A Little Heat for 2012
by azruavatar on Oct 2, 2011 9:36 AM EDT
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Yesterday was a reminder that the Phillies, despite looking a bit lost at the end of the regular season are still a powerful and competent team in virtually every aspect of the game. Yesterday's loss, as danup noted, was attributable to the pitching. It's rough when you can put up a six spot on a Roy Halladay start and still come away the definitive loser.
The Cardinals will start Chris Carpenter on short rest in Game 2 of the NLDS and he'll go up against Cliff Lee.
I continue to be fascinated by the bullpen transformation that happened this year in St. Louis. Removing some pitchers that were vocally supported by the coaching staff is uncommon even if utterly necessary after Ryan Franklin lost his command and Miguel Batista proved he'd never find his at age 40. Still, what seems most interesting to me is the conversion from a command oriented bullpen to a stuff oriented bullpen. To that end, I dug up what I think is the starting bullpens for the last three years.
| 2009 | FB mph | 2010 | FB mph | 2011 | FB mph | 2012 | FB mph |
| Ryan Franklin | 91.2 | Ryan Franklin | 91.2 | Ryan Franklin | 91.0 | Fernando Salas | 91.2 |
| Brad Thompson | 87.4 | Blake Hawksworth | 93.0 | Miguel Batista | 92.3 | Eduardo Sanchez | 93.5 |
| Kyle McClellan | 91.4 | Kyle McClellan | 91.3 | Brian Augenstein | 88.5 | Kyle McClellan | 91.7 |
| Josh Kinney | 90.3 | Mitchell Boggs | 96.1 | Mitchell Boggs | 95.2 | Mitchell Boggs | 95.7 |
| Jason Motte | 95.8 | Jason Motte | 95.8 | Jason Motte | 96.0 | Jason Motte | 96.0 |
| Dennys Reyes | 90.0 | Dennys Reyes | 90.2 | Brian Tallet | 88.7 | Marc Rzepczynski | 91.3 |
| Trever Miller | 87.0 | Trever Miller | 87.7 | Trever Miller | 87.0 | Arthur Rhodes (?) | 89.0 |
| (Average) | 90.44 | (Average) | 92.19 | (Average) | 91.24 | (Average) | 92.62 |
I used career averages or career averages in years when they were exclusively a reliever to project the 2012 FB mph.If you replace McCllellan with Lance Lynn next you you get an average FB velocity of 92.71 coming out of the Cardinals pen. Eduardo Sanchez's injury brought his FB mph down 1-2 mph from it's regular minor league velocity. The next true reliever in the minors is, potentially, Adam Reifer, who was out this year with a knee injury, and has an average fastball in the 94-95 mph range.
Whether this is a conscious decision by the Cardinals or coincidental with an improved minor league farm system, I don't know. What I do know is that in 2 years the Cardinals have added an average of 2 mph to their bullpen fastballs and that number is probably low. Those players with a better fastball also appear to be the ones getting the most innings. They also throw their fastball with a higher degree of frequency. The Cardinals bullpen has become a pen of hard throwers who rely on dominant fastballs as a major part of their arsenal.
Despite the improved fastball velocity, the Cardinals pen has not proven to be consistently better on a yearly basis. I'm not particularly enamored of WAR for relievers (chaining value, in particular, really bothers me), WPA is intended to provide an account of when players are making positive contributions versus negative ones. Here's the Cardinals' full relief corps' WPA for the last three years.
| 2009 | +1.52 |
| 2010 | +2.36 |
| 2011 | -2.09 |
If you think you've got a bead on the bullpen, think again. Bullpen's are always volatile because relievers are always volatile. Still, if you left this regular season with the sense that the Cardinals bullpen was worse than recent seasons, by this measure, you'd be correct. I for one am looking forward to the 2012 Cardinals bullpen: may it be faster and better than its predecessors.
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How bad has the bullpen been
since Franklin’s release early in the year? While they haven’t been airtight, and the game against the Cubs really stands out right now, it seems that Salas and Motte were pleasant surprises, while I would think that the pen has been at the least decent since the additions of Dotel and the McClellan’s return. Am I incorrect?
Disagree on your 2012 bullpen, az
Lynn will definitely be in it. And, instead of re-signing Rhodes, my guess is that either Boggs or K-Mac will be traded for another lefty reliever. So, my guess is Motte, Rzep, Salas, Sanchez, Lynn, K-Mac or Boggs, new lefty. Then you still have the AA or AAA young relievers who could help as the year goes on or in case of injuries. In any case, hopefully the bullpen will not be the issue next year that it was this year. In my scenario, all the righties could close any particular game so we won’t have to be reliant on one person as closer (though I doubt Tony will see it that way).
yeah how is Lynn not listed??
and McClellan is?
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 2, 2011 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Lynn is mentioned in the post.
Second, if we’ve learned one thing about the Cardinals it is that they will send down players with options in order to preserve depth.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
2011 Average
The average fastball speed for the 2011 starting bullpen should be 91.24 if the numbers for the individual pitchers are correct.
Interesting stuff
though I’m not sure what a difference 2 mph average tells us about performance. Then again, I’m still smarting from getting our bell rung last night because of Lohse’s changeups.
By the way, can someone explain why we keep trotting Rzep out there? It sure seems that bad things tend to happen when he pitches baseballs.
Nyjer Morgan Fan Club President
So what you're really trying to say is faster = better
Now all we have to do is get everyone to throw pitches with better command, movement, and in a more unpredictable sequence. Then we’ll have the world by the ass.
Nyjer Morgan Fan Club President
by peppermartin on Oct 2, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
This is pretty much exactly right.
It’s a lot tougher to try and teach a guy with good command and an 88 mph fastball to throw 95 mph than it is to teach a 95 mph fastball guy how to pitch with command or to take a little off with a different grip on the ball to create movement.
Hence, the more hard throwers you have the better off you are.
It’s kinda like speed in handegg: You can’t teach speed, but you can teach speedy guys to run routes, cover receivers, and make tackles.
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
He's like the most important guy in the series...
he has to see Utley-Howard-Ibanez every game… hell I think La Russa should bring him for the 5th/6th when those guys come up, then stick him in RF while Dotel handles Ruiz/Polanco, and bring him back to pitch the next time they come around.
With Patterson out of the lineup, we just might be able to make that happen
Nyjer Morgan Fan Club President
by peppermartin on Oct 2, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
so we are going to pull berkman or craig in the
5th or 6th inning? La Genius.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
With Craig, Holliday, and Berk...
we’ve got three guys for two spots… I’m only half serious about this. It would be interesting to see.
I agree with guayzimi in situations when Patterson (if he's on team next year - hope the hell not) has already relieved someone
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
I feel confident in predicting that Patterson will not be a Cardinal in 2012.
He is not under contract. Chambers has already displaced him on the playoff roster, will be under club control next season for the league minimum, and is a very similar player (left-handed, good speed, can play all three OF positions).
"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 Oct 2, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm with you. Was just saying there are circumstances where TLR puts whatever gritty veteran we may wind up with next year in for defense and we've seen how that's worked out
However don’t see it happening this post season. But not an entirely bad idea as a general concept though. Didn’t Whitey or previous manager actually do the same thing guy is suggesting? Sounds like it would definitely be right in TLR’s wheel house if it occurs to him at the right time.
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
he didn't do it in the fucking 5th inning
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Relax
As guayzimi said, “I’m only half serious” and I was just discussing in same vein. It’s Sunday afternoon and it’s the postseason with lot’s of baseball left to play so it’s total bonus and I for one am still enjoying and staying in a light hearted, appreciative mood.
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm very excited for our bullpen next year because of the better "stuff" brought by the younger pitchers.
I also like how the postseason roster, IMO, indicates a realization that KMac is not a good pitcher and will be gone next year.
Assuming health, Lynn, (my vote for closer), Motte, Sanchez (hope to see his fastball back in the 95mph area next year), Salas, Rzep, Boggs and Dickson/Reifer/Loogy should be very good.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 11:03 AM EDT reply actions
Gone, starting, or just happens to have dead arm right now?
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Oct 2, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Gone as in not on the team.
He’ll be more expensive because of arbitration, and not worth the money to sign him. If we can decline arb and trade him (like Theriot was traded last year), great, but if not, just release him.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't know if folks have red the Post-Dispatch story
but it establishes that McClellan is not a happy camper.
The pitcher and manager engaged in a testy closed-door meeting after Friday’s workout. Though neither party divulged specifics, McClellan apparently confronted La Russa about not seeking his input before making the decision. La Russa admitted basing much on a decision to keep shortstop Rafael Furcal and left fielder Matt Holliday active for the series due to assurances those players offered despite hamstring and hand issues.
"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 the way,
has anyone photoshopped a unicorn horn onto that Strassface picture from yesterday?
"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
It's Strauss.
What more need be said?
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see McClellan being upset.
He has been really bad this year, don’t get me wrong, but he has gotten the shaft from management twice now this season. He probably feels like he has done everything they have asked of him and doesn’t deserve this. I feel bad for him, I still think he prob should have gotten a roster spot over Rhodes or Westy.
and I know its Strauss but Leach had a write-up on the main site that indicated there was some tension between Kmac and the front office after he received the news.
by mick311 on Oct 2, 2011 2:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, if he wasn't upset, he wouldn't be a pro.
Professional ballplayers are competitive beasts. They don’t like sitting on the sidelines. But that’s kinda the point. All those other guys who were left off the roster probably were none too happy about it either. Strauss didn’t write articles about them.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
When did he get the shaft the first time (assuming the second time is when he was left off the playoff roster)?
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm actually with you on this
Yes, he’s a tremendous asshat, but he does get some credibility for breaking some stories before anyone else. While he may overexaggerate details, he seldom fabricates something entirely.
Still not a werewolf.
He's an asshat with access.
I don’t like him much at all, but I don’t really question the accuracy of his reporting.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Oct 2, 2011 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I find him replacement level at best given his position
and I think access is pretty unimportant in sports journalism, given the low stakes involved.
that’s my strauss position. he’s an unpleasant guy who does an unimpressive job in an unimportant role. the “eh, it’s strauss” stuff is probably overblown, but not nearly overblown enough for me to join any backlash on it.
by DanUpBaby on Oct 2, 2011 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
that's not the point
it’s become the case that you can’t even quote something that he has reported as newsworthy without a backlash. it’s the incessant backlash, most often against the most insignificant things that has falsely inflated his importance. he’s achieved villainous, celebrity status around here of which posts like the above are both a source and result
i find it tiring that news reported by the most active cardinals journalist can’t be reported around here simply because of who he is. we aren’t intelligent enough to understand that he’s keen to exaggerate, perhaps in an effort to draw business to his employer within a failing industry, and therefore take the subject and ignore the magnitude of what he reports. we have to outright dismiss what he reports as fictional (and of course later ignore all that actually turns out to be true) and deride those who don’t
it’s pointless and it’s tiring. it was a quote from an article stating that mcclellan is unhappy about being left off the roster. it’s something which self-evident, yet since it came from strauss, it must not be true and any opinions derived from it must be dismissed. tiring
and i don't understand the comment about access being unimportant
the reason why read this stuff is for the benefit of their access. i don’t visit the p-d or follow their writers because i want a game summary. i can read a box score for the occasion when i don’t watch the game. i seek information that i can’t obtain myself. things that go on behind closed doors have to be reported by someone for us to find out about it. this happens
I find it relatively unimportant
because the access they get is to things I’m generally not interested in, and that have less bearing on a baseball team’s success than what’s available and/or played out publicly. It’s the opposite of non-sports journalism, where somehow, say, watching the presidential debates is more useful than reading the reports of people who follow the candidates around and have sources within each campaign.
what happens on the field
is the only thing i can think of that’s more important. almost all of the other stuff that requires access is directly related to personnel decisions, be it playoff rosters, trade rumblings or contract extensions. it may not interest you, but i guarantee most cardinal fans will have interest in what is reported by people, by virtue of their access, regarding pujols’ negotiations. and if it’s reported by joe strauss, you guarantee there will be people there to scoff, “but it’s strauss,” in an effort to thwart the discussion. it’s like the inverse of an appeal to authority. if you find it implausible, explain why. “pfft, joe strauss” is not an argument and it’s not a particularly interesting thing to say
agreed about needing to provide more than just an appeal to strauss's lack of authority
I’m speaking more generally, though. I don’t think his job is very important, and I think anybody a year out of journalism school could do what he does, including but not limited to talking to sources who have nothing to lose by yammering to him and antagonizing his twitter followers like some low-rent jim rome.
by DanUpBaby on Oct 2, 2011 6:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
contrast this with derrick goold,
who demonstrates a facility with writing (and an ability to produce large quantities of it) and a real enthusiasm for his subject that most people in the sports media can’t or won’t manage.
i'm still not disagreeing with you
it seems you’re arguing that his access has no bearing on his ability to produce quality writing. that only makes sense. but i don’t care about the quality of his writing or even his character in the context of the truthfulness of what he reports. i’m not looking for a fitzgerald or even a posnanski. i just want to know the buyout price of pujols’ new 30-year contract and which GM is maybe willing to top it. i’m not even making a claim on strauss’ suitability to find out or the difficulty of doing so. i’m just pointing out that he is the one that most often does so and frequently does so first
all the other stuff, the bullshit on twitter, the vagueness, the arrogance, the trite writing style is easy enough to ignore. beyond that, he tells us things we can’t find out on our own and we’re generally capable of filtering out what is his opinion or his exaggeration via reading comprehension and logic. that’s good enough for me
by prophetjohn on Oct 2, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
by the way
is it too late for me to coin the phrase “reducito ad straussum”
just thought of that, it’s great
by prophetjohn on Oct 2, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i don't disagree that it's a job that requires little more basic writing and people skills
i disagree that it’s unimportant in the sense that it’s not valuable to a certain group of people.
Remember when he was jus making stuff up about Colby getting traded?
Oh wait, he was right about that.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
KMac is/was a good relief pitcher
is he worth it since he’s about to become expensive? Probably not, but that all depends on just HOW expensive we’re talking.
2011 Cardinals GIDPs: 169
NL Record: 2011 Cardinals, 169
ML Record: 1990 Red Sox, 174
We'll just disagree that he's been a good reliever.
His numbers this year as a reliever are Batista-esque.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions
this year, yes
previously, he’s been very good.
2011 Cardinals GIDPs: 169
NL Record: 2011 Cardinals, 169
ML Record: 1990 Red Sox, 174
I still disagree.
In past years, he’s been “a little below average” or “passable/tolerable” – this year, he’s downright terrible. KMac hasn’t been “very good” since he was a minor league reliever in 2007.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
His numbers were held down last season by a 90% LOB rate.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. His peripherals are terrible.
He is the Skip Schumaker of pitching. For some reason people look at him and think he’s not that bad, but when you look at his actual numbers, he’s awful.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Pitchers like that do have a role - the Mop Up Slot. -
- but there’s no reason to pay someone even a million or two to just pitch when you’re up or down by 6 runs when you can have whatever AAAA reliever is floating around your system do the same for essentially free.
Makin' toast!
DING
Butterin' toast!
I disagree with the need for a "mop-up pitcher."
There are too few roster spots to devote one solely to a bad pitcher who will pitch when the club is up or down by a large margin. Such games are too few and far between. I’m more open to the “long man,” a pitcher who can go three innings or so, but even that, I feel, is a bit of a waste because it means that pitcher is constantly being saved in case that need for three innings occurs tomorrow. I think a club should have a bullpen of the seven best pitchers. If you need someone to mop up then use whichever pitcher is available that day.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
ERA+ not, however, being one of those "awful" numbers.
Nor is WHIP, at least over the duration of his career. Nor, before 2011, was K/9.
K-Mac has actually been a decent — not great — pitcher. He just ran out of gas badly in September, which wasn’t a big surprise given work load earlier in the year. He had no business being more than an emergency starter.
If he’s the worst guy in your bullpen, you’ve got a durn good pen.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Striking out ~7 per nine innings is not good for a reliever.
Also, his walk rate is not that great. McClellan also has a FIP of ~4.00 every season—sometimes a bit higher, sometimes a bit lower. That’s not good for a reliever either. His 2010 ERA was held down by a completely unsustainable LOB% of 90%. No pitcher in the history of baseball has ever been able to maintain a LOB% that high. McClellan is very, very similar in profile to Ryan Franklin. When the control goes, look out. With his “dead arm,” I’m very leery of keeping the already soft-tossing reliever around.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
"Reliever" != "Closer."
A K/9 of 7.0 would be very poor for a closer. (Only one NL reliever with 10 or more saves this year had a K/9 that bad, and Francisco Cordero ain’t exactly a great role model.) For a middle-innings guy/setup man, it is an entirely normal rate.
I repeat: if McC is the biggest problem your bullpen has, then concentrate on solving your team’s problems elsewhere. He should never have been allowed to start as many games, and pitch as many innings, as he did, but that wasn’t anybody’s preference.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Current Cardinal Reliever K/9's
Motte: 8.3
Salas: 9.0
Dotel: 11.68
Rzepczynski: 11.12
Boggs: 7.12
Rhodes: 6.23
McClellan: 5.59 (K/9 as a reliever in ’11)
"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 Oct 2, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really.
In Kmac’s four year career, 359 innings, he’s been worth .1 WAR. He’s the definition of replacement level. that’s bad. Contrary to your statement above, I would say that if he’s NOT the worst guy in your bullpen, your bullpen sucks.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
3.0 rWAR
Big difference there.
"Now that they've come out with that great stat, 'innings pitched per inning'-- is there anything they don't have a stat for these days?" -Al Hraboski, 3 Jun 11
Not surprising. We were discussing upthread that he's benefited from completely
Unsustainable LOB% (he’s also benefited from unsustainable BABIPs – like last year’s .231).
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Just to follow up...
You know who the only pitchers are in the last four years that have pitched at least 300 innings but who have a lower fWAR than KMac?
Jeff Suppan and Oliver Perez. He’s just plain bad.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
All of which says
that he pitched a lot more innings this year than he should have. (Few pure relievers would meet that 300-inning criterion.) Nobody is arguing that. His year as a whole looks league-average-ish apart from the ghastly September — which is an effect of having pitched too many innings (and an argument in TLR’s favor when it comes to leaving him off the post-season roster).
WHEN USED PROPERLY, he has been a reasonably effective pitcher. It is unfortunate that he wasn’t used properly this season.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
We just disagree then. All of what what I said does not lead me to conclude what you have.
There is no way to use KMac “properly” – he’s a replacement level pitcher.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
But he's got six wins as a reliever, he must be great!
Sarcasm
"And that youngster will leave the stadium with a souvenir today. Not a ball, but a nice looking bruise."- Mike Shannon
by wizard11 on Oct 2, 2011 12:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm wondering WHEN the decision to start Carp in game 2 was made?
in that, I think it points to Westbrook as doomed only to be a spectator, therefore putting K-Mac on the roster instead of Westy made more sense (for this 5 games series, at least)
More like the break-glass-in-emergency semi-starter.
If game 1 had had the same kind of rain interruption as they had in NY, Westy would have been a very useful guy to have somewhere — allowing, of course, for the fact that he’s not a particularly good pitcher.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
what i don't get is
having 2 starters on the roster as relievers
even thinking that carp will need a long relief stint, you only need ejax
to me it should be westy vs kmac
if kmac isn’t healthy enough to go more than 1 inning, then
that’s a problem
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
If the Phillies don't blow that game open,
Halladay stays in the game and pitches the 9th. Those extra 3 runs don’t mean much because they would’ve never occured had Halladay stayed in. I don’t think last nights game can be hung on the bullpen.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 11:28 AM EDT reply actions
How badly did Furcal's hamstring hinder him yesterday?
I thought he was rather slow on his stolen base, felt he should have at least been somewhere in the picture on the pop-up foul ball that Freese dropped, and then, on the leadoff grounder in the sixth, he looked downright gimpy. I haven’t looked at any replays so I wanted to see what others thought of his speed and mobility.
"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
same here; I am concerned
that pop-up, for instance, WAS in a shortstop’s range, but, it also wasn’t a tough play for a 3rd baseman either. I’m guessing Furcal thought Freese had it all the way so why crowd him? Dunno
Happy Chris Carpenter day, everyone.
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
!@#$!@@!%$@!!% you, too.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
by TBender on Oct 2, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
OT: Berk
He’s gonna bust out the war-dance in advance of game 2 tonight. He did his part yesterday though.
Backstory: DanUp coined/captioned ‘Berk with it’ (here) on the Berkman photo I posted yesterday.
Kumar: I don't know man, I lose my touch, man.
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man?
by lightbulb on Oct 2, 2011 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
fun fact:
Burkina Faso means “Land of Honest People”
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
hard to believe we even made it to the playoffs in 09 with that pen.
get some runs
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Oct 2, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions
As much as I'd love to see the Cubs stuck with Zambrano,
the comedy team of Ozzie and Z would be too good to miss out on. But then, if the Cubs are still stuck paying out that $18M, even spread out over several seasons, that’s just a gift that keeps on giving.
#FireTLR
i just fear that the cubs we know and love are dying
theo’s gonna be their GM and they already have an owner who isn’t a dumbass
Their owner may not be the unlimited money spigot that
some Cubs fans thought he would be, though. The jury is still out on the owner’s competence, but landing Theo as GM would be huge for sure.
#FireTLR
by The Continental on Oct 2, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
i wonder how much of the $135MM payroll
was just the owner and how much was the revenue that the cubs bring in
I think the Cubs will have at least a top 10 payroll every year.
They are in a big market and have a national fan base. The revenue is there regardless of ownership. The question is whether they can spend the money wisely. They have not spent money wisely in the past.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
have the sox?
seems to me they haven’t been getting their money’s worth
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
I think the Lackey deal was a bad one. The Crawford one likely will be, too,
but it’s too early to draw a conclusion, IMO. Dice-K is also bad. The Yankees have bad ones, too—Burnett, Jeter, A-Rod—but the Sox and Yanks each overcome them and still compete. The Cubs do not. Going forward, I think the Red Sox are much better constructed than the Cubs.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Very quite day today
Cheer up folks. We are in the playoffs and we have beat this team, at home no less. Just need a good disciplined plan of trying to get to Lee early my taking tough at bats and Cards Mojo needs to keep rolling. Mojow are you around with your positive waves?
11 in '11
I think it's pretty clear that the organization
has been procuring hard throwers via the draft, Latin American signings, and via trade. We’ve picked up hard throwing prospect in many of the trades made since Mo took over (Perdomo and Cleto being the two standouts), and there has been some focus in the draft during the Luhnow years to look for hard throwing pitchers from college in the early to middle rounds, even if those pitchers have some flaws (Kelly, Bittle, Rosenthal, King, Reifer, Swagerty, Hooker, Blair — all drafted outside of the top 75 picks).z
Pujols or not Pujols. That is the question.
Already 2-0 Detroit, bottom 1
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
So...
tonight is pretty much the season, right? A loss and we’re looking at <10% WP, a win and it might be 60%. I might have to get mlbtv.
so, same as the last week
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Oct 2, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
no
if we lose two more games, it’s the season
by prophetjohn on Oct 2, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
August 27, 2011
1.1% chance to make the playoffs
My favorite words are goodbye, and my favorite color is red
by mattyp on Oct 2, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
just configure your browser with the proxy
i use switchy proxy with chrome, others use foxyproxy. you can also just stick it in your network connection settings, but those addons make it easier
I'm clever enough I think I can do it.
Just didn’t know the best proxies to use.
Thanks.
Still not a werewolf.
first, you buy some ice cream sandwiches.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Oct 2, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Already did.
I usually get the Blue Bell ones, but last night I got Klondike ice cream sandwiches for the first time. Hopefully it’s an insignificant detail.
Still not a werewolf.
you keep telling yourself that
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Or perhaps....
Has an even stronger effect on MOAR Crads runs and polar opposite for Philly which equals = no Phillie runz
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
i am wondering if the switch from a bunny to a polar bear will affect the tortoise.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
blue bell is the best choc chip
on the planet
and anything else with a vanilla base
I may be in a rut, but at least I know where I'm going
...to DFA TLR
Blue Bell is not a bunny.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
wow, I read that three times and saw bunny.
clearly I need [meat-eating statement redacted]
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
Why would I ever buy Blue Bunny ice cream sandwiches?
I already had a Klondike one, and it’s got nothing on the Blue Bell sandwiches.
Still not a werewolf.
Torty will be less familiar with the polar bear having never seen one in person
The hare on the other hand, we all know that story…so maybe Torty ups his game against the unknown
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
/grounds crew fail ... didn't notice ha ha ha
Let’s hope for some grounds crew fail that somehow helps us in Philly!
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions
10 Saints?
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
Handegg Update:
Calvin Johnson is ridiculous.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
other handegg update
first down here and Niners beat the Eagles. What you think about that, fang?
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
CRADS LINEUP
@Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
Game 2 lineup: Furcal SS, Craig RF, Pujols 1B, Berkman LF, Freese 3B, Molina C, Theriot 2B, Jay CF, Carpenter P #postseason
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
is that a push or not
sometimes when i read either name i just hang my head…i’d rather see….punto…
because TLR
Against a LHP, it's the right thing to do, probably.
Equally bad on defense, but you get the platoon split.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Oct 2, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
much better, methinks.
Theriot ended up with more fWAR his year than Schumaker. Schumaker was a -10 UZR/150 at 2B this year; Theriot was +17.6 UZR/150 (which is a small sample, but still).
by Willie McGee's Twin on Oct 2, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I like jay at the top of the linei
"And that youngster will leave the stadium with a souvenir today. Not a ball, but a nice looking bruise."- Mike Shannon
by wizard11 on Oct 2, 2011 4:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Sorry . Lineup
He provides a little boost that I don’t think you get from furcal. (mobile post fail)
"And that youngster will leave the stadium with a souvenir today. Not a ball, but a nice looking bruise."- Mike Shannon
by wizard11 on Oct 2, 2011 4:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Slow comment day.
The game thread will go up at 7:00 central time.
Beware: Velociraptors may be present.
doing my part
had to get the grass cut today.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
my favorite quote of the day....
Berkman on Sunday’s game: “When you’re on the road, the goal is still to win 1 of 2. We can’t really afford to go down 0-2.” When told that teams that have lost the first game of best-of-five in the NLDS have won 29 of 32. “Go with that. Statistics never lie.”
Theriot = what my dog poops out...
I would like Berk to do all the press conferences now
even if they’re not his own
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
by Yadi2Second on Oct 2, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Just a thought - once Berk's career is done.
Managberkman?
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
not to say he isn't up for it, but I've never heard him expound on pure baseball strategy
the way Albert has.
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
This season has been full of ups and downs with how I feel about the possibility of Albert leaving
And nearly none of that has to do with his slumps.
Still not a werewolf.
I love Lance Berkman
Seriously… I have an undeniable mancrush on Big Puma.
Mike Shannon: "That strikeout was brought to you by...by...well, I don't know what it was brought to you by!"
John Rooney: "It wasn't brought to you by anything Mike."
TNTHD off air?!?
I blame Max Scherzer’s eyes.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
They do crazy things.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Scherzer's only allowed 2 singles so far but he's also given up 4 BBs, and a HBP
"No, it seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great."--Posnanski
Miguel Cabrera stole a base. World implodes.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
As much as we've complained about roster management,
at least the Cardinals wised up and found a superior replacement for Theriot.
Still not a werewolf.
Agreed, but
It is my hope against all hope that Nyger Morgan gets to watch the Cards and the Dbacks play in the NLCS…from his couch.
I'd rather see the Cards defeat the Crew in the NLCS...
and have Nyjer make the final out.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm definately on board with that
Desired NLCS outcome mind you
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions
not me
phillies practically yankee status now. i’d cheer for the brewers against the phillies and yankees
C'mon Valverde.
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
That slip cannot change the outcome of this game.
That would just be so lame.
Is John Mabry still on the roster?
Would almost make you believe that God really is a Yankee.
"The game of baseball is what it is." — TLR
I wish the Angels had made the postseason.
Their starting pitching would’ve been great to watch.
Still not a werewolf.
TIED!!!
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
just had my first tuna melt ever
delightful. all the best of a cold tuna sandwich with all the best of a grilled cheese
Outcome dependent on our series
My choice matchup would be Cards-Brewers, but if we can’t get by the Phils, I don’t want the Brewers going any farther in the playoffs than we did.
Sort of like how for me the perfect season is having the Cards beat the Cubs in the NLCS.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah I'm pretty nervous after how terrible sit down shut up was
but I’d rather they get another shot and screw it up than just never get another shot.
of course i also thought a seinfeld reunion couldn't be done
and larry david pulled it off pretty nicely
What are the chances we get Burhle in the offseason?
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
i wouldn't say "none"
my guess would be he makes a strong push to come here and if the cards want to bring him in, they’ll have to navigate through some complicated situations (money, westbrook). I’d say about 15% chance he lands here
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions
It would take someone picking up Westbrook and his salary...
then Buerhle agreeing to a below market deal… Seems highly unlikely (if not impossible).
I don't think its impossible....just not likely.
Also, I think there is absolutely no question Buehrle would take below market value to come to saint louis. I don’t know how many times the guy has said he wants to play here. 50? 100 times? more?
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
there is no chance that Buehrle would be the 6th best starter on the roster
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
its obvious he's not an ace...and he doesn't need to be.
I don’t think its impossible that Westbrook can be moved if we eat half the salary and get nothing in return. Westbrook at $4 million is somewhat of a bargain considering you could squeeze 180-190 innings out of him as a 5th starter.
Anyways,
I’ll pretty much guarantee that Buehrle does everything he can to come here (within reason – its not like he’ll take a $1 million deal or somthing stupid like that)
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
he might take that deal in a few years.
I’d put the chances of Buehrle wearing a cardinal uniform before he retires at 98%.
He really really really wants to play here and hasn’t been shy about saying it every chance he gets.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Im just wondering, cuz i hate having westbrook in the rotation.
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
I really like lynn in the bullpen tho...
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
He's not nearly...
as useful there… even if he pitches a lot, he’s taking innings from Sanchez, Salas, Motte, Boggs, Riefer, and Dotel.
but adding another pitcher won't make his 8.5 million go away
Especially since we have options that are comparable but much, much cheaper.
Still not a werewolf.
But if we trade him....
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be a dream scenario, him and lohse traded would be awesome.
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
He's actually the most brilliant baseball mind in history...
but he’s being constrained by La Russa.
Lohse has his NTC, but moving Westy is very possible,
and I believe likely if they want to re-sign Albert.
I could see packaging Westbrook with a few prospects to Minnesota for Denard Span.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That would be sweet...
we’d a have whole slate of lefthanded CFers who aren’t nearly as good as Colby.
by guayzimi on Oct 2, 2011 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Healthy Span ~= Colby
and cheap! Twins were also basically giving him to Washington before that deal fell through.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
He's been injured the last couple of years?
And then we just send Jay to the bench? I guess that would be okay.
I forgot Lohse had a NTC. but i wouldnt want to trade for span.
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
I've never seen scrabble's name spelled out before in a comment...
you must be a pretty obsessive guy.
i guess i should also stipulate that n is a real number
don’t want to have to bust out lhopital’s shit
by prophetjohn on Oct 2, 2011 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
@dgoold
La Russa says he’s more concerned now about Holliday after LFer felt pain in hand last night. Uncertain status again. #STLcards #Cardinals
yikes
Still not a werewolf.
what a great idea, pinch hitting him in a game that was practically over!
get some runs
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Oct 2, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
See if he can do it without pain
going game speed…in a situation that doesn’t matter.
Not a bad idea, in my opinion.
i'd rather he rest for an additional day
get some runs
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Oct 2, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
T-fail
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
Whoever it is has to be better than the one from the NYY-DET game.
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions
ok...please don't call him that.
I just don’t know where my manners are.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate the brewers
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
Brad Ziegler playoff ERA = 108.00 and counting.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. Never been a night like it. It seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great. - Joe Posnanski
yeah, that was horrible :(
Die Hard Cards Fan in Seoul.
by letsgostlcardinals on Oct 2, 2011 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions
2012 bullpen
Motte, Sanchez, Salas, Lynn, Rzep, New Lefty
Last spot goes to one of the following:
Boggs, K-Mac, Shitty Free Agent, Dickson, Cleto (in order of likelihood)
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:33 PM EDT reply actions
I actually really like that bullpen.
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
I also wouldn't be suprised to see a big name closer
if Pujols doesn’t return
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Bell would be awesome and then have motte set him up
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
bell is actually not that great
he’s an aging reliever with declining peripherals and is likely to get $10MM per season. it would be a terrible use of resources
ditto
they have been cranking out quality relievers from the farm system for some time now.
"No, it seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great."--Posnanski
What does the rotation look like then.. bc Miller may or may not come up in June or sometime around then.
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
i think when miller comes up
is around the time they actually wind up unloading Westbrook….provided he looks good in his first few starts.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
that's an interesting scenario
hadn’t really thought of that. WB may just end up getting DFA’d at some point, with the return of Wainwright and Lynn and the eventual arrival of Shelby. They might try to trade him for some low-ceiling prospects or something in the offseason.
"No, it seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great."--Posnanski
trading him for nothing = win
they can put him on waivers and see if they get lucky
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions
With how things are with this team...
Boggs and K-Mac will be traded for the shittiest MIF and they will bring a shitty FA to be the key man/closer/setup man/swingman and announcer
2011 fWAR watch: Theriot = 0.6, Boog = 2.6 as of Sept 28
Bilingual Twitter
i'm not sure if its more likely that
K-Mac gets traded, non-tendered, or resigned. I’d guess about 33% of each happening
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
KMac and Boggs for Paul Janish; sign Kevin Gregg
perfectly TLR
"Nothing Motte does is quiet. It's mostly screamy and intense." - sheckiezx
"I'm a graduate of the Mike Shannon School of Diction" - Al Hrabosky
by monkeysareblue on Oct 2, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Reifer?
also it’s worth mentioning that Lynn may end up being the 5th starter in the early part of 2012, b/c Wainwright may or may not be ready to go in spring training or the early season.
"No, it seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great."--Posnanski
I'd put Reifer right behind Cleto in order of likelihood.
Actually I wouldn’t, but they would.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions
if I'm not mistaken
Reifer would have seen action at some point this year if he hadn’t been injured. He’s probably higher on that list than Cleto, at least.
"No, it seems to me that Wednesday night isn’t what makes baseball great. It’s all the years you spend waiting for Wednesday night that makes baseball great."--Posnanski
for me he is.
but i certainly think he starts ST behind Cleto on the depth chart
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
regardless,
its not really worth discussing as neither of them are likely to be on the big club as the season begins.
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I would say Dickson, Cleto, or Shitt Free Agent
I’ve seen enough of Boggs and K-Mac
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
just a reminder.....
Miguel Batista, Bryan Augenstine, and Bryan Tallett were this year’s shit free agents….would you like to reconsider this statement?
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Oct 2, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps then as actually the shitty free agent can actually be worse
Especially with that moniker
11 in '11
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Oct 2, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldnt mind Dickson
Reporter: "Did you visit the Parthenon while in Greece?"
Shaquille O’Neill: "I can’t really remember the names of all the clubs we went to."
wondering if they will let kyle mcclellan walk
do it for torty!
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Oct 3, 2011 8:03 PM EDT reply actions
previously on VEB
agh this is so late. sorry y’all. anyway…. DENSITY:
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/26/2449407/st-louis-cardinals-one-game-back-in-wild-card-with-three-games-to-play
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/26/2451541/game-160-star-wars-night-in-houston
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/26/2451780/game-160-overflow-thread-1
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/27/2452242/st-louis-cardinals-playoff-odds
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/27/2453821/cardinals-at-astros-a-letter-from-the-ghost-of-christy-mathewson
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/27/2454659/game-161-overflow-1
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/27/2454786/game-161-overflow-2
The Greatest Single Day of Baseball……. EVER
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/28/2455088/once-more-with-feeling
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/28/2455986/day-of-destiny-overflow-thread
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/28/2456625/game-162-open-thread-cardinals-at-astros-28th-september-2011
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/28/2456630/game-162-overflow
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/28/2456636/game-162-overflow-2
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/28/2457139/cardinals-going-to-the-playoffs
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/29/2457399/st-louis-cardinals-postseason-2011
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/29/2459186/arthur-rhodes-just-ate-bj-rains-or-the-birth-of-the-st-louis-zombie
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/30/2459044/st-louis-cardinals-postseason-schedule
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/30/2450925/game-160-st-louis-cardinals-houston-astros-september-26-2011-7-05-cdt (La Russa Surprises with NLDS Rotation Announcement)
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/9/30/2461075/late-night-veb-alds-edition
—
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/10/1/2461898/welcome-to-october-welcome-to-the-playoffs
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/10/1/2461883/2011-nlds-game-1-stl-phl-october-1st
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/10/1/2462692/nlds-game-1-overflow-thread-lets-score-some-more-runs-edition
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2011/10/1/2462868/st-louis-cardinals-drop-first-game-of-nlds-vs-phillies
would've.
"But listen, and understand: more Molinas are out there..." - THT
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Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
