St. Louis Cardinals: One gone, one to go to make things even better

Dr. Michael D. Miles

Apr 8, 2017; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Matt Adams (32) points to catcher Yadier Molina (4) after scoring on a double off of Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (61) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals announced just before the game on Saturday night that one of their players was being sent to Atlanta. To me, there is one more needed to go to makes things even better.

St. Louis Cardinals fans, your day to celebrate has come. No, the Cardinals did not sign prospect Luis Robert and they should have– another missed target joining the Jayson Heyward clan (although that was a good miss). Today’s celebration should come by way of the departing Matt Adams.

News broke moments before first pitch tonight that Adams was being sent to Atlanta for an unknown minor league player named Juan Yepez. Oh, and the St. Louis Cardinals also sent cash to Atlanta. In short, the Cardinals were ready to be rid of Adams.

I imagine the phone call from Atlanta went a little something like this:

Atlanta: Mr. Mozeliak, we need a first baseman; would you be interested in sending us Adams and cash?

Mozeliak: Is that all? Didn’t you hear he can play left field?

Atlanta: Oh, okay… how about we toss in a single-A player named Yepez?

Mozeliak: Now you have a deal!

Look, Adams’ time with the Cardinals was done and the birds on the bat needed an open spot for the returning Stephen Piscotty who was activated today off the disabled list. Adams’ time was finished when Matt Carpenter moved to first full-time.

Some fans on Twitter suggested that Adams was sent too early since he had fared well against tonight’s starter for San Francisco. To that I say phooey and crack open the celebratory booze! I’ve been honking for Adams’ departure for a while and today brought good news.

Let’s look quickly at what the St. Louis Cardinals got in return. Yepez is nineteen and batted .275/.309/.387 in 152 at-bats in single-A. Yepez plays first and third and is a true righty but shows solid power at the plate. He is young and could develop well.

Let me swap gears a little. While I was stoked by the news today, I would be even happier should subsequent news following announcing that Jhonny Peralta is now shipped too. And… wait for it… I’m not the only one suggesting that Peralta could be moving.

More from St Louis Cardinals News

Today, thanks to MLBTR’s report, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe poked around the idea that the Red Sox could have interest in Peralta in light of their downturn and injury-filled third base situation. He does suggest that the St. Louis Cardinals could and should pick up the majority of the $7.4M and I agree with him.

Additionally, Cafardo notes that the Red Sox GM is Dave Dombrowski who traded for Peralta when he was the GM of the Tigers. To that I say, Please, Dombrowski, pick up the phone. Heck, perhaps Mozeliak will suggest that Peralta can play left field for you too!

All-in-all, I’m very excited to watch Adams wearing the Atlanta name across his thinned chest and I believe he will do well there. In truth too, he will do better there than he would have fared the remainder of 2017 with the St. Louis Cardinals in a backup role.

Next: The 2017 Mike Leake

What do you think? Am I crazy for being excited by this trade? Let me know on Twitter and maybe the Cardinals will pull out a win tonight rather than petering out as they did last night. Go Cardinals!

Dr. Michael D. Miles

Michael joined Fansided and Redbirds Rants in 2016 and is beyond excited to write about his favorite sport and team organization: baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals (Memphis Redbirds)! Michael also works as an elementary math coach for Shelby County Schools in Memphis, TN where he started in January 2017. He holds a BFA in theatre performance from Arkansas State University (2002), a Master’s of Science in Education from Mercy College (2004), and a Doctor of Education in Leadership from Arkansas State University (2010). After years of performing as an actor in community theatres and regional theatres, Michael became a teacher in NYC teaching public school. A six-year teaching career lead to a five-year college administration career before he finally settled into gratifying work in the nonprofit sector. Having founded a nonprofit from the ground up and having assisted other nonprofits grow and expand, Michael longed for the opportunity to return to his love of education and teaching. Now, adding a co-editing gig with Redbirds Rants is an even greate