I think it was in the 50's or early 60's when the Cards put four first basemen in the starting lineup; an aging Musial in left, Joe Cunningham in center, Bill White in right and George Crowe at first.  The current outfield is second only to that lineup in defensive futility. Duncan just can't play the field. The first hit of last night's game would have been caught (pop fly to medium left by Rollins) by a near-average left fielder. Because he can't go back on anything, Duncan positions himself about fifteen feet from the wall no matter what the situation is. Later in the game another similar fly ball fell in. Both were opposite field fly balls by left handers. Phillies' color man (and former left fielder) Gary Matthews Sr. flatly stated that both of those balls should have been caught. Yes, he made a nice play on a ball at the wall, but every defensive play he makes is shaky. Let's face facts: he's a DH in a non-DH league.
     If the organization is going to insist on a "pitch to contact" philosophy, then it needs a major upgrade defensively, because Duncan is not alone in his defensive shortcomings. Our best defenders are on the infield corners and we are very weak up the middle. Eckstein and Miles have limited range, and Kennedy looks like he's in his 40's, not 30's. Even when Edmonds was playing he wasn't covering what he used to, and So gave away a game last week (and we haven't seen him since).
Finally, there's Yadi, who I would call a work in progress. To date, he's no Mike Metheny. He has too many lapses in concentration. He has the spectacular arm, but must develop better fundamentals. I'm not down on him (his first error last night should have been given to Miles): he's one of our few plus defenders.
     I hope the powers that be decide to be sellers and address needs on defense and with speed. I'd like to see Duncan and Kennedy sent to the Yankees for Cano if that is doable.This is not just frustration from the last few weeks: I've been harping on defense since last year.