Viva El Birdos: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Spencer Hall's Sports Meme Power Rankings

What happens if (when) Mulder collapses?

Hey all.  I have a couple ideas that I am wondering what you all think about..

What happens if Mulder doesn't pan out as a starter, which is the most likely possibility?  Do we stick with him in relief until the end of the year, DFA him, or will he inevitably become fake-injured again and go to the DL/rehab assignments (where he will thrive at AA and fail at AAA)?

Another possible scenario is what happens if Wellemeyer has another bad start and it is discovered that he needs to go on the DL for his elbow?

I mean, I am hoping Wainwright comes back before we'd need to resort to Thompson, Boggs, or Reyes again.  And I'd like to think that Chris Carpenter will start at least one game before this season is said and done.

But I think we need to consider Kyle McClellan.  It won't hurt him to make a spot start if necessary.  Next year he should be one of our starters.  He has some serious potential.

Otherwise, trade for someone?

The rotation is so confusing right now.  Thanks for any input on my ideas.

0 recs  |  Comment 32 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

if all else fails

I’m sure we could deal him a deal similar to how we received Weaver a couple of years back. I’m sure some GM out there would take a chance on him.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on Jul 7, 2008 9:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

We do not need to consider Kyle McClellan

why make the weak bullpen even weaker by taking out our best long reliever? Heck, the case can be made the K-Mac is the bullpen Ace.

by Hardcore Legend on Jul 7, 2008 9:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

and I would support that case.

If anything, we need to worry about stability in our pen more than our rotation.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on Jul 7, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

if Carpenter starts out in the bullpen

they will probably move McClellan to starting. maybe not the best decision, but I suspect that’s what they are thinking

strikeouts from left-center

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 7, 2008 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why bother?

It’ll take him atleast 2 weeks to stretch out as a starter and wouldn’t Carpenter be able to do the same, given an extra 2 weeks?

Heck, at that point, I’d rather give spot September starts to Jess Todd (if put on the 40 man roster) or Garcia.

by Hardcore Legend on Jul 7, 2008 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I persoanlly don't want to see Carpenter

anywhere near the rotation. I always think back to Matt Morris and Kerry Wood when they both had TJ at basically the same time, I believe. The Cubs fast-tracked Wood back to the rotation while the Cards took a much slower approach with Morris and stuck him in the bullpen the rest of the year. What resulted was we then gained a starting pitche the next year and the cubs gained an injury problem that lasted about 5 years until he finally ditched starting for the bullpen.

Maybe I dreamt that whole scenario, but I’m pretty sure thats how it broke down. Anyway, I want to see the same approach with Carpenter. IMO, there is no rush to get him back in the rotation when he’s got another 3 years on his contract.

by Tackle Box on Jul 8, 2008 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Kerry Wood had awful mechanics problems

that was the main cause of his injury, not that he was rushed back. Being rushed back probably didn’t help matters however Kerry Woods problems were a long time coming. And he stubbornly still hasn’t fixed the problems that even the likes of Nolan Ryan told him to address.

by Hardcore Legend on Jul 8, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well, thats probaby a pretty big reason why he's a reliever

maybe he can’t change? He’s been pitching that way for a long time, and he just can’t do it? I know thats probably more in the category of “won’t”, but its a possibility. Still, I think the best route back from TJ is to not rush things and let him pitch in the bullpen.

by Tackle Box on Jul 8, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

K-Mac belongs in the bullpen

this season. He would need conditioning to move to the rotation, further weakening the bullpen in the short starts. Conversion to a starter for K-Mac might happen over the winter.

If Mulder fails and Wellemeyer hits the DL, bring up Reyes and let him one more chance.

by ubeddie on Jul 7, 2008 9:37 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

it would be very aggravating

if they don’t use Reyes in that situation

strikeouts from left-center

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 7, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A-N-T-H-O-N-Y R-E-Y-E-S

forget about him , did you?

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Jul 8, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Im all for McClellan starting

In 2009. Depending on our pen/other starters.

by Evilfrog on Jul 7, 2008 10:00 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

hopefully by 2009

we’ll have plenty of starters and McClellan can stay in the ‘pen. unless he wins a starter position in spring training

strikeouts from left-center

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 7, 2008 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mulder

He starts Wednesday at Philadelphia, and will most likely get another start against San Diego following the All Star break, depending on how the rotation is set up at that point. If he fails miserably in both outings, then he can be put back on the DL for 15 days followed by a 30 day rehab assignment which would bring him back just in time for a September activation, at which point he can eat up innings occasionally out of the bullpen in mop up situations, without taking a roster spot from a better pitcher. I really doubt he would be DFA’d.

I was all for McClellan moving to the rotation earlier this year, but at this point it doesn’t help us to lose him for 3 weeks, maybe longer, while he stretches out in Memphis. It would be nice to see him compete for a spot in the rotation next March, though, for sure.

by adiueordie on Jul 8, 2008 12:47 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

they don't have to dfa him

all they have to do is decline his option for next year and buy the darn thing out which is exactly what they’re gonna do with Matt Clement.

by Tackle Box on Jul 8, 2008 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah...

The fan-poster asked, “Do we stick with him in relief until the end of the year, DFA him, or will he inevitably become fake-injured again and go to the DL/rehab assignments (where he will thrive at AA and fail at AAA)?”

They won’t just cut him in-season (DFA) is what I was saying.

Also, Clement was optioned to AAA today after clearing waivers, but stayed on the 40 man roster so he can pitch in September as well. Obviously, if they’re leaving him on the roster then you can expect them to do the same with Mulder.

Obviously they’re ‘09 options will be declined (barring some kind of miracle comeback).

by adiueordie on Jul 8, 2008 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I see

I read that wrong. I read it as “do we stick with him in relief until the end of the year, DFA him, AND …............”

misplace an “and” for an “or”. Changes EVERYTHING.

Big difference.

by Tackle Box on Jul 8, 2008 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think the option will be declined...

regardless of how he performs…if he still proves he can be useful in one way or another, they may try to sign him at a lower rate…what is his option salary…12 mil?? I don’t remember… Doubt that they would want to bring him back at anything close to that.

by tbell61 on Jul 8, 2008 8:30 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Righ Now...

If Mulder flops in the strarter role and in the BP….buy him out!....or include him in this trade somehow….

Then send Lohse (right NOW), along with Cali boys Reyes and the 4th OF they need in Cali boy Schumacher, also Izturis to the Dodgers to play SS…....this after they skillfully get Furcal to sign a two year extension and throw him and Derek Lowe to us for the above and some money…

......all before LA pounces on Pittsburgs Jack Wilson.

.......they can look at resigning Mini Puh instead of pursuing Wilson…they know what he can do and that hes coming back to old form..! We could send Brendan Ryan Cali boy number 4 along to compete with Izturis and make it a good deal for both teams.

Lowe walks after the season, but he gives us something comparable to Lohse before he goes. And we get Furcal for 2 1/2 seasons while they get a chance to win now with Lohse and Schu playing 4th OF like a trooper. They may be able to get Reyes on tack too? Then they can pick a SS from Ryan or Izturis.

Not too shabby for either team…we have Furcal under contriol for 2 1/2 years. One of the younsters gets Lohses/Lowes spot in 09….. we didnt get up the farm to get Furcal…I A guy whos walking anyway, two SS prospects and a refurbing pitcher…

IT’LL NEVER HAPPEN…Furcal will want more years…and will never sign an ext., even to be traded for a better berth….

by cardschinmusic on Jul 8, 2008 9:32 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Furcal

needs a backiotomy

by cd on Jul 8, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah

furcal has been hurt for a long time now (he’s on my fantasy team!) so I’m not sure if I’d want him, as he seems injury prone.

strikeouts from left-center

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Jul 8, 2008 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he's still on your team?

i finally cut bait a week or two ago. he might be back by september, at which point i’ll have wasted that roster spot for like 4 months… (only two DL spots in that league, currently occupied by matsui and soriano)

by adiueordie on Jul 8, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lohse

I wish everyone on this website would stop talking about trading him. We should be looking to sign him long-term instead.

Just my opinion.. I see a lot of wins in the future for him over the next few years.

by Ghosty on Jul 9, 2008 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

west...coast...bird...watcher...itis

has infected the site with excessive punctuation…. please update your pc’s virus protection… software before…. your email… is impacted ;)

"imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"

by ubeddie on Jul 8, 2008 12:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry ubeddie,

Excessive punctuation due to rushing thoughts together (my apologies for not re-writing) as are the not so typical mispelled el wordos in my text, but thanks for your examination and feedback. Coffee had yet to take hold.

No west coaster of any kind here, tho I did attend a few A’s, Dodgers, Angels and Giants games last summer and thoroughly enjoyed it, also pictured a few players in Cardinal Red. The Cubs just snatched one up.

Reply to CF in Chitown: Furcals injury was the reason I thought he might sign an extension in his FA year. I think he has a future in spite of back problems this year.

Im not sold on him being the only SS or MI we could or should wrangle, but it sends a lot of Cali boys home and gets us a bat and glove by Sept, two Calis that are probably headed there pretty soon anyway.

And to Ghosty! Lohse is not staying, Im pretty sure of that

..............................ooops…..!

by cardschinmusic on Jul 9, 2008 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A good relief pitcher is easier to acquire without giving up too much!

When discussing McClellan, keep in mind its easier to get a good or solid bullpen arm midseason than it is to get a good starter. You have to give up good prospects for a starter, not neccessarily for a bullpen arm.

McClellan will start. I’m convinced! Why else inquire on Matt Herges?

jp

by jpmorgan5150 on Jul 8, 2008 5:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Just 1 example

Last year, the Brewers gave up Will Inman, Joe Thatcher, and Steve Garrison for 2 months of Scott Linebrink.

by Tackle Box on Jul 8, 2008 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not only that

but I’d rather have a pitcher who can help us win 4 games a week than maybe 2.

by Hardcore Legend on Jul 9, 2008 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

heheheh..

I don’t know why I even put the word “If” in the title of the original post I made. I knew Mulder would crumble. He’s done. Time to retire. For serious.

by Ghosty on Jul 9, 2008 11:16 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Its been time for a while,

but as long as we’re payin’, he’s playin’. Hell, he probably believes someone is dumb enough to pay him for next year – I’m talking about you Walt Jocketty!

Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...

by giveml on Jul 10, 2008 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to the Internet's #1 St. Louis Cardinals blog.
Start posting about the Cardinals »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

1753738656_110919ebe9_o_small
2010 Hot Stove Post #1: CHONE hitter projections

Recent FanPosts

Avatar_small
How to EASILY make tables for Fanposts
Arch_small
Number 15
Small
Some thoughts on Holliday (and potential replacements)
Small
Ok let me try this again...
Knights-09_small
Disenchanted Blue Jays Fan Looking For A New Team
Painterlance_small
The Holliday Dilemma (Rocks Fan Perpsective)
375830-r1-025-11_011_small
Anybody read Bob Gibson's new book yet?
Flanders_small
Yadi2first
Small
40 Man Question..

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >


Managers

Jack_benny_small DanUpBaby

Editors

Bender1_small azruavatar

Adam1_small chuckb

Kid-a-bear_small the red baron