Good start for Boggs

I mentioned something about Fuentes a few weeks go.  I think he'd be a great addition to the bullpen.  Like everyone else, he'll have a bad inning or two every once in a while, but he's nasty enough that most of the rest of the time, he's about as much a shutdown pitcher as you'll be able to find.

Getting Holliday would indeed be a dream.  You could pretty much wave goodbye to Rasmus (and others) in that situation, but Holliday is probably one of the few players I would consider worth it.  He's signed through the end of next season, so the team's control would be pretty nice.  I shudder to think of the contract he'd get after that, though.  Still, it's fun to ask "what if."  Like, what if Pujols and Holliday hit back-to-back for the next several seasons?

Yeah, that one bad trade (Haren for Mulder) is still haunting us.  It was all about getting that one 'dominant' starter to take us through the World Series in 2005.  Ironically, we won in 2006 without Mulder., and didn't even get to the show in 2005 with him.  Arguably the worst trade the Cards have made since the Andy Van Slyke booboo in 1985.

The good news is that we will be rid of Mulder's high salary come the end of September, or God willing, the end of October.  That is a very nice piece of change we will have to work with in the free agent market.

It won't land a Johan Santana, but we will get a very nice pitcher for that kind of money.

I agree we probably won't be seeing a blockbuster this season.  From the time Mozeliak took over, it's seemed like the new regime is very patient, and not prone to jumping at the "hot" trade commodities available.  Granted, the regime is still in its first season, but it would seem out of character for them to go after a guy who will be looking for a $20 Mil/Yr. contract in the next offseason.  Remember, this front office let Edmonds, Rolen and other higher-paid guys go in favor of a youth movement.  It's worked out well to this point, and I can't see them abandoning that approach right now.