CF/Leadoff

by beanocook on Mar 6, 2008 11:54 AM EST

I am personally not a guy who obesses about the leadoff slot--but I do know that people put a lot of weight into it.

I am also probably one of the few Cardinal fans who actually kinda likes Skip Schumaker. I know he has limits, and that he's 28. However, I do feel confident that a combination of he and Brian Barton can do at least an adequate job of playing CF and manning the leadoff slot in the lineup. Have I totally lost it?

In over 1000 AAA at-bats Skip is at .298/.351/409/.760. In his 255 major league at-bats hes at .294/331/400/.731.

Again, I'm not saying they will be all-stars--or that Skip is a great player by himself. However, given the proper LaRussa favorite platoon splits can't they be league average? My question is--what would be an adequate statistical line from our CF combo (if it is those two).

My thoughts---.275/.340/.410/.750--is this good enough? Is this an attainable number for Barton/Skip to reach? Just wonderin.

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Comments

I agree with your assessment...

however, I don't see room for both on the roster. We're likely to carry five OFer's. Ankiel and Duncan are locks, Ludwick and Gonzalez are virtual locks (power bats off the bench/platoon). This leaves one spot for Barton/Skip/Rasmus.

IMO Rasmus should start in Memphis and Barton should be the starting CF...though Skip could win the spot over Barton.

I still don't see two of the above three making the team out of March.

Thanks for the highlight moments 15 and 27!!!

by cardzfanbub on Mar 6, 2008 12:26 PM EST reply actions

thanks

But I still actually see Gonzalez making the team as a long shot. He has yet to even play a game in the OF. But, obviously, it hinges on that. If Juan makes the team then either Skip/Barton won't.

SUBURBS: Where Americans cut down trees and then name streets after them.

by beanocook on Mar 6, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

back to the future

any chance the indians would take juan gone in exchange for barton? that would give the birds the flexibility to work him at memphis for a while and/or try him at another position, if his arm's too limited for the big outfield of bush.

by sportsman on Mar 6, 2008 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

Gonzalez for Barton

Probably no chance but it'd make me feel better.

by easy on Mar 6, 2008 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Travis Hafner

The Indians already have a fine DH (spit). It'd be a shrewd move if we were able to trade him for half-decent prospects to a team who could use a power bat at DH.

Some candidates, just flipping through posted depth charts, team and player listed first on the DH chart:

Rangers -- Frank Catalanatto
Orioles -- Aubrey Huff
Royals -- Billy Butler
Angels -- Gary! Matthews!

I could see Juan Gone being popular in Texas again.

by liam on Mar 6, 2008 8:27 PM EST up reply actions

That's a very good idea.

It's better and has less risk than my 2B for Barton suggestion.

Although then you could train him to play 2B with no cost to the performance of this years team defensively.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2008 10:01 PM EST up reply actions

My boys? Like HCLs PJ!

My boys Mather and Marti get no respect. I'd love to see them get a shot over Jaun for now.

Duncan and Shu packaged with a reliever (or TWO I can think of) to an AL team? DH and 1st base starter or security along with speed at any OF position backup and lead off.

That might net a solid starting and /or IF prospect to the right team?

An OF of Ankiel, Lud, Mather, Marti and Barton with Jaun getting ABs at Memphis until Barton makes it or breaks it would be ok with me. I think Mather could give us Duncs ABs, the same or better defense and backup at 1st and 3rd.

If we can't be good, can we at least be lucky?

by cardschinmusic on Mar 7, 2008 3:55 AM EST up reply actions

I don't dislike Schumaker

I think Skip could be a nice bench player to have and could be ok as an occasional starter. The problem, as cardzfanbub said, is that we have a glut of outfielders. When comparison shopping between them, Skip lacks the potential of the others. If Juan Gone's inevitable season-ending injury happens in Spring Training or if the Cardinals make some kind of trade involving an outfielder for a pitcher, I would be perfectly content with Skip making the team (and Rasmus playing a half year in AAA). So, it's not a bias against Skip, per se, it's just that he doesn't compare favorably to other options at hand.

by roarke on Mar 6, 2008 12:50 PM EST reply actions

Those quotes from Skip and TLR

today about how to hit leadoff just depress the hell out of me. What, is Dusty Baker running the Cardinals now? I think the lack of a clear leadoff option is a huge problem for this team (or any team in that spot), and even though a lot of baseball people seem to put a lot of emphasis on leading off, it still shocks me how many of them do not. This team's blind spot about leadoff hitters and health starting pitchers just drives me insane.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Mar 6, 2008 1:13 PM EST reply actions

Skip is tearing it up today.

3 for 3 with a homerun and 3 runs scored.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply actions

TRADE!!

Skip needs to be traded NOW! Just kidding.

Also just want to see Marti play MLB...I can dream. Mather will get ABs at Memphis otherwise and be ready if needed or makes himself a necessity with his hitting.

If we can't be good, can we at least be lucky?

by cardschinmusic on Mar 7, 2008 3:57 AM EST up reply actions

Skip also threw a runner out at home plate.

Wowee wowa wa weewa.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply actions

I would love to see

a Barton/Schumaker platoon but, from what we've heard about Barton's arm this spring, it's probably more likely that he'd platoon with Duncan in left. I, as much as I like to watch Duncan work an at bat, would prefer that we'd trade him before his dreadful defense makes him have no value. Skip and Barton in left, Ankiel (assuming Rasmus doesn't make the team yet) in center and Ludwick with a full chance in right would make me happy.

by easy on Mar 6, 2008 8:27 PM EST reply actions

MY radical OF thoughts

are to trade Duncan... let Rasmus start the year in CF (and lead-off spot)... and please, God, no Juan G.

How this affects Skip, I dunno.

by the Tewk on Mar 7, 2008 4:11 PM EST reply actions

Brian Barton

What's the word on him? How likely is he likely to stick on the roster?
Will Tony LaRussa give him any playing time if he does?
I'm not a Cardinals fan, so I haven't been able to keep a close eye on this. I figure this is a good place to ask!

by jonk1982 on Mar 9, 2008 10:32 PM EDT reply actions