Who Gets Spiezio's Roster Spot?

by roarke on Feb 28, 2008 6:58 AM EST Comment 29 comments

With Spiezio out of the picture, who do you think will take the roster spot? The value in Scott was that he could play corner infield and outfield and we don't really have any one guy that can fill all of those roles (the switch hitting part was nice, too).

My guess is that this makes it a lot easier for Brendan Ryan to make the squad out of camp. I wouldn't be surprised if he sees some time at third in games during March. Brian Barden probably has the most experience at third in the minors, so maybe this opens a door for him, too.

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Ryan

My guess is Ryan, he has played all IF positions left of 1B and we have Duncan for that, plus the fact that the OF guys are going to be rotating through 1B this Spring.

by StLHugo on Feb 28, 2008 7:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

don't forget that other guy...

josh phelps. if he can play 1st, I'm thinking he can play 3rd also. he is also a very good right handed hitter with power. I think he will probably fill the void that spezio has left if its not brendan ryan.

waiting for the 2009 season to begin

by cards4life on Feb 28, 2008 8:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

3rd

his defense is reportedly not so good at 1b, or any where else for that matter. i like his bat, but he just doesnt seem to have the defensive versatility needed to be a utility man.

by dmb60614 on Feb 28, 2008 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer Phelps

He adds that power bat off of the bench. If TLR wants to shake things up like he loves to do, he could use Pujols at 3rd for short time frames (not sure how the elbow would handle it) and carry another outfielder since that's where the surplus is.
On a side note, yesterday seemed to show that Barton's knee isn't bothering him a whole lot.

by Jumsy on Feb 28, 2008 9:41 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think

it would be wise for Pojols to make one throw from third base.

by ridgesee on Feb 28, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Several Choices

My first choice: Brian Barden...good defense at all infield positions and some life in his bat.

Another Good Choice: Brendan Ryan...if he doesn't make it anyway, I think he could use some everyday work at AAA and come up for good by the end of the season.

Avoiding the Tough Choice: This team has 6 outfielders for 5 spots. Duncan can backup at first and Miles or Ryan at 2nd,3rd,SS...but this would leave you thin on the infield.

Josh Phelps: If he can learn to play some 3rd, he would be a very good choice. My guess is that he is on the back fields right now practicing that throw across the diamond.

Another Pitcher: NEVER forget that this is an option...especially with this staff.

How about handin' me another helpin' of those mashed taters...thank you very much!

by Elvis on Feb 28, 2008 9:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Brian Barden

It'd be great if he could have a good enough showing to get a shot. After learning that we'd need a new backup 3B, I went sorting through Agonistes' SFR spreadsheet for good defenders who may be minor league free agents that we could pick up. Barden was the best 3B in the PCL last year.

If he can get his bat back to its pre-2007 levels, he'd make a nice bench player.

I think it's unlikely that Phelps could field the hot corner. Maybe Ankiel in a pinch—he's got experience fielding even closer to the batter...

by liam on Feb 28, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ankiel?

A left-handed third baseman?

by tdawg on Feb 28, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Was just kinda thinking out loud there...

In a real pinch, though...

The news that Joe Mather's working out with Oquendo is pretty intriguing. I still don't see any place for Phelps on the 25-man roster, given his very limited defensive versatility.

Non-corner-infield roster prognostication blather:
I'm pleased to see how effective Hugo Castellanos was today. I've been hoping the Cardinals inaugurate a token-funky-delivery-guy role in the bullpen. Either Worrell or Castellanos would fill it nicely.

by liam on Feb 28, 2008 7:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ankiel?

Absolutely not. The Cards need to find out what kind of outfielder he is. He's left handed. He's been a psychological miracle to make it to this point. No, no, not even in pinch where everyone else is stuck in the locker room because of a large boaconstrictor, no.

"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.

by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 28, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So maybe this explains the return of Miles

It is clear that the Cardinals had some knowledge of this situation and were prepared to move swiftly once the severity became known. So maybe they brought back Miles in the anticipation that they might have to cut Spiezio. In my opinion that makes Miles' return slightly more palatable.

by OCCardsFan on Feb 28, 2008 11:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seriously.

Now we're down to only one middle-infielder/relief pitcher. Imagine how much strain it'd put on the bullpen to have none.

If Pineiro is injured, dear God, Miles may start.

"Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." --Churchill

by lordsummer on Feb 29, 2008 8:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think it all depends on Juan Gone...

If Rodriguez reserrects himself from the grave, then we'd have one more RH bat with pop, which I think would mean Phelps gets left behind. If that's the case, Ryan, Barden, or even maybe trying a Ludwick there could be feasible under the "never underestimate what TLR will think up next" philosophy. If Taguchi and Spiezio looked like second basemen to him, then Ludwick, who is a very good athlete, could look like a potential 3b in a pinch.

I still think Miles or even Izturis will get the bulk of the spells at 3b for Troy, depending on who is playing every day up the middle.

"No regrets, that's my motto. That, and everyone wang chung tonight."

by cardsfansince1982 on Feb 28, 2008 12:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rodriguez?

Which one?

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Feb 28, 2008 1:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Juan Gone

sorry, Gonzalez. I don't know where Rodriguez came from.

"No regrets, that's my motto. That, and everyone wang chung tonight."

by cardsfansince1982 on Feb 28, 2008 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LH 3B?

When was the last time a lefty (fielding) played on the infield other than 1st base? I highly doubt that Ludwick gets a look on the infield.

by Jumsy on Feb 28, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ludwick

I was going to say the same thing. Ludwick throws left-handed. The more possible choice among outfielders would be Duncan, who was drafted as a 3b1b...at least he has tried it before.

How about handin' me another helpin' of those mashed taters...thank you very much!

by Elvis on Feb 28, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

he went 2 for 3 today. Who knows, maybe the resurrection isn't so impossible.

On with the (good) youth movement!

by aet15 on Feb 28, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if they'd consider

Juan taking some GB at 1B if they are deadset on him making the team.

Still looking for 1985 Regular Season games on DVD/VHS

by Hardcore Legend on Feb 28, 2008 5:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Mather

I,ve heard that Joe Mather might be an option

by BGFOOT17 on Feb 28, 2008 5:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i have an injured shoulder im rehabbing

with my second shoulder surgery one to cut out bone this one to repair a torn labrum and missing cartilage, maybe i could play 3rd since they like the MO of hurting guy recovering...

I can't believe i gave up a homerun to that punchinjudy hitter-major league 2

by punchinjudy on Feb 28, 2008 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If think it does mean that either

Barden or Ryan makes the squad. I think Spiezio's contract was based more on the uncertainty about Rolen at 3b than on his versatility in the field. The Cards shouldn't need any more outfielders but they will need someone to back up 3b and short. That probably means Ryan but I think Barden may get some time at short in the spring.
I'm hoping Phelps will accept a demotion to Memphis as, barring the unthinkable happening to Albert, I don't see a spot on the team for him. Even if Albert blows his elbow it would be a good reason to bring Duncan back to the infield and bring up Rasmus. Juan worries me in relation to Barton's situation. I really think there's a lot of potential in the outfield with Ankiel, Ras, Ludwick, Barton, Dunc and Schu but Juan has those 38 years of life experience that ring Tony's bell. If he stays, Barton goes and Ras stays in Memphis.

by easy on Feb 28, 2008 7:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No demotion

Phelps in in camp on a minor-league contract. He's replacing Tagg Bozied as AAA 1B depth.

by liam on Feb 28, 2008 7:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This might be a good time

to invite Allen Craig to big league camp. RH, plays 3B, excellent hitter...

And there's always uncle rico, whom I've always had a soft spot for.

by SleepyCA on Feb 28, 2008 7:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Surely

Amaury Marti could play 3B. He could probably do it bare handed.

Those Pilgrims ain't lookin' so proud now...

by giveml on Feb 28, 2008 9:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nonsense

Everyone knows that no leather exists as tough as Amaury Marti's skin. He doesn't use a glove at any position, and Molina's using a new catcher's mitt lined with powderized skin he stole from Marti's PedEgg.

Marti doesn't even wear a uniform, he wills his body hair to grow in that way.

by liam on Feb 29, 2008 2:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, it has been shown...

...that Amaury Marti never actually hits the ball. The ball actually turns around and runs away in fear. Perhaps he could generate the same effect from third base.

If not, the dude can play all three outfield positions at the same time. I reasonably sure he could handle one position.

"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.

by redbirdnation8206 on Feb 29, 2008 10:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs