Cards Go Greene – Trade with Padres for Khalil
Published reports indicate that the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres have agreed on a trade bringing Khalil Greene to St. Louis for two relievers. The names of the relievers have not been published and I, as well as many other Redbird fans, are very curious to find out who the relievers are.
Khalil Greene is apparently owed 6.5 million in 2009 and will be a free agent at the end of the season. Again, the full details of this trade have not been released yet so we are unsure if the Cards are on the hook for the full $6.5 million or if the Padres have agreed to eat some of this money.
Greene had a breakout year in 2007, cranking 27 HR’s and driving in 97 RBI’s, while playing a very smooth shortstop. Greene stru
ggled at the plate in 2008, though, as experts feel he was consumed with trying to hit the long ball. Khalil only hit .213 in 2008 with 10 HR’s and 35 RBI’s through 105 games. His season was cut short July 31st as he broke his hand after apparently punching a storage unit.
Reports show that Khalil Greene had a falling out with the Padres front office and it has been rumored for a while now that they were wanting to move him, whether just to get rid of his salary or turn the page with someone else.
I am sure the Cardinals are hoping that a change of scenery will help Greene return to his ‘07 form. Khalil Greene has performed better away from pitcher-friendly Petco park over his years there, to the tune of a .270 BA and 50 HR’s versus .255 and 30 HR’s at Petco.
When the details of this deal are finally released we will be able to truly decide if the Cards have made a smart move here. Hopefully they have’nt given up some top name prospects and likewise, hopefully Greene can return to being the electric, smooth, power hitting shortstop that helped him make a name for himself.
I will say it’s nice to actually see the Cards doing something. They have made some moves over the past couple of years but not necessarily what a lot of fans were hoping for. Again, that’s why we’re fans and not management. The Cards continue to compete and hopefully with a few more strong moves this off season the Cards can climb back to the top of the Central.
coop92 is a contributing author to Midwest Sports Fans, as well as the editor at Midwest Sports Junkies. Check out his site for additional analysis of the Cardinals, the BCS, and Missouri Tigers football.
