Viva El Birdos: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Around SBN: Rickey Henderson Coming Back to A's? Bar-right-arrows



first-half highlights

headed for the airport this morning and a trip home after 4 days in portland --- quite a beautiful town, surprisingly reminiscent of st louis in certain ways. anyway, my writing time is limited this morning so the post’ll have to be short.

here’s a bit of news from a trustworthy source: the cards now view wainwright as being ready in no sooner than 6 weeks --- could be longer, depending on how things progress. they do expect him back before the end of the year. 6 weeks from today would place wainwright back on the mound in the first week of august . . . .

my 2c about yesterday’s discussion re brian barton. in my mind, his status has changed --- not so much because the team has a chance to make this year’s postseason, but because the organization appears to have far more depth in the outfield than any of us would have imagined at the beginning of the year. at the time barton came aboard, not many people viewed ryan ludwick or skip schumaker as meaningful parts of this team’s future, joe mather had a .700something career ops at triple A, and john jay had fallen off the prospect radar. all four of those guys have boosted their stock tremendously, joining rasmus and ankiel (and, yes, even chris duncan) as potential everyday players for 2009 and beyond. three of those guys (rasmus jay and mather) are younger than barton, who is 26 years old, and all are at least as talented. barton has obvious holes in his game; i love the speed and the attitude, but he can be overpowered by a fastball. based on what we’ve seen this year, which outfielder will move aside to create playing time for barton in 2009 --- ankiel? rasmus? ludwick? schumaker? the cards can send barton to triple A next year, but how valuable is a 27-year-old outfielder at triple A? i do think he’s a talented player, but he no longer looks like a unique talent within the organization; if the cards were to give him up, they could replace him without downgrading.

that doesn’t mean i necessarily think they should get rid of him; there isn’t (yet) a player available who would represent such an obvious improvement that it would be worth losing barton over it. but if such a player emerges from within or becomes available on the trade market, i don’t think the cards should deny themselves the improvement simply for barton’s sake. he just isn’t that good.

the cards are approaching the 81-game mark; if they split the next 4 games (a cautious assumption), they’ll arrive at the halfway point in the year with a 46-35 record. only 3 cardinal teams of the la russa era won more games in the first half of the year: the 2004-05 teams (which had 49 and 51 wins, respectively) and the 2002 team, which was 48-33. two herzog-managed teams had more than 46 wins at the turn --- the 1987 club, whose 52-29 record is the franchise’s best halfway-point mark since the schedule went to 162 games --- and the 1985 team, which hit the midway milestone at 49-32. and you’ll be surprised to know that one of joe torre’s cardinal teams, the ’93 outfit, outperformed this year’s club in the first half, with a 47-34 record. of the aforementioned teams, only one (torre’s) failed to play in october.

since we’re reaching the halfway point, i thought i’d toss out (in no particular order) my favorite moments from the first half and solicit ev’yone else’s views. as far as i’m concerned, these first 81 games have already yielded a full season’s worth of memories. here’s what i’ve got on my list, in no particular order:

that’s it for me this morning; i’ll be home this afternoon, game thread up shortly before the first pitch.

0 recs | Comment 191 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

Wainwright's return

That is a lot longer than anyone anticipated. That coupled with slow returns of Carpenter, Mulder (his return may be failry imminent), and Clement, and Wellmeyer’s sore elbow, and one wonders how long this team can stay close to the Cubs or remain in the race for the wild card. Currently, we have Looper, Pinero, Lohse, and Boggs (he has pitched okay, but will he hit the wall or continue to be serviceable?). We certainly seem to have our share of injuries (include Pujols, Isturis, and Molina in that mix), but I guess that is true for a lot of teams (see the Dodgers for example with A. Jones, half of their starting pitching staff, Furcal, Garciapara, et al.).

by Wahoo on Jun 24, 2008 10:24 AM EDT   0 recs

my first guess was August

now i’m thinking more like Sept. Let’s hope I’m putting the reverse jinx into effect

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 24, 2008 3:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm on the record as a Barton fan who

wants to see him get a real chance to play, but I’m about argued out on that subject. But re your question “which outfielder will move aside to create playing time for barton in 2009 - ankiel? rasmus? ludwick? schumaker?” ... It’s not really a question of moving one of them to allow Barton to play. Instead, it’s a question of moving one or more of them to get some other parts we desperately need … better LH relief, middle infielders who have real futures, maybe a bench guy with some pop who can back up 3B and 1B. What I want to know from VEBers is where they think each of our OFs line up on the tradeable <> untouchable spectrum.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 24, 2008 10:28 AM EDT   0 recs

Schumaker...

will never be more tradeable (IMO) that he is right now. With Ankiel and Colby being LH outfielders with plus defense he probably has no future with the team…and should be arb eligible next year. He’s cheap and can play a decent CF…that has to have some value when coupled with his just over .800 OPS this season and last (.939 for June). Unfortunately he has a terrible platoon split (.442 OPS in 64 AB’s vs. LHP 16 Ks – .918 OPS in 191 AB’s vs RHP 16 Ks).

by cardzfanbub on Jun 24, 2008 10:37 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep, and Luddy might be at his trade peak too.

And … would you put Ankiel into play if you had a shot at a nice MI prospect?

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 24, 2008 10:46 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd be hesitant to trade...

both Ludwick and Ankiel, as I feel they both have a place in our OF through at least 2010. I suppose either can be expendable if Mather is the real deal…but who else (besides Colby) do we have that can hit 25+ homers (and play plus defense)? I hope that Mo uses our glut of OF’ers to get something back…Schu, Lud, Ankiel, Barton, Mather, Jay, Stavinoah? and Robinson have all raised their value this half-season…unfortunately Duncan’s has plummeted (Oh how I wish we had sent him packing for something last winter).

by cardzfanbub on Jun 24, 2008 11:16 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Me too, but I think our

MI situation is dire and there’s damn little on the horizon from within the organization. Like it or not, some painful sacrifices (Luddy or Ank) might be needed in the near future.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 24, 2008 11:28 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That's a great idea

except there seems to be a shortage of good middle infielders around all of baseball. It seems like the only team that might have extras would be the Angels, and it’s hard to get them to give anything up. They wouldn’t want an outfielder anyway.

Texas has Kinsler on a long term deal-he’s young and probably considered untouchable. Is he blocking someone? Maybe they’d like an extra outfielder to help cover Milton Bradley’s injury/mental break days?

Look deeper in the minors for someone with undevoloped tools? It seems to be a problem baseball-wide at the moment…..

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jun 24, 2008 12:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

kinsler went to mizzou

in ‘03, so he might welcome the move.

go cards, o's, and phillies.

...boiler up.

by moboiler on Jun 24, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i'm retarded

didn’t read the post. need… sleep…

go cards, o's, and phillies.

...boiler up.

by moboiler on Jun 24, 2008 1:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, yeah. Kinsler would be great. I think Texas is smarter than that.

Hey, if they’re not, I’d rather have him then whoever he’s blocking…....

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jun 24, 2008 1:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Texas -- smart?

They’ve been getting smarter, but a couple of moves still puzzle me even though many thought they were wins for the Rangers:

1. Dealing Teixeira last year without another good option at 1B. Yah, they got back Andrus and Saltalamacchia, but Salty couldn’t win the catching job and has shown a lack of power in a dinky ballpark, and Andrus is still a couple of years away.
2. Swapping Josh Hamilton (28) for Voquez (25) when what they really needed was a good young pitcher. Everyone says this deal has worked out for both teams because each player is playing great—but Dunn or Griffey would be easier to part with for the Reds if they had Hamilton, and Volquez would give the Rangers a legit shot at winning the west had they kept Teixeira, who was still under contract for this year.

Both are good deals in terms of talent…both are terrible deals in terms of timing. With Padilla, Volquez, Millwood in their rotation I think they could easily make some noise in the AL West since the Angels are a couple of injuries (to oft injured players, no less) of coming back to the pack.

"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 Jun 24, 2008 3:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The Teixeira trade

would have made more sense if they hadn’t given up Adrian Gonzalez in the horrendous Adam Eaton/Chris Young trade the year before. Man, that trade still upsets me…

by launchshuttle on Jun 24, 2008 3:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Which

goes back to my point—they’re not that much smarter because they keep having to make moves to cover their asses. Think of how they’d look with a rotation of Young, Millwood, Padilla, Volquez, 5th starter and a lineup that included Teixeira at 1B, Kinsler at 2B, Young at SS, their current OF, and Gonzalez at the DH.

That might be the best team in the AL West—even better than the Angels…

"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 Jun 24, 2008 4:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Totally Agree...

Man, reading that lineup/rotation makes me sick to my stomach (as a Rangers fan).

by launchshuttle on Jun 24, 2008 4:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Their current outfield minus Josh Hamilton of course

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 24, 2008 4:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Rangers at 1B.

1 of these 2 will certainly be at 1B for the Rangers for the foreseeable future:
Max Ramirez (already called up) or Chris Davis (at AAA).

I think they are fine with Teixiera being gone.

As far as Texas MI’s go, they have this German Duran kid playing super-sub this year or maybe Marcus Lemon? His dad Chet was an old OF for the White Sox & Tigers who happened to teach my wife how to play gin rummy on an airplane flight from Chicago to Oakland when she was a kid..

Just saying.

Boomer.

by glamboomer on Jun 24, 2008 3:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

But...

they aren’t Teixeira right now, and with Volquez in the mix it’s possible that they’d be in the hunt in the AL West. Instead they have a .500 ballclub, no production from 1B so far this year, and no #1 starter on the roster….

"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 Jun 24, 2008 4:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

With Volquez and without Hamilton they'd be in the same position

That trade has had nothing to do with where they are basically. In fact I’d say as long as they babysit Hamilton, long-term it’s a better trade for them in terms of the risk pitchers vs. hitters.

Young/Gonzalez for Eaton is the reason they suck.

"Regression to the mean is so much more fun to watch when it’s a Cub who is regressing." SleepyCA

by joker24 on Jun 24, 2008 4:14 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That's the danger of the deadline deal...

No argument that Teixiera is a better MLB player right now & he would have certainly helped them this year.
In fact, here’s what Texas 1B have done since Teixiera was trade last July 31:
.224/.300/.351 w/ 11 HR & 51 RBI..
Teixiera?
.290/.382/.526 w/ 30 HR & 111 RBI…

Doesn’t change the fact that the Rangers have very interesting options at 1B who are almost ready. They just missed the timing by a few months. No use crying over spilled Teixiera.

And is there anyone alive who would have thought Edinson Volquez would have a sub-2.00 ERA with a 10-1 record & probably deserves to start the All-Star game?

Hindsight is always.. you know.

Boomer.

by glamboomer on Jun 24, 2008 4:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I personally liked the Tex trade.

However, with Volquez…he was part of the coveted DVD pitching prospects. They knew what they had (yes, they probably didn’t know he would have a sub 2.00 ERA, but still.) Why would Texas trade for a bat when they need PITCHING?! They have needed pitching for years now! Yet they go and trade Young AND Danks (to get an injured McCarthy) in 2006, then Volquez before the 2008 season. Just doesn’t make sense to me.

by launchshuttle on Jun 24, 2008 4:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jon Daniels = strange man.

DVD = Danks / Volquez / Diamond
Danks ‘08 = 2.80 ERA / 1.22 WHIP / 15 GS / 24 BB / 66 K / 6 HRA (for White Sox)
Volquez ‘08 = 1.71 ERA / 1.17 WHIP / 15 GS / 45 BB / 110 K / 2 HRA (for Reds)
Diamond ‘08 = Made his first start in AA ball last night after TJ surgery… for Texas.

Looks like they kept the wrong one?
Is Daniels just incredibly unlucky or vastly incompetent?
The more I think about it, the more I think anyone received from Texas in a trade, whatever his current stats may be, will turn into an All-Star…

Trade with Texas!

Boomer.

by glamboomer on Jun 24, 2008 4:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think Kinsler's block anyone...

Elvis Andrus (currently in AA) is considered Texas’ best prospect. He’s a SS/2B and expected to be with the Rangers in 2010. I think their current plan is to have him replace Michael Young at SS…so MY would slide over to 2B with Kinsler DH’ing once Andrus is ready. MY and IK are signed through 2013 (well, IK has an option in 2013). I don’t think they intend to move any of these pieces any time soon (well, unless someone was willing to give them pitching, I would imagine).

by launchshuttle on Jun 24, 2008 2:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Glad you enjoyed Portland

but you wouldn’t have said the same about ten days ago…we were in the midst of “June-u-ary;” nothing but solid rain and 50 degree temps.

I agree on Barton…I LOVE his speed…the Cards don’t really have the like anywhere close to the bigs, although Rasmus has some nice wheels

I’d add Blooper’s complete game to the list, but would have to put Ank’s two throws at the top. I was there to see them in person and the Rockies fans next to me were literally speechless. One old codger said, “Best damn throw I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Then he did it again.

by jim of beam on Jun 24, 2008 10:43 AM EDT   0 recs

I assume he's talking about PDX Oregon

I’ve been here about 7 years now and love it. I stinks that the only NL team is about 12 hours away, but you just can’t match the close nit, non-sprawl community here. Outside of the winter rain, the weather is always comfortable.

by cloistermaximus on Jun 24, 2008 11:29 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed on the Ankiel throws

I was at that game too. I was speechless as well. Completely astonished by those throws.

by TNTinCO on Jun 24, 2008 12:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

In some ways

Given the glut of Cardinal outfielders created by what I believe are AAAA players having career years (Ludwick and Skip), the Cardinals falling out of the race because of poor starting pitching could start the wheels moving to trade these players while at a maximum value. Whether the Cards stay in it or not, this trade deadline and the accompanying off-season will be a critical time for MO. Can he make the moves that leverage this talent into even greater things?

by JMedwick on Jun 24, 2008 10:46 AM EDT   0 recs

Poor starting pitching?

El Pineiro’s ERA is 3.86
Lohse’s ERA is 3.63
Looper’s ERA is 4.10
Wellemeyer’s ERA is 3.67

Granted, Wellemeyer has barking in his elbow and Wainwright is going to be out until August, but we’ve received starting pitching that is in the top 10 of MLB, including three good starts vs. the vaunted Red Sox. Barring any further injuries, I don’t see us pitching our way out of contention.

by bgh on Jun 24, 2008 11:21 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

after mulders start

you’ll be able to add

Mulders 13.75 ERA to that list

by UNCDubya on Jun 24, 2008 11:25 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If he makes it

It’s all contingent on his AAA start tonight. I’m still skeptical that Mulder will get the ball this weekend in St. Louis. Yes, that is a reason for concern, though. If the team can go .500 in games started by the Wainwright replacement, we’ll be in good shape.

by bgh on Jun 24, 2008 11:33 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No AAA start

he was scratched

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 24, 2008 12:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

oh apparently not

read the whole thread before replying, V

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Jun 24, 2008 12:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It's not just about Mulder

I’m sure Mo is trying to establish who’s in and who’s out for the season to see whether he needs to be a buyer or a seller of SP. You could argue one or more of Looper, Lohse and Pineiro are expendable. But you could also argue we need every guy we’ve got…plus Garcia for a couple of spot starts, perhaps.

by Red in Chicago on Jun 24, 2008 12:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

agreed

see what the guy can do, over 1-2 starts, and i’m leaning closer to 1 then i am to 2…if he gets shelled in his first outing against kc, let the guy lose and move on, he hasnt exactly been performing that well at other stops along the way.

i just fear he’ll get multiple starts and we’ll lose all of them, and we cant afford that.

by UNCDubya on Jun 24, 2008 1:49 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No doubt that they have been very good thus far

But add to that list the stats for the AAA pitcher who fills in for Wainwright and the possibility of decline from all of the above pitchers and pretty quickly you can envision a realistic scenario where the Cards fall out of the race due to poor SP.

By the same token you can envision the Cards falling back because Ludwick and Skippy regress.

by JMedwick on Jun 24, 2008 11:42 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Mark Mulder's aborted start last night

is apparently being reborn tonight for the Redbirds. He was originally supposed to go 3 innings on Monday, so I’d imagine he is limited to 35-40 pitches tonight in his tune-up.

If he is starting tonight, it appears the Cardinals are still moving forward with plans to start him on Saturday..which ties in with Larry’s comments about Wainwright’s extended downtime.

by Hardcore Legend on Jun 24, 2008 10:55 AM EDT   0 recs

Question.

Is anyone really expecting anything out of Mulder?
I mean… at this point, I just feel like having him return would just be more trouble than it’s worth..
Have I lost my mind here?

Boomer.

by glamboomer on Jun 24, 2008 3:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

no expectations

just some kind of random hope

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 24, 2008 3:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly

Let’s see if something is in the tank. If so, wonderful, if not, not the end of the world.

I'm actually kinda excited to see if he can provide a little spark - it'd be nice to have a feel good story (similar to Ankiel's last year) to help build upon especially after our recent rash of injuries.

by joecardsfan on Jun 24, 2008 4:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't know what happened but...

it’d be nice to have a feel good story (similar to Ankiel’s last year) to give us a little boost right now. With the rash of injuries we have had recently, this might provide a spark.

by joecardsfan on Jun 24, 2008 4:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

speaking of Ank

I expect him to have a better second half offensively

Ankiel is Jesus!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jun 24, 2008 4:06 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't

I think he is what he is. And for what it’s worth, he’s never dug himself out of a slump yet. Last year, he surged in August and flailed in September never correcting the trend. Then this year, he once again surged in April and has stunk in both May and June.

I think he is what he is and that’s a .250 -.270ish hitter who will hit the ball out his fair share of times due to simply running into the ball.

by Tackle Box on Jun 24, 2008 4:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

you also have to remember

he is basically a rookie CF. Who knows what a year of seasoning will do for him. I really won’t be too upset if Rick is a .270 hitter with 25-30 bombs a year

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 24, 2008 6:58 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Another moment

I’d add Izzy’s escape artist impression on Sunday. It wasn’t pretty (or at least didn’t sound that way on the radio), but it was fun, and it gave me (probably vain) hope that he can once again be a contributor.

by Levi Stahl on Jun 24, 2008 10:59 AM EDT   0 recs

That's a good one. How about

Kennedy’s double off Papelbon? I didn’t think he had a snowball’s chance in hell of getting on base, let alone tie the game. That was as big a surprise to me as any moment this season.

"Cross a lawyer with the Godfather, make you an offer you can't understand" - Don Henley

by cardsfanindenver on Jun 24, 2008 11:09 AM EDT   0 recs

Shock and Awe

I almost turned the game off when Kennedy got the AB from TLR. I’m glad I didn’t! Who’d have ever thought he’d be able to catch up to a Papelbon fastball?

by bgh on Jun 24, 2008 11:34 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I didn't.....I was watching with my youngest child,

and he was laughing because every pitch Papelbon threw, no one seemed to be able to do anything with it-and he kept repeating “not fair, not fair” Seriously, the last person we thought would manage to get a hit off of Papelbon was Kennedy. The last person….shows what we know.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jun 24, 2008 11:44 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I almost shit myself

I thought that AK had hit that thing out when it came off the bat. Luckily it hit the wall or I would have had to change my pants.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jun 24, 2008 7:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Enough Rick already, but...

You gotta throw in his layed out, head first sliding into the wall catch May 31st against the Bucs.

In case anyone forgot

by thefutureofamerica on Jun 24, 2008 11:30 AM EDT   0 recs

Could you include the whole weekend

series against the BoSox as a single highlight of the year? This was the kind of series that can propel a team to bigger things.

by MdRedbirdFreak on Jun 24, 2008 11:37 AM EDT   0 recs

For more description...

It was a grounder that Pineiro Kicksaved into the air caught, spun and threw to first to get the out. I was there and my jaw fell into my Yuengling.

by Jumsy on Jun 24, 2008 1:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Ankiel's

Snagging the HR from over the wall.

by Evilfrog on Jun 24, 2008 11:59 AM EDT   0 recs

27-year-old at AAA

LB asks, “how valuable is a 27-year-old outfielder at triple A?”

That shouldn’t be a rhetorical question. Just remind yourself how old Ludwick and Ankiel were at the start of 2007’s season, in AAA.

by EABinSTL on Jun 24, 2008 12:01 PM EDT   0 recs

I terms of ability

you are correct, but Larry is talking about trade valuation, and neither Ludwick nor Ankiel was worth a lot as trade bait at the start of 2007.

"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 Jun 24, 2008 3:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

True enough, but so what?

Thanks, fourstick. I missed that angle. (The paragraph in which LB asks that question includes no mention of trades.) But I don’t think that it makes much difference. My point was that Barton could be valuable as soon as August 2009 even if he starts the year in AAA. I meant valuable to the Cards but if he makes progress in 2009, why couldn’t another team want him as part of a trade? I’d rather get Barton up to full value before giving up on him, if we can do that without significant cost.

by EABinSTL on Jun 25, 2008 11:18 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Fuentes?

Didn’t want to make a fanpost for this.. Many are speculating that Fuentes will be available soon. I figured since many people will be talking about trading Skip, Lud, Jay, etc while their stock is high, I’d ask what it would take for the Cards to get Fuentes.

THE SKIP IS LEGIT!!

by stltrav09 on Jun 24, 2008 12:14 PM EDT   0 recs

I would imagine half of the teams in baseball will inquire......

and yeah, the Cardinals should too. A good, versatile, relief pitcher. And did I mention he’s a lefty? By all means, pick up the phone…..

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jun 24, 2008 12:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Isn't he closer material, though?

If teams think he’s a closer, he’s going to get closer $$. I don’t think the budget supports $8-12 million for a Super-LOOGy. Plus, they may already have one named Mark Mulder.

by Red in Chicago on Jun 24, 2008 12:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He sure is.....closer +++he has done other roles too.

I have no idea what his contract situation is…....I think he can be whatever, loogy, closer, set up guy. I’m just saying he’s a very good relief pitcher and if he’s available, you check and see what they want. Even if Mulder returns. Good lefty pitchers are hard to find. I’m not saying empty the farm for him, but I see no harm in at least asking what they want.

She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.

by jillsinmo on Jun 24, 2008 1:02 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

he has been good, but I do think it would take alot to get him, as one of his roles is closer – any pitcher capable of being a good closer will fetch a premium. I doubt that the rockies will blow up the team at this point though – with the d-backs now playing terribly, the NL West is wide open.

by cdb on Jun 24, 2008 1:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

OT: Pitching prospect

I’m sure he’s been mentioned around here before but there was a Pat Venditte sighting on rotoworld today. Today’s only “switch pitcher” caused some confusion among umpires last week when he came up against a switch hitter in the ninth inning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkPbJV2dffI

TLR would have an orgasm with him on the roster. I imagine the guy could pitch a complete game every day if his stuff was good at the time. Right-handed, it seems his fastball tops out around 91 and is complemented by a curve. Lefty, he’s a sidearmer with a slider and slower fastball. I think he wants to be more than a novelty.

by baw on Jun 24, 2008 12:20 PM EDT   0 recs

There has been one in the majors.

I want to say it was Greg Harris with Mon, but my memmory is foggy. I think he only changed sides onces in a game, the last game of the year.

I am surprised we don’t see more players try things like this, or the knuckle ball, or the screw ball, or sidearm. Basically there has to be some advantage to being different since batters won’t be used to seeing it.

by DriverZn on Jun 24, 2008 12:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

On the next-to-last game of his career!

Yeah, he is mentioned on Venditte’s wiki page

by baw on Jun 24, 2008 12:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Read the Sporting News article

about Venditte. His father has been training him to be an ambidextrous pitcher literally since he was six years old. He eats, writes, etc. with both hands. He did 120 long tosses with his left and 100 with his right every day when he was growing up. If ever there were a guy who could be successful as a two-armed pitcher, this is him.

by Red in Chicago on Jun 24, 2008 12:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yep

I don’t know if this was the same article, but I remember reading that another thing Papa Venditte did was have Pat punt footballs with both legs. Guess that ingrains good ambidextrous footwork, which is so important for him now as a pitcher.

by baw on Jun 24, 2008 1:29 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't even want to mention...

what my left-handed throws look like. Most five year old girls would be embarrased to throw like I throw LH’d.

by cardzfanbub on Jun 24, 2008 2:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Amphibious

Andy Van Slyke was once quoted (paraphrasing), “Greg Harris, he’s the guy that can throw with both hands? That makes him amphibious.”

That said, the Cubs do de