Colbeassurance
by DanUpBaby on Oct 20, 2008 11:23 AM EDT
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PrintHail, hail, the conquering heroes. I can honestly that I've never been more excited for a team that's not Our Guys. It's a shame that the Rays-Phillies matchup, in which two of the most snakebitten teams in baseball—filled, now, with exciting young players who've never been here before—are looking to reverse their fortunes completely, is going to be a ratings disaster. It should say something to Major League Baseball, particularly whoever's in control of the advertising budget and the national TV schedule, that they can't market these teams.
Meanwhile, every newspaper in America is beginning articles with the same lede: "Could we get Jake Peavy? Well, yes, but..." It's like an internet meme for sports pages, and I wouldn't be surprised if they're running hypothetical trades in Japan, or setting up lemonade stands to pay for his contract in Frontier League cities.
But the Cardinals are in the thick of it; we're the team that gets mentioned in other cities' Hot Stove talk. Before we get any further I think we need to consider, a little more seriously, the man the Cardinals would be giving up in any Peavy deal. That's right: whither Colby Rasmus? I hate to sound too much like Real Ultimate Power, speaking of internet memes (although the purpose of Colby Rasmus is to flip out and hit home runs), but there are some facts to keep in mind when discussing any Rasmus-Peavy trade.
FACT ONE: Colby Rasmus will be 22 next year. That's really young, even when measured in Pujols years. He will also be free, as far as baseball players go. Were the Cardinals to acquire Peavy the team that would be spending something like $42 million on three pitchers by 2011. If they've traded Rasmus, Jess Todd, and Jason Motte—let's say that's the deal—where are they coming up with the money to pay their replacements? This is part of the Peavy-centric argument detailed in chuck's last post, and I can't improve on it.
FACT TWO: Colby Rasmus hit 29 home runs in AA as a 20 year-old. It's easy to forget, since we spent so long waiting for him to get started in the PCL last year, but the reason we were waiting in the first place was that Rasmus put up an isolated power of .276 in AA at an age where most college draftees are looking forward to getting their start in short-season ball. He went 18 of 21 stealing bases, while he was at it, and threw 11 baserunners out when the rules of baseball prevented him from playing offense.
This isn't damaged goods, or a player you take a flier on. This is a guy who put up a .742 OPS while young for his league and got hurt after a month where his on-base percentage was .441. He's a guy who could have beaten the pulp out of the Texas League for another year without anyone worrying about his age, because he's the same age as Brett Wallace. So I'm not concerned about his performance in Memphis last year, and I doubt the Cardinals are, either.
FACT THREE: Colby Rasmus is all those other prospects you wish the Cardinals had. Like a lot of people, I'm on the Brandon Wood bandwagon. I think he's undervalued by his team, major league ready, and set to provide above-average offense at a premium defensive position. It's hard to think about our team's prospects with the same can't-miss attitude I ascribe to other teams' players, but I think that's the same feeling you'd get about Colby Rasmus from a Padres fan. If Rasmus were the undervalued center fielder on the Yankees or the Padres I feel like I'd be painting icons with ornate halos surrounding all his batheads.
He's really good; I don't know what else to say. If you have four solid young outfielders, or five, or eight, he's not the one you trade.
Meanwhile, long-time GUB photographer Dan's Mom is in Arizona for the week and sent me some photos of the Cardinals' Fall League players. (Obsessing over Cardinals prospects is a family business.)
Shane Robinson and Our Man the Walrus starred at the first game she went to. Both players look like caricatures of their reputations; Wallace is a linebacker, and Robinson looks like they didn't have a batting helmet or baseball pants in his size. (I asked her to do a little scouting and she was most impressed by Robinson's outfield arm, so I guess looks can be deceiving.) Photos after the jump; more to come, I'm assured.
They're like the big cartoon dog and the little jumping dog that keeps saying "Let me yattem!"
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Wallace
Brett Wallace is indeed an ogre. I remember watching ASU play on Fox Sports Southwest this spring and seeing the guy hit about 3 missiles, including one home run that didn’t appear to be more than 20 feet off the ground. I’m really hoping that he can stick at third or play outfield…from what I’m hearing the biggest knock isn’t speed or hands or anything like that, it’s explosive quickness.
However, I always say early in the draft you should take the best guy you can get and figure out everything else later…and that is what the ’birds did this time. Bravo, sirs…now hopefully it works.
"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 20, 2008 11:34 AM EDT reply actions
I for one
think he might be able to stick at third
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I for two
think so as well. I got to see Brett play during his very brief time with the River Bandits and I was impressed with his play at third.
same here
he had quick reflexes
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 21, 2008 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Also...
I liked your little quip about Japanese teams and Frontier League squads, and it made this image come to mind:
The GM of the Yomiuri Giants sits hunched over at his desk. He patiently awaits the phone call from San Diego, CA, USA, regarding one Jake Peavy. The GM has offered Alex Ramirez and Michihiro Ogasawara, the Giants’ two best hitters this past season, along with a PTBNL and 10,000 of those noisemakers they use in Japan. He is hoping that Peavy can team with Tetsuya Utsumi and Seth Greisinger to form a pitching staff that will dominate the Central League for several years to come…
"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.
by redbirdnation8206 on Oct 20, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions
I'm certainly reluctant to give up Colby...
in any deal that doesn’t bring back a young cost controlled player. Baseball is still a business, and considering that Colby will probably bring the same (if not greater) value over the five years (i.e…win shares) we would have Peavy I just can’t justify the difference in cost…let alone throwing in two more solid prospects. Peavy is due $78 million in those five years while Colby would probably make $16 million at the most (that’s $6 mil in first arb year and $8.5 mil in year two of arb). I think we could do a great deal with that $62 million.
impact LHB's on the cardinals 40 man roster............
1) rick ankiel, and he’s a FA after 2009.
2) er-uh, well………how about……….nope, nevermind.
if we don’t watch it, we’re going to be very vulnerable to rhp’s who do well vs rhb’s. both starters and relievers.
skip schumaker is an above average bat, for me, as a leadoff type. but nowhere near an impact, middle order bat.
chris duncan needs a comeback year, from very serious surgery.
miles and kennedy are platoon players, who’s 2008 numbers would drop significantly under everyday starter usage. both had about a half of a seasons starts in 08, allowing them to sit, when the matchups were unfavorable.
lopez and izturis are free agents. neither is an impact bat, over a full season as everyday starters.
rasmus and wallace? both have HUGE value in balancing our everyday lineup.
looking at the world series teams in 2008, is as good example as i can give, of the importance of impact lhb’s to a postseason team.
he's not a LHB but...
There is a guy, bats third, wears number 5, bats RHP ok from time to time…
My point is that tho ankiel might be the only “impact” LHB in our lineup, that doesn’t mean we would be totally inept against rightys. Not all, tho an uncomfortable amount, of our players can only hit breaking balls from one side of the rubber.
Like many of us, I think, I keep going back and forth on the Peavy trade. The most important factor I find to be the FA pitching market is strong now and a few more $$ might be worth keeping Rasmus, Todd, etc.
"All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first category have much chance of amounting to anything."--Thomas Boswell
And there is a RHB that hits RHP better than LHP
I believe he wears #47 bats 4th
by bearcatcardfan on Oct 20, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
as does troy glaus
by 69 points! .290 vs RHP .221 vs LHP
"All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first category have much chance of amounting to anything."--Thomas Boswell
Glaus
put up a really peculiar year for us. You may recall that one of the pluses he was supposed to bring to the lineup was he was an absolute lefty masher. Even counting this year’s unusual reverse split, he still has a career OPS of .958 vs. LHPs and .824 vs. RHPs. in 2007 he hit for an OPS of 1.235 vs LHPs!!! Next year will be interesting – maybe he will hit both!
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
i wonder if hglaus faced an inordinate amount of lefties to start the year?
if he had some sort of weird funk vs. lefties in 2008, maybe this contributed to his power-outage early on. who knows. hopefully he’ll improve a tick on his already very sweet offense.
Or maybe
Seeing said inordinate amount of lefties early on, while he was slumping, caused his numbers for the season vs lhp to be lower than career norms?
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
well, it's a chicken-and-egg argument, isn't it...
ok, so maybe your theory makes more sense. i’m a questioner, not an answerer!
it took glaus 50 AB or so vs lefties, until he made his adjustments.
early on in 2008 he was looking to pull everything, especially at home, to show his worth to his new fan base. his knuckles were hanging over the plate. inside or outside, righty or lefty, his approach was jerk it over the lf wall. there couldn’t be a worse approach vs lefties.
after enough helmet throwing and unsuccessful AB’s, he backed off the plate and started using the whole field. since the correct approach is for a righty to take a lhp to rf, he was now set up correctly and willing to use rf. and he did then have better success, vs both. he didn’t change the remainder of the season.
just me, but that’s what i saw. since he was new to the team, i did have him under the microscope.
by ball in play on Oct 20, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, ludwick seems to bat 4th when ankiel is unavailable,
which was quite often in 08, with ankiels soft record of being available to start.
when both are available, tlr seems to use ankiel 4th to break up the string of righties pujols, ludwick, glaus, molina 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th.
seemed he was trying to do the same with the switch hitter lopez vs righties, batting him 5th or 6th. trying for a staggered lineup with the players he had available. if wallace can eventually bat middle order, it will help the stagger.
if an all righty lineup is ok by you and others, it may not be far off.
a walk year from ankiel and miles and a rasmus and kennedy trade will put us one lefty (skip) from an all righty lineup. until wallace gets to the parent club level.
i’ll pass. too many reasons to value a lhb.
by ball in play on Oct 20, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
What's this...
sitting when matchups are unfavorable stuff you speak of??? Sounds interesting…maybe we should try it.
lol, like 08? with 4 starters requiring a platoon?
and some wonder why tlr uses so many different lineups :)
so far, rasmus and wallace #‘s suggest they hit both sides pitching. wouldn’t that be a nice change.
by ball in play on Oct 20, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Peavy's mechanics
are definitely questionable. I think I’d rather see the cards take a legitimate shot at Furcal than pay Peavy a premium salary for the next several seasons.
"Never judge a taco by its price" - Dr. Gonzo
Mechanics
There was a pitcher who came up a few years ago and was dominant. everyone said he had perfect mechanics , he’d never get hurt. That pitcher was Mark Prior. I don’t think you can fit everyone into the same throwing motion and expect the same results.
Prior = Perfect
As I have said repeatedly before, the person who said Mark Prior had perfect pitching mechanics was Mark Prior’s pitching coach Tom House, the very person who taught Mark Prior his pitching mechanics.
IOW, Tom House wasn’t exactly an uninterested, totally objective party.
Tom House
is the same guy who taught Anthony Reyes. We probably dodged a bullet with him.
by Red in Chicago on Oct 20, 2008 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
thanks Dan's Mom!
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
Robinson
I watched Shane play early in the season when I was visiting Frisco. His size is obviously the first thing you notice, but covered a lot of ground and appeared to give away nothing as far as arm strength goes. It’s too bad there really isn’t a spot for him.
I was at a game in Springfield
in which Shorey and Robinson both had outfield assists in throwing runners out at home! Robinson also led that game off with a line drive double off the wall and had a couple RBI later in the game. I was quite impressed.
"All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first category have much chance of amounting to anything."--Thomas Boswell
Agreed
Plus I can’t get over the possibility of this lineup:
Furcal
Rasmus
Pujols
Ludwick
Ankiel
Glaus
Molina
Pitcher
Miles/Lopez/Whoever
Much as I love Jake Peavy (and I do), I really think that Razzle is just as valuable to our team over the length of this contract. Keep Rasmus and you get Rasmus and whoever you buy with all that money (Furcal?). Trade him and you can only afford Peavy. I say screw that.
Razzle I like it
Just because of NBA Jam’s “Razzle Dazzle” call.
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
Boom-shaka-laka
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
If you really like...
…there is a t-shirt already for you at Future Redbirds. I designed it…I got mad skills.
I will buy that shirt within 10 seconds if you provide a link
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
Future Redbirds
http://www.futureredbirds.net/
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Awww
I thought it was a ‘Razzle Dazzle’ shirt. Put Dazzle below the #4 and I’m in no matter the cost (within college budget reason)
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
I'd pay double price for 'Razzle Dazzle' in powder blue
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
You’re welcome. I think I will head over again today and watch the game. I think I passed the baseball gene or addiction on to Dan.
It's not an addiction it's enlightenment
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
shgmom?
is that Sacred Heart-Griffin? They play a little football in those parts.
Nothin'. A handful of nothin'. You stupid mullet head. He beat you with nothin'. Just like today when he kept comin' back at me......with nothin'.
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Fast facts
Griffin High School’s most famous baseball player is former Angel shortstop Dick Schofield, who is the son of former Cardinal Ducky Schofield, who is the uncle of Philadelphia Phillie Jayson Werth.
by Red in Chicago on Oct 20, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Go Cyclones
Yes to the Sacred Heart Griffin. Dan’s brother played starting Rt. Guard and starting Left Tackle for the Back to Back State Championship teams . I played softball against the Kim Schofield in my high school days Kim is Jayson’s mom
You guys are SHG people?
That’s so bizarre to see Sacred-Heart being discussed here, since I just started a job teaching at SHG this school year.
Since you both mention football, just to let you know, we had a big game this last weekend. SHG was ranked 3rd in state, at 6-1, going up against Springfield H.S. (7-0, ranked 7th) for the conference and city championship. If I remember the score correctly, the final score was 48-0 SHG.
A little bit of a beat-down.
My affection for Wallace is no longer hypothetical
I’ve been impressed with what I’ve heard about him. Now that I’m seen a picture of his swing, color me smitten.
Love the pics. Keep ’em coming.
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
from when I saw him play for QC
he definitely looks like a masher
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
more pictures
I have thousands of pictures on my flickr site that are Cardinal related. here is the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shgmom56/
a few points
1) Is that Pop Warner I see? Is the the manager or just one of the coaches?
2) Your username is awesome. Hooray for moms!
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
Yes and thanks.
It is Pop Warner according to the roster I received at the game. I didn’t make it today but I am going tomorrow. It’s a fun afternoon.
Peoria Saguaros
Ron Warner: Manager
Rick Eckstein: Batting Coach
Wally Whitehurst: Pitching Coach
Jack Voigt: Coach
Kirk Champion: Coach
I talked to some friends over the weekend
and they all wanted to trade for Peavy. A rotation of Peavy, Wainwright, Lohse, Wellemeyer, and Pinero/Carp does sound pretty salty. In fact it sort of would remind me of Glavine, Smoltz, Maddux, Avery, and that other guy. I don’t really think this a mortgage of the future either. The years left on that peavy contract give all our other budding stars time to develop. SO we lose out on Rasmus, but we might find out Pete Kozma was a sleeper like Pujols. (Not Likely, but I think you get my point.) Proven over unproven. All star for potential all-star. Big Money, no money. THe list is extensive. There really is no right answer. It could go all Mulder on us, or it could go all Big Mac on us.
"It is easy to be brave from a safe distance." - Aesop
has Wallace slimmed down?
i know that may sound sarcastic but i am serious his legs don’t look near as big as i remember seeing here in Springfield in August and he doesnt look as round overall, …maybe it is just the picture angle or the point in his swing when the pic was taken…although this picture looks a little more like what i remember but still a little trimmer…whether he has or hasnt i still love that swing!!!
if we could get Peav Soup without giving up Raz, DJ or Odobenus rosmarus then i would be all for it (x2) but i dont think there is a chance of that happening considering what other teams could offer…what can i say i am a sucker for young cheap hitters who could be something special…
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum
You
don’t really have to worry about Odobenus. He can’t be traded right now anyway. Yes, I know they could do a PTBNL situation, but I think in that case it would be so transparent that MLB might very well step in and stop it.
Victory is sweet, even deep in the cheap seats.
by the red baron on Oct 20, 2008 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
i was worried about the PTBNL deal with him but i think you’re right about it being too easy to see-thru… but is that against the rules to have him as a PTBNL until he is eligible to be traded in June? If it isnt then there is really nothing MLB can do about it is there? it wouldnt be very smart on the Padres side of things because if he did get badly hurt before then they sure would be up the creek…
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum
I was thinking the same thing re: Wallace
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
me too
he looks a bit slimmer; plus he could be a late bloomer
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
and he's been on the road for a while now
i mean, just being under team care for a while will show some improvement. he looks, really, really good just in the few months he’s been on the team
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Haven't seen him
But 10 Ks in 24 AFL at-bats doesn’t look good to me.
[/joke]
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
Agree with Nomar
Wallace was definitely pear-shaped in August. Enormous thighs. The guy sitting beside us said that he looked Amish but minus the black hat and beard. For the rest of the game he referred to Wallace as the “Amish Thunder”.
"There is one word in America that says it all, and that one word is, 'You never know.'" Joaquin Andujar
You wouldn't include DJ for him?
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
no
i said if we could get him without giving up them 3 that would be great…DJ for Peavy straight up i’d do it in a heartbeat…even with my “DJ is the new Rickey” tattoo…
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum
Must Look @ Total Team Needs
I believe that overall team needs are getting lost in all of the trade discussions. The Cards have many needs and filling ALL of those needs makes me beleive that acquiring Peavy is not in the cards.
I think the Cards have several good offensive players but only one exceptional offensive player and that is obviously Pujols. Ludwick might move into that category with another solid year but he also might go backwards. The point is that the Cards have a core of very good players but only one stud and I believe that there is a real need to get another stud in this lineup in order to take full advantage of Pujols. The middle infield positions are a weak spot but I don’t think you find your guy to hit behind Pujols from the middle infield spots. If you find such guy it seems that such would likely be an outfielder. As has been pointed out the Cards have depth in the outfield but the strength is in numbers which might lead to a trade where you give up multiple players to add that additional stud to hit behind Pujols. There are no such players in the FA market and it therefore makes sense to me to use the trade chips to try to make this move and then use available revenue to fill in the other needs.
I really like Peavy but you don’t give up the farm when there are FA possibilities. The Cards need to be smart and leverage their trade chips in combination with a few smart FA signings and to me that eliminates a Peavy trade.
I will
be seriously disappointed if trade a talented, cost-controlled player for even Jake Peavy. I’d rather give Rasmus a shot, keep him a few years (at least) and if we’re gonna flip him, flip him for a couple of cost-controlled, good young pitchers.
So Shane Robinson is Dustin Pedroia
and Brett Wallace is Larry Walker, got it!
by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions
Can Robinson play 2B?
Silly question. EVERYONE can play 2B!
by Hardcore Legend on Oct 20, 2008 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
certainly
a player as short and white as Shane Robinson is destined to be a second baseman. Think of the grittiness he gives up in the outfield.
Yeah but if he falls down when he throws the ball and unnecessarily dives he can easily get his G.R.I.T. score back up
See Eric Byrnes.
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
Not really...
… I know it is a joke. But approaching the bag and the turn on the double-play is pretty effin hard.
I thought it was more like
ANYONE can play LF or RF. maybe i just watched too many games in September.
I Vote No on Peavy
I may still be burning from the Mulder trade but I cannot shake the feeling Peavy will breakdown before 2012. And if the 5th yr is needed to get the deal done then i REALLY dont like it. I think the priorities right now should be middle infield followed by bull pen. I would’ve put bullpen first but I really think Motte and Perez have a lot to offer.
by Walking Underwear on Oct 20, 2008 3:39 PM EDT reply actions
Priorities
I actually think the prioities next year are to get through the year without diminishing the long-term talent level of the organization for our next manager. LaRussa is going to want to trade a lot of young talent for his last stand in the uniform…
You do get
that this is Mo’s and Jeff’s time right? I highly doubt that Tony has any real influence right now, matter in fact, I’d say he’s on vacation and getting right for next year. As far as “trading a lot of young talent”, I haven’t seen Tony say anything of the sort. Over the year he said that we should trade for an impact bat – he didn’t say who to trade.
I for one am glad that he’s a win now kinda guy, of course it takes someone like Mo’ to ignore his ‘wants’ when they conflict with org approach, but I’d much rather have Tony’s approach and win now than I would like someone like Herm Edwards who preaches about the long process every time his team gets pummeled (lol!)
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
I wouldn’t mind a trade that helped both teams significantly. Such as Colby for an equal caliber shortstop. Someone as young and as promissing at SS as Colby is at CF. But does that player exist in a system where he’s as road blocked as Colby seems now. I keep thinking Brandon Wood might be a terrific potential trade target. He would keep us young for your next regime just young somewhere else
by Walking Underwear on Oct 20, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
not sure i view Rasmus as roadblocked
with Ainkel and Ludwick both being eligible for free agency after next season, that gives Colby the 2009 season to get called up, get adjusted, get experience, then be ready for the starting job in 2010 (if all goes right). I see that more like perfect timing.
I tend to agree with your idea about only trading him for a SS equal.
whoa now big fella.
it’s ankiel and wellemeyer who now accumulated over 5 years service time. FA eligible after 09.
ludwick just now broke 3 yrs service time. 2009, 2010 and 2011 are his arb years. 2012 FA eligible.
by ball in play on Oct 20, 2008 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I also vote no on the Peavster
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
unless we get him for something like
Skip/Ank/Glaus/Boggs
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
and of course
Duncan and Kennedy
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
dunc’s going no where if he plays at all again.
leaves kennedy and skip, not exactly trade material
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
glaus is going no where.
and he fits in with org needs. He allows wallace another year to develop. Can’t trade glaus, and I, personally wouldn’t want to trade a 3b with a GG glove off of the turf.
ank’s injury makes him pretty much a no no on trading, boggs has serious potential should he get a changeup
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
well
freese and craig are also ready to go… so anyway, I was halfway joking here
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree
We have traded / signed 3 big starting pitchers. None of them will be our #1 next year. Instead our #1 next year will be the pitcher lots of people on here wanted to trade away trying to get a #1 (adam). While Mulder is done, Carp may or may not pitch well next year, and Loshe is getting big money to be a #3/#4 pitcher.
At what point do we stop trading or signing pitchers just because they are older? The rays are proving that young pitchers can do the job just as well as the old guys. We need a bat for SS or 2b because we don’t have any viable options in house like we do for pitching.
I would rather have furcal and Boggs than Peavy and Ryan
People wanted to trade Adam?
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
When he was still a prospect, yes
Not sure if I still have the links.
John Lester and
that Young Pitcher the Red Sox have in the bullpen aren’t too bad either. And what about that guy Hamels guy, too.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
Agreed on all points
As my screenname would suggest, I probably hold some bias towards keeping Rasmus. I can see a case for dealing him, but I tend to cringe when thinking about it for many of the same reasons highlighted in this post. Particularly point 2. What he did in AA gives you a glimpse of what could possibly be here. That kind of power at that age, at that advanced a level….well, you can look around and see how often you will find that. So 07’ was a disappointment, I will concede that. Still he was performing at a high level after a slow first couple months, then he got hurt. He shows speed, he draws walks, he shows power at 20 & 21, when that tool usually doesn’t blossom until 6,7,8 years later. And he plays a premium position defensively. Plus he will be cheap enough to allow you to spend Peavy type money on another positions, assuming Rasmus pans out.
A couple other factors I think worth mentioning. You want to make sure the money is there to resign Pujols a few years down the road. I feel much better about this if Rasmus is in CF vs. Peavy in the rotation. And worst case scenario – if Peavy doesn’t sustain until the back end of the deal, what are the Cards going to do? Do you really think they will dig deeper, and continue to pay Peavy (as they must), address the holes in the rotation that come up (with an injured/ineffective Peavy), and pay Pujols 20 million+? I think this move is a gamble, and gambles can certainly pay off, but it also certainly stretches the rubber band to such an extent it may affect the negotiations with Pujols.
Secondly, I know we think we have a logjam in OF, but I’d argue it isn’t to the extent most think. Ankiel is in the last year, and has Boras as an agent. The possibilities are endeless there. Ludwick is going to be fine as long as healthy, he does have history there. And Duncan should not be in the plans right now.
Last year most were worried about the lineup and whether we could be in the top half in runs scored. The rotation was filled with question marks. But hey, we had a pretty solid bullpen. What happened? The lineup was pretty good, the rotation held together minus Pineiro, and the bullpen was an abomination. All that to say, we don’t really know the twists and turns yet.
If you want to deal Rasmus, do it because you are pretty sure the return value is too great to ignore. Don’t let projected outfield depth be a factor in the decision, not when the potential is there for him to be among the best at the position. Position depth is a consideration when you talk about a guy in the last years of his deal, like Ankiel, or a guy that projects as nothing more than solid, like Schumaker. Position depth isn’t as much of a factor when you are talking about a 6 year cost controlled asset, like Rasmus.
08' a disappointment rather
07’ was not at all. I’d say 08’ was not as bad as many believe though.
by Merry CRasmus on Oct 20, 2008 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
08 not that bad
over at future redbirds they did a q and a with a scout from BA. he too was of the mind that 08 really wasn’t that bad of a year for rasmus especially at his age.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
Peavy stuff aside -
I can’t agree with the saving for Albert argument. At all. If we essentially stand pat for the next 3 years until Albert’s contract comes back around, he won’t play here. Why would he? Because he could make a ton of coin? No.
From my prospective it appears as if Albert doesn’t push for money for the sake of money. He pushes for money to be paid fairly for what he’s offers. There’s a big difference. Albert is a guy who has several quotes and interviews where you can tell that he looks at baseball on a historical and legacy point of view. His legacy is what is in the org’s interest and his, not just the coin. So saving back money over the next three years isn’t going to make him stay here. If we’re not competitive and have shown a lackluster approach in trying to be competitive, I don’t see us keeping him at all. He’ll go to a team where he can build on that legacy, one that’s competitive and play there.
Albert’s one of the few players where his contract will pay for itself. From merchandising to season tickets to other approaches abound.
I’d just pay him what you have to pay him when the time comes and field a competitive team to give him a reason to come back. If we don’t do that, I don’t see us having a chance in hell on keeping him, no matter how much money we throw at him.
Agreed on the outfield depth, had an debate I had earlier in the year. Five of our OF have reasonable injury concerns (Ank, Dunc, Luddy, Barton and to a lesser extent – Mather). The problem is that we do have glut when they’re healthy and we have several mid-range prospects in the top two tiers in the minors.
We have to remove some of them, just which and for what is the main offseason challenge.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
There are other options
besides trading for Peavy or standing pat.
Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...
note : Peavy stuff aside :)
I never said there was two options, I just said that using Albert’s future contract issues as a reason to not go for Peavy isn’t something we should do.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
because there’s plenty, plenty of other reasons to not like the Peavy scenario.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
All I am saying is...
Rasmus helps you when you deal with these things in future years. It is more likely that you can both give Albert whatever he wants and stay competitive with Rasmus in the mix. If Peavy doesn’t work out, if you have to pay Ludwick, if Carpenter never pitches much again, if….Rasmus lets you pay more to address whatever will surely come up later.
Cards have a few dollars to spend finally and they have some prospects. That’s a pretty good place to be. Why not spend the money to play in the FA market (preferably 3 year deals or less) and hold on to the prospects to offset the salaries they pay?
I see a correlation between having a productive Rasmus around, and the ease with which Pujols can be signed. That’s all I was trying to say.
by Merry CRasmus on Oct 20, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Wallace/Freese allows you flexibility as well. We’re agreeing on more points than not. I get where your correlation is, mine is that the correlation shouldn’t be on salary issues, but team success issues.
A contending team has correlation to the ease of Pujols signing. Will losing Colby + others hurt us in contention in the future. Quite likely. Will adding Peavy help us in contention? Quite likely. Can we have both? Colby and Peavy on the same team? I think it’s possible. more possible than the rumor mill has it at the moment.
Peavy in his worst year (‘08) had 15 win shares, that’s what Skip gave last year. All Colby has to do is do better than that. That’s part of my rationale on why Colby is worth more than Peavy. But I’d like to think we could get Peavy for less, and if we could.. I’d do it in a heart beat. Does it give us finances strain? Yeah. But so will all FA out there this year. Does it include some risk? Yes. But anything that makes Carp pitching a bonus instead of a need is a win-win.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Not saying don't spend money
Saying that Rasmus gives you flexibility to make a number of additional moves in future years. Rasmus is not a sure thing, but by the time it comes time to re-up Pujols there is a very real chance that he will be a player performing around the top quarter of his position while getting paid around the bottom quarter. No guarantees but that is possible. Around that time, you are no longer getting Ludwick for pennies on the dollars anymore either. So if something somewhere goes wrong, what are you then going to do? Cost controlled talent at an expensive place like CF will come in real handy around 2011 and 2012. Keeping Rasmus around probably means you can fire a bullet (Other than Peavy) now and still fire another decent sized one in a couple years. Trading him away now takes really reduces the chances of taking another shot later.
All I am saying is that if you give up your biggest cost controlled asset, while locking in a longterm deal with a pitcher (though a darn good one), then you are putting all your eggs in this basket for a very, very long time. If it doesn’t work out as planned, you don’t have the financial flexibility to pay up again. You will be at the mercy of whatever is left of the farm club after making this deal to fill the holes that will surely come up.
I’d probably rather just pay Sabathia or something and still have the cost controlled assets to fall back on, though what I’d really like is for them to find the best pitcher they can find with a 2 or maybe 3 year deal and attempt to commit to SS longterm.
by Merry CRasmus on Oct 20, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
and I agree largely
to what you’re saying here. Which, mind you, was diff than what was said above.
I want Colby to stay, from a cost associated point of view and a potential point of view. The only reason why Colby is even in the rumor mill is because the Padres said they wanted an CF that’s ML ready. So everyone jumps on Colby’s going to be gone. I don’t think the org would do that, even for Peavy. They remained so tight last year to even not bring him up in September. To make an about face like that screams b.s.. I don’t think Colby is going anywhere. I think the idea of us considering losing Colby for Peavy is just trying to up the perceived value that Peavy will bring.
With the FA market this year and the suiting teams avail, it doesn’t work in their favor. No one is really committing to the idea of releasing top prospects (by everything I’ve read) for Peavy. I think it’ll have a Lohse style backfire and we should be ready with some players just incase it does. The idea of taking Greene off their books (and helping short term needs for us in the process) only helps us if the haul concept the Padres have doesn’t fly.
Everyone says that the Padres don’t have to lose Peavy, that’s true. But there’s too much talk and expectation out there, Peavy won’t be a Padre next year.
I agree on not kicking Colby out in this circumstance, but I hope the org doesn’t try and correlate savings now means Albert later. That’s all I’m driving at. We have a win ($ wise) at 3rd base coming towards us as it is. I’d say Luddy is going to get a 3-4 year deal instead of arb.
Just say No to CC. Money and Years makes it a risk in itself. A large one. I don’t think you’ll have many bullet’s left if you fired on that one.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah - we mostly agree I think
Although I don’t know if Peavy can be had w/o giving Rasmus. Not really wanting to spend for CC either, just pointed out that I see that as superior than giving Rasmus (and more) for Peavy. At least with signing CC, you’d still have the chance of kids panning out later if things didn’t go as planned. That’s why I brought him up, but it probably weakened my overall point – that I would like to attack this offseason by spending some of the $’s that became available AND keeping the prospects.
Cards are in the best financial situation they’ve been in years, so I don’t think they need to deal prospects to get stronger this offseason. Team should be strong on paper this year w/o dealing them, but they are likely going to need to hold most of the top prospects (Rasmus & Wallace especially), to stay strong 3,4,5 years down the road.
by Merry CRasmus on Oct 20, 2008 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, it didn’t weaken it. I got your point, was just being sarcastic (though, CC is a huge risk considering the length of buy in).
I don’t know if there is a chance to do the deal without Colby involved. I do see us taking Greene as a bonus – even on Greene’s worse year he’s more of an asset than Iz would be. Green may help our cause, if only on a small level. I’m just saying that the moment that we have Colby off of the table, we should be prepared to really try and get Peavy even from a cost point of view. He’s cheap until his option year with his stats, he gives us a 4 year plan with a solidified staff of Lohse, Waino, Peavy, and possibly Carp. He’ll help protect the bullpen which would give us some wiggle room there. He allows Carp to displace Joel’s final year, even if Carp doesn’t make it back full time, it’s a positive benefit. It could open up Carp to be a closer if Carp can’t handle starting as well
I think with the FA market, the initial prospects wanted, economy et all, we have a chance to get Peavy without Colby being involved. If that chance appears, we need to consider it.
We need to hoard and develop our prospects, but the right ones. If Colby is up next year, then we have a glutton of OF (when healthy), so we need to look at removing some of them, how and where is up to Mo
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
There's no chance
they’ll offer wainwright in a package as suggested in StlPD today right? Please tell me I’m right.http://www.stltoday.com/discussions/sports/gordo-live/LD101708527/all
by Walking Underwear on Oct 20, 2008 4:43 PM EDT reply actions
oh please no
That’s starting to look eerily like the Mulder deal, only with better players on all ends.
I’m going to tell you you’re right, for my sanity and yours.
if Moz would do that
he needs to be pre-emptively fired
go rays
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 20, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I find it funny all the beat writers at STL-PD
All want the trade while majority here does not.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 20, 2008 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Isn't that an every year type of thing?
I reckon it’s to sell papers.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
no chance.
Mo knows he’ll end up under the “lake” if he pulls that one. Adam’s a known quanity with plenty of growth still there, has a great and I mean, great contract and his brilliant season was tainted by a fluke finger injury. He’s going no where.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
guess you're right
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extra-points/bernies-extra-points/2008/10/cardinals-not-a-player-for-peavy/
or so says bernie
by Walking Underwear on Oct 20, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
i'm gonna guess he's right
i think i’ve seen just about every potential suitor mentioned around the interweb recently other than the cardinals. i just don’t think we’re as much of a player in the peavy thing as it seemed like at first.
That was a pretty strong pitcher
of cold water on the Pretty Strong Pitcher from San Diego. Okay, who else are we going to go get, now that Rasmus is back on the team and Peavy is going to the Braves?
by Red in Chicago on Oct 20, 2008 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
the one unfortuante thing
is that the braves prospects that might go to san diego are the same MI prospects that we are interested in, namely johnson and escobar.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
Three Way Trade?
We get KJ and give up ….
Todd?
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 20, 2008 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
that is just plain crazy
I know that it is very unlikely that it would happen, and I would hope that most of us would agree that Wainwright for Peavy is just a terrible idea.
Really, no one would rather have Peavy and his contract than the Wagonmaker, right? Don’t make me lose all faith in the not so average Cardinal fan.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
i like this guy's way of thinking...
Michael Kent: Jeff …
The Cards have one more year committed to Troy Glaus, but they also have three 3B prospects with seemingly well-above-average bats – David Freese, Brett Wallace, and Allen Craig. Freese and Wallace both continue to play this fall, Freese in Venezuela and Wallace in Arizona.
My question … why not let Freese and Wallace try their hand at 2B during their fall season stays, just to see if there’s any possibilities there? It’s been well documented that the Cards have a need for middle infielders with offensive production.
And since Freese played at Triple-A Memphis this past season, one would assume he’s major league-ready. Why not make room for him in St. Louis next season by moving him to 2B? That seems like it could solve half of the middle-infield puzzle if Freese could play 2B.
because, as we all know, anyone can play second base. even wallace!
Ding, dong
the Mulder era is officially dead.
I do wish him the best of luck, but I am so glad we no longer have to hear about him being ready in a month.
don't get too excited
of course they weren’t going to pay him $11M next year.
i won’t be surprised one bit if they turn around and sign him to a small, incentive-laden deal (cough, clement, cough).
Cough, Cough
Regarding Mulder, I would prefer a totally performance-driven contract (ala Cliff Politte) rather than a deal with any guaranteed money (ala Matt Clement).
I have seen some recent video of Mark Mulder and he looks absolutely terrible and I would be surprised if he ever pitches again.
I want to keep Rasmus...
But I don’t think this is the place for him.
He’s already in Tony’s doghouse, maybe the organization. Where do you think all the trade Rasmus stuff has been coming from? (It started late in the year, even Al mentioned trading him on the broadcast).
He’s already hated by many Cardinals fans who are just itching for him to fail. Not a large number, but a vocal bunch (the sort that post on message boards, like the PD forums and call in to talk show).
Personally, I want to avoid another Anthony Reyes style saga and trade him now to someplace he’s wanted, and where he can play everyday (which I don’t think will be the case here, because of Tony)
Felipe Lopez - next year's Joel Pineiro
Reyes was never as good as Rasmus
Rasmus is considered a top 5 prospect in baseball and still praised by scouts even in 2008. The Mob can be easily swayed if he posts up a .850 OPS while playing great defense and stealing bases.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 20, 2008 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Talent wise yeah
But Reyes was absolutely ready, he proved he could dominate at times and they still stuck him on the AAA bus. Which leads to the same conclusion: Rasmus’ situation isn’t remotely like Reyes’……yet anyway.
Kosuke Fukudome: $48 million .257 .359 .379
Skip Schumaker: $Free .302 .359 .406
Skippy needs a new publicist, but I heart Ben Zobrist
Mob mentality = PD boards
Yep, an .850 OPS, etc., etc. would quickly sway them but I just read the Bernies Bits piece linked above and just had to chuckle. One of the posters said, in effect, ’ go ahead and trade Rasmus. He’s never going to be that good because he always starts off slow. He’ll be at the Mendoza line for a month or more….’
Yea, right, he hits .150 for his first month in the Show then goes on to a lifetime .300/.400/.550 line. Boy, he would a been an HOF’er if he didn’t start slow.
That reminds me of a story I heard about Ripken, Jr. Seems that after his first one or two months, he was hitting well under .200 and was afraid he’d be sent down. Earl told him to keep at it, relax, let the hits come, and look where he ended up.
by ArkansasTravs on Oct 20, 2008 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Couldn't disagree more with your conclusion or your reasons
He’s already in Tony’s doghouse, so trade him? First, I’m not buying that at all. Maybe there were one or two Post Dispatch articles that could be read that way, but I’m not buying the fact that Tony has put Rasmus in his doghouse the same way Reyes or Kennedy were in his doghouse. They played their way into his doghouse, and justified or not, his treatment of them was related to their play. For pete’s sake, Rasmus hasn’t played a game yet! Second, Tony’s gone after this year. As for being in the organization’s doghouse, I don’t buy that either because DeWitt all but acknowledged during the season that he fully anticipates Rasmus being a Cardinal.
Where do I think all the trade Rasmus stuff has been coming from? Well, from Post Dispatch beat writers and bloggers. Was this a trick question? I certainly don’t think it was coming from the organization. Its a major leage baseball organization, not a high school gossipy social club. They aren’t going to start rumors diminishing their best prospect’s value before they trade him. Why in the world would they do that? Do they really need to campaign and get enough public support for their roster moves?
He’s hated by Cardinal fans? They want him to fail? That’s honestly news to me but I’ll take your word for it. Even so, why the fuck should the organization bow to the wishes of an admittedly small group of fans? I’ll bet dollars to donuts that if Rasmus comes up and plays well those same fans will be happy he’s on our team and not making us regret trading him (See: Haren, Dan) This whole line of reasoning is pretty defeatist, really. He’s already got a strike against him, so lets get rid of him — we are only interested in perfect players!
Finally, he will get to play every day. People (not necessarily you) need to chill the F* out and be patient. Rasmus is all of what, 22? Lets at least let him show what he’s got and continue to improve long enough so that, if he is a flop, we can let him rent his own car out of town. (lame attempt at a joke – you have to be 25 to rent a car)
by Ray Lankford on Oct 20, 2008 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Very, very well said
The constant doghouse drivel gets pretty fkn’ old in my opinion.
Oh, and
Every potential trade is another Mulder.
Everyone in the minors is another “Reyes”.
Tony is evil
Duncan kills pitchers
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree
How in the hell can he get in the dog house when he isn’t even at the Kennel
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 20, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I can sympathize with folks’ passion for the new up and comers. Who doesn’t get excited over that? But attributing every comment TLR makes as disliking a player, putting a player in the doghouse, etc…. is a bit extreme. I won’t disagree that TLR has certain preferences for how he wants a player to act, but I just don’t buy the fact that he has a nice/naughty list and players have to be on one or the other.
born Dodger blue, now dyed Cardinals red
I take exception to calling
the clowns on the P-D boards “fans.” It’s more like a mental ward with Internet access. They are representative of nothing except themselves. Sadly, the P-D still keeps their headlines on the front sports page, which gives them undue exposure. They should be stuffed into a tiny, windowless corner of the website.
by Red in Chicago on Oct 20, 2008 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
The forums are only there to aid page views for the site, so that they can have a rationale to sell their clients when it comes to advertising (paper sub. is going down, web site views going up)
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Is TLR sticking around after this year?
I don’t think he is committing to us, so whatever he thinks about Rasmus is not relevant to any long term plans. If he has to stay in Memphis another year then that’s still ok. I could see a perception Ankiel/Rasmus faction forming but that is a little too simplistic. You could put any combination of Ankiel, Ludwick, Rasmus out there in future years and be fine.
by Merry CRasmus on Oct 20, 2008 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions
You know what
I don’t even think Peavy is going to get traded this off season. I think it will be a lot of talk but people realize that why overpay for Peavy in prospects when they could also overpay in the Free Agent market. Teams normally don’t do stupid shit in the off season. Most of the team it is well thought out. Now mid season at the deadline and people just get stupid.
As pitchers go down,
some teams might NEED to get stupid.
She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.
Try this again
I don’t even think Peavy is going to get traded this off season. I think it will be a lot of talk but people realize that why overpay for Peavy in prospects when they could just overpay in the Free Agent market. Teams normally don’t do stupid shit in the off season. Most of the team decisions are well thought out. Now mid season at the deadline and people just get stupid.
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 20, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he'll get traded
because they’ve built too much expectation. But I don’t think he’ll go for top of line prospects. I think they used us in part by saying CF who’s ML ready to set a tone of a top 5 prospect. I don’t think they’ll get that much, but it’s hard to imagine them not unloading him after all of this. Once MLB settles out that a top 5 (10 even) prospect may be too much, they’ll move down the ladder and want an additional piece. Once they do that’s where we need to be involved. We have the glut to afford throwing in an additional piece once Colby is off the table.
I use statistics much as a drunken man uses lamp-posts – as support rather than illumination. - Andrew Lang
by AdjustedExpectations on Oct 20, 2008 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see that
I got the impression the Padres are not puching Peavy out the door, rather he told them he didn’t want to stick around for a rebuilding project. He has the no-trade clause and gave them a list of 6 teams he would be interested in.
however, i think the Braves will offer a pretty nice package as they are desperate for pitching. The Cards could upgrade, but are not desperate.
OT: Web Gems of the Year
I am slightly displeased with ESPN on this one.
For the CF nominations, Ankiel was on it for his second of the two throws at Coors, but they didn’t even show the first one. And I thought he should have gotten a second nomination for the catch early in the season diving straight away towards center on the track.
For 2B I also thought they should have nominated AK for his diving play behind second and the flip to second.
JO-EL got the win for his kick save among the pitchers!
"All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first category have much chance of amounting to anything."--Thomas Boswell
i found it funny
that two of the top LF web gems were hit by glaus and one was hit by ludwick.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
After this front page post...
and chuckb’s from the other day…(which I think I may have unfairly bashed a little bit. I was meaning to sound a little more Devil’s Advocate, but I don’t think it worked that way. Sorry.)…I think that I am against getting Peavy.
The only way I am for it is if we can get him and maybe Greene (if we need to take on his salary to lower the cost) for one of Todd/Boggs, one of Ankiel/Ludwick/Mather/Skip/Duncan, Anderson, one of Freese/Craig, one of our relievers not named Perez/Motte, and one of Greene/(other shortstop I can’t remember…).
World Series Trivia
Only 1 NL team has been to the World Series more than once in the last 11 years. Can anybody guess which team?
That’s a pretty astounding fact!
More World Series Trivia
The Phillies have lost in the World Series four Times to New York, Red Sox, Baltimore, and Toronto. Someone is missing from this list who is it?
by FlimtotheFlam on Oct 20, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
They need to lose to another AL East team
Too bad Tampa is always such a doormat….they’ll never get there.
I look forward to listening to ESPN broadcast the Boston – Philadelphia series. With frequent references to the Yankees sprinkled in there, of course.
Marlins
"All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first category have much chance of amounting to anything."--Thomas Boswell
and the cards of course
"All baseball fans can be divided into two groups: those who come to batting practice and the others. Only those in the first category have much chance of amounting to anything."--Thomas Boswell
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