Doh!

by gforce on Jul 6, 2007 11:48 PM EDT

Not a Simpsons post, but that is how I feel. I found the article about Brett Zawacki in an Illinois newspaper that recently (as in today) took down the link. Since I don't want to subscribe to their online service to read it, I will summarize it.

Basically, he is signed to Arizona State and hasn't heard from the Cardinals much. St. Louis hasn't made an offer, and it is starting to sound like a broken record. Whether or not the big club is in the playoff hunt, Zawacki and Kozma could very well go off to playing ball at big-time college programs.

Kyle Russell, Tyler Henley, and Michael Stutes fall into a totally different category, but I'm worried more about the two HS players. Russell will sign for enough money, and Stutes is coming off of two straight National Titles. Henley is the wild card in my opinion, but the Cards should get him signed before the Aug. 15 deadline.

Not sure if St. Louis has ever failed to sign their first-round pick, and I don't see it happening this year. That leaves the Illinois hurler who is currently playing for a traveling All-Star team. The article didn't say which way he was leaning, and I'm really hoping to be making a bigger deal out of this than it really is.

Show the kids some money and get the deals done. Or this year's draft will really be one of a kind for all the wrong reasons.

Tweet Comment 8 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Speaking of The Simpsons, though

Springfield, MO is in the running for the USA Today contest to hold a premiere for the movie. Do you Cardinals' duty and vote! :)

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/simpsons-contest.htm

.500 here we come...

by effin fisk on Jul 7, 2007 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

Hey, now

Springfield, IL is in Cardinals territory, and it is a known fact that Homer Simpson would eat a ton of Mel-o-Cream donuts.

by DanUpBaby on Jul 7, 2007 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes, I know

there's a reason why I didn't ever bring it up before, but i just couldn't resist. IL doesn't have the double-A affiliate, either. :)

.500 here we come...

by effin fisk on Jul 7, 2007 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Russell

I guess positive thinking does it for you, because he's not going to end up signing with the Cards this year.

by bigboy1234 @ Viva El Birdos on Jul 7, 2007 12:33 AM EDT reply actions

I'm not very optimistic either

But I prefer to stick with my dreaming ways. I was confused with most of the picks on draft day, as were the majority of VEB followers. Given what I have read about Russell, his high-reward future does make it hard to see why they haven't signed him.

Watching him play in a wood-bat league is great and all but couldn't they watch him DEVELOP at Batavia?

When I open my eyes this whole season will be a dream...

by gforce on Jul 8, 2007 2:22 AM EDT up reply actions

i know nothing about zawacki

but they've already signed 7 RHP's that they drafted ahead of him, and also signed 7 RHP's drafted below him- it could be that they just decided they didn't care about/need him. That or luhnow spilled coffee on Zawacki's folder and decided to skip dealing with it until last.

Kozma and Russell kind of make me wonder because, while Russell is asking for $1M+, there hasn't been a word from kozma's folks either way that I've seen.

Don't Panic!!!

by SleepyCA on Jul 7, 2007 12:42 AM EDT reply actions

Zawacki

Is another of the high-risk/high-reward picks. It will take some money to get him signed and not enjoying the sun at Arizona State. But his stuff has been described as electric, and only Hooker was picked ahead of him out of high school.

A 12th round pick isn't one you don't 'care' about. I'm getting tired of the slot theory the Cardinals have been using, and the team isn't lacking in funds. Spend the extra money now and put the great Lunhow evaluation skills to the test.

Zawacki, Russell, and Kozma might never wear the BOB, but at least give them them opportunity.

When I open my eyes this whole season will be a dream...

by gforce on Jul 8, 2007 2:44 AM EDT up reply actions

an update on russell (sort of)

According to Brian Walton, it seems that there is concern that he'll be able to hit with a wooden bat (he hit .206 last summer, with 64 Ks in 126 at bats in a wooden bat league).

WJ apparently made a comment to goold about that and that is why Russell is playing for the team in santa barbara in a wooden bat league this summer. It's going to give them a better idea of his value as a player.

full discussion here, for those who want to pay for it (definitely worth it, imho):
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?S=321&F=2122&T=692540

Don't Panic!!!

by SleepyCA on Jul 8, 2007 12:01 AM EDT reply actions