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(3.24.98) |
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(3.24.98) |
I must have missed the announcement.
Just when did the Baseball Cardinals become the Hockey Blues of Old??
Back in December, 1995, the team signed $35 Million worth of Free Agents in one day. The result: a 1996 National League Division Championship and post season play.
Last year in late July, the team rolled the dice by signing then Free Agent Mark Mc Gwire. The team gambled that the fans and the city would win the heart of Big Mac.
The Result: Much to shock of many (especially me), the gamble worked. McGwire signed a three year deal last September, and now simply owns this city as its #1 Sports Celebrity. Just like Secretariat in the Belmont, Number 2 is miles away from Big Mac on this list.
Much like the Blues in signing a free agent against the wishes of other owners, the Red Birds became rebels of their own by drafting the self-promoting, but highly talented outfielder J D Drew.
Drew was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies last year as the Number Two selection in the entire draft. He and his mouthpiece, Scott Boras, made it clear to the Phillies that any contract offer other than theirs would be unacceptable.
When the Phils wouldn't bite, Drew headed to the Northern League while Boras headed for a Judge, looking for an injunction to declare his client as a free agent.
Subsequently Philadelphia ran out of time. They lost the rights to Drew. The self proclaimed "next Mickey Mantle" re-entered the draft and was chosen by the Cardinals with Pick #5.
Welcome to St. Louis, guys!!
Scott Boras made it clear on draft day that his client's contract demands have not changed. They would be willing to wait as long as it takes to get J D 's fair market value and hinted that once again, litigation is a possibility if things do not go their way.
(By the way, I wonder what J D Drew's voice sounds like?)
Although the Drew/Boras team would be willing to play the waiting game, the Cardinals time table is much shorter.
It is obvious that if Drew signs, he will not come to the Gateway City cheaply. Hence, the Cardinal will not want all that money sitting on the bench. Double hence, Drew will be playing in the field for the Red Birds somewhere. But where??
Let's see: Ray Lankford has just signed a large multi-year contract, so he isn't going anywhere. The Cardinals would love to move Ron Gant, but the demand for a .201 hitting outfielder who makes $5Million for 1998-1999-2000 is not very great.
Can Drew play first base? Oh, never mind!!
That brings us to Brian Jordan. He is one of the leaders in the National League in hitting. He is also one of the leaders of this club on and off the field. He is arguably the team's best defensive outfielder.
He is also a free agent at the end of the season.
Unless Bill Gates decides to become a Cardinal investor, it seems logical that IF Drew is signed, he and Jordan can not co-exist in the locker room or on the balance sheet.
The Red Birds have to make a decision: will it be the unproven highly publicized Drew or the proven but often injured Jordan in the long term for the team??
But unfortunately for the Home Team, the clock is running. The Major League trading deadline is July 31. If the Cardinals do not think that they can re-sign Jordan and if they honestly believe in late July post season play is simply a pipe dream, then trading #3 and signing Mr. Drew may be the best option.
This strategy would provide at least prospects for the Cardinals in losing Jordan.
But, this strategy would also put the Red Birds' fortunes at the mercy of Scott Boras.
Meanwhile, the re-signing of Jordan won't be easy. He and his agent obviously knows what Gant and Lankford are being paid. Don't be surprised that if the contract matter is not resolved in a month, Jordan may force the issue. You may see #3 over at Rams Park later this summer dropping more than subtle hints about missing professional football.
But if Jordan does re-up with the Cardinals, what happens to Drew? Can this team afford to possibly lose the Number five selection in the entire draft??
We will know shortly because the sand is running in the hour glass.
Now we know how the hockey fans felt when the Blues grabbed the summer headlines with such bold personnel decisions.
By the way, do you think Scott Stevens could become a back-up catcher?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mike Huss hosts "Sportstalk" on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 pm, on WGNU AM-920, St. Louis.