your ideal opening day roster - hitters only

by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Mar 8, 2008 4:21 AM EST Comment 25 comments

So we are a week into ST and I can't help but think about what I'd do if I was in charge of the Cards roster. Much has been discussed about what to do about the outfield. We've talked over and over about who should be the odd men out. I know most of us aren't happy about the middle IF situation (Kennedy/Izturis). It seems we are all fans of our young guys who have worked/are working their way through the minors. Like it or not the pitching staff seems to be mostly set (except the 4th/5th starter battle). If you were in charge how would you shake this roster out? Here's what I'd do:

Starters:

1B - Pujols
2B - Miles
SS - Ryan
3B - Glaus
C - Molina
LF - Barton
CF - Schumacher
RF - Ankiel

Bench:

1B/3B/OF - Mather (Spezio Role)
OF - Ludwick (would be in somewhat of a 3-way platoon with Skip and Barton)
C - Larue (I actually like this signing, tons of experience if Yadi gets hurt)
2B/SS - Izturis - (expensive late inning defense)
2B/SS/3B - Jimenez - (love the OBP and hits from both sides of the plate)

What to do with the rest:

Duncan - This guy has gotta to be traded for a SP and he's gotta go somewhere where he can play 1B or DH. How neat would it be to see him launching homers into McCovey Cove back home in the Bay area?

Gonzalez - I just can't give this guy an opening day roster spot. Trade him if you can. If not, I'm okay with sending him to Memphis if he's willing to go. We could wind up needing a veteran slugger if Albert goes down. Overall, I'd prefer not seeing him wear Cardinal red.

Kennedy - In the words of Weird Al, "Just Eat It!". Easy for me to say since it's not my checkbook.

Rasmus - Starts in the minors. Call him up if Slick Rick gets hurt, or just when he's punished AAA enough.

Phelps - Starting 1B for Memphis. Emergency depth.

Hoffpauir - starting 2B at Memphis. He'll be up at some point during the season to make his case for '09. I love this guy and want to see him as the starter someday, but if he's just gonna be Aaron Miles Version 2.0 ...I'd rather have Miles.

Barden - Starting SS for Memphis. Emergency 3B depth if Freese/Craig aren't ready.

The main problems I see with this is the obvious fact that the guy (Noah Lowry) we could get from S.F. for Duncan is hurt and there is zero pop from the left side coming off the bench. The latter is a problem that the cards have anyhow with Spezio's release. I wonder if the Giants have any prospects the A's would take to complete a 3-way deal for Joe Blanton (the Cards would probably have to chip in a prospect or two, also)....I'm sure the Giants would rather have Dunc than Dan Johnson if they are looking for a 1B (which they should be). The trade would look something like this:

Cards get: Blanton
Giants get: Duncan
A's get: 2 Giants prospects & 2 Cardinals prospects

For the record, I have no idea what kind of prospects the Giants have and I don't really feel like looking it up.

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13 men enter

C Yadier Molina
1B Albert Pujols
2B Adam Kennedy
SS Brendan Ryan
3B Troy Glaus
LF Chris Duncan
CF Rick Ankiel
RF Ryan Ludwick

IF Cesar Izturis
IF D'Angelo Jimenez
OF Brian Barton
OF Skip Schumaker
C Jason LaRue

Try as I might to keep Skippy off the roster there's just nobody else. What a terrible feeling.

by DanUpBaby on Mar 8, 2008 4:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

My take

STARTERS with platoons, batting order in parenthesis, pitcher bats 8th

C Y. Molina (6)
1B A. Pujols (3)
2B B. Rayan/A. Miles (9)
SS C. Izturis (7)
3B T. Glaus (4)
LF R. Ludwik/C. Duncan (5)
CF S. Schumaker/B. Barton (1)
RF R. Ankiel (2)

BENCH (platoons already in starters, no repeat)

IF D. Jimenez
C J. LaRue

To spell time at 3rd is not a problem, Ryan+Jimenez can do that. Time at 1st also is not a problem, Duncan can do it.

GO CARDS!!!

by SuperSeve on Mar 8, 2008 5:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

2008 Lineup, as of now ...

Starters:

RF Schumaker
SS Ryan
1B Pujols
3B Glaus
CF Ankiel
LF Gonzolez
C Molina
P
2B Miles

Bench:

OF Ludwick
OF Duncan
IF Izturis
UT Mather
C LaRue

Goodbye Barton ... He's not ready ... tempting, but no. Goodbye Kennedy ... what the hell happened to Adam? Gonzoles ... I like the potential pop and the way he 'gels' on the team with Albert and Yadi ... Ryan ... The kid can play; let him do it. Rasmus ... he's good enough now ... for business reasons and a little more development, see you in June/July ...

Also, editorial opinion ... don't get sucked into all the negativity surrounding the team right now ... if Albert plays, and Tony handles Izturis and Kennedy smartly, I think we're going to be a lot better than most people think ...

Go Cards!!!

Culture of Winning: 10 World Championships, 17 Pennants, 6 Division Championships ...

by Cardinals4Ever on Mar 8, 2008 10:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I very much agree

if by "handling" Kennedy and Izturis you mean sending them on a summer-long fishing vacation in Canada.

by the Tewk on Mar 8, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rasmus is NOT good enough now

Rasmus is not as good as Barton or Schumaker right now, contrary to what some say here.
Skippy is kicking ass but because his ceiling isn't high enough, he gets no support here. This makes no sense to me, Spring is about doing the most with a very short time and Skippy is doing it. Rasmus isn't, send his ass to Memphis and tell Rick Eckstein to teach him how to hustle.

A walk is a waste of three pitches-Bob Gibson

by orlando card on Mar 8, 2008 5:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One goalie's guess...

You know Tony's gonna mix-and-match in the outfield; I figger Ankiel, Ludwick, Skip, and/or Barton will all spend some time in CF until Rasmus comes to The Show... The Skip is making a serious bid to be the Opening Day lead-off guy.

Somebody's NOT going to make the trip north with these lineups: Kennedy may very well play himself out of a job, and I think it's unlikely that Barton AND Gonzalez BOTH make the squad. If Mather can play 3B, that gives him a shot at sticking.

Lineup vs. RHP:
Skippy, CF
Ank, RF
Albert, 1B
Glaus, 3B
Duncan, LF
Molina, C
Kennedy/Miles, 2B
Pitcher
Izturis, SS

Lineup vs. LHP:
Barton/Ludwick, CF
Ank, RF
Albert, 1B
Glaus, 3B
Juan Gone, LF
Molina, C
Miles, 2B
Pitcher
Ryan, SS

Bench:
LaRue, C
Mather, 1B/3B/OF

Lefthanded "pop" off the bench would be provided by Duncan on days when he's not starting. The longer Izturis and Kennedy continue their abysmal hitting, the better the chances Ryan makes the club.

Still lots of questions to be answered... it's only March 8, after all!

"In this game, don't nobody know nuthin' about nuthin'." -- attributed to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

by The Ol Goaler on Mar 8, 2008 11:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Assuming 13 guys

C: Molina, Larue
1B: Tough decision, but I'll give Albert a chance since he's had a good spring :)
2B: Kennedy/Miles Kennedy has about 6 weeks in the regular season to prove he's not a corpse or I'm DFA'ing him and bringing up the Hoff.
3B: Glaus
SS: Ryan
LF: Duncan/Ludwick
CF: Schumaker/Barton
RF: Ankiel

Last spot goes to Mather assuming management thinks he can handle spot duty at 3rd.

by mikedallas23 on Mar 8, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lineups - My take

I'm going to run these in lineup order:

Vs. RHP

Schumaker CF
Ryan 2B
Pujols 1B
Duncan LF
Glaus 3B
Ankiel RF
Molina C
Pitcher
Izturis SS (not an upgrade over a pitcher really, lol)

Vs. LHP

Schumaker CF
Ryan 2B
Pujols 1B
Gonzalez LF
Glaus 3B
Ankiel RF
Molina C
Pitcher
Izturis SS

Bench:
Larue C
Ludwick OF
Jiminez MI
Phelps CI

As I stated the other day, I really like a potential Gonzalez/Duncan platoon in LF. Duncan has proven that he doesn't hit lefties well, and Gonzalez would be getting pinch hit AB's as well as playing against lefties, and he's proven he can still hit after a couple of years off.

I don't buy Brendan Ryan's SS skills, I think he projects much better as an everyday second basemen where his arm strength and bat is a plus, and his lack of range and poor glove skills are not as glaring. I wouldn't mind seeing Jiminez get a shot though -- I'd like his OBP in the #9 spot.

I really do see Skippy getting the CF job and I don't think that Rick is going to be platooned immediately. He's shown the ability to hit lefties. I'm ok with Barton being gone if he can't win the job out of ST. If he can't make the club then, why does anyone think he's going to find a spot in the future barring a catastrophic injury.

Again, I don't think that you can trade Duncan at this point, and the Giants/A's deal mentioned above would never go through without us giving up Colby, which isn't an option. If Duncan and Skip play well to start the year, there's no reason to think that they couldn't be dealt around the deadline if Rasmus proves ready to play.

"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller

by fourstick on Mar 8, 2008 12:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I like it

I might rather see Mather on bench taking Phelps spots. I would hope the Cards could find away to keep Barton. I am not sure he is ready, but I expect he will be a starter in the near future.

by nybirdfan on Mar 9, 2008 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Duncan WILL be in left

he is not a good outfielder but he will be sevicable. His bat is to big to not be getting the lions share of AB's out there. He has a career OBP of .356 with an OPS of .884. Sorry all, Duncan is your left fielder. Ankiel will have to play himself out of the starting line-up. He has to much pop in his stick and a cannon for an arm. I really see him staying in right but you never know with Tony. Skip will be manning center and leading off if he keeps his spring going the way it has to this point. Hopefully on the bench you will have Ludwick and Barton since I hate to send him back. If he doesn't perform he will develope a knee injury and be sent to rehab in Memphis and Juan will come up.

by DJ4508 on Mar 8, 2008 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Duncan...injury prone?

I hope he's traded to the AL to DH/1st and we get a nice prospect out of a package that includes Duncan, Skip and a couple of pitchers in the deal. I think Mather could make us forget about Duncans bat even tho he hits righty. He can cover defensively and he can flat out rake. People in Jupiter are "reporting good" on Mather, even some of the doubters.

Problem is, Duncans doing zip this spring makes him less a current trade commodity. Maybe by mid-season, if hes not on the DL.

Ank, Lud, Mather, Marti and Barton get my outfield spots, with Rasmus in the wings. Jaun Gone is also factor whether we like it or not.

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

by cardschinmusic on Mar 9, 2008 8:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Subjective Criticism

Here is a lineup of the diary writer's starters:

Barton LF
Skip CF
Pujols 1B
Ankiel RF
Glaus 3B
Molina C
Miles 2B
Pitcher
Ryan SS

First, this has the potential to be much worse than last year's lineup defensively, which is really worrysome. Taking Duncan out of left field will help the OF, but the infield could be horrible, and considering the Dave Duncan pitching philosophy that could be catastrophic. I don't see a Miles/Ryan MI being even as good as the Eckstein/Kennedy model from 2007 -- weren't we looking for a bit of an upgrade there?

Second, look at what happens when you pull a Duncan/Gonzalez out of this lineup -- you end up with power in the 3-4-5 spots, but NOWHERE else. This looks similar to a lineup for the Whiteyball era, but without the speed and basestealing acumen that those teams had. Again, Glaus isn't a good cleanup hitter -- he hasn't been his whole career, so Ank would hit behind Pujols, hit a few taters and strike out a bunch. You really have no opportunity to platoon him if he struggles either -- he has to get 500+ AB's if Duncan gets traded and Gonzalez isn't on the team. Offensively I hate this lineup even with the improved OBP at the top. It just doesn't look like one that is going to score runs.

"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller

by fourstick on Mar 8, 2008 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Extra outfielder

Due to injuries in Tampa (Baldelli), San Diego (Edmonds), and New York (Alou)...the Cards may just have a taker for whichever outfielder is the one left out. Keep an eye on this situation.

How about handin' me another helpin' of those mashed taters...thank you very much!

by Elvis on Mar 8, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think Skip, or Luddy

would relatively thrive for virtually any of the NL West teams... especially Skip in SD, where his lack of power would fit right in with everybody else; and Ludwick in Colorado where he might hit 30 dingers.

Since I am fond of both, I pray neither ends up in NY Mets -- for their sake.

by the Tewk on Mar 8, 2008 9:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lineup

C - Yadier Molina
1B - Alberto Jose Pujols
2B - The Hoff
SS - Brendan Ryan
3B - Troy Tiberius Glaus
OF - Skip "size 13" Shumaker
OF - Slick Rick Ankiel
OF - Ryan Ludwick

Bench
IF - Ceaser "defensive replacement" Izturiz
IF - Joshua Phelps
OF - Chris Duncan
C - Jason LaRue

Hey Hey Hey...Goodbye Miles and Kennedy

It is easy to be brave from a safe distance. -Aesop

by OKCardsfan on Mar 8, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lineup

C: Molina
1B:Pujols
2B:Kennedy-I'd keep him on a short string though.
SS:Izturis- A slightly longer string meaning he has to show he is better than Ryan by the end of April.
3B: Glaus
LF: Duncan-Hope he gets hot early then trade him.
CF: Ankiel-Until Duncan's traded and Rasmus comes up.
RF: Ludwick

Bench:
Barton-It'd be senseless not to keep him unless he really tails off this spring.
Schumaker
Ryan- Will probably become a starter at either SS or 2B
Miles-Only because they signed him. Hopefully they can find another home for him too.
Larue- Best backup catcher in Cardinal's recent history.

This is not a pennant winning team but it does not jettison young talent like Barton or Schu for dubious entities like Phelps and Gonzo. For that matter apparently both of them would accept a stay at Memphis. If Cesar and/or Kennedy are released Hoffpauir and Barden would also be still in the organization. With the patchwork pitching we'll be enduring all summer we should be able to determine early on that it's time to look to the future.

by easy on Mar 8, 2008 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lineup

CF Skip Schumaker
SS Brendan Ryan
1B Albert Pujols
3B Troy Glaus
LF Chris Duncan
RF Rick Ankiel
C Yadier Molina
2B Jarrett Hoffpauir
P

Bench:
C Jason LaRue
1B/3B Brian Barden
2B/SS Cesar Izturis
OF Ryan Ludwick
OF Brian Barton

And just for kicks, my AAA lineup:

SS Aaron Miles
3B Edgar Gonzalez
CF Colby Rasmus
RF Juan Gonzalez
1B Tagg Bozied
C Bryan Anderson
LF Nick Stavinoha
2B Adam Kennedy

Hah! Even in AAA, Adam Kennedy is still the worst hitter!

by KeepOnRolen on Mar 9, 2008 12:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not to nitpick,

but in your AAA lineup:

Edgar has Gon to San Diego, and Bozied is Taggin 1st for Florida.

by chicagocardfan on Mar 9, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Miles and Kennedy

Don't they have major league deals? I'm not sure how that works, but wouldn't that prevent them from being demoted to the minors?

by ecaw1123 on Mar 9, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AAA Lineup

Rasmus CF
Hoffpauir 2B
Phelps 1B
Marti RF
Stavinoha LF
Anderson C
Barden 3B
Ryan SS

The AAA lineup will likely look something like this.

How about handin' me another helpin' of those mashed taters...thank you very much!

by Elvis on Mar 10, 2008 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

try this

release Juan Gone, Miles, Kennedy, Itzuris, LaRussa and Duncan...........let the rest compete for jobs all year long

by Hinkster on Mar 9, 2008 9:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It hurts to say it

After Izturis' 4th error in 7 games, Tony said:"I'm not worried about Izturis' defense". This is a sad statement and the reason Tony should've been cut loose before this season.
We now have the worst-hitting shortstop in the league and his defense is slipping. Wish we had a gutty little leadoff hitter who worked counts, batted .280-.300 and played his heart out everyday.

A walk is a waste of three pitches-Bob Gibson

by orlando card on Mar 9, 2008 11:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Assuming Izturis plays defense

CF Barton
LF Duncan
1B Pujols
3B Glaus
RF Ankiel
2B Ryan
C Molina
P
SS Izturis

Bench:
C Larue
OF Ludwick
OF Schumaker
OF/3B/1B Mather
IF Hoffpauir

Be quick to do Hoff at 2B/ Ryan at SS if Izturis doesn't defend, and drop Schumaker when Rasmus comes up.

by JoeMo on Mar 9, 2008 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

LF-Duncan
CF-Skippy
RF-Ankiel

1b-pujols
2b-Ryan
ss-Izturis
3b-glaus
c-molina

c-larue
ut-miles
of-barton
of/if-mather

Kennedy-he might, maybe take a minor league assignment.

Ludwig-not for sure on options on him, but everyone seems to think he's a given. I'm just not so sure. Has next to nothing in trade value. I dunno...I'm just not high on him.

by left jeff on Mar 10, 2008 12:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here it is Tony, USE IT!

CF-Skip
LF-Duncan
1B-Pujols
RF-Ankiel
3B-Glaus
2B-Kennedy
C-Molina
P-
SS-Ryan

C-Larue
UT-Mather
OF-Gonzalez
IF-Miles
OF-Barton

You've got the L-R-L-R-L-R you adore so much 2-7...

CUT IZTURIS!!! NO GLOVE=NO LOVE!!!

A little message for Mo: SIGN LOHSE!
He is valuable not only to eat innings in STL, but to flip for prospects when someone down the stretch will be searching for that SP to push them into the playoffs... And maybe Lohse could be the next Kent Bottenfield and be flipped into the next Jim Edmonds???

by Jumsy on Mar 12, 2008 5:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs