I noticed in an article this weekend in the PD that it was assumed a given that Mr. Ludwick would make the team as an outfielder and that it might be between Mr. Barton and Mr. Gonzales for the final spot.

Leaving aside Mr. G’s worrysome medical problem for the moment, what is the thinking about why Mr. Ludwick gets the free pass? There are two centerfielders in the ‘made it’ group (Mrrs. Schumaker and Ankiel); everyone else plays corner. Is it because Mr. G and Mr. Duncan are both ‘iffy’ in the field?

For as much as I appreciated the terrific at bats and fielding that Mr. Ludwich provided last year, if he can be moved to AAA for the time being, perhaps Mr. Gonzales would make for the better guy to play in the first half while awaiting the mandatory (ahem) AAA time for Mr. Rasmus. From what I have read, Mr. Barton is the keeper of the three.

The correct grammatical formation is “a couple of more days.”

Gus,

Is it? Then there are 2,783 instances in the last 30 days in newspapers around the country where that phrase has been used incorrectly. What’s actually the case is that “a couple more” is a conversational phrase. If I were writing an English paper or for the print-edition newspaper “a couple of more” would be how I’d write it. But conversational is, in many ways, the attempt of the blog, and blogs in general. Conversational and quick. That allows for some license.

Hence the capitalized “G” in the middle of a sentence in an entry yesterday.

Or, the sporadic sentence fragments just because, well, I like the rhythm. They. Create.

Of course, this could be my mom again. Gus is a family name on her side.

dg
-30-

We’re discussing grammar on a blog? Ouch.

I read the same article that post number 1 mentions. I’m waiting to roll my eyes at the bad choice. It’s between Barton and Juan Gone? Let’s see. One is a young player that has showed, to this point, that he can play healthy. He’s brought energy to the team and thanks to his Rule 5 status he needs to stay on the main roster all year if we plan to keep him. The other is nearing forty, and has continuing questions regarding his back. He has shown ability by is not a long term find for the team. Oh yeah, he’s also signed to a minor league deal meaning he can play in Memphis to start teh season. Where should the greater/less than () sign go? Why do I get the sinking feeling Tony is gonna muff this one?

The daily grind for players must be the same for writers. Yet you continue to crank out interesting thought provoking stuff ( conversational and quick?).

What does the AAA pitching staff look like at this time. I know it could change between now and opening day, but I’m curious how it shaping up right now.

The Triple-A staff: RHP Mike Parisi, RHP Mitchell Boggs, RHP Kyle McClellan, RHP Blake Hawksworth and a competition between RHP Dewon Brazelton and RHP John Wasdin. The health of the latter two will say as much about their spots in the rotation as, say, Hawksworth’s performance. The Triple-A staff by the end of the season is almost as intriguing, what with RHP Adam Ottavino, LHP Jaime Garcia and RHP Clayton Mortensen able to make a charge.

dg

DG,

I know technically that Gonzalez could still make the team, but all signs are pointing to keeping Barton, aren’t they? I would think that the last two roster spots are going to fall to Barton and Ryan. How would you handicap it right now?

Thanks

so where can we see pics from today?

I will be truly miffed if Barton does not go north with the team. He has earned it. If his three triples show anything– it’s that his knee is not an issue (right now– anything can happen). As has already been noted: Given how Barton has played, it’s extremely unlikely Cleveland would go for a trade– so he could be stowed at AAA. The knee was the only reason Cleveland left him exposed. We don’t want to lose this guy. I would prefer an outfield of Barton, Ankiel, & Schu– and await the coming of Rasmus….

DG

What’s the deal with Josh Phelps? Haven’t read anything or seen his name in recent box scores - unless I’ve just missed them. Also, any possibility that Duncan starts the season at AAA if his stroke is still AWOL?

DG,
Since we’ve all kind of resigned ourselves to Izturis making the team, tell me he won’t be hitting 2nd even one time in the real season. Please.

– Juan Gonzalez has to play to make the team. So far, he is swinging a bat, but not running and, at last check, that doesn’t get you very far in the regular season. Not in the National League.
– Phelps was reassigned to the minor-league camp a week or so ago.
– Probably not. Since his signing, Izturis seemed destined to hit No. 9.

dg

DG,

Can you provide any insight into TLR’s comments on Izturis and Ryan, Ryan seemed to play well last year and this spring Izturis has showed no reason why he should be the starting SS. What have you seen from Izturis and how has Ryan been at SS?

Thanks, DG. Figured I’d missed something since I wasn’t reading his name. Who backs up Albert at 1b? Does Mather get that call or will it be Dunc?

DG,

Thanks for the answer on Barton/Gonzalez. Do you think there is any chance that if Duncan is hitting well at midseason, the Cards might move him to open a spot for Mather? It would help to balance the outfield from the R/L perspective. Or, do you think since his daddy is a coach, that the Cards won’t entertain trading him? There is still a lot for Mather and Ankiel to prove over the course of a full season, but it seems like they provide much better fielding with comparable offensive tools. Also, assuming good health, how do you foresee them opening a roster spot for Rasmus at midseason?

Thanks in advance.

Hey DG,

With Reyes pitching today I was curious…any idea what kind of velocity he’s hitting? Thought I remember reading that he’s been throwing a bit harder in camp this spring then he was last year. Any idea?

another error by izturis today. he’s certainly doing a fine job, especially since he was brought in to be the “glove man”

Hi DG,

I see Hampton got the start today and has one hit the Cards through four inninngs. How have the Birds faired this spring against lefties?

Thanks,

George

14. Chris Duncan will be, it appears. Mather could get the call later in the season, unless something funky happens in the next couple weeks. The Cardinals hope to not need a backup first baseman all that often, and if they do, then finding one will be the least of their concerns.

13. Seems to me that La Russa is just supporting the starter, even if it means obfuscating some of the numbers and downplaying the performance of another individual. Cardinals/La Russa want Izturis to be the starting shortstop (even if his plus-minus now stands at minus-1), and will say whatever he needs to publicly to show that confidence. Heard the same kind of things when it comes to struggling pitchers …

15. This “daddy coach” notion gets overplayed because there was a time when Dave Duncan thought Chris Duncan needed to be — absolutely had to be — traded from the Cardinals to get a fair shot. Now the opposite is true? All that’s changed is that Duncan is no longer a meandering minor-leaguer. He’s not a budding power hitter. That’s exactly the reason why the Cardinals would move him only if they get a deal they believe is representative of how they see his value. That ain’t happening right now. Not when they think he can slug at least 20 homers and others are waiting to see if he’s a DH or a platoon outfielder.

Cardinals will make room for Rasmus when he is ready.

16. Consistently 89 mph and 90 mph. Touched 92 mph.

18. Better against lefties. Three reasons: Brian Barton, Troy Glaus and, though it probably hasn’t been noticed with all the elbow talk, because Albert Pujols is having a monstrous spring.

dg