Given that the Cardinals have just about maxed out their projected payroll, that Brendan Ryan’s injury shouldn’t keep him out very long and that Felipe Lopez, who recently fired agent Scott Boras would likely be a net detriment at shortstop because of his defense, signing him to stem the tide at shortstop would be unwise. And if Ryan is out for longer than expected, the team has a bigger problem than Lopez can address.

But that’s considering him as a replacement for Ryan at short. Given the iffiness of presumptive third baseman David Freese, the Cardinals may have just as much of a need for Lopez’s services at third, a position where his diminished defensive skills allow him to offer a positive contribution. With a wOBA projected between .324 and .333, Lopez would provide comparable offense to Freese, who projects between .340 and .344 but is inexperienced on the field and regrettably a little too experienced off the field. And if Lopez’s impetus for jettisoning Boras is simply to get a deal somewhere, it’s possible his price may make him a worthwhile gamble (and, since the Brewers didn’t offer arbitration to the type-B free agent, the Cardinals needn’t worry about compensation). The Cardinals lack bench depth, and they haven’t had a switch hitter since … well, Lopez, back in 2008. And picking him up on the heels of him spurning Boras, who worked the Cardinals for the better part of the offseason in the Holliday negotiations, would at least be a satisfying poke in the eye of the super agent. Ultimately, John Mozeliak and Tony La Russa may have to decide: Do they put up with Freese’s frustrations off the diamond or endure Lopez’s on it?

This entry was posted by Pip on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 5:13 pm and is filed under analysis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.