Here is an idea...

I was reading ESPN.com and came across this:

"The Dodgers have interest in bringing back Casey Blake. But that wouldn't mean that the guy he deposed at third base, Blake DeWitt, would be consigned to two years in Las Vegas. Scouts report the Dodgers have been playing DeWitt at second base in Triple-A because they believe he might be versatile enough to supplant Jeff Kent there next year."

For those of you that don't know, Blake DeWitt is from Sikeston, MO, so he is a 573 guy. He's one of us. As a matter of fact, for my latest birthday my wife thought it would be nice if I got my very own Blake DeWitt #33 LA Dodgers Jersey. At first I protested, but eventually I thought, "hey, he is from around here, it's kinda cool." I actually coached a basketball game against Blake once, but back to my point....

The Cardinals need a good hitting second baseman. What would it take to get DeWitt? The guy is a good defensive player, actually rated by some statistical measures as one of the best 3rd baseman in the game, as a rookie! And that was with him only playing about 90 games. He played shortstop in high school, so he has always played middle infield. On top of that, he is a good hitter. He was the NL Rookie of the Month in May after he hit over .320. I don't think he'll ever be a big power hitter, but I don't think it is unreasonable to think Blake could hit .315 with 15 HR, give or take, every season in the big leagues.

So what would it take to get him? He would be a PERFECT fit for the Cardinals! He could play mulitple infield positions, so he would be a good guy to have (ala Aaron Miles). We would have a second baseman for years to come because he is only 23 years old. On top of that, he is a local guy, and probably grew up a lifelong Cardinals fan.

When I saw Blake play in high school, as a shortstop, and the top ranked high school hitter in the nation by the way, I always thought he would end up playing second base if he ever made it to the big leagues. How cool would it be if I was right, an he played second for the Cardinals?