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With the possible addition of Cliff Lee, baseball’s top southpaw, the Yankees would have formed the most formidable rotation in baseball, and perhaps one of the best ever.

Sabathia. Lee. Pettitte. Hughes. Burnett.

Four of their five starting pitchers would be headed to Anaheim for this year’s All-Star Game.

But what about the sixth man?

With the addition of Lee to the front of their rotation, someone would have to be moved out. That man is Javier Vazquez.

Now, the Yankees are shopping Vazquez around. The first team to pounce on him should be the St. Louis Cardinals.

For Vazquez, this is the perfect storm. He would have the opportunity to head to a great baseball town, the home of the greatest pitching coach ever, and try to rekindle what once was.

He may not be able to revisit the success he had in Montréal, where he struck out 1,076 batters from 1998-2003, but he could help a Cardinals team that is hurting in the rotation.

Since Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse went down with injuries, the Cardinals have been forced to give Adam Ottavino and Blake Hawksworth turns in the rotation. The two are good prospects, and project as useful arms in the future, but for a team in the midst of a pennant race, this is simply not enough.

With Lohse out for the remainder of 2010, no definite time line for Penny’s return, and Ottavino having been recently delegated to the disabled list himself, St. Louis should pounce on Vazquez as soon as possible.

Vazquez is not suited as a relief pitcher, so the Yankees may be willing to part with him for one or two nominal prospects. Brian Cashman is a smart man, and he is not willing to let Vazquez’s $11.5 million sit in the bullpen.

A return to the National League might also bring improvement out of Vazquez. Not only was Vazquez a top-notch pitcher in Montréal, but he was quite successful as recently as last year for the Atlanta Braves, posting a 15-10 record with a 2.87 ERA. He finished fourth in Cy Young voting, behind Cardinals aces Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.

Under the tutelage of Dave Duncan, and out of the pitcher’s hell of the American League East, Vazquez could be a very successful pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Should Lee not be moved to New York, it still seems Vazquez is on the market, and St. Louis would be wise to pounce.

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Is this an absurd idea, or something quite plausible? Who knows really. As writers, we can only speculate and give our opinions on the matters we write about, unless they have happened (like a trade or signing) or will happen (like LeBron James signing in Miami).

For the idea of trading Albert Pujols, we can only speculate.

I have written about this subject some time ago and even titled it as I opened this article, but after reading the article I wrote I felt like it didn’t do this subject justice.

Do this subject justice, I felt the need to throw out the old one completely and re-write it. Go a different route and break it up into three parts.

Part I, the article you are currently reading, is the theory to the idea.

Part II is the article that you will hopefully read next. It is the possible suitors for Pujols and what type of packages each team could give up.

Part III is the mystery article. I sat here in my computer chair for 10 minutes, watching The Godfather Part II to try and think about what it could be about. Then, while watching the Godfather, I realized that Part III came out years after Part II and they didn’t know what it could be about.

And it hit me as I wrote this last paragraph. The Godfather Part III is about passing the torch from Michael to Sonny’s son. Part III of this series will be about the replacement of Pujols at first base and the ramifications of that decision.

With all of that out of the way, let’s move forward.

Pujols is a legend already. There is no one better in today’s game than Pujols.

He walks. He strikes out at a low rate. He hits home runs and drives in runs. He scores a lot of runs. He hits for a high average. He his a gold glove defender.

There is no one today’s game that can match all of that, and I mean all of that. No one. Pujols is in a league of his own.

Even considering trading Pujols could get John Mozeliak chased out of St. Louis like the Mormons.

The fact of the matter is, though, that the idea holds water.

Pujols is in line to make $16 million next season, and is making that same amount this season (with some of the money deferred). He will be making more than $25 million a season in his next contract.

Why not deal him?

A trade would certainly save money this season and next, while allowing for the $25 million he would make in 2012 and later to be spent on the young core of players now, such as Adam Wainwright.

Trading Pujols would overload a weaker system with high ceiling prospects. Think Mark Teixeira times two.

A trade could also loosen things in the clubhouse.

Pujols is a great person and cares deeply for his teammates and other people, especially children and the mentally handicapped, but Pujols is a part of the friction.

From what I have heard by reading articles from Post-Dispatch writers, MLB.com writers, and hearing from people who have been inside the clubhouse, Pujols makes friction. He is a part of a “clique” of players, spear-headed by the Robin (Yadier Molina) to his Batman, and isn’t the definition of a bridge builder.

Sure, Pujols gets along fine with his teammates, but players like Reggie Sanders and Mark DeRosa build bridges in clubhouses. They interact well with each clique and are accepted right away by everyone.

Pujols isn’t like that. He’s accepted by all of the players because that’s what teammates do.

But that doesn’t mean they’re all buddy-buddy.

Pujols interacts with his clique and does things with his clique. When he needs people for charitable events, he looks within his clique and then to the other teammates.

A perfect example of this is the Lakers game back in the spring.

Pujols and Molina went to the Lakers game when Los Angeles was in Miami to play the Heat. Pujols met Kobe Bryant and Bryant talked with Pujols’ son.

Brendan Ryan and Joe Mather went to the same game. They knew Pujols and Molina were going too.

Pujols and Molina didn’t know Ryan and Mather would be there. In fact, Ryan and Mather sat behind Pujols at the game (several rows back) and weren’t allowed to talk to Pujols during the game.

Of course, that’s more so security guards being too stupid to realize Ryan and Mather were teammates. When Pujols was informed of Ryan and Mather’s presence, it was then that acknowledged them.

He didn’t bring them down to sit with him or talk. He didn’t go up to them.

He sent a message via the security guard that they could come back into the locker room with him to me Bryant.

Come with him. Not join him, but come with him. Not like teammates, but like peons.

Pujols is a great player, but the theory to trade him does hold its own.

With Pujols not a great clubhouse presence, and with the money saved by dealing Pujols too great not to realize, dealing Pujols should easily be recognized as plausible.

Of course, there is always the other side of the fence.

Pujols is a presence on the field and in the lineup everyday. He is a force to be reckoned with, and dealing him would not only be a significant blow to the lineup and defense, but would strengthen a rival team.

There is also the fact that the team doesn’t have an obvious replacement for Pujols anymore with Brett Wallace out of the picture.

Allen Craig would be first choice for the job. Mark Hamilton’s name would also be under consideration. Shifting Holliday to first base could even be considered (with Jon Jay and another outfielder platooning in left field).

The fact of the matter is that there is no obvious replacement for Pujols’ defense or offense.

When you look to replace a player, you want to replace a player with someone that can put up the same or slightly less than the same offensive numbers. And their defense should be on the same level.

In the case of Pujols, no one is on that planet, at least that is in the system right now.

Weakening the lineup and the defense is a minus to trading Pujols.

Strengthening a rival is a minus to trading Pujols.

Not having an adequate replacement on hand is a minus to trading Pujols.

There is no easy answer here.

When you’re dealing for a player to make a postseason push, you can always justify the trade by saying “we made the playoffs” or “we won the World Series.” Watching the player(s) traded do well is hard to swallow because you know that if you hadn’t triggered that deal, he would be putting up those stellar numbers for you.

But those types of trades are easily justified and easy to swallow right away.

Trading a quality player when you’re in the midst of a title run for a player of better value is easy to justify and to swallow.

Dealing a good player (like a Cliff Lee) when you’re out of the race is tough to do, but you know you have to do it to get any type of return to better your team for the seasons to come.

Dealing a franchise player, whether you’re in the race or not, is not easily justified. You have to weigh every option. Every one’s opinion on the matter.

And the conclusion you reach will either keep everything the same and make people within the organization mad.

Or you can deal the player, improve the organizational talent, but make the fans and people within the organization mad.

Either way, you’ll make someone mad. This is no different.

Part II will be published within the next few days.

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There are going to be some surprised people who read the box score in the morning.

With the Colorado Rockies down 9-3 against the St. Louis Cardinals heading into the ninth inning on Tuesday, the majority of the 32,922 fans found their way to the exits. There was no way the Rockies were coming back.

There was no way the Rockies could possibly win the game—except they did.

Colorado scored an amazing nine runs in the ninth inning. The rally included four straight hits and was capped off with a three-run walk off home run from none other than Seth Smith, known to Rockies fans as Mr. Late Night.

The fans that did stay made their voices heard. Chants of “Let’s Go Rockies” echoed throughout Coors Field, even with the club down by six runs.

After Dexter Fowler hit a double off of the out-of-town scoreboard, suddenly it looked like anything could happen. After Brad Hawpe grounded out, Carlos Gonzalez hit a sharp single to right field, scoring Fowler.

Next, Jason Giambi showed why he just might have been worth the roster spot that the Rockies gave him in January when he lined a pitch to right field. It looked like the Rockies would have the tying run at third base, but Randy Winn twice bobbled the ball in right field, and third base coach Rich Dauer never hesitated; he sent Gonzalez to the plate and suddenly the game was tied.

Aaron Cook came into the game to pinch run for Giambi, as Miguel Olivo stepped to the plate. The catcher lined his second base hit of the inning, putting the winning run at third base with no one out.

Seth Smith, who had been robbed of a hit earlier in the inning by Albert Pujols, made sure no one could rob him of a second at-bat. He lined a 2-2 pitch deep to right field and into the second row of seats. The celebration was on. Smith raced to the plate to embrace his teammates.

While Smith was the hero of the night, he had help in overcoming a six-run deficit. Two players, both of whom have been harshly criticized, did their part to help the club win.

Chris Iannetta, who entered the game in the seventh inning and stayed in defensively at third base, drove in four runs on the night, three coming in on one huge swing of the bat in the ninth. With two runners on and a run in, Iannetta worked a 0-2 count into a 2-2 count and turned a fastball into a line drive home run.

The other hero that will not be seen in the highlights is Manny Corpas. The Panamanian, relegated back to long relief, pitched two brilliant innings in what seemed to be mop-up duty. Instead of hanging his head, Corpas found a way to battle through his struggles and get guys to hit ground balls again. Those scoreless innings proved to be just what the Rockies needed and kept them just close enough to win the ball game.

Wins like Tuesday nights cannot be understated. It would have been easy for the Rockies to pack up their equipment and wait for tomorrow. A six-run lead in the ninth inning is essentially already a win for the opposition. There is no need to keep fighting.

This club, however, is proving once again that a game is never over, and more specifically, a season is never over until they are actually eliminated from the standings.

For all of the Rockies early season scoring issues, defensive struggles, and injuries that they have battled, they have emerged as a contender. And beyond being a contender, they are suddenly the team in the National League with the most momentum, the team that no one wants to play.

While many people already wrote the Rockies off a long time ago, they never wrote themselves off. They are proving to everyone who doubted them that this is indeed the team that everyone expected to see. This is the team that is capable of winning its first ever National League crown.

For more on the Rockies visit RockiesReview.com

This article is also featured on INDenverTimes.com

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As I sit here waiting for my boring accounting professor to get done talking with some 60-year-old woman, it occurs to me that I haven’t written anything in two months. Call it annoyance with the fact that no one reads my articles.

Read this article!

Anyway, you’ve probably heard that the St. Louis Cardinals need another starting pitcher.

Kyle Lohse had his forearm surgically repaired and even though his rehab is moving quickly, it doesn’t mean he is close to rejoining the roster. Mainly, in my opinion, he shouldn’t be allowed to rejoin the roster. Let the forearm heal. Throw batting practice into the start of August, then give him a month rehab assignment.

As a reliever.

The Cardinals could use another arm in that bullpen, and for a September stretch drive, Lohse would be good to use. Let him come back that way, then rejoin the rotation next spring.

Alas, I have returned to finish me stories, ye hearties.

Gotta reiterate a point here to get my brain back on the thinking track: Lohse joining the bullpen for a month would show if Lohse can return to form, and would give him a chance to work out any type of kinks he may have in short stints.

For Brad Penny, he needs to return to the rotation. He was throwing well and everything was getting ready to click when he went down. A deal for Lee would give him time to get healthy and be back before August starts.

Oh, did I mention that a deal for a Lee would get rid of Jeff Suppan? Yeah, thought that might cheer you up.

Let’s get down and dirty here, whatcha say?

This trade is a three-team blockbuster. The deal includes the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, and the Cardinals.

Players on the move:

To Mariners: C Chris Snyder (ARI), 1B/OF Mark Hamilton (STL), 1B/3B/OF Allen Craig (STL), RHP Casey Mulligan (STL), LHP Evan MacLane (STL), OF Tyler Henley (STL)

To Diamondbacks: SS Pete Kozma (STL), OF Daryl Jones (STL), C Bryan Anderson (STL), 1B/OF Dennis Raben

To Cardinals: SS Stephen Drew (ARI), LHP Cliff Lee (SEA)

Let’s break it down. The Mariners need a catcher, and with Snyder a free agent at the end of the season, he fits this need perfectly. Snyder was hitting well with Miguel Montero on the mend early on, but Montero back in the lineup, Snyder has been getting less play time.

In come the Mariners. They need Snyder, and Snyder needs the Mariners. If Snyder is going to get any kind of contract this off-season, Snyder needs to play and he won’t play in Arizona.

As for Hamilton and Craig, both are strong hitters. Craig has over 60 runs batted in in just 61 games at Triple A. He hasn’t done much at the Major League level, but chalk that up to sporadic starts and too much pinch hitting for a kid that has always been a starter.

Drafted in 2007 as a senior in college, Craig is a bat that Jack Zduriencik, General Manager of the Mariners, wants for Lee. Add in Hamilton, who is a decent fielding first baseman with a big left handed bat, and Zduriencik will be happy.

Neither Craig or Hamilton have a spot in St. Louis. There’s this player named Albert Pujols at first base, you might have heard about that guy, who isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

With Matt Holliday in the first year of a seven year contract, and Ryan Ludwick bound for a four year contract this off-season, neither will see starting time under the Arch.

Different story for a rebuilding Mariners team. They need big bats like these two that the team can add to its core. Craig at designated hitter and Hamilton at first (or vice verse), the Mariners would be in good shape.

As for Henley, the Mariners add another power hitting left handed bat. Henley has struggled in a brief exposure at the Triple A level this year, but his stats add up.

He plays the corner outfield and would fight with Michael Saunders for the every day left field job in 2012 when Milton Bradley had left via free agency.

Mulligan, who I describe as Jason Motte version 2 (with better command and movement), could join the beleaguered Mariner bullpen right away.

MacLane could join the bullpen as well, or the rotation. He is more of a throw-in for the deal. Drafted in 2003 by the New York Mets, he rose quickly through their system and appeared at the Triple A level.

He was traded for an outfielder by the name of Shawn Green (might have heard of that guy, right?) in 2006 and pitched for Arizona’s Triple A affiliate every season since that trade.

We was traded to the Cardinals and assigned to Triple A, again, in 2009. He has been there ever since, with the exception of sitting on the bullpen bench for two days without appearing in a game for the Cardinals at the end of May.

MacLane is a good arm. He is older, but he is left handed and has put up good numbers at Triple A in his career. If given the chance, the Mariners would add a quality arm to their arsenal.

For the Diamondbacks, they make a nice haul.

Essentially, the Diamondbacks deal Snyder for Raben, a 23 year old left handed hitter with good power.

From the Cardinals, they land two highly regarded prospects who have stalled in the St. Louis system.

Kozma, a glove first shortstop and former first round pick (2007) of the Cardinals, hasn’t hit well at any system. It isn’t like he is allergic to ash bats, he just isn’t amazing.

He is a good on-base guy, and has flashed some power with eight home runs this season. By changing organizations, Kozma could get a fresh start and get going. It is an ‘if,’ by Kozma can be a Major League player. Utility or starter is up in the air, but worth the gamble.

For Jones, he too has stalled. He had a breakout 2008 campaign, and then injured his knees last season and hasn’t fully recovered this season. Changing organizations for him could do well, like going to Triple A for once and seeing if he can get restarted.

If healthy, Jones is a difference maker. His speed, double ability, and strong defense makes him a star in the making…if he can stay healthy. Another risk worth taking.

Anderson is an offensive catcher with average defensive skills. He won’t likely be a backup for the Cardinals as Dave Duncan likes to have a veteran backup Yadier Molina. For the Diamondbacks, though, he could create competition with Montero.

Like Montero, Anderson is left handed. He hits for a fair amount of power and is an average defensive catcher. He isn’t the left handed version of Molina, let’s put it that way.

For the Cardinals, they add another Cy Young winner to complement their one winner (Chris Carpenter) and their one screwed-over winner (Adam Wainwright), along with their budding left-handed ace (Jamie Garcia).

Throw in Penny to the mix, and this rotation is unstoppable.

Add Drew to the offense, and the Cardinals ill have a bat for the two hole. Drew, Skip Schumaker, Felipe Lopez, and Brendan Ryan can be used on a carousel to keep everyone fresh, with Lopez and Ryan play 2B and SS.

Ryan and Lopez would also serve as the utility infielders on the bench, meaning that Aaron Miles is out of job. Couple that with a release of Suppan, and a release of Randy Winn when Ludwick returns from the DL, the Cardinals offense and pitching will be in fine shape.

Hope you all enjoyed this. Remember, this is my own speculation/hope. I haven’t heard Drew’s name attached to the Cardinals, and I haven’t heard any names from the Cardinals involved in a possible Lee scenario (though the Cardinals are among the handful of teams scouting Lee).

I also haven’t heard Snyder’s name attached to the Mariners. My own speculation.

Serious discussion only, please. Name calling, insults, bad language can go elsewhere. Be adults. Be kind to each other.

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The Cardinals and Reds are neck and neck in the NL Central standings with no dark horse in sight. They will stay that way unless a key player gets injured or one of these two teams make a move before the July 31 trade deadline.

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St. Louis has been home to many of MLB’s greatest players, including Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith. 

But no player is more revered in St. Louis history than “Stan-the-Man” Musial. 

Stan-the-Man finished his career with a .331 batting average, 475 home runs, 1951 RBIs and 3630 hits.  He went to 24 All-Star games, won three World Series, and earned the NL MVP three times. 

Although he has long been the most storied St. Louis Cardinals baseball player, Musial’s shoes will be filled within the next 10 years, or perhaps even five, by Albert Pujols. 

“The Machine” is currently chipping away at his 10th season as a St. Louis Cardinal, and is already within 100 home runs of Musial, who played 22 seasons. 

To date, Pujols has 385 home runs, 1170 RBIs and a career .333 batting average. 

So will Pujols’ passing of Musial make him the greatest player of the 21st century? 

Not necessarily.

Provided he stays healthy, Pujols will be what people thought Ted Williams could have been had he not missed years of playing time serving in the military, what Ken Griffey Jr. could have been had he not suffered injuries that kept him from putting up freakish career numbers. 

But “provided” and “if” do little to comfort fans. 

Pujols will have to simply play as though records don’t exist, as if every game depends solely on him in order to be crowned greatest ever. 

And what’s more important? 

Winning World Series as a member of a great team, or building a bigger personal trophy case as the years progress?

Pujols already has a World Series ring, something titans like Barry Bonds and Griffey Jr. cannot boast. 

How fans view Pujols in the next ten years will be interesting. It seems as though the Machine has already done everything a player can hope to do in his career: hit a ton of home runs, win awards, win World Series rings. 

Will fans continue to back Pujols when he gets a little older?  What will happen if Pujols only hits 500 home runs, only gets 3000 hits? 

Will fans be satisfied with anything but the greatest player ever?

Only time will tell.  For now, we can all just sit back and say “wow” every time Pujols does what he does best: be himself.

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The time has come for the National League Central Division to hit the panic button. Matt Holliday is on fire, and there is no sign of the fire marshal. 

After signing the biggest contract in St. Louis Cardinals history, Matt Holliday got off to a slow and inconsistent start in 2010. 

On June 18, Holliday discovered his long-lost swing that had provided enough consistency and power to land him a $120 million contract. 

In his last four games, Holliday is 11-for-17 (.647 avg) with five home runs and 10 RBI. 

Need some perspective? He had one home run and 12 RBI in the entire month of May.

The Colorado Rockie, turned Oakland A, turned St. Louis Cardinal has often provided high numbers in bunches throughout his career. Last year, the slugger hit .353 with 13 HR and 55 RBI in 63 games with the Red Birds. 

Having always hit for a high average, his current .308 would not compare to many of his previous seasons. It is, however, well above average amongst National League batters this season. 

What can we expect to see for the rest of June and on into the All-Star Break? 

Sheer and utter dominance!

Moving to the second spot in the lineup has worked wonders for Holliday, who seems to steal many of Albert Pujols’ pitches; not that anybody was pitching to Albert anyway. 

With Pujols struggling to reach base, Cardinal and rival fans alike can expect Holliday to keep it turned on.

Holliday’s home run totals have nearly doubled in the last four games, going from six to 11. Imagine what is to come. 

I expect Holliday to remain in the two-hole and continue blasting them out of the park frequently. 

It took a reunion with the Oakland club he so often struggled with to get going. The fire is lit. Pujols, Manger Tony La Russa, and Matt will be responsible for keeping it going. 

The bandwagon will soon be full.

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After yet another near-sweep of a relatively weak team, the Seattle Mariners this time, the St. Louis Cardinals continue their quest for dominance in interleague play. 

St. Louis looks to recapture first place in the NL Central this weekend against the Oakland Athletics. 

The Cardinals haven’t enjoyed much success on their California trips this year. They went 1-2 against the San Francisco Giants, 1-2 against the San Diego Padres, and 0-4 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Now, the Cards look to defend home base as they host manager Tony La Russa’s former team. 

Unlike the Giants and Padres, the A’s have relatively average pitching. 

Ben Sheets, the Athletics’ 10-million-dollar man, is 2-6 with a 4.93 ERA. Rookie right-hander Vin Mazzaro is 2-1 with a 4.81 ERA. Right-hander Trevor Cahill has had the most success as a starter—he’s 6-2 with a 3.23 ERA.

On paper, sweeping the A’s does not seem to be an insurmountable task for the Cardinals. But as the first half of the season indicates, things don’t always go according to plan. 

To get the sweep, the Cardinals have to do more than just pitch well.

An adjusted batting order is a good start—La Russa switched Ryan Ludwick and Matt Holliday in the lineup, a move that proved successful in the team’s 9-3 victory over the Mariners Monday. 

Young fielders Colby Rasmus and David Freese have both been on hot streaks, which also helps. 

The two have hit a combined .462 this week. 

Overall, there are few predictions to be made before this series. The Cardinals are statistically better than the A’s, but the two ball clubs have not faced each other yet this year.

The Cards need to at least win the series against Oakland. The Cincinnati Reds currently hold a half-game lead in the NL Central going into their weekend series with the Mariners. 

Even one loss against the A’s could hurt St. Louis in the division race.

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I am not going to even take credit for predicting this earlier in the week because the move was so blatantly obvious.

Jeff Suppan, who was recently released by the Milwaukee Brewers, signed with the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday.

With Brad Penny and Kyle Lohse hurting, plus Suppan having his most success in a Cardinals uniform, it’s an obvious move. If pitching coach Dave Duncan can turn Suppan around and make him somewhat of a useful pitcher in 2010, then he should go straight into the Hall of Fame as the greatest pitching coach ever.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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With starters Kyle Lohse and Brad Penny on the disabled list and poor showings from rookies P.J. Walters and Blake Hawksworth, the St. Louis Cardinals may be close to bringing a familiar face back to Busch Stadium: Jeff Suppan.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that parameters of a deal were in place that could have the veteran right-hander, who was released by the Brewers on Monday, join the team this weekend in Arizona.

Jon Mozeliak, the Cardinals General Manager, warned that any deal was unofficial as of yet.

“We have interest,” Mozeliak said, “but no decision today.”

Assuming the deal goes through, the Brewers would essentially be paying Suppan over $9 million to pitch for their rivals.

In 2006, the Brewers signed Suppan to what was then the largest deal in Milwaukee history at $42 million over four years.

Suppan is best remembered for his time in St. Louis, where he went 44-26 with a 3.95 ERA from 2004-2006. His biggest impact came during the Cardinals’ 2006 championship run. He was named National League Championship Series MVP for his performance against the New York Mets, and delivered a quality start in the World Series against Detroit.

However, since signing with Milwaukee that off-season, Suppan’s performance has steadily declined. He was barely respectable in 2007, going 12-12 with a 4.62 ERA. However, his 1.505 WHIP revealed a deeper problem. His ERA and WHIP increased each year, finally climaxing at 7.84 and 2.000 in 2010.

He started the year on the disabled list with a neck injury, and made two starts upon his return, after which the Brewers moved him to mop-up duty in the bullpen.

If the Cardinals can complete the deal, they would pay Suppan a prorated portion of the Major League minimum, and the Brewers would cover the rest of his $12.5 million salary. He would be the latest in a long line of reclamation projects for Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan.

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