Cards want to trade Colby Rasmus? Why?

Because he's in a two-month slump and still isn't one of tony La Russa's "boys," the St. Louis Cardinals want to trade five-tool outfielder Colby Rasmus?

Trading for iffy free-agent-to-be starter Edwin Jackson AND lefty reliever Matt Thornton would be bad enough. Trading for just one or the other plus loose change from Kenny Williams' pocket would be stupid.

Yes, GM John Mozeliak says he's opposed, but Tony the Pony is surely still pushing this clunker of an idea.

Update: Well, the Cards pulled the trigger, getting a modestly better deal than the original one, let alone Jackson alone. That said, it's pretty clear this is a "win this year" deal.

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.

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?