Tony is at 14 seasons. . . will there be 15?
With all the talk about the players the Cardinals have acquired (or in most cases, not acquired), not as much has been said about the long-term future of their manager, Tony La Russa, the third-winningest manager of all-time. What do you think?
Q: Mr. Commish, I’d like to piggy back on to a few of the comments made regarding the future of TLR as manager of the Cardinals beyond the 2009 season. I feel we have the best manager in the game today, and maybe one of the best ever. His ability to get his teams to overachieve more often than not is amazing. But do you feel the relationship between TLR and ownership beginning to strain a bit? I know Tony was very strong in his remarks regarding the importance of Fuentes and Miles to the future success of the club, yet the front office did nothing to honor his requests regarding these players. How do you think Tony feels about these and other snubs from management? One of your peers has already stated that he feels Tony’s return after the 2009 season is no better than 50%. Your thoughts?
Rich
A: Since he has been here 14 seasons, a lifetime in baseball, Tony is apt to leave after any season. Yes, 50-50 at best, I would say. We’ll see how his relationship evolves with Mo, especially if no player of consequence, i.e.,, a veteran reliever, is brought in. Fuentes just didn’t want to play here. The Cardinals made at least as good an offer as the Angels. Miles figuered in La Russa’s plans but not in Mo’s budget.
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Q: Rick, I love TLR as manager and I especially like the way he seemed to embrace the younger players last year. LaRussa and Duncan get more out of the players they are dealt than any other manager/pitching coach in baseball.
I know he generally likes to let his contract run its course and take time to think about returning (as well as seeing how the players are responding to him) after the season. But, I think it would be great for the Cardinals to have stability at the manager position by signing TLR to an extension.
Do you think there is any possibility the Cardinals might work out at least a 1-year extension before the season to dispel the inevitable rumors that he is retiring, heading to the Reds, etc.?
A: If the Cardinals offered him an extension now, I don’t think La Russa would accept it yet. He really wants to wait till near the end of the season to decide whether or not he is coming back, no matter what the rumors might be.
Q: Let’s see how Tony will construct his lineup, with accompanying estimates of their strikeouts: :
(L) Schumaker+Rasmus (100+)
(L) Ankiel (100+)
(R) Pujols (60-)
(R) Ludwick (100+)
(R) Glaus (100+)
(R) Greene (100+)
(R) Molina (50-)
Pitcher
(L) Kennedy (80+)
Three lefties in a row? … Not that the game is ever easy but this year’s roster makes it particularly hard to follow LaRules.
Are you worried at all about the number of strikeouts this team is going to pile up? Are the Cardinals worried? Will Tony be able to adjust to a roster that doesn’t allow him to “create” runs?
Dan
A: First, Tony won’t have three lefthanded hitters in succession (9-1-2) if a lefthander is pitching. Yes, the strikeouts totals could be alarming although you’re too high on Kennedy. Baseball, sir, has changed. Strikeouts aren’t frowned on as much anymore.
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Q: Any chance the Cards try to sign Garland as a free agent? I think he would be the type of guy Dave Duncan covets. He’s strong, doesn’t get hurt, throws a lot of innings, pitches to contact, and has an above average change-up.I haven’t heard his name mentioned anywhere yet this offseason.
Mark
A: The Cardinals have interest in Garland, but not at three years. If he comes in at two years, there’s a chance, depending on the pricetag, because he does pitch innings. He did, however, allow a .303 average against him last year. A little too much contact.
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Q: Mr. Hummel, I am certainly willing to concede that you have a more experienced and in-depth view of all things baseball, but I’m wondering about a comment you made in your “Cash Flow” article saying that the Cards seem to have upgraded at shortstop. To me this seems, at best, a lateral move. Greene obviously gives more power at the position, but his career batting average is 20 points lower than Izturis’. (Not to mention his horrid performance last year _ he had 100 strikeouts in fewer than 400 at-bats.) I would like you to expand on your thoughts about the upgrade at shortstop if you would. Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely,
Bill Fenlon
A: Izturis couldn’t knock in a run (24 RBI) or get an extra-base hit (14 in 414 at-bats). Greene had a terrible year, but he had 72 homers in the four seasons before that and is not really a dropoff defensively.
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Q: Mr. Hummel, thanks for doing this for us so frequently. It appears impossible to satiate this town’s lust for baseball, but you do a great deal to help.
I was wondering if you have a feel, based on the roster today. Do you think La Russa would prefer to carry two reserve infielders that can play multiple positions; or does a player like Freese, that only plays one position, have a chance to make the roster? Are the Cardinals most likely to carry 12 pitchers this year, as well? Based on the manager’s love for versatility, I would think 5 bench spots would cause him to prefer to carry LaRue, 2 OFs that can cover multiple spots (especially if Mather can play 3B and 1B), and 2 IFs that can cover at least the two middle infield positions. Do you read it that way, as well?
Thanks in advance.
ETP
A: And thank you. If Dave Duncan wants 12 pitchers (he’d actually want 13), he’ll get 12. That leaves a prospective bench of LaRue, two OFs (not including Mather) and two INFs, including Mather.
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Q: Whatever happened to Dewon Brazelton last year? He was once thought of as a top prospect and I was wondering if he is still with the Cardinals organization?
A: Brazelton’s arm, and possibly training habits, were suspect when he showed up last spring and he quickly was released. I don’t think he is on a major-league roster as of yet.
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Q: Rick, any thought of the Cardinals bringing in Oliver Perez? Not sure what he is looking for money-wise or if he brings a lot of baggage…I just know he has been a classic underachiever a la Jose De Leon…but Dave Duncan might be able to salvage this guy. He used to be able to eat up a lot of innings….
From where I sit, the ball club is still in a piecemeal frame…they are behind right now…
Thanks for reading
Mark
A: Perez is interesting to the Cardinals if the years and money fit in with them. I suspect he is out of their price range now, but the longer the players are out there, the more impatient they get with their agents and you might get him for what you want. Yes, I think Duncan could help him. And, yes, I think Perez would help.
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Q: Based on a question from yesterday: Along with Frisch, why aren’t Bottomley, Hafey, Haines, Medwick, Mize, or even Rickey, Caray, and Garagiola honored? Maybe not with a statue, on the outfield wall, or even under the video board, but something more should be mentioned than the negligible publicity they have received from the organization thus far, as they are all Hall of Famers whose primary team was the Cardinals or who made significant contributions to the Cardinals at one point in their careers. And if the Cardinals are going to honor Sisler and Bell, maybe add Spink to the list as well, as he was from St. Louis, and the writers’ award is named after him after all.
And a question more related to current events:
If the Cardinals can justify giving Lohse, a #3 pitcher, 4 years at $41 million, why aren’t they offering that to other free agents who are middle-of-the-rotation types as well? I know that the market hasn’t worked itself out yet, but isn’t someone going to make the first move anyway? Why shouldn’t the Cardinals be the one? Will free-agent prices really drop that dramatically once spring training rolls around?
Thanks for this forum, Commish,
David
A: You raise some good points about some of the people mentioned and perhaps gradually some of them can be incorporated into the Ring of Honor, as it were.
The Cardinals signed Lohse to a deal they never would have given him now, if they knew how the market was going to shake out. There are going to be some bargains to be had later on, but eventually they are going to have to pull the trigger.
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Ankiel provides the Yankees with a center fielder they are looking for with good offensive potential. Clearly the Yankees will not be scared away from signing Ankiel for the longer term by his free agency. Anderson has worked on his defense and is now at least an above average defensive catcher who will continue to improve. Offensively, Anderson is going to hit right around the .290 or so range with gap power. He is only 22 and most scouts believe he will still develop his power. Jess Todd is a pitching prospect that scouts cannot agree if he will be better suited as a reliever or starter. He had a good 2008 in AAA following quick promotions. Gardner is a contact hitter with outstanding speed, some gap power and good defensive range. His throwing arm is not very good but should be okay in left field and as a lead ff hitter. Hughes has a fastball that is normally at about 93-94 mph but can touch 97 mph. He has a plus curveball and above average change. He normally has good control. The issue with Hughes that cause the Yankees some doubt is consistency in his delivery mechanics. These problems cause him to lose some movement on his pitches. Coke has been slow to move through the system. He has a 92-94 mph fastball with late movement and a very good slider. He is tough on left handed hitters. At one time he was projected into the Yankees starting rotation but after a September call-up in 2008 probably settles in more as a middle reliever with the potential to be a a setup guy. Coke probably is a good left handed bullpen option at a fraction of the cost for an Ohman or Beimel.
.FnDlphn
A: Thanks for your kind words. Ankiel actually hasn’t drawn that much interest although the Yankees would seem to be one of the few teams which wouldn’t care if they couldn’t re-sign him after this year anyway. I know the Cardinals are reluctant to part with Todd. I’m not really sure if the Yankees think that highly of Anderson as a defensive catcher although they surely need one. Yes, I would take a crack at Hughes although those other players don’t interest me.The Cardinals have a much better Gardner in Schumaker.
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(7 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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After reading all the comments I have come to 2 conclusions. Greg, your an idiot, I have never read something so dumb in my life…other than Bernie’s columns. Second, Cumdrizzle, your a jerk & obnoxious!
MLBTR says mets sign Tim Redding for 2.25 million. That’s some sweet low hanging fruit, right there. Why don’t the cards just ‘fess up and admit they are out of the free agent market. Is there an explanation why they could not sign a ten game winner on a sixty two win team? If Redding does not qualify as a very good bargain at 2.25, then what does? Commish, I hate to be so cynical, but are the cards just blowing smoke at us? Thanks Mr. Hummel.
Commish
I hope that you don’t have a negative outlook on the team. Yes, they could have overpaid a closer - but I seem to remember Todd Worrell as a rookie - give the 8th & 9th to Motte & Perez - we probably win the division last year with a combo like them. The offense/defense is set - with the exception of (if) Ramus is playing, then they have the task of trading 1 or 2 players for a starter.
We are going to stink for a long time unless we dish out some money. We are so tight that the owners squeak when they walks. LOOK AT THE OTHER TEAMS LIKE THE CUBS, they actually spend money for talent. Maybe they don’t win the World Series, but lately they have gotten closer than us!
It does not matter what TLR “wants” to do; the focus should be on what the Cardinals need to do as an organization. TLR cannot manage a team with a 6 - 10 youngsters that need to play through slumps in order to mature. He has been quick to do a 180 on Rasmus, sensing that the reality is that the payroll is more important than his getting another bona fide veteran. He is going to do a 180 on Perez / Motte should mgmt not find a 1 yr closer.
He re-established what it means to play Cardinal’s Baseball, he got the town to expect (and demand) performance and success. He had a good run, congrats and thank you.
The next headline the Post should run is “CARDS sign Sheets for 3 year $48M with incentives.
Hi Rick:
Some random thoughts
-Do you see Pujols staying with the Cardinals for his entire career? Or do you think the lure of the dollar will draw him to a larger market? When done, he would be considered the second greatest Cardinal
-What is the deal with Ben Sheets? Aside from the obvious; injuries, I would have thought he would still be highly regarded. Do you see the Cardinals looking at Sheets?
-Does Jose Oquendo have a shot at the Mgr. job should TLR steps down.
Rick, keep the stove warm next week with 0 temps. Thanks for your insight
jc
Commih, what ever happen to Miguel Mejia. I was a fan of him because of his speed and I thought if he goes down to the minors to work on his defense and offense, he will come back in STL. I thought he will be a good leadoff hitter.