I'm usually not reactionary...

Hard to fathom unless it's related to the 40-man roster situation. Gosh, Craig's call up might limit at bats for Thursty, AnK and make Lil' Dunc's signing more remote

An optimist is a man who upon discovering that a rose smells better than a cabbage concludes it will make better soup.

HL Mencken

by akaitori on Sep 23, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well,

there’s literally zero chance he doesn’t get claimed in the Rule V draft if he’s eligible. So, either they plan on trading him or they’re pulling a perdomo, but worse

Of course, hope means being cut down on some street corner, as you run like mad, by a random bullet.

by prophetjohn on Sep 23, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so basically Craig will be playing for the Indians next season

we all know that the Nats and Royals don’t have the good baseball sense to claim him, and the Padres don’t want to totally piss us off.

Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka

* sarcasm might be involved in this comment

by mattyfrommo on Sep 24, 2009 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Craig is not on the 40-man...

Freese is. That’s why. Don’t worry, he’ll get a shot next Spring.

And, anyway, where is everyone this morning. That new blog, Swish Appeal, has really thinned the ranks of VEB.

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Swish Appeal

Hilarious.

"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 Sep 23, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've come to despise women's b-ball...

simply b/c of how the WWL has tried to jam it down our throats (NPI).

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we have a spot on the 40 man open don't we?

at least we did when i checked in august

and is craig eligible for the rule 5 this offseason…i think the rule is three years, right?…didn’t we draft him in ’06, meaning he could be eligible? still a little fuzzy on those rules

if he is eligible, we will have to put him on there anyways

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah I'm fuzzy on that as well...

I felt like I was getting on top of it, then they negotiated a new agreement. Now the player’s age at signing determines when he has to make the 40-man.

I assume it’s a complicated mess and they don’t want to further complicate the matter just to get Craig a handful of at bats. If he doesn’t get a serious look next Spring I’ll join the outrage bandwagon.

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

He was drafted at age 22 and has been in the org 4 years. This makes him eligible if not added tot he 40 man this winter.

So that isn’t the reason.

it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie

by SleepyCA on Sep 23, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

there are only 38 players on our 40-man right now, so there’d be no reason to remove anyone.

it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie

by SleepyCA on Sep 23, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We'd don't use up an option year...

if we wait til after the WS

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we have to worry about Craig going to the minors 3 or 4 years from now

He’s worthless anyway.

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on Sep 23, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sometimes players struggle when they first come up

it doesn’t mean that they’re worthless. Development is a complicated thing.

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Sep 23, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not a factor

We wouldn’t use an option this year, either way.

He’ll be 26 next year, and have 3 options remaining; do we seriously expect to keep him down on the farm until he’s 30?

it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie

by SleepyCA on Sep 23, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno...

I could see them signing DeRo to a three year deal, and bringing back Ank and Holliday. That would leave Craig fighting for a backup IF position/5th outfielder for the foreseeable future.

In that case he might ride the Memphis shuttle for quite awhile.

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

there's no way around it

this is a bad decision and i can’t think of any good reasoning

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not giving up...

TLR needs to give at-bats to DeRo and Thurston so they’ll stay sharp. KGreene and Glaus need at-bats to demonstrate sea-worthiness. Presumably three of these four will be on the playoff roster. Then there’s Freese and Craig.

Hammering out the playoff roster is more important than rewarding guys who aren’t eligible for October. That’s where the at-bats should go. I suppose you could argue that Freese should be left out and Craig added, but who really cares? There isn’t space for meaningful playing time at third anyway.

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

craig could spell albert at first

dero at third, and holliday in left…i wan these guys rested for the playoffs…thurston can spell schu at second if gettin him at bats is necessary

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i saw swish appeal mentioned on the top bar.

I thought it was lesbians that watched the wnba?

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on Sep 24, 2009 3:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I am a lesbian

trapped in a man’s body.

Felonius Monk - bitching to contact since 2008

by Felonius_Monk on Sep 24, 2009 4:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you secretly Eddie Izzard?

Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.

by mattybobo on Sep 24, 2009 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree.

You could shift Robinson off the 40-man and install Craig. He should be up to at least get some PAs, maybe even tonight against the quitting Astros.

"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 Sep 23, 2009 12:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You can't take Robinson off the 40-man...

he’d have to clear waivers, which wouldn’t happen.

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And what exactly

is the downside to that?

Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.

by giveml on Sep 23, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you kidding...

he’s going to be Skip’s platoon partner at second someday…

Ask me about my avatar!

by guayzimi on Sep 23, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who's going to take shane? why?

Shane or stavinoha are players that every team has in their system.

Alternately, you could move jaime garcia to the 60-day, or glaus.

the truth can't hurt you, it's just like the dark/ it scares you witless, but in time you see things clear and stark -- macmanus

by tom s. on Sep 24, 2009 3:08 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Garcia is healthy

And was pitching for Memphis.

by Evilfrog on Sep 24, 2009 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Surprised

there hasn’t been a main post about the callups either here or at futureredbirds. Well, at least we get to see the much anticipated debut of the well-known and highly regarded catching wizard Matt Pagnozzi.

Did anybody who watched the AAA game last night think Pagnozzi looked particularly gifted behind the plate? I watched most of the game and I thought he looked pretty pedestrian. If he had been able to block Walters’ slider in the dirt early in the game we may have won the game in 9.

Also, very surprised that Garcia didn’t pitch.

Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.

by giveml on Sep 23, 2009 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

His surname is certainly gifted...

Who the fuck is in Allen Craig’s family tree? James Bond?

V, b.

by LukeMP1186 on Sep 23, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am here with the milk carton.

Too late, I fear.

"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"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 Sep 23, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This probably should have been included in the initial FanPost,

if that was even possible.

"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 Sep 23, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

fanshots and fanposts can be edited

"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"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 Sep 23, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and done

thanks

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha

i actually attempted to find the pic to include it but couldn’t

probably should have looked in the fanshots

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i haven't made it a fanshot

maybe this is all my fault…

"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"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 Sep 23, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can someone explain something to me?

How is it that the same organization that put Chris Duncan in LF to make room for his bat can’t seem to find a place for Allen Craig?

Allen Craig’s last two seasons are equivalent (if not better) than the two seasons Chris put up in the minors prior to his 2006 call-up.

Craig / BA / OBP / SLG / OPS / Age
2008 / .304 / .373 / .494 / .867 / 24
2009 / .322 / .374 / .547 / .921 / 25

Duncan / BA / OBP / SLG / OPS / Age
2004 / .289 / .393 / .473 / .866 / 23
2005 / .265 / .358 / .469 / .827 / 24

I’m not a proponent for 1-dimensional ball-players, but this organization hasn’t seemed to have a problem with it (see C. Izturis, Y. Molina – the early years, C. Duncan, etc.).

Can anyone in this organization really tell me that nepotism did not play a part in Chris Duncan’s presence on this team with a straight face?

by etp_stl on Sep 23, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well that's easy

nepotism

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i answered that before i read your last question

no way nepotism wasn’t at least 75% of the reason duncan played for so long

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 23, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not even saying that Duncan didn't have value.

He definitely was valuable in 2006 and 2007, but I would have to believe that Craig’s skills would translate at least as well.

We all know that nepotism was the reason they stuck with him as long as they did, but it seems to be the only logical explanation as to why Craig can’t get a shot. I guess you could make an argument regarding the LH/RH issue, except that Craig’s numbers don’t seem to remarkably differ between LHP and RHP. He certainly would provide more than can be expected from Troy Glaus from the right side.

by etp_stl on Sep 23, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dunc was a Sept call up in 05, too

last HR hit at old Busch.

"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon

by Alxfritz on Sep 23, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone needs to send those stats to Strauss, as this is what he had to say:

A guy who has never taken a major-league at-bat is an upgrade for a team on pace to win 95 games. They must be doing it with mirrors. I don’t consider it a TLR blind spot in this case unless you are among those who believe minor-league numbers immediately project to major-league stats. David Freese has a greater shot to provide the impact you suggest.

The team, when Dunc got his Sept call up, went on to win 100 games.

"In 2035, 25 young men will be able to call themselves world champions. Some of those guys haven’t even been born yet. And some of them are Asian." -Mike Shannon

by Alxfritz on Sep 23, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Strauss had his facts wrong in that interview, too.

He also said the reason that Craig wasn’t put on the 40 was because they had 39 players on the roster. He said the thinking was that they needed to leave the 1 spot open in case of injuries. Of course, the Cardinals currently only have 38 players on the 40 per their website.

by etp_stl on Sep 23, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I said 38 earlier, but i was wrong

it’s 39 now, since they had to add pagnozzi.

it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie

by SleepyCA on Sep 23, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They hadn't updated their website, yet.

I had checked the website before I posted, and it still only had 38. Thanks for the update, though.

by etp_stl on Sep 25, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i ran over a opossum during spring training

pretzels pretzels pretzels pretzels

by gdm426 on Sep 23, 2009 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

10 games remaining

It’s not like any callup is going to start all 10 games remaining. We’re looking at maybe five starts and five PH appearances and that’s being generous. 25 plate appearances.

I agreed with the argument to call up Craig in July or even if Memphis’ season ended on Sept 7th, but why bother at this point.

by ubeddie on Sep 23, 2009 5:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Give him a taste

and give him a whole winter to think about it.

I’m still mad they didn’t give Freese a call-up last year. Probably wouldn’t have made a difference, but who knows?

it's Clydesdales vs Goats. Actually sums up Cards vs. Cubs quite nicely. -all4tookie

by SleepyCA on Sep 23, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not improve his trade value?

It seems obvious that this organization doesn’t want this guy, but you have to assume that any player with his hitting statistics will have value. Right now, other teams can still negotiate based on MLEs. Why not put him against MLB pitchers, and show that he can do it at the highest level? Wouldn’t that improve his trade value significantly?

Personally, I just want to see how much of a butcher this guy really is in the field, and I don’t really have a good way to watch him. I can’t imagine anyone being worse than Chris Duncan or Ron Gant, so how can his defense be keeping his kind of bat in the minors.

by etp_stl on Sep 23, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a scary theory brewing in my head,

that they want to leave him in the minors and unexposed so they can leave him off of the 40 man and hope he doesn’t get rule V drafted (which would be idiotic, but what else could it be?).

"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus

by hazel on Sep 23, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I knew.

I just had a thought, though. What are the chances this guy is John Gall? The numbers aren’t that much different at the same age. So, was Gall an aberation, or is Craig likely to have the same issues?

by etp_stl on Sep 23, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sure there is a chance

he is John Gall. There is also a chance he is any number of successful, productive major leaguers.

He is certainly John Gall in that he is being tagged as such a poor defender he couldn’t possibly play for the same team that ran Chris Duncan out there in spite of the fact that Craig’s minor league numbers suggest he is roughly an average defender. He is certainly better as a 25 year-old at AAA than Mark DeRosa was. Plus, DeRo is unquestionably a below average infielder.

Carry the battle to them. Don't let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive and don't ever apologize for anything.

by giveml on Sep 24, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish there was some sort of way we could find out if he is John Gall...

…like…if we could bring him up for a short amount of time to play against major league competition, yet we didn’t have a large stake in the games…and we could just send him back if he were disappointing. If there were only some sort of way this could be achieved.

"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus

by hazel on Sep 24, 2009 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

That's just crazy talk...

Really.

by DiscoJer on Sep 24, 2009 2:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

make him grow a mustache, then sneak him in?

"It was like two ankles." AVENGE BOOG
"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 Sep 24, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I was kinda teeing that one up, there.

Obviously, I made my case above for why I definitely think he has earned the opportunity. I have no good reason for associating him with Gall, and even Gall received more of an opportunity than Craig seems to be getting.

by etp_stl on Sep 25, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please do not give voice to theories like this.

They make robots angry.

/Luis Perdomo

Future Redbirds - tracking Cardinal prospects for Cardinal Nation

by azruavatar on Sep 24, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try not to think about it.

It’s terrifying.

"Of course Kolby Rasmus was going deep! That’s what Kolby Rasmus does! You don’t give Kolby Rasmus second chances!" -Kolby Rasmus

by hazel on Sep 24, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I though I was over it

But I’m still pissed….THERE ARE NO GOOD REASONS WHY ALLEN CRAIG WAS NOT CALLED UP…..AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

"Albert hits good pitches hard and bad pitches even harder. And when he gets in the batter's box, if you pray, then you start praying. And if you don't pray, you think about starting."--Brian Bannister

by VolsnCards5 on Sep 24, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs