Going into tonight, which two players should the Cardinals keep who the got in trades in July? Edwin Jackson or Rafael Furcal or both? Edwin Jackson keeps bouncing from team to team, he came up in his early 20's as a top pitching prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers ended up using all of his options, he ended up being traded to the Tampa Rays. And he had to learn on the fly when he was a Ray, thanks to the Dodgers using up all of his options. His best season in the MLB career so far was 2009 with the Detroit Tigers, when he pitched 33 games that season, while starting all 33. Jackson went 13-9 with a career era of 3.62 in 214 innings pitched, 161 strikeouts and 70 walks. He had a whip of 1.26. He then was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 09 season, in 2010 he threw a no hitter as a D'Back. And was later traded that season to the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox then traded him in a three way deal in 2011 to the St. Louis Cardinals. So, he's always had the talent to be a good pitcher, and he's still only 27 years old. The Cardinals had always liked him a lot over his career also, I think their current pitching coach Dave Duncan sees him as a younger Dave Stewart (who was a pitcher who didn't really learn how to pitch until he was 30). Going into tonight game, Jackson has started 5 games for the Cardinals and is 2-2 in 32.2 innings, with 22 strikeouts and 9 walks, with a whip of 1.52.
I've liked him a lot so far, he seems like he can be good with help. It seems like all he pretty much needs to do is learn to be a pitcher, and not get high in pitch counts right away. And when he's on his game he can battle. If I were the Cardinals, I'd keep him if he wants to comeback on a two or three year deal. Then trade off starting pitcher Jake Westbrook, who has been up and down this season.
Now on to Rafael Furcal, the Cardinals needed a shortstop and picked up Furcal for nothing from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pretty much because the Cardinals needed a better defensive shortstop than Ryan Theriot. Furcal has done that so far, playing in 20 games and starting in 19 for the Cardinals, he's made only two errors and has showed that his defense is still there. He's also a great lead off batter when, healthy, even though he's been injured the past few seasons. Going into tonights game, he's batting .214 as a Cardinals, which as a Dodger he was batting .197. The Cardinals hold a $12 million option on Furcal. As of right now would you bring him back? I would, if he's willing to accept less money. A lot because of his defense, and he can get on base if healthy. And maybe in 2012, Furcal will be healthy.
That's all for now.
