his bb and k rate are horrendous this season. he has a war of 1.0 and he's the team's second worst player next to david murphy. do you think he'll be sent down? he's extremely frustrating to watch.

No.

Check out his RBI and Home Runs, for the last month, against the WHOLE MLB field.
Then come back and tell us again... why he should be traded. He's always been streaky.

Bang for the buck? That guy is a bargain. He is not getting younger, and tends to have his ham-string injuries often. But, he is very productive. Look at others with his numbers, and then compare salaries. I think we do need a stud 4th outfielder as insurance. Is Murphy "it"?

Ricky -

No need for you and I to have any discussions/debate concerning WAR or any other numbers/metrics on this one. Your question (paraphrased):

"Is David Murphy a stud 4th outfielder?"

Answer:

HELL NO!!!

Cruz is only hitting .220 away from BPIA. He's also injury-prone. On the other hand we need his righty power bat, and he's a good defender. He might not be a 3-4-5 hitter because he doesn't hit for average and K's a ton, but he's a nice complementary bat to have in the 6th or 7th spot for sure, not to mention he's cheap..

Caleb - We debated one time, albeit for two days. I respect your opinion. And there was some sarchasm in the question I posed. We need a stud RH 4th outfielder... I think. Who would you propose? Kristen - Excellent description.

Heck no!! How would you replace his offensive production? Beltran can't even put up Cruz's numbers. Keep Cruz because he is on the cusp of figuring it out. Plus he has an amazing throwing arm.

Hey, the guy is streaky. We have become accustom to it. When he is slow, he is still producing. When he is hot? There is almost none better.

Ricky -

I know - sarcasm here too...

Realistically, in a 4th OF the basic economics is going to make it tough to find a true stud, as they will want playing time and you really don't want to pay them stud money to be a 4th OF.

I am actually OK w/ Gentry as the 4th OF bc he is cheap and reasonably productive both defensively and offensively. If we could upgrade for the next few seasons, I like the Colby Rasmus idea that someone floated on here not long ago, provided St. Louis truly is frustrated w/ him and will unload on the cheap.

And who would replace him? Murph? Gentry? Moreland? He's had the 2nd most RBI's in the MLB since he came off the DL...2nd only to Hambone. It's been my impression that RBI's win games...

If we're going to sell/trade outfielders, I'd look to deal Murphy before Cruz.

Caleb - You're right Gentry is the fastest guy on the team, so defensively I dig him. His offense is acceptable and he seems to be showing improvement the longer he stays up here. I too like Rasmus, but not the idea that commenter had to make him an everyday CF. He'd make a great corner guy and 4th OF. He'd see plenty of time even as a 4th OF.

hell no. cruz is fine, i dont care what WAR tells you.. guy gets big hits, plays solid defense, and has a plus arm. we have far bigger fish to fry in terms of upgrading than in the right field position.

What Trey said.

And we would all love to deal Murphy - problem is he would only return a sack of bats at this point...

Ricky -

Yes, Rasmus only as 4th OF - Martin is our future CF for sure.

@Caleb: you don't think we could get someone to throw in a bucket of baseballs and a piece of equipment to be named later?

Caleb -

It'd be nice to make Murphy part of a trade for Rasmus. Both are arb eligible next year and both FA in 2015. Problem is, Murphy makes about 5 times more per year this year. So Murphy, eat some of his salary, and who for Rasmus?

I don't think we should look at trading Cruz, but if we went and got Beltran, Cruz could be sent to Atlanta for a starter (Jurrjens, Lowe, Beachy) then Martin could come up and man CF later in July.

Murph needs to go, he has been treading water here for the last couple of years showing no sign of improvement. i say give him a chance to go somewhere else as a trade chip to where he can contribute more and maybe bring us some help in the bullpen or at one of our other needs.

Forget about Beltran... Please.

Andy -

Probably not a bucket , but maybe a dozen baseballs (BP quality, not gameballs).

Ricky -

I would say no more than a C or B- level prospect, preferably not a pitcher - but certianly not a pitcher w/ starting potential. If that's not enough, then he really isnt a bargain - so not worth messing with. And I'm not sure they would even want Murphy, but provided they did - I would propose eating no more than 1/2 his salary.

I would trade with atlanta for one of their pitchers even lowe on the low end (no pun intended) on one condition, the trade involves McCann. We desperately need a good reliable Catcher for the future and nobody brings it like McCann. Calls a good game, arm on par w Cruz, and a way above par bat for a C. he's the key in any atlanta trade.

Dcaggie, why would ATL who's contending for a playoff spot trade their starting C if he's as good as you say? Why do people just assume anyone can be dealt for?

Caleb -

I would assume they would want a proven outfielder in return. Murphy has some skins on the wall.
And how about someone who would fit their weakness in the near future... Renny Osuna?

DC - I still contend if you project Napoli's numbers as if he were the full-time catcher, you would be amazed offensively. Combine that with the fact that he has the lowest ERA with pitchers out of all three catchers? I think Napoli is the guy. The Angels have catcher problems and are kicking themselves now, wishing they had Nap. Yet we don't use him to his potential.