28
2009
Mark DeRosa To The Cardinals For A Relief Prospect
An article by 
I guess this is a great example of that old adage, “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”.
The Cleveland Indians have traded infielder Mark DeRosa to the St. Louis Cardinals for reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named later.
DeRosa was hitting .270 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs this season while playing several infield positions and outfield.
DeRosa goes from the Indians, who have the worst record in the American League, to the Cardinals, who are tied with Milwaukee for first place in the National League Central.
DeRosa was all smiles when they broke the news to him.
“You want to hit the rewind button here,” DeRosa said of the Indians’ disappointing season. “From a selfish standpoint, I get to battle for a division title again and I’m in a good position with a great team.”
After helping the Cubs win the division last season, he will now attempt to do the same for St. Louis while filling in at a number of positions.
Why the Mets didn’t make a move on DeRosa is a mystery to me. Especially if the major component to the deal was a reliever prospect like Perez, who turns 24, on July 1, and had a 4.18 ERA in 29 appearances.
Surely, DeRosa could have been ours with a prospect like Eddie Kunz who is thriving in the minors or Bobby Parnell who throws even harder than Perez.
No team needed a utility infielder like Mark DeRosa more than the Mets did.
It’s a terrible missed opportunity, especially when you consider how little the Cardinals had to give up for a chance to strengthen their post season hopes.
It’s a winning move that will make a huge impact, just as the Manny Ramirez trade did last year for the Dodgers.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
Went to my first Mets game, a Mayors Trophy game at Shea, in '73. We beat the Yankees 8-4 and I was hooked. I marched in two Banner Day parades, and before the Grand Slam single, there was the "Hendu Can Do" grand slam - I was there. I've collected Mets memorabilia all my life and started Mets Merized Online to feed my addiction.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 19 | .578 | 0.5 |
| Mets | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Marlins | 24 | 20 | .545 | 2.0 |
| Phillies | 22 | 23 | .489 | 4.5 |
Last updated: 05/24/2012
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What the hell -__-
Chris Perez and a player to be named later for a guy who had 100 RBIs last year and can play any infield position and the outfield.
I’m not into Parnell like many METS FANS are buy I would think twice about trading him for three months of DErOSA.
Great job in letting this guy slip away, Mets!! Keep up the good work in improving this depleted team!!
This shows us just how hard Omar is pounding the phones. NOT! Let’s quit all the talk about potential trades. They are simply not going to make any. This trade was a farce. We just finished beating up on Chris Perez last Wednesday night. Now the Cards pick up DeRosa for HIM! Apparently this would have been a simple trade for us to make. The only fans more upset than Mets fans about this are Cubs fans. They’re pukeing all over the Windy City about this. If you go to Chicago make sure you are standing upwind.
Your reasoning process is faulty…do YOU know for sure that Omar is not pouding the phones looking for a trade. And according to you just because the Mets pounded on a pitcher means that he is no good and not worthy of being traded and that the trade is a farce
The track record pretty much demonstates it. The team is busted. No new plyer has been brought in from another team. The Cards just made a trade for a player that would be a perfect fit with the Mets. The Cards paid very little in exchange. Sure looks like we’re not trying hard. On top of that, Minaya himself has said there is no trade to be forthcoming. So guess what, he’s not trying. Not a tough conclusion to arrive at.
Omar has never said no deal is forthcoming. He has stated numerous times he always looking for help but hes not going to pull the trigger on a trade if he doesnt deem it reasonable. But just because the mets need and want help doesnt mean they will automatically get it. it takes two teams to make a trade.From what I have been reading in the media, Omar is in the market for some some bats. Peter Gammons just said tosaysthe Mets are looking at Mark tehan and every rumor page has the mets interested in an available player on the market. Just because Omar doesnt pull the trigger on a deal doesnt mean he isnt trying. Whos to say that Omar isnt putting deals out there and no one is biting. Maybe the Indians valued perez more than parnell. Maybe teams are asking too much. Just because the Cards made a trade for someone who would fit well with the mets doesnt mean Omar is working the phones. To say its not a tough conclusion to arrive at is stupid. But to be honest we arent in the mets front office so we will never know what is really going on. But my gut feeling is Omar is trying but just hasnt seen or has been offered something he thinks is reasonable
Mets GM Omar Minaya talked with reporters before yesterday’s game, and discussed his effort to improve the roster through trade.
Minaya, when asked if there is a deal available that could make a significant impact, said:
“That deal is not there right now… I think there are 22, 24 teams that are within playoff striking distance. So, there’s not a lot of guys… The pool is not that big.”
source: MetsBlog
OK Shanty, that’s a more reasonable look at it. It just seemed to me that with DeRosa’s flexibility he is a good match to the Mets needs since he can be plugged into so many holes. Of course, if the price is too high, the deal can’t be made. In my estimation, the deal for Perez indicated the price was not high and we should have been able to do better. I’ll give Minaya the benefit of the doubt, but eventually this teamm will need reinforcements especially if some of the injured do not return this season. I still see DeRosa as having been a good match for this season even as a rental player.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
MASK, WHATEVER RESPECT I’VE GARNERED FOR YOUR MLB IQ HAS QUICKLY WANED, IF U BELIEVE THE PRICE FOR De ROSA WOULD BE THE SAME FROM CUBS OR METS. CARDS LIKELY GOT DISCOUNT BECAUSE HIGHER DEMANDS WERE REJECVTED BY NY & CUBS. MOST LIKELY A PKG OF 2 FROM F-MART,NEISE,PARNELL,PELFREY WOULD’VE BEEN AN INITIAL DEMAND IF I WERE SHAPIRO, WHY NOT? WHAT’S THERE TO LOSE?
IN ADDITION THE PICKING UP OF ANY OF THESE STOPGAPS DiROSA,HUFF,DUNN WOULD IMMEDIATLY PRECLUDE OMAR’S ABILITY TO ADD A FRONTLINE SP SHOULD ONE BECOME AVAILABLE JUST TO ACT OUT OF PANIC IS AS UNPROFESSIONAL AS A GM CAN GET. SAY, YOU ADD ONE OF THOSE AFOREMENTIONED 3 WHERE DO THRY GO WHEN ROSTER IS REPLENISHED BY RETURNS? THE BENCH? OMAR HAS ONLY 12M TO SPEND TO STAY BELOW LUXURY TAX LINE FOR THIS YR.
OF ALL THE OPTIONS I’VE EVER READ AS AVAILABLE:
DeROSA – 5.5M
DUNN – 8.0M
HUFF – 8.0M
HOLLIDAY- 13.5M (NOT HAPPENING DUE TO COST)
WHAT’S LEFT IS A PITTANCE IN MLB.
THE OPENNING DAY ROSTER & THE BUFFER OF 12M WAS IN NEED OF MIDSEASON ACQUISITION FOR ROTATION. SABOTAUGING THAT BECAUSE YOU PROJECT NON-HOT COMPETITITORS HEATING UP IS NOT SMART. STAYING > 10GB BY 8/1 HAS TO BE THE GOAL & CAN BE MADE UP IF PLAYED SMART.
I wouldn’t have given up Parnell or Kunz for him, but it seems like both of those players are better than Perez
To get DeRosa the cardinals insisted on Parnell. I think its a good move to hold onto Parnell. He has to much upside. The Mets just cant unload prospects and deplete the future of the team to plug holes on an injury ridden team this year. DeRosa would definitly help this team but he isnt the answer to turn the tide of the season. Face it…there are too many injuries and holes to plug. If Omar did make the deal and a few years down the line the mets needed someone like Parnell in the bullpen and say hes thriving in Cleveland or somewhere else the same people bitching he didnt trade Parnell would be bitching that he traded him. Yes there are injuries and the mets need players….but dont trade away the future and make reaction trades to plug some holes. Face it Met fans its going to be a long season. But dont trade away the future and prospects because of it.
Your reasoning process is faulty. First, how do YOU know the cards demanded Parnell! Secondly, even if that is the case, it would still be a good deal. DeRosa is a proven performer. Parnell is still a prospect. Some prospects mature, others do not. Parnell certainly has great promise. But will that promise be realized in the Big Leagues? There is no way to know. He is currently essentially a one pitch pitcher. Once the teams get his number, they will be zeroing in on him, and we may have started to see that already. To be a long term success, he should develop additional pitches. That may happen, or it may not. Only time will tell. In the meantime, I would trade for the known quantity. Don’t get me wrong, I like Bobby Parnell and I would not trade him unless it was for quality. I think DeRosa is the type of player that makes the deal. Finally, if the Cards didn’t actually demand Parnell, there are plenty of other offers to make.
“It’s a terrible missed opportunity, especially when you consider how little the Cardinals had to give up for a chance to strengthen their post season hopes”- Joe D
Also the cardinals didnt give up just a little. Chris Perez was considered the top pitching prospect in the Cardinals organinzation and was considered the closer of the future. Sure his numbers this season arent stellar but he is thier top pitching prospect and is still developing so dont say they gave up a little
Again, you are projecting the development of a young player into the future. It might happen or it might not. Chris Perez showed nothing against the Mets just a few days ago. Will he be great in the future? Maybe, maybe not. However, we do know what DeRosa is today. I would make the deal.
My reasoning is not faulty.The main point I am making is that DeRosa is not going to turn around this team. The Mets have too many holes to fill and I highly doubt that Omar can pull off enough deals to fill all of them while being able to keep some prospects in the minors. I dont know for sure the Cardinals demanded Parnell but that is what alot of the media outlets are saying. And how about your reasoning…is DeRosa a sure bet to continue his production? There are many “proven players” who are having off years. Whos to say his powers numbers are going to continue and his going to continue to hit around .270 playing a majority of games in Citi Field…do YOU know this for a fact. As with any trade there is risk and reward especially when dealing with prospects. DeRosa is a proven player but he alone wont turn this season around
Plus trading prospects for a rental player, which DeRosa is, is very risky in the long run. Just look at the Xavier Nady deal. A rental player is good when you have one or two injuries or holes to fill…the mets have way too many holes to fill and way to many injuries. I mean no one knows for sure when Reyes will be back, Beltran will be back or if Delgado will even be back this season
The rental player argument is the one argument that possibly weakens the value of the trade. But even if it is just to improve this season it is better than doing nothing. On top of that you admit that it is unknown when or if many of the injured players will return. That supports the argument for acquiring a player now. Otherwise you are essentially throwing in the towel on this season. I don’t believe this season is beyond hope, but you apparently have given up already.
You just defeated yuor own argument. There ARE plenty of holes in the team. That is the very reason that it is time to beginning plugging them. Start with just one. That would be better than no change at all.
Im not giving up on the season by any means.I see your point your trying to make but I personally am against trading prospects for rental players. And by plugging just one hole and trading away someone who can benifit the team in the long run and has great upside like parnell, just to “change” something instead of “making no change at all” to me is stupid. The way I see it is the Mets need to make multiple moves to try and fill all thier holes. That means that they would probably have to unload a good deal of prospects. Also there are so many other teams in contention and other teams dealing with injuries that its going to be hard to pull off multiple deals. Im not against trading away prospects but the deal has to be good. To me Parnell, a young arm who throws in the high 90′s and has reached 100 mph, is too much for a rental player like DeRosa.
This is like the worst cast scenario just happened last night and the Cards will have a protection behind Pujols. Omar is blind to the team’s need right now.
OMFG! Is all I have to say. I doubt Omar is thinking long term at this point – at best he has one more year (getting a pass because of injuries and the economy) from ownership. Missing out on Derosa who could greatly help fill gaps while we wait for stars to return is unbelievable!
I’m flabbergasted. Bobby Parnell? I would have traded him in a second – but I’m sure his recent troubles have devalued his status. Wish we could know what Cleveland offered us (or if we were even in the mix)…
Whatever the case – could the timing on this be more frustrating for Met fans???
I agree about Parnell’s recent struggles but Chris Perez was even worse and had a 7.88 ERA in June and he isn’t fooling anyone anymore.
Perez has averaged over a strikeout per inning throughout his entire minor league career and in his brief time last and this year. He also sports a 2.0 K/BB ratio this year which is a good indicator of future success.
Parnell doesn’t possess the same kind of dominance based on his major and minor league career so far. He’ll need an additional plus pitch or improved control to develop further. (and I’m not so sure he should be in the majors trying to figure this out)
While this is clearly a salary dump by the Indians in a lost season – they went with a high upside pitcher – who was being groomed as the closer of the future for the Cards. The Cards felt that with Franklin surprisingly doing an effective job in closing and with Motte as a possible upside candidate that Perez was expendable.
Even if Parnell were on the table – I would’ve gone with Perez if I were the Indians GM. But again – we have no idea what kind of offers were really on the table. The only speculation I see on the internet is for prospects like Havens, Holt, and Mejia. And I’m not sure I would be willing to give up a guy liike that… (definitely NOT Holt).
Great point
All you guys who thought trading Parnell for derosa are nuts. You don’t trade a guy who is young and throws high 90s for an aging utility guy who will be a free agent. You just don’t. End of discussion.
Finally someone else with some sense
Don’t worry…I’m sure the Mets will sign Derosa to a 4-year – $40 million deal after the season. After all, he will be 35 next season and has only ever played over 140 games in a season twice, while reaching 20 homeruns once.
For the record. I wouldn’t have traded Parnell for a rental. Maybe Kunz. But not Parnell. Parnell and Chris Perez are almost of the same value, but still. Kunz and a player to be named later. If you told me that would do it, i would’ve done it.
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If the team from the Bronx had the same issues as the METS-they would have already gotten the best player or players available. Not the MUTS!!
They do not do those things-that is why we are the second best team in NY.Also do you think mid-july when the DL personnel return the Mets will magically become the best team in baseball? Hardly and I don’t buy the argument we need to keep positions open for the returnees-it is going to be spring training all over again. And by the way the METS will need a first baseman,power hitting outfielder,and starting pitching next year. The problem with NY is the media overrates the players. Mediocre players become superstars.