The St. Louis Cardinals were interested in improving their biggest hole on offense: shortstop. They inquired about the Chicago White Sox's shortstop Alexei Ramirez. The Texas Rangers have now made it known that they are willing to listen on deals involving anybody. Should the Cardinals look into acquiring shortstop Elvis Andrus?
Whoa! Sounds like one team is already giving up? This whole time the Rangers played it like they were buyers. Now, suddenly, they're selling? The Cardinals have a young promising shortstop in Pete Kozma, but he hasn't provided enough help on offense, though his defense speaks for itself, having only committed six errors in 2013. Andrus might provide some more flash and dash, but he would be a downgrade on defense after committing 11 errors in 2013.
However, would his ability to get on base and steal be worth the errors? Andrus has scored almost twice as many runs as Kozma in 2013. Andrus' offensive line looks like this: .250/.310/.289 with 0 home runs, 32 RBI, 23 stolen bases and 56 runs. Kozma's numbers are the following: .241/.283/301 with one home run, 31 RBI, two stolen bases and 32 runs scored. Andrus also strikes out less, which could help explain why his OBP is 27 points higher than Kozma.
Everybody knows, in St. Louis, base runners mean runs, as the Cardinals are baseball's second best hitting team with a combined .274 average, 478 RBI, which is good for fifth in baseball and tied for third with 500 runs scored in 2013. Andrus would certainly be an upgrade over Kozma and he has a proven track record, though he's struggling in 2013.
However, the move doesn't seem worth it as the Cardinals could probably use a shortstop with more pop. St. Louis is lacking a hitter than can hit the long ball. In 2013, the Cardinals have only 83 home runs, which is the fourth worst total in baseball. Andrus will never become a prolific home run hitter despite being young and able to adapt his game.
Andrus appears to be all hype and it's easy to wonder why the Rangers even offered him an eight-year extension worth over $100 million. Is Andrus better than Kozma? Yes. Is he worth the investment? No.
