The St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have agreed to a four player deal. The deal includes All-Star third baseman David Freese and relief pitcher Fernando Salas to the Angels for centerfielder Peter Bourjos, and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk. David Freese was an All-Star in 2012, after showing what he can do when healthy in 2011 and coming through big in the 2011 postseason, winning both NLCS MVP and World Series MVP. After, having a great season in 2012, Freese's numbers were down in 2013. Why were Freese's numbers down? Maybe no one knows, but people can always guess or assume things. But, I think I might know of a big reason why his numbers were down. Mark McGwire leaving to become the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach. Freese seemed like he did well with McGwire as his hitting coach, and at times it can be hard for players to fully adjust to a new hitting coach or even change. Freese could get a bounce back year on the Angels, if he can stay healthy. The Angels have one of the best hitting coaches around in Don Baylor, who gets lots of credit for helping Andres Galarraga re-find his career in 1993 playing for the Colorado Rockies.
Fernando Salas filled in as closer for a bit during the 2011 Cardinals season. He finished the season with 24 saves, and an era of 2.28. After 2011, Salas never seemed to pick up where he left off in 011.
What do the Cardinals have in both Bourjos and Grichuk you might ask? Well, both players could be interesting. Pete Bourjos is one of the best defensivie center fielders, when he's healthy. Even though, he hasn't been fully healthy since 2011. But, he tied Austin Jackson for the most triples in the American league in 2011, with 11 triples. He ended up hitting 271, with 72 runs scored, 136 hits, 26 doubles, 12 home runs, 43 rbi's, and 22 stolen bases. During the 2011 season, he ranked 5th for runs saved among MLB centerfielders. So far, for his career his has 41 stolen bases.
As for Randal Grichuk, he was the Angels no.2 top prospect. He seems to be best as a corner OF in the future. He was drafted in 2009, one spot a head of Angels CF Mike Trout. Grichuk seems like he's a work in progress at 22, with power. The downside is he strikesout a lot, so he'll need to try to imrpove on the strikeouts somewhat. Overall, he has hit 284 in the minors with 61 home runs, 259 rbi's in 433 games played.
If both Bourjos and Freese can be healthy, they both help improve both teams. Maybe both players just needed new teams. Bourjos will be coming off of wrist surgery. As of right now, it looks like Matt Carpenter will be playing his normal position thirdbase, instead of second base. And Kolten Wong could be starting at second base. Yes, Wong could be a question mark at scond base, because he hasn't done much to show that he can handle the MLB. But, the Cardinals seem to do well with question marks surrounding them. Again, it looks like this trade could help both teams. The Angels needed a thrid baseman. Now the Cardinals need to go find a starting shortstop.
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