new year's eve eve a.m. reading list

by lboros on Dec 30, 2005 9:12 AM EST in St. Louis Cardinals News

some network business etc.:

first, our tech guys think they have run down the line of code that was making ev'ybody's text turn red on IE. should be back to black. so please let me know, IE users -- problem fixed? what about the wide-screen thing, is that tic still in place? feedback plz (and thanks for your patience).

john sickels, who writes the SB Nation brother site Minor League Ball, is taking orders for his 2006 Baseball Prospect Book. he's been writing that annual for more than a decade -- i used to buy it ev'y spring back in my roto-league days in the 90s -- and there's no greater single-volume authority on the minor leagues. there's an ad for it on the left sidebar of this site, or you can click here for ordering info.

also on the SB network, Talking Chop landed an interview w atlanta gm john schuerholz -- part 3 is now up. the guy confronts a lot of the same issues as walter jocketty; remember last year when he picked up brian jordan and raul mondesi as his opening-day corner ofs? next to that pair, juan'cion and bigbie are maris/mantle, no? parts 1 and 2 of the conversation are here and here.

here's a northsider's lament that the cubs haven't seized the opportunity to make significant upgrades and catch the cardinals in a moment of seeming weakness. the guy writes in all lowercase letters, a sign of very high intelligence. . . . .side note: this article says (per player's agent) that marquis grissom is going to sign with the cubs, devon white and otis nixon apparently being unavailable.

this here brewer fan (and SB brother) projects the cards as a 91-win team in 2006; that was before the spivey/encar'n signings. and this here other, less-well-informed brewer fan has some issues w the cards and needed to vent. danup has a little fun w the guy . . . .

joe borowski signed with the marlins; say hi to aunt selma for me, cuz. so much for seeing the family name stitched on a card'l uni. but keep an eye on this dude, because if he pitches well he'll be in some contender's bullpen (maybe ours) come august.

play a hard 9 and (by inference) the 26th man are both warming to the encarnacion signing. . . . but btf's transaction oracle has not quite come to grips with the orioles' jeromy burnitz acquisition.

trade talk: the mariners are still talking trade w the red sox over cf jeremy reed (who i think's a good player), but now the return is said to be prospects papelbon and lester rather than clement or arroyo. that type of exchange makes much more sense to me from seattle's standpoint; don't know if cards can (or would) get involved dangling lambert or another young arm. . . . .

back this afternoon w a juicy discussion thread for the weekend.

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Brewers fans

While I won't dispute that the Brew Crew will return to prominence someday soon (maybe this coming year, maybe 2007)I find it laughable that their fans are nitpicking over our roster. Maybe they should take a look at their own before passing judgment. Granted, they have a lot of young talent, but until that talent starts putting up consistent #'s for a few seasons (hello Mr. Pujols), then they really have no room to criticize the Redbirds.

It stinks that we have to go bargain hunting most of the time, but there's obviously some skill required in the Cardinals' scouting department since most of the players we acquire end up being productive. I'm sure the city, fans, and clubhouse environment have something to do with it as well. While I wasn't thrilled at the beginning of the offseason player movement, I'm okay with the roster as it stands. I wish we could've acquired better outfielders than Juan Encarnacion and Larry Bigbie but I've been fine with signing Encarnacion all along and it seems that he's close to Reggie Sanders as far as production is concerned. I'm not getting into on-base % and slugging, etc. because those stats aren't all that important in my eyes. Bigbie could turn out to thrive in this environment. If he hits .280 with 15-20 HR's and 80 RBI I'd take that in a heartbeat for his $900K salary. That being said, I like the revamped bullpen and would be happy if Felix Rodriguez were added to the fold. I'd be thrilled beyond belief if the Cards could swing a deal for Jose Contreras but if it doesn't happen I'm fine with a rotation of Carp, Mulder, Suppan, Marquis and Reyes.

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Dec 30, 2005 10:43 AM EST reply actions

thanks for reading

I don't know how much of your comment about Brewers fans nitpicking over your roster was about me, but you will notice I've projected you guys for 94 wins or so, and us for 86. I'm nitpicking because I nitpick about everybody--that's what statheads do :). It would take a colossal injury bug in St Louis to hand Milwaukee the NL Central next year ...but watch out in 2007 :)

http://www.BrewCrewBall.com

Daily Brewers Blog: http://www.BrewCrewBall.com

by jeffbcb @ Viva El Birdos on Dec 30, 2005 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

hey jeff

thanks for coming over, and happy new year to you. i'm betting IBCR was referring to the guy at mvn, who took a very mocking tone in his piece. he was also rather sloppy in his analysis and got a few facts wrong.

personally i have no prob'm w what you wrote. your guesstimate re the cards' win total agrees w mine --- i'm eyeing them at 92-95 games, as the roster now stands.

by lboros on Dec 30, 2005 12:08 PM EST up reply actions

Hooray

The black "ink" is back! The page is still oversized, but that's a pretty minor inconvenience. At least I can read everything without that "I need 3D glasses" feeling. Thanks, LB.

And I kinda like our division rivals believing the Cards will be a pushover this year. How soon they forget the magic that TLR/Dunc/and the other coaches work with so-called "crumb bums." Most teams woulda been lucky to finish 500 with the injuries and other problems the Birds rode to 100 wins and a playoff berth last year. We'll see how the new crop pans out this year. It may not be pretty, but I think the reports of the Cardinals 06 demise are a bit premature, even if Walt doesn't have any tricks up his sleeve (which he most certainly does). Besides, I haven't seen any scary moves made our division rivals either--the NL Central has had a sadly unexciting offseason in general so far. But hey, being underestimated is a weapon the Birds have used to great effect the last couple of years, so please feel free...

by rockin redbird on Dec 30, 2005 11:34 AM EST reply actions

MVN

Yes, I was in fact responding to MVN's piece about the Cardinals, so please don't take offense. I think the Brewers and Diamondbacks are going to be very good for many years, most likely starting in 2007.

I especially like your rotation with Ben Sheets, Doug Davis, and a guy who I grew up near, Chris Capuano. While I still think the Cards and Astros are the teams to beat in the NL Central, I have no doubt Milwaukee will be in the hunt this year. You guys have the best nickname in baseball anyway (Brew Crew) so that should help tide you over until the northern beer city challenges the southern beer city for NL Central supremacy.

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Dec 30, 2005 12:33 PM EST reply actions

Contreras

Accorsing to mlbtraderumors.com, Jose has been offered to the O's as part of a package for Tejada. So I guess he IS on the block. Hopefully that falls through (can't imagine the O's wouldn't rather have Manny) and Walt can make a move.

by WhackCuzzi on Dec 30, 2005 1:31 PM EST reply actions

Also,

I keep hearing Victor Diaz's name being thrown around in a bunch of Mets trade rumors. I saw him play in AAA a bit, and remembered telling my dad (who I was at the game with) that I wouldn't be suprised to see him turn into a pretty good OF in the bigs. He didn't have great numbers last year as he bounced between AAA and the Mets, but still, not terrible (and he can't be much worse than what we have). At the least, he would provide some depth at Memphis or something. What do you guys think?

by WhackCuzzi on Dec 30, 2005 1:40 PM EST reply actions

diaz would be great

i think we could get diaz for a wainwright and something else...i saw him here when they came into town and played the cards he hit two bombs and one of them hit the jumbotron scoreboard thing in left field...thet guy has a shit load of power in his bat

bring home a championship to STL

by cards4ever on Dec 30, 2005 8:11 PM EST up reply actions

holy crap

the cubs signed grissom? and may get zito..but grissom nooooo

by punchinjudy on Dec 30, 2005 2:34 PM EST reply actions

They

haven't got him yet--just the latest rumor.

by rockin redbird on Dec 30, 2005 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

Diaz

Victor Diaz could start for us. He put up good #'s despite limited playing time in 2005 for the Mets. I'd be happy if we got him but he looks like he'll either stay a Met and platoon in right with Nady or he'll be traded to acquire Manny.

by I Bleed Cardinal Red on Dec 30, 2005 2:41 PM EST reply actions

there still has been

nothing official as to whether or not the Cubs signed wilson..if they didnt and turn to marquis wow what a turn of events

by punchinjudy on Dec 30, 2005 3:30 PM EST reply actions

I really hope

they take Grissom. Dude is old and injury prone. He might have a little pop left in his bat, but his days as an MVP/Gold Glove caliber player are over. I don't find this rumor to be threatening at all. Zito on the other hand...

by rockin redbird on Dec 30, 2005 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

Grissom - smell the fumes

I saw Grissom a lot last year on the SF Giants. He is done. He can't run anymore because he's weighed down with that huge fork sticking out of his back.

His bat seems slow and he has no range any more. But that is to be expected when you are 106 years old.

I hope he goes to the Cubs.

by BozCardsFanSF on Dec 30, 2005 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

I love Grip

But if ever a player seemed to be done... it'd be a 39-year-old platoon speed-merchant who's had two seperate resurgences in his career.

by DanUpBaby on Dec 30, 2005 5:12 PM EST up reply actions

marquis

is not threatning i was being sacrcastic earlier..but Zito ya i think that is..but the cubs have been mentioned in just about every trade or player available..and havent done all that much

by punchinjudy on Dec 30, 2005 3:57 PM EST reply actions

D'oh!

Sorry. My sarcasm detector is on the blink. I'm hoping too the Zito rumor will go the way of the Furcal and Tejada rumors--tho if Miggy doesn't keep his trap shut, they may dump him for less than a Mark Prior just to be rid of a negative press machine. That would be horribly ironic, wouldn't it? Hendry can't put a decent deal together, but the Flubs somehow end up with him for a lot less than they were willing to give originally. Yikes. I'd really like to read that Walt is in the mix for all this Zito and Tejada yap. Neither would happen for us, but I'd feel better hearing that Walt has his foot in the door should something wacky happen.

by rockin redbird on Dec 30, 2005 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

i would rather

see them get tejada than zito..theyd have to give up alot for him. Prior would be gone. If they keep Prior and manage to get Zito that is what scares me. You wonder though if and when wood will be ready..i have read not for opening day...

by punchinjudy on Dec 30, 2005 4:19 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

Zito has more goods to help them, especially if Prior stays and stays out of freak accidents. Wood is pretty much a ghost. Even if he's ready by opening day, it'll only be a matter of time before he hurts himself again. He doesn't have the mechanics to sustain how hard he throws, and the way Baker and his coaches misuse their starters, he's doomed. Isn't it about time for Zambonehead to spend some time on the DL? That guy really is a frickin moose.

by rockin redbird on Dec 30, 2005 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

I can't stand

Zambrano either... but you're right, the guy is a frickin' moose. Out of all the Cubs "star" pitchers, Z has been the one to actually perform like a star pitcher. Wood and Prior keep getting hurt, and Greg Maddux is 1,000 years old... and, somehow, Glendon Rusch hasn't picked up that Cy Young yet.

Meh! I think the Astros are still the Cards' stiffest competition in the NL Central...

by The Ol Goaler on Dec 30, 2005 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

I agree...

for the moment. But if the Stros lose Rocket and the Flubs gain Zito, keep Prior (for a 1-2-3 of Francheese, Zambone, Zito--and all stay healthy and throw well), and then somehow land Tejada--whoa. That could very well be a playoff-bound team. Of course this is the Flubs we're talking about, so chances are none of this will happen--or even if it did, they'd all get hurt in a big, freak pile-up or something. And there is always the Dusty factor. Still, it's a sobering thought.

by rockin redbird on Dec 30, 2005 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

that is because

They are trying to pawn Corey Patterson on everyone.

What prospects do they have? Felix Pie? Ronny Cedeno? Rich Hill?

It seems like I have been hearing about these prospects for years and nothing has happened to them.

by wcheuk on Dec 30, 2005 4:06 PM EST reply actions

this just in

the cubs traded corey patterson to the blue jays for milk in a bag, and cash. There was talk of a bag full of venison being included..but the jays thought that was too risky

by punchinjudy on Dec 30, 2005 4:08 PM EST reply actions