Trading Colby Rasmus?!?

If you ask me, now is not the time to trade away one of our most coveted prospects just to get the D-Train. I don't want to even think about Jim Edmonds' eventual retirement from baseball but Colby Rasmus is likely to be groomed as his replacement as the centerfielder.

The position is of heightened interest because of who mans it at the major-league level. Jim Edmonds, an annual Gold Glove winner and power threat, is in the final year of his contract, and the Cardinals hold a $10 million option for 2007. Edmonds, 36, has been coy about his future, joking about his age and his batting average.

He also has expressed a desire to have his option exercised

That could put the Cardinals in the position of needing a center fielder two, three or four seasons from now. There's little chance of replacing Edmonds' combination of glove and pop, but there's talent incubating in the minors. An ideal and cost-effective solution would be that the center fielder emerge from the organization.[...]

ON DECK
Three center fielders in the Cardinals' farm system are at various stages of development in their careers. Some info on the threesome:

SKIP SCHUMAKER
Class AAA Memphis
Telling stats: .301 BA, 30 R, 7 SB

Opened season with Cardinals; a talented fielder who can play all three outfield positions exceptionally well. Average is good, but few walks means he needs to hit to reach.

REID GORECKI
Class AA Springfield
Telling stats: .239 BA, 14 HR, 42 RBIs, 11 SB

Currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, Gorecki had a sizzling start in his second shot at Class AA ball. His average has plummeted over the past month. He's a gifted fielder.

COLBY RASMUS
High Class A Palm Beach
Telling stats: .296 BA, 12 HR, 55 RBIs, 19 SB

Club's first pick in 2005 draft has already climbed a rung this season from Quad Cities to Palm Beach. His defensive instincts are developing and his power is surprising. Has tremendous potential as all-around player.

If pitching is what Walt Jocketty wants, then why did we even pick up Jeff Weaver? Reyes is likely a temporary solution in the rotation until Mulder comes back to what he used to be.