Wainright is the better pitcher. We have no idea what to get from Carpenter…for the rest of his career. Sheets is obviously hit or miss depending on health. If he is ready to go he is a #1 with Wainright as #2. Waino is 27. If he is not an ace is ’09, then when?

judging from Mo’s recent comments in the PD, as well as his actions behavior thus far in FA bidding, I think he is extremely reluctant to offer any pitcher 3 years or more. Now, DeWitt was quoted as saying that an expensive player, if an immediate and great fit would become available at the right price, he would consider adding. I don’t want to misinterpret those words on account of my optimism, but I personally feel that Sheets fits.

From the tealeaves of what the pundits are saying sheets’ interest thus far has generated, the only numbers I’ve seen were 2 years/30million and that was from the yanks. Now, with 423M committed, I doubt that money is available still. Rangers are interested, and I’m sure the Brewers will see what they can do. I also could see them cutting bait and taking two draft picks, as it’s clear they are very disappointed by not getting their first rounder from the Yanks due to the Teixiera signing.

My hope is we can grab him at 2years/24/26 million and have high upside/high impact with the downside being minimal. We’ll get one year of that back when Glaus leaves, we’ll position ourselves for a Type A FA two years from now, and Santa and Ank could give us ones next year as well. That obviously is if MO learns that you don’t get picks unless you offer arbitration. Hopefully markets will change a bit, and the FO won’t be so reluctant to enter calculated risks.

I’d love to see Waino and Sheets as 1-2, followed by Carp, Lohse, Wellemeyer, and Piniero, giving Boggs another year to develop, Garcia a year to get healthy, and our rotation a competitive look.

I think that some people’s arms work for 100+ pitches in 30+ starts a year…and some people’s arms are more suited towards lower pitch counts more often. Carp’s arm has nearly fallen off doing it the other way…why not try it this way?

His name is Adam Wainwright. 2 Ws.

I would be okay with him in the ‘pen for a month or two, but I think if he can pitch he needs to start if at all possible. The point of doing it for the first couple of months would be to help him keep the IP total down. This way, he’d still be able to start in October.

we have no idea about what we’re going to get from carp. He’s coming off of yet another surgery. Why not ease him back into pitching with a bullpen role rather than force him to stretch it out as a starter. I wish Tony would have just announced him as the closer last season while he was still rehabbing.

if that is the most demanding role he can handle. If he isn’t durable enough to start he would probably only be able to be a part-time closer anyway.

sign him

sheets is a risk and i’m sure he and his agent realize the relatively low offer form the yanks and little activity otherwise reflect his medical situation. if so, then he has to realize that his best chance to make a good salary and earn it is to take an incentive laden deal. for the cards, i’d say offer the guy 2 years at 10M plus a performance based option for a third year. the 10M base could be structured on innings to run up to 15M. if he is really confident in his own health, why not?
once that is done, then resign springer as closer and make mac the set up man and the prez is the new springer/fireman.
motte closes for memphis

the prez and kinney are back-ups for all roles and this will be necessary because russ won’t pitch effectively every day or even every other day. somehow we need to get our best pitchers on the 25 man list. if they need time to get back to playing shape, so be it.

and last, no signing type A free agents on one year deals (aka hoffman). much too expensive.

makes LaRussa feel better about not signing a big name, then let him do it. Let Carp start the season as closer, until someone else proves themselves, and Carp is healthy enough to start in May or June. It will be cheaper for us in the long run!

Note: I think a one year Hoffman deal might make LaRussa happy without being too expensive.

The Cubs did put Kerry Wood into the closer role because they felt his arm wouldn’t hold up as a starter. Using Carp as a closer would not be a crazy idea, if no other reliever steps up to do a credible job. Wood had a good season closing for the Cubs in 2008 with the Rick Ankiel game-winning hit on July 5 not withstanding. I was in St. Louis for that game.

Remember, when LaRussa was in Oakland, he tried Eckersley in the closer spot. Of course, that worked out great. I believe Eckersley’s not knowing when he would pitch as a reliever helped him get over his alcohol problem.