Cards pull trigger on Rasmus trade ... again, why?

Because he's in a two-month slump and still isn't one of tony La Russa's "boys," though he IS his daddy's boy,the St. Louis Cardinals have decided to trade Colby Rasmus

Trading for iffy free-agent-to-be starter Edwin Jackson AND a bag of spare parts in a three way deal?

Well, this was a modestly better deal than the original straight-up one with the White Sox. That said, it's pretty clear this is a "win this year" deal.

Here's who the Cards get back besides Jackson: Relievers Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, along with outfielder Corey Patterson.

In other words, a fading former semi-fulltime closer and a LOOGY of decent but not great value, but with Dotel being a free agent (Note: I earlier incorrectly said Rzepczynski will be a free agent; rather, he'll be arbitration eligible), and a utility outfielder, ALSO a free agent after this year.

In exchange, the Cards trade an outfielder with more potential than all three of the players they get back, and one who is not free-agent eligible until 2015.

Here's Yahoo's Big League Stew blog's take on the trade:

Whatever his issues, Rasmus is by far the most talented player in the trade, which does address one of St. Louis' needs — more pitching. But it comes at a huge cost, for now and for the future.

Edwin Jackson is a free agent at season's end, Dotel is 37 years old and Patterson's career has mirrored what Rasmus' might look like if he doesn't develop consistency. Rzepczynski is really hard to spell, but is left-handed.

I'd agree. The only way this is a long-term, or even medium-term, win for the Cards is if Rasmus is at least as big a head case north of the border as south.

ESPN also thinks this is a dumb trade. And, with the Padres still interested in moving Heath Bell or his setup man Mike Adams (who is NOT in a free agent year, to boot), Tony the Pony could have done better.

And, if Tony the Pony wanted to help his pitching ... err, it would be nice to have a better SS than Theriot, among other things.

This also shows who really runs the front office for the Cards: Tony La Russa, not John Mozeliak. What will that mean for Albert Pujols? Or other deals of or for people who aren't "Tony's boys"?