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As the 1997 baseball season swings into August, the baseball Cardinals ventured into a bold new world, with the acquisition of free agent slugger Mark McGwire. Three young righthanded pitchers are going to Oakland for in return for Big Mac.
The McGwire trade is heralded by some media folks as "one of the biggest trades in Cardinal history". Actually, this trade is a microcosm of how baseball is handled in the 90's. Need a hitter??--why buy when you can rent!!
McGwire was not going to return to the Bay Area in 1998, so Oakland was willing to deal him to the Red Birds. The Big Bopper will remain in the Gateway City for two months or so and then entertain offers from all suitors for his services. By playing with the Red Birds, McGwire can see if he likes the National League and then tease prospective buyers for his talents.
Optimistic fans and media folks are hoping and praying that Tony La Russa, Carney Lansford, Dennis Eckersley and the other members of the St. Louis branch of the Oakland A's Alumni Association will fill the Big Bopper with so memory happy memories of their days together. I have heard that this town has 2 months to sell St. Louis to Big Mac.
Unfortunately, despite all the toasted raviolis and Ted Drewes Concretes that the Redbirds can lay his feet, before all that is said and done, Mark McGwire will sound like Jerry McGwire Guire---SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
And, although this is the Show Me State, the Redbirds can not.
McGwire brings his big bat and big salary to town. According to some reports, the Big Bopper makes $7.1 million. That is $2.1 million more than the reported highest Cardinal salary. McGwire will be a free agent this fall--and Baseball economics have taught us that he will not receive less than $7.1 Million.
In reality, thanks to the knowledgeable business savvy of the Windy City teams, McGwire will be able to write his own ticket. He certainly is in the same category as Albert Belle, and in a higher category than Sammy Sosa. These two gentlemen have inked contracts for a cool $10 million a year because of the charity of the White Sox and Cubs.
But if you can obtain a McGwire for a few months, he may provide the missing piece for a championship. Look at David Cone and Joe Carter when Toronto picked them up, a few years back. If you do not give up much--it is worth the investment.
So the question remains, was it worth the gamble??? You can answer that question, with another question, what did you really give up??
T. J. Matthews was not considered a Cardinal closer of the future. Eric Ludwig and Blake Stein are simply prospects. The Redbirds did deal from their strength, and did not mortgage much of their future. Alan Benes, Matt Morris, Braden Looper, Eli Morrero and Manny Aybar were all requested by Oakland, but Walt Jocketty avoided the temptation.
Some Cardinal fans were critical that the McGwire acquisition could not be pulled off until after the team left Houston. Realistically, a trade with the final involved principals could not have been completed earlier in the week. Oakland was holding out for higher value and had the trigger been pulled in Texas, Benes, Morris, Looper, Morraro or Aybar could be wearing Green & Gold today.
Jocketty and his Oakland counterpart Sandy Alderson played a game of chicken in this trade. Who will blink first?? With the trading deadline rapidly approaching, Alderson felt that something was better than nothing, and the three pitchers were sent to the West Coast.
But, the renting of McGwire does make sense, if the Cardinals honestly believe they are still in the Pennant/Wild Card Race.
Baseball fans all over the Gateway City are gitty over the idea that the first feared power hitter since Jack Clark will hang his shingle at Busch Stadium. Fans seem intrigued that McGwire will jump start the struggling offense. Combine that with the pitching, the Redbirds will be on the march. Look out Houston--move over Pittsburgh, the Red Birds are back and they now have the bat to prove it.
But is it really too little too late??
At this writing, St. Louis is 7 1/2 games out of first place, five games under .500. The Astros are currently 10 games over .500 and have recently played winning baseball at a clip of .700.
Oh yeah, one other thing--St. Louis does not play the Astros anymore in 1997.
But the bottom line remains. Are the Red Birds in the Pennant Race??
But hey--won't McGwire look great with the Birds on the Bat??
If you look at things objectively, the Redbirds chances for post season play are remote at best, even with McGwire . They blew their best opportunity over the past two weeks, losing four of five games with the Astros. Houston has owned St. Louis in 1997, winning 9 of the 12 games played.
Also, how can you realistically take any team seriously for contention when they remain below .500 most of the season?? Granted the wild card has diluted the standings somewhat, but teams should win more than they lose. The Cardinals have not demonstrated this consistency during this 1997 season.
This team has been called underachievers, out of sync, fundamentally unsound. If this were a multiple choice test, I would choose D, all of the above.
So "one of the biggest trades in Cardinal History" has been made. Welcome to the Gateway City, Mr. McGwire, and I hope you enjoy your stay, athough I'm sure you will be renting not buying your living quarters during this tenure.
To the Cardinal faithful--enjoy watching one of the best home run hitters in recent time play for the Home Team. But you better watch him quickly...
He'll be gone before you know it!!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Huss hosts Sportstalk on WGNU-AM 920 each Tuesday and Thursday night, starting at 8 pm.
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