Where those last dollars go
by DanUpBaby on Jan 18, 2010 6:00 AM EST
Email
PrintWith Mozeliak crushing my McGwire-as-pinch-hitter dreams and the Pirates, of all teams, setting the price for oft-injured, recently ineffective Marlins relief pitchers over a million dollars, things are looking pretty settled (read: boring) for this last month until pitchers and catchers report.
The last bit of intrigue looks to come courtesy, fittingly, of Ben Sheets, the darling of last year's offseason, who's throwing Tuesday for the Cardinals and "six to ten" of their closest friends, among them the Cubs. I don't see Sheets getting anywhere near the double-digit millions he apparently wants—is he aware that he didn't pitch last year? But the way the Cardinals have been speaking, lately, of their last several million I can't imagine them being players if he gets even half that. The nearest model for such a deal seems to be the bargain version of Kyle Lohse, who commanded $4.25 million in March 2008 after hoping for ten times that at the start of the season.
While Sheets might be too big a haul for the Cardinals' last free agent pickup he is at least in one tradition of their usual new years surprise—a medium-risk lottery ticket, a useful player whose circumstances have brought that usefulness into question.
2009
March 5 — sign Dennys Reyes to a two year, $3 million contract. That is what paying market price for a pretty-good lefty reliever looks like, and while The Diner seemed kind of superfluous by September, with Trever Miller reducing left-handed hitters to bad-hitting pitchers—.135/.200/.198; how often, I wonder, does a specialist manage a sub-.400 OPS over 100 plate appearances?—Reyes performed basically as advertised throughout 2009 and will probably do the same in 2010.
One thing I like about Reyes, as against Miller, is that he realizes he's licked when a right-hander comes to the plate; they hit .276/.408/.466 against him, walking five times more than lefties did in 30 fewer plate appearances. Miller didn't give in, but not giving in looked like .295/.348/.541, with four home runs in 61 at-bats. Value-wise those lines are almost identical, but if there's another left-hander on deck I'd rather these guys tread lightly.
The Cardinals are playing coy with their remaining dollars, but a second-tier reliever like this (like Kiko Calero) would seem to fill one of their few (and cheapest) remaining holes.
2008
January 3 — sign Matt Clement to a one year, $1.5 million contract with a ton of ridiculous options totalling $5.25 million and a club option, ha ha, for 2009 at $8.75 million. Matt Clement was never as good as Ben Sheets, and he missed 2007 with shoulder problems, elbow problems' shady older brother.
But if and when Sheets realizes that he is negotiating a contract for the year after he didn't pitch at all, this is a pretty fair template for it, although I'm concerned that that club option is going to become a player's option in any successful play for him.
March 14 — sign Kyle Lohse to a one year, $4.25 million deal with incentives pushing it, eventually, to $4.75. Remember when this was a steal? The eventual outcome, a kind of reverse-hometown discount that led to the Cardinals giving in to the exact contract demand that was, the year before, absurd enough to leave him unsigned in March, obscures just how vital he was to a rotation that looks ridiculous in hindsight.Who would have picked Lohse, Braden Looper, and Todd Wellemeyer as the three starters who'd end up taking their thirty turns in the rotation for a playoff-caliber team?
That underscores, I think, what makes me nervous about the 2010 rotation; there is a significant value to pitchers who are simply likely to be in the rotation, and as the Cardinals have currently built this model they seem a few starts short. Might this be the year the Cardinals actually sign Jon Garland, now that they are no longer tied to him in an article once a month?
#
Final order of business: this report, and others like it, must either be fulfilled or removed, Men in Black-style, from my memory.
(KSDK)-Mark McGwire is coming back to the Cardinals, could Jim Edmonds be about to as well? Sunday night at his ARF "Stars to the Rescue," Tony LaRussa said on stage that the Cardinals are interested in bringing Edmonds back to the Cardinals.
Edmonds, 39, did not play last season. He spent eight seasons with the Cardinals from 2000 to 2007.
At this point John Mozeliak, who said on Saturday that Jim Edmonds was not and would not be on the radar, has to wonder, every so often, what it's like to be Billy Beane, or any of the other GMs whose managers have no better grip on the local media's ear than I do.
I realize that signing a 40 year-old retiree to be the fourth outfielder would leave the Cardinals without a reasonable backup center fielder, and I realize, also, that some people would worry about an unsightly Mays-in-Queens end to Edmonds's career. But as someone who does not subscribe to the concept of players leaving On Top and much prefers the kind whose careers are pried from their cold, sub-replacement-level hands—I need this to happen.
Why—yes, I'm familiar with Ken Griffey Jr's 2009 season... why do you ask?
812 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Jim Edmonds then superkicked Tony La Russa through a plate glass window.
Join us again next week as Dave “Dr Two Seam” Duncan will take on Jason “El LOCO” Motte in the bullpen cage for a winner take all pitching strategy.
by Mister Eff on Jan 18, 2010 6:24 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
Bring back Jimmy!
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
BRING BACK ANDY VAN SLYKE!
"on gameday it says duke loves to face the four seamer and hates to face the four seamer" -VolsnCards5
"perhaps it's a computer joke about the duality of man." -tom s.
by Tudor's Electric Fan on Jan 18, 2010 9:38 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
as an expert on melted chocolate
"You know, he has a terrible habit, of eating Tootsie Rolls," Van Slyke said. "And he happened to sit next to a heater."
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/tipsheet/tipsheet/2006/10/having-fun-with-pine-tar/
BRING BACK TOMMY HERR!
Oh wait, sorry, I got too excited.
Albertofstan.
F* Yeah!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jan 18, 2010 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I laughed.
well-played
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
it's got a familiar ring to it
but i can’t place it. where have i seen that before?
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
Rec'd
Hell yes
I crawled the earth, but now I'm higher, 2010 watch it go to fire!
by First mammal to wear pants on Jan 18, 2010 6:15 PM EST up reply actions
Mickey Mouse
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:11 PM EST up reply actions
Now... okay... well... here's the thing... I mean... you know....
I would be like a giddy little school child if this happened (my Center Fielder in MLB 09 The Show wears #15, afterall), and wouldn’t this actually fill a need (as much as a 40 year old man can fill a need)? We could use a lefty off the bench and a 4th OF — granted, if ANYONE goes down with an injury we’re going to be heinously exposed — but Edmonds was still seeing the ball pretty well in Chicago when he was there. I know-I know, small sample size, but he had a pretty high OPS+ over there and his OBP was only a smidge below his career average.
I can imagine it would be storybook, can’t I?
edmonds
I would love it if Edmonds came back. I wonder if he is really considering it. Maybe that’s the REAL reason why Holliday opted for #7.
For those at Winter Warm Up: Did Colby look like he had put the weight back on? I hope his eating/upset digestion problems are under control.
From Leach's blog
“Last year going in I tried to focus more on putting on a lot of weight and getting bulked up,” Rasmus said. “Tis year I’m doing more conditioning, running, sleds, hills, that type of thing. Just to try to see if that will change up a little bit and be able to last a little longer instead of being big and looking for more power. Just be able to keep my body more maintained.”
Not sure how much wieght he put back on. But he is taking a different approach this year.
thanks
When he was here is Springfield, you could watch him play and it was so obvious how good he was but he was just so darn skinny. He looked like a little kid sometimes playing dress up. I guess he will fill out as he gets older as we all do.
Take this for what its worth
I saw him out at club on friday here in Decatur (the Cardinals Caravan was in town). He didn’t seem huge, I mean he was definitely toned but he didn’t seem really muscle bound, or that he had put on that much added weight. He just seemed like he was really in shape, but not any bigger then last year. That said I’m sure he’ll enter this spring training in the ‘best shape of his career’
indeed. OMS will come, sooner or later.
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:12 PM EST up reply actions
I"m trying to think of a realistic scenario that includes Edmonds as back up outfielder
What to do with Allen Craig? Add him too? Do we have room on the roster for five OFs?
And as for a back-up centerfielder… I suppose Ludwick could fill-in for Colby there. And I suppose he could get rest when Jimmy and/or Craig backs him up.
And I know what UZR would have to say about this, but Skip does still technically have the ability to play outfield. Hell, put Boog in there, Tony’s done crazier things.
Overall, the “OMG iz Jimmy comming back??2” thing is a nice diversion that probably won’t amount to much. And that doesn’t make it any less exciting or fun to me. It’s as if Jimmy knew this would be the perfect time to throw something in the hat for us fans to speculate on, because there really isn’t much else right now.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
tyler greene played a couple of innings in CF last year
IF (and it’s a big, bi-modal IF) he can manage a just about passable glove in centre this year, and his hitting looks more like his 2009 Major League Equivalent than his 2009 Major League numbers, I suppose he solves some issues for us, being right-handed and all.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
I keep forgetting about Greene-T's place in the mix
Ideally we wouldn’t need to have a back-up CF except to rest Colby, but if he continues to struggle with lefty pitching very badly it could become way more important.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I may be remembering wrong
but wasn’t Colby’s BABIP vs. lefties ridiculously low last season? If it was, luck (plus the LaRussa penchant platooning anyone who isn’t 20 for 20 in their first 20 at bats against lefties) might explain some (much?) of his struggles.
I was thinking the same thing
Jimmy Baseball maybe?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
but he's not on the team
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
jimmy baseball
correct
did he not play some first? probably better than yadi
i just don’t see him living up to his or fan’s expectations w/o a difficult lifestyle change at 40 yo
tough to do
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
yes he played some emergence 1st as he was coming back from injury
and he was pretty good at it & said he could see himself playing there if not for Albert.
i really hope the Cards don’t get my hopes up anymore. this is too freaking awesome to think of him coming back. my heart can’t take this
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
I agree.
If this is all a bunch of media-distracting BS I will be so sad. LOVE Jimmy Baseball.
FWIW, Holliday and Pujols’ fan pages on FB both have status updates telling fans to become fan of Jim Edmonds’ new page. I know that facebook stuff is probably not connected to the actual player, but it’s interesting in any event.
"I knew they were up to shenanigans." --TLR
so it's on facebook?
well then it must be real right?
RIGHT?
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
too late, my hopes are already sky high
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
I am pretty sure (without looking it up)
that Jimmy played a fair bit of 1B and never made an error at the position. I’d imagine he’d still be a ++ fielding 1B, however, I’m also pretty sure he’d struggle to put up a .750OPS now…
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:30 AM EST up reply actions
zoinks!
B-ref says .184 BABIP vs. LHP. Don’t know how that compares to his minor league numbers, but it’s gotta be significantly lower. Good to know at least some of it was bad luck. I also see that a certain robot overlord sponsors Colby’s B-ref page
I had no idea it was that low
I expected it to be on the low side and due for a slight uptick at least. But .184 is pretty bad.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
nope - the only way to get them as far as i know is to run the numbers through pitch f/x yourself.
vep did this for colby and it was terrible – like 5%.
if you don't know what is wrong with me, then you don't know what you've missed. - macmanus
Just ran them again, this time the "FanGraphs" way (with the denominator being balls in play)
It’s 14.6% last year against lefties, compared to the league average lefty on lefty split of 19.2% – at least if I’m calculating these numbers right.
So bad, but not terrible. LD rate is also very subjective and not very predictive at all, especially in such a small sample size as with Rasmus.
by vivaelpujols on Jan 18, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
What do you think of players that have huge LD% swings
Like Ryan Ludwick in 2008
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Not very meaningful, I don't think
It’s possible that Ludwick legitimately changed his swing or something, but you can’t tell that from the actual data.
by vivaelpujols on Jan 18, 2010 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
But he wouldn't of put up no where the same numbers
If had a lower LD%. He led the league in LD%
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
Their is a high correlation between OPS and LD%
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, but there is a low correlation of LD rate year-to-year
by vivaelpujols on Jan 18, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
So if a player posts a career high LD%
You don’t think their is high probability that player will regress hitting wise the next year?
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 4:37 PM EST up reply actions
I do,
It’s like with BABIP. BABIP obviously has a causal relationship to performance; however, it’s not very sustainable, so if a player posts super high BABIP, you would regress him more than a player who posted an average BABIP.
LD rate is a little more stable than BABIP, but it’s still not very repeatable.
by vivaelpujols on Jan 18, 2010 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
I'm not actually sure there is, actually
feel free to correct me if I’m wrong but I think I’ve actually seen (can’t recall where) an article showing the correlation of various things to wOBA (or perhaps OPS) and LD% was wayyyy behind stuff like HR/FB, BABIP, K/BB rate, stuff like that, and indeed had a pretty low R2.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:35 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah
I am simply not a believer in LD rate as any sort of predictive (or even descriptive) metric of, well, pretty much anything.
It correlates so weakly to wOBA and fluctuates too much from year to year for any given player.
I suspect the main problem is subjectivity of scoring.
My plea to everybody – please don’t take LD% as a particularly useful stat for, well, anything. It’s maybe vaguely suggestive that someone is squaring up to the ball well or badly, but even that doesn’t tell us a huge amount about how well they hit or are going to hit.
BOOOO! DOWN WITH LD%!!!!!!
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:33 AM EST up reply actions
....and I also see that the number one suggested search
when you type “Colby Rasmus” in Google is “Colby Rasmus Girlfried.” Seriously Clemson? Give it a rest, stalker. Besides, we all know Colby’s just waiting for Geiger girl to be legal.
I am slightly concerned that if they get it on
he will have a fire burning somewhere other than the outfield.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Easy, Monk
Geiger is a member of VEB, you know
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 18, 2010 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
What?
I heard she makes a good chilliburger. S’all.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:35 PM EST up reply actions
also
she hasn’t logged in here for about 4 months now.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
interestingly
around the time I read the article where Colby met her, I realized she wasn’t posting anymore
"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
I'm sure someone will chime in
but all the players get a hit on that site. it’s either that or “wife”.
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:14 PM EST up reply actions
oh that's right
I forgot all the exceptions.
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
I'm Assuming This Must Have Been Posted Before...
but holy shit, people… really?
by mynameistyler on Jan 18, 2010 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
She posted here during the season
The Remix is much better
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
If Someone Asked Me...
what the worst idea I could imagine for a video about Colby Rasmus, that would exceed my fears by ten fold.
by mynameistyler on Jan 18, 2010 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
Really?
I would think it would involve a night vision camera and Joe Strauss
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
Anything Involving Sour Joe Strauss...
is out of consideration.
by mynameistyler on Jan 18, 2010 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
i will now have to burn that image out of my head
screw you, flim…screw. you.
Chicago Cubs: The first century was funny...this second one is just sad...
I think the unplugged acoustic VEB cover is my favorite
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Some VEB'er had a YouTube video of it
I can’t remember who it was though. I’ma do some research and get back to you…
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
"Corky Ramone" did it
It was VEBer LandSickness
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
No offense to whoever did it
But it kind of creeped me out
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions
I loved it
I don’t think it would have worked for me if he hadn’t just done it straight up and legit-like.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I can't believe the perpetrator never owned up
lurker? Or one of you f’ckers?
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:35 AM EST up reply actions
Um...
LandSickness took credit. Are you saying that’s a pseudonym?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
no.
I am saying that unlike SOME people, Matty, I don’t spend every waking hour on this blog ;-).
Oh, erm, actually…
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
shot at gdm right outta nowhere
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
He took credit.
And if he hadn’t I would have outed him. I know who he is in real life.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jan 19, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
creeeeeepy?
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
We went to the same high school!
It is not creepy.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
i was joking
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
Here's the fanshot about it
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/10/1/1063439/alright-whos-work-is-this-unless
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I think the remix may have been lost in the purchase of imeem.
…f’in MySpace.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
i've got it too if you've lost it DJ VEX
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
Mind shippin it my way?
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
mind telling me how i would do that?
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
Awkward...i typed stuff in the comment box...
vexedtechie at gmail dot com
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
by vexedtechie on Jan 19, 2010 12:49 AM EST up reply actions
check your email, hope it came through
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
Sure did; thanks.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
I choose to believe you're wrong...
at least until a better option presents himself.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
And he's friends with McGwire. Probably throwing this out to distract the media a bit.
Now with extra feisty!
by spants on Jan 18, 2010 12:09 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
beat me to it
A couple of suggestive quotes from LaRussa and Edmonds-to-Cards-bench can become another McGwire-as-pinch-hitter sort of distraction, to give the media something to talk about other than McGwire-made-the-baby-Jeebus-cry-ZOMG-ZOMG-WTF.
So we're assuming Edmunds would be a player?
I dunno why. If he were putting on hitting displays somewhere I’d imagine we’d have heard about it. maybe the Cards want a better outfield coach for Rasmus.
I think Edmonds would make a good coach
I think he has shown that he’s very observant and smart about the game at the very least. I believe his words, joking or no, were “play” for the Cardinals, though. Who knows. Moar Jimmy speculation!!!1
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
I’ve heard many times how Edmonds has near supernatural abilities to steal signs and pick up on pitchers tiping their pitches.
Is there a coaching position for this? Is this what bench coaches actually do? I’ve never known…
"There's a lot of things we say that don't make sense to our viewers. Okay, primarily me." ~Al Hrabosky~
by YesWeOquendo on Jan 18, 2010 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
I recall
the Cards suddenly turning it on against a particular pitcher one day, and afterwards they said Edmonds had identified something that was off in his delivery…..wish I could remember what game that was. 2005 some time, maybe?
There was a game against the Cubs with Sean Marshall pitching
We got about 3 at bats before Piniella made Marshall pitch from the stretch.
If Jimmy was the outfield coach
I’m pretty sure his philosophy would be summarized as. MOAR WEBGEMS. I really don’t think we need an outfield of people laying out for every ball they can.
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
Good point
also… if he could teach Colby how to talk in the outfield I’d be on board…
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
SELL IT!
"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
Colby DOES need to lay out more
he pulled out of going for a few catchable balls last year, and I don’t think that’s just my bias because I really like him and I think he’s otherwise a very good fielder (great routes, athletic, plus plus speed etc). He is a little too conservative. Making an out is far more important than the risk of turning a single into a double in most situations.
I wonder if playing the OF can be a bit like I sometimes find with volleyball – sometimes if you’re not used to diving for a ball and going full-stretch for it, you just, well, don’t. It’s something you need to practice and get used to doing because it’s not a very instinctive or natural movement to make.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:39 AM EST up reply actions
What about the risk of injury?
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 19, 2010 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
Someone mentioned once that he will probably get better with that.
I think that is probably true. As he matures I feel like he will get more comfortable in the majors and start “selling it.”
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jan 19, 2010 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
Also maybe he was so skinny he felt like he would fly farther if he laid out.
Just a thought.
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
by ClemsonGirl on Jan 19, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
you mean wearing a Cardinals uniform
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
Can somebody give me a run down.....
Of what kind of draft picks we’ve picked up or lost through the FA process this year?
Thanks.
Matt Holliday. Nuff said.
i think we pick #28 in the first round
and we’ll have a couple of supplementals, probably in the 40s/early 50s overall.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:07 PM EST up reply actions
correction, #25
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
from yesterday's comments
River Ave Blues is doing a nice job updating the draft order as players sign.
http://riveraveblues.com/2010-draft-order/
I don't get that...
how can the Rangers pick 43rd and 47th when the order is determined by win-loss record?
Six years was the hope of the herd;
Unanimous but for one who demurred;
A prescient young man;
By the name of stlfan;
He knew Scotty would have the last word
It's also by FA ranking, right?
"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
we'll be due another pick in the 40s
when Pineiro signs somewhere.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
Angels: 5 picks in the top 40
Rangers: 4 picks in the top 50 and they already have a sick farm system.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
And also
The Rangers have a hell of a team on the field as well.
Hot Damn
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
I stand by my comments of about 6 months ago
the Rangers are going to absolutely pwn in the ALW for quite some time.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:40 AM EST up reply actions
Oh I agree
It all hinges on Hamilton, though. Without him, they won’t win that division imo.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
Jimmy Ballgame
I kind of like the idea of bringing him back. He was on some really good teams, and I’d imagine, would bring some good leadership. Might be able to give Colby some pointers too. Would rather he be the 5th OF, but that probably isn’t an option, since I think Mather or Craig will also probably be on the roster. I’d probably be okay with this option so long as we’re doing something else, like bringing in Sheets.
Matt Holliday. Nuff said.
I don't see the harm in giving him an invite to see what he has left.
40 is definitely not too old to be a solid contributor, especially if the guy was one of the premier centerfielders of the last decade! Will we carry 13 or 14 hitters this year…5 or 6 bench spots?
If you see a guy open the car door for his girlfriend, either the car is new or the girlfriend is.
13 or 12, I'd have thought
I don’t think this team has the pitching to carry a 6-man bullpen, and, given TLR had 8 guys for much of last year, it’s not implausible that we might have only 3 non-catcher bench spots for much of 2010. I’d imagine it’s hard to carry a guy who possibly can’t play the field very well anymore in that scenario, but who knows. I’d love to see him back, as he’s my favourite Card ever, but I can’t help but feel that a season of scuffling as a 5th OFer will sully the memories somewhat…
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
you're talking as if he's dead and not merely 40
the guy is in shape, he’s smart about the game and if he can see well and has power left, then i would sure as hell want to have him on the team
probably won’t happen but man would that be one cool 2010 cardinals team
I don't think I'm being unfair
he’s 40, he hasn’t played at all since 2008, and in his last three years he wasn’t much more than an average hitter (in fact he was well below average in 2007, with his post-concussion issues). He’s publicly stated that he’s done with baseball, so I wonder if he’ll be in very good shape or well practiced, and he’s probably not swung a bat in anger for 18 months. Although he was still an above-average CF until 2006, we’re talking 4 years later, after a pretty disastrous year in the field in 2008, and he’s 40 years old. Maybe he could still be an average corner outfielder, I suppose.
If he can hit like he did in 2008 and field a corner, yeah, I think it’s actually probably a fair move. I just don’t want to see my favourite player ever sucking it up in a misguided attempt to make a return when he’s way past his best.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:45 AM EST up reply actions
After the cubs series
in September. TLR showed up at F15teen with a bottle of wine and asked to talk to JED. Listen to that link I posted, he talks about it.
* is an Asshat
link you posted? excuse me?
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
a thousand pardons RR
his BFF on the radio talked about it this morning too
they also talked to Bubbles about this & other crap.
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
In case no one else heard it.....
JED was on the Morning After on Friday. Segment 5. He has no intention on playing. He thought about it last year, but it didn’t work out.
Mickey F. Mouse.
* is an Asshat
and after that...
Jim Edmonds wants his No. 15 uniform back. After hanging out with his old teammates all weekend, he wants to stage a comeback with the Cardinals.
In fact, he told the crowd assembled at the Animal Rescue Foundation benefit Sunday night that he would play for free. Edmonds later amended his offer, saying he would play for minimum plus some expense considerations
On friday he said he didn’t want to. And on Sunday he said he did. Maybe the Brett Farve win changed his mind.
some eediot states in a comment..
Arch Card January 18, 2010 7:51AM CST
Sorry Jimmy – once a Cub, always a Cub. Play the kids. The kids are alright.
umm.. while I was heartbroken he played for the cubs, you can’t down the guy for playing somewhere for a job, he probably didn’t know at that time that he was going to not play anymore afterwards and its playing time. Anyways, this poster must not like Lou Brock either.
Or Aaron Miles...
and it’s hard to underestimate his legacy (the guy who blocked Skippy’s conversion?)
Jimmy in a Cubs uni
never looked right. I think that it was a shot towards the Cards (possibly, anyway) but I think it’s good that Jimmy might (?) want to come back and play for us.
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
by zoomzoomj88 on Jan 18, 2010 11:14 AM EST up reply actions
that person who made that comment is a *
and no, that was not sarcastic
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jan 18, 2010 11:41 AM EST up reply actions
If we could bring back Lankford...
then we could definitely bring back Edmonds.
What bench lefties do we have? Jay, DJ, Hamilton… Skip or Ludwick could play center in an emergency.
Six years was the hope of the herd;
Unanimous but for one who demurred;
A prescient young man;
By the name of stlfan;
He knew Scotty would have the last word
No Jimmy
Loved him too but don’t want to get sad seeing him flounder. With Church gone I don’t see any low hanging free agent outfielders who have a better shot of helping us than Craig, Jay and Mather. And remember they’re not the only ones. DJ and Henley might be ready some time this year too. None of these guys are starter material but those roles are filled anyway. Mather or Craig would give us another hand at 3b and Jay can play center as well or better than Colby. Seems like a really silly time to pay anybody over the minimum to fill outfield spots this year.
Kiko’s stats indicate he’s got a lot left and I’d love to have him. If we can then afford Garland and if he’s healthy I’d do a one year fling with him.
DJ and Henley might be ready some time this year too.
I really don’t think that’s the case. DJ still needs to learn how to play baseball, I expect he might start in AAA but I really don’t see him getting the call, given how much he struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness both last year and in winter ball. He’s a year away yet. Henley will probably start in AA and I think he’s behind DJ on the depth chart, so it’s hard to see him getting the at-bats in Memphis to really force a case fo 2010. Also, he’s probably long odds to be more than a 4th OF type with an underpowered LH bat, and we’ve sort of already got that in Jay, who I imagine gets first crack at the job.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
Henley had a good winter
But he will not make this team no matter good of a spring he has. The only AAA OFer’s that have a chance of making this team is Allen Craig, Joe Mather, and Jon Jay in that order.
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
I think Jay probably makes it with a good ST, actually
just a feeling. He’s a great fielder and he can handle centre, and, if we don’t sign a LH bat (which is looking increasingly unlikely, although Jimmy would be kinda cool, despite my reservations about him), which TLR’s been clamouring for, he’s about the only southpaw in the organisation (if you don’t count Ruben “Replacement Level” Gotay) who has a chance of making the team. FWIW, I don’t really think we need another lefty, as we’ve got two decent lefties (Schu and Ras) with pretty big platoon split issues, and a righty (Ludwick) with a reverse split.
Whilst it’d be nice to have a lefty on the bench, unless it’s a real “impact” guy, they probably won’t be THAT much better than Allen Craig or someone as a PH vs RHP, and Schu (and possibly Rasmus) will be on the bench against lefty starters anyhow. I could live without a lefty. If they really wanted one, it should’ve been Hinske anyway. It’d annoy me if they sign a lesser player (Tracy, Gross) for anything close to the $1.5m Hinske cost.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:50 AM EST up reply actions
I still am not sure whether Tony knows about Ludwick's reverse split
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
This Edmonds thing is a non-story
the Cardinals continue to run an effective smokescreen for the media to lay off BIg Mac. It’s an impressive side story but it helps when the media “dutifully” reports on it the moment it says.
Next story: Random blogger challenges Cardinals to give him a workout; Mozeliak shakes head cryptically in response
Think; It's not illegal yet.
I guy I work with
Said that signing Holliday was a ploy to get people soften up before Big Mac decided to amitted to steriods. $130m to soften up the media before bringing in a hitting coach. Some people amaze me.
IT'S A CONSPIRACY!!!!!!
EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED, MAN
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
buzz killing robot overlord
So are you saying you might have a chance at a workout?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jan 18, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
But we need non-stories!
Don’t ruin this for us, azru!
In seriousness, that’s probably the most likely explanation. Or else Jimmy is just having some fun in the Vince Coleman “Give me a job!” kind of way. Except Vince was probably not joking at all… whatever, you guys get my point.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Vince!!!!
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:29 PM EST up reply actions
my dream job is to do
Disinformation for a PR Firm
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions
Say, regarding that picture
I know steroids can do weird things to a guy but can it make you grow baseballs?
by easy on Jan 18, 2010 11:15 AM EST reply actions 11 recs
haha!
rec’d
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
by zoomzoomj88 on Jan 18, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
Colby looks like he's in awe of McGwire
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
"Oh my god, he's touching me. Ohmigod ohmigod ohmigod."
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
the longer I look at that photo
the more disturbed I become…
"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
...why not both at the same time?
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
Just imagine how Joe Strauss felt
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
by mysterui on Jan 18, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 10 recs
damn you
rec.
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
Are they saying "I find this menacing, yet sexual"?
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 18, 2010 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
I imagine Colby is just stupefied
“Whoa… his beard is like,… so grey.”
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
It looks lie some Patches O'Houlihan training exercise
“Now you can see where I’ve attached this ball, and you’re gonna swing dammit, as hard as you can. If you can hit a junk ball, you can hit a Wandy curve.”
that pic puts the "junk" in "junk ball."
if you don't know what is wrong with me, then you don't know what you've missed. - macmanus
am I the only one who digs Trever Miller?
or maybe it’s his interviews. they should have more interviews where he’s talking his no-nonsense “we’ll get ’em next time” talk and the bullpen is going crazy behind him.
"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
I have only seen a couple with him but I like him a lot too
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
We must sign Edmundo
So that when I wear my Jimmy jersey proudly to the ballpark this year, I look hip instead of like a guy who has been consistently too poor to get a new, more contemporary jersey.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
sorry to break it to you, but the half-shirt is never going to be hip
"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 Jan 18, 2010 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
I WANT THIS ON MY TEEM
Six years was the hope of the herd;
Unanimous but for one who demurred;
A prescient young man;
By the name of stlfan;
He knew Scotty would have the last word
maybe shirt tucking would restrict his diving ability?
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
or...
a lead role as Sam Fisher. Too bad about the voice, though.
Dots Miller for HOF. 'cuz a name means everything!
but do you want this?
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
and what if I do?
Blaine Matthew Burns: Albert Pujols' biggest fan (his first words will for sure be "Albert Pujols is RIDICULOUS")
not that there's anything wrong with that
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
That sort of thing is vital to team chemistry
Butt slaps and crotch grabs are the base of every manstew.
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Your swing is good, but what is best in life? Colby!?
To crush enemy pitchers… see liners driven before you… and to hear the lamentation of their fans!
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
Per Goold's Twitter
“Allen Craig has been taking grounders at 3B. He’s also worked on his throwing mechanics — one reason he moved to LF. #stlcards”
YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!'
I SENSE A LARUSSIAN COMPETITION FOR THIRD BASE, Y'ALL
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Well TLR said he wants a competition at 3B even if Freese will win
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
We need competition everywhere...
I hope our first baseman shows up in shape and ready to go… otherwise I’d give Hamilton a shot and see how he does. There shouldn’t be any free rides based on past performance.
Six years was the hope of the herd;
Unanimous but for one who demurred;
A prescient young man;
By the name of stlfan;
He knew Scotty would have the last word
by guayzimi on Jan 18, 2010 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
doesn't Albert say that he comes to camp every year hoping to win a spot on the roster?
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
by mattyfrommo on Jan 18, 2010 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
That way all
the players on the team feel he earned it, and he will be respected….or something like that.
* is an Asshat
Allen Craig finally freed?
Check out my sports blog!
Best moment I've ever seen at a Cards game in person
Follow me on Twitter: @zoomzoomj88
SIGN FELIPE LOPEZ & JOHN SMOLTZ!
Halfway house at best...
"When I knocked a guy down, there was no second part to the story." - Bob Gibson
new Tweet from DGoold
La Russa sees opening for position player who can play both third and outfield
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
Skip could probably play third, yeah?
I mean, ANYONE can play third.
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
Julio Lugo begs to differ.
In football, the object is for the quarterback, otherwise known as the field general, to be on target with his aerial assault, riddling the defense by hitting his recievers with deadly accuracy in spite of the blitz, even if he has to use the shotgun. With short bullet passes and long bombs, he marches his troops into enemy territory, balancing this aerial assault with a sustained ground attack that punches holes in the forward wall of the enemy's defensive line.
In baseball the object is to go home! And to be safe! "I hope I'll be safe at home!"
-George Carlin (RIP)
by Taskmaster on Jan 18, 2010 4:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I actually think Skip could
he handled the ball really well at 2B from what I recall, he’s athletic, and he has a strong arm. I actually think (given his slightly reduced range at 2B) that 3B suits him better. Maybe a bit of a stretch to go for his 3rd position in as many years, though!
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:52 AM EST up reply actions
No, unfreesed.
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 Jan 18, 2010 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
"I know it's hard to understand, Colby-wan..."
“…but you have to believe me. You must turn around and hit righty. Yes, I know, it’s shocking and confusing. I see the fear in your eyes. But you must trust me. This is the only way to truly maximize your dinger output.”
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
by mojowo11 on Jan 18, 2010 12:40 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Vexed......Your mission
photoshop all of our left handed players into right handed dinger hitting machines….
* is an Asshat
Do we need 'em roided out too?
I mean it’s not gonna be hard….
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
Here's a sample of what I got so far
Gotta get the numbers and logo back on there, but with the side-by-side, you can see the bulk-up that Clobber Rasmus has now (forearms, biceps, traps).
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
That's like one of those
“find the differences between these two pictures” puzzles from my youth
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 19, 2010 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
Highlights puzzles "from your youth"
or Naked Photo Hunt from last weekend?
by brackenthebox on Jan 19, 2010 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
they do the differences puzzles in some chick mag now...my wife reads it
finds the diffs and then gives it to me to see if i can beat her…generally i can’t unfortunately.
There'd be a sudden increase in left-handed catchers
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
No there wouldn't.
I’m no rookie. Remember, I’m in the bigs.
Note: Above comment may contain gratuitous amounts of sarcasm.
BOYCOTT HASS AVOCADOS
I posted this yesterday but seems relevant for this thread
Franklin says he’s been told no other reliever will be signed
He will get the ball every single time there is a save situation
Franklin goes on to say he has never been more tired in his entire life this offseason based on the work that he went through in 2009.
what could possibly go wrong?
"How depressing is it being you? Would you equate it to being a lifelong Cubs fan?"
by rocKStark5 on Jan 18, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Ugh, I was hoping that seeing that yesterday was a horrible, PED-induced nightmare.
Guess I need to stock up on some more PEDs for the season.
Albertofstan.
F* Yeah!
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Jan 18, 2010 1:10 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
ah, jeez...
why AREN’T we signing Calero right now? We need arms, dammit!
Dots Miller for HOF. 'cuz a name means everything!
YES
THAT JUST MEANS WE WILL SIGN SMOLTZ UNDER THE VEIL OF SIGNING A STARTER AND MAKE HIM CLOSER SMOLTZ FOR CLOSER AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 18, 2010 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Maybe he'll be our fifth starter
…and he’ll also close on days when he’s not starting?
I need your discipline / I need your help / I need your discipline / You know once I start I cannot stop myself...
that MO
he’s a wily SOB!
Lighten up, Francis - Sergeant Hulka
* sarcasm might be involved in this comment
And again
I don’t see why this is bad. They’re prepping him as “The Closer” and lighting a fire under his ass to get in the physical and mental shape to handle the job. He pitched more innings the two previous years than he did last year, so I think his “fatigue” that he is talking about is all in his head — he wasn’t mentally equipped to handle the job because he went into the season as the set up guy.
This also indicates that they plan to strengthen the back of the rotation with what money is left over after the arbitration signings, and to put the kids in the bullpen, similar to Wainwright in 2006. So Boggs goes to the bullpen, Hawk probably starts as the long man if Jukich isn’t given that job (and I see no reason to give that to him sight unseen, he should have to win it), and Sanchez could possibly be ready for the Show post All Star break. That leaves Garcia, Walters and Ottavino as possible injury replacement options, which isn’t all that enticing, but if our rotation can stay fairly healthy and a 5th starter addition is made, I think that makes a lot more sense than signing a bullpen guy. Hell, we might have the scratch to trade for someone like Heath Bell or Huston Street at the deadline if Franklin totally fails and all the other options do as well.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
i am not sure Hawksworth is as good as his numbers were last year
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Probably not
But it’s not like Jukich set the world on fire either. Hawksworth should get a chance to win that job because he did pitch well for us last year.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
projected fips by chone: jukich - 4.88/hawk - 4.71.
not much difference.
if you don't know what is wrong with me, then you don't know what you've missed. - macmanus
Umm, I think
that’s GAWWWW-stab.
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 Jan 18, 2010 11:26 PM EST up reply actions
His K/9 of only 4.50 really stood out to me
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 4:09 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
A smoke-and-mirrors season for him even though he was striking out 7 batters per nine innings in AAA.
"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
FWIW
If Carp, WW, or Penny all miss significant time this season, we’re pretty much fucked — everyone knows that. So worrying about having 3 starters in AAA who pitch well in the MLB rotation is overthinking a bit, imo.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
Really?
Losing your Top 3 starters would be a bad thing
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, and that's kinda my point
There is no conceivable way to build a team for the “ULTIMATE WORST CASE SCENARIO”, yet I’ve seen a lot of people around here stating that we should be signing as much starting pitching as we can. I just don’t think that’s being intellectually honest about the situation.
We’re going to roll into the season with at 2 starters that are significant injury risks (Carp and Penny). If either miss significant time we could do one of two things:
- Trade what’s left of the farm for a rental starter
- Fill from the farm and pray.
I think that most of us would rather do #2 in that situation, but that pretty much means giving up on 2010 unless they catch lighting in a bottle with someone like Ottavino OR the rest of the division has similar injury or suckitude issues and we win a really weak division and get healthy in the playoffs, you know, kinda like 2006.
Can Colby round out our new MV3?
So if we signed Smoltz
I think the team would survive if we lost one of Penny, Carp, or Waino for a time. Now all 3 would be horrible but that would be pretty every team in baseball. I think Garcia could pick up the slack.
by FlimtotheFlam on Jan 18, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno
we probably have about a 5 win projected lead over the Cubs, with average luck all round. I’d say that’s fair.
If we assume Penny’s worth 3 wins and Carp’s worth 4 (both quite bullish projections and higher than I suspect any projection system has them at), we lose 7 wins if BOTH of them are out all year, which puts us 2 wins behind the Cubs. However, if we have two guys in AAA who are above replacement level and can put up, say, 2-3 wins between them (Boggs and Garcia) instead of two guys in AAA who will be lucky to sniff replacement level (I dunno, Walters and Ottavino), that makes a difference, and puts us about neck-and-neck with the Cubbies (and perhaps the Brewers).
We’re still in the race even if two of our rotation go down and, realistically, there WILL be a time during the season when we have two of our rotation injured at the same time, as there has been every year as long as I can recall.
RELEASE THE CENTIQUID!!!!
by Felonius_Monk on Jan 19, 2010 6:57 AM EST up reply actions
I think we could get by if Penny missed significant time
Carp or Waino, on the other hand, would be a killer
You know what they call a quarter pounder with cheese in France?
by jd is legend on Jan 18, 2010 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
i told you never to call me here
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.
Please come home for dinner
The kids miss you
by vivaelpujols on Jan 18, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
what are you serving?
Every morning I wake up & smoke a dart. Then I eat five strips of bacon, & for lunch I eat a bacon sandwich. And for a midday snack? Bacon! A whole damn plate! And I usually drink my dinner. And I'm still here! Sometimes I wonder if God forgot about me.