On Friday, Jim Edmonds signed a minor league deal to try and come back for one more season in an attempt to make it to 400 home runs in his career.
The gold glove center fielder was a fan favorite in St. Louis, helping lead the Cardinals to a World Series Championship in 2006.
Its only fitting that Jimmy "Ballgame" finishes his career as a Cardinal.
It sure does feel like a great story.
But did the Cardinals sign Edmonds just as a feel good story to distract us from the huge issue that continues to linger at Busch Stadium?
Is the organization trying to make us temporarily forget that they still haven't signed Albert Pujols to a long-term extension?
Sure signing Edmonds makes you feel good in your heart. But how does this deal make any sense?
First, while Edmonds isn't guaranteed a roster spot on the big league club at this point, do we really think its conceivable that Tony La Russa will cut the former all-star? Edmonds was an instrumental leader in the club house during the 2006 World Series and put up monster numbers in a Cardinal uniform.
You don't bring back a Cardinal legend to cut him.
Secondly, how does Edmonds make the Cardinals any better?
What does Edmonds provide that second year outfielder Jon Jay can not?
Sure Edmonds has his 393 career home runs and years of major league experience.
But he is injury prone, can't cover any ground, and basically is limited to facing right-handed pitching.
Jay, who also swings from the left side, showed signs in 2010 that he can be a very quality major league hitter.
Jay hit .300 in 105 games with St. Louis in 2010, belting 4 home runs and 19 doubles in 287 at bats.
Jay also showed an ability to play excellent defense in both right field and in center, providing confidence as a viable back-up to Colby Rasmus in center field and as a defensive replacement for Lance Berkman in right field.
Jay also has young legs, when combined with hustle, give this team an element of speed that is missing from the rest of this roster.
Jay isn't Tony Gwynn and he isn't even close to Edmonds in his prime, but at this point in his career, and not even looking at his upside potential, one would have to figure that Jay is a greater asset to this team in 2011 than Edmonds.
And it is not as if this roster is lacking in experience. Rasmus is the only everyday player with less than 3 years of major league experience. The bench might be a bit youthful with Jay, Tyler Greene, and Allen Craig, but the veteran leadership on this team should be able to overcome any youthful jitters that most of these players will be able to grow out of.
So what gives? Why sign Edmonds now?
General manager John Mozeliak had every opportunity to bring Edmonds back prior to last season, but declined to do so saying that Edmonds didn't fit in an already crowded outfield.
How is this year's outfield less crowded with the addition of Lance Berkman?
The only logical reason for the Cardinals to make such a popular signing is to have something positive for the brainwashed fan base to discuss.
The Albert Pujols negotiations, or lack thereof, are killing the organization from a PR perspective. With Pujols self-appointed spring training deadline looming it looks less and less likely that the Cardinals will be able to strike a deal with the best player ever to play first base in St. Louis.
So, rather than face the facts, the Cardinals rather distract.
And unfortunately, with Edmonds likely to replace Jay on the roster, it could be to the detriment of the 2011 team.
The gold glove center fielder was a fan favorite in St. Louis, helping lead the Cardinals to a World Series Championship in 2006.
Its only fitting that Jimmy "Ballgame" finishes his career as a Cardinal.
It sure does feel like a great story.
But did the Cardinals sign Edmonds just as a feel good story to distract us from the huge issue that continues to linger at Busch Stadium?
Is the organization trying to make us temporarily forget that they still haven't signed Albert Pujols to a long-term extension?
Sure signing Edmonds makes you feel good in your heart. But how does this deal make any sense?
First, while Edmonds isn't guaranteed a roster spot on the big league club at this point, do we really think its conceivable that Tony La Russa will cut the former all-star? Edmonds was an instrumental leader in the club house during the 2006 World Series and put up monster numbers in a Cardinal uniform.
You don't bring back a Cardinal legend to cut him.
Secondly, how does Edmonds make the Cardinals any better?
What does Edmonds provide that second year outfielder Jon Jay can not?
Sure Edmonds has his 393 career home runs and years of major league experience.
But he is injury prone, can't cover any ground, and basically is limited to facing right-handed pitching.
Jay, who also swings from the left side, showed signs in 2010 that he can be a very quality major league hitter.
Jay hit .300 in 105 games with St. Louis in 2010, belting 4 home runs and 19 doubles in 287 at bats.
Jay also showed an ability to play excellent defense in both right field and in center, providing confidence as a viable back-up to Colby Rasmus in center field and as a defensive replacement for Lance Berkman in right field.
Jay also has young legs, when combined with hustle, give this team an element of speed that is missing from the rest of this roster.
Jay isn't Tony Gwynn and he isn't even close to Edmonds in his prime, but at this point in his career, and not even looking at his upside potential, one would have to figure that Jay is a greater asset to this team in 2011 than Edmonds.
And it is not as if this roster is lacking in experience. Rasmus is the only everyday player with less than 3 years of major league experience. The bench might be a bit youthful with Jay, Tyler Greene, and Allen Craig, but the veteran leadership on this team should be able to overcome any youthful jitters that most of these players will be able to grow out of.
So what gives? Why sign Edmonds now?
General manager John Mozeliak had every opportunity to bring Edmonds back prior to last season, but declined to do so saying that Edmonds didn't fit in an already crowded outfield.
How is this year's outfield less crowded with the addition of Lance Berkman?
The only logical reason for the Cardinals to make such a popular signing is to have something positive for the brainwashed fan base to discuss.
The Albert Pujols negotiations, or lack thereof, are killing the organization from a PR perspective. With Pujols self-appointed spring training deadline looming it looks less and less likely that the Cardinals will be able to strike a deal with the best player ever to play first base in St. Louis.
So, rather than face the facts, the Cardinals rather distract.
And unfortunately, with Edmonds likely to replace Jay on the roster, it could be to the detriment of the 2011 team.
He took his #15 back from Jon Jay and now he will be taking his roster spot too.
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