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