I think Wainwright goin down is good for the Rangers because it makes the possiblty of Carpenter bein available at the deadline more likely, thoughts?

Ham - I think St. Louis will be a decent team even without this great pitcher. It's probably likely that they'll be buyers at the deadline if they are in it.

Would be nice to have Carpenter though!

When is Carpenter a free agent?

Adam,

Carpenter is signed through this season with a $15 mil club option for 2012.

Gracias. So he is a legitimate mid-season target if the Cards fall out of the race. Especially if they need to free up payroll to make a run at Pujols, no?

Carpenter would make our rotation much better. And deep.

That is my line of thinking. If Wainwright finishes the season on the DL his options don't vest and by trading Carpenter the Cards could free up enough money to make at least a better offer to Pujols. With Garcia already there and Shelby Miller on the way, the Cards could decide to dump CC midseason if the Brewers and/or Reds are playing well. Wishful thinking for now.

I think we are all in agreement that we will need to get at least 1 big arm this summer to make a run at the title, right? I think we may have the most talented group of arms we have ever started a season with but it still feels like we are missing that 1 hammer that is so important in October (Lee, Lincecum, Beckett, Shilling, etc).

Is it possible CJ, Lewis or Holland can have a monster year in the neighborhood of 7-9 WAR? I think it's possible...though not likely. Can't wait to see how it all plays out...

I can only imagine what the asking price for Carpenter would be. I don't know that we could meet it without giving up a few top prospects and a major leaguer, or two.

"It’s not up to me," said Carpenter. "If the Cardinals wanted to trade me, obviously I would go. There’s no question about that. I’m not going hold back or veto or do anything like that if they’re looking to move me. I’m not concerned about, though. I’m concerned about getting myself ready to pitch at the beginning of the season."

But he also has 10-5 rights...would he be amenable to pitching in the AL, especially Arlington?