I see the mere mention of San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene, who broke his hand in a snit last season and barely hit his weight , has stirred considerable ire among some of you. I will publish one of the questions asked in reference to him, but I only suggested his name as someone to look into. I know it’s all about “What have you done lately?” but in 2007, Greene hit 27 homers and drove in 97 runs and he had 15 home runs in each of three seasons before that. The Cardinals need to make SS more of an offensive position and Cesar Izturis’ 24 RBI weren’t productive, just offensive.
Q: Commish,
What is (seemingly) everyone’s obsession with Khalil Greene? He was injured for the final two months of the 2008 season. He only hit a Kennedy-esque .213 last year. I understand he’s a good fielder, but has no Gold Gloves to show for it. Why would anyone want to actually give up a player in a trade for Khalil Greene when we could re-sign Izturis for cheaper? What does the front office see there that I don’t, or is that just ignorant fans’ speculation? Thanks for your insight.
A: I don’t think it would cost all that much to get Greene, who will be a free agent after next season. Perhaps a young arm. And, for the record, Kennedy hit .280 although also without much pop.
I know the Cardinals have many needs but why is Ludwick seemingly mentioned in every deal that the Cardinals try to make? I think all rumors have at least a little truth to them. I would hate to see how bad they would have been if he wouldn’t have been around so why do they seem so willing to get rid of him?
Q: I would be interested to know how the Cards measured up against the rest of the league in quality starts. I keep thinking we fell short there resulting in our pen’s ineffectiveness. I’m also worried regarding our inability to score in the later innings. If you were the GM, what would be your overall off-season strategy? Where would you put your emphasis? I realize that this may be a better subject for a full article, but in general terms maybe you could rank your objectives. Thanks Mr. Hummel.
A: Roger, I would rank the priorities as more bang from the middle infield (second base, shortstop), two lefthanded relief specialists, another starter and a veteran righthander who could close, in that order. I’m not a big fan of “quality” starts because I don’t think giving up three runs in six innings (an ERA for nine of 4.50) is all that good, but the relievers probably were called on too early too many times last season, mostly because of the ineffectiveness of the young pitchers replacing injured Carpenter and Wainwright and then Joel Pineiro’s inability to take many games past six innings.
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Q: Commish, can you explain the love for Barton ? He didn’t seem to have much of a season either here or on rehab in the minors, he can’t throw, and he doesn’t play the OF very well, at least as far as we have seen him up here. and he didn’t hit a whole lot. What is it that people (including TLR, whose opinion is the only one that counts) see in him ?
A: I don’t think TLR or anybody else in authority considers Barton anything more than a fourth or fifth outfielder and he is apt to spend much of next season at Class AAA. He does have speed and has a little sting in his bat and also has improved a bit as an outfielder.
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Q:
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Mr. Commish,
I read recently where the Cubs & Royals are talking about a possible trade involving Sean Marshall & Fontenot for Mark Teahen. Would the Cubs and Cards be willing to trade with one another? I think Sean Marshall would be a great addition to the Cards’ rotation. Assuming Colby is ready for the show, would Ankiel be too much to pay for Marshall?
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A: Rob, this might have some merit in another world, but the Cubs and Cardinals, as long as they’re both competing for the same prize, will never talk trade. It’s like the Red Sox and Yankees never trading with each other.
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Q: What if any are the chances of the Cardinals pursing Trevor Hoffman? I know the Padres gave him a ridiculous offer with 1 year/$4 million with incentives. Does he have any interest in the Cardinals and if so what would it take to get him? Thanks.
A: I would think Hoffman would have interest in coming here, but, so far, I haven’t heard concurrent interest from the Cardinals.
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When teams like the Cardinals announce that they have a $100 million payroll are they including in that figure the millions they are getting back from insurance on players who are on the DL (Carpenter, Mulder, Issingringhausen, Incarnacion, etc.)? If so the Cardinals “payroll” is more likely around $80 million.
Fred Walton
A: The payroll figure is the actual monies paid out to players in a particular season. Some of the players you mentioned have their contracts insured, in part, but certainly not that of Mulder, who had been injured before. It’s very hard to get insurance on a player with a previous injury history.
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Q: ont-size:70%;font-family:monospace;direction:ltr}Would the Cardinals consider making an offer to Looper as their closer
for next season?
I think moving him back to that role would be a viable option.
A: They signed Looper initially to be a potential successor to Isringhausen. But Looper, having experienced some success as a starting pitcher, wants to continue to do that. I don’t think he’ll sign anywhere else as a closer.
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Q: Commish,
I read many posts assuming Looper would only be as good (or worse) than last year’s version. Is it possible he would be much better with the experience gained in a starter’s role last year? He hasn’t been a starter very long. If I’m not mistaken, he pitched some really good games this past year. If he was more consistent and eliminate the really bad games his numbers would be much better. Am I wrong?
A: No, you aren’t wrong. But the odd bad game has been Looper’s bugaboo in his first two seasons asa a starter. He had fewer of those last season and showed himself to be very durable. But I don’t know if the Cardinals could compete with another team if it offered him a three-year (or more) contract. I’d like to have him back, though.
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Q: BODY{font-size:70%;font-family:monospace;direction:ltr}Mr. Hummel,
Thanks very much for taking our questions. I know that Carp’s status
is very much up in the air for next season, and
it depends on nerve tests, how he feels in springs training, etc. I
wonder if his arm condition would prohibit him from throwing 200
innings, but maybe he could handle the workload of a reliever. I think
a dominant starter is more important than a closer, so I disagree when
people suggest Wainwright as a closer. But if Carpenter can’t handle
the workload of a starter, he could be a shut-down closer,
Smoltz-style. I know it’s all dependent on his health, just some
wishful thinking. Would you take Carp as your closer if he can’t be
your ace?
Mark in St. Louis
A: Mark, I think being a closer might take more strain out of Carp’s arm than starting. I don’t know if he could warm up as quickly as might be necessary. But Tony La Russa did entertain that (closer) thought in 2008 when Carpenter was recovering from his shoulder aiilment and Smoltz was very successful at it. Basically, La Russa thinks the closer is the most important pitcher and Duncan thinks it is the starter. La Russa doesn’t back down to too many people, but if coach Duncan is strong enough in his desires, that is the way the Cardinals will go.