but at the same time I don’t think it’s a bad thing for him to face a weaker lineup, get some more confidence, and possible get the ball rolling. I don’t think there’s any doubt he’d be facing just as good of a lineup in AAA. That’s basically what he’s facing tonight.

6IP, 2ER, 5H, 2BB, 4KS 79pitches and a W

1) “Expectations” feels like too strong a word – I heave learned not to “expect” anything with this team, but what I am hoping for is 4 to 5 innings and just a couple of runs allowed. What I want more than anything, though is for him to leave the mound because he or the coaches want him to, bot because he has to. And I hope he wakes up tomorrow feeling the way the doctors want him to.

2) I’d love to see the Cards sell high on one or more guys who are not actually as good as they are currently playing, but I really like everyone who fits that description (I’m thinking Ludwick, Schumaker, and Lohse) and would hate to see them go. So unless the front office can find a way to significantly improve this year’s AND next year’s teams – which I doubt is possible – then I am fine standing pat.

3) Same answer as #2, particularly the part about being able to significantly improve the team. I do not think Lohse can sustain this type of success longterm, so shopping him now would definitely be selling high. If the right offer came along, I would be fine with trading him even though I like him.

With regard to never having enough pitching

I just HAD to put that in there. Ahhh the sweet pancakes-with-syrup taste of justice!

His catcher said he wanted a trade out of Toronto, and Ricciardi said something like “Someone would have to want you for us to trade you.” He’s turning into the dumbest GM in the game IMO

...Dunn is a soft, unmotivated player who doesn’t come through in the clutch."

Adam Dunn is choking in the clutch this year to the tune of a .259/.387/.600 line with RISP, and .242/.457/.818 line with 2 outs and RISP (that’s a 1.275 OPS, by the way). His career stats “in the clutch” are right in line with his overall numbers. So you feel vindicated, even though your quoted material noted that Ricciardi articulated these points in an embarrassing manner? I don’t get it.

I don’t think we make the playoffs without significant contributions from Carp and WW in the starting rotation. If these two guys are pitching up to form we have significant depth in the rotation and one of Looper, Piniero or Lohse needs to go. Maybe it would be best to move Piniero and his 2009 salary burden, but Lohse is obviously the most attractive piece – who will bring the biggest return, and IMO is ripe for regression.

I would also be open to seeing what we could get for Skip…

if he’d agree to waive his opt -out clause. I think improving the starting rotation is a great way to improve the bullpen, in that Looper and the Colonel could be great out of the pen. Plus, we have to make up ground against two very very good teams. Throwing four starters out there (Carp, Waino, Burnett, and Lohse) who give the team a chance to win each time out (and who can sometimes take over games) gives us a better chance to catch the Cubs and Brewers.

I mean, the A’s got the Phils’ #2 and #4 prospects, one of whom was a MI. IMO, any team interested in acquiring Lohse needs to START the bidding with a package like that.

Our homegrown MIs aren’t likely to become perennial All-stars (not to mention our current MIs are horrible), so any dealwhere we’re “selling high” needs to be built around improving our MI.

a bunch of promotions/demotions that were made in the last week? Isn’t that just a routine thing this time of year?

You, apparently.

But I think on VEB we all hold each other to a higher (more civilized) standard on all posts. I’ll talk to cub fans about baseball any day, I’ll talk to anyone who watched baseball about baseball but whenever you insult someone on the topic on baseball I really think it shows ignorance on the subject. I’d push for Larry or one of the other mods to deal with Desipio in any way possible or atleast let SB Nation know. And also I’d want someone to look into “Hoofheart-Pujols” who posted his Carpenter prediction above. I don’t mind someone predicting a loss for him but he typed it in all caps, gave him a horrible line and has a some what offensive name to pujols. Maybe I’m over stepping all of this, you guys can decide. I just offer my two cents.

of pitching rentals right now. I guess the Mets could pop up. But why would we want to help them make a run at the postseason? The Yankees just cheaped out on Washburn. Obviously the Pirates have no need for Lohse. The contending teams, for the most part, seem to need hitting and relievers, not starters.

IIRC. Maybe touched 94 once.

I really don’t know.

At the time I was more concerned about how he would react next time on the mound a la Matt Clement, thinking every pitch was going to get hit back at his face again.

Pujols makes a lot of pitchers go through pain but they always seem to come out better players for it; Chris Young with the line drive, Brad Lidge with the infamous blown save, etc.

What about Josh Bard?

or the dude would not be playing baseball again

every time I have seen this come up, i.e, Strauss chats, the prognosis for resuming play is not good.

His contract is up this year. He’ll be off the roster then. He’ll never get to play again. Last I heard {about a month ago} they were unsure if he’ll get enough vision in his eye to be able to drive himself again.

It’s been a while since the last report, but I would suspect that any good news would have been reported on by now.

“He’s still dealing with post-concussion syndrome,” team trainer Barry Weinberg said, according to the Post-Dispatch. “Even though his eye is the major long-term concern, right now he’s dealing with a serious concussion. ... He still has those side effects. The combination of the eye and the concussion … is significant.”

The Cardinals’ team physician, Dr. George Paletta, said Sunday the injuries were “the worst trauma I’ve ever seen” and was not optimistic Sunday that Encarnacion, 31, will regain full vision and resume his career.

Paletta said the eye socket was essentially crushed on impact, comparing the injured area to the disintegration of an egg shell or ice cream cone, and that the optic nerve had sustained severe trauma.

perhaps, Mr Sparkle.

(God I love that avatar.)

about Jason Marquis

http://www.amazon.com/Sybil-Flora-Rheta-Schreiber/dp/0446359408/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217445805&sr=8-2

How many comments are allowed in each thread, I’d say 3-4 though.

if the Cubs got injured? Just because they’re the Cubs or you think their team is injury-prone? Serious question, not trying to be an ass.

I feel like I have had my heart broken to many times by shattered promises. I don’t want to put myself out there again but I also long for the hope of a better time. I want to believe, I really do but I don’t know if can anymore.