The benefits of midseason trades on display at Busch!

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To trade or not to trade?  That's been the question for the better part of a month now in Cardinal nation.  Do you give up prospects in mid-season for that one, big time piece of the puzzle, or do you hoard your young talent and grow from within?

Last night was an example of the benefits of the blockbuster, and the Cardinals were very much on the wrong end of it. 

Did you watch C.C. Sabathia pitch for the Brewers?  From a domination standpoint, I don't know that St. Louis has seen such a performance since Bob Gibson was roaming the mound at Old Busch.  Complete game shutout.  No hits for more than half the game.  Albert Pujols looking like a little leaguer at the plate. 

For a Card fan, this was sheer ugliness.  It also offers the temptation to push the panic button.  The Brewers have added one ace to another.  (They also have Ben Sheets, who started the All-Star game.)  The Cubs have done the same thing!  (A's ace Rich Hardin acquired to join Carlos Zambrano.)  The Cardinals can't compete.  Yet. 

The remainder of the St. Louis season hinges on the word "if."  If Chris Carpenter can return as his old self, and if Adam Wainwright can be "righted" from injury, then the Cardinals would suddenly have a one-two punch that's at least in the same neighborhood with their two division rivals.  On top of that, their depth throughout the rotation and the bullpen would expand enough to put them on a near even footing.

If, however, one or both of those two can't return to form, St. Louis is faced with a choice.  Make a costly deal or wait 'til next year.

On the costly deal front, A.J. Burnett of Toronto is reportedly available, and the Cards are reportedly interested.  Some fear a trade like th is could turn into another Mark Mulder style debacle.  That's certainly possible. 

But then again, did you see C.C. Sabathia pitch last night.  A deal like that could have us sitting in the stands well into October.