Cardinals snub motivates Edmonds to follow Ol' Diz

Apparently Jim Edmonds has an axe to grind with the Cardinals for trading him away over the offseason. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that he told his agent to listen to the Cubs offers before any one else's because he wants a chance to stick it to St. Louis for letting him go.

Great.

The true impact of this deal is probably that it will free the Cubs to make a deal to improve their infield defense. The Padres and Cubs have been rumored to be kicking around a Felix for Khalil Green deal for the better part of a year. And, with Pie out of the Cubs plans, the Wee Bears are free to ship him off to San Diego.

This is a real head scratcher because Pie has been a top Chicago prospect for some time. The Cubs are unhappy with Pie's lack of offense at this early stage of his career. But he's hitting 50 points better than Edmonds, who is obviously in his twilight.

At first I thought this was pretty shortsighted. But the Cubs have spent $500 million on free agents in the last two years. So I guess it won't be a big deal for them to overpay next season to fill the hole they created.

I can certainly understand Jimmy Ballgame's competitiveness and desire to show the Cardinals brass that he can still play. But he's putting himself into a pretty bad situation.

Unless he can perform a monumental turnaround, it's going to be very easy for Cubs fans to make him the target of their venom. I mean, these people have blamed a goat for their ineptitude for the better part of a century.

And, as usual, it's the fans who will pay the ultimate price. I know my Edmonds jersey looks like it's got a one-way ticket for a spot in the deepest, darkest recesses of my closet.

I guess now I know how Cardinals fans felt in 1938 when Dizzy Dean was shipped off to Chicago. Sure, he was a shell of his former self... But it was just wrong to see a Cardinals legend wearing Cubs blue. It's sad in the same way it's upsetting to watch a former great boxer or footballer who is down on his luck try to make some cash by becoming a characture of himself as a professional wrestler.

Comments

[Gary]

Where's the loyalty? All the Cardinals did was pay him millions of dollars, including times when he was hurt and didn't play, let him play for a contender for most of his career and in front of the best fans in baseball. But because they were honest with him, then traded him when he asked to be traded, that's justification to "stick it" to them. Human nature will never cease to amaze me.

[cardinalred24]

You know what? I say bring it on Jimmy! Now we can see him hit .210 and watch him strikeout on high fastballs in clutch situations. The Padres released the guy because he not only was he not hitting, but his defense has slipped. Gary brings up a good point...the man freakin asked to be traded!

And I loved it when I heard this rumor...they would rather play an old guy who ain't getting it done than a young guy who's been at least average. Yeah, Go Cubs!

[View From the Cheap Seats]

Red,

I agree that Edmonds probably won't have enough left in the tank to help the Cubs... It's just the thought of him wearing that uniform that makes me throw up a little bit in my mouth.

Jimmy agreed to be traded -- he didn't demand it -- when the Cardinals told him his playing time would be greatly diminished. I could swallow him playing for the Padres. I even planned to go to stand and applaud him when he came to town in San Diego's duds.

But you don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't sign with the Cubs if you're Jim

[Joe]

i have a hard time believing this "axe to grind" theory. no one has ever provided a link to where edmonds has ever said he was pissed at the cards for trading him, or that edmonds told his agent to listen to the cubs before anyone else. "sources" don't mean squat to me.

the other reason is.......when you're hitting under .200 and just got DFA'd, how can you be pissed at the cardinals all of a sudden?

i don't buy it.

[k Wimpe]

Didn't Edmonds and Zambrano get into it a few years ago in a nationally televised game or is my memory fading? Jimmy wants to be teammates with that guy? I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.

[View From the Cheap Seats]

KW,

You are correct, sir.

Edmonds took Zambrano deep and Zambrano followed him around the bases, screaming at him.

Even since then, Zambrano has thrown at Edmonds a couple of times a game...

[View From the Cheap Seats]

Joe,

I don't know. I'm just repeating what it says in the two major Chicago papers. And they said that Edmonds sought out the Cubs.

I think it's a huge mistake for him to go to Chicago for reasons I have already outlined. But some in San Diego think the Padres pulled the trigger on Edmonds too soon.

He was supposedly hitting the ball harder lately and the argument is that he came back too soon after injuring his legs and he is just now getting into playing shape.

[Bowen]

He could have sought out the Cubs for reasons other than wanting to stick it to the Cardinals.

Possibilities:

1. Familiarity with NL Central pitching
2. Play for a contender
3. Hit in a power-packed lineup where he won't be expected to carry more than his share of the load
4. Play for a team that is willing to shell out big bucks

I'm with Joe. I think it's far from certain that Edmonds wants the Cubs because he has an axe to grind with the Redbirds. It's not all about us.

[imanage]

But why do the Cubs want him? Could they think they can debrief him regarding TLR and the Cardinals once he's on their payroll? If so, what can they expect to learn? Signs? The secret behind the 8th spot in the lineup?
I think there biggest point might just be a psychological one, because they realize that it is all about us.

[Joe]

Scott, i know you're just reporting what's been "reported" out of chicago. i've heard it from many different places, this supposed axe to grind. i just don't believe it.

i may just throw up in my mouth a little when i see him in a cubs uni. just thinking about it makes me want to......uh oh, brb.........

[View From the Cheap Seats]

Why else would he go to Chicago?

When Edmonds left St. Louis he said he would only play here or somewhere near his southern California home.

But now he tells his agent to talk to the Cubs first? He should have told him anybody but the Cubs. The guy had a legacy in St. Louis that few could match or top. Now he has completely tainted that by spitting in the face of Cardinals fans.

Jackie Robinson had the decency to retire rather than accept a trade from the Dodgers to their arch-rival Giants.

[Bowen]

Why else would he go to Chicago?

See above. He knows the division. He knows the ballpark. He knows the pitching. They're a contender.

As for the STL or SoCal thing, his options sort of changed when he got DFA'd. It's one thing to be a 5X10 guy with a guaranteed contract. It's another to be a major leaguer with no contract at all.

The guy wants to play, he wants to win, and there are only 30 teams in the league - far fewer if you only consider those who are looking for better play in centerfield.

I just can't believe how Edmonds has suddenly become a "traitor" simply because the guy needs a job and his best opportunity is in Chicago.

[View From the Cheap Seats]

According to what I have read, Edmonds had at least six job offers.

How does knowing the pitching benefit him? Edmonds knew the pitching the last three seasons he played in St. Louis as he sank to a .250 hitter and his power faded.

Needs a job? Edmonds will get his $8 million for this season, $2 million of it funded by Cardinals fans, whether he plays or not.

Ozzie Smith was offered a job by the Giants after he retired in St. Louis. He could have made some easy cash. But his reputation and his image in St. Louis was important to him.

Jim Edmonds made a willful gesture to hurt the Cardinals franchise. He is (was?) one of my all-time favorites. But this move was classless, shortsighted and bitter.

In my book, this is on par with dating your best friend's girl after they break up. There are just some things you shouldn't do.

[Bowen]

I once dated your girlfriend after you broke up...

;)