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?
DG,
Thanks for giving us these candid comments from TLR–I especially enjoy this kind of article from you. Reading between the lines, would you say Tony is disappointed in the activity (or lack thereof) so far this offseaon? In terms of competition for the closer role, did he say whether Josh Kinney would get a look for the role? Other than Brendan Ryan, who does he expect to be competing with Kennedy for 2B, now that Miles and Lopez are gone?
As for Chris Duncan…sure it would be great if he was able to come back to form, but, is it fair to block Colby Rasmus (again) on the chance that Duncan will return to form? I’m not sure Tony is able to be completely objective about Chris. Two years is plenty of time to give a player before moving on to more certain options, imho.
Curious if Josh Kinney will honestly be given a shot at closing? I thought he had “closer type stuff” before he was hurt (and Duncan says he has better stuff now)? As a fan, I can’t sit through another season like last year, but I’m torn between a starter or reliever. I DEFINETLY THINK CLOSER IS MOST IMPORTANT but in your opinion, what would you think would be the move to make—if you could only choose one or the other? I’m trying to give MO and the club the benefit of doubt. THIS IS A BUSINESS AND THE OWNERS ARE IN THIS TO MAKE MONEY! PEOPLE NEED TO WISE UP. The last 10 years have been a nice run, and finally the farm system is producing. It’s good to see Tony a little more open to playing rookies—even if he was probably forced into it somewhat. Seems like Tony might be hinting for the club to get in gear and make at least one more sizeable move (“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”). Also sounds like Skip better start taking some ground balls at second—I’d actually love to see him give it a real shot and go into the spring with an open mind. If Rasmus is going to lead off, and you’re not a power hitter like Ludwick…
Is Joe Mather taller than Ryne Sandberg?
Is this GM guy for real? Is he still living? Ie there any player left to sign? Tune in in 2010 as 2009 is already over for the Cards.
Its not so much that they are being cheap skates. They have a reasonably high payroll. But they have one real glaring need in a dominating reliable (not izzy) closer and are time goes on they dont seem to be concerned. They all went on radio yesterday to explain that they understand the fan’s restlesness and said we need to be patient and the season hasnt started yet, and then we hear them talk out of the other side of the mouth and say things like they might go into the season as is and “adjust accordingly”. The Mo the Mouth says we will be agressive and not re-explains to us in a classic Bill Clinton type explaination that that meant they were trying pretty hard! Mo and Dewitt keep saying they are looking to the long term health of the organazion. Driving the fans away from the ticket booth because you are incomtpetent, lying and spinning the situation and doing nothing will jeapordise the the long tearm future even worse. Mo and Dewitt have created more ill-will among the fans here in one off season than Jockety and lamping did the whole time they were here. Mozalik was hired for one reason; he was cheap and fit into the low-budget approach, just like the players they go after.
Wow, that’s all that can be said about both Tony’s comments and his equally as stupid thought process. First things first, last year was NOT the right time to put Rasmus out there, this year is! Rasmus has suceeded in the minors long enough and deserves nothing short of a “chance” to take that outfield spot that Chris Duncan has clearly botched for the last 2 years. On to Izzy, why in the world would anyone who is even remotely associated with the organization suggest that Izzy has the ability to come back? You know what that is, just plain cheap! The Cards don’t wanna give up on a guy who they were stupid enough not to just give an incentive based deal to in the first place. HEY, CARDINALS, SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO CUT YOUR LOSES AND MOVE ON!!! Oh, and while I’m on this little rant, this attitude that well, we need to move Kennedy cause he’s so pathetic but gee shucks we can’t because no one wants him so he’ll be our opening day starter is the stupidest, dumbest, and laziest thing I have ever heard from this no obvious bush league franchise. Mark my words, they will NOT compete this year and will be completely blown out of the water by the Cubs! MAN I HATE SAYING THAT, BUT IT’S THE REALISTIC WAY THINGS WILL HAPPEN!
What happened to proofing an article before you publish it? The errors are the kind a second grader would make. Not just one, more like one per paragraph! You are better than this Goold.
AWR,
You’re right. And I should apologize. Something funky has been going on here recently. For example, I ran a spell-check on an entry and it questioned the spelling of “with” and “need” and “right” and “outfielder”. As you can see above — if you’re reading right now the spell-check has changed a bunch of quotes to “"”. Yesterday, the blog rejected a photo by erasing sentences around it. Once it published a draft of an entry instead of the actual finished entry. Who knows what’s going on? Could be the new computer. Could be operator error.
All I can say is I’m trying to correct it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to replace a bunch of “"” with actually, you know, quote marks.
dg
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Well put sir. I’m sorry for making it sound like you did it intentionally or negligently. You ARE better than that. Keep up the good work Derrick!