Jason Kipnis ‏@TheJK_Kid 18m

The business side of this game can suck sometimes

Kenm says the same thing whoever we deal away or whoever we get. This is trade of a pitcher who is a free agent at the end of the season, has had a terrible year (one of only two AL pitchers worse than Ubaldo) and with injury issues, too.

The player we got is a solid prospect at a position we are weak at.

Doesn't look one bit like a white flag to me. We still have the same 3 young pitchers leading the rotation with a variety of veterans behind them.



James Ramsey, cf
Age: 24
James Ramsey (Photo by Mike Janes).James Ramsey (Photo by Mike Janes)
A first-round pick out of Florida State in 2012, Ramsey moved quickly through the system before running into a logjam this year. After hitting 15 home runs at Double-A Springfield last year and making it briefly to Triple-A Memphis, Ramsey returned to Double-A this year because the Cardinals had four legitimate prospects sharing time in the Memphis outfield.

“They instilled a lot of confidence in me. They told me, ‘You’re going to Double-A, but we’re going to treat you just like you’re going to Triple-A,’ ” Ramsey told Baseball America at the Futures Game. “I set goals for myself to have a relentless attitude every day, to come to the park ready to refine my game.”

To his credit, Ramsey hasn’t sulked at the assignment and instead responded by showing significant improvement. He’s hitting for higher average this year, has cut his strikeout rate and increased his power. The Cardinals’ No. 7 prospect in our midseason update, he is a tick above-average center fielder defensively with enough arm to play right field if needed. He has more power than the average center fielder and a chance to be an average hitter. For the Indians, he has more impact potential than fellow center fielder Tyler Naquin, is just as good a runner and is similar defensively. While a surplus piece for a Cardinals club with plenty of outfield options, he immediately becomes one of the best position prospects in the Indians farm system.

As the following makes clear, if Masty has more luck with the Cards it could have more to do with the NL than with him:

Masterson is a low-risk gamble for the Cardinals. He’ll pitch in the less-stressful National League and in a park decidedly less homer-friendly than Progressive Field. The sinkballer is a free agent after the season, meaning the Cardinals are not inheriting an onerous long-term deal. Just three pitchers—Derek Lowe, Tim Hudson and Jake Westbrook—have a higher groundball percentage than Masterson (57.2 percent) the past five seasons

Westbrook deal to the Cards for some AA pitcher named Kluber turns out to have been a great deal. And Masterson is doing much less for us this season than Westbrook was when he dealt him. Maybe he's simply a NL-er finally getting to where he belongs.

Preseason prospect report on Ramsay:

8. James Ramsey, of

James Ramsey
James Ramsey (Photo by Bill Mitchell)

Born: Dec. 19, 1989. B-T: L-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 190. Drafted: Florida State, 2012 (1st round). Signed by: Rob Fidler.

Background: The descriptions of Ramsey continue to trend more toward his character and constitution than his tools and production, but he brought them more in synch with a superb first full pro season. Ramsey’s reputation for leadership, charisma and his Christian faith preceded him into pro ball. He was the first Florida State player to wear a “C” on his jersey and was a Rhodes Scholar nominee.

Scouting Report: Scouts call Ramsey a gamer with great makeup, while others don’t see a standout tool. He doesn’t have a glaring weakness, however, grading out at least average across the board. Ramsey proved adept in center field with improved instincts, above-average closing speed, smart range and a solid-average arm. He took advantage of Double-A Springfield’s comfy home park and hit 15 homers but doesn’t project for that kind of power. Rather, he’s a gap hitter who will turn singles into doubles thanks to his above-average speed. His strike-zone discipline improved in 2013, but his 108 strikeouts in 347 at-bats at Double-A speak to the adjustments in store.

The Future: The Cardinals love Ramsey’s intangibles and will give him the chance to earn the center field job at Triple-A Memphis, with the majors on deck.

2013 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Palm Beach (Hi A) .361 .481 .557 61 17 22 5 2 1 7 12 12 1
Springfield (AA) .251 .356 .424 347 61 87 11 2 15 44 53 108 8
Memphis (AAA) .000 .000 .000 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

OK, so some of you will make fun of the "makeup" and the "intangibles". He'll give Naquin a run for his money. I couldn't see Masterson getting us anything more based on his own shortcomings. We probably could have traded him for a major league OF who's having as bad a year as Masty was.;

joez wrote:By trading Masterson, don't we get yet another compensatory draft pick next season?

We like picks. Have we made any of them count?

Westbrook deal to the Cards for some AA pitcher named Kluber turns out to have been a great deal.

Understatement of the century civ! Say what you will, but the addition of Kluber in that deal, Santana for Blake, Brantley in the CC deal have been steals of guys in the lower minors at the time. You're not always gonna hit on those, but those 3 guys are cornerstones of this team. And don't forget Asdrubal forever ago from Seattle.

BTW, for those who did not watch Masterson on video earlier, he did mention learning to pitch with decreased velocity. Not sure why he has accepted his decreased velocity as fact, but you have to wonder about the health of his arm. Not like he has a lot of innings under his belt.

In another video, Antonetti pretty much hinted they would not have offered a qualifying offer to Masterson at the end of the season.

So no draft pick for him.

I think we finally had a couple of nice drafts the last two years, Ken. It took a long time but someone finally figured this thing out.

Jon Morosi ‏@jonmorosi
Sources: Indians have discussed Asdrubal Cabrera with Blue Jays and Giants this week. Not clear if either deal is viable now.

Team is wearing high socks tonight in honor of Masterson.

Maybe they can get on a hot streak like '97

I would say there is a very good chance that Masterson signs back with the Tribe next year.

rusty2 wrote:I would say there is a very good chance that Masterson signs back with the Tribe next year.

As long as Francona is the manager, I agree.

I agree as well. As long as he doesn't "light it up" in St Louis. If he does that, he prices himself out of their range.

That said, I think it's unlikely. Though he will get an "NL" bump.