3B backups

by bdief on Mar 24, 2008 12:48 PM EDT

Is anyone as concerned with the options should something bad happen to Troy Glaus? Him being out of the lineup today made me think of it.

I shudder at the thought of having the offensive juggernaut that includes Miles, Kennedy and Izturius in the same lineup.

Any thoughts on Plan B (assuming an extended injury)? Mather, Freese, Shannon, Torre, Boyer, Gaetti???

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3B

I would worry more about an in season backup plan for 3B if I thought the Cards were legit contenders this year. We're not at present ... but who knows? Maybe Carp makes a miraculous early return to the rotation. Maybe Jesus Christ appears on the infield grass at Busch III just in time to throw out the first pitch before a Mark Mulder start. All that aside, 3B long term worries me less in that we are beginning to see real honest organizational depth in the minors. Freese is being pushed by Allen Craig as the top 3B prospect. We have internal options for once! I like where the Cards ship is heading.

by jjray on Mar 24, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Barden, etc.

If something bad happens to Glaus than I think Ryan, Barden, Freese and maybe Craig will get a shot at the position. None will be as good power wise right now but they should all be a decent plan B.

by StLHugo on Mar 24, 2008 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Barden

The situation with Barden just points up our growing organizational depth. I understand they are shifting him back to SS (a position he played in college and low minors) at Memphis due to the advent of Freese and emergence of Craig.

by jjray on Mar 24, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Glaus's back

Not really addressing your main point, but Rotoworld speculates Glaus back got bad at the thought of riding in a bus for 7 hours.

by Recon on Mar 24, 2008 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe true

This is Goold's take on it from Bird Land:

"Troy Glaus was expected to be on this trip, but experienced some tightness in his lower back. Manager Tony La Russa decided the third baseman didn’t need to take the 6-hour round trip. He remained back in Jupiter and will play tomorrow, La Russa said. …"

by StLHugo on Mar 24, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Theres always

the Russel Branyan, Pedro Feliz, scrap-heap type backup infielders on the market. I don't want them any more than you do, it's just the (I'm afraid) likely solution.

Ideally Ryan gets that shot after playing there a few times last year and looking good. And say what you want about him, but I really hope D'Angelo Jiminez makes the club too.

I''m a Jenius!

by gibbons on Mar 24, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

Feliz

Feliz is the starting 3rd baseman for the Phillies. And I wouldn't exactly consider him scrapheap. He is one of the best defensive 3rd basemen in the league and his bat is tolerable. I'm almost willing to bet he has a decent year in Philly.

by stl3bagger on Mar 24, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Rico

We also have to notice that Uncle Rico has been taking some 3B time this spring, he must be in their plans as an option.

by StLHugo on Mar 24, 2008 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Rico Washington would be

a better choice than any of the scrapheap choices around the NL and AL which would cast a player. Uncle Rico could definitely handle it for a time and contribute offensively, at least for a time...maybe not for a long duration.

by ridgesee on Mar 24, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Washington is an organizational player

he'll never see the big leagues.

by azruavatar on Mar 24, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

isn't St. Louis part of the orginization. I still Rico could be a fill in and would be better than Branyan etc.

by ridgesee on Mar 24, 2008 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Also You have always

had players at advanced age and long minor league experience that find their way through some mishap and contribute. Ex. Lou Johnson came up with the Dodgers (in the sixties) at about 33 years old..long time in organization; came up about midseason, caught fire and lead Dodgers to WS. In fact had couple of good years and his minor league stats were not as good as Washington's. So never say never.

by ridgesee on Mar 24, 2008 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

He easily could this year

I don't see why not really. If Glaus went down for what is predicted as a 1-2 month stay I could easily see Rico called up so as to not waste an option on one of the other players. Even if it is just a cup of coffee call up before we sign a Stinnett like player to fill it longer term.

by StLHugo on Mar 24, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions

40 Man roster

I am assuming that Uncle Rico would need to be added to the 40 man roster first? Is there any room at this point? Even if there is one opening, I think it is slated for Colby at this point.

by bdief on Mar 25, 2008 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Not a problem

Currently the 40 man roster is at 39, Carp will hit the 60 day DL probably which opens 1 more slot for awhile. The only Infielder on the 40 man roster not projected for the 25 man roster is Hoffpauir, anyone know if he can play 3B? J/K anyway the latest roster is at http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/roster_40man.jsp?c_id=stl

by StLHugo on Mar 25, 2008 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions