Your 2009 St. Louis Cardinals
by DanUpBaby on Apr 3, 2009 8:15 AM EDT
300 comments
A little housekeeping—you may have noticed this elsewhere, but the latest SB Nation synergy-type move means that we bloggers get to use AP photos, like the one sitting stage-right of this post. It's all part of their plan to slowly replace bloggers with more reliable photographs, each worth something on the order of a thousand words, but don't worry—with the red baron on our side I'm confident Viva El Birdos will be the last baseball blog standing.
Now then: Happy days are here! Real baseball news! Real, final decisions! Things to complain about!
The final roster—as of Thursday night—for your perusal:
| LINEUP | BENCH | ROTATION | PEN |
| C YADIER MOLINA | IF JOE THURSTON | ADAM WAINWRIGHT | JASON MOTTE |
| 1B ALBERT PUJOLS | IF BRIAN BARDEN | KYLE LOHSE | JOSH KINNEY |
| 2B SKIP SCHUMAKER | IF BRENDAN RYAN | TODD WELLEMEYER | RYAN FRANKLIN |
| 3B DAVID FREESE | OF COLBY RASMUS | CHRIS CARPENTER | KYLE McCLELLAN |
| SS KHALIL GREENE | C JASON LaRUE | JOEL PINEIRO | TREVER MILLER |
| LF CHRIS DUNCAN | DENNYS REYES | ||
| CF R?ICK ANKIEL | BRAD THOMPSON | ||
| RF RYAN LUDWICK |
When reached for comment Tony La Russa, who looked suspiciously like Brian Barden in a pair of dark sunglasses, said, "I planned on taking 25 utility infielders north, but I had to make some compromises—who would I double-switch them with, otherwise?" He added, "You guys haven't seen Tony around here, have you? You'd tell me, right?"
If nothing else, this is one way to guarantee plenty of playing time for Colby Rasmus; but the bench, as it stands right now, is impossible to understand—and I say this as, like all of you, an experienced La Russa watcher. After 13 years of this stuff, I'm usually able to at least divine a plausible explanation for his roster machinations, but putting Brendan Ryan and Brian Barden on the same roster, with one backup outfielder, when all four of your outfielders have recently shown a significant platoon split in the same direction—this is a new one.
Don't get me wrong; his reason for not taking Mather north makes sense:
"He knows that we believe in him," manager Tony La Russa said. "We need him. But right now, his at-bats aren't consistent. His stroke from at-bat to at-bat is not quite what he's capable of doing. ... We've just got to get him right."
I can buy that; Mather got into a prolonged slump at the end of Spring Training, has a limited body of successful at-bats to fall back on, and probably spent most of his spring concentrating on playing a position he was moved off of in 2005. With Glaus's return date currently in the Cardinals Mystery Zone, there's plenty of time for Mather to get his work in and eventually spell a struggling David Freese, or return to man the outfield against tough lefties.
But I think it's impossible to overestimate how well Brian "Enunciate" Barton would fit this roster. Right now the Cardinals' best option against left-handers off the bench is Brian "Slur it" Barden, whose hitting credentials are trailed by a long string of qualifiers—but his best years were in Arizona, in the PCL, but they were also two years ago, but only for an infielder, really, and so on. He's also an infielder, not that that's stopped La Russa before, but if I had to guess I'd say La Russa is chomping at the bit for a chance to bring Barden in as a pinch hitter in the late innings for Duncan et al and then move Schumaker to the outfield.
The Rasmus thing—I appreciate that. Last year the Cardinals had two outfielders reach 150 games and still managed to find at-bats for Barton, only nominally a member of the roster, Duncan, and Mather, and none of them were tagged as Growing Boys like Rasmus; he'll get plenty of chances to play. But there's no need to handicap the team to evince that. I hope La Russa will explain the need to carry three defensive replacements for Skip Schumaker at some point, because I can't even begin to get inside his head on this one. (Maybe he'll bring in a different one based on the particular way in which Schumaker is struggling.)
If you don't like it, I guess, as fans of really old weather jests are fond of saying, wait five minutes—perhaps use them in silent meditation on the Major League line of one Rico Washington.
The Cardinals take on the Redbirds at 7:05—you can see it on FSN Midwest. I'll have a proto-game-thread up for the occasion.
0 recs |
300 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
3 no hit middle infielders - blech
The first time they end up in the outfield, I’m going to be disappointed. We’ve got like 50,000 legitimate outfield options and he’s going to start playing infielders out there.
Rasmus to STL = Happy Robot!
by azruavatar on Apr 3, 2009 8:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You have feelings?
My God, I, Robot is coming true! Time to hide in my bomb/robot shelter for the rest of my life…
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he is not really happy
it is just a programming error.
RELAX!
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
011110010110111101110101011100100010000001100010011010010110111001100001011100100111100100100000011000110110111101100100011001010010000001101101011000010110010001100101001000000110111001101111001000000111001101100101011011100111001101100101
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
cut off
011110010110111101110101011100100010000001100010011010010110111001100001011100100111100100100000011000110110111101100100011001010010000001101101011000010110010001100101001000000110111001101111001000000111001101100101011011100111001101100101
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well i give up :(
it won’t wrap
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was trying to tell you
that your binary failed, it was just pure gibberish
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm pretty confident my binary is literate
by azruavatar on Apr 3, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious
but frightening. Now I see what Azru is really up to. Beware!
by cardsgirl95 on Apr 3, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We used poisonous gasses
If that one guy’s karate-fighting girlfriend was around to stop these evil robots.
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
not enough numbers
unless you were using leading 0’s that didn’t show it is only 21 digits which doesn’t produce a true ASCII equivalent. 29A5 is the Hex when you add the leading 0’s. 29 is ‘)’ but A5 comes out to a funky character. Unless I completely missed something.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess this is a numerology cipher too
although it’s about the simplest in the whole world. I’m not using ASCII.
ASCII:
102
111
124
105
155
105
by azruavatar on Apr 3, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get it now
though your ascii code is a bit off :) (it looks like you used the octal not decimal ascii and used a lower case mixed with upper but I still got the message). I had even thought you might be doing a number sequence but I didn’t try to decode it. Probably should have.
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The good news is
as long as you’re still deciphering Chinese letters in a room by yourself…We’re still safe.
Chuck Norris bows to no man...but he does bow to The Mang.
by miniboscorino on Apr 3, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
aww
c’mon TM, thurston has played OF before, i doubt Barden and Ryan will see that much time out there though, and Skip will definitely be out there as well. Only reason Ryan is on the roster is because he doesn’t have any options left and i’m sure MO doesn’t want to lose ryan on waivers without getting something in return (at the least a A or AA pitcher, preferably left-handed) a bucket of balls is better than nothing.
and Barden is a good hitting middle infielder, way better than ryan and thurston, hell he was brought up as a defensive minded-3B with okay pop, just think of him as a Ryne Sandberg that has decent pop at the SS, 2B position compared to what’s there (except greene, our first slugging SS ever)
Cardwash Definition: Birds on the Nat.
OHHH YEAHHHH!!!!!!!
by cardwash on Apr 3, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We know...
Thurston will play some outfiled and it would not be surprising to see Ryan there at some point. Barden I’m not so sure about but I think Thurston and Ryan give TLR some flexibility that he craves.
by OldieWan on Apr 3, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Good hitting"? In what parallel universe?
Let me know so I can move there.
by StanTheManFan on Apr 3, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the roster makes sense in this way...
If your planning on getting Rasmus regular playing time (i.e. 3-4 games per week), then you can’t hardly carry another OFer. Assuming Skip is going to at least see a bit of time somewhere other than 2nd, it would make sense to just go with 4 OFers and a 2B/OFer.
Now I agree that against lefties we could be in a world of trouble with this lineup mixture, but I also think its pretty short term. I would expect Thurston, Ryan, or Barden to go the way of Rico Washington last year to make room for Mather when he gets his stroke right. And I’d expect that move to come within the first month of the season.
by CrimsonBirdFan on Apr 3, 2009 8:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
yes, but....
That leaves you with a grand total of ONE outfielder who bats right-handed. And he had a reverse split last year.
LHP is going to KILL us this year. Which is going to be fun with a series vs Pitt first up (3 of 5 starters LHP). Chicago have 2 LHP, Milwaukee have 2 LHP, Houston have 2 LHP, Cinci will probably have 1, Pittsburgh have 3. We’re facing a LOT of LHP this year (40% of starts vs division rivals). I hope you’re right that this is a short-term move.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 3, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
For a manager that loves to take advantage of platoon splits and double switches to get the slightest advantage, this roster construction makes little sense at all. There’s three good right-handed hitting outfielders in AAA now, and I’m not even counting Allen Craig! At least one of those guys should be on the roster to platoon with Duncan. I’m certain we’re going to see Thurston in the outfield some, which makes no sense at all considering he’s left handed, and possibly Barden as well, especially against lefties since there’s no other platoon partner for Duncan.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Having Rasmus on the roster when he’s not playing CF everyday is a total waste. I guarantee that when he plays he doesn’t bump Ankiel to a corner either. Sure, the kid is good and needs to work his way into the lineup, but a ton of his value is that he’s a GG caliber player in centerfield and it doesn’t seem like he’s going to get a chance to play there.
If the plan is to move Skip off of second base in the late innings and stick him in the outfield, I think that’s a bad move. He hasn’t fielded a fly ball all spring from a corner outfield spot, and moving him back and forth between the infield and outfield isn’t going to help him get comfortable at the keystone any quicker either. I’m just not sure I understand the philosophy if that indeed is the case.
Having both Barden and Ryan on the roster makes absolutely no sense, and even less sense when you consider that Barden is probably better at both SS and 2B than Miles was last year.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
does anyone else
think there is an outside chance that Craig, not Mather, will be the first Memphis Redbird up? I just think that if Craig is down there pounding the snot out of the ball , that he might get the call when Ryan, Thurston, or Barden show that they don’t have the bat for the majors. Craig is a logical choice as a backup 3B/1B/OF with that bat of his.
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd be happy to see it.
I really think Craig has a ton of upside. I think Mather makes more sense as he’s a good defensive corner OF, but (especially if Freese struggles with the bat, which is possible) a May/June Craig call-up would be pretty exciting IMO.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 3, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you could be right, but something's got to give
with all of these outfielders. We have 8 different outfielders that deserve playing time at the big league or AAA level. I don’t think we should be giving any of them away, but it’s not like we don’t have holes to fill in our minor league system. There’s got to be a team out there that needs some outfield prospects and will flip us a pitcher or two in return.
Craig does make the most sense to me, and I think that we should maybe be looking to deal Mather if he comes around and starts mashing in AAA like he did for the first half of last year. Also, John Jay really doesn’t have a place on this team does he? If Colby is the real deal, I’m not sure what we do with John Jay. I love the kid, but I think he needs to get traded somewhere as well.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree that
any plan to move Schu out of 2B and into the OF in late innings makes no sense, because he’s left-handed and can’t hit LHP either. The only benefit to doing it would be the slight defensive improvement he has over Duncan, he’ll still be an easy out for opposition LOOGYs.
And, as you say, Thurston is the only one of the MIFs who can hit a lick (I actually really like Barden and have been keen on him getting a chance since late last year, but he’s no more than a so-so MLB backup) but putting him in LF makes utterly no sense because HE TOO is LH. So, he isn’t an option at 2B (he’s a slightly better fielding, worse hitting Skip) OR LF, so what’s he there for. And Ryan is just a slightly better defending, worse hitting version of Barden, so what’s he there for? We only really need ONE of these players, two at the most.
Still, those who’ve said it’s a short-term move are (hopefully) right, but I can’t help but feel we’re setting ourselves up for a rough start to the season…
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 3, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I may be wrong...
but I think the team is hoping for a strong start from Ryan so they can flip him for anything useful. He’s out of options and probably wouldn’t clear waivers. He has NO long term role with the team, as Barden is a better 2B and 3B, an adequate SS and a better hitter…Ryan’s only strength is strong SS defense. Time will tell. I’ll bet an interweb’s dollar that by the end of April only two of our backup MIF’s are with the team, and one of them is Barden.
Sometimes I wonder,
"Why is that frisbee getting bigger?"
...and then it hits me!!
by cardzfanbub on Apr 3, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that's the case...
Where is he playing? Left Field against LHP? Third base? Second base against LHP? He’s certainly not going to start anywhere on a regular basis, so how can we build his trade value? The greatest pinch hitters/defensive replacements in the world don’t ever bring back much in trade.
If we’re trying to bump up his value, then why have Barden even on the roster to start the year? Ryan should get all the playing time possible if they needed to up his value, so having Barden on the roster makes little sense since he can easily get playing time at AAA instead of sitting on the bench in the big leagues. Replacing Barden with Barton or Mather, or even Perez would make a whole lot more sense in my view.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe this is designed to make TLR comfortable with Barden,
thus making it easier to trade (or just release, if necessary) Ryan.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 3, 2009 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan has no trade value
and playing him some isn’t going to get him any. Every team has 2-3 Brendan Ryans — a little guy who can play a little of the 3 infield positions that aren’t 1B, has a fair amount of speed, and earns the minimum. To whom would we trade him? No one is that desperate for a 25th man.
by chuckb on Apr 3, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
but the Cardinals were supposedly interested in Raburn (according to MLB Trade Rumors), and Ryan has the ability to play SS. I think he has some value as a throw-in….in a more significant deal that includes and OFer.
by Toddius on Apr 3, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find the interest in Raburn pretty hard to believe
The sourcing was to ONE person who claimed knowledge with the supposed talk.
My suspicion is that the source is Raburn’s agent who just wanted to get his client’s name out there and got a little more than he bargained for.
by liam on Apr 3, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mozeliak very bluntly denied that rumor on the radio
with a simple “No.”
by azruavatar on Apr 3, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really?
Mozeliak doesn’t think we need another IFer on the bench? Why would that be, I wonder…
"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 Apr 3, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I figured it was just an April Fool's joke.
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 Apr 3, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a pretty mean way to make an April Fool's joke
That would be like spreading a rumor that the hottest girl in school is dating a band nerd. It’s a good way to get the hottest girl in school, but at the expense of the band nerd? Not cool.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Raburn has a lot more offensive upside
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
compleeeeeeeeeeeeetely agree
We’re making decisions based upon losing Brendan Ryan for nothing? Seriously? Ridiculous.
by rlgosnell on Apr 4, 2009 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he has no long-term role with the team
why does it matter whether he clears waivers or not? That’s what waivers are for.
by StanTheManFan on Apr 3, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
skip's a lot better than duncan at defense
but still, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense given that we could have Barton or Mather on the team. It must be that they want those two to develop a little more at AAA more than anything else
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ludwick
while he was better vs. righties than lefties last year, the reverse split wasn’t extreme. He still put up a .929 OPS against lefties — that’s pretty stout. It’s still better than we could expect from any of the other OFs, including Skip. I’ll admit the lack of any other RH hitting OFs is a problem, but Ludwick’s ‘08 reverse split shouldn’t be a major cause for concern.
by chuckb on Apr 3, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
also
reverse splits are usually a facade. Most players will always bat better against the opposite hand. Generally, if player has a reverse split it is due to a small sample size.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are 1300 or so PAs enough?
Because that’s his career split. ~800 against righties and ~500 lefties. I guess for a career that’s not too big. Also I noticed SleepyCA is his b-ref page sponsor, which is awesome. “MVP-wick?” indeed!
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
George?
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh
I can totally see Costanza doing that
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was thinking
more like McBane shouting “Mendo-ZA!” when his partner is killed.
by arch support on Apr 3, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Achilles shouting "HECTOOOORRRR!!!" ?
by STLRegalia on Apr 3, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
KHAAAAAAAHHHHHNNNN!
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
JAAAAAAAAUUUUUNNNN!
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!
by saladdays on Apr 3, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
LOUD NOISES!!!!
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ADRIAAAAAAANNNNNN!!!!!
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
should have beeen
JUUUUAAAAAAANNNNNN!!!
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!
(Eh? What’s that? Wrong sport, you say?)
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 Apr 3, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ummm...overkill much?
completely agreed. first thing i thought when is saw the roster was how redundant barden and ryan were, and how we’ve somehow found a way to devalue one of our strengths…our surplus of outfielders.
i’m all for securing the defense and an infield defense with mather and skip would be suspect, but why barden and ryan need to both be on the team is beyond me. at least thurston is left handed, but once again we’ve managed to have a bench with no real power threat. instead of having a good hard cry, i guess i will take larussa at his word that mather just needs some consistent at bats (trademark ken tremendous) before coming up in the near future.
if only we could get craig paquette some at bats. harumph.
by trip mcneely2 on Apr 3, 2009 8:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder if B. Ryan struggles
if they just cut him?
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
at some point, they'll have to, especially if thurston and/or barden look tolerable.
the question is whether 2007 for ryan was a fluke, and he’s really a .590 ops type guy, or whether 2008 was a fluke (i remember hearing some noise that he was nursing a nagging injury), and he’s really a decent hitter for average with some speed.
if the former is true (or anything close to it) then he doesn’t really have a place on the team. if the latter is true, he’s going to play the other two out of a role, since neither of them has infinite leash at this point, either.
by tom s. on Apr 3, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
again, completely agree.
This offseason weren’t we excited about potentially seeing seeing guys like Barton, Freese, Craig, Wallace, Mather, Rasmus, and D. Jones in the OF? So now we’re going to see more of Brendan Ryan and his sub 300 slugging pct in RF? Really? What the hell. If you want to play Skip at 2B for 7 innings and then move him to RF fine. Keep Barden on the roster to close out games at 2B. If you want to give Skip an off day fine, keep Thurston on the roster. But what is the freaking point of Brendan Ryan being on the roster? It’s like a fantasy draft and our team was stuck on autopick and just kept sucking up those MIFers. I just dont understand. Not only do we kill one of our org strengths in the glut of OFers, but we are also going to get hammered by LHP. We would have been better served letting Thurston or Barden play 3B until Freese got healthy and kept Mather in the OF where he belongs.
And looking at it still, this roster lacks a few things on the positional side. Speed, an OF who actually plays the OF, and a RH stick. Hmm, isnt there a guy that we just optioned who has ALL of these attributes? Brian Barton, my heart yearns for thee.
by rlgosnell on Apr 4, 2009 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I can't get too upset over this,
though it’s not the roster I would have constructed. But it’s going to be very temporary, methinks. And arb clock be damned, I’m just happy to see Rasmus in STL.
And as long as either Raz or Dunc is on the bench, we do have a power threat, just not from the right side.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 3, 2009 8:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
me too
I don’t expect this roster to last long
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if tony the player played for tony the manager...
what would he think about the decisions his boss made?
in one of the stories i read this AM it mentioned how mozeliak thought that the cards needed stronger defense, and was instrumental in making the call to choose barden over mather. while that may be, does anyone really think that any one other than TLR was instrumental in selecting the other 2 reserve middle infielders already on their way up north?
when barden, ryan, and/or thurston see time in the OF this year, prepare for a collective throwing up in the mouth the likes of which you have never seen.
by trip mcneely2 on Apr 3, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
if Tony the player played for Tony the manager
he would ecstatic. Tony the player just had to be a MIF. MIFs have to love Tony the manager.
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
a MIF with a career OPS+ of 53
and a career line of .199/.292/.250
And it wasn’t like he was a defensive gem with a .960 FPTC
"People call me El Hombre," Pujols said. "But only Stan is the Man."
by StLHugo on Apr 3, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Moz
was backhandedly ensuring that Raz gets the most at-bats, against LHP and RHP. With the current roster construction, it’s really Raz (and Freese) that will take all of Mather’s at-bats.
Also, I don’t think Schu gets any outfield time (barring some weird 15 inning game emergency).
My problem will come if/when Ryan/Thurston start playing the outfield.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Apr 3, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few thoughts
1. Clearly LaRussa is planning on playing a few of the infielders in the outfield (likely Thurston), which makes no sense for an organization that has a ton of infielders. The only way it makes sense is LaRussa envisioning subbing Schumaker and Rasmus into the corner outfield spots at the end of the game and inserting a defensive second baseman to put a much stronger defensive team on the field.
2. I think part of the decision is that LaRussa is not sold on Freese as the full time 3rd baseman. Carrying Thruston, Barden and Ryan will allow LaRussa to continue evaluating his options at the hot-corner, both for offense and defense.
3. Thompson on this team still seems like a waste to me. Stick Perez in the pen and dump Thompson who is unnecessary with players like McClellan and Franklin in the pen.
by JMedwick on Apr 3, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
how often will we see a lineup
in which la russa starts a good defensive outfielder at 2b (schumaker) and a true 2bman (ryan or thurston) in the outfield. . . . . .
by lboros on Apr 3, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
at least 10 times
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Once is one time too many
But your post harkened me back to the SI article from the April 6 edition on defensive metrics:
That same year the Cardinals hired Lichtman as a consultant. But during his time with the organization Lichtman was mostly frustrated that even a team open-minded enough to hire him—he had been recommended to the team’s ownership by vice president of player personnel Jeff Luhnow—was so hesitant to embrace his analysis. “I met [manager] Tony La Russa once,” says Lichtman, “and he had no interest in what I was saying. Tony was not into it; [general manager] Walt Jocketty was agnostic.”
For a team that preaches defense and pitch-to-contact, induce groundball pitching, TLR’s maneuverings this offseason and Spring Training are very odd.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SI Link:
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153911/2/index.htm
"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 Apr 3, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is so stupid
Litchman is a smart guy, I don’t know why TLR or Walt didn’t listen to him.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It does reinforce the fact though we should be happy we have Luhnow in the organization
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 3, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely
That guy should win an award for how much he has turned around the farm system.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Once again an excellent thought from the all-seeing eye
Can’t get enough of your Cards observations Lboros
I wish TLR would have this sort of inner dialogue
by OCCardsFan on Apr 3, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
imagine how good of a manager TLR would be
if he could get over his bizarro tendencies
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but it will never happen.
I really am starting to believe that TLR is a genius, at least on the IQ scale. Every genius has a proclivity toward the inane that frustrates others. Tony has that in spades sometimes. I think sometimes he is SO smart that sometimes he goes all the way back around to idiotic.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The difference between genius and madness
is putting into action the eccentric ideas.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i would argue it is measured
by the results of the ideas: IE, a new idea that results in disaster is madness; a new idea that results in profit is genius.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, exactly.
There is definitely a fine line between genius and insanity.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can sort of identify with that
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With a typical LaRussa
The answer to that question would seem to be based on the match up and overall offensive productivity of the team.
The more lefties the Cardinals face, the more you will see the Cards start Ryan or Barden at 2b to get an extra righty into the lineup, as the current roster setup seems to be based on an acceptance that two lefty outfielders will start against lefthanded pitchers. If the Cards struggle to score runs on lefties due to struggles by Ankiel, Duncan, Schumaker and Rasmus, then LaRussa will push things more and we may see Ryan in the outfield and Barden at 2nd. What would be truely odd is if LaRussa finds he doesn’t like Freese at 3b, the near-term lineup could well feature Thurston, Ryan and Barden all playing significant time for this club, which IMO is a bad sign.
What I find odd is the lack of outfield right-handed depth. How does a lefthanded-hitting Thurston, who played in the outfield some this spring, help a club that clearly needs a righty off the bench who can play in the outfield? Right now, the only player who can fill that role is Brendan Ryan (and frankly, I don’t think he will fill it very well).
by JMedwick on Apr 3, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we just gotta hope
that either Barton or Mather don’t spend too much time in AAA
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wouldn't surprise me if we saw that
in the season’s first 2 weeks.
by chuckb on Apr 3, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Friendly wager
on a Thurston/Ryan/Barden/Freese starting in the OF by April 30th, I say no, You say yes. My two caveats are the wager is void if the Cards play a doubleheader or suffer injuries to two or more of Duncan/Ankiel/Ludwick/Rasmus.
How about 10,000 internet euros?
by ubeddie on Apr 3, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You ought to invest in interweb gold
It’s always stable.
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if those players suffer injuries
than they better be calling up Barton, Mather and Jay instead of playing MIF there…we have too much depth to ever see that…ever.
"Baseball is dull only to dull minds." - Red Barber
by nomar34 on Apr 3, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant non dl injuries
like a nagging blown disc or a sports hernia. You can play through those things.
by ubeddie on Apr 3, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He'd never do that LB
Oh wait, sorry. I just had a temporary case of short term memory loss.
"Do what you want to the women and children but leave me alone"- George Carlin
by That's a Winner on Apr 3, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That first intro paragraph made me laugh. Its nice the way you guys get to edit photos as well.
by ol Pete on Apr 3, 2009 9:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who owns the porn stache at the far right of the picture?
by azruavatar on Apr 3, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the new Aaron Miles...
Brian (Slur it) Barden
Stupid Sexy Flanders!!!
by timmycardinals on Apr 3, 2009 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he kind of looks like D'Artagnan
from the Three Musketeers. Maybe he needs a fencing sword instead of a cane
Stupid Sexy Flanders!!!
by timmycardinals on Apr 3, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flores looked like D'Artagnan
Barden is Flores?!
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ha
Flores was in the bar I used to work at once, sitting with a drink, smoking a cigarette (with his non-pitching hand, of course).
I couldn’t help but imagine him wearing a beret and talking about ennui and the plight of the post-modern artist.
by arch support on Apr 3, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I now imagine him attending the Player Haters' Ball
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
If you'll excuse me
I have to go home and put water in mattybobo’s momma’s dish.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was trying to come up with something that could be placed on the board
without getting me banned.
by tom s. on Apr 3, 2009 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
tom s.
What can I say about your outfit that can’t already be said about Afghanistan? It looks bombed out and depleted.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the slur it part
was classic
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is "Slur it" on the nicknames list?
For that is what I shall call him from now on.
defy, cards, defy. hey logic --- you suck.
by effin fisk on Apr 3, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
dunno about you
But I’m calling Barton “Enunciate” from now on.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there. They can't be bargained with. They can't be reasoned with. They don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Apr 3, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I laughed too
until I realized that he had a point about the red baron.
VIVE LE VIVA EL BIRDOS! ****
****I can butcher three languages!
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey!
You know what? I am sick and tired of individuals, such as yourself and also often many of my other illustrious colleagues both here at VEB and other various corners of cyberspace, continuously insinuating- as well as occasionally simply bluntly stating- that I lack the ability to be brief in my writings. I assure you, good sir, that I am fully capable of composing short, to the point, even- dare I say it- punchy musings that do not wander off into odd, unexplored territory, nor meander from point to point in a fashion most adequately described as ‘spiralling’, due to the manner in which the main point is circled, over and over again, as the author continually moves closer and closer to the heart of the issue, yet takes an interminably long time to reach said point, by which time the reader has most likely given up trying to decipher what was being said in the first place due to sheer verbiage fatigue. Moreover, I am also capable of- nay, I excel at!- writing posts which are sufficiently linear so as to communicate information in a clear and uncomplicated manner, with almost no asides- which I totally hate, by the way- nor intrusions of the writer’s own inner monologue (speaking of which, have you guys ever wondered if it’s more correct to say inner monologue or interior monologue? I’m sure it’s not a huge thing, but I’ve always just kind of idly wondered if there was like a protocol on that or something, because I’ve heard it both way), which serve only to interrupt the narrative flow and make the writing itself that much more difficult to follow. I fail to understand how it is that these sorts of impressions came to be formed in the first place, and I must admit to being more than a little bit perturbed as to both the persistence and the consistency of said notions; by persistence, of course, I mean that these notions, these innacurate and totally unfounded notions, have followed me in a manner quite unbecoming, to the point, that even my personal acquaintances, who know me to be an exceedingly succinct and to the point individual, have occasionally made quite pointed reference to my verbosity, and by consistency, I mean that there has been little dissent from this inaccurate position amongst the blogging community, nor, indeed, from the greater population as a whole; I have come to believe, far more than I did before, in the power of groupthink. Speaking of groupthink, I was reading a truly fascinating article the other day on the subject of cults and the way in which individuals are drawn into them, and it started me to thinking about the way in the which the Cardinals’ roster is currently constituted, rather. Ah, but wait! he said to himself. I am getting off the path I meant to stay on; my apologies to all of you. However, I do hope that seeing my capacity for refinding the thread of my thought so rapidly, and with very little lost to the ether, will serve to help convince all of you that these various accusations made against my brevity and clarity and linearity and various other words that end in -ity are completely unfounded and should be ceased, post haste. (Also, I don’t appreciate the insinuation from various quarters that I speak, and write, in a somewhat antiquated way. It is not as if I am a suffering pensioner, alone in his rented room, living out his days in a fog of hallucinations and remembrances of the halcyon days of his past.)
I’ll thank you all to take this into consideration when next you choose to impugn my character, mental capacity, or clarity of communication. Thank you.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 3, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions 13 recs
I read all of that
Joke’s on me?
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nay, sirrah, nay.
The joke is not, as you say, on you. Rather, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to hear my brief argument in defense of myself.
I trust that after hearing my side of things, I can count on your help in defending me against those who hope to sully my good name?
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 3, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe one day we can hear your extended argument in defense of yourself
I sha’nt defend you against those on this weblog who hope to sully thy good name, for I know the ways of their hearts. However, the day a foreign, rogue ruffian dost defile thy name, words and deeds, I shall strike down (…) with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my (brother). And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee!
I suddenly feel like Will Ferrell in the debate scene from Old School…
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't read all of that but it was funny nonetheless.
*Rasmus is to CF as Longoria is to 3B*
by Red Blazer on Apr 3, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matt Wieters could have written a longer reply than that.
And he would have done it with a quill made from Chuck Norris’ facial hair.
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i use inner monologue, but i have no idea what to call it when i start talking to myself out loud
great stuff red, freaking great stuff.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it won't happen again
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
that photo was classic, I didn’t notice what was going on there at first, but then I saw the waving bye-bye thing and I cracked up!
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I stopped at "A little housekeeping—"
not really, but I’m not too upset with the roster. I agree with the assessment that having 4 OF and a 2B/OF will create more at bats for Rasmus and Duncan. If Rasmus takes off, he earns the starting spot in the OF and Duncan becomes a power bat on the bench, which he has done fairly successfully when healthy in the past. Thurston is growing on me, and I can only imagine the fun TLR will have rotating his IF…is it monday yet?(never thought I’d say that)
by STLRegalia on Apr 3, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else think...
That what really happened was that Tony was talking to Mo about the make up of the roster over dinner. Tony tells him, “I want Barton.” Unfortunately that “glass of wine” Tony enjoys with his dinner in Florida slurred his words and Mo heard “I want Barden.”
by realbrit70 on Apr 3, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
LOL
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tony thought he simply said "I want Barton"
But what actually came out was “brechaflagamurga Barden,” which Mo instantly recognized as Drunktonyese for “I want Barden.” The name got lost in translation.
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no no no, it wasn't the wine, he's just sleep deprived
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"glass of wine"
hiliarious
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Ducky...
I think the overall roster has been influenced a lot by the questions surrounding the Hot Corner. With no timetable for Glaus, Freese’ relatively small amount of ABs above the A levels, and Mather struggling at the plate, LaRussa thought it important to give him the most options at Third. I personally think Freese offers as much power/RBI production as Mather can, so offensively, I see it as a wash, other than the fact that Mather plays OF. How Freese does dictates everything, imo:
A) Freese plays well defensively, (average to above average), thus getting the support of the starting staff, and making a very strong left side of the diamond. If he hits the ball as well, one of the MIFers becomes expendable, since all three have been kept to provide adequate support for ThirdBase.
B) Freese struggles, either at the plate, or with the glove, and forces TLR’s hand. We then could see a number of possibilities…Mather comes up, AAA ABs withstanding, Allen Craig comes up, giving us another look at potential 2010 3Bmen, Wallace comes up (though I doubt this one), or Barden/Ryan/Thurston seize the opportunity, allowing Freese to go down, and Barton/Mather or Jay to come up and give Tony more RH options in the OF.
April will bring us some answers, and the roster in May, I think will look a lot different. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, so I’m not too concerned. I am puzzled with the Rasmus addition, but even more, excited about it. Obviously, Ank, Duncan and Rasmus and Schumaker will see plenty of ABs against LHP, and that will be interesting to see.
Side Note: I will be attending Opening Day for the first time ever (lived in Colorado, and Chicago recently, never able to make it prior, but coming in from Columbia, MO will be a lot easier.) Recommendations for pre-game meals close to the stadium? Parking? Anyone think the game will actually be played (high of 37 degrees and snow/rain)!!!
Go Birds!
Stupid Sexy Flanders!!!
by timmycardinals on Apr 3, 2009 10:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ducky?
What does John Cryer have to do with this, or in other words, who the hell is Ducky?
Rec for pregame meal? The blackened grouper at Show-Me’s
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe "Ducky" Medwick--JMedwick's second point up above.
Stupid Sexy Flanders!!!
by timmycardinals on Apr 3, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ducky Medwick
Above poster uses the name JMedwick. Or did I miss the sarcasm that might have been involved in this comment? ;)
by cardsgirl95 on Apr 3, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
my bad
for not seeing Medwick above. I feel so ashamed now*
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only a minor point
but it’s nowhere near a wash between Freese and Mather offensively. Mather is a much better hitter.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 3, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So we should send Ludwick down, too, then...right?
There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.
by Mr Clean on Apr 3, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pre-game meal
The alligator at Broadway Oyster Bar. It is glorious.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 3, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RB, you just did it!!!
You just described an entire meal with one word, “glorious”. I am disappointed. How is this poor gentleman supposed to make an educated decision without knowing the subtle textures of alligator. Without a description of it’s curiously strong flavors that remind one of the Louisiana bayou from whence it came. Without a telling of the wonderfully professional atmosphere contained within the fine establishment and service from formally-clad professionals.
You, good sir, have done this fine person an injustice with your constant lack of articulation. Please come back when you are ready to make a SIGNIFICANT contribution to this issue.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what?
You’re right. I have dishonoured myself, and this blog. I go now to fall upon my own sword. And then, if I have time before my life’s blood drains from the wound, to write a more suitable review of said dish.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 3, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You shall be missed, my good friend.
yet I feel you are in the right.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok Everybody
RB is dead. We don’t have to pretend to be nice to him anymore.
by arch support on Apr 3, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
geesh man, the body's not even cold yet
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WHEW!!!
I’m glad that is over. You know, he wasn’t a bad guy. Kind of like that crazy cousin that came to all the family get-togethers. You really couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say next, whether it was coherent or not.
I kid, RB. The new format here is really starting to grow on me. I kind of enjoy the change of pace that you and the other guys bring every day.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have lost count of the
pre-game meals I’ve had at B.O.B. And the number of drinks? I’d need scientific notation.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 3, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Late inning shift of Schu to outfield option
will depend on where the batting order is at the time. If Schu is due up to start the 8th after hitting for the pitcher, then TLR probably keeps Schu in for the at bat. If Schu hits in the same inning after the pitcher is subbed, then the reliever most likely goes into Schu’s spot and the PH goes to 2B. Depends on who PH’s and the game status. With Schu batting two or one spots behind the pitcher, I don’t believe the outfield move will happen more than 40% of the time.
I look at the roster construction as using the four big boys in the OF with only emergency service of Thurston or Ryan in the OF. Raz will get plenty of starts both for Dunc against LHP and to spell Ank and Luddy. Raz will also PH then sub for Duncan after the 6th inning, ala Schu for Barton last year (sorry HL to bring up a sore spot)
Mather was in quite the funk in ST so I think four weeks of consistent playing time will help when he is called up and gets to PH and start 20% of the time. Barton 2008 is a good example of playing time that Mather could expect and that limited amount of time doesn’t help a player get out of a slump.
by ubeddie on Apr 3, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the confidence in Schu at 2B isn't too strong
While I think the two most likely reasons for 7 IF vs. 4 OF are 1) Those 4 outfielders will be fighting for all the AB’s they can possible get, and there’s no room for a 5th guy in the mix, or 2) The 3rd base situation is very up in the air and the team needs to have options there until Freese proves/disproves that he can handle it. If Barden, Ryan, and Thurston outplayed Mather this spring, then that makes sense. And don’t tell me Mather’s OF experience would give him a leg up. You know Tony won’t have any problem putting any Barden, Ryan, or Thurston into left field. I’d bet that one of them sees outfield action by Tuesday.
However, I think there might be a 3rd factor that has really be discussed. This could be Tony’s way of hedging his bets against Schu being an everyday 2B. For the past several weeks, there’s nothing to indicate that this is the case, but you have to wonder. This could be a message to Schu that he had better be better than “just okay”, or he my be bumped back to the OF pronto.
I guess there is one other option that hasn’t yet been discussed- Tony hates Mather and is giving him the Anthony Reyes treatment. :)
by southsidepat on Apr 3, 2009 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think
Tony hates Mather. He has said things to the effect that the Cards need Mather, he just wants him to play a lot and work out his swing. If he produces, he’ll be on the team. I don’t buy into anything that suggests he just doesn’t like Mather.
by Toddius on Apr 3, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rebuttals
1) Those 4 outfielders will be fighting for all the AB’s they can possible get.
I hope this is the case, but it still doesn’t make sense to carry 3 reserve infielders when 2 can get the job done. One of those guys isn’t going to play much at all or all three of them are going to get little slices of playing time — neither of those scenarios is better than having another relief pitcher or a right handed hitting outfielder/baserunner like Barton or Mather.
2) The 3rd base situation is very up in the air and the team needs to have options there until Freese proves/disproves that he can handle it.
I don’t see how this applies. You could have Barden and Ryan on the roster and still have more than enough options (three total, and all play average or better defense there) at the hot corner — Freese is still the best option there right now, imo. There’s no need for Thurston on the roster, replace him with Barton or Mather You could also have Thurston and Ryan and send Barden down, which makes less sense because he’s right handed and can play SS, but then Mather could be on the roster as a right handed hitting outfield option to platoon with Duncan and a 3B option if needed in a pinch.
However, I think there might be a 3rd factor that has really be discussed. This could be Tony’s way of hedging his bets against Schu being an everyday 2B. For the past several weeks, there’s nothing to indicate that this is the case, but you have to wonder. This could be a message to Schu that he had better be better than "just okay", or he my be bumped back to the OF pronto.
Again, there’s nothing that this roster construction accomplishes to this end that a roster of Barden and Ryan or Thurston and Ryan or Thurston and Barden doesn’t accomplish without the need for the third player. So you shoot Schu back to the outfield in the second week of the season. You then install Thurston as your everyday second baseman and ninth place hitter while Barden or Ryan is your utility guy, since they can play all the infield positions. There’s simply no reason at all to have this many middle infielders on the roster at the expense of a right handed hitting outfielder than can play all three OF positions and third base.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't ge me wrong....
I know what I’m saying is ridiculous. I’m just throwing out some idea of what possibile reasons Tony might have to carry 3 reserve IF and only 1 OF. In the end, I think we’ll probably just get the standard “Those guys earned it this spring” routine.
by southsidepat on Apr 3, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just because a manager uses a certain argument to defend his decisions
does not mean that said argument actually supports his conclusion. For example, “So-and-so’s speed will be most effective in that lead-off spot against our big hitters.”
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Questions at 2B and 3B
I think that TLR wants options at both IF positions because he is not totally sold on Skip yet and is reticent to entrust 3B solely to Freese. I also think that he views Skippy as the fifth OFer.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
mather
and his .682 ops from 08 vs lhp’s, and ST slump, didn’t earn the spot.
if he doesn’t produce vs lhp’s, it doesn’t matter which batters box he stands in. way too much is being made of a batters handedness.
the one rhb w/reverse splits was an all-star, w/his weak side split at .929 ops.
since his 8-9-07 callup, ankiel is ONE ops pt difference in his vs rh (.848) and lhp’s (.849).
is colby not an everyday player vs both handed pitchers?
the outfield looks just fine to me.
by ball in play on Apr 3, 2009 11:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Reverse splits
I believe in Luddy’s reverse split, because he’s had a reverse split his entire career. Mather hasn’t. He has a pretty standard right handed batter split in the minors in that he’s better against lefties than righties. You’re basing reverse split on 72 PA’s, some of which were against extremely good LHP’s or specialists. Seems like an awfully small sample size to say that he can’t hit left-handed pitching better than that or won’t hit them better than someone with no big league experience (Rasmus) and two players who haven’t ever hit left handed pitching well their entire careers (Duncan and Schu)
Barton kills lefties, so saying that we’re not missing out on a platoon partner with Duncan because Colby is an everyday player doesn’t make any sense. Colby is an everyday player and should be playing every day. So why is he on the roster as a fourth outfielder?
As an aside, we’re talking about a platoon partner for Duncan and a right handed hitting outfielder for pinch hitting in the late innings. I don’t think Rasmus fills either of those two roles well.
"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 Apr 3, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to say nothing of the fact
that Mather will certainly be better than either Ryan or Barden at the plate. Even if he does have a reverse split, he won’t be worse than those guys.
by chuckb on Apr 3, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He doesn't have a reverse split
he has historically killed lefties.
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in the minors
yes, I know. Last year, in few PAs, he had one. I’m saying it doesn’t matter b/c he’ll still be better than the other guy on the team in his place.
by chuckb on Apr 3, 2009 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are really hung up on those 72 PA's
that mather had against LHP last year, eh?
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you really hung up on those 75 PA's
that mather had against RHP’s last year when he produced an .871 ops, eh? if we throw out the 72 then the 75 need to go too. fair?
so we throw away his mlb stats that show he didn’t fit the role for 09? how about his ST slump? small sample size again? throw that out too?
we can cherry pick this back far enough to find the #‘s you want. his 05 stats vs lhp’s are excellent.
by ball in play on Apr 4, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
good lord
he had a .998 OPS against LHP in 2008, .917 OPS against LHP in 2007, .988 in 2006, and .887 in 2005. Overall, that is a .941 OPS vs LHP, .817 vs RHP for his career. There’s virtually no chance that 72 PA’s in 2008 outweigh 4 years and around 450 PA’s in the minors.
All the numbers he’s ever put up in his career, except for those 72 PA’s last year, support the fact that Joe Mather can hit lefties. I’m not cherrypicking anything.
Cherrypicking would be saying he hit .347/.391/.565 in ST outside of the week in which he had the viral infection.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 4, 2009 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thompson on the staff...
actually makes sense to me. With so many games in the early going, I think LaDunc are thinking about having the long-reliever for the inevitable blow-out loss or two (hopefully, just a couple!). It gives Perez time to get everything in shape, and then the Cards can re-evaluate in early to mid-May. If Perez looks ready, I expect he’ll be with the club by mid-May in replacement of Thompson or K-Mac (if he’s still struggling).
I also agree with other posters who think the bench set-up isn’t that awful. If Freese proves he can handle 3rd, I think we’ll see a new bench pretty quickly. If not, LaRussa will have lots of possible spot starters. It’s not ideal, but it’s not the end of the world.
Lastly, the knock on Schumaker being a late-innings replacement in the oufield is one I can’t really understand. Yes, he’s got the bad split on pitching. But in late-inning of close games, he’s not going to be out there to hit. He’s going to be out there to replace Duncan, and make sure we don’t cough up leads because of defensive errors (and that goes double by replacing Duncan with Schu, and putting in Ryan at 2nd over Schu).
Overall, I think (and that’s worth 2 pennies of internet money…) LaRussa et al. are thinking about late innings and making sure they can find someone to play 3rd reasonably well.
by MinnesotaCardinal on Apr 3, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
a double defensive substitution
and you only have to take one player out of the game? TLR just one-upped whitey.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Todd is now going to be groomed as a reliever?
Does this mean he has shown signs of not being able to stick as a starter, or are they just going BSI on us?
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm more aggrivated by this
than all the mediocrity we decided to keep on the MLB roster.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah I just saw that
I don’t get it
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Been projected for months.....
That this would happen.
Not sure why it is a surprise to anybody.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Apr 3, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because a team that is not known for having a depth of starting pitchiung prospects
will sometimes surprise when they decide to turn one of their top ones into a reliever
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's a surprise
because there’s absolutely no logic to it. It has widely been postulated that Todd will eventually move to reliever because of his small stature; however, as long as a pitcher continues to excel in a given role, wouldn’t it be preferable to keep him in said role? Particularly if said role is of much greater importance than the role to which he is being moved?
It’s roughly akin to moving your gold glove shortstop over the first base “just ’cause”.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 3, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or refusing to consider Craig at 3rd base this spring
despite the fact that he seems to have played acceptable 3B defense in the minors?
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He is going to destroy the world either way.
Might as well let him destroy the world starting in the first inning rather than the 6th.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am curious if he is going to be groomed for a Set Up Role or a Longmen role
I think he should of failed first before demoting him. But maybe is becomes an excellent pitchers throwing at max speed in short bursts compared to a starters role.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 3, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think his problem was he was striking out too many batters
if you are striking a bunch of guys out, you are clearly doing SOMETHING wrong.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Flim, thank you man.
It is a pet peeve of mine when people speak of velocity from pitchers ,when all they are talking about is speed.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
with the success Pedro had & Oswalt still has
i would think teams would throw that small size crap out the window. this really is a dumb, dumb move.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or Tim Lincecum.
He’s smaller than me.
She isn't crazy, she's just not impressed.
by jillsinmo on Apr 3, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i just hope its of the Wagonmaker variety of moves to the bullpen....
you know, the temp ones….cutting puppy kicker and bringing up todd to replace him wouldnt be a horrible thing
by FunkeeC on Apr 3, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
whoops
ditto
"Statistics mean nothing to the individual"
"You are what you eat and you clearly went out and devoured a big fat guy"
by jacksonian on Apr 3, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what it sounds like
The talk about he-can-contribute-at-the-major-league-level-sooner-this-way strikes me as a very good thing.
by liam on Apr 3, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
KMC/Perez insurance, perhaps?
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is exactly what I was thinking. And if it’s the case I don’t mind it at all.
and in the line of possible two birds with one stone, if something long term happens to Carp then I think they still have the ST mentality. Get K-Mac stretched back out and get him on Carp’s days. I can’t see them using the Memphis guys more than a spot start for a bit.
Should that happen, Todd fits in KMac’s role quite well. I mean, the kid is young, has plenty of baseball left (GOB willing) and frankly I could care less how he comes up, as long as he’s productive when he does so.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Apr 3, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
It’s just to get him to the majors quicker and then once he is entrenched he will return to being a starter if he is successful? Or am I imagining that that will happen? We do have 2 pitchers (Welley, Pineiro) coming off the books after this season.
"Statistics mean nothing to the individual"
"You are what you eat and you clearly went out and devoured a big fat guy"
by jacksonian on Apr 3, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But why 'groom' him to be a reliever?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
get him to the show quicker?
yes i know i’m reaching for straws here….
by FunkeeC on Apr 3, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A lot of people think he can excel as a reliever, few (though, more of late) has considered him starter quality. At least this way you get what most think he can excel at, then he can get a longer look as a starter as he shows what he has at a ML level next ST for all that matters.
I’d rather have him in a place where he’s productive than have him in a ‘preferred’ role.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Apr 3, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But he hasn't failed as a starter
If he was excelling as a starter, why move him out of that role?
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think you nailed it, Dan.
La Russa is chomping at the bit for a chance to bring Barden in as a pinch hitter in the late innings for Duncan et al and then move Schumaker to the outfield.
to me, this line makes the most sense. it’s the defensive flexibility that really makes Tony feel like he is impacting the game..
by _pistol_ on Apr 3, 2009 1:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Storm data storage = Storm player positioning
Tony’s actually once again on the cutting edge (last time was sometime in 1972 when he unfurled the current quaff he dons). All the rave now is using SATA drives to create ‘storm’ data storage, which links two drives together to create an interchangeable superdrive.
Tony realizes that to have a good team, you need a roster that has good defensive MIF’ers, a 3B with a solid bat and a talented group of OF’ers. What he is proposing, however, is that simply having them ON THE FIELD is all you need. Where they play matters very little. Brendan Ryan’s glove is just as valuable in LF as it is at 2B. I mean, it’s the same glove, who cares?
That’s HOF managing right there.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:24 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I'd like to imagine
any defense Tony gives of his roster decision will be given in the voice of Adam West:
“Yes, well you see old chum, in our well ordered baseball universe, proper roster construction is essential. I flatter myself that in this roster, I display a cunning genius. A genius so clever that even a diabolical fiend like the [insert forward thinking baseball commentator here] would be left impressed.”
Enter Dave Duncan wearing cape.
“Holy bullpen Tony! Not [insert forward thinking baseball commentator here]!”
“Yes, [insert forward thinking baseball commentator here], my arch nemesis. There’s no dastardly, viperous scheme he wouldn’t concoct. No libel he wouldn’t spill across the screen of [insert forwarding thinking baseball blog here]. Yes Robin, er Duncan, he’s a deadly foe.”
“Gosh! Winning the battle of minds in baseball sure is tough, huh Tony?”
“Please, call me Bruce. And yes it is. It requires constant vigilance against those who seek to destroy all we hold sacred: four middle infielders on a 25 man roster for instance. Mark my words, old chum, this battle….has just begun.”
by arch support on Apr 3, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Tony, you're not Batman
“Of course I’m Batman! I guess you’re only familiar with the recent Batman movies?… Michelle Pfeiffer, leather… I didn’t need any molded leather to improve my physique—pure. West.
And how come Batman doesn’t dance anymore? Remember the Bat-toosie? Hoo, cha, wha-tah, cha….”
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When exactly will Rasmus be getting at bats?
Him and Duncan are both left handed, so they can’t really platoon.
by dcfcblues on Apr 3, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Rasmus doesn't struggle as terribly as
Chris does vs LHP. Colby also can get late game ABs as a defensive replacement.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question from Stros fan.,
I completely agree with what 4stick posted up there about his 25 man not making sense on various fronts, but the biggest question I have is…..
Why carry Colby and not start him?
Side note: Actually excited to see Freese a little. Glaus is going nowhere fast
by baggs on Apr 3, 2009 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Why carry Colby and not start him?"
that is a very very good question
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where was it said that he won't start?
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are right
I am just assuming that TLR won’t start him… if Duncan is the power bat off the bench, then all this makes some more sense
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe for the same reasons that some starting pitchers are brought up in the bullpen
It might help to ease him into the big leagues. Say what you want about Tony, but he does do a very good job of putting people in a position to succeed. The way we use our bench, I’m sure Colby will see lots of AB’s whether they are from the bench or the starter’s role.
Hey, he will be one hell of a pinch hitter!!
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
plus
he’ll be used as a pinch runner a lot too probably. just want to know what the heck we are going to do with barton
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That whole "putting people in position to succeed"
meme is troublesome. A late bloomer, or just a guy that a particular manager doesn’t fully appreciate, can easily have his career stunted by that philosophy. Where would we be if they had left Adam Wainwright in the bullpen … after all, he did “succeed” there. A lot of us think Brian Barton could be a fine ML player, but he’s not being put in any position to succeed.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Apr 3, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing says that the transition can’t happen (ala Waino -07’, Luddy going FT last year). Generally the platoons and playing time approach has worked well for us. I say generally because, you know, Kennedy bitching about being traded all the while we’re taking a look at Lopez got us some ugly looking OF approaches towards the end of the season last year.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Apr 3, 2009 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
very excited to see Freese
I think our 3B glut is going to be big trade fodder by the deadline.
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
me too
freezer will crank a few
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Glaus no trade clause
Big assumption but assuming Glaus is healthy by the all-star break does he still have a no trade clause or did he permanently waive it when he was traded from Toronto? I think a healthy Glaus would get a better return than Freese having a good three months.
by ubeddie on Apr 3, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he still has a no-trade clause
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am just going to assume
Glaus has played his last productive game in a Cardinal uni
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
:(
You’re saying Santa isn’t real?
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's real, but sadly he's no longer able to fit down the chimney's
so it’s time for him to shut it down
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can give it a try
I need to get my TIVO desktop back working again before I can make a DVD out of it though. That is on this weekend’s to do list though.
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i can mentally tape it...and then maybe you can take my memories out like dumbledore
a cardinals pensieve would kick ass
by VolsnCards5 on Apr 3, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lineup
On days when Dunc, Luds and Ankiel are in the outfield and Skippy is leading off, who hits ninth? Molina??? He, Greene and Freese aren’t exactly the protypical “second leadoff” guys LaRussa likes to stick there.
by EasternCardsFan on Apr 3, 2009 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
didn't TLR say he wouldn't always batch the pitcher 8th this year?
by STLRegalia on Apr 3, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I remember that too
Furthermore, at least we can reasonably hope that Freese and Molina to OBP in the .330-.340 range, which is better than any projections of Greene and should be close to league average (shouldn’t it?). And I don’t see Tony ever putting Greene at ninth with his power, but I could be wrong.
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TLR said the pitcher
“You can’t put Ankiel, Ludwick or Duncan in the nine spot,” La Russa said. "You can’t put Glaus there. Hopefully, you shouldn’t put Khalil [Greene] there. You won’t put [Skip] Schumaker there. You won’t put Albert there. And you aren’t going to put Yadier [Molina] there. So if that’s the case, then I probably will hit the pitcher ninth.
by ubeddie on Apr 3, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Corey Hart doesn't like pretty girls
best fan catch I’ve ever seen (plus Dan Haren is involved)
http://www.faniq.com/blog/Video-Brewers-Fan-Saves-Hot-Girl-From-Getting-Hit-By-Home-Run-Ball-Blog-21626
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hart
has 7 dingers this spring? Time to trade Lurch!
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 Apr 3, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the sort of thing
I have recurring dreams about, except I catch the ball in my hat (because I’m an adult) and then flip the ball to a little kid. Then the whole stadium gives me applause. From there, it gets a little family-unfriendly.
by liam on Apr 3, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
niiice
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know youtube comments are like the dumbest thing on the internet, but I couldn't help but laugh at this one
This is from the “high quality” video
this is obviously fake
cory hart isn’t striking out on three pitches
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pirates split squad team loses to Community College
This sort of thing happens in baseball (you’re only as good as your starting pitching) but I can’t imagine it helps Pirates fans sleep better at night.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Manatee-Community-College-forces-Pirates-to-walk?urn=mlb,152646
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
now we understand why you follow the cards from pittsburgh.
it all makes sense, HL.
by tom s. on Apr 3, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i was just saying it's clear why you have not been seduced into supporting the local
team, when they lose to the local comm. college.
by tom s. on Apr 3, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, I see
Born a Cardinals fan, die a Cardinals fan….I think.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yet they will probably have a winning record against the cardinals
powered by Michaels
by STLRegalia on Apr 3, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
With Todd being moved to the bully
who are the Redbirds’ five starters?
Mitchell Boggs
Blake Hawksworth
Clayton Mortensen
PJ Walters
?
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 Apr 3, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Amaury Marti
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But, but.....
I thought we didn’t have any good, young SP’s, and that we should keep Todd there b/c of that reason?
And Garcia will be back before too long.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Apr 3, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nah
He should be a starter because they are more useful, and we need them more
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not if management.....
Doesn’t believe he can be effective as a SP in the majors. Which, apparently, they don’t.
And this one can’t go on TLR/Duncan, b/c it isn’t thier call.
"Stats are for losers," Muschamp said after last week's victory. "I like winning games."
by SoonerfanTU on Apr 3, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ah
maybe we should just shut the whole thing down
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Todd spent a lot of time
in major league camp. You really think TLR and Duncan didn’t have significant input on this matter?
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would think so
the article suggested that the major league team viewed him as a reliever. I think that means LaRussa and Duncan.
by Toddius on Apr 3, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
where is this article at? i can't find it on the PD or the Cards website
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe Goold blogged it a little while back
"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 Apr 3, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks, i even read that yesterday. i have no idea why it didn't sink in
my brain is broken
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we don't know it's not their call
Duncan has a lot of pull and if he says he needs to be in the pen, that might prompt them to move him. I haven’t seen a link saying this decision was made by someone else.
by chuckb on Apr 3, 2009 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Garcia will superhumanly recover
from his Tommy John surgery in less than a year? He won’t be back until September, if then. I guess we will just muddle through those other 5 months, keeping his spot warm.
by Hardcore Legend on Apr 3, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sooner, let me ask you something.
And I mean this in the least offensive way possible, but do you come here just to argue with everyone that we shouldn’t question anything, ever?
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 3, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have never seen an authoritarian so staunch
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ugh...it makes no sense...todd has done nothing but succeed as a starter
why move him until its necessary…this reeks of LaDuncan
by VolsnCards5 on Apr 3, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who says he can’t succeed as a reliever, at least the short term. You know, we could actually burn through some BP arms here in this 5 week stretch and it would be nice to shuttle someone up without messing up the Memphis starters.
I, for one, just want him with the Cards and productive, if he’s cleaning house in the 7th, or riding a water cooler I’m not concerned. Let’s just see what he can do, and go from there.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Apr 3, 2009 6:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand your point,
and I certainly credit what you’re saying, but here’s where my opinion diverges.
None of us, or at least not me (and that’s all I can properly speak for, I suppose), are saying that Todd cannot succeed as a reliever. Personally, I expect him to do very well as a reliever. However, he has done nothing but excel as a starter so far in his career; thus, I see no need to move him due to a lack of success. If I give you the choice of a starter or a reliever, just generically, which do you choose? You have to go with the starter, simply due to the superior positional value such a player provides, no?
You are also correct that the Cardinals may, in fact, need some extra help in the bullpen sometime early in the season. Again, though, I have to disagree with part of your premise. I think you’re implying that Todd needs to throw in the bullpen so that he would be ready to throw some relief innings if he were called up to the majors. I don’t think that’s the case. A pitcher making starts can easily go into the ‘pen and be just fine, I think, so long as he isn’t asked to throw back to back within the first, say, three or four days. Now, going the other way, from relief to starting, I would fully agree that a pitcher needs to be starting already if you’re going to ask him to start. But to pick up some relief innings, most likely in a long man role anyhow, I don’t think there’s any reason for Todd to have to already be in the ‘pen. As for messing with the Memphis rotation, I personally don’t really care much about that, one way or the other. If the Redbirds have to go with a bullpen game one night and lose, I don’t care. They’re a farm club; that’s part of what they’re there for.
I will fully agree with you that I want to see him be productive and working meaningful innings, but I don’t at all agree that he needs to be in the bullpen to do so. He was dynamite as a starter. I think he should have been left there.
If you've got a blacklist, I want to be on it.
by the red baron on Apr 4, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT: for those of us outside of the FSN MW area
the game tonight is free on milb.tv:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/multimedia/video.jsp
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
Will try to get my proxy to work so I can watch it in Saint Louis
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 3, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don't see it on the schedule...
… am i doing something wrong?
by kindred on Apr 3, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So who do you think the first players to be sent to AAA/DL and the first one to be called up?
Down: Barden
Up: Mather
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 3, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well, my biased guess
Brendan Ryan gets cut, Barton after tearing the cover off the ball gets the callup
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Down: Thompson Up: Perez
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
down goes Ryan
up comes Craig
* 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 Apr 3, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Craig
were going to be called up, he probably would have played more than 1b in ST. Only way I see him getting called up is if Duncan gets hurt again, and they need a backup for Pujols.
Felipe Lopez - next year's Joel Pineiro (on another team, thank you Mo!)
by DiscoJer on Apr 3, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i think it'll be KMac down, YP up
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder
Earlier in Spring Training, TLR was actually referring to Perez as “Chris.” Does sending him down to the minors resurrect the nickname “Young Pitcher?” And, perhaps more importantly, will TLR begin referring to Perez as “Young Pitcher” when discussing him with media types? Or, will Motte be designated as “Young Pitcher” now?
"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 Apr 3, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apple Sauce
PORK CHOPS & APPLE SAUCE!
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
pork sauce
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you like applesauce?
Well, I’ve got a 5.33 majorleague K/BB. How do you like them applesauce???
by mattybobo on Apr 3, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ouch. That would really suck.
Baseball's only fun if you're playing it, watching it, or thinking about it.
by Eckstreem on Apr 3, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about
Down: Rasmus
Up: Pagnozzi
The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs
by jd is legend on Apr 3, 2009 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
K-Mac Down
Perez up.
Thurston down, Mather up
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Apr 3, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thompson and Ryan...
should also be in danger
"Greene over to Schumaker, on to first! Double Play!!"
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Apr 3, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how much danger? Thompson is out of options isn’t he? Is Ryan?
I’d rather have Mather up after a few weeks in Memphis and Todd replacing Thompson, but that’s just me.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Apr 3, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i have a bad thought which is wholly idle speculation but which i will nevertheless share.
down – ludwick, and not to memphis by the other option
up – mather
by tom s. on Apr 3, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you mean "DL"?
That would indeed be bad.
- So, to ease his pain, you're supposed to take him to a ball game?
- Yes.
by SleepyCA on Apr 3, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
For Pitchers
Down: Thompson
Up: Perez
For Fielders
Down: Thurston
Up: Mather
Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...
by RunninRedbird on Apr 3, 2009 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
back to the pic, PK still looks like a 12yr old
at this pace the poor kid will never hit puberty.
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he's aging backwards in time
Like Benjamin Button
by saladdays on Apr 3, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno
I thought he looked a little bit older, I think he just learned how to drive!
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh man, his folks are going to hate the hit that their insurace is going to take
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 3, 2009 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
u silly
4B - beer baseball bands blog
cmon and let the games begin
confusion will be my epitaph
I think I have more sigs than gdm now, hah!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Apr 3, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey, i ain't as good with #'s & stats as most around here,
so i gotta bring something desirable to the table to keep my membership
BEN MOTHERHUSHYOURMOUTH SHEETS
I'm going to go try to find a puppy and kick it. - Brad Thompson
by gdm426 on Apr 4, 2009 12:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So excited
Going to the game tonight and i have great seats(not that there are any bad seats at autozone)…here’s what i hope i see
1. Pujols HR
2. Freese HR
3. Colby SB
4. Schumaker turn a DP
5. Barton’s helmet fly off as he rounds second while he’s legging out a triple
by VolsnCards5 on Apr 3, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
list looks quite farfetched
there’s no way barton’s helmet would stay on that long, halfway between 1st and 2nd would be pushing it
by Glowsticks on Apr 3, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Give me Greene and Rick continuing to get on base and that’s top notch.
One Century down, next on its way. Cardinals '09 : Preserving the Cubs tradition.
by AdjustedExpectations on Apr 3, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This Memphis Lineup is going to beat up AAA pitching for a while
Mather, Jay, Craig, Barton, Robinson, Anderson, and Stav. Whew!
Patiently awaiting the day Colby Rasmus does this: .275/.381/.551/.932, 29HR, in St. Louis...
by RunninRedbird on Apr 3, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget Hoffpauer
vivaelbeñsheets
by vivaelpujols on Apr 3, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Mathis hopes strong postseason will translate into better at-bats
- Report: Rangers' Ron Washingon tested positive for cocaine in '09
- Nationals release Elijah Dukes, though nobody's quite sure why
- Westmoreland enters 'difficult' recovery period after brain surgery
- Desert Drive: Cubs chilling out as spring training wears on
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
