DG, you might be interested in a write up on VEB posted over the weekend. http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2008/4/13/392446/40-acres-and-a-power-bat very much the same thing you wrote only he was looking external not internal to fill the gap.

There’s a great discussion of this topic at http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2008/4/13/392446/40-acres-and-a-power-bat
Bat Albert 4th.

Is it more likely that 2 Abs will produce a base runner, or is it more likely that 3 Abs will produce a base runner? It seems like there’s a better chance of base runners being on for Albert if there are 3 hitters, rather than 2 hitters, in front of him.

The chances are greater for Albert to hit with the bases empty if he’s hitting 3rd in the order than if he’s hitting 4th in the order. To put it another way, it’s less likely for three hitters in a row to all make outs than it is for two hitters in a row to make outs. So, wouldn’t it be better for Albert to hit 4th?

If the main concern is Albert hitting more times in the season, than why not go ahead and hit him 2nd? If the main concern is Albert hitting with men on base, then why not hit him 4th?

The problem with him hitting 4th is that he would hit with the bases empty leading off the 2nd inning if the first 3 hitters all made outs. As is, he hits with the bases empty when 2 consecutive hitters make outs, which I’ve pointed out is much more likely than the first 3 men all making outs.

Plus, if Albert hits leading off the 4th, there’s a greater chance of him scoring runs because you’ve got the potential of having him on base with no outs and RBI guys coming up. If he hits with the bases empty in the first inning and gets on, you’ve only got one out left to play with. Also, if you’ve got 3 (or 4 with the Crazy 8 lineup) competent hitters ahead of him, opponents are less likely to have bases open to walk Albert than if you’ve only got 2 (or 3) competent hitters ahead of him.

Conclusion: Just hit Albert fourth.

Glaus will hit, Duncan is looking better, Ludwick is Ludwick, and (one would hope) Ankiel will adjust to those wild pitches he keeps swinging at. I don’t think this is a pressing issue. If they want to walk Pujols 163 times, that’s fine; the team will then score 900 runs, as long as Pujols trusts the men behind him.

A pressing issue is: what are we going to do about getting some production out of second base? *Cough* hoff /*cough*

There is no good solution to this predicament given the current roster. This team has a shortstop and a second baseman who cannot hit and a catcher who won’t hit for power. Then there is Schumacher in the leadoff role. That leaves only three spots (third base, center field and a corner outfield spot) as players who can possibly hit in the middle of the order/protect Pujols … and the third baseman has shown an inability to do that thus far. This team needs a middle infielder who can lead off (Brian Roberts?), so that the three outfield spots can all be filled by run producers.

Strike outs don’t kill rallies. Double plays do. I can think of worse things than the 4 and 5 hitter striking out a lot.

Thanks all for the reference to the Viva thread. I find it fascinating how Bay continues to fascinate the fanbase — and it’s a bit too early to talk trade, don’t you think? Cardinals are going to have to solve this hole from within until the trade winds really start blowing. And who knows then …

Good point, JeremyR. That’s why Milwaukee has Kendall hitting ninth.

The point isn’t just killing rallies: It’s limiting the ability to create a rally. Walk Pujols, K the rest is a heck of a scouting report.

dg
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Theres a great discussion of the value of walking Pujols every time on the Houston Chronicle sports page at http://blogs.chron.com/unofficialscorer/2008/04/should_you_walk_albert_pujols.html. For some reason (Lidge), I find that Astros fans really have a strange fixation on Albert!

Albert should not bat cleanup. A lineup is best built by having the team’s best hitter at the 3 spot. The lack of a cleanup hitter is not remedied by moving Albert. Then who hits in the 3 hole? It creates a bigger hole. JS is wrong in this instance. Someone else needs to step up.

St.louis and it’s cardinal fans can (pluck) my cubbie (paw).

Next to Pujols, Ankiel is the most feared hitter in this lineup. He hits lefties good enough to always bat 4th. The Cards won’t get anybody better than him. Ludwick is better suited for 5th or 6th. They’re not going to walk Pujols all that much to get to Ankiel — at least not for long.

Actually, Ho-hum. “It’s” is a contraction. You mean “its” as in possessive.
Oh wait, Grammar & Syntax 101 was yesterday.

dg
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I Think Bonds is still available!!!!

The comment concerning your best hitter batting 3rd is correct, in most instances. With the “crazy 8″ line-up that logic is possibly even more justified. I agree, we may be a bit premature discussing trades, but when/if the starters return we may have more to offer and therefore a better opportunity to benefit significantly.

The fact that Babe Ruth is mentioned among players that drew more walks than Pujols is tracking speaks volumes about the notion of protection. Teams were so afraid of the Babe they would much rather face the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig. There is nobody in baseball at this time that is going to make teams pitch to Albert.

Bat Albert in the cleanup spot.

My suggestion is modeled after the ‘60-61 Yankees; the ‘61team is often named among the greatest teams ever. Roger Maris hit third in front of the vastly superior hitter Mickey Mantle and won two AL MVP’s. Hit Ankiel third and combine that with the pitcher remaining in the eight hole so Albert has five possible runners in front of him.

Make that four hitters in front of him as the cleanup hitter.

Hey Buddy! I’m still here looking for a Job. I have a huge OPS and everyone is still afraid of me. And sure I stink in LF but compared to Duncan? Hey I’m just slow and lazy, he’s a goofy sunofa!!! I could bat in front of Albert and see pitches to hit. Or behind him. But imagine putting me in front of Pujols. I could hit 50 bombs again. And the Natural will be all the protection Albert needs.

Plus I can train with Rick, Troy, Ryan, and the boys. I got some extra flaxseed if you want some.

BONDS, BONDS, BONDS, BONDS, BONDS, BONDS, BONDS, BONDS

Why would you not sign Barry? He is games away from setting milestones…. Sure, there’s baggage, but he didn’t throw a bat at an umpire, support cockfights, have a cocaine problem (we took that one back), etc…. McGwire, Sosa, Magglio, the Big Hurt, Pettite, Ankiel, Clemens, etc. all broke the rules….Someone will give this guy a second chance–talk about ultimate protection….

Hit Pujols Third! If he were hitting cleanup you’d have the same problem. If the one,two,and three hitters were all retired in the first inning,then ther’ed be an open base to start the second inning,where Pujols would be. In his big games against Houston and the Giants this seaons,Albert had guys in front of him on base.
I don’t like Duncan at the two hole or in a Cardinals uniform! To many strikeouts and he plays a lousy Centerfield. One of the Cardinals outfielders will have to go. I vote for Dunc to find another ball club. Hit Ludwick second and Ankiel fourth.

One, we aren’t going to afford Bonds. He will *rake* later in the year when an AL team needs a DH and there is confidence that any trial will be post season.

Second, we just traded Jim so we didn’t have to have any drama over the OF platoon situation we currently have (and note, has served us very well thus far). We Swapped Rolen for Glaus to remove the in house drama between him and Tony. Do we *really* want to ensure that the Bonds saga lives within StL?

And what happens when we dump 10 million on Bonds and we get 2006 numbers? Or he lands on the DL, which despite all of the Pro-Bonds rhetoric, is a sure possibility with him having to play LF to bat. We damn sure better not put him on the bench for that kind of money.

Secondly, would he even want to? Despite our record, we’re not pennant contenders. Not yet anyways (I’m reserving judgement for a while). Would he even want to come to StL? And don’t give me the “All he wants to do is play, and no one will let him”. He’s never said anything of the sort. He’s staying in shape because he knows he’s an asset. He knows that AL teams will be looking his way later in the year. What happens when Big Papi’s numbers aren’t something mental, but there’s actually something wrong with him? What happens if Detroit does what the Yankees did last year and make a run to get in the playoffs? What happens when Seattle finally decides that hey, he’s worth the investment?

Third, have you seen what our boys have done thus far? We are playing like every game counts. We’re adding runs regardless of the score. We’re playing hard nose ball. Just like Spring Training, these boys know that their jobs depend on performance. There is no veteran “stand ins”. As a fan this is brilliant to watch.

From a monetary point of view. It’s also great to see. Our outfield is producing, and cheaply. Bonds would rake in more than our entire outfield combined.

So say we get Bonds, who are we going to send down, or out? Yes, Duncan is the likely canidate. So we give up a guy who’s cheap, off to a slow start but when he’s performing, it’s he’s a solid contribution. He’s a hell of a lot cheaper than Bonds could ever be. And frankly, he has a lot of upsides heading his way. If he can learn to hit lefts better, his numbers will be way more worth than his salary. And until he does? We get to see Barton. Who I think, is someone that could develop into a mainstay within StL by years end. Rick and Skip have earned their spots, so they stay. Giving up on Ludwick now would be absurd, and something that will bite us eventually.

Albert is the most feared hitter in the National League now, by far. There is no one, out there that is going to warrant pitching to Albert over the number 4. Not in a close game with Albert able to be the difference maker.
Let him walk. And then let him run. He’s not Ortiz out there folks, he’s not even Bonds. This is not a dump truck sitting out there as a liability post BB. Albert already has 2 SB’s this year (no caught) and is on pace for over 20 for the year. Albert has always been known to be a productive base runner. He’s not very liable getting mistakes on the base paths, he knows when to be aggressive.

We *need* to be productive before, and after he comes up to bat, regardless of the situation. If we have runners on then it makes him more of a liability to walk. If we have him on, we need to be productive on getting him home.

Batting him fourth may create the first inning scenario where you have the probability of using your three outs to get a runner on for him to bat, but frankly after that those odds diminish.

In the ‘crazy 8′ line up he’s just as likely getting three batters before him in the 3 spot as he is getting them in the fourth. Plus he’ll get 20-25 more at bats throughout the year taking in the 3rd spot over the 4th. Secondly, if an opposing pitcher is struggling in the first inning to find control, or to adjust to a strike zone, I damn sure want Albert there to take advantage. A lot of run potential comes in the first inning. His numbers being better in the first inning reflect that notion.

So what do we do? Make Rick use the count to his advantage, when he’s ahead in the count his numbers drop through the floor. And swing Ludwick down there against the rights.

Let’s punish them by walking Albert rather than trade away the pitchers that we have (and in reality, don’t know how they’ll fair long term), or spend money/trade all prospects for a quick fix.

Duncan doesn’t, hasn’t and won’t be playing CF. So your point is mute.

Hey guys,

The last time I checked the Cardinals had the best record in MLB. All of this is a bit premature, I believe. When everyone is healthly Ankiel or Duncan will protect Albert adequately for the pitching staff we have.

At the moment I don’t think their are any options that are available outside the club that would be a signigicant upgrade over what we have or may have at home.

I realize everyone is excited with the surplus of good young outfielders and pitching but just because we have some cash in our pockets doesn’t mean would should waste it on players that would not provide a significant amount of more value to the team than what we already have.

We don’ t need outfielders. We don’t need pitching. We do need possibly a middle infielder with some pop and/or a nice MLB ready SS/2B prospect.

The wise choice would be to ride it out and see where we are by the all-star break and also survey who is toast and who is looking for some help.

Regardless of what happens it’s gonna be a fun year.

Cheers.