Colby Rasmus May be Traded to White Sox

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that the Cardinals are in serious trade talks with the White Sox involving center fielder Colby Rasmus.  Chicago is said to be offering starting pitcher Edwin Jackson and lefty reliever Matt Thornton.

Though trade rumors have been swirling around Rasmus, St. Louis has insisted that they are not dealing their center fielder.

However, it is known that Rasmus has requested to be traded on two occasions, and is currently acting as the Cardinals’ backup center fielder.  St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa told reporters before Saturday’s game that he now considers Jon Jay his primary center fielder.

The change was prompted by Rasmus’s extended slump.  In June, the 24 year old only managed a line of .213/.268/.416 and things have gotten uglier this month.  Over 14 July contests, Rasmus has posted a meager OPS of .388.

On the season, Rasmus has 10 home runs and 37 RBI’s for the Cardinals with 59 runs scored.  In the big leagues since 2009, Rasmus had his best year last season when he hit 23 home runs and scored 85 times with an OPS of .859.

St. Louis has been looking to improve their pitching and are said to have interest in Jackson to bolster their rotation.  The Cardinals are also hoping to add bullpen relief this July, initiating the Thorton connection.

Jackson has been with the White Sox for nearly a full calendar year as the starter came over from the Diamondbacks last July.  He’s only 27 but is already well traveled, pitching for 5 clubs over his young career.  I took a look at Jackson’s trade value earlier this summer as he is set to become a free agent after the season.

It is his upcoming free agency that appeals to Chicago and the reason that Jackson would likely be preferred over Thornton.

The 34 year old just signed a 2 year extension with the White Sox this March that totals $12 million guaranteed beyond 2011.  Thornton’s been solid out of the pen for Chicago, posting ERA’s south of 3 from 2008-2010, but isn’t a closer which makes that type of financial commitment a bit excessive.

Still, Thornton would qualify as the late inning reliever the Cardinals have been searching for.  He had a rocky start to the 2011 season, but has recovered nicely.  The lefty has only allowed 2 earned runs over his last 17 appearances.  Thornton’s struck out 14 while walking 4 over that span of 16.2 innings.

Chicago may have some competition in acquiring the services of Rasmus as the Nationals and Rays have also shown interest in the center fielder.  St. Louis won’t be in any rush to move Rasmus, as he is under team control until 2015.

For more on the Cardinals, be sure to check out Redbird Rants.