Spring Surprises Circa 2012
by the red baron on Feb 15, 2012 9:06 AM EST
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I was planning on doing a chat thread this morning, sort of pre-Pitchers and Catchers Report Day celebration type thing, but unfortunately I find myself a bit more pressed for time today than I had anticipated. Thus, the two hour or so window I usually try to set aside for chats just isn't going to be feasible.
So I was thinking of what I could do instead, and I considered another batch of scouting reports. Since I hadn't actually put together a group for this week ahead of time, though, that would actually be more time-consuming than a chat, not less. So a draft preview post be out.
It was then I suddenly realised I had failed as of yet to do one of my annual tradition posts. I speak, of course, of the Spring Surprise Game.
For those of you unfamiliar with the Spring Surprise Game, the rules are as follows: I want one (1) pitcher and one (1) position player who you think is going to make a big impression in camp this year. It can be a major leaguer or minor leaguer, but let's face it: we're mostly talking either prospects or guys on the margins here. The players in question do not have to make the team out of spring training to qualify as a Spring Surprise; I just want to know who you think we'll all be excitedly discussing come the second week of March.
I didn't do well at all last year with my picks; I chose David Kopp and Tommy Pham. Miss and miss. On the other hand, I did list Matt Carpenter as my alternate choice, and he was the big story of spring 2011, so I claim partial victory. I also mentioned Lance Lynn in passing, which is still plenty good enough for me. Even though I was actually mentioning him as a counterpoint to my actual pick. I suck.
Now, those of you who remember this game from years past will also likely recall every year I promise to revisit this post later on in spring training or at the beginning of the season and determine who won. You may further recall my track record of actually following up on this game is, well, rather spotty. So I'm not going to promise this year I will revisit, determine a winner, and dispense a hypothetical prize of internet money or original erotic art. However, I will promise you I will totally try to remember to do that stuff. Hey, you want dependability? Buy a Honda. You want adventure? Trust the baron, baby.
Anyhow, as for my picks, I'm going to go with Shelby Miller for the pitching side. Him performing well may not be a huge surprise, exactly, but I do think he's going to be the player we're all talking about throughout camp as he makes it tough to send him down. He had a brilliant season last year, is close to being ready, and I think he may come out with a bit of a chip on his shoulder, hoping to prove he's past some of the off the field issues he was dinged for last year. I don't think Shelby breaks camp with the team, if only due to the arbitration clock, but I think he sticks around until very late and makes the decision to send him out much tougher than most of us think it will be.
On the positional side, I've gone back and forth between a pair of players, and I finally decided to go with Kolten Wong. I also considered Tyler Greene, Ryan Jackson, Bryan Anderson, and Robert Stock, but for various reasons I am taking Wong. (Ahem.)
I think Wong comes into camp in great shape, and I think he gets into a bunch of noon games early on in camp, demonstrating just how close he already is to being a major league-ready hitter. He won't stick around nearly as long in camp as Shelby, simply because of the number of players competing for playing time in the middle infield, but I think he makes the biggest impression among the hitters the first few weeks.
So those are my choices. Shelby pitching deep into March and tantalizing with his proximity and talent, Kolten starting out like a house on fire trying to prove how good a draft pick he really was in just three weeks. I think Carlos Martinez and Joe Kelly could also make some noise on the pitching side. Just a feeling on Kelly.
Give me your picks, quickly!
The Baron's Valentine Playlist (8tracks held a little contest for the best Valentine's Day playlist; this was my attempt)
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Hmmm...
P- Martinez
POS- Carpenter
And this year:
P- Miller is the easy choice, so I’ll say Jenkins.
POS- And yeah, Wong.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
ALSO
Langosch with a helpful Options post.
Includes this:
Out of options: Schumaker, Greene
One option remaining: Bryan Anderson, Mitchell Boggs, Mark Hamilton, Matt Holliday, Kyle Lohse, Shane Robinson, J.C. Romero, Adam Wainwright, Jake Westbrook
Two options remaining: Lance Berkman, Chris Carpenter, Matt Carpenter, Adron Chambers, Maikel Cleto, Zack Cox, Allen Craig, Tony Cruz, Brandon Dickson, David Freese, Jaime Garcia, Jon Jay, Pete Kozma, Jason Motte, Adam Ottavino, Adam Reifer, Marc Rzepczynski, Fernando Salas
Three options remaining: Carlos Beltran, Daniel Descalso, Chuckie Fick, Samuel Freeman, Rafael Furcal, Erik Komatsu, Lance Lynn, Kyle McClellan, Yadier Molina, Eduardo Sanchez
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
Westbrook has options?
Problem solved. Hello Oswalt!!
#sunkcosts
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
Westbrook> kMac
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 10:18 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Options don't apply...
to players with 5 seasons in the bigs. This was another interesting nugget from Langosch’s post.
"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base." - Frederick Wilcox
by cardzfanbub on Feb 15, 2012 10:34 AM EST up reply actions
Geewillikers!
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
Heavens to Betsy!
Come on, baseball
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Feb 15, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
/Murgatroid
"There's only one way to play baseball, "the Cardinals' way." - George Kissell 1920-2008
Hells bells
11 in 11' √
"2011 is dead. Long live 2012!." ... Az.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Feb 15, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
wait, but we can still send McClellan to the minors without his approval, yeah??
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
by tehzachatak on Feb 15, 2012 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
I have really appreciated her early posts.
"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
P-Boone Whiteing
RF-Alex Castellanos
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
Castellanos?
He’s with the Dodgers now (traded for Furcal)
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
well poop
I’m switching to Cox then. (hahahaha I see what I did there)
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
if he shows up at jupiter by mistake, it will be a
Surprsie. So the bar is set a lot lower.
For pitchers, I’m gonna pick roy oswalt in this same vein. He’s just going to show up in a cards uniform and do long toss before signing anything. SURPRISE!
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 12:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I believe Castellanos we traded for Furcal
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 9:32 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
P – Bill Pulsipher
POS – Juan Gonzalez
Also, are there any pictures out there of BSOHL Westbrook? Does he look more Marky Mark and less Donnie now?
"He probably misses his old glasses."
La Russa's gone
Ozzie Smith’s comeback year is 2012!
They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...
I'm gonna say:
POS: Tyler Greene-I just have a hunch (with absolutely nothing to back it up) that he finally put it all together last year and with Matheny and moz really wanting to give him a chance and help him excel, that he has a big camp and runs away with 2nd base. Prediction: 396PA .278/.335/.405 14HR 60RBI 28SB
P-Eduardo Sanchez- I have a hope that if he comes to camp healthy and past his shoulder issue last year, he can be a shutdown setup man/fire-stopper in the 8th.
I think your SLG looks a little low...
for 14 HRs. By my math that allows for about 4 more extra bases on 83ish more hits.
TG is my pick, too. I see a renewed confidence and comfort with Matheny and Mo in his corner.
"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base." - Frederick Wilcox
by cardzfanbub on Feb 15, 2012 10:32 AM EST up reply actions
I'm going with oft injured
P- Riefer
cf-Tommy Pham
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 9:38 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Note: I'm not even sure these guys are even healthy this spring.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 10:25 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
P = Shelby Rosenthal,
also, FREE TYLER GREENE!!!!!
Asshattery: it's an epidemic.
Second base….I’ve played second base, how hard can it be? -TLR
Also, Dave Concepcion.
Yeah, I'm going with Rosenthal at P, too
but I’ll take Taveras as my POS guy.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 15, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
I'm going with
Tavaras and Adams only because this is the two that I would like to see make some noise.
Woke up this morning to a surprise extra day off
stayed home yesterday because of the weather. Today, the spring on my garage door broke and the door refused to open. So I get an extra day off in the middle of the week. All I have to do is pay the man $175 to fix my broken spring so that my door will open. Oh, and did I mention that I had the privilege of buying four new tires Monday AND finding out that I owe the state of Missouri almost $800 in taxes this year? It’s been a great week so far!
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
sucks man
but i have to ask, why did you have to buy FOUR new tires?
Bursting into song.
Get it? Do You?... cuz he's gay. - VolsnCards5
possibly an all-wheel drive vehicle?
I know they “recommend” you replace all the tires when two need replacing – something to do with the size of them (the new ones will be larger since the existing ones have been worn down) and the all-wheel drive feature.
If you do a good job of rotating them,
then all 4 tires should wear at about the same rate, and thus, wear out at about the same time.
halfway through it I thought, "this is a really nerdy thing I'm posting." but I just had to power through to the end.
Danup
because I ran over a screw
and it was close enough to time to buy new ones, so instead of just replacing the one, I went ahead and had them replace all four.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
sorry, I posted this an hour ago and just noticed it was still hanging there waiting to post
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I've had to pay MO taxes for the last few years.
It was normally between $200 – $500. This year I finally got enough extra deducted from my check. I will be getting back $14.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
What really sucks
Is when you work in MO and live in IL. IL taxes are ridiculously high but MO only takes out at it’s rate. Then IL rapes you for the difference between the two. Got back 2,000 federal and owed IL 1,800. (Frown face)
I replaced my own spring this weekend
total cost: $21, half an hour to go buy it, an hour and a half to replace it — a lot of that time figuring out the odd anchor points the last guy had used.
well, come fix mine
I’ll cover the spring and half an hours work
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Videotape it
Home repairs of the garage door spring often end in snapback injuries.
guy just left
put a clamp on the spring and is ordering the replacement spring. Be back in about a week to finish the job.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
I take it you found a tax guy
Happy with him / her?
We just don't recognize the most significant events of our lives while they're happening. - Moonlight Graham
used the same one as last year
results were pretty meh. Ended up owing more in state than we got back in federal.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
The perfect tax return. . .
is one where I owe the state and federal governments one penny less than would result in a penalty.
by SouthsideCardsFan on Feb 15, 2012 4:05 PM EST up reply actions
Note: if you owe too much and in theory are supposed to file
quarterly or do estimates or whatever, you can usually ignore it. Just adjust your witholding to and pay on time the next year.
Hey, scoot
Head this way. . . Good news from here is the terrorist who chucked a bomb had the thing ricochet off the moving target, and it bounced back and took him out. . . .
Got to look on the bright side of cosmic justice
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
Oh, yeah the things I complained about are trivial
#firstworldproblems one might even say. Looking at the positive of it all for me: I got to spend two days in the middle of the week with my 3 month old daughter
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Congrats on the wee one. She have a Cards crib?
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
no, but lots of Cards clothes and accessories
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
Again, congrats. Can you post a picture?
See above for the latest on my first post on this thread
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
this just in. . . Police ID
One of the men — named as 28-year-old Saeid Morati — had his legs blown off as he hurled an explosive device at Thai police while fleeing an earlier, apparently unintended, blast at a house in the Thai capital, officials said.
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
My picks
Bryan Anderson and Adam Ottavino
Not sexy, but a couple of guys that could make some noise in ST and earn a roster spot
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
These are my picks, too.
Ottavino in particular I think does really well this spring.
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 15, 2012 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
My picks
Rosenthal – he’s this weird mystery man people keep mentioning. I say he appears and lights it up.
Cox – people are giving him a bit of a hard time. He arrives, rakes for very high average (but no power).
i realised we didn't actually have any good looking hitters
Bursting into song.
Get it? Do You?... cuz he's gay. - VolsnCards5
fink's got x-ray vision
Johnny Gomes could not be reached for comment
"There is not a better feeling in the whole world than knowing that you are the best team in both leagues."- Bob Forsch on winning the 1982 World Series.
by MaytheForschbewithyou on Feb 15, 2012 2:20 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Heh
“Hey girl,
I know I’m an intriguing prospect, but let’s not talk about that. Let’s talk about your day, while I give you a foot massage.”
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
by mattybobo on Feb 15, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 8 recs
Android rec
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Feb 15, 2012 4:24 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Well, hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
by peach concrete on Feb 15, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
hehehe
Who needs affection when you can have blind hatred?
Future Mrs. David Freese ♥
St. Louis Cardinals 2011 World Series Champions
That's probably my favorite version of that particular meme
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
reports say it has a positive effect on glaucoma
11 in 11' √
"2011 is dead. Long live 2012!." ... Az.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Feb 15, 2012 10:09 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
picks
P – Martinez
POS – Greene (I would love to see him play everyday,and see him steal at least 30 bases this year!)
"There's only one way to play baseball, "the Cardinals' way." - George Kissell 1920-2008
I'm going with
Reifer and Jackson.
I think Jackson will have a decent, if unspectacular spring with the bat, but show everybody that his glove is ready for the big-time right now.
And Reifer had really shown some brilliance before hurting his knee. I’m hoping he’s back on form and throwing some true gas.
Last year, I had Sanchez (who was good) and Theriot. I was wishcasting for Theriot’s bat to overshadow his awful defense.
halfway through it I thought, "this is a really nerdy thing I'm posting." but I just had to power through to the end.
Danup
THE ONLY PICKS YOU NEED
Pitcher: Jordan SWAGerty
Position Player: Matt “Smash” Adams
TELL ME I’M WRONG!
#givelancechants
Add long as Swagerty is starting I'm ok with this
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 10:19 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
I'd rather he spend another year or two starting then getting him to the majors earlier
Our depth is good enough to allow him the time to develop as a starter.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 11:29 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Am I the only one who finds it weird that Ottavino hasn't been moved to the pen yet?
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 10:22 AM EST via Android app reply actions
not like we were swimming in starters at Memphis last year
I imagine that has something to do with it.
He's moving to the pen this year according to Mo.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe Ottavino cab be the ROOGY I always hoped he could be finally.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 11:47 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
That was kinda my hope too
I think he can turn into a Mitchell Boggs-type guy from the pen, which would be a useful arm to have. I just don’t think he can get lefties out consistently or go through a major league lineup 3 times, so I can’t see him ever making it as a starter.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
Swagerty and Carpenter
Hopefully MCarp makes it impossible to leave him off the team. He almost pulled it off last year. Best case for Swagerty in my mind is that he opens in the Memphis rotation (I’d rather see that than have him make the ML bullpen). Gast was really impressive last spring as well and could make some noise if the other lefties are uninspiring.
Fielder - TG...
gonna tear it up. It’ll be like coed softball when a dude takes a walk. If TG gets on 1B they will just give him second.
Pitcher – Roy F. Oswalt – you heard it here first.
"Progress always involves risk; you can't steal second base and keep your foot on first base." - Frederick Wilcox
I don't recall going back and looking at the spring stats at the end of spring training last year
and now I can’t find those stats. I picked Descalso last year, and Carlos Martinez….anyone have a link to last year’s stats?
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 15, 2012 10:43 AM EST reply actions
Never mind, found them
Descalso hit okay (.308, 3 2b, 1 HR in 52 ABs), but Martinez didn’t pitch for the big squad, and I don’t recall hearing anything special about him last spring.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 15, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions
bullpens
i remember reading some stuff about his bullpen sessions. he created some buzz (duncan and the catchers said they were impressed with his stuff).
Given he throws high 90s with a videogame curveball
you’d imagine he’d impress pretty much anyone with his stuff.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 6:51 PM EST up reply actions
I like this annual tradition post - thanks rb
Pitcher – Wainwright – I’ve got a good feeling he’s going to be even better than we remember
Position – Tyler Greene – I think he’ll finally have a) the opportunity, and b) the support to put everything together.
I missed that you already picked Wainwright
So people can ignore the part of my post below where I am surprised nobody else had picked him yet. My bad.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
no harm no foul
I was also surprised no one had picked him, but I do see the logic behind thinking he doesn’t fit the criteria. Still, I think he’s going to look fantastic and we’ll all be talking about it.
If I had to pick more of a prospect, I’d go with Miller or Cleto.
wong & waino
i’m no expert at guessing this kind of stuff, and i don’t nearly research our minor leaguers as much as most of you guys… but here’s a stab at it.
Samsies!
"I don't know, but it works. Doin it for Torty works... He brings us luck and we're gonna roll with it." Allen Craig
Komatsu & Scrabble
Post Valentine’s day question … now that we are over the El Hombre / Stan the Man issue, do you think Ryan Braun would be hurt if we started calling Nyger Morgan “El Douche”? or “Plush Douche”?
We just don't recognize the most significant events of our lives while they're happening. - Moonlight Graham
why not riff on his handle and your second option
And call him “d-plush”?
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 12:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
T-FAIL
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
I always call him Tyrone
Because he looks like Dave Chappelle’s Tyrone Biggums
I would love to see Nyjer Morgan on Fear Factor
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 1:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I picked Adam Reifer and Matt Carpenter last year so I guess I get half-credit.
For this year, I’ll pick Scott Linebrink and Koyie Hill.
Ok, I just threw up in my mouth.
Instead, trying to go with relatively obscure picks, I’ll take Joe Kelly and Erik Komatsu.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 11:07 AM EST reply actions
Heart: Greene and Kelly
Head: MCarp and Miller
"Congratulations to the Cardinals! Such a fun world series." - Salman Rushdie
You think Carp makes it over Greene?
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 15, 2012 3:33 PM EST up reply actions
both make it, Skip is DFA'd
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
alright!
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 15, 2012 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
Cleto and Adams
Cleto surprises with improved command, Adams goes on a sustained run of success against big league caliber pitchers.
And, of course, I base this guess on almost exactly nothing.
as long as we're projecting control improvement
is Francisco Samuel still in the Cardinals org?
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
by tehzachatak on Feb 15, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
yes
he pitched in rookie ball, as well as high A and springfield last year.
by zoomzoomj88 on Feb 15, 2012 11:25 AM EST up reply actions
The organization did kick him off the 40 man this summer
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 11:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
slightly surprised no-one grabbed him in the rule 5
Though I suppose he’s not the sort of guy you can keep on a 25-man roster very easily.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
well, in real "surprises"
i think that Gast will look cromulent as a lefty- more so than anyone expects.
i also think that Adron is going to make it very hard to leave himself off the roster, even with the glut of OF.
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
Man, I made what I believed to be a hilarious tangent to the geometry joke subthread
Then I realized it was an old thread, not today’s thread. First world problem, I guess. But still. Disappointing.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
ok, matty, I'll go read your joke in the old thread! jeez!
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 12:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
tangents are very common in geometry
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 16, 2012 12:43 AM EST up reply actions
Well
ROSENTHAL…and I’ll go with Bryan Anderson
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 11:38 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Cleto and Descalso
(But I hope it’s Cleto and Greene.)
"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
What improvement exactly
do you think DD will make? OBP? Power?
by MdRedbirdFreak on Feb 15, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
I think he'll hit for a high average in Spring Training.
This is about Spring Training buzz, not 2012 performance.
"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
Going forward into the regular season,
and only considering plausible improvements, I’d like to see a bump in OBP from him more than anything else. I’ll be perfectly happy if he ultimately becomes a Jose Oquendo comp.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Feb 15, 2012 12:03 PM EST up reply actions
Descalso hits for more power than Oquendo and walks less.
I think his OBP will rise if his BA rises. Descalso had a walk rate of 8.8% in 2011. This may go up as he had walk rates over 9% in his first stint with Memphis and in Springfield, but I don’t think it will rise considerably. The question with Descalso, IMO, is his ability to make contact. If he can hit for a .280 BA, he’ll be a good player at second base.
"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
Didn't Descalso have like a .320 BABIP last year?
I mean he can hit more balls over the fence or strike out less , but I just don’t see much of an improvement on his kind of bleh 2011.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
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by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 12:43 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
His BABIP was .323.
But he did his fair share of not putting the ball in play, posting a 17.3% strikeout rate. Given his hitting profile (not much power at all), I hope he is able to cut down on the strikeouts and IFFBs. I’m not sure that he can as I don’t think his contact skill is particularly good. (Descalso sticks out in my mind as having some of the worst swings during the 2011 season.) But, if he can improve in that area by, say, lowering his strikeout rate to a level closer to the 12% range of his high-minors years, I think he can hit for a higher average.
"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
Yeah, early in the season I remember him looking COMPLETELY overmatched
But he looked better and better as the year went on
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 2:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Having watched him only about twice in the minors
I was really quite surprised by how crappy he looked at the plate at times last year. For a kinda low-K, contact hitter with a bit of a pop in the minors, he looked like he couldn’t get near a breaking ball, which was a surprise. His defense was better than expected, mind you…
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, there are differences
with Oquendo, my point is that if he can make enough tweaks to become more like Oquendo I’d be ecstatic. At his age, though, those tweaks better happen this year or they likely never will.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Feb 15, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
is Ankiel actually in camp in a baseball sense?
or did he just decide to show up
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
isn't he in our camp though?
or was he just working out with Cards players. i swear i heard something
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
Position player:
Skip Schumaker thumbs his nose at all his VEB haters, has a fabulous spring, and earns the starting nod at second base.
Pitcher: Eduardo Sanchez establishes himself as a closer-in-waiting and breaks camp as the set-up guy
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 11:42 AM EST reply actions
The only thing I really picked correctly last year was the "under" on Rasmus putting up 4.55 WAR.
So yeah. I have an awesome history with these predictions.
Pitcher: Adam Wainwright. Kind of surprised nobody has said this yet. His stuff will look awesome. Some of it might be an illusion since we haven’t seen him in so long, but that curveball will curve and will have us salivating. Durability after the injury and recovery will obviously be a concern, and maybe the results won’t be perfect, but people will be talking about how good he looks considering.
Position Player: Tyler Greene will pull a Khalil Greene. He’ll hit everything, with a high BA and some slugging too. Whether it’s a small sample mirage or just the wacky Spring Training competition thing, we won’t really be able to say for sure. But he’ll impress and everybody will basically be assuming he’s at least the heavy side of a platoon in the MI if not a starter.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I AM NOT PREDICTING TYLER TO REPRODUCE KHALIL'S SEASON AFTER SPRING TRAINING
I knocked on wood while I typed all this, honest.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Did we do an over/under post before last season?
"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
I dunno, but someone in last year's "spring surprises" post did an O/U specifically on Rasmus' WAR
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
That's what I was thinking.
I was working a little on an “over/under” column.
"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
I didn't pick Wainwright because I didn't think he fit the criteria
I thought the object was to pick a guy was “going to make an impression” and was a “prospect or guy on the margins.”
Wainwright’s recovery/progress is obviously going to be a big spring training story no matter what happens, so it doesn’t seem to fit the bill.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
That's a good point so maybe it doesn't even apply
However, I liked the idea too much so I couldn’t resist
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
If Adam Wainwright is not a valid answer...
Then for pitchers I choose Cleto. He’s the “other” high velocity intriguing ceiling prospect, and based on some apparent control improvements here and there maybe he’ll start looking like an actual pitcher. Disclaimer: I can’t remember if his improved walk rates starting out in our minor league system was an illusion or something… maybe he started at a lower level than he had been at previously because there was room there, and the strike zone was different or something. Anyway.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
His low-minors walk rate with the Cardinals organization was about 3.15, but only over a small amount of innings.
In AAA, it shut up to an unsightly 5.43 per nine innings. But, Cleto was one of the youngest pitchers in the PCL and was still a bit better than average, if my memory serves correctly. I hope he shows better control in Spring Training and that carries over for Memphis.
"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
Cleto
Seems his heater would get hit low. I think.he should aim higher and.take.advantage of his velocity
If you like baseball...you'll love my ROKU !!!
by Red Blazer on Feb 15, 2012 10:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Anyone know where K. Greene is? Too bad. I recall he actually had a very good game in San Diego I think
He was Cards star of the game and came across as sincere and modest. Can but wish him well.
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
according to his wikipedia page he writes hiphop
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions
Whomever the POS is, he won't be as big of a POS as Corey Patterson was last year.
"He probably misses his old glasses."
by Alxfritz on Feb 15, 2012 11:59 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
Corey Patterson, World Champion.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
thats
top prospect, Corey Patterson
Bursting into song.
Get it? Do You?... cuz he's gay. - VolsnCards5
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
That seems like a fairly successful first round.
Sean Burroughs!
"He probably misses his old glasses."
Glad to be on the right side of the Cards-Cubs rivalry
Ernie Broglio>Lou Brock
Corey Patterson> JD Drew
/cubslogic
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 2:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It's relatively insane
how many of the top 20 picks in that draft have worn the BotB in the last decade. Except, you know, the future HOF guy.
Question Answered: Not Pujols. Not Luhnow either. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY TEAM?!?!?!
wow, that draft was pretty stacked.
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 16, 2012 1:04 AM EST up reply actions
not really with top end talent, other than CC, but with solid everyday players.
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 16, 2012 1:05 AM EST up reply actions
You realize you're talking to yourself, right?
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 16, 2012 1:06 AM EST up reply actions
maybe
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 16, 2012 2:47 AM EST up reply actions
Shelby Miller and Matt Adams
Both players show up and make it hard for Mike Matheny to send them down. Shelby does indeed get sent down in order to avoid the arbitration clock. Matt Adams makes the opening day roster ahead of Adron Chambers. Adams plays often at 1B while Berkman rotates between 1B and RF. Second Game line-up:
SS Furcal
CF Beltran
LF Holliday
RF Berkman
3B Freese
1B Adams
C Molina
2B Greene
P Wainwright
This follows the hat tip to WS Champions opening day line up of
SS Furcal
RF Beltran
LF Holliday
1B Berkman
3B Freese
C Molina
CF Jay
2B Greene
P Carpenter
I think Adams will start the season in Memphis.
He has no positional flexibility, which makes him an unlucky bench player. What’s more, the organization will want him playing everyday so they can see whether his AA season was a legitimate breakthrough.
"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
What if anything happens to Mark Hamilton?
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
Interesting...
So, would Adams just be giving Berkman occasional rest at 1B or something? Since he isn’t really a good platoon fit I mean.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
ST Surprises:
Position player: Mark Hamilton — He’s not going to make the roster….and he knows it. So he needs a strong spring to impress some other team into trading for him. Two years ago, one would have thought that the absence of Pujols on the roster would be a good thing for Hamilton. But with Craig and Berkman with the Big Birds and Matt Adams younger and ready for AAA, Hamilton is playing for his job this spring.
Pitcher: Shelby Miller — I think he might actually be the reason that we’re playing such hardball with Roy Oswalt (along with the fact that the organization might view Cleto more rosily than we do here) If Miller has a strong spring, starts in AAA and just dominates, I can’t see the club NOT giving him a shot in the rotation after the all star break, unless Jake Westbrook is pitching out of his mind, and even then, we might deal Westy for other help since he has that option year to make him more than a rental.
I don’t think any of our AA guys make a huge splash this spring (although if Matt Adams gets a lot of fastballs, he’ll hit some tape measure shots) and I think Wong is still a bit to young to project a huge spring from at this point.
Question Answered: Not Pujols. Not Luhnow either. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY TEAM?!?!?!
Not convinced Hamilton will see much playing time, really.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
I hope he doesn't, Matt Adams needs full playing time
and a guy who relies on a .400 BABIP with almost no power is not a first baseman.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
Gast and Adams
Gast because there aren’t a whole lot of LHP in camp. Also, on days when Yadi catches him opposing runners may actually stop taking any kind of leadoff.
Adams because it seems like he should rake against the minor league arms that will be in camp eating innings and the fringe big league guys fighting for a spot. With Craig hurt, and Berkman presumably limiting his at bats he should see plenty of playing time too.
I'll go with bryan anderson and lance lynn.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 12:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Matheny does love him some B.A.
I fully expect Anderson to be the backup coming out of camp.
by mattyfrommo on Feb 15, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to see Anderson get some payback on Nyjer Morgan
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
by peppermartin on Feb 15, 2012 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
What year and round did we draft matt adams?
by Cheeseballs on Feb 15, 2012 12:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You have to be REALLY good to be drafted when you are 10.
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
2009, 23rd round
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
As referenced by WMT's post aove
our record of picking sluggers in rounds ending on 3 in years ending in 9 is impeccable. I expect Adams to vault to the top of pretty much every prospect ranking ever once this realization sets in around the baseball world.
I'll go with who I want to do it.
Greene and Cleto. Both had specific things to work on in the off season. I wonder how they spent their time?
Older than any three of you.
by Remember Kenny B on Feb 15, 2012 12:32 PM EST reply actions
Hookers and blow.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 6:59 PM EST up reply actions
My
answer for everything social related.
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
Greene and sanchez
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 12:42 PM EST via Android app reply actions
For Spring Training Surprises I'll go with some youngins...
Tyrell Jenkins on the mound and Oscar Taveras with the bat.
Is Jenkins really going to get a ST invite and actually play any games?
He hasn’t even thrown a pitch in A-ball yet…
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
Maybe? I think he'd just be there to workout if anything.
that or extended spring training.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
Roy Oswalt
He, Berkman, Beltran are going to combine their 2005 NLCS rings and make a Captain Planet-type super being.
#givelancechants
In case you're wondering,
Beltran’s 2005 NLCS ring says “Mike Lamb” on it for some reason.
#givelancechants
by Brian_K on Feb 15, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Can someone explain what happens if we start the year with Shelby on the team vs waiting til later in the year
and its effect on team control/arbitration/money etc?
He'll hit arbitration a year earlier than he would otherwise
A player in his 3rd year normally makes like $500K. A “Super 2” player would make ~40% of his projected FA value
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
He would also hit free agency a year earlier, right ?
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
No, they go to arb four times instead of 3
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
No...
Miller would hit FA a year earlier if he made the team out of spring training, as opposed to being called up mid-year.
Sign Roy O
Can you verify this?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
What do you mean?
You need 6 years to qualify for free agency. If Miller comes up in May or June he’ll finish the year with .75 (or so) years of service time. Then at the end of 2017, instead of having 6.0 years of service time, he’ll have 5.75 and we’ll get him for 2018.
Sign Roy O
Yeah I think you're right
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
a "year" of service time is a season in which
One spends 90 days + on the active roster.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 8:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It is kinda complicated.
Once you pass a threshold of service time, you start your clock of MLB team control (of 6 seasons).
So if he breaks with the club after camp or is called up in may or june, he will be super 2 and hit FA a year early (relative to if he starts next year with the club)
If he gets called up in july, he hits FA a year early but doesn’t get the extra arbitration year.
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 15, 2012 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
I also believe the Super 2 pool has been expanded in the new CBA.
"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 just means he'll be like Matt Moore and sign a super team friendly contract early!
"He probably misses his old glasses."
I would love this, seriously the Rays FO is magical
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 2:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And also into blackmail.
(not really.)
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
I don't think the Rays front office is all that magical, they're just smart. And so are the players.
This makes a lot of sense for pitchers. You’re one arm injury away from ending a potentially promising career (ask Mark Mulder or Mark Prior — thank GOB we don’t have any high profile pitchers named Mark in our farm system…it’s not been a good decade for them). If I was Matt Moore, you bet your ass I’m signing that deal, because it guarantees me financial security for life if I’m smart about money. I think among pro athletes, baseball guys seem to be among the smart group when it comes to saving and investing.
Among pitchers, you’ve really only seen Lincecum do the year to year thing, and even he relented on that this offseason. For position players, I think it’s less straightforward.
This is also one of the reasons that I like our strategy of compiling tons and tons of high upside arms in the minor leagues:
- Signing bonuses will now be cheaper due to better slotting (allegedly)
- You can lock up the really good arms for a half decade or more for less than what 3 years of a FA starter will cost you.
Position players are a much better bet on the FA market as long as you stay away from the contracts longer than 5 years.
Question Answered: Not Pujols. Not Luhnow either. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY TEAM?!?!?!
Agreed
Tango showed how it was equally beneficial for both the team and player.
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 15, 2012 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
For the pitchers I get it (though I still think I'd want the FA-year options at a higher price)
For Longoria I don’t at all.
Not afraid to nitpick
Yeah, Longoria's contract is almost iniquitous
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 15, 2012 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
I'll go with Shelby and Cox
Shelby’s the easy pick, but I agree with the several previous posters who said he will be around till the last cuts and look ready for a roster spot.
Cox is more of a sentimental pick but, what the hey, it might happen.
Interesting article that shows how poorly the Cards have done drafting and developing players since 2002.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/building-through-the-draft-worst-of-the-worst/
This is only since 2002 (does not include, e.g., Pujols, Yadi, etc.), does not include IFAs, and does not include the value the team got from players by trading prospects, or from prospects that were traded for but were drafted by other teams. (If you want all that considered, then you’re looking for some other, much broader, and much different article).
One would hope that Jay, Craig, Greene, Descalso, Cruz/Anderson, Garcia, Motte, Miller etc. cause us to shoot up this list in the near future.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 1:34 PM EST reply actions
See, I don't know what this study really TELLS us though
Is it meaningful in any way?
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
Yeah, I'd want to see results for all players drafted.
Or conversely, for all players promoted to a big-league club with a minimum of 2-3 years in that same system. Or something that would filter out the noise re: trades.
I don’t think Jocketty’s teams drafted well, but at the same time Jocketty was (and is) very willing to trade away major chips. This study doesn’t account for that.
This is like playing
“Who hit the jackpot” among teams using this criteria. All the top teams on the list are carried in the overall WAR by 3-4 players in that timeframe. They also happen to be teams that didn’t have established players at the major league level, allowing those younger players to move into spots. The Cardinals had Edmonds, Pujols, and Rolen for a good portion of this timeline, and Jocketty was a trade-and-improve GM, not a draft-and-develop GM.
I don’t think this tells us much of anything. The draft is such a crapshoot that his could be the luck of the draw. The teams that tend to pay over slot seem to float to the top, but is there really any science behind this? Or just correlation?
Question Answered: Not Pujols. Not Luhnow either. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY TEAM?!?!?!
by fourstick on Feb 15, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Because of all the stuff not included
notably the value of the players obtained by trading minor leaguers, this article is basically a crock, as several of us pointed out there. Not “wrong” per se, just completely irrelevant.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Feb 15, 2012 10:22 PM EST up reply actions
I would count Shelby as a surprise, he fucking good, period
Ill go with Trevor Rosenthal and “number one in forehead size and our hearts” Cox
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 1:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Wouldn't*
*Zach “number one in forehead size and our hearts” Cox
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 1:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Juan Gonzalez
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 15, 2012 1:44 PM EST reply actions
Dark horse of the year
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 1:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Here is an interesting thought/question:
If the Cardinals and Yadi can not come to terms on an extension, do the Cardinals offer him the average of the top 125 salaries (probably ~12.5) next offseason in order to get a draft pick (new rules in CBA require that offer to get a pick)?
MLBtraderumors thinks Yadi won’t be a lock to be offered; I tend to believe the cardinals would risk that.
Also, if the cardinals were to make that offer, does yadi accept?
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
i'm thinking no
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
makes sense to me
i mean 12.5M is a ton for a catcher…but this is Yadi, and since he probably turns it down, its work the risk
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
I would definitely do that
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
We just have to offer than for one year right?
I think we’d offer it, but I think he wouldn’t accept since he’s probably looking for a long-term deal
I smacked Rickey right in the face when he told me this idea.
Yes we would.
And he’d be crazy to accept it at his age for the position that he plays.
Question Answered: Not Pujols. Not Luhnow either. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY TEAM?!?!?!
Hypothetically, if someone were to get hurt during spring training, who would be the least surprising to you?
Furcal?
Beltran?
Berk?
Carp?
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 1:51 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Always the possibility
of pulling a ribcage muscle on the first tee if you don’t stretch. I suspect these vets will spend a lot of time there. I’ll play though, I’d guess Berkman.
Don't tempt or test the GOBs
Think happy thoughts!
We just don't recognize the most significant events of our lives while they're happening. - Moonlight Graham
Furcal
given the number of times he’s been on the DL in recent seasons.
Still bitching to contact.
by Felonius_Monk on Feb 15, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
Hey all, the Jim Edmonds B-Ref link is up.
Franchise tag in baseball
good idea, or bad idea?
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
I don't follow football enough to know what this means
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
by CodyG on Feb 15, 2012 1:57 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
allows you to retain a player basically without their consent for one year
they get the average of the top 5 salaries at their position, you can’t use it in back to back years. i’m sure i’m missing something, but that’s the general ida
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
NFL teams can use the tag in back-to-back years.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
well, my bad- i guess you can. the salary is average of top 5 players at the position or 120% of last years, whichever is greater
so it’d be a huge hike in the second year, but i guess you can.
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
Yup.
Teams can use it on the same player 3 consecutive years. In the second year, it’s a minimum 20% raise, and in the 3rd year, the player gets the avg. of the top 5 contracts in the NFL (not just the position played by the player).
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
cool. you have a link to that, btw? i couldn't' find a particularly good description.
i don’t really like the fact that you can use it on a player in back to back years, FWIW.
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
Don't know - this is from memory.
In fact, the rules could have been altered in the last CBA so it’d be best to look up the latest iteration of the rules.
by Willie McGee's Twin on Feb 15, 2012 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
I fucking hate the Franchise tag
SIGN ROYO
by Notorious PSC on Feb 15, 2012 2:08 PM EST up reply actions
No thanks.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
Bad idea
Holdouts=bad thing. The whole NFL style franchise tag thing is dumb. A kicker got franchise tagged last year. Someone needs to look up the definition of “franchise player.” I might be able to go along with something like a guaranteed 3-year deal at the top 5 of hitter/pitcher AAV, but even then they’d have to change FA.
On that note, I do wish they’d re-do baseball’s whole system though. The 3 years of service time thing is just weird, then 40-60-80 arbitration is downright goofy (let alone super two), and then to cap it off guys who make it to free agency are almost exclusively on the downside of their careers. Of the top 25 highest paid players, four were either top 30 position players or top 30 pitchers by WAR in 2011. That’s not working very well, they’re paying the wrong guys.
I still think the NBA/NHL style “two way entry-level” contract→restricted free agency→free agency system is probably the best and could work well in baseball with some tweaks.
Not afraid to nitpick
. The whole NFL style franchise tag thing is dumb. A kicker got franchise tagged last year.
Another kicker might this year as well. lol
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
I'm going to ignore the overall business of that question
and just say:
Cardinals’ highest paid player in 2012 with the franchise tag:
Albert Pujols, 18,152,000
"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 Feb 15, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
Tough game, this
What with all the intrigue re: arbitration years etc, what if Alex Cora comes in and lights the place up? Or did they sign him strictly as insurance way down the line? Do these “invite” guys actually get a chance or is it just a bone thrown to them?
To answer just one of your questions-
1) What if Alex Cora comes in and lights the place up?
a) TLR comes out of retirement to manage the gritty veteran of his dreams.
"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 Feb 15, 2012 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
They actually get a chance
but they also need other things to work in their favor like injuries or other players just being downright horrible. For instance, if Tyler Greene goes 7 for 65 in ST, Alex Cora will probably be on the opening day roster.
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 15, 2012 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Happy Birthday to Mitchell Thomas Boggs
born 28 years ago today. What does one wish for a fungible right handed relief pitcher ?
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 2:08 PM EST reply actions
nicely played
Come on, baseball
by Bring Back Tommy Herr! on Feb 15, 2012 3:07 PM EST up reply actions
So, the "El Hombre" post I feel sad about a 250MM contract again
Can we dot this for 2001?
P-Chad Hutchenson-torn between him and this Bud Smith fellow but look at his stuff!
POS-J D Drew. I know he’s not Corey Patterson, but he’s a pretty good prospect himself
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 2:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs
I didn't really notice before today
but is Yahoo Fantasy Baseball the new Joe Mauer background splash?
I miss Joe’s lifeless eyes. Black eyes. Like a doll’s eyes.
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 15, 2012 2:25 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
"Seen him eat a rocking chair one time..."
;=8)
2011 World Series Champions!
And that is NERTLERB!!!!!!!!!!
:=8D
"I don't know chief, he's very smart or very dumb."
Torty Craig, we hardly knew ye.
by KlausChadman on Feb 15, 2012 9:22 PM EST up reply actions
"Here Lies the Body of Clifford Lee....
…struck out over two hundred and three,
for eleven years he kept his consistency….
not a bad record for strike out persistency."
;=8)
2011 World Series Champions!
And that is NERTLERB!!!!!!!!!!
:=8D
by The MooCow on Feb 16, 2012 1:48 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
2012 Spring Surprises
Position Player—Matt Carpenter shows he can play outfield (including center) and wins a bench spot.
Pitcher—Adam Reifer becomes the new Eduardo Sanchez (while Sanchez becomes the set-up, closer-in-training for Motte).
Last year:
Position Player—Daniel Descalso becomes the new Aaron Miles.
Pitcher—Adam Ottavino becomes the new Blake Hawksworth
OT: Anyone around here still read comics?
Anyone?
Like most kids, I read them obsessively back in the day and then stopped as I got older. 12 or 13 years later, I read Watchmen and Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns and got sucked back into that world again.
Now I have a ton of trade paperbacks and I’m actually buying a few titles month to month like the good old days … Batman, Swamp Thing, Animal Man, Fatale and a few others.
I also dig fiction in general (Favorites: Hemingway, Garcia Marquez, Salinger, Saramago, McCarthy) so if you all are TOO COOL for this, I guess we could move on and just talk about how awesome Blood Meridian is or something. I did just join the VEB Good Reads group … which is nice …
No, I don't
but I want, so bad, to get the new Avatar, The Last Airbender comic (I can’t remember the real title) that came out last month.
by ArkansasTravs on Feb 15, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
I do still read comics.
Started out similar to you then we started getting individuals of Buffy Season 8. Now, my brother and I are subscribed to the new Buffy, Angel, Batman (Love the Court of Owls), Nightwing, Severed, and that’s all I can think of off the top of my head.
Sign Bubbie Buzachero!
by cardinalswsbound on Feb 15, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
I've heard great things about Severed ...
… but missed the first few issues. Plan on eventually getting the hardcover or trade. Can’t go wrong with Snyder.
Yeah, it's well worth a read.
Sign Bubbie Buzachero!
by cardinalswsbound on Feb 15, 2012 7:58 PM EST up reply actions
Can't pass up the opportunity to say that yes
Blood Meridian is awesome. I’m working my way through McCarthy’s stuff, though it’s been put on hold for Shelby Foote’s The Civil War. Never got into comics, though.
Nice! Can't go wrong with McCarthy.
Also, I just recently bought all 3 volumes of The Civil War on ebay. Foote is a beast. I like how he shows up in the Ken Burns Baseball series randomly.
I just said "Can't go wrong with _____" twice in a row ...
Not my greatest moment. Nothing to see here, folks.
Flagged!
Oh, you went wrong.
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
by peppermartin on Feb 15, 2012 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
Webcomics only.
And I am near despondency at the approaching conclusion of Errant Story.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Feb 15, 2012 10:25 PM EST up reply actions
Whoa, that is still going on???
I remember reading that artist’s previous comic (don’t even remember the name) and being really excited for Errant Story, but I ended up following fewer and fewer webcomics and lost track of it.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Still going, but starting the "Epilogue."
It has improved VASTLY in the last six or seven years, and it was already pretty good before that. Just fabulous stuff now as it’s ending. Follow the link and give it a look — you’ll have a lot of catching up to do, though.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
by StanTheManFan on Feb 16, 2012 12:04 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah, maybe I'll give it a shot
Kind of booked up though. In the middle of the Wheel of Time, and to finish that series it helps the reader to actually exist in a cyclical universe. I also just started reading Blade of the Immortal, and in order to finish that you have to actually be immortal. Not sure how I’m gonna handle it.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Is Blood Meridian still coming out?
Conflicting reports.
by openside on Feb 15, 2012 11:40 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
My picks aaaaaaare
P – Carlos Martinez. With Shelby gone I want to see somebody be dominant in Springfield.
Position – Matt Adams. I don’t think he’s starting quality for The Show quite yet obviously, but I think he is going to make a strong case to perhaps be the Cards’ starting 1Bman once Puma leaves town.
I am a college student that sleeps with a St. Louis Cardinals Fredbird Pillow Pet, and I am proud of it.
Hold the press
is it to late to vote for ManRam?
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
Adams and I'll say.... R.J. Swindle!
Sign Bubbie Buzachero!
by cardinalswsbound on Feb 15, 2012 3:19 PM EST reply actions
Twitter is so creepy sometimes
There’s so much of this sort of creepy celebrity-worship/validation-seeking thing going on there and it gives me the willies every time I stumble across it. All you have to do is look at any public person’s Twitter feed and it’s cringe-inducing.
Anyway, surprise players — Jake Westbrook (I SAID IT, BSOHL) and Matt Adams.
It's maybe not so much Twitter that's creepy
As it is our attitude toward celebrities that Twitter reveals. Twitter is really the first time we’ve ever been able to communicate with celebrities on a regular basis and at least have the illusion of them being open to communicating back.
So it could very well be that this is how we’ve viewed celebrities for a long time – as buddies, people we could actually relate to (“They’re just like us!”), and now that we’ve finally been given the opportunity to try to communicate with them that way, it’s kind of alarming how creepy that sentiment is when put in such stark terms.
by Cheeseandcorn on Feb 15, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
Didn't I hear that Westbrook lost some weight?
Does this mean he is in the best shape of his life?
Older than any three of you.
by Remember Kenny B on Feb 15, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
What's creepy about that?
You give people an outlet to yap, and they’ll yap.
what's most annoying is when you're following someone famous
and they go on a big spree of retweeting losers begging for RTs
looking at you, david freese
OMG Mojo, huge fan PLZ RT
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 8:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Drumroll please
Sanchez shows his shoulder is healthy and he figured out how to tame his emotions some. All this puts him into the set up role.
Adams comes in showing he can hit in places not called Springfield. Gets sent to AAA anyway
bollocks
by SecondHalfMatt on Feb 15, 2012 3:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions
he was taking too much advice from Miguel Batista
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 15, 2012 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
"Strike Three!"
/double fist pistols
/salsa dance
/gets ball back from Yadi
"He probably misses his old glasses."
Where's the problem there?
2011 - Year of Our Berk
by spants on Feb 15, 2012 5:53 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Edmonds is going to show the youngsters how to cut a shirt to the proper length
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 15, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
And Franklin can show them how not to suck at relieving
“Watch what I do, and don’t do that.”
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 15, 2012 6:02 PM EST up reply actions
By Gosh, it’s the Spring Training broadcast information!
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
Memesplanation?
Sign Bubbie Buzachero!
by cardinalswsbound on Feb 15, 2012 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
And then bookmark her blog homepage.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
Oh jeez, that's embarrassing.
Not sure how I could have missed that.
Sign Bubbie Buzachero!
by cardinalswsbound on Feb 15, 2012 8:05 PM EST up reply actions
Cardinal trivia
World Series Last Play edition.
In the 107 times the World Series has been contested, on nine occasions the final play was a walkoff hit (there was also an instance of a walk-off sac fly). Two were homers (1993 Joe Carter – Toronto and 1960 Bill Mazeroski – Pittsburgh). The Cardinals were not involved in any of those 10 World Series.
However, for one of the Cards’ 11 championships the final play was unusual. In fact, so unusual as to have been the only time that type of play ended a World Series ever.
Can you name the year and the play that ended a World Series that the Redbirds won. (Hint: the play involved a player who is possibly the most iconic figure in the history of the sport)
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions
Hm, reply fail... does it count?
Judges…?
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Very good
Thrown out by NL MVP (technically a different award that was a precursor to the MVP) Bob O’Farrell
Tagged out by player-manager Rogers Hornsby
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
As a follow up
Can you describe another famous MLB game that involved Babe Ruth and a caught stealing ?
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
The one where he walked the 1st batter of the game
got tossed for arguing with the umpire
and then his replacement picked the guy off and retired the remaining 26 in order?
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
you guys would be a kick ass pub quiz team
Bursting into song.
Get it? Do You?... cuz he's gay. - VolsnCards5
From Wiki
On June 23, 1917, Babe Ruth, then a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox, walked the Washington Senators’ first batter, Ray Morgan, on four straight pitches. Ruth, who had already been shouting at umpire Brick Owens about the quality of his calls, became even angrier and, in short order, was ejected. Enraged, Ruth charged Owens, swung at him, and had to be led off the field by a policeman. Ernie Shore came in to replace Ruth, while catcher Sam Agnew took over behind the plate for Pinch Thomas. Morgan was caught stealing by Agnew on the first pitch by Shore, who proceeded to retire the next 26 batters. All 27 outs were made while Shore was on the mound. Once recognized as a perfect game by Major League Baseball, this still counts as a combined no-hitter.5051
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
You posted this while I was in mid-post - saved me the time I would have spent finishing.
Note: There is no evidence that the caught stealing was actually a hit and run called by the batter wherein the batter then neglected to swing.
Beer and Baseball. Baseball and Beer. It's not hard to reevaluate your priorities when you only have two.
by PugetSoundCardsAddict on Feb 15, 2012 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
He might hang out in the wrong dugout.
He’s new, you know.
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
He might do something crazy like start Adam Kennedy in RF several times
If he did something like that, he probably wouldn’t last long as a manager in the MLB
SIGN ROYO
by Notorious PSC on Feb 15, 2012 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Tony Cruz is our RFer.
And I expect Troy Percival to be that game’s starting pitcher.
"He probably misses his old glasses."
Holliday, 2B
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
Don't hate on tiny Cruz the right fielder
He made a great catch in that game!
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 9:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'll be looking for:
His ability to smoothly master manager-speak cliches while putting his own idiosyncratic spin on them;
his ability to make inscrutable, cryptic allusions that leave Joe Strauss in awe;
and a skillfully timed first eruption at an umpire.
I also look forward to good enunciation, as opposed the mumbling of TLR.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Feb 15, 2012 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
YOU THINK MATHENY'S NOT GONNA PUT HIS OWN IDIOSYNCRATIC SPIN ON CLICHES?
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
by peppermartin on Feb 15, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
In TLR's defense
the mumbling might have been caused by the shingles.
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."
Surprised, and very thankful
That nobody posted that pic.
Sign Bubbie Buzachero!
by cardinalswsbound on Feb 15, 2012 8:01 PM EST up reply actions
It's early...
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
for the last 15 years?
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Feb 15, 2012 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
LOL
The Indians’ OPS Plus stat is so secretive that all Antonetti will acknowledge is that it’s an advanced version of a more widely used statistic called OPS, which combines a player’s on-base percentage with his slugging percentage.
2003 seems so far away in baseball-world
http://www.cleveland.com/gameplan/index.ssf?/gameplan/more/part2.html
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
I didn't realize this was a flashback at first
And I felt even worse for Indians fans than I usually do
Indians have a new stat involving hits and at bats
Calling it Batting Average
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 6:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Indians are now keeping track of how many balls go over the fence on paper.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
name of said action to be named later.
THE BATMAN|TOWEL BOY.|VP of TG Fanclub
Twitter|Google+|FREE TYLER GREENE!
Thinking
run home.
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
"Touch all bases"
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 16, 2012 12:16 AM EST up reply actions
Why keep track of that?
If batsmen lose themselves in attempting to strike the ball all the way over the fence, surely as you can’t trust a Spaniard a dramatic rise in strike-outs will come of it. Better to keep the ball on the ground.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
I thought it was Australians you couldn't trust
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
by peppermartin on Feb 15, 2012 6:55 PM EST up reply actions
I thought it was
Bavarians
flayed ones stealth mode
"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."
Well.....
…last year I predicted a real surprise (Evan McLane returning from Japan to claim the 2nd LOOGY role) which pffffffffed like a souffle in a Paula Dean kitchen, but also can take credit fer Lil’ Carp!
:=8)
This year I’m gonna say this: my surprise ST BonBs are -
P) Brandon Dickson will make KMac expendable – even though he really already is – and will get 6 starts this year
2b) Ryan Jackson will hit better in ST than expected, but fall short of cracking the roster. See ya in Sept. Ryno!
:=8)
2011 World Series Champions!
And that is NERTLERB!!!!!!!!!!
:=8D
You have Ryan Jackson moving to 2B?
"When you do things right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all."
Well, he can play both...
…but if he hits it would be nice for him to take 2b – assuming Greeney falls flat again, Skip spirals downward, and Descalso stays the same. Once Furcal is gone….
2011 World Series Champions!
And that is NERTLERB!!!!!!!!!!
:=8D
Grantland warning!
A little article about Jeff Luhnow, and how he’s trying to rebuild the Astros.
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."
Luhsnow
wihnlater
Ad Maiorem Tortius Gloriam
by peppermartin on Feb 15, 2012 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
MISS YOU SIG
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
Sig
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
by TBender on Feb 15, 2012 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
not since the dad from familly matters shot him
At the end of die hard.
i used to be disgusted, but now i try to be amused . . . - macmanus
by tom s. on Feb 15, 2012 8:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Anyone else think Oswalt back issue is worse than has been reported?
I get the feeling teams want no part of him
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 6:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
my picks for spring training sensations if i understand this correctly
Waino for pitcher – because he’s way more ready than we think and will be doing as well as we hope and will be old waino, not reduced innings waino.
Craig for position player – because he’s way more ready than we think and will be doing as well as we hope and start opening day. Craig probably won’t happen though as we have new toy Beltran everyone (in the organization as well as here probably, including torn me) wants to see get plenty of playing time. If this works out it would be Jay that see’s reduced time instead of Craig or Beltran, and if that’s the case because of their play, it will be a good thing because should mean they are both tearing the hide off it and playing the field well enough. I like Jay but it would be awesome if we have WS Craig, and 2005 Beltran.
11 in 11' √
"2011 is dead. Long live 2012!." ... Az.
Craig is recovering from surgery
Unlikely he sees many ST at bats, if any
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 8:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
hey is this not supposed to be something like most surprising predictions or something or other?
and craig is determined so go rain somewhere else
11 in 11' √
"2011 is dead. Long live 2012!." ... Az.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Feb 15, 2012 9:30 PM EST up reply actions
50 days until Opening Day
The negative waves. Always with the negative waves...
Elation. Sadness. Mayhem. Champagne. Sleepless fury. - Joe Posnanski
even the british are turning into cavepeople
WE NEED BASEBALL
Secretary of WAR and Defense of the Tyler Greene Fanclub.
by vivaelpujols on Feb 15, 2012 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
Werewolf!
Werewolf?
There.
What?
There, wolf. There, castle.
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 16, 2012 12:23 AM EST up reply actions
spring training is so close
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 15, 2012 7:31 PM EST up reply actions
Calm before the storm
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 7:50 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Highway to the danger zone
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 16, 2012 12:29 AM EST up reply actions
Last post-season
We rode the highway to the Rangerzone.
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
keep reading robert stack when i see that name ... just thought i'd share
11 in 11' √
"2011 is dead. Long live 2012!." ... Az.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Feb 15, 2012 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
Two-way player
He can pitch
and catch
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 16, 2012 12:34 AM EST up reply actions
heh untouchables
11 in 11' √
"2011 is dead. Long live 2012!." ... Az.
by I-Musial-ly-Am on Feb 16, 2012 6:16 AM EST up reply actions
After careful thought, my answer is "none of the above."
The problem isn’t that there’s no talent among the non-top-five prospects. It’s that this is no longer a “stealth” farm system. Because all the commentators are talking about how good the system is, it has become much more difficult for a prospect to fly under the radar the way Jon Jay or Lance Lynn did. Trevor Rosenthal, to pick one, could have a very good camp, and yet not “surprise” like that, since he’s started to attract notice of the people who would have been “surprised” in past years.
This said:
P: Sam Freeman
POS: Ryan Jackson — he’s been “noticed” already, but people will be surprised at how close to the majors he is.
"That’s what a baseball player does: he uses the glove half of the time." -- Rick Horton regarding the DH.
This is pretty much my thoughts also
If Martinez really has an 80 fastball. How could it not excite people. Ryan Jackson is just currently my favorite minor league player so it is a homer pick
by FlimtotheFlam on Feb 15, 2012 8:42 PM EST up reply actions
pretty cool that they are going to try Matt Carpenter at 2B during ST
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 8:38 PM EST reply actions
for sure
I do wonder how his defense would port over to 2B (being that Pujols > Berkman defensively). I like Descalso more in a utility role… but Greene may be the 2nd baseman. anyway, spring training should be very interesting… the only thing that would ruin it is if they make Skip the starting 2nd baseman.
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
Skip can start at 2B
If he consistently has a .360+ OBP like in 2009 (or his last 202 PAs last year).
I personally think it's a bad idea unless he has all the sudden become better at the keystone
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly 37 players in the league in 2011
can boast a .360 OBP. If he can go for .360 all year, I’d say any D at 2nd is worth it.
well, sounds like a far stretch that he can get on base at that clip
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:29 PM EST up reply actions
Well, you specifically sight Descalso who is a natural 3b whose bar plays better and second and he plays defense well all over the infield
So it’s just a question of if MattyEyes can do the same. I think he could bring as he looked pretty nimble defensively but he’s sort of a lanky guy so I’m not sure how well he roams vs moving around the short range of the hot corner
"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"
by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Feb 15, 2012 9:15 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
on the front page at stlcardinals.com there's an article saying that Carpenter is willing to relocate
so I read that, and it was talking about how he’d be ok with playing other positions. and that the org wanted to give him a look at 2b.
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:11 PM EST up reply actions
more excitement
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
can't wait for spring training!
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
didn't he do really well last ST?
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:15 PM EST up reply actions
...
(Matt) Carpenter’s experience in the Minors has been almost entirely limited to third base, though he is expected to get some looks at second base and the outfield this spring.
If Carpenter is unable to crack the Cardinals’ roster, he’ll resume duties at third base in the Minors. Farm director John Vuch said that Carpenter is projected to be the starting third baseman at Triple-A Memphis, if he is sent down.
“I’m just going into camp ready and healthy and just try to make an impression,” Carpenter said. “Obviously, everyone’s goal going into Spring Training is to try and make the team. That’s obviously my goal. Whatever role that might be, I’m just going to try and go in and make a good impression.”
Our new pitching sensation
Lil’ Matt
"I actually used about nine pitches--two different fastballs, two sliders, a curve, a changeup, knockdown, brushback, and hit-batsman" - Bob Gibson
Sign Mark Prior!
by ISawGodInGibby'sRightArm on Feb 16, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions
no truth to the rumor that this is an actual quote from MCarp
I mean, they let Skip stand out there like a statue for the last 3 years, surely I can do better than him. Heck, I can even contribute on offense. What’s Skip got? Grit? Have you seen the way I take a walk and hustle down the line? I’m so gritty I don’t even wear batting gloves? You see the annoying way he plays with his after every pitch? Yet another thing I do better than him.
"Baseball is like Church, many attend, few understand" - Wes Westrum
by scoot on Feb 15, 2012 9:23 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Promise no slides
into 1st base? You’ve got the job.
by MdRedbirdFreak on Feb 15, 2012 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
I'll assist your mozeliak
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
not off the charts really
I’m taking Eduardo Sanchez to dominate and start the season as our set-up guy and eventually closer if Motte struggles. As for position, I’m going with the forgotten prospect Bryan Anderson. Matheny likes him and a lefty bat to spell Molina is a better option. Plus, the guy has always hit. That is his strength. He makes the team with a strong spring.
I too like Kolten Wong to lift a few eyebrows by the way, but not as much as Steven Hill will. As for picking Shelby Miller, well he’s way too hyped to be a surprise, unless of course he falls flat on his face, otherwise a strong performance is expected. Another shocker would be if J.C. Romero makes the team on ability instead of just being left-handed.
I was going to say Wong instead of Greene but I am thinking he is probably just a bit too young still
livin fuzzy in a binary world
by Cards Fan in Chitown on Feb 15, 2012 9:31 PM EST up reply actions
General question about Kolten Wong
I keep reading these descriptions of him in prospect lists, and it sounds a lot like what I picture Dustin Ackley to be. Is that selling Ackley short or something? Is that a bad comparison for reasons I am unaware of? (Maybe Ackley is supposed to play way better defense, or maybe it’s a floor/ceiling comparison?)
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Ackley has a much better eye and is more athletic
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
So, Wong's hopeful major-league self is something like Ackley-lite?
"I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missoura!"
Well, we don't really know what Ackley is like
I think Won’g major-league self is Polanco-lite
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
Ackley also has more projected power yeh?
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
by tehzachatak on Feb 15, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno, Ackley's a 15-20 HR guy. Wong's probably a 10-15 guy, so yeah, probably
But not by a whole lot
Of all sad words of tongue or pen; the saddest are these: 'It might have been!' -- Whittier
Twitter
i thought Ackley was 20+ and Wong was gonna top out at 10
so i guess i was a little off both ways
mumble mumble Peter Bourjos mumble mumble
by tehzachatak on Feb 16, 2012 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
Ackley was considered closer to 15 on the 15-20 range.
But when he came to the bigs, he showed off more power than he had shown in the minors.
Swing and a high drive to center field...GET UP BABY...GET UP BABY, GET UP...OH YEAH - Shannon, Gm 6
by OurSaviorAaronMiles on Feb 16, 2012 12:39 AM EST up reply actions
Who will we be talking about?
Beltran and Wainwright.
Who are the younger guys that will be a surprise?
It would surprise me if Miller doesn’t do well. So, I’ll pick Anderson (he’s in a legit roster-spot battle, as opposed to Miller) and Sanchez.
Play ball!
My picks...
Cleto "don’t call me Cueto "
Wong
If you like baseball...you'll love my ROKU !!!
by Red Blazer on Feb 15, 2012 10:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Not much mention of Tony being on Cruz control this spring. for a position player Think that JC Romero might flame out. . .
flicker out probably better term. . . Then some far-flung loogy comes in. . .
Adultery is the application of democracy to love.
H. L. Mencken
So we are going to have a really LH heavy bench,
Especially to start the year with Craig out. Without Craig, its likely either Chambers or Komatsu gets the last OF spot. If we assume Greene gets the 2nd base job, that would leave a bench of:
Schumaker
Descalso
Chambers/Komatsu
Cruz
Last spot to M.Carp/M.Adams????
We could really use a RH OFer….i hope Pham has a terrific spring and beats gets a spot on the bench, he would give us some much needed balance, although its unlikely.
by mick311 on Feb 15, 2012 10:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I don't think Kolten Wong, or Trevor Rosenthal will be receiving extended looks this Spring.
So I won’t be going with either of them. Wong will be lucky to get 10 AB’s and Rosenthal will be lucky to get 2 appearances. I don’t say this to downplay their talents, because I think they’ll both be great. I just think the Cards know that this isn’t their time.
The easy choice at pitcher is Shelby. The easy choice for hitter is Matt Carpenter.
My alternate choices are Adron Chambers (takes last bench spot, until Craig is activated – Yes, M Carp is also on the bench) and Adam Ottavino.
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 15, 2012 10:51 PM EST reply actions
Just remember with Wong and Rosenthal,
they finished last season at low-A
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 15, 2012 10:56 PM EST up reply actions
rosenthal got a lot of pub last year during camp
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 15, 2012 11:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
and made zero appearances with the big club.
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 15, 2012 11:38 PM EST up reply actions
Well yea
But that wasn’t the question. I feel he will generate the most surprising buzz
2015 St. Louis Rotation-- Wainwright, Garcia, Miller, Martinez, Rosenthal...towels please
by VolsnCards5 on Feb 16, 2012 6:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That wasn't mainstream buzz, though.
Carpenter and Gast were actually generating mainstream buzz by appearing in games with the big club.
Also, 90% of that buzz was generated by you.
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 16, 2012 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
To go with the true dark horse candidates
P – Tyrell Jenkins becomes a sober reincarnation of Dwight Gooden. Also the further disintegration of JC Romero triggers an appreciably large number of cult-inducingly effective appearances from RJ Swindle.
POS – Torn between Adron and MCarp; I actually wouldn’t be surprised to see both of them make the bench out of ST.
"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 Feb 15, 2012 11:14 PM EST reply actions
Tyrell Jenkins - that'd be awesome, but it ain't happening.
He’s another guy that’ll be lucky to get more than 2 appearances. He finished at Johnson City and is slated to start the season in low-A.
Agree with everything else. Granted, I don’t think RJ will make the team, but he’ll have people pulling for him if he’s effective.
Trade Westbrook
by The Ghost of Todd Burns on Feb 15, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
I am about to kill my neighbors
For the last week their alarm has been going off in the middle of the night. Scaring the living shit out of me
Legally you have a right to give cause for the alarm to go off.
I suggest a Louisville Slugger on the side mirrors.
by openside on Feb 16, 2012 4:01 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
tyler brahmatulla
has a breakout year
i’m also drunk
You only did it so that you could wear terry underwear and feel the city air run past your body
by lunchboxbomb on Feb 16, 2012 4:07 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I am going to say...
Bryan Anderson and Adam Ottavino.
Anderson will win the backup job with a nice spring at the plate by hitting a few doubles and driving in some runs with 2 outs, and Ottavino will be lights out by getting a lot of batters to chase his slider instead of it resulting in walks.
Sorry for tossing my 2 cents in so late.
I didn’t read the other posts, but I’m going with Tommy Pham. His injuries have been keeping him from a breakout, but I think he can do it, and I believe he just had his vision fixed. There are a ton of other good pos. players to go with though. I like T. Greene a lot too, as well as Kolten, Taveras, and Cox.
Pitching, I’ll go with Shelby as well, though I also like Adam Reifer.
Chief Economist of Tyler Greene Fanclub
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