Dream Offseason

i've said it before...

… i guess i’ll say it again.

Tulowitzki, away from Coors field, 2008: .248/.309/.382/.691; career: .250/.320/.381/.701.

(strangely, Tulo’s splits away from Coors this year are better than at Coors.)

i know he’s battled injuries, but Tulo has had only one good month this year (July), and his BABIP that month was .478 in only 65 ABs. he hasn’t ever been very good away from Coors, and he doesn’t seem to have fully recovered from his injury. he’s great defensively, but i’m not convinced that he’s worth Rasmus, and the Rox won’t give him up for anything else.

also, Lowe’s ERA+, WHIP, K/9, K/BB are all significantly better than Loop’s, as are his IP. i don’t know that Lowe can be had at a similar price to Loop, but if he can and if we are deciding between the two of them, then we should go for Lowe.

by kindred on Sep 5, 2008 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dream off-season

1. Release Adam Kennedy
2. Trade Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan, Ryan Franklin for anything you can get.
3. Don’t Resign Izturis
4. Offer Lopez/Miles a 1 year/1.5 M contract. First to accept wins.
5. Ask Tony LaRussa to resign, or graciously give him the chance to be a GM somewhere else.
6. Promote Oquendo.
7. Sign AJ Burnett and/or Ben Sheets.
8. Promote Colby Rasmus.
9. Sign Orlando Hudson, move Lopez to SS (if he is faster than Miles to the bargaining table).
10. Offer Lohse arbitration.

Rotation
Carpenter
Wainwright
Burnett/Sheets
Wellemeyer
Boggs/Scrap heap/Thompson

Lineup
Rasmus
Hudson
Pujols
Ludwick
Glaus
Ankiel
Molina
Pitcher
Lopez

That would be my dream off-season. It would cost DeWitt some money, but wouldn’t cost us as far as player development.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 5, 2008 11:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like most of what you have

but I’d like to point out one thing. Miles is making $1.4M this year and Lopez is making $4.9M. If you take the approach you want to with offering both 1.5 and signing whichever agrees first, you’re going to be signing Miles.

And, I think it’s pretty obvious, I’ve always kinda liked Miles, but I’d prefer to have Lopez. Now, I wouldn’t want to pay him 5 milion, and I think with his whole release from Washington and stuff, he’d be willing to sign for less, but probably not a 3.5 million dollar pay cut.

Actually, I think 3 to 3.5 to Lopez would probably not only be more appropriate, but it would be something he’d take. You could go lower, but you’d more than likely have to put all kinds of incentives in it that would bring him up closer to 5M if he reached them. Why not just split the diff and offer 3.5?

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, if you're going to sign Hudson to play 2b

why not re-sign Izturis?

Do you think Lopez can make up for the defensive difference with his bat?

And what do you think you could realistically sign Hudson for? Btw, he’s listed as a Type A free agent and he made $6.25M this year. I think with his injury this year, along with Type A status, would be a major strike against signing him.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd have Lopez play SS

if it meant getting Hudson at 2B. I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Lopez’ foot speed.

Realistically for Hudson? Most of the MLB FA 2B over the last few years have gotten 4 year deals, for $6 – 8 M a year. Jeff Kent got 1 year/$11 M. Chase Utley got an extension for roughly $15 M annually.

I’d give Hudson 4 years/$37 M (7/8/11/11). That’s more than Castillo signed for.

There really isn’t much out there as far as high paid 2B in baseball.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 6, 2008 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And about the $1.5 M, I guess you are probably right

Lopez will more than likely be able to find a starting job somewhere for $3 M a year, so it would be prudent (if the team wants him) to offer something in that neighborhood. If forgot the Nationals were paying him so much.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 6, 2008 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

9.25 per, hmmm

Well, I can definitely see a player of his quality and position demand getting that. Are you at all concerned with the injury and Type A status? Hopefully, we’d be getting that pick back from Lohse, but God forbid, what if someone like Seattle signed him? We would get their 2nd round pick instead of their 1st.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not concerned about the injury

they have been freak bone break injuries.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 6, 2008 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

but...

… he hasn’t seemed to recover from the injury yet. and that is a concern.

by kindred on Sep 6, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lopez and Hudson

would be the worst defensive MI in the NL. To paraphrase Kindred, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Hudson sucks away from his cozy home park and will be coming back from a broken wrist. Seeing both Yadi and Lopez hit two HRs in three games at Chase Field should tell you something. He also has the worst range of any regular 2B in the league.

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

by giveml on Sep 7, 2008 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll play this game

First off, though, I do want to say that I have been guilty of this in the past, I’m sure…but I think this would have been a great addition to the other versions of this going around in separate threads, instead of a fan post. That being said…I’ll play. I love doing these. I’ll do it a little differently…by position.

C – Yadier is already signed through 2011 at least. Good. Bring up Johnson (or Johnson) as a backup catcher so that Anderson can get all the games he can possibly catch in one year in Memphis.

1B – Albert is already signed through 2010 at least. Double good.

2B/SS – Resign Lopez and Miles to a combined total of what Kennedy would make next year. Tell Kennedy ciao. Tell TLR that these two can only play second base or shortstop unless it is an emergency situation – i.e. no taking away ABs from out OFers. Side note: if anyone (read: TLR) thinks that Brendan Ryan or Brian Barden or Jarrett Hoffpauir are an answer for the MIF on the big league club, then one of the two incumbents can get the @#$* out.) Sign Furcal or Hudson, whichever you think will give you the best combination of games played, production, and cost.

3B – Glaus is signed through next year. Keep him. Bring Freese up to back up 1st and 3rd. (Screw this 4 MIF nonsense.) Bring Wallace up for one year in AAA. Get him ready for a September callup. I didn’t want to do this initially, but Freese has a .911 OPS with 10 errors down there, what else do we want him to do?

OF – Ludwick, Mather, Skip, Ankiel, Rasmus – TLR is one of the best at getting the most out of his players and getting them rest (sometimes too much). I’d say, tell him that these 5 get to play the OF. Nobody else on the roster. Nobody else. When one goes down with an injury, you bring up Barton (who I think needs to start at AAA) or Jones or Robinson (whoever is ready) and give the same ultimatum to TLR.

SP – Carpenter (30 games, please!), Wainwright (ditto), Lowe, Garland, and Wellemeyer.

Bullpen – I’ll build it from the back of the pen to the front of the pen.
Perez – full time closer
Motte – setup man
McClellan – setup man
insert random lefthanded free agent – setup man/specialist
Franklin – tell TLR he cannot be the closer
Thompson – long reliever – First to fill in a rotation spot if needed, followed by:
Pineiro

You tell TLR that Lowe, Garland, Rasmus, and a full season out of Mather, Motte, and Perez are your IMPACT players, when used correctly.

You also offer Looper and Lohse arbitration. I’d take either back, but will gladly take picks for either one. If one accepts, you send Welley to the pen and dump Pineiro. If both accept, then you send Welley to the pen, drop Pineiro and keep Motte down for a year closing in Memphis, so that he has experience at the back end of the rotation as well. If some other team really wants Ryan Franklin, you trade him and keep Motte up. Easy as that.

Other than that, since this is our “dream” offseason…everyone gets COMPLETELY healthy for next year and we don’t have 750 man games lost to injuries again.

by stlfan on Sep 6, 2008 12:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh crap

I forgot Joel was on the team. How did that happen?

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 6, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was in your #2 category, right?

It distinctly (in my mind) says (and I quote) “2. Trade Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan, [Joel Pineiro], Ryan Franklin for anything you can get.”

by stlfan on Sep 6, 2008 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I figured he was the scrap heap

Boggs/Scrap heap/Thompson

by felone on Sep 6, 2008 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Dream Offseason

Trades
None

Free Agency
0.Release 2B Adam Kennedy
2.Re-Sign RHP Russ Springer to a 1 year, $1.5 million deal
3.Re-Sign 2B/SS Felipe Lopez to a 1 year, $1.5 million deal
4.Re-Sign Ron Villone to a 1 year, Minimum deal
5.Sign 2B Mark Ellis to a 2 year, $9 million deal
6.Sign 2B/SS Mark Loretta to a 1 year, $2.5 million deal
7.Sign RHP Derek Lowe to a 3 year, $27 million deal
8.Sign C Rod Barajas to a 1 year, $1 million deal

C: Yadier Molina
1B: Albert Pujols
2B: Mark Ellis
SS: Mark Loretta
3B: Troy Glaus
LF: Ryan Ludwick
CF: Rick Ankiel
RF: Colby Rasmus

RHP Chris Carpenter
RHP Adam Wainwright
RHP Todd Wellemeyer
RHP Derek Lowe
RHP Joel Piniero

RHP Chris Perez
RHP Ryan Franklin
RHP Russ Springer
RHP Josh Kinney
RHP Kyle McClellan
RHP Jason Motte
LHP Tyler Johnson
LHP Ron Villone

C: Rod Barajas
UTIL: David Freese
2B/SS: Felipe Lopez
OF: Skip Schumaker
OF: Joe Mather

by AP5 on Sep 6, 2008 1:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I keep seeing this about Lopez

2. Springer is making 3.5M this year, however it is possible he’d sign for 1.5 because of family stuff.
3. Once again, Lopez is making 4.9M this year. I do not see him taking a 3 and a half million dollar pay cut to be a backup. I think he’ll get between 3 and 3.5M
5. I assume that Mark Ellis deal is for 4.5M per year. If so, that means he’d be taking a 500K pay cut. Ain’t happening.
6. Lorretta? Eh. He’s basically been in decline since 2004. If he put up this year’s numbers, I’d be fine with it, but why would you pay him 1M more per year than Felipe Lopez?
8. I’m not sure Barajas is a free agent. The Blue Jays hold a club option on him for ‘09. Plus, isn’t he the starting catcher in Toronto? Why would he sign to back up Yadi for a year?

I understand this is your “dream” offseason so I shouldn’t try to tear it apart so much (especially since I haven’t bothered to do my own), but Mark Loretta is your starting shortstop after your dream offseason? Seriously? I really don’t see how that middle infield is an upgrade over the guys we’re putting out there right now.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As far as the backup

While he has gone forgotten this past season, if we aren’t going to call up Anderson, we could do much worse than simply resigning LaRue.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Sep 6, 2008 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that's what i think too

I think he’s done fine for the price and it’s not like a backup catcher plays a whole lot. Personally, I’d be fine with Anderson starting at AAA and being the call-up if something happens to Yadi. I think he’d benefit more from regular play due to his age. It wouldn’t kill me to see him as the backup. Didn’t seem to hurt Saltalamachia’s trade value any, but I’d almost prefer to see him start at AAA.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like most of you, i sharted myself at the thought of Tulo in the Birds on the Bat!

Obviously this is highly unlikely but if he were to be available I would like to see us send Wallace/Anderson/Mortensen/Ryan (whatever it took save Rasmus) .

LINEUP:
1. Rasmus CF
2. Tulo SS
3. Pujols 1B
4. Ludwick LF
5. Ankiel RF
6. Glaus 3B
7. Molina C
8. P spot
9. Lopez 2B

BENCH:
Miles
LaRue
Schumaker
Mather
Barden

ROTATION:
1. Carpenter
2. Wainwright
3. Burnett
4. Wellemeyer
5. McClellan

PEN:
F Rodriguez Closer
Fuentes Setup
Perez Setup
Motte MR
Springer MR
Boggs LR
Johnson/Affeldt/Ohman Loogy

Plan B: snagging one of the Marlins MI and moving Lopez accordingly. I like the Tulo deal much better though and with Helton aging maybe the Rocks would take Wallace as the centerpiece? Now if we could just get DeWallet to open we’d be damn near unbeatable!

by RayMonD! on Sep 6, 2008 2:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

can't trade Wallace until June.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah we can

As a PTBNL starting in December.

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million .265 .365 .386
Skip Schumaker: $Free .307 .366 .421

by joker24 on Sep 8, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Who would make that trade?

Even if Tulo was available, they’d never agree to trade him for only a PTBNL. So, it’d have to be part of a package, right? Well, I assume the thinking here is that you have an agreement that the PTBNL would be Wallace. But what happens if he starts out in AA and hits 25 homeruns and has a .350 batting average by the time June rolls around?

So, yes, you can technically name him as a player to be named later, but why would you? You could very well be giving up way too much if he succeeds. Then, on the other hand, why would Colorado agree to let the centerpiece of the deal play for 2 months in another organization? What if he got hurt or developed bad habits? That’s about the worst situation ever.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 8, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Micah Owings is the rumored centerpiece of the Dunn deal...

You could very well be giving up way too much if he succeeds.

That’s true in every trade. Not saying it’s likely, we aren’t trading for Tulo anyway so it doesn’t matter, but it’s possible.

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million .265 .365 .386
Skip Schumaker: $Free .307 .366 .421

by joker24 on Sep 8, 2008 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

while this would be an awesome offseason

realistically there is no way the cards sign k-rod, fuentes, and burnett as well as trade for tulo IMHO…maybe two of those 4, but not al 4

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 6, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice to save Colby

but I’d trade him for Tulo. I wouldn’t throw in Anderson or other premium prospects. Maybe Boggs and Jay would do it. If we can’t swing a deal for a premium shortstop I’d try to sign Hudson and resign Izturis. It would give us a super defensive infield and, after June, we could see what Wallace might get us in a trade for a shortstop.
As for Felipe I don’t see him having a future with the Cardinals. We aren’t dumb enough to give him four million and somebody else will be. I do hope we give a long look at Barden in the spring. He looks like he could be a useful player for us.

by easy on Sep 6, 2008 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i forgot to put one point in my original fanpost

i don’t know with who, but i think if we can get larussa out of the picture, next years team will not be held back as much as it will be with him…he needs to coach a veteran laden team a la torre, and i really hope we have a youth infusion next year

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 6, 2008 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Torre...

… is managing a lot of youth in LA. DeWitt, LaRoche (b/f he was traded), Loney, Ethier, Kemp, Martin. and he’s been giving those guys time over mediocre vets (Jones, Pierre, Garciaparra).

by kindred on Sep 6, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boras factor

Ankiel is a potential trading chip because he is represented by Boras. He will not be in the Cards’ long term plans.

Isn’t Lopez represented by Boras? If so, he will not settle for less than 5 million. Forget signing him cheap.

Lohse is represented by Boras…consider him gone. (My guess is that there was likely a handshake deal that the Cards would not offer arbitration to him when they signed him so cheaply…don’t count on draft picks.

Other Notes: Hudson and Furcal are out of the Cards’ price range. Both are looking for the highest bidder.

My guesses: Cards will go after Lowe and we might see a trade for a middle infielder and a lefty reliever. Brad Penny is a possibility since he grew up a Cardinal fan.

We will have to see: This year’s team would be a legit playoff contender with an average bullpen. The bullpen is the worst in baseball and maybe the worst of all time. That is where the offseason plans should start.

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

by Elvis on Sep 6, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

While I could see your team coming together with Lowe

You’re way off on your interpretation of the Boras factor.

While the part about Ankiel could come true, I think you’re flat out wrong about Lopez and Lohse.

What exactly has Lopez done this year to warrant a raise? He got released by the Washington Nationals. He ain’t getting a raise, even a 100K raise.

And there was not “handshake” deal with Lohse. You say it like Boras cut the Cardinals a break. Lohse either signs that deal with the Cardinals (or maybe the same deal with another club) or he doesn’t pitch. He had no leverage whatsoever. The Cardinals will offer arbitration and he will turn it down. Hopefully a team outside the Top 15 signs him.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed on Lopez

he has had what, one good year (2005) in his entire career. I just don’t see a late season revival with the Cardinals translating into a 5M contract for him. That would just be the definition of a crazy contract.

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Sep 6, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how about 3.5 at most?

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you are right and there is a "handshake deal" with boras

i say screw him…it his damn fault loshe had to take a one year deal in the first place…why should we be punished…offer him arbitration, i really don’t give a crap if that ruins our relationship with boras…he is ruining baseball, and if we never dealt with him again i wouldnt care

plus we drafted his son…thats gotta count for something

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 7, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The extra in the Lohse deal

was 500k to Lohse if he got traded. That was the best Boras could do. The offer of arbitration, imo, will have zero impact on Lohse’s earning potential in the FA market. The loss of draft choices to sign a “hot” player is part of the FA game and other teams know it going in. Most GM’s are on short contracts and giving up the rights to an unknown player who may help the team in four years has limited impact on their decisions to win next year.

Actually, we need a missive from westcoastbirdwatcher to know the real scoop.

by ubeddie on Sep 7, 2008 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You wouldn't understand it even if he did post something.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 7, 2008 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The trees and the fish go flying through the nebula as the chirping birds bark onto wood

Losh likes to pithc for the Cards so maybe Boris will get by and ownsership will pay him some stuff……………..but dont cont on it Dewitt ringed in all ready and its all about fleeing the desert if you know what i mean. Muldur is coming bakc i bet Larusa will try to get him in the rotation for nostajia………….hell be cheap so dewitte will like him to.[/best impression]

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million .265 .365 .386
Skip Schumaker: $Free .307 .366 .421

by joker24 on Sep 8, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Impressive

I’m thinking you got out the ouija board and channeled the ghost of wcbw.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 8, 2008 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my two cents

If Furcal passes health exams this offseason, might as well sign him, as long as he doesn’t expect a ton of cash. start Lopez at 2B. trade Skip for some kind of bullpen help, preferably lefty. start ank in left, rasmus in center, and ludwick in right. Barton and Mather off the bench. if you don’t dfa kennedy, re-sign miles. get an Anderson up here as the back up catcher if you don’t re-sign Larue. sign Derek Lowe. have Freese as a backup to Glaus and Pujols wunderkind. release Duncan. somehow make sure izzy, franklin, villone, and whoever else has sucked out of the bullpen (looking at you Jimenez) don’t pitch for us. not sure what else needs to be done.

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sorry, if you do dfa kennedy, re-sign miles

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think both moves are no-brainers

Nick Stavinoah = John Gall

by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 6, 2008 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Carp $14
Waino $2.6
*Lowe $13
*Welly $5
McClellan $0.5

Yadi $3.25
Puj $16
AK $4
*Izturis $2.9
Glaus $12.5
Colby $0.4
*Ank $4
*Lud $5

Perez $0.4
Motte $0.4
Franklin $2.5
*Springer $3.5
*Ohman $3
Ty Johnson $0.5
Pinero $7.5

Freese $0.4
*Larue $0.9
Mather $0.4
Barton $0.4
*Miles $1.5

Mulder $1.5 (buyout)

(*)= my guesstimate

Committed Total: $66.25 for 17 players
Projected Total: $106.05 for 25 players

"And it's popped up, into foul territory and out of play. Oh, that ball landed right in a lady's Busch." -Mike Shannon

by an on Sep 6, 2008 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if money dictated position

Pineiro would be the closer if he’s in the bullpen. Ah!!

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sure Ank should have an asterisk

he’s signed through next season

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No he isn't, but he is under team control

He signed a 1 year contract this past year to avoid arbitration so he’d have to do that again this offseason.

Also, not that it’s a big difference in the grand total, but Glaus is scheduled to make 11.25M next year so that gives you an extra 1.25 million to play with.

Btw, Glaus has a 11.25M dollar player option (which he has exercised) and receives an extra 25,000 dollars annually for “personal business expenses” which is listed as his wife’s equestrian training.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 6, 2008 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so what does that mean?

basically, how much he’s going to make next year is up in the air?

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he and the cards can't agree ..

on the renewal price, the decision will go to an arbitrator. I wouldn’t be suprised if it does, given his unusual career…..I’d just sign him to a multi-year deal though. Hopefully they could get him signed to a relative low 3 for 15M type deal…not bad for a GG quality CF with 30 homer power. Then again, Boras is the agent so…I don’t think they’d bite on it.

Nick Stavinoah = John Gall

by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 6, 2008 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah that one is going to be hard to predict

all things considered

it's time to bring the rock!!!!!!!

by Cards Fan in Chitown on Sep 6, 2008 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Build the pen by all means. Winter ball for young pitchers? Not sure. . . Does Barton figure in the plans?

Either trade or showcase in winter ball and see what there is . . . .

An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.

HL Mencken

by akaitori on Sep 6, 2008 9:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Closer is needed

The one thing that would have put us at least in the playoffs, is an above average closer. That must come through a trade or by specific actions(teaching pitches) to people in the organization. If we fill that hole, we will play in October. We could make other improvements with strategic moves, but we cannot neglect the one big key!!

by Remember Kenny B on Sep 6, 2008 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We have a closer

His name is Chris Perez. The organization will not be going out and signing one in the offseason. A LOOGY is needed much more than a closer.

"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 Sep 8, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

priorities

1- restructure BP
2- SS
3- ‘add’ starting pitcher
4- upgrade 2B

In reverse order…..

I don’t think flippy is the answer and I don’t think he’ll sign cheap. Likely we’ll end up with 2 $4M below average 2Bs. His OPS with the Cards is hugely better than anything he has done before including ‘the year’, is 250 points above his career OPS and is based on an outlandish (read unsustainable) babip. Dump all the MIs making over league minimum and start over. let Barden and ryan battle for the MI utility role. To start at 2B? Can’t be that hard to find an upgrade. But realistically…. I’ll accept keeping Flippy if we dump AK and Izz2.

SP: I am philosophically opposed to leaving spot(s) open for the best internal option(s) to claim. If you give them the job rather than having them earn it, it leaves you open for giving away every 5th game (see for reference the White Sox from a few years back) and worst case scenario, add some injuries, and you get a repeat of the Cards 2007 rotation. I’d like 4 established starters and let the kids battle Pineiro for the 5th spot. Assuming one can beat him out that still leaves Pineiro and Thompson as spot starters/depth. Three seem set in Carp, Waino, and Welley. For the other established guy I’d favor an expensive high end innings eater and put the bulk of our payroll space surplus here (deal for other needs) — sheets, CC, burnett. Of the current crop, I’d probably favor Looper over Lohse. Probably cheaper, shorter contract, pocket the comp picks for Lohse, and $50 internet says Looper has a better year next year than Lohse.

SS: Furcal or Cabrera look to be the top free agent options. gotta figure the Red Sox make a play on Furcal, making cabrera our best bet. If we can’t sign OC. Deal for a MLB ready AAA SS — Atlanta and TB seem to be regarded as having surplusses in these areas.

BP: first who not to bring back — ideally izzy, villone, flores, springer. Realistically they may all be back but put a fork in Izzy he’s done even before elbow surgery. villone and flores just aren’t good enough; find a LHP who can get somebody out. Springer has pitched well for most of the year, but he’s becoming a ROOGY that’s heading towards RNOGY and just doesn’t have the stamina to be a BP workhouse.

Franklin? if you can deal him ok, otherwise he can retry the 8th inning role.

Try Perez at Closer. Kinney, McClellan, Motte can compete for spots. Tyler Johnson may be an option for a leftie spot. Sign/trade for a LHP. Sign/trade for a setup type RHP — if it costs us $4 m a year so be it

by vances law on Sep 6, 2008 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wrong emphaisis

Why be so specific? If we had 10 more saves this year, we are in the playoffs, and contending for first. It is very simple,—-get a better closer or two.

by Remember Kenny B on Sep 6, 2008 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've bemoaned "a halfway decent closer and we're in first" myself

and you could also call me inconsistent for leaving multiple “spot(s) open for the best internal options” in the pen.

I wont disagree on the closer point. Closer was supposed to be a strength this year……Izzy having one of the best year’s in the NL in 2007. Didn’t work out…….in hindsight, we would have been better off not picking up Izzy’s option and using the money to resign Percival.

If we can land an established closer, I’m fine with that. However, there aren’t that many ‘shut down’ closers around. The only free agent to be among them is F Rod and he’s expected to get a record setting contract from somebody(smart money is guessing its not gonna be us). Fuentes? The other potential options on the FA market don’t particularly thrill me — many for durability and health reasons.

Could we land BJ Ryan or Joakim Soria in a trade? I’d go for that. ( Boy oh boy, if we could only treat the Royals the way the Cubs treat the Pirates, we could deal them AK and Pineiro and get Soria and Mahay….)

by vances law on Sep 6, 2008 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

my dream offseason ----while still trying to be reasonable.

In no particular order:

1. DFA Kennedy
2. Sign Derek Lowe
3. Offer arbitration to Lohse, but don’t resign him
4. Resign Lopez AND Miles for a combined $5M or less
5. Give Jason Motte a spot in the pen.
6. Acknowledge that Chris Perez is THE man in the 9th
7. Sign Ankiel and Ludwick to multi-year deals
8. Re-sign Pujols to a monster extension
9. Trade Joel Pineiro for anything
10. Get Kelvin Jimenez out of the organization
11. Sign Orlando Hudson
12. Find a new broadcaster for channel 5
13. Re-sign Looper
14. Re-sign LaRue
15. Promote Freese and make him a utility player for all corners

New starting 5:

Carpenter
Wainwright
Lowe
Wellemeyer
Looper

Depth – Thompson, Boggs, Todd, Parisi, Walters, Mortenson

New lineup -

Schumaker – - until Rasmus takes over in may?
Hudson
Pujols
Ludwick
Glaus
Ankiel
Molina
Lopez

Bench -

LaRue
Miles
Freese
Mather
Barton/Duncan – if healthy

Depth – Rasmus, Anderson, Jay, Craig, Wallace, Greene, Hoffapuir,

Bullpen:

Franklin
Motte
Perez
Kinney
Thompson
New lefty reliever
New lefty reliever

oh the hell with it…I’m not even gonna bother with the pen…who knows what’ll happen here..

Nick Stavinoah = John Gall

by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Sep 6, 2008 10:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm.....

Of the top of my head, and not paying a ton of attention to salary numbers b/c I don’t feel like crunching numbers tonight:

I don’t think we need to change a ton. I really don’t.

We’re set at 1B, 3B, and C. No doubt about that.

As for 2B, I’d like to dump AK, even if that means eating his salary. Lopez has intrigued me as an option at 2B. Wouldn’t want him as our full time starting SS, but as a 2B, I like the potential. Sign him, and sign Miles to another 1 year, small $ contract.

At SS, this is the million dollar question. Obviously it is our biggest need. We could go after a FA such as Furcal, or we could try to land somebody by trade. I won’t speculate here who is available, or might be available, cause I have no idea. Not sure I’d want to give up what Colorado would likely want for Tulo. Really like Furcal, but would want to research his health a bit more.

The OF is tricky as well. Ideally, in my world, I’d love to have Ludwick, Rasmus (if ready), and a “new guy”. I think Holliday would be a monster in our lineup. Mather and Skip on the bench, Barton in AAA, and hopefully trades for Ankiel and Duncan.

Gives us a lineup of:

Furcal
Ludwick
Pujols
Holliday
Glaus
Rasmus
Molina
P
Lopez

Rasmus can bat higher if he proves he deserves to, but I’m expecting the slow start. Actually, there are alot of things you can do with that lineup.

Bench of Miles, Mather, Skip, LaRue/Anderson, and a utility guy. Not sure who the utility guy will be. Phelps? Freese? Ryan? Someone else?

On the rotation, I’d make a play at one of the top SP’s. I really don’t think we can land Sheets, but I’d ask. Burnett would be another option if he opts out. Assuming we can’t get rid of JP, I believe he needs to start. That only leaves us one rotation spot outside of Carp, Waino, and Welly. I wouldn’t mind seeing us landing Looper again if we can’t get a Sheets/Burnett.

Bullpen help is needed. I’d have a bullpen of Perez, Franklin, Springer, Thompson, LOOGY (Ohman maybe?), Kinney, and another FA signing. Fuentes, or hopefully someone of that caliber. Not sure how supportive I would be of this, but I think Izzy, if healthy, is going to get resigned. Maybe he replaces Springer or Kinney.

To me, this improves the team, and as far as spects go, we really only lose whatever it takes to land Holliday. I know that would be steep, but between the draft picks for letting Lohse walk, and whatever we land for Duncan, and more specifically Ankiel, I think we’d be fine.

by SoonerfanTU on Sep 6, 2008 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My Dream

I would like to see a new infield as well. I am a fan of going back to the future with Renteria and Polonco. Polonco is still one of the best fielders in the game and Renteria is much better hitter in the NL then the AL. Renteria can be had cheaper then Furcal and is not as brittle. With Detroit needing to cut 40mil we can see if Duncan thinks he can correct one of Bonderman, Willis, or Robertson. Bonderman is my choice. Package Polonco with one and deal our strength an outfielder. Ludwick+ might be what it takes. Takes millions off the books for them and for us fills two holes. New lineup of
RHP/LHP
Schumaker/Polonco
Polonco/Renteria
Pujols
Ankiel
Glaus
Renteria/Mather
Molina
Pitcher
Rasmus

Rotation
Carp
Waino
Bonderman
Looper
McClellen

Perez- cl
Motte
Kinney
Johnson
Franklin
Thompson
Pineiro

Bench
Mather
Barton
Lopez
Miles
LaRue

this was Rasmus can work his way in without pressure.

Andy S

by apaul1029 on Sep 8, 2008 7:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why do you hate Welly?

And I guess you cut AK?

Don’t think Lopez will sign to ride the bench. And I think you actually downgraded the lineup some, mostly by replacing Ludwick with Rasmus.

by SoonerfanTU on Sep 8, 2008 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was the trade...

Ludwick for Renteria, Polanco, and Bonderman? Uhhh…won’t happen.

by stlfan on Sep 8, 2008 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lot's of Tigers on that roster...

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 8, 2008 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is late compared to most responses

but people need to forget about the Rockies trading Tulo for a package like the one proposed at the top. Both lboros and I live in Denver…we both agree that there has never been one word mentioned about trading Tulo, even through this miserable year he’s having. Look, I enjoy these kinds of posts as much as anyone, but could we please be reasonable? The Rockies have Dexter Fowler (their version of Rasmus) in the minors to play CF. They have a young catcher in Chris Iannetta, so they don’t need Anderson and Mortensen/Garcia or whoever is nowhere near enough to acquire a guy the Rockies view as their Derek Jeter. Tulo is not available, no matter what Strauss may have speculated about last week. I repeat, Tulo is not available. It’s a nice dream, but it isn’t gonna happen. End of story.

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

by TurdFerguson on Sep 8, 2008 11:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My Off-Season Plan

If the M’s do go into full fire sale mode, see what it would take to pry Bedard and Putz away.

If too much go after Fuentes or Ohman, and Lowe, Penny, or Garland.

See what it would take for Uggla, if too much, look at O Hudson, or Ellis.

Give Rasmus a legit shot out of spring.

Sign Renteria, or Cabrera.

Start talks with Albert now for an extension.

Sign Ankiel, and Lud to about 3 yr deals.

Bring up Anderson(if not traded) as backup

Dump AK, or if impossible, keep him as a backup.

Resign Miles.

Buy out Mulder, and see if he will take a HUGE paycut for a 1 year deal.

Try to resign Izzy at a HUGE discount to mentor Perez

Make Perez Closer in name also.

Have Izzy backup when Perez needs a rest.

See if Izturus will take a backup role and salary.

by stlzoot on Sep 8, 2008 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Lowe

Word is that he’s a type A now as well. So even if the Cards get an extra pick for Lohse, if they sign Lowe it negates it for the most part.

by flipthebird on Sep 8, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'd look at it the other way...

… we wouldn’t lose a pick by signing Lowe since we’d be letting Lohse go. in fact, we might even move up in the draft if somebody like the Braves signs Lohse.

by kindred on Sep 8, 2008 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Call me Captain Semantics

To me there’s no negating or gain or whatever way to look at it. We have a first rounder, if we pick up another first rounder + a supplemental for Lohse then we have two 1s and a 1+. Signing a Type A is losing a first rounder period, who cares how many you had or could/would’ve had? Seeing as how the organization does have the money to sign all three picks it’s still the same question of is it worth it to sign a guy and lose a first rounder—-how many other picks/where they are in the rounds is irrelevant to that trade to me.

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million .265 .365 .386
Skip Schumaker: $Free .307 .366 .421

by joker24 on Sep 8, 2008 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Captain Semantics"

you’re right of course. i guess i was just thinking that now that the system is producing better prospects, we could afford to lose the pick for a substantial short-term gain. but others may disagree and argue in favor of keeping the pick. both sides have a point.

by kindred on Sep 8, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fyi

Lohse is no longer a Type A. There was a glitch in the program.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 8, 2008 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm....well that sucks

two first rounders would have been nice

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 8, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

suck...

… the original had Lowe as neither an A or B. i knew something had to be wrong. Furcal is still nothing. guess it’s because of time missed to injury.

what about relievers? any chance that Izzy makes B? i guess it doesn’t matter since we probably won’t offer arb.

by kindred on Sep 8, 2008 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a feeling NL relievers will be up tomorrow.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 8, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We have a strong farm system now

But will we in three years when a theoretical high school pick would be knocking on the door? I don’t think there’s ever been a farm system strong enough that anything else comes into play for me. The Rays probably would’ve been about the closest in recent memory with Brignac still being a top prospect and Price/Davis/McGee/Hellickson/Niemann. McGee goes down, Brignac—-sucks, etc. Only way anything else factors into that trade is when you have too many picks so you can’t sign them e.g. the world famous Jeremy Brown.

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million .265 .365 .386
Skip Schumaker: $Free .307 .366 .421

by joker24 on Sep 8, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if Captain Semantics is a superhero

could his arch nemesis be the diabolical Baron Von Couldcareless?

by mattybobo on Sep 9, 2008 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Count Couldcareless has a better ring to it

(That was my alter ego talking…)

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million .265 .365 .386
Skip Schumaker: $Free .307 .366 .421

by joker24 on Sep 9, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

just brainstorming. perhaps Count Couldcareless would occasionally join forces with Baron Begsthequestion.

by mattybobo on Sep 9, 2008 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They and Sir Streamofconsciousness could form the Association Society Guild of Whatever

Kosuke Fukudome: $55 million.262 .362 .382
Skip Schumaker: $Free .305 .365 .416
Skippy needs a new publicist

by joker24 on Sep 9, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as they steer clear of General Soreness, they'll be fine.

In the world I see--you are stalking elk through the damp canyon forests around the ruins of Rockefeller Center. You'll wear leather clothes that will last you the rest of your life. You'll climb the wrist-thick kudzu vines that wrap the Sears Tower. And when you look down, you'll see tiny figures pounding corn, laying strips of venison on the empty carpool lane of some abandoned superhighway.

by Tackle Box on Sep 9, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

according to the tigers blog that reverse calculated the elias rankings

lohse and looper are both type b’s…so lohse moves down but looper moves up from what they originally figured before the glitch was sorted out

here’s there list
http://tigers-thoughts.blogspot.com/2008/08/projected-elias-rankings.html

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 8, 2008 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i would definitly be happy to see franklin kennedy izturis gone next year.miles has been solid all year .when tlr sees fit to play him. lopez has seemed to come on as of late. But 1 of the best moves i can think of is a manager change. im so sick of the micro-managing , pulling starters after giving up 2 in 6 1/3 innings but sticking with releivers after walkin the bases loaded only to send dunc out to tell them that its not really important to get ahead in the count and that its better to give them runs rather than for them to earn them.geeeez.!!! Oquendo would be a great manager..Maybe he picked up a lil from whitey. i will admit that TLR was great in the 06 post season . But when you think of some of the talented teams hes had since 96, we should have had at least 1 or 2 more championships.

by mcgee#51 on Sep 9, 2008 3:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

offseason

1. Cut Kennedy (which actually sounds like they’ll do)

2. Trade Skip and/or Ank – skip’s value is maxed out at the moment and its a great time to trade him. ank is a “young” hitter that will be on the wrong side of thirty next year. call me pessimistic but i think ank’s value is also about as high as its getting. injuries are going to be an issue which will effect his “getting better by experience”.

3. Address 2B – I’m not sure Lopez is the answer. Knowing this front office they will probably hope he gets back to his glory days (i.e. Izturis). Hopefully skip or ank can bring something here.

4. Address SS – if you can get an offensive upgrade at 2B then you resign izturis. his defense was very valuable this year and his offense wasn’t the black hole that we all thought it would be at the start of the season. his spot in the line up is just magnified because of the hole at 2B

possible targets for 2B/SS – Lillibridge, Lowrie, Ellis, Hudson, Lopez, Izturis, Furcal

5. Rotation – wainwright, carp, welley to start out with. try to sign 1 (or 2) of (depending on the free agent “type” status) lowe, garland, lohse, and looper. keep track of the burnett situation and see what it will take to get him as well.

6. Bullpen – you have perez, motte, k-mac, and franklin to start out with. try and sign ohman.. you have to see what you have with tj and kinney.

C – Molina – $3.25
1B – Pujols – $16
2B – Lopez/Ellis/Hudson (doubt we pull off a trade) – $3.5/$7/$8
3B – Glaus – $11.25
SS – Furcal/Izturis (see 2B) – $15/$2.5
LF – Barton – $0.5
CF – Rasmus – $0.5
RF – Ludwick – $1 (not sure about this)

Miles – $2
Mather – $0.5
Duncan – $0.75
Freese – $0.5
LaRue – $1

Carp – $14
Wainer – $2.6
Welley – $5
Lohse – $10
Looper – $8

Perez – $0.5
Motte – $0.5
K-mac – $0.5
Franklin – $2.5
Ohman – $2.5
Pinero – $7.5
Thompson – $0.5

Mulder Buyout – $1.5
Kennedy Buyout – $4

$96.85 – w/o 2B and SS

just kinda guessed on the raises for the kids.

"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy

by FutureMan on Sep 9, 2008 3:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone still high on Brandon Wood?

The Angels have been using him lately, but I believe only because of injuries. (small sample size alert!) He is only hitting .183/.213/.317 this year in the bigs (40 games), but over the last 9 games he has seemed to find his stroke, hitting .333/.353/.636. He is still only 23 (I say this because it seems like he’s been a top prospect for 23 years…). I do not know much about how much it would take to get him, nor do I know much about his defense. However, could this guy be a St. Louis shortstop of the future? Is he good enough to give the job to next year, for fairly cheap (monetarily), thus needing only to find a second baseman to fill out the infield?

by stlfan on Sep 9, 2008 9:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs