Tony’s Takes: La Russa riffs on “exciting” Rasmus, Izzy’s return & that buzzword “aggressive”
DOWNTOWN — What started as St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa’s standard stumping for Chris Duncan as an “impact” member of the still-crowded 2009 outfielder suddenly became a second nomination in as many months for rookie Colby Rasmus as a key figure in the coming season.
On Monday, La Russa was in town to promote his annual ARF Fundraiser (bring on Lewis Black!) and he spent part of the afternoon with a handful of scribes at Busch Stadium. His comments ran the spectrum — from closers to consider, to starters to consider as closers, to starters they wouldn’t consider, to Adam Kennedy and more Adam Kennedy. The real heavy news from the chat has already been moved — here by Joe Strauss, and then over there by Rick Hummel — and more is to come as we near Winter Warmup. But there were still tell-tale comments from the Cardinals’ skipper left in the notebook.
Twice this offseason Cardinals' manager Tony La Russa has described prospect Colby Rasmus as a talent that can "move others aside." (Source: AP)
Not the least of which was La Russa expanding on his Las Vegas laud of Rasmus, the Cardinals’ top prospect and now described as a sharp-elbowed talent.
La Russa began by detailing how they “need” Duncan to return to form from injury and how “amazing” Rick Ankiel’s reinvention has been. The talk of the depth in the outfield then took a quick turn.
“We do have Colby coming,” La Russa said. “He’s got the ability that when he’s ready to play he shove a guy aside. … If there was a deal that was helpful to our club involving one of our outfielders it seems like that would be a good move to make and push Colby. I think he’s ready to be pushed. I would have no problem pushing Colby because he’s got exciting ability.”
Previously, La Russa has described Rasmus as “special” enough that he could “elbow somebody” out of a job and that his ability is seasoned enough that he’d get immediate consideration as a leadoff hitter.
Other thoughts from La Russa this week:
– On the availability of a closer like Takashi Saito: “If a guy who had that kind of experience passed the physical, that is something we should consider.”
– On the potential return of Jason Isringhausen: “I don’t know how well he fits. I don’t know if he how interested he is in coming back. The fans have gotten on him.”
– On Duncan and Ankiel, as hinted at above, and how a personal fondness for a player colors the decision to trade him: “He is a legit rise-to-occasion impact bat with plus competitiveness. His toughness is off the charts. If he’s healthy, we need him. In Ankiel’s case, if he’s healthy, it’s amazing what he’s done. We’re attached to all of these kind of guys.”
– After a joke about 6-foot-4 Joe Mather playing a little second base during spring training and becoming one of the tallest ever to play the position, La Russa says Mather will see time at first base, in the outfield and, yes, even third base. La Russa edged around a question about having Skip Schumaker try second base during spring training. “He wouldn’t be afraid to try it,” La Russa said. As mentioned several times before in this blog, Schumaker was drafted as a shortstop but he said the last time he took groundballs was probably when he came to Busch Stadium for a pre-draft workout.
– La Russa said no matter what the situation at second base is entering spring training, there will be a competition. He said he left a message for Kennedy wishing him a happy new year, but the two have still not spoken directly to one another. “Any middle infielder who is not Khalil Greene is in a competition,” La Russa said. “Same deal as last year.”
– On Joel Pineiro’s role in the rotation: “Pineiro will pick up a lot of what (Braden Looper) gave us.”
And finally there was La Russa’s acknowledging the restless Cardinals Nation, as detailed today in Bernie Miklasz’s column. (I link to it knowing you’ve all already read it.) He’s heard the adjectives. He’s caught wind of some of the frustration. He’s been in on the conversations with the front office. He’s seen the shift in approach. Heck, he’s been candid since August about his belief that last year’s team and this year’s roster “has earned” the right to an upgrade, to be augmented and outfitted for a chance to contend.
“Our organization said we were going to be ‘aggressive’,” La Russa said. “People are watching for us to make a move. I know we’re trying.”
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Derrick Goold said he was going to Mizzou for capital-J journalism, but after growing up in the Time Zone Baseball Forgot he was really drawn to MU sitting between two major-league cities. Goold joined the Post-Dispatch in 2001 after working for The Times-Picayune and Rocky Mountain News, covering sports from LSU to NHL and every level of baseball in between. 
Thanks for the additional insight. I really like LaRussa and I think he’s changed his approach with regards to young kids. He likes protecting them, and I agree with that for the very most part.
I disagree with his assertion regarding Duncan. Every time I think of Duncan all I can see is those pics of him crassly posing with the WS trophy. Also, he just isn’t that great, and these injuries, whether self-inflicted or other, have brought his ability level from good to below average.
Lastly, with regards to LaRussa’s comment at the bottom of the article - “Our organization said we were going to be ‘aggressive’,” La Russa said. “People are watching for us to make a move. I know we’re trying.” - I have only one reaction:
Second place is first loser, whether it’s the season-ending standings or your ‘attempt’ to sign a FA or make that needed trade. Trying doesn’t matter diddly squat. If you always come in second place on these pursuits, how would anyone judge your performance?