Published reports were conflicting today saying that the Cardinals were trying to trade Scott Rolen to Minnesota. I would be absolutely floored if this were anywhere near the truth. The first problem is the Cardinals are still on the hook for 36 million dollars. I can't believe that another major league team would want to take on that sort of salary for his production. That leaves only one other scenario in which the Cardinals would eat the salary and make a trade. If this organization has been anything they have been money conscience and it just doesn't make sense that the management would pay money for a player to play for someone else. The Cardinals are definitely in need of pitching and they are going to need to be creative but don't look for it in the form of Rolen being traded.

The factor that is driving the speculation is the much talked about relationship between Scott and Tony La Russa. It just isn't as bad as some would make it out to be. They can coexist together as has been proven by the past 5 seasons they have worked with each other. Do they both get under each other's skins? Sure. But are they both professionals who both will not let it affect their performance? Absolutely.

In other words bet on #27 returning in 2008.

Tim Klutsarits

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