Final Roster Predictions

Well, I personally feel that a lot of these decisions are very connected. With special focus on the 3B and OF situations, I think they are extremely connected. I thinwill be a prime reason for this, as well as other factors. There are enough outfielders with Dunc, Ankiel, Ludwick, Schumaker, and Mather. This decision is also impacted by Troy Glaus’ absence. I feel TLR and MO will decide to put Freese on the roster, as a stronger defensive 3Bmen with similar batting potential as Mather. Mather will play some at 3B and OF, but Freese will play the majority as Glaus recuperates. This also allows Dunc enough time to prove he’s healthy and productive. If he struggles or is experiencing health issues, he slides back to the Lefty Pinch Hitter, and Rasmus is the long-term fix. If Dunc is productive, trade possibities could materialize, opening Colby’s spot.

When Glaus comes back, I think Freese will head back to Memphis or be traded. When the arbitration clock is missed for Rasmus (June I believe), TLR/MO will look to bring Colby up, and send back down one of the infielders, pushing Mather and Skip to more Infield playing time.

I do agree with your utility infielders. Barden and Ryan’s versatility and right-handedness are big pluses in their causes, and they will be defensive assets, playing 3B, SS, and 2B all relatively well. Duncan and Mather serve as backup 1B, (as well as Glaus).

Pitching—I think we’ll have our closer situation sorted out by May/June at the latest, but to start with, Perez, Motte, Franklin, and Kinney will make the squad. Reyes and Miller are your lefties and I think McClellan is the fire-stopper (Springer) role. If a long-relief need is there, it’s Franklin and McClellan. Thompson’s figuring into the equation muddies the OF situation even more, as I feel the the fact that our 4th and 5th OF offer more positional flexibility on the Infield, giving TLR the benefit of carrying an extra arm. This also will encourage Ryan and Barden to make the team as they can play the most positions andcontribute to our lefty-righty balance.

Rasmus and Duncan both make it. I don’t see a way that Rasmus doesn’t make it assuming Skip is the 2nd baseman. I have not seen enough from Brendan Ryan to believe he makes the team. I think Barden makes it with his defense and Thurston with his left-handed bat and speed. I think that Freese and Mather make the team and will split time at third. Mather will also play outfield. As for the bullpen, I don’t see Perez making the team. It is much easier to send him to triple A than someone like thompson because of his injury. LaRussa did say that it isn’t a necessity to have a long reliever though, so if Perez comes back quickly enough, he may push Thompson aside.

I think that TLR will carry both Thurston and Ryan. I also think that there is a high likelihood of the Skippy-to-2B experiment being declared a failure by mid-April and TLR opting for Schumaker in LF over Rasmus. All it will take is a couple of high profile errors.

he just actually tries.

C – Yadi
1B – Pujols
2B – Cobbler — I WANT TO BELIEVE!
3B – Mr. Freeze
SS – Khalilbot
LF – Lil’ Dunc
CF – Ank
RF – Studwick
B – Pornstache ©
B – Razzle [OF]
B – Joey Bombs [1B/3B/OF]
B – Brendan “Boog” “Shoulder Licker” Ryan [2B/SS]
B – Thirsty [2B/SS/3B/OF]

SP – Carp
SP – Waino
SP – Lohse
SP – The Colonel
SP – Pinata
RP – Puppy Kicker
RP – Kinney
RP – K-Mac
RP – Franklin
LP – Miller
LP – No Neck
CL – Applesauce

NOTES:

• I think Mather and Freese will split time at third until Glaus returns. Thurston might see a start or two there against righties. If Freese plays well, he could become trade bait, which would be nice.
• I’m least sure about. I think they might send him down for a month or so to avoid starting his clock. I really want to see Razzle in STL, but it makes sense — give him 1 month in the minors and you get a whole extra year before arbitration. You’re talking about a savings of millions and millions of dollars several years down the line. If Raz goes down, then Mather becomes the 4th OF and Freese gets most of the time at 3B. If Razzle goes down to AAA, I’m not sure who takes that spot…Barden, maybe? (Whither the Astronaut?)
• Thurston must make the team because otherwise we won’t have a black dude. And that just will not do.

Who do you think will get the nod at first? I personally like Pujols chances but an argument could be made for Duncan.

JK- I really wish Duncan was manning the 3 spot where he belongs for another club though. If only Walt could have pulled the trigger and made that decision when his stock was high! We should have known he wouldn’t be that servicable in left even with a couple years expeirience.

Well maybe the time is now! Maybe he will continue to swing a decent bat into the season, but will Mo pull the trigger? I’m predicting his bat will catch up with his sh*tty fielding and we will be stuck with him for another season! I’m just venting and I can’t wait to come home after a ballgame with a sore throat from screaming at you all night from Sec. 172

Perez goes down and gets some innings. Motte, Kinney and Franklin share the closing duties. Mather, freese and Ryan all make the team. Freese is the starter and Mather is super-sub. If there is an extra position player, then Thurston Brad makes it

Duncan, Ludwick, Ankiel start.

Rasmus is destined for super-two status in June. Glaus returns in June so we’ll have to make a trade by then. I assume Ryan, Ludwick, Thompson, and Ankiel and one or more pitchers will be the trade bait as they are either free agents or out of options.

.

Pitching
Wainwright
Carpenter
Lohse
Wellemeyer
Piniero
Reyes
Miller
Thompson
Franklin
Kinney
Perez
Motte

Starters
C- Yadi
1B- Pujols
2B- Skippy
SS- Greene, K
3B- Mather
RF- Ludwick
CF- Rasmus
LF- Ankiel

Bench
LaRue
Duncan
Barden
Thurston
Ryan

Whoever plays worst between Barden, Thurston, and Ryan will be sent down when Glaus gets back (although Ryan has to clear waivers for that, which is also why i put him on the roster) I think thurston would be sent down since Glaus puts Mather back in the mix for Reserve OF/IF with Barden and Ryan being able to play middle IF

I was at the game today and wasn’t impressed by Rasmus.

He looked overmatched at the plate (by a fairly mediocre John Maine) and was also up and down in the OF. He made an error in RF that won’t show up in the books because he pulled a Duncan (he managed to misplay it badly without touching it).

P.S. Trevor Miller also looked TERRIBLE and got shelled (due in part to the above error by Rasmus but Miller still stunk up the place and was left to twist in the wind).

P.P.S. So I was joking about Shane Robinson with the guy behind me and making fun of the fact that his jersey was at least 2 sizes too big for him (he seriously looked ridiculous — like a kid playing dress-up) and then he crushes a no-doubter to LF. Go figure.