Quote:
I'd be afraid to trade Hirsch because it's looking like we may need him.


I'm not sure that Hirsch will be much help this year. However, I think it's fair to say that we may need him next year. It is possible we won't have Pettitte and Clemens next year, we don't know yet about Backe for next year, and the jury is still out on Buchholz and Nieve. That is a position where you would hope your No. 1 pitching prospect can fill some of the holes.

Cardinals blogs discuss the possibility of trading for Carlos Lee or Soriano, etc. And they face a similar dilemma, since the Cards would probably have to give up Anthony Reyes, their top pitching prospect (and one who probably is more ready than Hirsch). However, the Cards may lose a big part of their rotation to free agency next season, and that is an argument against trading a guy who might stabilize their pitching future.

Those are tough decisions. I'm not saying "don't trade Hirsch." I just think it is a close call if the hitter you get in return is someone whose OPS will be in the .800's.