Eric,

I understand that you feel that St. Louis wouldn't do Taveras and miller for Andrus and that maybe they'd do Miller for Andrus..

I don't think that JD would do Miller for Andrus straight up...

Maybe there's something that can be built off those two key pieces...

MM, I have already mentioned that JD missed the boat when after trying to trade for Upton and Andrus, Bauer's name came up, and that JD then did not go ahead and push for a Bauer & Skaggs for Andrus deal when it was a real possibility. Bauer was already in the Diamondback doghouse for pissing off his coaching staff by exhibiting an I KNOW BEST attitude. Skaggs, also, in a 2012 late showcase was far from stellar. Thus the Indians have found their ACE and Buckel had lost a great opportunity to have his best buddy on his team. But all this is still dealing with unproven prospects, and with the Rangers in a continuing win now state, pushed for the safer bet, Upton. The Morse trade did completely end Seattle's interest in Upton [even if Upton's rejection was not a big enough hint] . Now there is but 1 card standing, why have 1 Upton when you can have 2. Look for Towers calling JD shortly and asking now what did you say you were willing to give up to get Upton. The one thing about the TEX trade of July 2007. very few would have bet on Matt Harrison as the one six years later with the greatest financial success of the 5, and who recalls that Ron Mahay was also in that trade.

Les, not sure I understand this line: Now there is but 1 card standing, why have 1 Upton when you can have 2. Look for Towers calling JD shortly and asking now what did you say you were willing to give up to get Upton.

Wouldn't that be more suited to Atlanta?

I've been preaching trading Elvis to the Cardinals for months. Taveras will probably be a top 5 prospect, if not #2 behind Profar, by the time the rankings come out before the season starts. The MLB rankings are pretty old, so take them with a grain of salt. Taveras has been compared to Manny 2.0. I've been following him for a while, and if we could get him in any deal for Elvis, I do it immediately. Even if it's straight up. That's how highly I think of him.

The other team out there are the Pirates. They have some TORP prospects and could make a pretty good fit with us too.

Im the one with 10 u

What are the Cards' plans for Pete Kozma? The kid played out of his mind in September (.415 BABIP, but still), and the defensive metrics really like him even if he really just can't hit.

And I'd definitely be willing to listen to a package centered around Cole or Taillon as a return for Andrus. No such thing as too much starting pitching.

No one thinks Kozma is the real deal. He very well may prove us all wrong....but most doubt it. I doubt we're good enough to win a WS this year too, so I trade Elvis for prospects with the hope some of our lower level guys make huge strides and get ready for the Stanton and Price sweepstakes. All things considered and highly unlikely, we could have a legitimate shot at both if we play our cards right.

I can't see the Pirates (a cash strapped team) giving up young TORP (i.e Cole and Taillon) for two years of Elvis... top pitchers are so expensive to buy.. the only chance small market teams have to get them is to develop them... can't see pittsburgh giving them up...

The MLB rankings aren't old... they're pretty new I believe.....I think they just came out with them in the last few weeks.... but could be wrong...

M M, Towers knows that the Rangers will deal with him, he does not know quite sure what the Braves will offer, not as desperate. Braves, first must decide who plays third. Move Simmoms over to third and insert Pastornicky at short. if this is the case, then Bourn or Upton have no position. If Prado is moved to third, then there is an outfield position needed to be filled. The first option would still seem to be resign Bourn, this off season hints they may have leverage, but would lose or delay a draft choice. So Upton, as much as it sounds like a family reunion fit, it is more likely Plan C. So you go back to the team that has demonstrated focused interest, knowing that the Braves will offer pitching prospects, and in the end this team will give you the best deal.

Those rankings came out September 6, 2012. That would equate to old...

@Les
Simmons is already the best fielding shortstop in the game. He's not moving.

Keith Laws top prospect rankings usually come out right after the superbowl each year, just FYI