Cardinals fans want acvitity. . . now!
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak is getting plenty of unsolicited help from concerned fans, who fret every day the Cardinals don’t sign somebody or trade for somebody else. Here are some of their issues.
Q: If the Braves and SD do make the Peavy deal and shortstop Escobar is traded to SD,that means Braves 2nd baseman Johnson is off the trade market. Who will the Cards look at then as the middle infielders they most want??
Who do you thank the Cardinals need at short and second for the 09 season to make the playoffs?? We need 1 more big bat. Without trading Ludwick!!! Any free agents big bats the Cardinals are looking at ??Any trades for a big bat the Cards are looking at??
If SD does get Escobar what player or players would it take for the Cards to get Greene??
Any chance we can get Jose Valverde from the Astros i here they want to trade him??
A: At second base, Johnson would be out of play if Escobar goes to San Diego. Lopez still in play for the Cardinals at second base and Renteria very much in play at shortstop. I don’t know if that combo gets you in the playoffs or not, but it is better than the Cardinals had last year. I haven’t heard Valverde’s name mentioned here.
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Q: The Cardinals showed three disturbing trends last year _ the inability to hold a lead, the inability to get a starter into the seventh, and the inability to score runs late in games. So the team should focus on these problems before they should spend big money on a starter. D. Goold says we only have around twenty one million so spend. That’s not a lot in today’s market. We need relievers, another starter and possibly a middle infield bat. We should be able to land a couple of free agent guys and a Looper type starter. Then I’d like to see the team make a big play for Furcal. And it seems obvious that Mo will have to trade some outfielders. Still, it’s a big job to fill all those holes.
Commish - do you see the cards signing ANY front line free agent, and if so who?
A: I think teams are backing off Furcal because of, yes, his back problems of last year. Don’t be surprised if he stays with the Dodgers for one year and tries to establish himself again. I’m not sure what defines front-line free agent after Sabathia and Manny, but I can see them making a significant deal.
A: Percival broke down physically in several areas last year and also reportedly had some family issues in California, too, that likely would preclude him from playing anywhere outside the state.
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Q: .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { font-size: 10pt; font-family:Verdana } Dear Mr. Hummel,
I really enjoy reading the QA on the STL Today sight. It’s great to hear news on the Cardinals since I live all the way over here in Korea. I was recently watching the Korean World Series and some the pitchers I saw were pretty good. Do you think the Cardinals would ever look at any of these guys? I think St. Louis would be a perfect entry into the MLB. Great supportive fans, good atmosphere, a family friendly town and environment, and many more. I think the Cardinals should look more at Asian players since I believe they can get good talented players at a fraction of the price. What do you think?
Matt Schroeder
Bucheon, South Korea
A: Good idea. And, I think, with the World Baseball Classic coming up this spring, scouts will be watching not only the Japanese but Korean and even Chinese players, too.
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Q:
Hi Commish:
Man, to have such a high quality insider to talk to. Yummmmm… What’s wrong with the Cardinals filling their needs, middle infield, lefty RPs, and maybe a serviceable starter and then going with the kids. I know that TLR doesn’t like to play youngsters, but the Marlins and Rays did well with youthball. Do you think the Cardinals have enough young players to play the roles they need? I think some folks might be surprised at how well they do with a HoF manager, and Albert leading the way.
A: Thank you. That might be precisely the way it shakes out. They don’t need an overhaul but they do need to fix up their bullpen and middle infield. If we knew how long it would be before Perez and Motte were really ready to close, this would be a lot easier, wouldn’t it?
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Q: The Cards need to use Whitey’s philosophy and get away from pitchers that routinely have arm problems. Peavy would be nice to have, but if he breaks down, which he probably would at one time or another, then the Cards are in the same boat. Give me another solid innings eater any day over someone who often gets hurt. Also, how close is Todd to making the rotation? Maybe we can do this in house. If Carp comes back that is a bonus, but I wouldn\’t count on it. I\’d also give Looper some serious consideration.
A: Todd probably a year away. No need to rush him yet. Looper would be a good get if the Cardinals don’t have to go any higher than two years.
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Q:
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Rick
I enjoyed your graphic ranking the Cardinal mvp’s over the years. By what method did you rank them?
Lee Crawford
Pasadena Park MO
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A: Lee, thank you. I took into consideration where the Cardinals player ranked statistically in club history and if a particular team won a world championship or came close, largely due to that player’s contrbutions.
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Q: {font-size:70%;font-family:monospace;direction:ltr}What is your thought on Indians SS Jhonny Peralta. He has never been
mentioned as a possiblity. I know his salary is at $2.5 mil a year but I’m
not sure how many years he has left on the contract. He is only 26, and has
above average power and is a terrific gap hitter. He did cut his errors
this year and also topped over 100 RBI for the first time.
They have Choo and Sizemore as outfielders but it drops off after that.
What are your thoughts on him as a player and a possible trade for one of
our outfielders and maybe a prospect. Any news on our 07 1st round pick
Pete Kozma? Thanks and enjoy your blog.
Orlando Rodriguez
Fenton, MO
A: Thank you, Orlando. The fact that Peralta doesn’t make all that much money leads to Cleveland wanting to keep him although you always ask about talents like that. It certainly would take a topflight outfielder and more to get him. Kozma progressed at Class A Quad Cities but surely is two years away, at least.
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Q: Commish -There are more reports that Roy Halladay may be available from Toronto. I know the contract is high, but really not much higher than Peavy. He also appears to have less of an injury history. I believe his contract is only for 2 more years, so the injury risk should be less. The front office always claims that the money is there for the right player, and I’m not sure you can get a better pitcher. Would the Cards be interested if the price wasn’t too great in terms of players/prospects
A: Of course. But I don’t think he’s that available. I think Blue Jays feel they can be the Rays of this season in 2009 but would need Halladay to have that chance.
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Q: Why is Kyle McClellan considered a better SP option than Mitchell Boggs? I understand that Boggs didn’t fare well against the Mets, but his track record as a starter is much much better then Kyle McClellan. KMac has never started a baseball game above A ball. Maybe my opinion, but I believe Boggs is grossly underestimated in St. Louis.
A: I feel McClellan is more advanced as a big leaguer, having had at least four months of success rather than four games for Boggs. There may be room for both as starters in another year.
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(12 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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Commish- speaking of high priced free agents- which ones would the Cards be targeting via trade? Cano? Freddy Sanchez? Michael Young?
Hi Mr. Hummel;
Who are the Middle infield players you think it would take to get us into October, and have you any knowledge of them being on Mo’s radar?
Thank you Mr. Hummel!
Commish,
Thanks for this. Couple trade ideas that i would like your opinion on:
Duncan to Oakland for Bobby Crosby (may be some throw ins on either side) I understand that both are injury risks and that the A’s are the frontrunner for Furcal. Hence, they are shopping him. Duncan is built for the AL and would fit well into the A’s line-up.
Glaus to the Angels for Howie Kendrick. (may be some throw ins on either side; Scot Shields would be nice)We have plenty of talent behind Glaus, he is at the top of his market right now, we will lose him next year, he would waive his NTC to go to the Angels and we need a 2B.
This move would free up cash for a FA signing, or maybe allow the front office to justify taking on Peavy’s salary.
Commish - I’m very interested in pitching this offseason because pitching wins championships first and foremost. Besides picking up a few relievers to compliment the youth in the pen we really need another starter. I have no faith in Carp and if he is healthy then your rotation is that much stronger. Has there been any talk of Oliver Perez from the Mets? He’s young and still has plus stuff. I think he would be a more realistic option at starter than trying to make a trade for a bigger name and his age and ability have me interested as to how he’ll fit into our team and its plans for the future.
Commish: You put your finger on the problem (without meaning to, I think) when you said that the Cardinals’ Asian scouting efforts will consist of watching the World Baseball Classic. So their scouting budget consists of a 1998 Sony and a subscription to MLB Extra Innings. Gee, I wonder if we have a DVR, or just an ordinary satellite box? So if Cardinals do notice a player with exceptional potential, and if they happen to understand what they are looking at, it’s a lock that the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs or Dodgers will already have seen the guy and have offered a bigger contract than the Cardinals even would consider. Yeah, that’ll work.
Remember: This team charges $10 for a couple of hotdogs and then puts water in the mustard. How much can we expect them to spend scouting players in Asia?
C’mon Commish you are smarter than this. A middle infield of Lopez and Renteria has no chance of getting the Cards into the playoffs because you could position two statues out there and get to more groundballs. They might hit ok but they would give evverything back with their gloves. I would rather stick with Kennedy and Izturis who were both top defenders at their positions last year. I hope the front office is smarter than you and figures out that defense, while not very sexy, is every bit if not more important than offense.
Lopez as a super utility player…fine. Renteria…I sure hope they pass.
Let’s not rewrite history here; Whitey was a great manager, but we had so many sore-armed pitchers during his tenure here it wasn’t funny - Silvio Martinez, John Fulgham, Mark Littell, Joe Magrane, Greg Mathews, etc. etc. etc.
Not that it was necessarily Whitey’s fault, any more than the sore-armed guys that we have nowadays is necessarily TLR’s fault - it’s just the nature of the beast.
The difference is that sore-armed pitchers make a lot more money now than they did 30 years ago. Then again, so does everybody else.
I read on SI.com that the White Sox might move Jermaine Dye for prospects. It seems he could be the impact bat that TLR wants. How about a package of Ankeil/Duncan, Anderson, Kennedy, etc. An outfield of Ludwick, Schumacher/Rasmus, and Dye would look pretty good.
Kurt, of the four players you listed, I think only one of them really qualifies as a “prospect”.
Commish,
I hear fans complaining about the Cardinals front office not making a big move this offseason and I understand the fans frustration regarding the front office not sticking to their word about spending big on a free agent. The Redbird followers did their part and got ownership a new stadium. Will the owners sign that top-tier free agent that they promised could happen with the new stadiums revenue?
I’m hearing Cards fans throwing Ludwick, Ankiel, and Schumaker out for trade bait in return of a big bat, but those are three solid hitters, at a relatively cheap price. Those three combined to hit (.290BA, 70HR, 230RBI’s) in 2008, which is solid in my book. Along with an infield consisting of Pujols, Miles, Lopez, Glaus, and Molina – who put up even better numbers (.317, 79, 323). If you take those eight and add Barton, Mather, and Ryan’s numbers, the 11 put up a .299BA. The Cardinals owned the NL’s best batting average in 2008 and don’t need much in the form of a bat.
Note: I left Izturis out because the Cardinals signed him for defense, too bad for his luck (and ours), he has to bat for a living, unless the AL instates a Designated Fielder. And Adam Kennedy was mediocre at best.
I realize Lopez will not hit .385 next year, but he would be a cost effective everyday utility player. I have faith in the Cardinals youth and they have several fielders they can call up in an emergency. With that money saving approach the Cardinals can go after a few big names.
The Cards biggest concern should be bullpen. They will not be a contender in 2009 with 31 blown saves. They MUST get some “change we can believe in!” The Cards need: a closer (if they don’t go with the Perez/Motte committee), a LHRP, another RP (not Trever Miller), and a SS (as long as Lopez is resigned for 2B and Miles splitting 2B/SS). If Lopez isn’t signed we’ll need to find a 2B too.
There isn’t an abundance of top notch SS’s out there. Who would be the best available SS either through trade or free agency? And what bullpen pitchers could the Cards get with the estimated $20MM available?