Way back in the winter of Ought-Six, we did some speculating about potential sources of power that the Dodgers could go after: first outfielders, then “Power bats for the Dodgers: Third Basemen”.
Around that same time, there were lots of rumors about a trade with St. Louis, covered in “Brad Penny to Cardinals?” Considering how Brad has stepped up this season, not to mention Jason Schmidt’s woes, it’s a good thing that particular trade didn’t happen.
The rumors are beginning to swirl again, again stirred by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, in a forum begun by columnist Bernie Miklasz: “Would you make this trade?” The subject being, Scott Rolen to LA for Wilson Betemit and either Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier.
Personally, I don’t think either of those combinations works — never mind for the Dodgers, from what I’ve read the Cardinals don’t need young outfielders so much as pitching. Which probably means (assuming the teams are actually talking) they’re asking for Chad Billingsley.
The Dodgers would be hard-pressed to say no to the Scott Rolen of, say, 2003 or 2004. His 2007 so far is easily written off as aberration.
But is Rolen version 2006 — .296/.369/.518/.887 with 22 HR batting behind Albert Pujols — really worth giving up so much, especially at over $12 million/year?
Now, if only the Florida Marlins would take Ken Rosenthal’s “advice” and talk to us:
The landscape could change dramatically if, say, the Marlins decided to trade third baseman Miguel Cabrera, 24; anything is possible, considering the team just failed in its sixth attempt in seven years to secure financing for a new ballpark.
Then again, Cabrera is under the club’s control through 2009. If the Marlins can’t keep him, they should either relocate or fold.
[...] Previously on Trolley Dodger: “Rolen to the Dodgers?” [...]