Which Dennys do we get?
by DanUpBaby on Mar 6, 2009 8:45 AM EST
192 comments
Travel day, today, which means I will be flitting from topic to topic in the Larry King fashion. At least, I think I will—I have to write it first.
... Did you ever notice how hot dogs come in packages of ten, and hot dog buns in packages of—no, I don't think I'm quite comfortable with this format. The Cardinals weren't, either, to make an ugly segue—from Manning, Maekawa, Ostlund, figurative one line paragraphs all, they've settled on none of the above.
So let's talk about The Newest Cardinal. Dennys Reyes, not to be confused with the breakfast chain on one end and the starting pitcher on the other, started his career as an itinerant lefty at an incredibly young age; it's rare that a 20-year-old pitcher hits the majors and almost immediately becomes a spare part, but he's been the extra man in trades (for such luminaries as Jeff Shaw) almost from birth. The result is that he's a 32-year-old with the career path that better resembles late-bloomers like Joe Borowski.
With such a winding career path, spent in several different usage patterns, it's important to restrict our attention to—or at least focus it on—the Dennys Reyes the Cardinals have acquired, a knockout lefty with no legitimate claim toward versatility. The wonderful thing about looking at his career this way is that it makes sense of his late-career renaissance, which began with his gaudy 0.89 ERA in 2006. From 1997 to 2005, with interludes in LA and Kansas City as an inexplicable starting pitcher, Reyes was deployed as a more conventional reliever, with no more than vague LOOGY tendencies.
He was something of a victim of his own initial success, here; in 1999, his first full season with the Reds, he dispatched hitters indiscriminately, and faced fifty more right-handers. By 2001, even though he was now allowing a classically specialist .276/.378/.454 line against right-handed hitters, he was facing a righty two-thirds of the time. In 2005, his one year with the Padres, he allowed a .354 batting average against righties (.222 v. His Own Kind) and was dumped at mid-season.
As a rule I'm against pigeon-holing pitchers too early. They should be seen as starters until it's patently obvious that they're not, and they should face all kinds of hitters until the point is proven that they can't. But when Reyes was released by the Padres that July he'd made 344 appearances and was pushing thirty. In every year but two he'd shown a pronounced inability to retire right-handed batters, but it took until 2006, a year he began in the minor leagues, for somebody to limit his exposure to them. In 2006 he faced just two more righties than lefties; in 2007, twenty more left-handers; in 2008, fourteen.
If that's the Dennys Reyes the Cardinals want, they wisely looked past his early wanderings to determine that they could have him.
12:05 start against the Mets today, but no MLB.TV this time. Gameday link can be found at this FanShot, courtesy liam, VEB's long-time MLB.com windtalker. In WBC news, the loser of this morning's Taiwan and Korea match (hint: probably Taiwan) will be facing China on ESPN2 at 9:30. I haven't gotten the chance to watch Japan-China yet—I recorded it—but it'll be great to be able to watch an ostensibly meaningful baseball game live tonight.
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Now if we could just settle
on a closer. It looks like things are coming together. Not a ton better than last year, but maybe enough.
So says, Titus Pullo (formerly The Dude)
by Titus Pullo on Mar 6, 2009 9:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm not worried about the closer role
Looks like Motte, Perez and Kinney are both great candidates. One of them will rise to the top by the end of the month and it will be settled. If Motte can get any consistency with a second pitch, my money is on him.
by cloistermaximus on Mar 6, 2009 10:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Both implies two, not three
Either I need more coffee or subconsciously I’m not taking Kinney seriously.
by cloistermaximus on Mar 6, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Early indications
seem to have Motte as the front runner for the role.
by Toddius on Mar 6, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
tlr usage
this spring indicates franklin has the inside track.
by ball in play on Mar 6, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Perez or Motte
Perez looks like he’s in better shape and has a little more command of his pitches. Motte has a 3:infinity strike to walk ratio
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mo knows baseball...
If he can just be a 0 WPA player we’d gain a win from the replacement of Flores last year. If he has a year like 2006, he’d be worth 2.5 wins (unlikely, but hey, it’s spring). As long as he can keep his walks down (2007, he had trouble doing this), he will be a nice upgrade.
Off topic: Who had the better arm in 1987: Oquendo or Pena? You might be surprised.
by MRCARD on Mar 6, 2009 10:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad we have him
It’s nice to see another competent left-hander on board.
One thing, however, that may affect Reyes is the transition from AL to NL. NL teams construct their rosters to have solid bench players, because they count on having to pinch-hit for pitchers. AL teams spend the money on a DH. I wonder how many times a team pinch-hit against Reyes last year in Toronto, when he was brought in to face a left-handed batter? Perhaps more will do so in the NL.
I mention this because both Flores and Villone faced more RH than LH batters last year. Maybe I am completely off here, but it is something to consider if you are dealing with a pitcher who should only pitch to LH batters.
Sign someone who can pitch, then let this team play.
by IL and StL Fan on Mar 6, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
re: more vs RH than LH
It would be interesting to see how many situations were true LOOGY situations when calculating those totals. (LH, LH LH, LH RH LH)
Villone got torched vs Philly where I’m sure he had a few RH, it’s probably fair to assume he probably inherited a few RH due to walking the first LH batter as he did a bit last year.
I’d also be curious to see Flores leverage when he pitched, if I recall correctly it went lower and lower as K-Mac’s splits became solidified and Flores lack of effectiveness did too.
Both of the above could point to a reasonable rationale on why more RH batters for both guys.
Hopefully the vs RH is minimal.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Mar 6, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
2y/3m (1m this year) if I recall correctly.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Mar 6, 2009 10:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great price
I am decidedly enthusiastic about this signing, even if my friend from the Twin Cities emailed me about “St. Louis sign[ing] No Neck Dennys.”
"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 6, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
there is a neck there...
it just hard to see with all those acorns stuffed in his cheeks…
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Mar 6, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmmm
I find this troubling.
I didn’t know Alvin, Simon and Theodore kicked a fourth chipmunk out of the group, that this chipmunk was lefthanded, or that he made The Show, eliminating all memory of his child star days.
"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 6, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can see it now
TLR walks out to the mound to call to the pen for his new lefty reliever.
TLR: “Dennys? Dennys? DENNNNNN-YYYYYYYYYSSSSSSS!”
Dennys: “Okay!”
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 6, 2009 12:26 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
briliant
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It looks like he might be left-handed
Or, left-pawed?
Sign someone who can pitch, then let this team play.
by IL and StL Fan on Mar 6, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, nice marmot!
"That annoys the you-know-what out of me." - Bud Selig
by random on Mar 6, 2009 10:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
I believe that’s a ground squirrel.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 7, 2009 4:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed
a little bullpen stability too, you’d think.
by spencegrif on Mar 6, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Depends
Yes, if he sits in the middle of the bullpen bench. If he chooses to sit on either end that bullpen ship will be listing.
by ubeddie on Mar 6, 2009 11:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice
Perez is a rather big buy, maybe he and Kinney together could provide the appropriate ballast?
by birdo rojo on Mar 6, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The absolutely funny part of this photo is....
that a friend and I were having an argument the other day. He thinks baseball players are athetes and golfers aren’t. I really don’t think Dennys could walk a golf course, much less shoot a 65 while doing it.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 6, 2009 12:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Phil Mickleson
could hold lefties to a .2xx avg
by STLRegalia on Mar 6, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't he try out for a MLB team as a pitcher a couple of years ago?
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 6, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Toledo Mud Hens!
Link:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2003-08-30-mickelson-mud-hens_x.htm
"Yeah, you can write, you can feel, you can think. Whaddaya want, a medal?" - Paul Westerberg
by Edbird on Mar 6, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that's why they have golf courses
and caddy’s.
"i have a feeling the answers are bigger than the questions" -Dr Heyward Floyd
by SleepyCA on Mar 6, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
err golf carts.
"i have a feeling the answers are bigger than the questions" -Dr Heyward Floyd
by SleepyCA on Mar 6, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if i had a dollar for ever golf cart i've wrecked
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that's not fair
I have an old friend who actually has no neck, due to fused vertebrae he cannot turn his head around without the whole body moving.
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He still has a neck.
He just can’t use it.
by spants on Mar 6, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
actually
you can’t really see a neck, it looks like his head is just attached to his body. he was really good at wrestling in high school
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like the approach
I, for one, have no issues on seeing the org trying to throw a few players against the wall and see if they stick. I don’t even mind that it’s a two year deal. It allows Miller to help us this year and gives Garcia a window on being on the team next year (no, he wouldn’t be a LOOGY, but could be used in those situations as well) should his health and rehab go as planned (you’d have to think K-Mac would be next in line for a starters role as Joel exits).
I still like Ian, a lot actually so I hope he hangs around for depth.
Manning I’m neither here or there on.
Ring due to the ML contract may actually end up being gone soon should he not start performing when given the chances, the dates escape me but are in the CBA, but the team can let him go for cheap through two deadlines over the course of ST. So he may be first man out.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Mar 6, 2009 10:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Remember Reggie Sanders and his even year/odd year splits?
One of the first things I look at with situational relievers is their walk rate (unintentional walks only). It was so frustrating to see, in recent years, Ray King or Randy Flores come in to face a lefty and then WALK him….
Reyes was plagued by godawful control his first several season, but has now settled into a Sanders-like even/odd pattern of decent control/terrible control….
BB per 9
2002: 4.46 (seems bad, but was his career-best to that point)
2003: 6.39 (hide the kids)
2004: 3.92 (new career best)
2005: 6.18 (hide the dog)
2006: 2.31 (new career best)
2007: 6.13 (hide grandma)
2008: 2.53 (second best of career)
2009: ????
by salvomania on Mar 6, 2009 10:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe that's why...
They’re paying him twice as much in 2010 as 2009. Mo is expexting better things next year. :)
by southsidepat on Mar 6, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
2007 was an injury-and-ineffectiveness-shortened year
I think he only threw 20-odd innings.
Reckon his “real” talent level to be closer to 3BB/9 than 6. If he can do that and keep striking guys out (despite his powder-puff stuff) he should be an effective loogy this year.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 9, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure lots
of you have already seen this, but erik is shutting down Future Redbirds. Very sad day.
by Toddius on Mar 6, 2009 10:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
WHAT?!
That site is on my daily routine. Any reason for it?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 6, 2009 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think
the blogging grind got to his family – I guess he’s having a second child. Understandable, of course. Hopefully someone will step up and fill that niche – but it’d be hard to do it as well as they did it over there.
by Toddius on Mar 6, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why doesn t he just give the site to someone else
to run for a while? no sense letting it go to waste
Dont take me seriously :-D
www.GriffinandtheGargoyles.com www.myspace.com/GriffinandtheGargoyles
NO Garland, NO Wolf, NO Looper!
by jealousblues on Mar 6, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I saw that and was bummed.
My proposal is that we drown Mo in emails asking him to make FR part of the St. Louis Cardinals and let Erik run it and pay the man to keep it going or maybe the Post dispatch.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 12:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That would be cool -
I know Goold reads Future Redbirds. Maybe Goold will make a case for it to become part of the Post. That would be cool.
by Toddius on Mar 6, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Very sad!
Sign someone who can pitch, then let this team play.
by IL and StL Fan on Mar 6, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That sucks
I wonder why he is blogging on the Beyond the Box Score now if he doesn’t have time? I personally would rather have him at Future Redbirds than Beyond the Box Score.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 6, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah that does suck
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
FanGraphs assesses the signing
I have to include the post’s lead because it made me chuckle:
Tony LaRussa still has a fetish for lefty relievers.
I’d recommend giving the whole piece a read.
Reyes’ raw numbers should improve in St. Louis as long as LaRussa avoids the pitfalls of Ron Gardenhire’s usage: right-handers. Reyes was used nearly 50% of the time against righties in 2006, 41% in 2007, and 46% in 2008.
Reyes’ strong point is success against lefties, and while he’s not a complete liability versus righties, there’s just nothing to be gained from letting him face more than the occasional weak hitter in any kind of meaningful situation.
Isn’t FanGraphs quickly becoming one of, if not the, best one-stop baseball site?
"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 6, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
interesting
that they take it from that angle. The success Reyes has had in Minnesota, as opposed to anywhere else, is almost entirely predicated on the way that Gardenhire kept him from righties more than he’d ever been before. Even Mike Myers, the LOO-est of all LOOGYs, faced righties 47% of the time over his career.
I haven’t looked it up—it would make an interesting SABR piece, so maybe I should—but I would think that at some point the percentage of righties a pure LOOGY faces is a function of his walk rate as much as it is managerial tendency.
by DanUpBaby on Mar 6, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I would be interested to know what the share of left-handed batsmen faced is for the average big league LOOGY. In addition to that, I think that it also depends on the game situation. Specifically, the score. We have all endured games which got out of hand and then TLR threw a LOOGY to the wolves for an inning or two. However, where the game is close and late, I’d imagine that the LOOGY leash is much shorter.
While I’m not the biggest fan of Bernie’s, I’ll give him credit where credit is due. In his blog post today, he has this interesting little tidbit that helps form the rationale behind the LOOGY maneuverings:
Here’s another reason why the Reyes signing is a plus: the Cardinals now have two of MLB’s best LH relievers to enter games when runners are on base. From 2006-2008, new Cardinal Trever Miller ranked No. 1 among LH relievers by allowing only 19.2 percent of inherited runners to score. And Reyes? He’s No. 4 on that lety list, allowing only 23 percent to score. By comparison, former Cardinals lefty specialist allowed a whopping 44 percent of inherited runners to score from 2006-2008.
"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 6, 2009 12:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
of the three loogy options discussed yesterday, reyes is, as you say, the loogiest.
does this militate in favor of carrying 8 relievers? I keep thinking this is more and more likely.
it seems the best way from forcing reyes to pitch to righties excessively is to have enough right handers not to need him to pitch except to lefties.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 2:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I also wonder if this signing
will mean a more robust role for Trevor Miller
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Prepare yourself
Duncan was talking about him Closing
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 6, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm, can we afford to carry 8 relievers?
1b Pujols
2b Schumaker
3b Mather
ss Greene
lf Duncan (I believe he will make the 25 man)
cf Ankiel
rf Ludwick
c yadi
Bench – Barton, Barden, Ryan, Handlebars,
sp – Carp, Waino, Welley, Piniero, Lohse
That really does leave 8 holes for the ‘pen. All these moves from OF to IF just might let us do that. Mather can play 3b or any of the OF. Barden can plan 3b, or ss. Ryan can play 2b or ss. Barton can play either corner OF. Duncan can spell Pujols at 1b with Barton taking his place in the OF. I don’t think Rasmus will make the team unless he is a starter. Doesn’t make much sense for him to be riding the pine with the big club.
So do we carry 3 lefties?
Perez, Motte, McClellan, Franklin, Reyes, Thompson, Ring (?), Miller
Who else would take Ring’s spot if we wanted 8 men in the pen? Todd? Boggs?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 6, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i had drafted something that looked exactly like that, except with razza in CF and
dunc on the bench, and barton in memphis.
i think maneuvering to get room for 8 bullpen pitchers is part of Tony’s aim.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
having barton at memphis doesnt make sense to me
hes obviously a better hitter at this point than rasmus, and if hes just going to be playing the bench anyway, we need hitting more than we need defense.
by krippledmaster on Mar 6, 2009 10:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know about obvious
it is spring training and all , so the small sample size comes into play, but;
Barton .235. .316 .765
Raz .250 .364 .321
I just think it is still a illte too early in ST to make a decision on who is the better hitter.
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 7, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and kinney is another solid option in the bullpen.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I was going to say kinney
I don’t see how they can’t include him instead of 3 lefties
by STLRegalia on Mar 6, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
doubt if Ring will make it
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 3:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Goold blogs on this
It’s called “”http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2009/03/ripple-effects-of-signing-dennys-reyes/" >Ripple Effects of Signing Dennys Reyes" and in it Duncan drops his idea for having Trever Miller close and TLR says the 12th bullpen slot is open to competition for righty and lefty alike.
As they reach the second half of the Grapefruit League schedule, Duncan said the plan is to start putting Jason Motte and Chris Perez in closer-like situations. Now they are getting ready for the role. Later in the month they will be auditioning for it. (Hall of Famer Rick Hummel had a detailed look at the right side of the bullpen and its performance Thursday in the notebook this morning.) But those two young guns won’t be alone. Duncan offered up Miller as a possible ninth-inning answer, and he would like to see the lefty get some work in those situations this spring. It’s not quite a closer-by-matchup approach, but it could start that way, and the addition of a reliever like Reyes makes moving Miller around more of an option.
"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 6, 2009 4:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If not Barden, then Green?
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Mar 6, 2009 4:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Look man
We dont have any green.. the drought continues
by Glowsticks on Mar 6, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you don't?
in the MIF we have
Ryan — who made his first appearance today
TGreene — who is upping his stock, but started at the back of the pack
Skip — who is destined for the roster, but can’t hit righties.
Thurston — who has been fine, so far, but is also left-handed.
Clearly at least one of Ryan/TGreene/Barden will make the roster. I don’t know why you’d say Barden is less likely than the others. Barden has the most defensive experience at third, and would make sense in the lineup against lefties. Carrying Ryan and Barden would allow them to start at 2d and 3d respectively, and let Mather take a corner outfield slot against lefties.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
sorry to nit-pick
but Skip hits righties pretty well
by STLRegalia on Mar 6, 2009 4:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I just
haven’t seen him in many A team lineups. I don’t know whether he’ll make the team or not. This is why I have my doubts:
1. They didn’t really consider him in the 3B competition,
2. or the 2B competition.
3. It doesn’t seem like anyone is that high on him in the organization.
4. He’s not getting younger (he’ll be 28 this year).
5. He doesn’t have great foot speed.
6. He doesn’t have much power.
7. He’s getting no love from media reports.
None of those things mean he won’t make it. I just haven’t seen any evidence that he will. How is he playing this spring. Maybe you know something I don’t. The only thing that makes me think he might is the fact that he’s spent a little time in the majors before. You could keep Freese on the team instead. He could back up at 3B and 1B. Ryan can cover 2B and SS. Freese would give you a better, younger bat coming off the bench. Just my two cents.
by Toddius on Mar 6, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
you sure can't argue that barden hasn't impressed in the few AB's he's had.
and i think the cards are pretty down on freese for not disclosing that injury. regardless, freese still hasn’t even played an inning at third. maybe he pulls it out and impresses later, but i think freese is not likely to make the squad as it stands.
and i don’t see them carrying him as mather and pujols’ backup. the cards need backups and platoon partners in the MIF and to a lesser extent the outfield.
i think if barden doesn’t make the squad as a super-infield sub, it will be because ryan gets healthy and hits, or tyler greene shocks the team with stellar performance.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with that conclusion. It looks like Mather’s going to be getting most of the innings at third throughout April. Whether it’s Barden or Ryan (or even Greene) as the righty 2B/UT guy depends on how they hit, coupled with how the OF shakes out: if Rasmus doesn’t make the team out of the gate, you could do worse with Ryan and Barton as your #9/#1 hitters against LHSP’s. If Rasmus does make the team, I’d think they’d take Barden, who’d provide more pop off the bench.
by liam on Mar 7, 2009 12:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Count me out for both Barden AND Ryan on the big league roster
having 2 all-glove no-hit MIFs on the bench last year killed us in terms of pinch-hitters (and simple redundancy of one spot on the roster). There’s no need for it. It has to be one or the other IMO.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Mar 9, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What is the saying?
You don’t go to Dennys, you end up at Dennys.
That said, the Cubs do deserve my pity, but never my support.
by Solanus on Mar 6, 2009 11:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
very appropriate considering this offseason
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
More Righties in 09?
With the DH in the AL, is it reasonable to believe AL relievers tend to stay in the game longer? Or, will an NL reliever see more batters due to the need for a hitter / pinch hitter in the line-up in the next 1/2 inning? I would think lefties would see more right handed hitters in the NL as the mgr tries to work around the need to save pitchers and pinch hitters from the offensive side of the game. How many times does a reliever see an extra man because the pitcher’s spot is due up in the next 1/2 inning? Seems like a lot of Flores issues came from walking a lefty, than staying in the game because the pitcher’s spot was due up when we came to bat … recipe for a huge inning against him!
SD
by Gibby45 on Mar 6, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like how you called Liam a windtalker
kudos DanUp!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't tell
if it was a fart joke or not.
by liam on Mar 6, 2009 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There are two types of people in this world
People who thinks that farts are funny, and damn, dirty liars
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
that must mean my brother is a liar
he never likes my farts
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well duh, they stink
try eating more fruit
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
carp is cruising it looks like
anyone have any opinion on how his pitching looks?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
is it just me
or does it seem like Ankiel is walking more than usual so far? props to Kahlil G, I like him batting 7th!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 1:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I think it's
quiet because people aren’t watching on MLB.TV.
by spants on Mar 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
true
but even the off day had more comments… I think it’s because it’s awesome outside
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It is awesome outside today...
…so awesome that it is 65 and sunny even here in SW Michigan!
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 6, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i can't complain about the 60's here in ohio either
the sun hasn’t been out much, but after the winter we’ve had i dont mind
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Ank seems to be showing more plate discipline. Also why did Carp come out after 2 innings?
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I noticed there was a huge lag on gameday, which was worrisome
not sure, but maybe because they want to see what McClellan can do, and whoever else they throw in there, since Carp is already pegged to be a starter
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
it been mentioned before
that he is on a smaller pitch count then the other starters. I believe 35 would be the limit today. About a start behind the other starters.
by Evilfrog on Mar 6, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
goold said the pitch count was 40, but he was pulled after the 2d inning at 37 pitches.
if anyone wanted to know how the cards would look against the mets scranton affiliate, this is it.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He needs to learn to pitch more like Wellemeyer...
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 2:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He's starting to make me a little nervous....
by MattK on Mar 6, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
if he ends up suckin
it’s not like we don’t have enough outfielders to replace him, huzzah
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He's just
tanking during games, so he can get off to a hot start while other teams think that he’s a one-season wonder.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 6, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I keep having to stop myself from clicking "video" in gameday...
Still, baseball. Can’t complain.
by mattybobo on Mar 6, 2009 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
duncan..
is he being a butcher today? First there was a ‘ground ball’ double.. now there’s the triple. were these legit hits or is duncan flailing in LF again.
by Birds on the Matt on Mar 6, 2009 2:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
he's the butcher's son
yeah, not real excited about Dunc playing the OF, but hey, if he hits like he’s capable of, I guess he should make the team. still think Barton is better option, but maybe they’ll both make the team.
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 2:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
no..
first play of the game.. Luis Castillo doubles on a ground ball to left fielder chris duncan.. maybe it was down the line and in the corner.
by Birds on the Matt on Mar 6, 2009 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
goold indicates that duncan pulled a "wicket" in LF in the fourth - so i think you're right.
probably at least one bad fielding play.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like we've got a little lag of our own going this half inning
Maybe a little rally.
by TheBirds on Mar 6, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Totally diggin'
The Razzle-Skip 1-2 punch as the lineup turns over.
by liam on Mar 6, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Skip not able to score from 3rd w/ less than 2 outs
It always annoys me when the next hitter doesn’t at least make a productive out. Ohh well.
by TheBirds on Mar 6, 2009 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and Ank strikes out to end the inning
that sounds more normal
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Heckuva spring for Ank so far though.
by TheBirds on Mar 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Taking a fair
number of walks. I like that.
by spants on Mar 6, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
+3
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
So will Ostlunds ERA go up or down from 45 this inning?
by TheBirds on Mar 6, 2009 2:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
when tony came to get the ball he said "don't let the door on the plane to springfield
hit you in the ass on the way out."
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Later Ostlund
Don’t let the door hit you where the Lord split you on the way out
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Mar 6, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
ostlund may be working on his own death sentence
i’m sure walks are about the last thing TLR and Dunc want to see. Nice knowing you, Ian.
by bmorgan on Mar 6, 2009 2:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
final marks -- ostlund's era will now buy you a slightly nicer pair of jeans or a slightly nicer
espresso machine. No sign of it drifting into the 16 oz. latte range. or even the movie ticket range.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am selling an espresso machine if anyone is interested
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 6, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
At least we get a chance
to see what Charlie Manning is made of. Bases loaded, no outs
by bmorgan on Mar 6, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Reyes signing officially makes me not give a **** about any of these lower tier lefty relievers though.
But good luck to him anyways.
by TheBirds on Mar 6, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
i don't really care, either
but i’m sitting on the computer staring at gameday, so it’s better than nothing.
And caring about Charlie Manning is better than caring about a legal research and writing assignment.
by bmorgan on Mar 6, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Boggs was impressive
He was shutting down those AAA hitters
by bmorgan on Mar 6, 2009 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Allen Craig's Spring
Small sample size I know but here is Craig’s line this spring:
.583/.615/.917 – OPS 1.532
1-2B
1-HR
7-RBI
1-BB
1-K
I know it is only 12 AB’s but sure seems like this kid can hit.
by indakind on Mar 6, 2009 3:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I like the kid...
But lets not forget. 12 AT BATS.
If his numbers hold through 100AB, then we can talk.
by JWO on Mar 6, 2009 3:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If THOSE numbers hold through 100 AB's
Then we should be talking about him starting at 3B to start the year, shouldn’t we?
"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 Mar 9, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Craig goes to AAA and plays first base? If he has a good year he would be a nice trade piece.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
who the heck is Justin Knoedler?
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Mar 6, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The pride of Springfield, Illinois, non-Lincoln division.
by DanUpBaby on Mar 6, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
decent player
he is from springfield IL went to a CC locally them to Miami Oh Univ he has a twin brother that has also jumped from organization to organization as well as changing postions frequently. Not sure if it was him or his brother that had a September call-up as a catcher the year Bonds hit 73
by Retire51 on Mar 9, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
rasmus
almost scores the tying run all by himself.
by Birds on the Matt on Mar 6, 2009 4:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Can't win 'em all
Not a bad day for Rasmus though – on base all four times w/ a single, a double to the wall, and two BB, plus a SB.
by BTown Birds fan on Mar 6, 2009 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i hope he's turning the corner
i love the story about colby’s lead beating Team Dominicana.
by bmorgan on Mar 6, 2009 4:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
First spring training loss to the Mets
in the last two years. We ran the table against them last spring and were 2-0 this spring…until today. Oh, well, still a decent game overall and a good day for Colby.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 6, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yes. boo stranding the tying run at third!
but hooray, colby rasmus on the basepaths!
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Love all the SB's so far this ST...
seems like the Cards are stealing more…… will it carry over to regular season?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 6, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe.
There seems to be more emphasis on speed again. And hope springs eternal. And other positive thinking cliches.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 6, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
okay.... we have a NO and a MAYBE....
Where is the YES?
by OKCARDSFAN_411 on Mar 6, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can you say
Whiteyball? Didn’t think so, either,
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 6, 2009 7:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cobbler Update
Maybe the 95-mph pitching machine, curveball grounders Skip was practicing with have helped:
The righthander allowed a double to the first hitter he faced, got help from Skip Schumaker on a slick, infield-in stop on a grounder and then coaxed a fly ball to end his first inning.
"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 6, 2009 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
funny snafu on rotoworld - check it before it's gone.
which dennys do we get — or which reyes do we get? check out the accompanying photo.
My first thought was — how did they get him in a cards uniform already? then I said, that’s not Dennys, that’s Flatbill!!
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Gate
to baseball heaven was close today for some people.
This has always pissed me off. There are traditions in baseball – and standing in line at the stadium is a tradition that happens in almost every other city. Shoot, Milwaukee had people camping out for days.
If they wanted to, they could have done it up really nice. Thankfully, we don’t root for the management. They always start every season 0-1 with this crap.
I have discovered in twenty years of moving around a ball park, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats. ~Bill Veeck
by bukowski on Mar 6, 2009 4:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It's unfortunate that they got misinformation
But honestly, standing in line isn’t a tradition. It’s a hassle.
by mojowo11 on Mar 6, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I've never seen...
a package of 10 hot dogs. It’s almost always 8, sometimes 6 or even 5 (bratwursts and the like)
Felipe Lopez - next year's Joel Pineiro (on another team, thank you Mo!)
by DiscoJer on Mar 6, 2009 5:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Really cheap (and nasty) hot dogs
often come ten to a package. I’m sure there is an analogy in there somewhere.
by cardsgirl95 on Mar 6, 2009 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
oscar mayer hot dogs come in a 10 pack
my fave are the Nathans Cheese Dogs. those puppies are money
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 5:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
does anyone else
enjoy the occasional cold oscar mayer hot dog, or am I just that lazy that sometimes I just open the fridge, grab a dog and enjoy?
by STLRegalia on Mar 6, 2009 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha
do you really want us to answer this? =D
by FunkeeC on Mar 6, 2009 6:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, it's only you
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Leach calls the Opening day lineup.
The Cards official blogger says we should expect the same lineup on Sat. and Sun. and probably on opening day — except that LaRue will be replaced by Molina, and either Dunc or Rasmus will be out of the lineup (ankiel was DH today).
So that gives us an opening day lineup of either:
Skip 2b
Mather 3b
Pujols 1b
Ankiel CF
Ludwick RF
Duncan LF
Greene SS
Pitcher
Molina C (I don’t see an obvious 9 spot hitter – criticize if you like)
or
Skip 2b
Mather 3b
Pujols 1b
Ankiel RF
Ludwick LF
Molina C
Greene SS
Pitcher
Rasmus CF
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The 9-spot is the best place I've found to hit Molina
He is going to clog up the bases somewhere in the lineup. I don’t think he hits well enough to hit 6th, but that is the other “least-worst” place. He hits into a bazillion double plays, and a pitcher can’t count on bunting him over to 2nd (due to Molina’s lack of speed). A man on second (after the pitcher sac bunts him over) may be his best offensive scenario.
Sign someone who can pitch, then let this team play.
by IL and StL Fan on Mar 6, 2009 6:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You should Add
That he doesn’t think that Motte will make the team so we can carry Tyler Greene and Brendan Ryan. Doesn’t seem likely to me.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Mar 6, 2009 8:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can't understand Motte not being on the team
I could understand if he ever shows that he can’t get big league hitters out, but that hasn’t happened yet (small sample size or not)
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
and....BEN SHEETS!!! **
**not that BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment, just BEN SHEETS!!!
(BEN SHEETS might be involved in this comment)
by mattyfrommo on Mar 7, 2009 10:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Can we bring Rickey Henderson in as a personal coach for Rasmus?
Raz has the power and speed if Ricky could teach him to be 3/4ths the player he was that would be awesome. Not to mention I would look foward to Colby talking about Colby.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 6:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
who needs ricky
we’ve got lou brock on the bench all spring.
"i have a feeling the answers are bigger than the questions" -Dr Heyward Floyd
by SleepyCA on Mar 6, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but does Lou Brock talk about Lou Brock?
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 10:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I like both those line-ups but I tend to favor the Rasmus version but stare wistfully at all that power in the Duncan line-up.
I’ll take both.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 6:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I'm assuming
that Reyes, like most loogys, was neither a Type A nor Type B FA?
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 6, 2009 7:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
he was a type b
so twins get a sandwich pick, we dont lose anything
by FunkeeC on Mar 6, 2009 7:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Coolness.
Very happy about the signing. I’ve liked No-Neck for awhile now.
There was Gibson in the Reds' dugout, visibly manhandling about three Reds and tossing them bodily out of the dugout and onto the field...He was the toughest athlete mentally I ever saw, and the greatest competitor. JACK BUCK
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Mar 6, 2009 7:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hard Hittin Mark Whitten's 4HR game vs the Reds is on ESPN Classic
my gawd do i miss Jack. i don’t know how he didn’t push Al right outta the booth
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson AND THAT'S A WINNER!
by gdm426 on Mar 6, 2009 10:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I caught that, too.
Jack’s voice is like velvet, bourbon and a cigarette.
by spants on Mar 7, 2009 2:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I remember that game...
I remember him walking around afterwards with the mesh bag and all four balls in the bag that hit for homeruns.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Mar 6, 2009 10:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
DanUp, Rob Neyer has decided to stop actually writing and start just
block quoting your material.
At least you got attribution.
by tom s. on Mar 6, 2009 10:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeah, just when you thought the guys at espn didnt ever think
they go and prove you right
by krippledmaster on Mar 6, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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