Off Day, Off Day, Everybody Loves the Off Day
by the red baron on Mar 4, 2009 12:35 PM EST
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PrintWell, I think it's pretty clear at this point that Chris Duncan is feeling better. Not so much because he had a monster day yesterday; or at least not just because he had a monster day. I feel relatively safe in saying that at no point last year could Duncan have possibly hit a ball 475 feet. Just wasn't in the cards, to make a rather apropos pun.
Now, this comes with both an upside and a downside. The upside, of course, is that a healthy Chris Duncan is an impressive offensive weapon for the Cardinals, making their attack just that much more potent. (And I have to say, the more I look at this team, the more and more impressed I become with the run-scoring potential this lineup possesses.) With his combination of gigantic power and plus plate discipline, Duncan brings some pretty serious firepower to the table.
The downside is that it's becoming more and more apparent that I'm going to be cursed to spend yet another summer watching Chris Duncan flail about the outfield like a five year old in the mall after three grande extra caf mocha lattes. I know, his bat makes up for the glove, but it's just painful to watch. Whenever I watch Dunc field a fly ball, I always sort of picture it much in the way that you used to do the windmill whenever you were little. "Alright, ball, I'm just going to start swinging my arms like this, and if you get caught, it's your own fault." (I tried to find the Simpson's clip of Bart and Lisa fighting in such a manner, but was unable to do so.)
So for now, I'm just focusing on that whole, "whatever's best for the team is what I'll root for" method of looking at things. It doesn't entirely work, to be perfectly honest with you; I still remember Game 5 of the World Series, thank you very much.
At the other end of the spectrum, unfortunately, is the young poster child for hyperventilating prospect geeks everywhere (shoutout to Erik and da cru!!!), Mr. Colbert Rasmus.
While I'm thinking of, did you guys know that Colby has his own website? Kind of funny, really; you would think that of all the baseball players in the world, Cobly would be the last guy to be looking for more exposure on the internet.
Speaking of, the always-entertaining Rasmus the Elder has plenty more fun stuff to say; I could link right to the post in question, but a poster over at Gateway Redbirds was nice enough to collect the highlights for us already. Pretty nice thread, really, though it seems to highlight the amount of bad feeling there seems to be toward Razzmatazz. I suppose it comes with the hype and the stage dad, but it also seems rather extreme at times, to me at least.
Regardless, as far as his on the field performance goes, Colby looks to be pressing something fierce. Not only is his hitting just not there at the moment, he seems to have been playing almost completely out of control in the field at times. Yesterday, when he ranged over in front of Stavinoha and ended up costing the Cards the out, you could almost feel him trying to make the play, make the impression, make the team on that one play.
Hopefully, he can calm himself down and just let his talent take over; I think that the weight of his own expectations, fan scrutiny, the family nastiness, and all the talk from management about Ankiel and Colby and left field and the nine hole and on and on and on have all combined to give the kid a mild case of vapor lock. Temporary, I'm sure (or at least hoping), but tough to watch, at the very least.
On a tangentially related note, I was listening to KTRS in my automocar last evening, and John Marecek was interviewing Rick Ankiel. The weird thing is, Marecek kept calling him "Dick" Ankiel. Has anyone else heard this? Is Hammerin' Ank changing his name from Rick to Dick? Just sort of curious.
Anyhow, it's an offday, and a nice chance to take a breath, look around at what the team has done so far, and reset our heads and expectations.
So, in this extremely early going, how are you guys feeling so far? Anything that has stood out, positive or negative? Still holding your breath every morning when you head over here, waiting to hear bad news on Carpenter? (Honestly, I still am.)
Well, enjoy the off day, everybody. And please, just ignore any sentence that begins with the words Manny Ramirez. Trust me, you'll feel better about yourself, and the world in general.
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I disagree with your title
I don’t love the off day
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
I agree
The off-day (especially in spring training), not a fan.
ever hear of too much of a good thing?
me brain needs at least two off days a week, otherwise i’ll end up in the corner drinking straight from the bottle of Jack.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
well of course, everyone knows women use more of their brains than men do
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
If I was on here
bashing men day in and day out, I think you’d tire of it, too. I’m here to talk about baseball. If you don’t make it personal, it won’t be.
Notice that not one commenter supported your joke. Either they think it’s funny but don’t want people to know they do, or they don’t find it that funny.
Somehow, hundreds of us find plenty of things to joke about without insulting each other. Join us.
hmm. i don't see it. Joke. . . .
1 a: something said or done to provoke laughter ; especially : a brief oral narrative with a climactic humorous twist
b (1): the humorous or ridiculous element in something
(2): an instance of jesting
2: something not to be taken seriously : a trifling matter
It doesn’t seem to provoke laughter. It’s not humorous. Perhaps you meant that it wasn’t worth taking seriously? I don’t see how else this constitutes something resembling a joke.
definition number two
I certainly didn’t think it would evoke laughter out of anyone, perhaps a snort at best.
Apparently I’ll need to attach a link to merriam-webster’s online dictionary and point or point out its not to be taken seriously next time. Will do sergeant
Early thoughts
My impression thus far is that it may actually do Rasmus some good to go back to AAA. He gets a little more seasoning and Duncan and Barton can platoon in LF. Duncan and Barton platooning actually makes the offense pretty potent depending on the pitcher. Then whenever Rasmus gets over his early struggles or whatever we can bring him up and possiibly trade someone (Duncan). Or maybe someone gets injured and Rasmus fills in. I know it’s early, and I’m a pretty big Rasmus fan, but he really hasn’t shown too much yet. I am also impressed with the potential prowess of the offense, it should be fun to watch.
I am worried that if Rasmus doesn’t make the club out of spring training for the second time it’s just going to crush his confidence.
i have similar concerns...
if rasmus hits .300 and plays a stellar centerfield, i have concerns about how that will affect his confidence. or, that it will just flat-out piss him off. but, if he’s hitting .200 or so like he is now, he can’t expect to make the team and hopefully he will go to memphis motivated and be back with the club when the time is right.
Im concerned
that Rasmus wont make the team but will be called up to play LF while Ankiel plays center because Tony will not want to move the incumbent starter. Raz has to be in center.
I think that they are playing Ank in center
and rasmus in left because they might want to trade Ank
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
If Rasmus produced like a LF
I’d be thrilled to have him there. Either way, it’d be a great defensive outfield.
i think anger is the bigger issue
i don’t think we will have to worry about confidence with colby. my concern would be the pissing him off part. the kid is only 22 and its pretty easy for a 22 year old to get angered or have hurt feelings.
you know “the young player stigma” is talked about all the time in the AA and AAA locker rooms. you can hear it when you listen to interviews with some of our prospects when they are asked about larussa. that kind of stuff can boil over pretty quick.
and you can say things like “if that’s the way he is i don’t want him” but i think its pretty easy to see where he is coming from.
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
if not making the team for a second time...
Is going to crush his confidence I don’t think I want him to make the team.
I think he’ll be just fine if he doesn’t make the team right out of spring training.
I agree
I want to see him on the team (and in CF), but the reason to put him on the team is not his “fragile” confidence.
I am not saying he should be on the team because he has fragile confidence...
I am more concerned that he plays bad in spring training because he is pressing since he feels he needs to have a good spring to make the team. Then he gets sent to Memphis, has one of his normal slow starts and then the two events start to feed on each other and he has another mediocre year like 2008. Then next spring we find ourselves in the same situation.
I think a hitter’s confidence, at least in his abilities, is one of the more important components for rookies.
I'm not so sure
If CR’s psyche is that fragile he probably is not cut out for this. Also, I’m not sure of any evidence to suggest his psyche [b]is[/b] that fragile.
Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
i had similar thoughts....
i hope that colby either has a great spring or a clearly bad one, so that the decision is easy to make and there are (hopefully) no arguments or hard feelings associated with colby’s placement. i know it’s way too early to say he’s punched his ticket to memphis, but similar to your thoughts, i wonder if in the long run, that might be best for the team. here are my thoughts: thinking financially, this delays his service time, adding a year to club control. hopefully, this would allow duncan and ankiel to shine in the big leagues and increase their trade value more so than would be possible if colby is on the big league club, particularly for duncan. if duncan and ankiel are killing the ball the first two months of the season and rasmus seems ready to come up then, their trade value would likely be higher than it is now. thoughts?
Plus a whole lot
That’s completely in line with my thinking. If we want to get anything from one of our outfielders teams are going to have to see them play.
I can get some of the confidence thing, but if he can’t handle being sent back to Memphis for 2 months I’ve got serious questions about his ability to deal with the stresses of being a major leaguer long term.
Personally,
I don’t think that we ever see Ankiel or Duncan traded, regardless of the situation, but hopefully that’s just me being too cynical.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the ace-est of them all?
by the red baron on Mar 4, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
I agree
At least for this season. I believe there is a possibility that Ankiel could be dealt at the trade deadline, but only if we fall out of contention. And, given how much longer Duncan is under control, I don’t see him being traded in the near term. Perhaps if he has a productive, healthy 2009, he could be dealt, but even then I doubt we’ll see it. What’s more, if Ankiel leaves in free agency, then the Cards install Rasmus in CF and implement a Barton/Duncan or Duncan/Mather platoon in LF. Am I the only one who thinks that Mather could be used just as Spezio was by TLR once Glaus comes back? I mean this in the 3B/OF utility player sense.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Mar 4, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
I could see Ankiel get traded at the Deadline
Even if we are in contention. I think we will be forced to be trade for a SP by mid season due to crippling injuries and lack of depth. He will be a our best trading chip since by this time Colby is back on track.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
I can see it now
Ank trade at deadline, Colby becomes starting CF
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
are you seeing any winning lotto numbers?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
it might be...
but i can understand why you would by cynical. i’m curious, in the scenario that they all play well (duncan, ankiel, rasmus) how do you foresee playing time distributed?
That's a question/problem we spend a lot of time on
but, as long as there are only 4 main players in the mix (three above + Ludwick) it’s really not that hard to find decent playing time for all four. We always gripe about Tony’s many line ups, but Casey Stengel was known for juggling a few in his day. I just read this morning that in the ‘58 (or maybe it was ’57) season that Mantle, by far the Yanks best outfielder, only played in (not necessarily started) 138 of their 154 games. He was easily the Yankees’ leader in games played that year.
by ArkansasTravs on Mar 4, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
Ankiel reupping
Is this a silly thing to think about.
Let’s say Ankiel starts the season looking like an improved long term hitter. Why not offer to resign him right then for a longer term contract . I think he may want to stay a Cardinal, and the obvious alternative would be to use him as trade bait.
If he has improved his patience, I have no trouble using him as our CF for the next five years. We could then trade Rasmus, who I see as a bigger risk than most people do. I also think he has an attitude with the organization.
by Remember Kenny B on Mar 4, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
I tend to agree with you
but I think they may be preparing Ank for a trade by playing him in CF over Rasmus, at least that has me worried
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
No he will leave like all Boras clients do
Boras clients have repeatably shown that they will leave the team for Free Agency regardless their relationship with their first team
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
I hate absolutes
Off the top of my head: Garrett Anderson (first time around), Carlos Pena, Andruw Jones (first time around), Oliver Perez, and Jason Varitek—-it’s possible to re-sign Boras clients.
Not afraid to nitpick
Only a Sith deals in absolutes
/star wars nerd
by Anonymous Communist on Mar 4, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Blasphemy?
I have even begun to think about trading Rasmus. If Barton, Ludwick, Duncan, and Ankiel can be very productive for the next few years at a moderate to low cost and Rasmus could fetch us a starter, or be the main person in a package for a starter, this might be an excellent way to field a very competitive team for Albert over the next few years. It wouldn’t really cause a problem for a few years.
by ajo080s on Mar 4, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
PLEASE NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d have to change almost my entire profile!
Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...
by RunninRedbird on Mar 4, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, just a thought
It may be the only way to get some starting help and in a few years we should have some minor leaguers ready to help fill in and drop costs (Jon Jay, possibly Wallace in LF). I just don’t see getting much for Ankiel. If his stock improves that much then he must be doing something we’ll need going into September.
I'd be more worried about Moz making the trade ;)
but yes, they should think of me
Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...
by RunninRedbird on Mar 5, 2009 8:28 AM EST up reply actions
Saying "trade Colby"
is not exactly politically correct for most Cards fans. I am not, however, opposed to it if we could get a very good starter (preferably cost controlled).
Gregatron is not responsible for any of the crap he just wrote.
This notion and the "fragile ego" concern
together create a bit of danger IMO. Let’s say (and I’m not saying) that Colby has some growing up to do. His perception of unfair treatment from TLR escalates to the point where he never does well at St.L. In this imaginary scenario, he gets traded, feels vindicated, and puts the Astros in the playoffs.
Whether anyone cares for spoiled too-thin-skin brats or not, sometimes they are great players.
The way my favorite version of the above scenario pans out is that Rasmus poisons Houston’s locker room chemistry such that they become the second division club for the next two decades. Furthermore, it’s revealed that the whole thing was a covert act by LaRussa, Mo, and DeWitt to subvert the NL Central. Colby is a mole.
Baseball Fever.... Catch it!
I agree so far.
There’s plenty of spring left but I haven’t thought Rasmus was ready anyway. A little seasoning for him allows us time to assess our other needs and see if we cant trade some outfield depth to fill them. As to the concerns about the psychological effect of being sent out I think it would be less than if he was kept, hit .190 and either rode the bench or got sent down in May.
Strengths and Weaknesses
The LOOGY situation does not seem to settling itself, as the P-D documents today with a lovely photo montage. It’s good to see that Strauss is still carrying the LaDunc agenda on the pages of the P-D. Parsing the story, it seems that both TLR and Duncan want (and feel the club needs) a better LOOGY option.
Manager Tony La Russa and his coaching staff will meet with general manager John Mozeliak on Thursday morning. There, Mozeliak might hear some blunt assessments.
I envision the conversation going something like this. TLR invites Joe Strauss to his office. “Joe, sit down. Our lefty relief options are not working out. I still can’t believe that the GM would not pony up for Brian Fuentes. He was a perfect fit for this team. Anyway, I’ve been trying to get the GM to sign another lefty reliever, but he doesn’t want to spend the money. Well, we’re having a meeting tomorrow, on the off-day, and I’m going to let him know how bad our options are.”
Biemel and Ohman linger in free agency and Strauss is kind enough to let we the fans of Cardinal Nation know that either could be had for cheap:
Largely for financial reasons, Mozeliak so far has resisted any urge to pursue free-agent lefthanders Joe Beimel or Will Ohman. Either likely could be had for $2 million or less.
It’ll be interesting to see if we make a move in the next couple of weeks.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
LOOGY Update: Rosenthal says Cards shopping FA market
Here’s the link. It’s not all that informative. All Rosenthal reports is that the Cards are in on FA LOOGYs and then he lists them before finishing off the piece with a quote pulled from Strauss’s P-D story.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Mar 4, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
Optimistic
I’m still feeling pretty optimistic overall. There are still some pitching questions but everyone has those. Additionally, a lot of people are worried about Carp and his ability to start. It’s not just the Redbirds that have problems if their #1 goes down. I don’t know of too many teams that can plug in another #1 and keep chugging away unhindered. Offensively, I think this team will score enough runs to keep Welly and Piniero in the hunt for 10-12 wins apiece. If that happens…we’ll be right there.
It's Certainly A Shame...
that Colby’s website was designed in 1997. I half expected to click to a biography page littered with blue-flaming skulls and a smoke-trailed cursor.
by mynameistyler on Mar 4, 2009 12:58 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Good one, Tyler
With Yahoo SiteBuilder, you get what you pay for…and that really should include blue-flaming skulls.
"That annoys the you-know-what out of me." - Bud Selig
Perhaps it's the same designer as the BBWAA's site?
Also I’m wondering why there’s no link to his favorite midis and original fanfiction.
no kidding
that’s an absolutely dreadful website. Reminds me of Hamsterdance.
On with the (good) youth movement!
don't be dissin hamsterdance.
those hamsters were the funniest damn thing on the web 15 years ago.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
So if the season started tomorrow.....
Is this what we’d see?
Skip 2B
Ludwick RF
AP 1B
Ankiel CF
Mather 3B
Molina C
Duncan LF
P
Greene SS
Bench:
Barton
Ryan/Greene
LaRue
?
?
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
I don't see Duncan batting that low...
I’d put him in the six spot (also makes 3-7 R,L,R,L,R). Would it make sense to make Yadi the #9 hitter and Greene #7? Yadi has a better batters eye, and Greene would have more speed in front of the pitcher and more power to drive in runs.
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
Good points. I agree.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
He's had success in the #2 slot
While not speedy, he does bring about two other skills. First, TLR loves “damage” in that hole. Second, he can get on base, which, in front of Pujols, is definitely a plus. Granted, it’s a very, very small number of ABs (56), but he did score 14 runs and managed a .388 OBP and .915 OPS. I also recognize, that the line up would presumably go LHB (Skip), LHB (Duncan), and then RHB (Pujols), RHB (Ludwick), but I still like it because you set the table for Pujols-Ludwick-Ankiel with two decent OBP guys.
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
by bgh on Mar 4, 2009 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
He was talking about Duncan in the 2 hole
I also recognize, that the line up would presumably go LHB (Skip), LHB (Duncan), and then RHB (Pujols), RHB (Ludwick), but I still like it because you set the table for Pujols-Ludwick-Ankiel with two decent OBP guys.
"I just wish that the late Harry Caray were still around so I could hear him mispronounce 'Kosuke Fukudome' every fukun' night" -- Dennis Miller
yeah
Yadi in 9 spot I would like to see
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions
really doesn't matter
Because Tony will change it daily depending on which one of his cats meow first in the morning.
Colby and the 25 man roster
As many have mentioned, the Cards start the season off with 34 games in 35 days. With this in mind, I think the Cards may start with 13 pitchers for this stretch. If so, then there is only room for four on the bench, LaRue, MIF (Ryan/Greene/Thurston), RH-OF (Barton) & corner IF (Freese).
The odd man out in that scenario is probably Colby. Couple this with the old arb clock starting issue and CR might be targeted for a mid-May call up or be held in reserve in case of an injury to one of the OF’s.
I would much rather have Colby start in CF on April 6th and use Duncan as a power bench/spot starter. Maybe TLR rationalize a lousy spring as a reason to make the team heading North.
you think Duncan makes the team?
I would probably bet on it
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
Overall First Impressions
First Off, I have no clue what our final 25 man roster is going to look like.
- Colby has has more AB’s than anyone else in baseball so far (26)
- I am cautiously optimistic about Schumaker being able to man 2nd
- Besides Miller I don’t really trust the LOOGY’s.
- I would rather have a Duncan/Barton platoon than see Colby in LF right now
- Jon Jay and Allen Craig make my heart patter
- I still see our biggest weakness is our lack of SP depth
- Motte found some slider in the off season
Stat Whore
it works about 1/3 of the time
and with his fastball what it is hopefully he will be able to get by on the days when his slider isn’t working. I just hope on the days he doesn’t have a reliable off speed pitch he realizes it the pen and not after someone just hit a 450 ft jimmy jack sauce on a slider that doesn’t slide.
I doubt any reliever has ever "realized in the pen" they don't have something
They’re all competitive and stubborn. They want the ball, even if they suck in the bullpen.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
I disagree
Their has to be some uncompetitive and compliant relievers out there
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
there's always an exception to the norm
but the norm is definitely a safe bet
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:20 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't say...
Motte is the norm. He is a converted catcher who can recognize what is working and what isn’t, and his mind may be more open to avoiding a pitch that is just sitting waiting to be hammered.
wow
you’re really playing both sides of the fence today ;)
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
mild case of vapor lock
There’s only one thing you need to know to be a great quarterback…
Joe, honey, I fixed it! It was just vapor lock!
OK, look, I’ve gotta run. Remember what I told you.
Dick
no offense to anyone who goes by Dick…but why would anyone go by Dick?
True Story
One of my teachers high school name was Dick Holder
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
is that a double double entendre?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
So this chick walks into the bar and orders a double entendre.
So I gave it to her.
by liam on Mar 4, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
That is an
unfortunate name. He could have saved himself so much trouble by going by Rich, Richard, or Rick.
You mean like....
That often injured Cubs pitcher, Dick Harden?
isn't there a golfer with a funny name too?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 5, 2009 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
There was a NASCAR driver a while back named Dick Trickle
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
he didn't just drive for NASCAR, he did Indy cars among others as well
that’s one of the all time great sports names
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
The downside is that it’s becoming more and more apparent that I’m going to be cursed to spend yet another summer watching Chris Duncan flail about the outfield like a five year old in the mall after three grande extra caf mocha lattes.made my day!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 2:21 PM EST reply actions
blockquote FAIL
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
Are you kidding!?
Duncan was only the premier defender in RF last year with a 47.3 URZ/150. I think you could argue he is the best defensive OFer in baseball
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
so why doesn't he always play RF
is my question
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
He Does
Don’t you remember the World Series?
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
oh
for some reason I thought he usually played LF
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions
he does
usually play LF – 191 games in LF in his career, 27 games in RF.
I'm glad we're
looking for a another lefty reliever. After the first week they’ve tossed them all at the wall and none have stuck. I would hate to go into this year with just Miller and his ticking time bomb of a shoulder as our only option. Nice little fluff piece on SI.com about Lou Brock at spring training. But this did catch my eye.
He is here, truth be told, not to make Khalil Greene a better base-runner or to show Skip Schumaker the finer points of outfield defense or even to lend Tony La Russa an occasional opinion.
Why on earth would Lou want to give our second baseman tips on the finer points of outfield defense, Skips got enough to worry about these days. Like not getting killed by pitching machines.
The education of an infielder continued this morning on the backfields of Roger Dean Stadium with the help of a pitching machine dialed up almost as far as it could go. With one wheel spinning at "6″ and the other spinning at "10″, the pitching machine spit out what amounted to a 95-mph curveball. And, it did so pointed down so the first ricochet was about 10 feet in front of home plate. By the time the ball got to second base — quicker than you can read this next word … now! — it had such spin and such personality that Schumaker was either going to field it, watch is streak by on a bad hop or take one in the abs.
The first image that came to me was of Roger Dorn getting beaten unmercifully with grounders and being black and blue in the locker room.
"Do what you want to the women and children but leave me alone"- George Carlin
i thought of dorn too
i hope skip survives
"Sorry about him, he's dealing with being an inker. " - Chasing Amy
I thought our pitching machines went to 11?
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
Strauss on Todd
In today’s chat, he offered this up:
Todd’s an interesting guy. He deservedly earned Cards minor league pitcher of the year honors after last season. However, many inside and outside the organization found Baseball America’s recent projection of him as the team’s No. 2 starter in 2012, shall we say, a “reach.” Todd has a somewhat unorthodox finish to his delivery. Yet he has good command. Most project him as a major-league reliever. He has a reputation as a no-nonsense bulldog and a work-a-holic. His ball has natural late movement, which makes the organization leery of tampering with his delivery. I’m buying, but not necessarily for Opening Day. I could see Todd’s arrival accelerate if the club dealt Brad Thompson, something certainly within the realm of possibility.
Perhaps Erik and Co. could set me straight, but I don’t recall Todd being projected as a reliever by, well, anyone?
"I'm gonna throw the nastiest curveball I have ever thrown...if he hits it, I'll tip my cap, but if not we're going to the Series."
--Adam Wainwright on the final pitch of the 2006 NLCS
I have heard multiple times as him being projected as a reliever
Seems to be almost a Brad Thompson mold.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 4, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions
i think that's the constant refrain of most non-rose-colored glasses-wearers outside the org.
Yeah, it didn't work out too well for that Martinez guy.
or that Gibson fellow. Or that Oswalt character over there in Houston. Or Maddux and Glavine. I just don’t get why people don’t think smaller guys can handle the load. I think it is all in the effort, not necessarily the size. Some smaller guys can throw with less effort than their larger counterparts. I know physics says that bigger people should throw harder, but we aren’t dealing with physics.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
Tim Lincecum
Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...
by RunninRedbird on Mar 4, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
Dude.
…rb in his civilian identity again here, etc.
WTF, Tom? I can’t believe you just cavalierly outed the Baron’s secret identity like that!
Great. Now his girlfriend or his aunt or something is at risk from supervillians or their mindless thugs (such as Gordo from the P-D), and he’s gonna hafta take time off from the blog to go rescue someone as a result.
Way to go.
There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.
my many apologies.
and if I can assist in rescuing any young women dangling from skyscrapers, i will. just to make it up. let me know, baron.
was at the game yesterday
and duncan one hopped it over the italian ice machine out of the stadium.
"The only thing that matters is that we win the World Series." - A.Pujols
What I dread...
is another year of constantly hearing how terrible an OFer Duncan is…every single time Duncan is mentioned, almost (along with hints he’s only on the team because he’s the coach’s son)
Which is especially grating because it’s not like the other outfielders are great fielders, either. Skippy is okay in LF, but is terrible in CF or RF (worse than Duncan in LF) and Ankiel is just as bad as Duncan.
Felipe Lopez - next year's Joel Pineiro (on another team, thank you Mo!)
wow
Skip and Ank are both a lot better than Duncan, imo. Skip played plus defense in center field and ankiel is far more fluid and faster than Duncan.
Duncan is a career -7 UZR/150 in the OF, -9.3 in RF and -6.9 in LF. last year he showed some improvement, but is still -4.4 in the outfield.
Ankiel is sort of hard to peg, since he was 19.1 in RF and -7.6 in CF for his career. in an injured year last season, his overall UZR/150 was pretty bad, at -13.2 overall (includes his horrible showing in LF). in 2007, Ank had a positive rating at 11.5, which is small sample size I know, but it still leads me to believe his playing time with the injury last year dragged down his rating. Looking at all this leads me to believe that Ank needs to play right field. he would seem most comfortable there looking at the stats.
Skip Schumaker was -.8 in the OF for ’08, making it hard to believe that they are converting him to second base… I wonder if Ank can play 2B, hah!! Schu is a career -3.6 in the OF.
anyway, you’re right about Duncan not being as bad in the outfield as people think if you go by UZR/150… I think that him and Ank will both improve in the OF after looking this stuff up. odd that Ludwick is so much better in the OF than any of these three.
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 8:54 PM EST up reply actions
sorry to keep posting 3 in a row
but I’d like to see Barton and Duncan in LF, Ludwick in CF and RF, and Ank in CF and RF; Barton can also play RF well… I guess the main concern with him is his arm; next thing we need is a defensive stat that incorporates arm strength and accuracy too :)
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 4, 2009 9:06 PM EST up reply actions
thanks
it looks like it’s not as much a liability as people were saying. maybe Barton should be starting in the outfield, heh.
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 5, 2009 2:20 AM EST up reply actions
damnit all to hell. i actually wanted to watch SportsCenter tonight
just to see the Oklahoma/Mizzou highlights, but now i can’t watch it because stu don’tcallmestewart scott is “hosting.” damn you WWL for ruining an otherwise delightful evening.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
wasn't it awesome?
i just wanted to see if the WWL would give Mizzou some props, or say Oklahoma laid an egg
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
You could of watched the game for free online at
espn360.com
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 5, 2009 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
I was there, awesome game
And was amazed at how disappointing Blake Griffin was. He doesn’t work for position other than some spin moves around the smaller guys (Lyons isn’t exactly a physical beast and is a generous 6’9 yet managed to consistently force him off the block and/or front him completely); he loafed up and down the court sometimes not more than a casual walk; he got the superstar treatment from the refs (seriously, a jump ball when he has his hands in the air after having held Safford’s arm and then bumped him???) and still managed to be bitching the whole time. I’m not dogging him for only scoring 16 because we’d double him if he happened to get in position, it’s just the straight lack of effort: he got outworked on almost every possession offense/defense.
I was thinking the entire game that he was keeping the gas tank full to dominate the last 5 minutes—-and on back to back possessions Mizzou pushed the ball up and he jogged after them………..the second time was a play where he easily could’ve made a defensive difference but nuh uh. Good for him that they put him in the middle of a spread 2-3 so he can pick up rebound after rebound over 6’6 guys, his motor isn’t there except in short short spurts. What’s gonna happen when suddenly he’s being defended by athletic 6’10 guys and running up and down on the 24 second clock?
Big/athletic/etc yep (and that fadeaway shot was sick) but there just wasn’t remotely that “I’m going to fucking beat you that’s just what’s going to happen” instinct you can feel from every great basketball player. Maybe it’s one game, but if I don’t want to be taking a guy #1 who takes games off, let alone road games against a top-15 team that keeps you in the Big 12 title hunt.
Not afraid to nitpick
Could he be a little weary about
intense physical play because of his concussion? I’m not trying to defend the guy for not hustling on defense, but maybe that’s playing some part of it in his subconcious.
Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...
by RunninRedbird on Mar 5, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions
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