSqwert]

Why does it seem no one is nervous about the step back Rasmus has taken this year? Serious question? Are we just expecting him to return to form the moment he hits Chicago?

We do have a world class hitting coach that will likely turn him around.

[maggsmaggs]

almost EVERY young player has a sophomore slump. almost. every. single. one.

I love his walk rate, too. While he isn't amazing in that department, it would be nice to have a guy like him in the lineup who understands plate discipline. And he would help alleviate our station-to-station mentality. I am all for the deal if it's Jackson + Thornton.

 

 

[Balta1701]

almost EVERY young player has a sophomore slump. almost. every. single. one.

Why is he having a sophomore slump in his 3rd full MLB season?

[Lillian]

How does acquiring Rasmus make this team better? Now, or in the future. Maybe it's just me, but Rasmus reminds me an awful lot of Rios, who I absolutely HATE. One good season does not a great player make. That's all he's had. One good season. His first season was MEH. This season is MEH. Have Sox fans not learned a f***ing thing about overpaying for flash in the pan players? What do you do with Rios, if you make this trade? Who sits? Adding Rasmus and keeping Rios does nothing to improve this team. Adding Rasmus only improves this team if he doesn't turn out to be Rios PART 2.

 

I don't do this trade unless they want JUST Jackson. Thornton and Jackson? No, sorry. Get bent.

 

The biggest problem with this team is the garbage player we have in CF right now. Get rid of him, somehow, anyhow, and we improve immediately. BRIAN ANDERSON would be an upgrade in CF right now. How pathetic is that?

 

I agree with this post, entirely. The best thing the Sox can do to improve the very serious predicament in which they find themselves, is to get rid of Rios. I would rather K. W. use the trading chips he possesses to unload Rios. If someone wants Jackson and Thornton badly enough, they should have to agree to take Rios.

 

This is a case of addition by subtraction. We don't need Cobly Rasmus nearly as much as we need to get rid of Rios, and his contract.

I'd be perfectly happy to see what an outfield of Viciedo, de Aza and Quentin could do, and remember that we still have Millidge, who seems to be coming on strong.

 

Such a move would leave the team with just one big underperforming bad contract in Adam Dunn. He has had a long enough and consistent enough career to justify having a little faith in his ability to ultimately produce. Moreover, Dunn doesn't need to hit 40 homers next year in order to provide value. He is, after all, a left handed bat who can provide a presence in the middle of the line up, something the Sox have lacked since Thome left. I would be satisfied if next year he hit .250 with 30 homers and an OBP north of .375.

 

 

 

 

[Balta1701]

Such a move would leave the team with just one big underperforming bad contract in Adam Dunn.

Jake Peavy disagrees.

[Steve9347]

It's getting ridiculous really (not his post just those types). The best left handed reliever/set-up man in the game prior to this season...

Yeah, jeez, what a shocked that a guy in his mid-30s is starting to show signs that he's in his mid-30s. Good call, bro.

[Reddy]

Why is he having a sophomore slump in his 3rd full MLB season?

haha touche. i had my dates wrong.

 

in any case - like was said above, his walk rate is really solid - last year, and the first chunk of this year, showed the potential this kid has. and yeah of course at this point it's still just potential, but again - if you can get ELITE potential while dealing a FA-to be pitcher and a 35 year old rp and ONE prospect that isn't named Viciedo... sigh. this is just going to go around and around and around because for some reason a bunch of y'all don't agree that that's a great deal for us.

[Balta1701]

haha touche. i had my dates wrong.

 

in any case - like was said above, his walk rate is really solid - last year, and the first chunk of this year, showed the potential this kid has. and yeah of course at this point it's still just potential, but again - if you can get ELITE potential while dealing a FA-to be pitcher and a 35 year old rp and ONE prospect that isn't named Viciedo... sigh. this is just going to go around and around and around because for some reason a bunch of y'all don't agree that that's a great deal for us.

Let me put it this way. I've seen the Sox acquire an underperforming but very talented CF recently. We're currently regretting the Hell out of that move. Yeah, there's differences in contracts, but we also gave up nothing to get that current underperforming CF.

 

I'm just asking someone to convince me about why Rasmus will come here and be an .850 OPS guy when he's a .740 OPS guy right now. Or at least tell me "He's got a xxxxxx that has bothered him all season right now". Or something like that. Y'all can't seriously expect me to believe that "Walk will fix him" is the answer.

[Steve9347]

Why does it seem no one is nervous about the step back Rasmus has taken this year? Serious question? Are we just expecting him to return to form the moment he hits Chicago?

The Cards are my second favorite team due to my dad, I follow them like a Hawk, I watch tons of games on mlb.tv, even John Rooney (the great) has mentioned numerous times that Rasmus is having clubhouse problems.

 

Drinky LaRussa has never taken Rasmus out of his doghouse. Rasmus doesn't gel with Big Mac as a hitting coach, and he's also been unlucky with balls in play. I've seen a lot of Colby Rasmus, and the kid has elite upside. Given this rumor (that I still don't believe) involves a walking Edwin Jackson (both in terms of his contract status and the way he pitches), a 35 year old reliever making good money, and a prospect not named Viciedo, it'd be a no-brainer if the rumor were true.

[southsider2k5]

Im pretty sure ive made it clear i wouldnt do this deal unless its part of a fire sale, but that would only come down from Reinsdorf. kenny would never allow himself to believe he failed at his job

 

Nick Swisher sez "Whoa dude."

[BigSqwert]

The Cards are my second favorite team due to my dad, I follow them like a Hawk, I watch tons of games on mlb.tv, even John Rooney (the great) has mentioned numerous times that Rasmus is having clubhouse problems.

 

Drinky LaRussa has never taken Rasmus out of his doghouse. Rasmus doesn't gel with Big Mac as a hitting coach, and he's also been unlucky with balls in play. I've seen a lot of Colby Rasmus, and the kid has elite upside. Given this rumor (that I still don't believe) involves a walking Edwin Jackson (both in terms of his contract status and the way he pitches), a 35 year old reliever making good money, and a prospect not named Viciedo, it'd be a no-brainer if the rumor were true.

The big question here is, why do you still talk to your dad?

[southsider2k5]

How does acquiring Rasmus make this team better? Now, or in the future. Maybe it's just me, but Rasmus reminds me an awful lot of Rios, who I absolutely HATE. One good season does not a great player make. That's all he's had. One good season. His first season was MEH. This season is MEH. Have Sox fans not learned a f***ing thing about overpaying for flash in the pan players? What do you do with Rios, if you make this trade? Who sits? Adding Rasmus and keeping Rios does nothing to improve this team. Adding Rasmus only improves this team if he doesn't turn out to be Rios PART 2.

 

I don't do this trade unless they want JUST Jackson. Thornton and Jackson? No, sorry. Get bent.

 

The biggest problem with this team is the garbage player we have in CF right now. Get rid of him, somehow, anyhow, and we improve immediately. BRIAN ANDERSON would be an upgrade in CF right now. How pathetic is that?

 

How does acquiring a 23 year old CF with a perpetual all-star ceiling make the Sox better, when our starting CF has been horrible? Really? Even his bad year so far is better than what Rios is doing at about 1/25 of the cost.

[bigruss]

How does acquiring a 23 year old CF with a perpetual all-star ceiling make the Sox better, when our starting CF has been horrible? Really? Even his bad year so far is better than what Rios is doing at about 1/25 of the cost.

It's not just better, it's a 2 win difference THUS far this season.

[southsider2k5]

The Cards are my second favorite team due to my dad, I follow them like a Hawk, I watch tons of games on mlb.tv, even John Rooney (the great) has mentioned numerous times that Rasmus is having clubhouse problems.

 

Drinky LaRussa has never taken Rasmus out of his doghouse. Rasmus doesn't gel with Big Mac as a hitting coach, and he's also been unlucky with balls in play. I've seen a lot of Colby Rasmus, and the kid has elite upside. Given this rumor (that I still don't believe) involves a walking Edwin Jackson (both in terms of his contract status and the way he pitches), a 35 year old reliever making good money, and a prospect not named Viciedo, it'd be a no-brainer if the rumor were true.

 

In a case like this a change of scenery really can make a difference. You are looking at a guy who is on a pretty similar career arc to Paul Konerko in that he had super high expectations placed on him before he ever hit the majors and has struggled. Put him into a situation where he can relax a bit, and maybe he hits that potential. At worst, he is still hitting better than our current CF, and is again, at 1/25 the cost.

[Steve9347]

Let me put it this way. I've seen the Sox acquire an underperforming but very talented CF recently. We're currently regretting the Hell out of that move. Yeah, there's differences in contracts, but we also gave up nothing to get that current underperforming CF.

 

I'm just asking someone to convince me about why Rasmus will come here and be an .850 OPS guy when he's a .740 OPS guy right now. Or at least tell me "He's got a xxxxxx that has bothered him all season right now". Or something like that. Y'all can't seriously expect me to believe that "Walk will fix him" is the answer.

Alex Rios - 28 at acquisition

Colby Rasmus - 24

 

Alex Rios - $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million each in 2011 and 2012 and $12.5 million apiece in 2013 and 2014.

Colby Rasmus makes much much much less.

 

PLEASE don't compare those two situations again. The only similarity between the two players is the fact that it says "CF" next to their name. Rasmus hits from the other side, runs better, has world's better discipline, and more natural power.

 

The situation in St. Louis is a f***ing joke. LaRussa has made it his personal goal to "win" against Rasmus, and publicly shoots the kid down every chance he gets.

 

The dynamic between Rasmus and the club has further eroded since Mozeliak publicly asserted that he was adamantly opposed to trading the team's 2005 first-round draft pick.

 

Manager Tony La Russa acknowledged before Saturday's game that he now considers Jon Jay his primary center fielder while Rasmus sorts through a two-month slump. La Russa two weeks ago defended his coaching staff against any charge of being unable to help Rasmus by citing Rasmus' preference for "outside" hitting assistance. Jay's Saturday start against the Pittsburgh Pirates was his fifth in eight games. Rasmus entered Saturday's game as a defensive replacement after pitcher Jaime Garcia was allowed to hit for himself with a runner on base in the top of the eighth inning.

 

Only LaRussa would stick Jon Jay out there and make it so public he's doing so while benching Rasmus. Colby does not work well with LaRussa's pin-up boy Mark McGwire, and has been funding his own instructor just to get out of his slump. Of course, this doesn't sit well with Tony, as YOU MUST WORK WITH MY BABY BIG MAC.

 

The situation is s***. The White Sox would be getting an elite talent and future superstar for a sweetheart deal here. If the trade were offered to Kenny, it'd be done already.

[Steve9347]

The big question here is, why do you still talk to your dad?

The bigger question is, why does my dad still talk to me? Sure, it's his fault for moving to Chicagoland when he grew up in St. Louis, but he raised me as a Cardinals fan, but my inability to watch Cardinals games plus someone called The Big Hurt turned me White Sox in the early 90s when I was 9 or so.

[southsider2k5]

The bigger question is, why does my dad still talk to me? Sure, it's his fault for moving to Chicagoland when he grew up in St. Louis, but he raised me as a Cardinals fan, but my inability to watch Cardinals games plus someone called The Big Hurt turned me White Sox in the early 90s when I was 9 or so.

 

Really that is the biggest question for all of us here too.

[Balta1701]

Alex Rios - 28 at acquisition

Colby Rasmus - 24

 

Alex Rios - $9.7 million in 2010, $12 million each in 2011 and 2012 and $12.5 million apiece in 2013 and 2014.

Colby Rasmus makes much much much less.

 

PLEASE don't compare those two situations again. The only similarity between the two players is the fact that it says "CF" next to their name. Rasmus hits from the other side, runs better, has world's better discipline, and more natural power.

 

The situation in St. Louis is a f***ing joke. LaRussa has made it his personal goal to "win" against Rasmus, and publicly shoots the kid down every chance he gets.

 

The dynamic between Rasmus and the club has further eroded since Mozeliak publicly asserted that he was adamantly opposed to trading the team's 2005 first-round draft pick.

 

Manager Tony La Russa acknowledged before Saturday's game that he now considers Jon Jay his primary center fielder while Rasmus sorts through a two-month slump. La Russa two weeks ago defended his coaching staff against any charge of being unable to help Rasmus by citing Rasmus' preference for "outside" hitting assistance. Jay's Saturday start against the Pittsburgh Pirates was his fifth in eight games. Rasmus entered Saturday's game as a defensive replacement after pitcher Jaime Garcia was allowed to hit for himself with a runner on base in the top of the eighth inning.

 

Only LaRussa would stick Jon Jay out there and make it so public he's doing so while benching Rasmus. Colby does not work well with LaRussa's pin-up boy Mark McGwire, and has been funding his own instructor just to get out of his slump. Of course, this doesn't sit well with Tony, as YOU MUST WORK WITH MY BABY BIG MAC.

 

The situation is s***. The White Sox would be getting an elite talent and future superstar for a sweetheart deal here. If the trade were offered to Kenny, it'd be done already.

Except for the difference in ages, the situations sound a lot more similar than you're willing to admit. Rios had issues with being coached and seemingly still does. The contracts, yeah, that's different, but I already admitted that. Rios was also a spectacular baserunner in Toronto, regularly at 90% on his stolen base clip, and generally expected to be a 30-30 guy when he was making AS teams at 25.

 

Your entire argument here boils down to "Rasmus doesn't work with the Cardinals current hitting coaches and wants outside guys". Yet, you've given me no reason to expect that Greg Walker will be a guy that Rasmus will work well with. And even worse than that, we've already seen what happens with guys on the White Sox who don't want to listen to Walker's coaching suggestions...that's the Nick Swisher route.

 

Why again should I think that switching to Chicago will correct these issues? I understand what the issues are, repeating them doesn't do anything for me. Tell me why moving to Chicago will be a panacea.

[GreatScott82]

This trade makes a TON of sense for the Sox. It free ups some cap space, we get a guy who can potentially be an all star and it allows us to make other deals. For instance- trading TCQ for Beachy. Getting rid of TCQ will definitley hurt but adding a very young starter to our rotation makes a ton of sense for the future. We also have Viciedo waiting in the wings. With Buerhle and Jackson off the books after the 2011 season- we would only have Peavy, Danks, Floyd and Humber locked in for 2012. Adding a young & cheap Beachy to that rotation would be just what the doctor ordered. Also, all signs point to Sale being added to the rotation in 2012. So if the Sox wanted to continue the 6 man rotation in 2012- they would have the flexbility to continue to do that.

 

Next year, Pierre also comes off the books. So that could potentially open up a door to move Viciedo to LF, shift Rios to RF and have Rasmus be the every day CF in 2012.

 

Its time to start thinking about the future. We also can compete for a division title at the same time if everything goes right.

[southsider2k5]

Except for the difference in ages, the situations sound a lot more similar than you're willing to admit. Rios had issues with being coached and seemingly still does. The contracts, yeah, that's different, but I already admitted that. Rios was also a spectacular baserunner in Toronto, regularly at 90% on his stolen base clip, and generally expected to be a 30-30 guy when he was making AS teams at 25.

 

Your entire argument here boils down to "Rasmus doesn't work with the Cardinals current hitting coaches and wants outside guys". Yet, you've given me no reason to expect that Greg Walker will be a guy that Rasmus will work well with. And even worse than that, we've already seen what happens with guys on the White Sox who don't want to listen to Walker's coaching suggestions...that's the Nick Swisher route.

 

Why again should I think that switching to Chicago will correct these issues? I understand what the issues are, repeating them doesn't do anything for me. Tell me why moving to Chicago will be a panacea.

 

How the hell can you know that ahead of time? If nothing else, getting this guy out from under the gun is going to be a positive thing all by itself. If the well really is as poisoned there as has been portrayed, getting this kind of a talent is worth the shot. And again, this guy is already largely better than our current CF, even with as bad as he is playing right now. Hell that in itself could be the playing time argument you have made for Lilli.

[Swingandalongonetoleft]

US Cellular Field is where hitters come to die/become bad hitters.

[Balta1701]

How the hell can you know that ahead of time? If nothing else, getting this guy out from under the gun is going to be a positive thing all by itself. If the well really is as poisoned there as has been portrayed, getting this kind of a talent is worth the shot. And again, this guy is already largely better than our current CF, even with as bad as he is playing right now. Hell that in itself could be the playing time argument you have made for Lilli.

The point buried here is that all of y'all are arguing that what we'd be doing with this trade is acquiring an .850+ OPS corner OF (his defense in CF is below Rios's if you believe Fangraphs) while paying the price for a .740 OPS corner OF who is sorta on the bench.

 

I just have a lot of trouble believing that this would work out as easily as we want. That no one else would step in with a better offer if they thought he was a .850 OPS CF, that the Cardinals would part with him for the price of a .740 OPS corner OF even if he was in the manager's doghouse.

[Steve9347]

That no one else would step in with a better offer if they thought he was a .850 OPS CF, that the Cardinals would part with him for the price of a .740 OPS corner OF even if he was in the manager's doghouse.

The problem there is there isn't much pitching on the open market. At least 5 teams have been linked to the Cardinals and Rasmus, the Rays are hot after him too. I trust that scouting department.