Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Onwards and Heywards

The opinions I've read are mixed on the recent trade sending Heyward to the Cardinals for Shelby Miller. I'm conflicted with how I feel about it, too. They say you can never have enough good starting pitching, so I'm down with adding another young starter to the rotation. But wasn't a failure to score runs a big part in the struggle in the 2nd half for the Braves? Heyward was one of the few guys getting on base with regularity.


I admit in my recent return to the baseball card hobby that Heyward wasn't a guy I targeted for my collection (I only have two cards of his). It isn't because I don't like him as a player. He plays great defense, he hits, and seems to be a likable guy. On my list of Braves, I'd pick his cards up before Justin Upton and others. I guess my focus has been on a few guys, and mainly Freeman from the current group, because of times like this. Player movement is just so frequent that you become invested, and then they're gone. I picked up my first card of Tommy La Stella a couple weeks back, and a few days later he's traded to the Cubs.

So from a hobby perspective the Heyward trade doesn't bother me, but as a fan of the Braves, you hate to lose guys like this. I feel like a breakout is coming for Heyward on the Cardinals, and even if he doesn't sign with them long-term, that will hurt as a Braves fan. 

What's your take on the Heyward trade, and to the Cardinals fans out there, how are you feeling?

3 comments:

  1. The big issue is Heyward's contract, from all indications. He told the team he would not give a hometown discount and intended to hit the free agent market, so they traded him a year early for two guys they'll still have when they move into the new park in 2017.

    That's at least what I've heard.

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  2. I'm okay with the trade. I think both teams will benefit, especially if Heyward decides to stay in St. Louis long term. Shelby Miller is a terrific pitcher and under team control for awhile yet, so I think the deal will work out well for the other side.

    Anyway, this is unrelated, but I put you down for the Pacers in my Basketball Card Club thing. Send me an email (kerrybiggs at comcast dot net) with your mailing address when you get a chance.

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  3. As a Cardinals fan I am good with the move as long the team is able to sign Heyward long term. They gave up a lot of controllable arms (salary wise) in the deal. I guess the Cardinals have a good track record with these sorts of moves, but still makes me nervous.

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