St. Louis Cardinals: Do not deal away Dakota Hudson

There are reports saying the St. Louis Cardinals are expressing interest in Christian Yelich and Marcell Ozuna.

The same reports included the starting price tag.  It is the St. Louis Cardinals’ first round pick back in 2016, Dakota Hudson.  Rumor has it the Marlins are sending scouts to watch him perform in the minors.

I have one reaction in response to that news. DO NOT DO IT.

It is not a good move to trade a first rounder for just anything, especially for a player who could just be having a career year. It’s not even a good move for a player just coming off of one either.  Both of those statements describe the Marlins’ outfielders.

Marcell Ozuna is a solid player and a career .273 hitter, but he has not established himself as a player worth a developing first round talent.  It doesn’t matter if he is putting together a year where his batting average is .317.

His 2017 WAR currently sits at 3.7, which puts him on a pace to finish around 7.4 on the year, surpassing his prior career high 4.5.  This begs the question, is this a breakout year or just a career one?  I say career year.

Related Story: Interest in Ozuna, Yelich

The outfield ally for Ozuna in Miami is also under consideration.  However, Christian Yelich is not as impressive this year as he has been in previous years.  His average is only slightly lower than it was last season, but his power numbers are not quite there.  The twenty-one home runs from last season are looking more like sixteen this year.

Yelich’s strikeouts are on pace for a career high as well.  Like Ozuna, Yelich is a solid ball player.  There would only be an outcry from me if they secure either player for the right price.  Hudson is not even close to the right guy to give away.

In addition to the status of first round draft pick, Hudson has the talent to last.  MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the number nine prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals.  His profile may say he is suited for a career in relief, but his numbers tell a different story.

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His first season as a professional was shortened due to over use at the college level earlier that year.

He gave up only a run though.  This year is much of the same.  Hudson has started sixteen games in double-A, translating to 100 innings.

He is posting a sub-three ERA on the season.

Granted, there is still some growing to do.  His fastball can touch 97, but the strikeout numbers are not there.  He has only sixty-nine on the year.  The slider can also be used as an out pitch, however it seems he goes more for contact than swing and miss.

The numbers cannot be ignored.  A player who jumps into double-A with little professional experience, who can have a 2.77 ERA with not a lot of walks and only five homers given up on year, is someone worth keeping.  He looks like he will turn into a top of the rotation arm.  Plus, at six-foot five inches tall, he has the frame to be dominant.

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I agree, the St. Louis Cardinals need to make a move soon, but they also need to preserve their future.  Hudson could very well develop into their ace.  He is certainly pitching like he wants to.  So John Mozeliak, go get talent, but do not get rid of Dakota Hudson to do it.