[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

3.

Williams is a lefthanded hitter who profiles defensively in the corner and appears to have the physical tools to hit for more power than he does. He probably needs some tinkering but the tools appear to be there. He could end up a nice part of a platoon kind of situation with Bader or O'Neill and is something this organization simply doesn't have - a projectable lefthanded bat in the high minors.

Cabrera is intriguing as a smallish lefty with plus stuff. I really like that strikeout rate since he's doing it as a starter. Looks like there are some scouting concerns over his size staying in the starting rotation but I'd imagine he'd be a hammer lefty out of the 'pen if need be. Command is a little iffy but it's always iffy on young lefthanders.

Ramirez is a JAG; a fungible righthanded reliever who might give you 3-4 decent years in a middle relief role; think John Brebbia and you probably won't be disappointed.

It's not a bad return for someone who likely never had buy-in leaguewide given his eye issues. I hate having to pull the cord on him but he's been pretty abysmal for 3 months. I'm certain it's an eye issue but I suspect he is as well. If they haven't figured it out, you have to start to wonder if they ever will. It was time to move on and 2 of those guys probably have 3 win upside with the third being pretty likely to pitch in the majors at some point (though not in any kind of high leverage role).

It's not the kind of trade that changes a teams long-term fortunes greatly but at least it continues to build the organizational depth. My concern is that the 40 man is gonna get real crowded, real fast. I believe both Cabrera and Williams need to be on the 40 next year.

Originally Posted by Marco Polo

Rays acquired OF Tommy Pham from the Cardinals for LHP Genesis Cabrera, OF Justin Williams and RHP Roel Ramirez.

The Rays are getting $500,000 in international bonus money in the deal. This comes a bit out of nowhere, but it seems lots of Tampa Bay deals come out of nowhere. Pham was sensational in 2017 with a 23 homers, 25 steals and a .931 OPS, but he hasn’t been close that player in 2018 with a .248/.331/.399 line over 396 at-bats. He has hit 14 homers and 10 steals, however, so the power/speed combination is still readily apparent in the 30-year-old outfielder. He should be an everyday player for the Rays, and he’s still capable of helping you in redraft leagues. You just shouldn’t ever expect to see the player you saw in 2017, because that version (probably) isn’t coming back.

Cardinals acquired LHP Genesis Cabrera from the Cardinals in a four-player deal for OF Tommy Pham.

Cabrera is a left-hander whose fastball can get up to 97 mph, and his slider gives him another potential out pitch. His command is well behind his stuff at this point, and he’ll need to improve his change if he’s going to be a starter at the highest level. He could be a very effective reliever, but expect the Cardinals to give the 21-year-old a chance to develop as a starter, knowing the bullpen is a safe fallback option.

Cardinals acquired OF Justin Williams from the Rays in a four-player deal for OF Tommy Pham.

Williams received a small cup of coffee with the Rays this year, and he’s hit .258 this year over 356 at-bats with Triple-A Durham in 2018. A second-round pick by Arizona that was acquired in the Jeremy Hellickson trade in 2014, Williams flashes five solid tools, but his below-average approach at the plate has made it tough for him to tap into his offensive potential. He’s just 22-years-old, and he could be a late bloomer in the right development system. The Cardinals have proven to do well with these type of prospects, but there’s just as much risk as reward.

Cardinals acquired RHP Roel Ramirez in a four-player deal from the Rays for OF Tommy Pham.

Ramirez was an eighth-round pick by the Rays in 2013 who struggled as a starter as a professional, but he’s pitched better since being converted to relief; particularly in the ability to miss bats (60 over 53 1 / 3 innings at the High-A and Double-A levels. He projects as a middle reliever, and won’t have much fantasy value in that role.

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Think about the Cardinals' problem: a roster jammed with two win players. Now, what did they do: they traded a guy with a career average of 4.5 WAR/600 PA for two guys that have 2-3 WAR ceilings and a scrub reliever. This is the exact opposite of what they should be doing, but Mo seems determined to have a 40 man filled with guys that project as average starters.

I’d rather get lottery tickets with high upside but may never make it to the majors than JAG projection at the MLB level players.