The $400K Brigade
by JWO on Oct 6, 2010 1:55 PM EDT
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While scanning some articles from the P-D recently, I came across a nice piece outlining the cost for each Cardinal in 2011. While I already knew most of the information the article shared, it struck me just how many resources the Cardinals have that are cost controlled. As such, I thought it would be worth laying out a simple list I've nicknamed "the 400K brigade". These guys are all effectively costing the Redbirds the minimum salary requirement . And in many cases, they are indispensible pieces for the club's success. Consider...
| Player | Cost | WAR |
| Anderson, Bryan | $400 | 0.0 |
| Boggs, Mitch | $402 | 0.2 |
| Craig, Allen | $400 | 0.0 |
| Descalso, Daniel | $400 | 0.3 |
| Freese, David | $400 | 1.5 |
| Garcia, Jaime | $400 | 3.2 |
| Greene, Tyler | $402 | 0.1 |
| Hamilton, Mark | $400 | -0.2 |
| Hawksworth, Blake | $402 | -0.5 |
| Hill, Stephen | $400 | 0.1 |
| Jay, John | $400 | 1.1 |
| Mather, Joe | $400 | -0.6 |
| McClellan, Kyle | $425 | 0.1 |
| Motte, Jason | $411 | 0.6 |
| Pagnozzi, Matt | $400 | 0.4 |
| Rasmus, Colby | $418 | 3.6 |
| Ryan, Brendan | $425 | 1.0 |
| Salas, Fernando | $400 | 0.0 |
| Stavinoha, Nick | $400 | -0.2 |
| Walters, PJ | $400 | ** |
A few interesting tidbits jump out at me after examining the numbers.
- The Cardinals have FOUR cost-controlled positional players. RF, CF, 3B and SS are all taking up a negligable portion of the club's payroll. Heck, the left side of our infield cost less than the club's backup catcher this year (Jason Larue, $950K).
- Garcia and Rasmus earned their cheddar this year. If the WAR statistic is to be believed, than Colby's year was worth about $14M. Jaime's was in a similar range.
- Despite Freese missing a large chunk of the year, the man still scraped together 1.5 WAR. Given that he was paid league minimum, I think he's worth a second (and third?) look from the club. Everyone's ready to run out there and pay money for Adrian Beltre or some other free agent. But this guy put together 70 quality games. Lets see what he can do with 130+ next year, eh?
- I'm still laughing that Ryan managed a 1.0 WAR despite absolutely atrocious hitting. It reminds me of that line from Major League "Well, you run like Hays, but you hit like shit." Same general principle, I think.
- Jay is still a bit of a mystery to me. But he managed 1.1 WAR, which considering he only played 105 games, is pretty dang respectable. Oh yes, he's cheap like all these other guys.
I'll reserve comments on the others. But I'd be curious to know what folks think about the list. I don't have any real objective with this post, except to perhaps point to the future and suggest that the Cardinals have a lot of flexibility. Even those folks with little WAR to show for it are mostly cost-controlled, and can be major contributors next year. With any luck, this flexibility will be what allows us to keep Albert, and maybe add a reasonable piece.
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My favorite thing about this list
is Freese. He could be pretty stellar. I kindof wonder what it would be like to have production out of the 3B spot all year. Also, Jaime and Colby are BAMFs. And guys like Jon Jay are nice to have around.
The more I think about Freese.....
The more inclined I’d be to give him one more chance to stay healthy and produce next year. We need a Plan B, no doubt, but I think I’d focus on other spots this offseason.
I’m starting to think Mo might go look for OF help this offseason. Hear me out…..you move Craig, and let Jay be the super sub off the bench. I don’t have any names, but from looking at the FA’s, I’d guess it’ll be easier to find an OF, then an infield upgrade.
I thought this was a Mafia
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
next years IF should be made up of
1B-duh.
2B- Descalso, Greene, Schu
SS- Ryan, Greene
3B- Freese, Greene, Descalso, and if that fails we will have David Carpenter at AAA.
I consider our biggest need (other than resigning Albert) back end of the rotation help. We need at least two guys who can compete for the 5th spot, assuming Waino, Carp, Jaimie, and Loshe make up the first 4. If Westbrook could be had thatd be ideal. But I doubt he is back. We will prolly get a competition of ottavino and lynn. I’m not totally against that idea. But I would really like a plan B.
I don’t consider OF a spot of major concern. But if someone could be had for cheap to platoon with jay and craig thatd be cool.
by rumors on Oct 6, 2010 11:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
His name is Matt...
so I pretty much quit reading at David.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Well, we did have a guy named David Carpenter
Didn’t we trade him for Pedro “Brace for Impact Third Baseman” Feliz?
Albert Pujols does not have "down" years. He has "~6 WAR" years.
switch schu and descalsco
maybe descalsco deserves a spot, but a .649 MLE tells me he should be the starter
by stlcardsfan4 on Oct 7, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
If they could get a reasonable short term deal for Betre, I wouldn't be crying.
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
I agree
although I think we should spend on one starter and one or even two relievers
"I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a get acquainted period that I see what I've been about. I've no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own." -Jackson Pollock
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 7, 2010 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
We've got Garcia, Carp, Wainwright, and are stuck with Lohse
Isn’t offense more of a need than the rotation right now?
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
the problem is...
given the free agent market this year, there aren’t any viable candidates imo (maybe o-dog). probably would have to come via a trade. pitching is the main strength of this free agent class
"I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a get acquainted period that I see what I've been about. I've no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own." -Jackson Pollock
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 8, 2010 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Must remember...
these players won’t stay cheap forever. Ryan and McClellan are both due arby raises this year…probably not a significant bump. 2012 gets a little more interesting as (if I’m correct) Rasmus, Jaime, Boggs (maybe super 2), Motte and Stav will reach first time arby with Boog and KMac going a second time.
I haven’t heard anything about Jaime being arby eligible for 2011, but according to Cot’s he had 1.147 years of service coming into this year, and thus should have 2.147 now. I thought the super two cutoff was around 2.125.
If you see a guy open the car door for his girlfriend, either the car is new or the girlfriend is.
I'm not doubting your facts, but
How did Jaime have 1.147 years of service, if he was eligible for ROY? Am I missing something?
by JWO on Oct 7, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Good question...
he went on the DL while on the active roster and was on the DL for 1+ seasons, therefore the service time accumulation. DL time must affect rookie status differently.
Not sure how he got 147 days for 2008 when his call up date was 7/10/08…should only have about half a season for 2008 and a full season for 2009 going into this year (~1.081), which would leave him way short of super 2 status after this year.
If you see a guy open the car door for his girlfriend, either the car is new or the girlfriend is.
I'm increasingly confident in Boog
that he put up 1 WAR whilst having one of the most unlucky hitting years in recent history is pretty impressive. With something like average luck on balls in play he’d have been above average again.
Still bitching to contact.
agreed
time after time I can saw him getting thrown out at first by a hair. Partly because Boog always runs hard, but it also seemed that fielders had an uncanny knack for making a very good, if not out of their butt, play against him.
Moreover, not only were balls finding more holes for him the last month or so, but he just looked better and was sticking the ball decent enough, given his defensive importance
the guy can save a pitching staff
"I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a get acquainted period that I see what I've been about. I've no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own." -Jackson Pollock
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 7, 2010 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Boog a lot
and I have confidence in him as well. I don’t worry about the SS position because of him.
I worry about 3rd base and 2nd base but have no worries at all about SS. He wasn’t alone by having a bad season this year.
I have so much confidence in Boog that I want him long term.
If (big if) Freeze can make it back healthy with two good wheels it should make it really tough to get a ball thru the left side of the infield if Freeze & Ryan are there. 2nd base would be the only black hole.
Offensively, we’ve really only had a short look at Boog. He only became a starter last year and has had one decent year with the stick and one bad year. I can’t wait to see what he does next year.
Skip is the guy that makes me scratch my head. I expected a better job at 2nd base after a decent experimental last year. Even though we’ve only seen him there for 2 seasons, I’m not wanting him at 2nd next year.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Skip gets traded, but then again, I wouldn’t be surprised if TLR won’t re-sign unless Miles comes along with him.
Baseball is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole.
by Dave Pendleton on Oct 8, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah, how skip nose-dived in the second year is bizarre.
Lick that shoulder—you're in the doghouse now.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
*freese
"I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only after a get acquainted period that I see what I've been about. I've no fears about making changes for the painting has a life of its own." -Jackson Pollock
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 8, 2010 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
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