Tough decisions at the 2nd base bag. If Kennedy is healthy, he’d get the crack at 2nd base. However, if he is not healthy or, if he is healthy but awful, I’m going to make a quick change in April. I will assume that I as manager will have 3 lefthanded bats in the OF. SO (not Taguchi), it looks like I will have to make a tough decision between B. Barden and B. Ryan. Ryan has a little better K/BB ratio, and spent more time up here last year. However, I do not want him playing 2nd base because I believe he’ll be playing SS for us.

So in a surprise, I go with the switch hitter who continues to surprise and spend a lot of time at 2nd base the past few years…Miles.

Kennedy if he’s healthy and his usual self. If not, Miles (ONE MORE YEAR! ONE MORE YEAR!)

Great break-down. Definitely intrigued by Barton at 2nd. Would be nice to have a middle infielder hitting in 1 of the first two spots in the order. Then an outfielder could bat 6th (Juan Gone? :)) and molina 7th.

dg,
always love everything you post.. great job.. id love to see kennedy take it cause he was always great in anaheim.. who knows what will happen..

kyle - juan gone will never play another day of baseball ever.. he will never regain his vision to the level it was pre-aaron miles foul ball..

I have no faith in Kennedy. Hoffpauir needs more time to develop. Miles should be the utility man. Ryan should be at short (I don’t like Izturis). I’d like to see Barden given a chance. D’Angelo who? I’ll pass on the Reds’ cast-off.

#3:

I’m assuming he meant Juan Gonzalez as rumor has it he may be invited to Spring Training.

I believe Kyle was referring to Juan Gonzalez, who might get a Spring Training invite, if he hasn’t received one already.

Define ’starting’. My expectation will be Kennedy on Opening Day, Barden by the end.

Doesn’t matter which Juan #3 mentioned - they both have about equal chances of suiting up for the Redbirds this year: slim to none.

Give me Ryan. I like to make TLR’s stomach queasy.

Miles is utterly lacking in qualifications to be a full time ML secondbaseman. His lack of ability to get on base against righthanded pitchers, his overall lack of power and speed, and his mediocre fielding ability should eliminate him as a candidate for anything but a bench role and as a pinch-hitter vs. righthanded pitchers. Look closely at his hitting performance compared with the two dozen ML secondbaseman who had more than 400 AB’s last year (as Miles did) and you will see Miles ranking in the bottom three in HR, SB, OBP, SLG.

Though Ryan is much better than Miles on offensive and fielding, Ryan bats much better vs. LHP than vs. RHP, so he is not a strong choice for a full-time position yet, either (over two thirds of the starting pitchers the Cards will face will be RHP).

Hoffpauir needs to prove himself at AAA for another half year at least. That elminates him.

Jiminez strikes out too much and his performance has been erratic the last couple of years, but he has the tools. He has a shot.

Kennedy should be the incumbent but his huge deviation last year from his usual steady performance raises questions about what really caused his decline. His hitting vs. LHP has been horrible the last two years: OBP .256 in 2006, OBP .200 in 2007, after a .348 OBPin 2005 and .349 OBP in 2004.

Barden is the best fielder of the group and his OBP and SLG are as consistently solid as any of the candidates. If I had to choose one player to play full time 2B, he would be my pick.

But I think this vote should actually be a political ticket, with Kennedy a lock to be on the ticket at least part time because he is entering only his second year of his three year “term of office” on the roster. So the question should be, who would his “running mate” be, to platoon vs. LHP, where Kennedy is weak. Ryan would be my choice. His OBP last year vs LHP was .407, better than Miles’ .368, and Ryan’s SLG vs. LHP last year was .456, far better than Miles’ .336.

So I’m voting for Kennedy-Ryan as a platoon over Kennedy-Miles.

Mr. Goold,

Excellent column. Kennedy or Miles will get the early nod from LaRussa. Jimenez will not make it on the club, and Hoffpauir will be sent back down to the minors. Ryan will be kept as an utility infielder.

I would definitely like to see Brian Barden get an opportunity at 2nd. From the article, Barden appears to have the greatest potential to be a complete player. You say he is “gifted” defensively, and he has hit consistently at the AAA level. His offensive split indicates better OPS than either Kennedy or Miles.

I would also like to see Brendan Ryan given an honest shot at SS. Izturis needs to be a defensive specialist at this point. The advantage/disadvantage of veterans is that you have a pretty good idea of what they are capable. Izturis has shown you his range, I’d like to see Ryan’s.

With the options listed for second base, we’re going to need a Rookie of the Year or Comeback Player of the Year from our second-baseman to maintain some respect at the position. I hate the idea of platooning players. That’s for teams that aren’t able to afford a legitimate player and are forced to combine the service of a over-the-hill position player with a youngster that would be in the minor leagues in most other organizations.
Bottom line: The Cardinals will be sold before 2011.

These primaries will be fun and better than the political primaries. First off, if a mistake is made by the chosen starter, one can always pull the guy and switch to a backup. The final decision will be made by one guy that has a dearth of knowledge on the subject instead of a wide base of people that think they know whats what.

With that said I’m going to reluctantly hold my nose (John McCain?) and vote for Kennedy. He’s the paid and experienced player and there is at least some sanity to the idea that last year was an aberration. As far as the “VP” goes? I’d give that to Brendan Ryan. If Kennedy fails that who I want starting next. I love Miles, but off the bench filling in at both middle infield spots. I think Ryan will need to eventually settle at either second or short. With regard to Hoffpauir and Barden I think they need a little more experience before the starting spot (Obama?). In a year I could see Ryan at short and one of those two gentlemen at second if Kennedy fails. But for now Ryan has the experience to be the main backup to both middle positions should Kennedy or Izturis fail.

D’Angelo can go the route of Junior Spivey.

I believe that the job is Kennedy’s to lose. If Kennedy does lose the job then I would give Brian Barden a good hard look. We can use Miles and Ryan for help at shortstop and third base.

Pardon me for one moment of sour grapes…this question would be moot if we had not botched the signing of Davey Eckstein.

For all the carping about his lack of range and arm at shortstop…looks like he would have been perfect for a shot at second base.

He’s a winner…played on multiple championship teams and a playoff MVP. I’ll take Eckstein on my team any day.

I say give it to Brendan Ryan and Aaron Miles both. Let them swap it back and forth. They’re both good.

I have been an ardent Cardinals fan for 35 years, through good times and bad. 2B should be Adam Kennedy’s job to lose. 2007 was a bad season for him, but a lot of players have been down the same road. If he hits Spring Training and proves himself, he deserves the shot. If he can’t pull his weight, Aaron Miles is more than adequate and Brendan Ryan is reliable.

Let Kennedy and Miles battle for the 2B job. Shortstop is a bigger concern. I doubt Izturis will make the opening day roster. Mozeliak said, “I’m not Walt Jocketty Jr.”, and has proven it with his reclammation signings. Mo dumped Jim Edmonds, traded even for Troy Glaus to ease clubhouse tension (provided he’s healthy) and scrounged around the bottom of the dumpster to sign Izturis and Matt Clement. The owners are ham-stringing though.

I would love to see Clement and Izturis rebound and be productive, and I hope they prove me wrong.

Platoons have never worked well for the Cards in the past, and I don’t see that changing.

May the best men win.

I think Ryan’s future is at short, so he should be eliminated from this discussion.

I think Miles is a good back-up, and like Franklin in the bullpen, should be left to fill that very important role.

I think Kennedy should be given the opportunity to win the position, but put on a short leash.

I like the idea of Barden being given a shot. If his defense is at least adequate, his offensive potential is enough at a position you don’t expect offense from to give him a big edge over others. The fact that he can play all 3 infield ( 1st? ) positions and pinch hit if called upon, also adds to his value. His attitude also sounds very commendable.

Thanks for a forum to express our thoughts on this and other issues. I enjoy hearing what others think, knowing TLR will make the final decision.

Hi Derrick,

I really enjoy your online column and wish you wrote every day. I’ve learned so much about the Cardinals and baseball from you. I think you have a great sense of humor and it shows in your writing. You are a breath of fresh air for the readers of Stltoday.

Wanda

I’m gonna go out on a limb and say number 19 is some dumb 16 year old with emotional issues. I’m also gonna go out on a limb and say that post will and should go away. DG - Make sure to erase this one too because it will make zero sense. I hope that guy gets therapy.

RCJ is right on target. #19’s comment is totally childish, immature and irresponsible. It’s pitiful really.

derrick - if we’re really rebuilding, the only choice is barton. the upside is speed, power and fielding abilities better than the others.

but i think since your headline is all about decisions, there is a decision that will effect cards fans for decades potentially, and it is not really being discussed. that is image. have you noticed that there are clubs that each hot stove season are talked about, but not taken very seriously? there is an upper echelon of teams that are considered seriously when they pursue a high dollar free agent. the other clubs are there just to help determine the market. the decision the cards are faced with is which type club do they want to be?

over the years, the team has signed just enough free agents to large contracts to remain viable in the market but more importantly viable in the minds of players and their agents. but the cards find themselves at a crossroads where they must decide between viability in the free agent market and becoming a club that relies almost solely on their farm organization and the occasional mid level free agent.

both choices have attractive prospects. on the one hand free agents could be are sexy and sell tickets. every city loves to win the bidding. on the other hand, it is gratifying to see a prospect grow and prosper in the organization. great example is rick ankeil. st. louis got pretty excited in the fall of a rather tragic year because we are emotionally invested in our failed pitcher.

if competing with the major markets for the services of elite players is chosen. how expensive could it get? is st. louis large enough to generate the revenue to play in that league? one glaringly obvious advantage that should be intensely marketed to thirty something elite free agents is the lifestyle and security of playing in st. louis, arguably america’s most loyal and sophisticated baseball audience. even folks with only a passing knowledge of baseball know that st. louis is a baseball town. most of these rich baseball players know they are the target of resentment and half a season of warm and fuzzy must be appealing. when was the last time a cardinal was booed in st. louis?

the other road to winning winds through the farm system. i recently read that the cards are proud of their dominican republic facility. i thought this was a great idea until i read that twenty six teams have facilities there. and i think to remain competitive in recruiting, expansion into the rest of the world is a must. this too, is expensive. most importantly, to successfully recruit, you got to show them the money. we learned that last year in the draft. those top recruits have real good agents with real big ideas. if you are going to take that road, you better be a gambler with a nice money stake. otherwise it is only the same mediocrity.

so derrick, which way do we go? i think we are at that point that if you don’t choose one road over the other, you only wind up in the ditch.

This is pretty easy going into spring training. Kennedy should be considered the front runner with Miles in a utility role and Ryan trying (I am praying) to grab a starting role at short. The others simply aren’t ready, but do need exposure in spring training. I gotta tell ya, Izturiz is an awful siging, though I do understand there wasn’t much to get out on the market. Kennedy gets my vote, though I admit, he ain’t a runaway if Izturiz starts at short (God help us all).

Hoffpauir. Bat him leadoff.

I deleted the vile post that is referenced here as No. 19 and apologize I didn’t see it sooner. There is a new No. 19, and rightfully so. Thanks for those of you who kept the conversation game despite the disgusting, wrongheaded invective. I will do my best to make sure posts like that do not get on the blog — and should another sickening thought slip through the protection, it won’t be up long.

dg
-30-

P.S. Not sure what happened the campaign buttons either. They were there earlier. I’ll try to figure that out as well … or fix it for the next round.

[...] Goold writes a voters’ pamphlet of the Cardinals 2B candidates. In the end, democracy will fall to something of a dictatorship as [...]

Honestly, this looks more like the cast of “Lost”. This team is supposed to be looking at a youth movement and yet they continue to go back to the “same-old-same-old”.

I don’t see a McGyver in the bunch of veterans. So that automatically gets Jimenez a ticket to AAA or home. Kennedy should be looked at to be traded while spring training is going on. He’s 32, his numbers are going to be in decline mode from here on out. I really did like Jockety as GM, but this was a horrible contract. Trade him for anything you can get Mo. Miles, is much better suited for the utility role. He’s great to plug in for a few days if someone goes down for a short spell, but left there everyday and deficiencies begin to show up.

That leaves us with the younger three on the list. Ryan needs to spend the spring pushing Izturiz for the SS spot real hard. Especially if either Hoffpauir or Barden can shine at 2B. Honestly, I’d lean toward Barden for now and let Jarrett go back to AAA for more seasoning.

For me, the middle infield would be Barden at 2B and Ryan at SS with Miles and Izturiz as back ups. Kennedy would be dealt for a bag of peanuts. Hoffpauir would be told to go back to AAA and prove that last season was the norm and not a fluke and to work on his defense too.

With all of that just said. I know it won’t happen, because we have Tony LaRussa as Manager. Which means we’ll get Kennedy at 2nd and Izturiz at SS. Ryan, Barden & Hoffpauir will all be back at AAA. Same-old-same-old

I would trade Kennedy, give the job to Miles unless one of the others can take it from him in Spring Training.

I’d love to cast a vote, but I have a few questions about the candidates:

First, what’s Barden’s option situation like? I’m pretty sure Brian BARTON, not Brian BARDEN is the Rule 5 guy we picked up earlier this offseason, but I’d still like to know whether or not he’s “term limited” before giving him an everyday starting job.

That said, I know that Hoffpauir and I’m pretty sure Ryan both have options to go back to Memphis, and Jimenez is already on a minor league deal. For those reasons, and given how many pitchers we’re going to have on the roster already, I have to vote incumbents on this one: Kennedy starting, and Miles backing up. If Barden or Ryan do have to stay with the big club, then please, give one of them the starting job. If we can eat Junior Spivey’s 1M contract, we can eat Miles’ as well.

Interesting point that Kevin Wheeler makes about Kennedy’s uppercut (in the link with the Kennedy entry). A co-worker from LA, who is a die-hard Angels fan and very knowledgeable baseball guy, was just talking last week about Kennedy’s weird swing. Good point.

Enough with this “needs more seasoning” baloney. If the Cards were smart, they’d start Ryan at short and Hoffpauir at second. Get some youth, quickness and pop in the lineup for crying out loud. Energize this stale team. Kennedy, Miles, Izturis and Jimenez are retreads who are serviceable as backups at best. But my money says these mediocre vets start and the youngsters will be the ones hitting the bricks.

I was a little surprised with the disagreement over comment #19… I couldn’t agree more with those sentiments as they currently stand.

I’d like to see Barden stand out in ST and win a roster spot but am optimistic he’ll clear waivers and scrape together some playing time at AAA with Ryan, Hoff, and Martinez. That is to say, I expect the 2008 opening day Cardinals middle infield to be Izturis at short, Kennedy at 2B, and Miles backing them up.

Barden is a slick fielder, but he has yet to translate his hitting at AAA into the majors. I think he needs to do that before he beats out Kennedy and/or Ryan. Same thing goes for Hoffpauir, although I look forward to his getting a fair shot at second.

This probably sounds naive, but is Edgar Gonzalez completely out of the picture in St. Louis? Will he at least be invited to spring training? He’s been an extremely successful minor-league hitter. He’s seems to have a bit of pop for a middle infielder and can at least steal a few bases, too. Is his defense that bad? Of course, he’s already 29, but that’s just the age when LaRussa seems to warm up to a player.

How do you pronounce Luhnow? Hoffpauir?

Completely agree with clevy328 in post No. 28. This supposed “youth movement” will never take place with TLR as manager. There will always be some castoff retread that will be signed and played ahead of younger guys with promise like Ryan, Barden, whomever.

I would start with Ryan at short and Kennedy at second, but I’d have Kennedy on a short leash. And yes, I’d look to trade Kennedy, althought I doubt you could get much. However, I know Miles will be in the mix because TLR is in love with him. To me, Miles isn’t even a good utility option because 1) he’s really only capable of playing 2B reasonably well, he doesn’t play 3B or OF, and he is scary at SS, and 2) he ’s slow afoot. It would be nice if we had some speed on this team, and the only real potential source is going to be in the middle infield positions and off the bench.

DG,

The current #19 is a sincere, gushing, complementary comment written by a woman to you. Not initially understanding that you replaced the original, vulgar, #19, I couldn’t figure out why everyone found her compliment so revolting. Funny stuff.

RYAN ANYWHERE, GIVE ‘em A SHOT

Play the young guys. Miles stinks, Kennedy’s HGH wore off, and a Red’s scrub are not recipes for success. It doesn’t matter anyway this team isn’t going anywhere. If they are lucky they will win 75-80 games.

DG,

I may be alone in believing that the younger Cardinals would be better off if they were mixed into the grind with a group of veterans. But having said that, it seems to me that the payroll is really shifting around. Dropping X, Rolen and Edmonds and picking up Glaus (still less than Rolen) and a bunch of ‘may-bees’ and ‘wanna-bees’ certainly creates a financial windfall for ownership.

While I agree that it doesn’t make sense to pursue pitching that is over priced, what player isn’t over priced? And to that end, who is on the Pricing Committee? It certainly appears as if the Cardinals pricing formula may be biased on the low side and doesn’t include a factor for ‘change in LLC income’ to keep up with the revenue inflation that all the other members of MLB seem to have recognized.

In economic terms, there is no such thing as overpriced. An asset is overpriced only if there is no buyer at that price.

Given the injury-prone meatball chuckers who are now getting $7 million-$10 million per year, I’m beginning to wonder if you could build a winning team on the premise of loading up on hitting (which might now be bringing more return per dollar than pitching, certainly at lower risk) and defense, while taking whatever bargain-basement pitching you can scrounge up.

Michael…

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Hoffpauir is the man for 2nd base. I’ve tracked him for years and no other coming up from triple A is even close. He’s the total package,rocket arm,foot speed,crushing bat and lets not forget about his glue glove. The best all-around pressure player i’ve ever seen. He “WILL” show you all this year!!!

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