Your summation for the off season is right on by my account, and we will look forward to following it when we get there.  Many thanks for all of your contributions.

For now there is baseball to be played, and game management to debate.  I will post my comments on that separately.

It seams to me that the difference maker for many playoff clubs, is the unanticipated over-achievement of one or more rookie additions to the team.  Veb posters have debated many times whether or not this can occur for the cards while under the reigns of tlr & dunc.  Regardless of one's leaning on that issue, the `06 cards do appear to have a trio of rookies that will have shared the task of getting the club to the playoffs, and could be well prepared to play significant roles once there.  The trio is of course: wainright, reyes, and duncan.  I don't think we've seen a cards team with this much rookie participation in a long time, and it is very exciting as we root for their success while holding our collective breath because we're not sure if they can routinely perform like they have to date.

Managing the rookies' playing time and appearance situations to gradually increase confidence (of the player, the coaches, and the fans) is an interesting task throughout the season.  It should also be noted that how they are introduced has a lot to do with what level of performance the club is playing at and the situation in the standings whether chasing or conserving a lead.

With those things in mind, and in view of the phenomenal august performance of Duncan, and his game performance Yesterday that included single handedly giving the club one more chance with a hr in the 8th; the managing decision in the 9th was nothing short of astonishing.  It was predictable that tlr would be crucified for this decision (at least I predicted this, but did not participate in the crucification).  A flurry of Veb posters were enjoying the discussions of ROY in the preceding innings.  After tying the game in the 8th, to then have the chance to stroke the game winner in the 9th, appeared a fortuitous situation.  Sufficient confidence had been inspired at least among these fans that having this rookie thrust in this situation at just that moment was perfect; not just for winning the game, and beating the despised cubbies, but launching dunc's candidature for ROY with a truly heroic total game performance.

Imagining all that, then seeing dunc removed from the game at that moment was the singular most shocking managing decision that I can recall tlr ever making.  The shock was then compounded by the choice of players to substitute.  Without researching the actual numbers, the replacement may well be leading the team in LOB, GIDP's, and even SO's.  Whether or not this game decision was responsible for the outcome of the game is not this issue, nor is one's general regard for the decision maker.  The original prospective outcome favorable to the club and the rookie was denied the chance.  The turning point that might have been, is instead made into a turning point all together different.  Even a successful outcome by the replacement, could never remove the shock of the decision itself.  For the club, the fans, and more importantly the player, the specter of doubt instilled by the manager can set aside weeks of brewing confidence.

What was tlr thinking, or even do I care?  That decision alone was so astonishing, the rest of the game didn't really matter (to me).  I guess in this respect I may be alone, as the game wraps on mlb or espn failed to even notice this event.  The home team web page of course would not highlight it, but even the local paper said nothing of it this morning.  I am again in shock.  I wonder if any ROY has ever been pulled in the 9th with the bases loaded.  I wonder just how many game winning hits ROY's typically have, and how many dunc has so far.  I wonder if dunc will be looking over his shoulder the next time he gets to bat with the sacks jammed, and what might happen when he does get to hit.  I wonder if the same situation of having tied the game in the 8th, and the chance to win it in the 9th will ever reproduce itself, at any time let alone against an archrival.

There; I've vented (and hopefully respectfully).  Any help on the ROY questions above are more than welcome.  

SD

I completely agree about Edmonds. I don't even see why Walt would consider buying out his cotract for $3 mil. Sure, he's had a rough year, but those numbers are still a lot better than what's out there. Plus, his defense is still among the best in the league, and with Enc and Dunc at his side for now, we need that.

I have to wonder about the whole Dunc/Delucci idea. I love the idea of Delucci, I think he'd be a great addition to the Cardinals, but I also love Duncan. His numbers are very similar to those of Ryan Howard in his rookie season, and look at where he is now. It seems like so often with rookies who have a horrible sophomore season, it's because they came into the league on fire an dwindled off, but in Duncan's case, he game into the league doing well, but progressively got even better, and now, more than two months into his MLB career is when he's getting hot. He just seems like a pretty solid investment to me. Maybe we sign Delucci if he'd be willing to platoon with an aging edmonds?

Just some thoughts - thanks for a great guest post

As far as 2nd base goes, I'd still like to see if Tagucci can play there.  No one would complain about his ~700 ops there.  More to the point, the Guch really needs to be a backup OF/IF if he wants to be valuable to this team.  And I think any money spent for a FA SS (and moving Eck to 2nd) would be well spent.

and how about Juan? nice

1. is Duncan a dead-pull hitter? I don't recall ever seeing him HR to left, but I could be wrong.
2. Is it just me or does Duncan not seem like a typical 2-hitter? He seems like a 3/4/5 hole hitter....maybe #2 is the best spot for him in this lineup, and maybe hitting in front of God Himself is the reason he's seeing so much to hit.
   

An adoring fan of yours!

(end sarcasm)

geez what is it with some of you people.  Not everyone is Albert Pujols.

Why didn't Miles bunt him over?

It would create 1 out, runner at 2nd with Duncan, Pujols and Rolen availible to drive that run or any other runs in.

Frustrating that he can't make a simple baseball move like that, but micromanages other situations.

I've been able to see two TV games in a row here, and he doesn't look as good as usual.

Is there something I'm missing.

I'm all for Schmidt and then some. That's exactly what we need is a dominant starter, and this team is dead last w/K's so a rotation with Carp, Reyes and Schmidt would turn that around.

Feel ya on the 5th starter situation. I think Weaver could be back for cheap, maybe a 1 year deal. Like the Dellucci idea, though it's gonna be harder for the Cards to see the need the way Dunc is hitting, though he is probably way over his head right now.

1.  No Schmidt - I live is SF and think the future schmidt is the 05 vs. 06 version.  He is pitching well but is losing velo (not the kind of pitcher I am paying big money for:
2.  I agree with Timber - Sign Lugo and move Eck to second (unless we can find another SS or a 2B with a Bat
3.  Resign Edmonds at 3Y 20M.  Decent money for a 37 YO or 2Y 17M if that is his preference
4.  Extend Carpenter an extra YR at $14M or so (i.e. recognize that we are underpaying him so when we overpay for another starter he gets his due)
5.  Package Reyes or Wainright with Duncan and any Double A or lower prospect (except Hawksworth) for Dontrelle in the offseason.  We have to give up alot to get Dontrelle...
6.  Start promoting our minor league relievers (i.e. we have Perez, Sillman, Worrell, Cavazos, AA Setup man excapes me, lets get this group to triple A and pitch relief games if he have to find someone with ML stuff) AND sign/trade for a top tier setup man
7.  Try to pry away a Devil Rays outfielder (if we can give up a package of 3-4 starter ceiling prospects or low minors prospects)

-K  

PS we may need an overflow thread....

Anyone else notice his goofy Gameday photo?

I would be SHOCKED to see him back out there, though I'd love it.