It was clear in May that Izzy was spiraling downward and needed help. Last night was an example of the failure of our hydra-headed GM to address the issues which hold the team back. The manager can only use the players the GM supplies him. Springer can't be used three days in a row, but who else can he use? The real problem in the inning was the weak-armed shortstop who shouldn't be playing shortstop. A major league shortstop has the arm to complete that double play and end the inning. So is it the manager's fault that Izturis wasn't in the game? Or is it the GM's fault for staffing a position with two guys who can field, but can't hit, and another middle infielder who can help on offense, but hurts you defensively? After Izturis's pathetic AB on Saturday, resulting in a 2-1 loss, can we blame TLR for sitting him Sunday?                                         

The manager, coaches, and core players continue to grind it out and stay in the race, but they need help. What has the 2GM done to help them?

Pitching:

Mo- Reyes, 2xFlores, Villone, Clement, Pinero, Lohse, Springer, Franklin

2, maybe 3 winners out of 9

Luh- McClellen, Garcia, Jimenez, Boggs, Parisi, Perez, Worrell

1 winner (as far as 2008 goes) out of 7

Position players:

Mo- Izturis, Miles, Glaus, LaRue, Barton

4, maybe 5, out of 5 to the plus side- not bad

Luh- Mather, Stavinoha, Washington (2 of the most pathetic AB's you'll ever see last night)

1 out of 3?

So back to the original question: when do they become responsible for the downward spiral in 2008? Is it if the Cards miss the playoffs? Is it if the majority of the untouchable prospects don't make it? Is it if the Cards don't get the WS in the next 3 years? Is it if Rasmus is a flop?

Actor needed to play the role of closer in film about overachieving, "scrappy" team that wins the World Series. Must be able to get three outs before the other team scores. Impersonators (or even look-alikes) of Barney Schultz, Bruce Sutter, Al Hrabosky, Todd Worrell, Lee Smith, Dennis Eckersley, or the former (but not the latter) Jason Isringhausen welcome. Auditions held nightly by our director, Mr. LaRussa. Mr. Franklin, the latter Mr. Isringhausen, Mr. Perez, and Mr. McClellen hve been deemed unsuitable for the role, and are to report back to central casting for role reassignment. the role is open to anyone in the studio's employ, including any crewman working in the back lots making wagons for the set, or any other Carpenter available. Producer "Slow Mo" may be amenable to renting an actor from another studio to fill the role if the cost is not too high. Studio wishes to avoid losses it will incur if it has to rewrite the script, turning the film into a tragedy. Suggestions welcome.   

Studio will alert Security if  Mr. Veres or Mr. Bottalico attempt to audition.                                                       

     I think it was in the 50's or early 60's when the Cards put four first basemen in the starting lineup; an aging Musial in left, Joe Cunningham in center, Bill White in right and George Crowe at first.  The current outfield is second only to that lineup in defensive futility. Duncan just can't play the field. The first hit of last night's game would have been caught (pop fly to medium left by Rollins) by a near-average left fielder. Because he can't go back on anything, Duncan positions himself about fifteen feet from the wall no matter what the situation is. Later in the game another similar fly ball fell in. Both were opposite field fly balls by left handers. Phillies' color man (and former left fielder) Gary Matthews Sr. flatly stated that both of those balls should have been caught. Yes, he made a nice play on a ball at the wall, but every defensive play he makes is shaky. Let's face facts: he's a DH in a non-DH league.
     If the organization is going to insist on a "pitch to contact" philosophy, then it needs a major upgrade defensively, because Duncan is not alone in his defensive shortcomings. Our best defenders are on the infield corners and we are very weak up the middle. Eckstein and Miles have limited range, and Kennedy looks like he's in his 40's, not 30's. Even when Edmonds was playing he wasn't covering what he used to, and So gave away a game last week (and we haven't seen him since).
Finally, there's Yadi, who I would call a work in progress. To date, he's no Mike Metheny. He has too many lapses in concentration. He has the spectacular arm, but must develop better fundamentals. I'm not down on him (his first error last night should have been given to Miles): he's one of our few plus defenders.
     I hope the powers that be decide to be sellers and address needs on defense and with speed. I'd like to see Duncan and Kennedy sent to the Yankees for Cano if that is doable.This is not just frustration from the last few weeks: I've been harping on defense since last year.    

Everything I read in regard to their comments about Reyes indicates to me he is being shopped.  Living in the New Jersey suburbs of Philadelphia, the Phillies would seem a good destination.  They just started three AA pitchers in a four game series with the Mets.  I'd like to see a trade for Victorino or Bourne.  Both are fast outfielders who are plus defenders (wouldn't that be nice for a change?) who could lead off, dropping Eck to #2. Also, both are still cheap, allowing DeWitt's wallet to remain closed.

I was shocked at the demotion of Anthony Reyes. It appeared to me he was the second (or at least third) best starter in terms of actual pitching performance, and some of the data posted here recently seems to bear that out. My question is whether his demotion is a symptom of some sort of power struggle between factions (DeWitt/Luhnow-home grown cheaper talent vs. Jocketty/LaRussa/Duncan-you need bigleague experience).

Along the same lines, I wonder whether Jocketty was prohibitted from signing experienced free-agent to be pitchers (Morris, Suppan,etc.) unless they had no where else to go in free agency and were therefor bargains.

Any thoughts?

Just before the final weekend of the regular season the VEB red shirt I ordered came in the mail. I began wearing it during all Cards games, and subsequently the Cards won their division, the NLDS, the NLCS, and the World Series. Scientific proof the shirt has magical powers. Needless to say I refused to wash it during this win streak, but I plan to give it a refreshing bath and put it away for next season.

On another note, I would like some opinions on this proposed deal: Anthony Reyes and Chris Duncan to Tampa Bay for Carl Crawford. I believe Crawford is Lou Brock waiting to happen and would solve a multitude of offensive and defensive shortcomings. Wouldn't it be nice to have a left fielder who is plus defender?