Cardinals claim Gary Brown

Gary Brown still has the tools that made him a first-round pick. He just needs to figure out the whole hitting business, and he'll be at least a worthwhile reserve. If he could just go to the right organization ...

Cardinals claim Gary Brown

Uh-oh.

The Cardinals have always run a fascinating hitter farm, making major leaguers out of unlikely ore. Jon Jay wasn't anything special in the minors. Neither were Allen Craig, Matt Adams, or David Freese. Those four aren't exactly All-Stars, but they all developed into something more than their minor league stats would have suggested.

Is Gary Brown next?

Is this what finally pushes the Cardinals over that NLCS hump for the first time since 1987?

IS THIS THEIR TRAVIS ISHIKAWA?

Probably not. But I can't think of a lot of clubs I'd want to go to more if I were in Brown's position. The Cardinals are exceptionally well run, and they apparently see enough in Brown to give up a spot on the 40-man roster. I'm curious/terrified to see how this turns out. Best of luck/worst of luck, Gary Brown.