Best Move

Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty was hesitant to trade talented but too-often-injured outfielder J.D. Drew, for fear the kid would finally come into his own and have a monster season someplace other than St. Louis. Well, Jocketty finally pulled the trigger this past off-season -- and lo and behold, a suddenly healthy Drew is having a breakout year that has him on pace to crush 30-plus homers and drive in 100 runs. And guess what: It doesn't matter. The Cardinals stillhave baseball's most potent offense, and Jason Marquis and Ray King have filled gaping holes (fourth starter and left-handed set-up man, respectively) on the Cards' pitching staff, while Wainwright gets groomed in Memphis to step into the big club's starting rotation if and when Woody Williams retires or Matt Morris signs elsewhere. And they're a bargain trio, to boot, leaving Jocketty with budgetary room for future maneuvers.