Cardinals vs. Pujols; Who would win?
Spring training is less than eight weeks away but the Cardinals surely have more work to do to shape their team by then. But when spring training does arrive, it comes with the bonus (some would detriment) of the World Baseball Classic.
Q: Since the Cardinals are going to play the Dominican Republic team in the World Baseball Classic next year, for which side will Pujols play? I’m guessing that he’ll be playing for the DR to prepare for the Classic. But it will be weird for Pujols and the rest of the Cardinals for him to play against St. Louis. What are your thoughts?
Matthew
A: Yes, Albert (not to mention A-Rod and Big Papi) will be playing against the Cardinals Should be fun actually to see Albert bat against one or two of the Cardinals’ veterans before the kids come inito the game.
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Q: I know the Ankiel for Madson trade rumors are pretty much deceased, but what happened to the recent rumors about Tampa interested in trading Andy Sonnanstine for a young bat to bolster their DH spot? I read as recent as last week that the Rays were quite fond of Duncan if he’s healthy. I think that’s a no-brainer if it’s indeed a possibility.
Burnsy
A: Tampa Bay might have a hard time trading another starter after already giving up Edwin Jackson. The Rays probably would try to get Duncan for less than Sonnanstine if, indeed, their interest in Duncan was legitimate. Until Duncan shows in the spring that he is all right after being hurt the last two seasons, I would think his trade value wouldn’t be as high as it might be then
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Q: Hello, Commish. If Brian Fuentes wants at least three years and $10 million-plus, forget him. Could you rate the Cardinals’ interest in the following free-agent closers and how good a fit you think they would be for St. Louis: Trevor Hoffman, Keith Foulke, Eddie Guardado, Al Reyes?
Michael Scriven
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A: The Cardinals would have no interest in the last three and apparently they have only moderate interest in Hoffman, who might actually be a fit for one season.
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Q: Hello Mr. Hummel. Since Rasmus is slated to make the team out of spring training it is surely only a matter of time until one or two of the other outfielders will be traded. If it is Ankiel, what kind of value will he bring? I also wonder about the chemistry of the club if Ankiel is dealt. TLR is one of his biggest fans. Rookie Rasmus has not arrived there yet and the road may be a bit bumpy. Do you think Rasmus is a trade chip? If so,how does his value compare to Ankiel’s in terms of who he could bring in a deal? Have a Merry Christmas and good and happy New Year, Mr. Hummel, .and thank you for answering my questions.
Dave
A: Thanks, Dave. The Cardinals are committed to keeping Rasmus unless there is a trade which blows them away. He probably would have more trade value than Ankiel, who can be a free agent after 2009. With impending free agents, the return often isn’t as good as you would think it might be.
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Q: What do you think of the Cardinals trying Carpenter as their closer? Maybe he could save his arm for a year. It would be like Smoltz for the Braves. Then the Cards could add someone like Lowe or Penny to balance out the rotation for a year or so.
Tiestofan
A: When Carpenter was making one of his comebacks last season, manager La Russa spoke of trying just such a move. But a lot of that would depend on how much strain that job would put on his arm, relative to starting every fifth day _ and, of course, the makeup of the rest of the staff. Lowe won’t come here for just a year or two. And Penny has an injury history which, I’m sure, scares the Cardinals.
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(7 votes, average: 4.29 out of 5)
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Commish. Any chance the CARDINALS try to trade for B.J.RYAN??
I thank with Perez,Motte,@ RYAN closeing,resign Russ Springer to go with Miller @ Franklin. To go with Thompson or McClellan,the other being the 5th starter we would be ok. We could use the money to upgrade the team at the July 31 trade deadline.
Wainwright,Lohse,Wellemyer,Pineiro,CARPENTER IF health lets him pitch,if not Thompson or McClellian. Molina,Pujols,Kennedy,Greene,Glaus,Ludwick,Ankiel,Rasmus. We would be OK. We need to resign Glaus,Greene,Ankiel to at least 1 more year!!!!
Commish what do you thank??? MARRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!!
Rick, what is this love affair with Chris Duncan. He does give occasional power, but…. his glove is a HUGE liability and he short-arms every ball that he throws (after he picks it up behind him). I am 53 years old and I swear I can still track a baseball better than he does. I say trade him, sell him, give him away, just do something with him other than allowing him to wear a Cardinal uniform any longer. Is his sticking around a favor to his dad? I just don’t understand. Thanks
Doug. I dont thank Chris Duncan is still a CARDINAL because of his dad. Chris is a GOOD hitter when he is not hurt. He would be a GOOD 1st baseman BUT we have a GREAT one!!!!! He would be a GOOD DH BUT the NL dont have one. I agree he is a liability in leftfield BUT his bat makes up for that in the 1st 7 innings. I thank we should let him get 100% then trade him for a GOOD AA or AAA player we need with a GOOD upside OR keep him as a back up 1st baseman,pinch hitter,leftfielder. This year is our last chance to go to the world series till at least 2012. We LOSE Glaus,Greene,Kennedy,Ankiel,LaRue,Wellemyer,Pinerio,Franklin, that i know of after the 2009 season. Duncan could be a GOOD trade chip at the July trade deadline!!!!!
Commish. How, do the CARDINALS see these pitching prospects in ST Louis?? Blake Hawksworth,Tyler Norrick a lefthander,Jess Todd,P.J.Walters,@ Clayton Mortensen ?? Bullpen, # 2,3,4,starters?? THANK YOU!!!! Bryan
Commish, we all realize the cards can’t play in the Sabbathia and Texiera sweepstakes with the likes of the yanks and mets, etc. But we entered this off season not exactly destitute. I think this team has the wrong philosophy. They think they are using their money wisely, but I disagree. Always bargain shopping never gets you what you want. You always have to settle. For instance, when K-rod and Wood signed the cards made an offer to Fuentes that was way under what he wanted. If the cards genuinely believed he was the best piece for their team on the market, why not offer 3/38, making him the highest paid of his class? His ego, and possibly the player’s assoc., would force him to accept. And yes the team spent a premium, but they got their premium target. And we’d have had money left to get the very same starter we’ll end up with anyway. But we’d have hit our target. Thanks Mr. Hummel.
Commish, on the Duncan front, shouldn’t the cards keep him? If healthy, he is the most appealing backup for Albert is case of injury. And he could become a very scary pinch hitter. My question, how long is he under team control and where is he at regarding argitration? Where do you see Duncan in three years? Happy Holidays Mr. Hummel.
Duncan has no trade value until he proves he is healthy. I think the Cardinals will be trying to trade him at the end of Spring Training or at the trade deadline if Rasmus is ready.
Commish. Does the Cardinals have any 2nd base prospects in the minors that could help the CARDINALS in 2009 or 2010?? If so who?? I was looking at stats from AAA,AA,A,ball @ found no 2nd baseman with any good hitting stats.
Rick:
Merry Christmas. Can you tell me the time frame when the Cardinal farm system stopped scouting and signing the speedy, switchhitting, good defense player? It seems the Cardinals are always a one demonsial team.
I still believe what Whitey said; speed doesnt go into slumps. A little speed at the top of the lineup would be nice for a change.
Thanks Rick.
Mr. Hummel, Does it annoy you when people use ALL CAPS in odd places that don’t seem appropriate, while misspelling every other word and using wrong punctuation? (like @ instead of &).. Just curious. =)
In all seriousness, I think everyone needs to get their panties out of a bunch and wait to see what happens this spring. We are all hungry for baseball news related to the Cardinals, but all of this freaking out is getting tiresome. Wait until the end of March to start freaking out. Maybe (and hopefully) there won’t be a reason by then. And for the record, I consider myself a fair person.. but the thought of Chris Duncan continuing to patrol left field for the Cards is almost rediculous. Healthy or not, he doesn’t really have a place here. I wish him the best of luck in his career, but enough with the nepotism already. Nobody can convince me that he is on this team for any reason other than his family ties. I think it is amazing that him and his father were able to share time on the same team, but we have four WAY better options in the outfield at this point, and one more(Mather) who also might be better. Just my two cents. Thanks for what you do.. I always look forward to your blog.