Bowden talks Taveras for Profar

Former general manager Jim Bowden, now a radio host on Sirius XM, recently wrote about the possibility of the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers swapping Oscar Taveras and Jurickson Profar.
March 11, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Oscar Taveras (87) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Image Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
I’m completely mixed on the idea. On the one hand, I want to see Taveras in right field next season. On the other hand, it would be the solution to the Matt Adams problem. Adams is an infielder by trade and would not be able to play in the outside. The only answer to the Adams problem would be bringing the Designated Hitter to the National League full time. That idea, however, is not one that sits well with baseball purists.

The current shortstop for the Cardinals is Pete Kozma. He had a red hot start to the season, which is still young, but has since cooled down at the plate this weekend, dropping his batting average from .297 to .268 in a matter of days.

Profar is going to have a future in the majors, no matter where he ends up. It just won’t be with the Texas Rangers because of a guy named Elvis Andrus. Andrus was signed to a long term deal (eight-year, $120 million contract extension)–thus, the blocking of Profar in the Rangers system. With Ian Kinsler getting a five-year, $75 million deal last season, he’s not going anywhere either.

In some ways, I understand why this move makes sense. The Cardinals need a shortstop. The Rangers need an outfielder. Matt Adams needs playing time. Allen Craig is able to play the corner outfield and would be able to slide into right field if this were to come to fruition.

What does John Mozeliak think of the situation?

"When I asked Mozeliak what he would say if Daniels offered him Profar for Taveras, he said: “That would be the language I would want to hear. It would be something I would have to consider.” He then danced around the question and never really answered it directly. Likewise, when I asked Daniels if he would trade Profar for Taveras, he told me that he would prefer to “artfully avoid the question.”"

Obviously, they would have to consider it.

Bowman reminds readers that “neither Daniels nor Mozeliak has made an offer or even talked about the prospect of a Profar-for-Taveras trade with each other.”

Allen Craig just signed a contract extension with the Cardinals so he’ll be in the Cardinals lineup for quite some time. However, he can play both first base and the outfield. This is a positive for the Cardinals.

"In St. Louis, Profar would be a monster upgrade over Pete Kozma, who despite his fast start doesn’t profile to be close to the player that Profar will become. With Carlos Beltran potentially departing via free agency at season’s end, the Cardinals could move Allen Craig from first base to right field, which would open up first base for Matt Adams. Profar then solidifies the middle infield and gives them arguably their best all-around shortstop since Ozzie Smith."

Bowden describes Profar as “a middle infielder who should hit .300 with 15 to 20 home runs and plays great defense” with “off-the-charts makeup that will definitely be a factor in his long career.”

What does Bowden say about Taveras? He describes him as a player who can “flat-out rake with power and has elite bat speed.”

I’m willing to give Kozma the benefit of the doubt but I would not be surprised to see Mozeliak make a move by the All-Star break.