| dub the beachcomber: Great Tsunami Rider, outside my window the waves are running about two feet overhead. Wax it up! Why is ownership not punished when they carry a player who gets caught using PED's? If there were a severe punishment for employing a user, each team would police themselves. As of now, they have no incentive to do so, just the opposite. Owners profit from PED usage, and other than the temporary loss of that player, they win. Until owners pay a significant price, the problem will persist. Will this ever happen? Thanks |
| Joe Strauss: Are you kidding me, Comber? Owners policing themselves? You forget, the Commissioner serves at the pleasure of ownership. He is their employee. Ask Francis T. "Fay" Vincent. Testing is negotiated between labor and management. The Players Association bowed to greater testing only because of public outcry following Congressional hearings. The union might accurately gauge that fans are tired of the issue and think it's become a media witch hunt. Will we see testing for HGH and other enhancers in the near term? Doubtful. Owners can't act unilaterally regarding testing, but they exercise individual policies regarding users. Angels ownership has been very vocal in its attitude about PEDs, but Arte Moreno's voice has not been joined (publicly, at least) by many others. Draw your own conclusions. Baseball was shamed into a more aggressive policy. That shame may be fading. |
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Tackleberry: JSL,
Will the outcome of Glaus' upcoming medical update heavily dictate what the Cardinals do moving forward? Is the Thurston/Barden combo a stop-gap until there is hard evidence of what the future holds or do you see them continuing with the platoon regardless of whether Glaus is out for the season or not? |
| Joe Strauss: Fair question but the Cardinals aren't speaking in hypotheticals right now. The Thurston/Barden tandem was extremely productive in April but has recently shown signs of overexposure. The Cards won't have a total picture on Glaus' progress until early June, but there may be an interim report before next week. That said, no one has turned on the Kool-Aid fire hydrant regarding Glaus' imminent return. Additional surgery remains an option should his ongoing rehab stall. David Freese remains an option at Triple-A, where he has begun to hit. As we speak, six of the Cardinals' 12 position players are rookies. That's a staggering number. The availability of Ankiel and Ludwick may also factor in how the club looks at other positions. |
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Terrapin03: Konnichiwa Joe -
Last I heard of no. 99, he had signed a minor league deal with the little bears. Once he retires, do you think the Cardinals would have any interest in hiring Taguchi as a scout or some sort of "ambassador" to help cultivate a pipeline for talent in the far east? To the casual fan it seems that this is currently a weakness in the club's developmental system.
Domo arigato Chatmeister! |
| Joe Strauss: So Taguchi will be highly sought after as a broadcast analyst or manager in Japan. I have no doubt he is well-qualified for either. The So Man is just as popular or moreso in Japan as he remains with Cardinal nation. |
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Mike: Hi
I live in Los Angeles and all the Dodger fans are bitter about Manny and they all say to me it's only a matter of time before Pujols is caught. I think it is sad that the fans are so skeptical about talented athletes. El Hombre had been adamant about NOT "juicing". I believe him and respect his natural talent and his work ethic and drive to be the best...what words of wisdom do you have fo me to defend Pujols from these snarky and skeptical fans? |
Joe Strauss: All the ChatMeister can say is that El Hombre has been far more strident and adamant about playing by the rules than most, if not all, of his contemporaries. The damage done to the game's credibility, in my opinion, would be significantly greater if he ever tested positive. Rumors had circulated for years about Rodriguez. Manny is perceived as a flake. Pujols is a Clemente Award winner and a man of faith. It is no coincidence MLB has begun to more aggressively market him.
It's hard to prove a negative. You are always disappointed by such revelations; however, to be surprised by anything regarding this issue anymore is to be naive. |
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| renomike99: Joe, Carpenter is injured, and Wainright is pitching like he's injured. Boggs, is talented yet still awfully raw. Given all of the uncertainty in the starting pitching staff, do you expect the Cardinals to a) try to make it through the season with the starters they have, b) make another dumpster dive, or c) trade from their surplus of outfielders to get another quality pitcher. For what its worth, I personally would favor option c). However, given the parsimonious bent of the Cardinal front office, I fear options a) and b) are far more likely. |
| Joe Strauss: Your assessment is correct. Joel Pineiro arguably has been the team's most consistent starting pitcher to date. Wainwright has hopefully found a mechanical key to right himself. Wellemeyer's trend is cause for concern because it represents an extension of his spring training. No one can say with certainty when Carpenter will return and for how long. Once again he looms as a make-or-break figure. Kyle Lohse pitched extremely well early but has slipped since back discomfort and a jammed left knee complicated his season. You're right. Boggs is considered raw, but he has a chance. Clayton Mortensen has pitched well at Memphis and may be emerging as an option less than two years after being drafted. However, the Cardinals have repeatedly found that minor-league success and effectiveness in the major leagues are two different animals. As for going outside, it's not just about money. Availability is a big issue. Few, if anyone, is willing to dump competent starting pitching this early in the season. |
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Brandon W: Good afternoon Chatmeister,
It appears the magic carpet ride is slipping from underneath the Cardinals organization. Our problems are starting to be exposed with lack of depth in both pitching and offensively. Our 'big' offseason acquisition Khalil Greene has been one of the most frustrating Cardinals players I have ever had to watch.
My question is, at this point in the season, what do you believe the biggest weakness on this team is, and will the front office do anything about it? |
| Joe Strauss: Right now the problems center on depth. Entering the season JSL!!! suggested the Cardinals could contend if they held together their best 20 players. Right now, they miss Carpenter, Ankiel, Glaus and Ludwick from that mix. Brendan Ryan also offered something now missing. The Cardinals chose not to pursue minor-league free agents last year because of how highly they evaluated their own talent. We're about to see that stance either validated or exposed. Tonight the Cardinals will play without three players who accounted for 283 of last year's 744 RBI. (That's 38 percent for the mathematically challenged among you.) Feel free to submit guesses about tonight's lineup. |
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thedudeminds: To:El Diablo
From:El Duderino
1.Do you have any idea why we keep pitching to lefties down and in? I just don't get it, I'm cringing every time I see Yadi side step towards a lefty.
2.Do you think that Wellemeyer gets the benefit of the doubt over the rookie and keeps his spot when(if) Carpenter comes back? I think he most likely will but he could make it a tough decision if he keeps up this Tsunami of suck that he shows every couple of starts.
3.Wouldn't it be really funny to see Shane Robinson and Dennys Reyes standing next to one another? That could be dangerous for the little guy for obvious reasons. |
| Joe Strauss: Cardinals pitchers have been hurt several times on sliders that failed get "all the way in" against lefthanded power hitters. Down and in is typically the danger zone against those types. Wellemeyer is making $4M this season and has constructed a track record in nearly two seasons here. Unless injured, I don't see his job in jeopardy. (Let's ratchet down the harsh application of the Tsunami, shall we.) As for your photo suggestion, I'll mention it to photo artiste Chris Lee. Pairing "Sugar Shane" and Dennys "Pronounced like the restaurant" would certainly offer a study in contrast. Reyes throws lefthanded and Robinson righthanded, after all. |
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Brian: is there really a chance Carpenter could be back next week? Is it gonna happen?
If, or when it does, what do you think the chances Boggs stays in the rotation for at least a few more chances and Wellemeyer goes to the pen? I understand he's making a bunch of money, but he's had some terrible starts this year, along with some good ones, but the up and down isn't good.
Also, Lohse's last 2 games haven't been pretty. Is it just that, a couple of bad games, or is Lohse dealing with something? |
| Joe Strauss: Coach Duncan suggested last weekend that Carpenter would perform 2 bullpen throws and then a simulated outing before the club weighed activating him. On Tuesday, according to Rick Hummel on the ground in Pittsburgh, Big Dunc' suggested a Friday simulation where Carpenter throws to hitters only "standing in" might suffice and he could be activated next week. Apparently, the situation remains fluid. Wellemeyer has not looked comfortable on the mound for much of this season and Lohse admittedly is dealing with some nagging physical issues. I wouldn't minimize either. A lot of unanswered questions, I know. The Cardinals have one quality start in their last 11 games. |
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ldomino: Greetings Chatmeister!
What is your assessment of the starting rotation at this point in time? Are the wheels coming off or are they simply going through a rough patch at the same time? Do you believe having Carp back will anchor the rotation and settle things down? Do you believe the more limited range of some of our position players (LF or SS, for example) is playing a contributing role in the climbing ERAs for our starters? Do the pitchers believe the defense is getting to all the balls they should be getting to?
Thanks a million! |
| Joe Strauss: Let's be honest: This is not a strong defensive team. It's a good hitting team that pitched well to open the season. The spread sheet guys thought it only a matter of time that a heavy dose of baserunners would catch up to the staff, hinting that Redbirds pitchers were getting lucky early on. They may have been correct for the wrong reasons. What the spread sheet guys didn't cite is a defense that has failed to make as many plays as the errors it has absorbed. Wellemeyer hinted at the issue before camp broke and was quickly rebuked by the manager. That doesn't mean he was wrong. The Cardinals don't have to acknowledge the obvious if they wish. But this is a pitching staff that pitches to contact backed by a defense rife with inexperienced position players or others new to positions. (Schu at 2B, Thurston at 3B). |
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| Brianbase: Joe, are you getting as worried as me about the starting rotation? |
| Joe Strauss: Some of us were concerned before the season that a lack of depth could lead to exposure much like what occurred in 2007. It hasn't reached that point yet but this team simply can't afford losing another starter to injury. |
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| robbotis: What are the chances the Cards go to AA for the next call up? Nobody at AAA is hitting. |
| Joe Strauss: I assume you refer to Daryl Jones. The Cardinals prefer to see him first pass through Triple-A. He is not on the 40-man roster. I admit to having the same thought as you. Many are surprised that Jon Jay has struggled this badly at Triple-A. Allen Craig is learning the outfield at Memphis but is among those who have fallen off offensively. You hope these guys are merely struggling and haven't been rushed. |
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Mike4265: Yo, Dr. Wave, whazzup?
While the promised land of the minor leagues seems to be better for the Cardinal's position players, pitching, especially starting pitching seems a bit more problematic. Is this a scouting or development issue or do top to middle rotation starters take longer?
Thanks! |
Joe Strauss: It may be a scouting approach. The Cardinals appear more prone to draft "safe" when it comes to pitching; i.e., avoiding signability issues and rarely gamble on high-ceiling high school arms. Unfortunately, the track record isn't great with high picks spent on college starters. Chris Lambert, Mark McCormick and Adam Ottavino have offered poor to mixed results, though it is too early to paint Ottavino, 23, in a harsh light. Mitch Boggs (University of Georgia) was drafted out of college in the fifth round as a reliever. Jess Todd (Arkansas) had success in Springfield's rotation last season but is now working in relief. Clayton Mortensen (Gonzaga) is 24 but is considered raw. The Cardinals ran away screaming from high schooler Rick Porcello in 2007. The Detroit Tigers didn't. Porcello, 20, is now in the Tigers' rotation. There are different points of view. Some organizations, such as the Cardinals, believe HS pitching the draft's most high-risk commodity. Others believe it foolish to ignore such a heavy portion of available talent and are willing to take risks to land higher potential.
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GSW: ChatMeister,
My outlook is brightening even now as the tsunami sweeps away the detritus of the last week . . .
Since it looks like "Sugar" Shane Robinson will be starting for at least part of the next couple of weeks, what can you tell us about him other than he's a speedy slap-to-gap hitter without homerun power?
Given Glaus' lack of progress, at what point does Mo look to deal for a power bat, particularly if Mather and Freese don't come around?
Finally, did you watch Carp's bullpen and, if so, how'd he look?
Thanks, Joe - as always, you da man. |
| Joe Strauss: Robinson is a feel-good story. I've always thought myself 5-foot-7. But since I see eye-to-eye with Sugar Shane and the Cardinals media guide lists him at 5-foot-9, I'm convinced I've hit a growth spurt in mid-life. Robinson actually has more power than his size would suggest, is considered an outstanding ball hawk and carries an average-plus arm. That said, the Cardinals did not bring him into camp as a non-roster invitee this spring. His ascendance has as much to do with the struggles of Mather and Jay as anything. I was not on hand for Carp's throw Tuesday but have received glowing accounts from multiple angles. |
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dn3524: Hi Joe,
To the point....has Mather totally blown it? Never have they had a greater need for a player with his skill set...and he's been in the tank for 2 months now. Has the Mather "star" come and gone? Is there still hope for him?
Dave
Sacramento, CA |
| Joe Strauss: The dude's been hurt since last August. Let's not trash him yet. That said, the Cardinals were prepared to release him Mather of spring training before sending him back to Class A for a sixth season in 2006. Mather is a career .258 minor-league hitter who has developed power the previous three seasons. He will be 27 this July. He projects as a complementary player. Some folks have gone way overboard the last couple years reading breathless projections for players liberally referred to as prospects. Mather has a chance as a live bench bat in the majors if healthy. He has power, something lacking within the organization. But don't make him something he's not because it's in a certain team's or publication's interest to (over)sell talent. |
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Troy in Florissant: Mr. Strauss,
With Manny Ramirez joining the ever growing list of players who have been caught one way or another using PED's. I was curious what your stance is on the Hall of Fame candidacies of the following players. A simple yay or nay will suffice. Thanks for your insight.
Mark McGwire
Barry Bonds
Sammy Sosa
Rafael Palmeiro
Roger Clemens
Alex Rodriguez
Manny Ramirez
Cody McKay
Please elaborate if you say yes on any of the above. |
| Joe Strauss: My point has been previously stated: The BBWAA only has first crack at HOF candidates. If we pass, the Veterans Committee comprised of current inductees gets final crack. My personal belief is to pass on those outed as PED users and let their peers gives thumbs up or down on their worthiness. Though PED use will never appear on an inductees plaque, the unnatural passage of time regarding a McGwire, a Bonds or Clemens will forever beg the question about the delay. They cheated the game. If the HOF's current membership wants them in their "club," let them give the nod. |
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Ryan: Hey Joe,
The injury bug has hit us hard again this year and with the rookies and younger players getting a lot more at bats, they seem to have been exposed and are coming back down to Earth. At some point don't the Cardinals have to go after a proven guy that can produce at this level for the whole year. My fear is Glaus is not coming back and we have all these minor league guys that come sub for a short time, but can't contribute for an extended period of time. In your opinion, will the ownership really stand pat again when we have glaring needs? Thanks |
| Joe Strauss: Unfortunately, that time was probably last winter or this spring. |
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Ryan: Hey Joe,
I was curious on your take regarding injuries these days. Carpenter goes to the DL after swinging a bat, Ludwick pulls up a hammy running for a ball. I know it is a long season and a grind on the body, it just seems odd that professional athletes that are in peak shape seem to get injured just doing normal activities. Your thoughts? |
| Joe Strauss: Brendan Ryan also suffered a hamstring strain. It's a fair question and one I believe being increasingly asked by some quarters of the front office. No answers, however. |
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Slim: All these injuries got me thinking about the most irreplacable Cardinals; not necessarily the best players but the ones hardest to do without. Here's my list of top 10 Cards most difficult to replace, assuming that everyone is healthy to begin with, which is of course not always the case (Ludwick's injury hurts much worse because Ankiel is already on the DL and the team can ill afford to have Duncan or Rasmus go down):
1. Pujols (duh)
2. Carpenter
3. Ludwick
4. Wainwright
5. Lohse
6. Molina
7. Franklin
8. Ankiel
9. Duncan
10.Glaus
Honorable Mention: Rasmus
What think you, wise Chatmeister? |
| Joe Strauss: The ChatMeister actually believed K. Greene should be high on the list. There is no obvious replacement for him should he go down for an extended period. The Cardinals went "all in" on Greene as an offensive upgrade over Cesar Izturis. The options to hold the position are rookies Tyler Greene and Brian Barden. Simply because Greene has not yet met expectations doesn't diminish his value. If he doesn't perform, the Cardinals are greatly diminished. With Carpenter disabled, I would include the other four veteran starts as indispensible. Believe it or not, Dennys Reyes has to be on my list. |
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| D.E. Schmitt: Joe... How will the Busch Stadium press box handle the All Star Game? Who gets the front row? Who gets the back? Looks too small to handle everyone who'll be in town. I remember Bernie commenting in '06 that St. Louis would be lucky to get an All Star Game with the way the press box was set up. Have they made changes since the stadium opened? Just curious. Thanks! |
Joe Strauss: The BBWAA filed a petition with the Commissioner's Office to withhold the All-Star Game from Busch Stadium unless upgrades were made to the press facility. The ChatMeister was quoted in the New York Times as referring to the press box as "a gulag" in 2006. That was kind. The fire marshal shut down portions one night because of poor ventilation. A microburst nearly destroyed it. Several media members had equipment destroyed due to lack of protection from elements. Upon entering the rain-soaked box before Game 3 of the 2006 Series, MLB President Bob DuPuy was heard to mutter, "Oh, my God." The Cardinals renovated the press box after the '06 season at far greater expense than would have been required initially to do a credible job. I'm sure auxillary seating will be assigned for the A-S Game. That will cost some seats. Seating is typically assigned on a rotation bases among the leading publications that cover the game. The P-D contingent will retain seats front and center.
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| ronald vines: I have been an ardent Cardinal fan for over 60 years. I watch all the games I can on Directv because I live over 500 miles away. I cannot figure out why all of the Cardinal pitchers have become "nibblers". They appear to have no confidence in the pitches that worked for them earlier in the season. I may be wrong, but it appears a pattern has been shown when one of them gets a batter 0-2 they will invariably end up at 2-2 or 3-2. Their 0-2 pitches sometimes are two or three feet out of the strike zone. Another problem I see is their pitches to left-handed power hitters. They pitch them all down and in and bam there goes another one. Please comment. |
| Joe Strauss: Pitching coach Dave Duncan shares your sentiment. The lack of aggressiveness may be partially attributed to skittishness over defense, though don't wait for anyone to go public with that one. |
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JoePa: Joe,
In your opinion, who is the best righthanded hitter in the Cardinal's farm system right now? How far from the majors is he? As always, thanks for the insight. |
| Joe Strauss: You've hit on something. My initial reaction was Allen Craig, a belief shared by colleague and Baseball America correspondent Junior Goold. Beyond Craig, who has no defined position, catchers Stephen Hill and Tony Cruz and first baseman Curt Smith deserve mention. Hill was drafted as a first baseman-outfielder. Cruz is a converted third baseman. Currently at Palm Beach, Smith played for the Netherlands in the WBC after being named Appalachian League MVP last season. Nick Stavinoha was a .304 career minor-league hitter before this season but is fighting a perception as the next John Gall. |
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zuke: When discussing Porcello, how come nobody wants to talk about the obvious? Even you have often failed to mention it. It seems like people like to talk about the salary, which is a smaller, less important factor of him not being drafted by the cards (and pretty much everybody else).
The fact that he is 18 and must be on the 40-man roster is more of an issue. I really think people don't understand the implications, so they ignore it.
What this means is:
1) Must be major league ready in 4 years (options). Injuries will not negate options. So he has to be completly ready at age 22 because he can't be sent to the minors. Very Rare.
2) Must be rushed to get fincial value out of his contract. however, this counts towards free agency. 6 years of major league service time will be reached at age 26. being on the DL counts. So a partial season will count as a year.
3)Best case scenario is that he stays injury free and have an effective pitcher (#3) and maybe reaches potential (1 or 2) by the end of team control before having to rebid on him in free agency.
4) linsecum is a good comp. as far as success. difference is, the giants didn't even have to use all his option years and will still have control of him for another 3 years. having control of a pitcher at age 23-30 much more beneficial than 20-26. I don't doubt the kids future, but his potential will probaly be reached for another organization and not the tigers. |
| Joe Strauss: Valid points all. But if you believe the kid is a once-a-decade talent, as the Tigers apparently did, it makes sense to take the leap. There are always reasons not to make a bold move. Fine. But don't be afraid to admit erring on the side of caution when and if this kid develops into a consistent 15-18 game winner. It's a matter of priority. The Cardinals this season will pay Joel Pineiro $7 million-plus for one season. The Tigers committed less than that for a talent many project as a perennial All-Star. I strongly challenge your comment about an organization other than the Tigers realizing Porcello's potential. The Tigers have six years to further evaluate him and try to broker an extension. Yes, Porcello is a Scott Boras client. |
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| rippey720: What is wrong with Joe Mather? Still under .200 at Memphis and seems to just be falling apart. What will the Cardinals do with him if he continues to struggle like he is? Will the release him and promote Brett Wallace? |
| Joe Strauss: Mather is expected to return shortly after receiving an injection to alleviate discomfort caused from a ganglia cyst on his surgically-repaired left wrist. It explains some of what he's been dealing with. |
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| Dan: Joe - A little surprised at calling up Nick the stick, whose stick has not been that great this year. Seems to me like we're short of OFs, and Nick is at best Duncan-like. The best outfielder not playing the OF is Schu. I thought the best approach was a call up of Freese, who's starting to hit, planting him at 3rd, moving the Barden/Thurtson tandem to 2nd, and putting Schu in right. What's says the great Chatmeister? |
| Joe Strauss: Others share your opinion. TLR seems to be of the mind that Schumaker's only chance to improve at second base it to appear there regularly. Taking him off the position might set him back, though it could be what's best short term. Brendan Ryan will soon return from the DL. It doesn't make sense to promote Freese unless he's playing almost daily. If he's playing daily, there is too little time for Barden, Thurston and Ryan at second base. To say the OF is currently diminished is an understatement. There are obvious defensive issues as well as production ones. Duncan has to be in the lineup every day without Ludwick. So, it would appear, does Rasmus. I would anticipate Schumaker receiving more exposure in the outfield, but not exclusively so. The Cardinals may also shed a pitcher and add a position player after Boggs' start Thursday. |
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| NormalGuy: Is it too early to push the panic button with this club? I know it's only May but the recent losses of Ank and Luddy to go along with Glaus and Carp quickly expose this team as more of a rebuilder than a contender in my eyes. I don't think this team has near the depth (see 11 rookies on roster) to remain on top as it did those years Rolen and Edmonds spent considerable time on the DL yet they still made the playoffs. Are these fair assessments or am I just being too pessimistic? |
| Joe Strauss: They are fair until proven otherwise. The rotation must be a strength for this team to proper. It has not been for the last two weeks. Diminished offensively, the Cardinals desperately need for the rotation to experience a 2-week surge. The next home stand (Brewers, Cubs, first-place Royals) suddenly looms as crucial. |
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| joham: I've seen Sugar Shane listed everywhere from 5'7" 160 to 5'9" 190. I'm inclined to think the former is closer to reality. It is not at all unusual for media guides to inflate the size of baseball, football and basketball players. What is the point? Does it scare the opposition? Does it make the player feel better about himself? Just wondering. |
| Joe Strauss: It makes for numerous bar room debates about how tall the guy really is. It's almost as entertaining as those players listed under fictitious birth dates, the so-called "Tejada Factor." |
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Bill: ChatMeister,
You were quick to answer that you would not vote those players listed in an earlier post to the HOF. Are you putting all of them in the same catagory. There is no proof that all of them have used PED's. There has been accusations and speculations but no proof. So because of that you will not vote them in the HOF? McGwire, Sosa, and Clemens are left out because of accusations not proven as of yet will leave them out of the HOF is harsh. That's too bad the writers don't believe in innocent until proven guilty. |
Joe Strauss: You can wait for the Inquisition. I'll use my common sense and evaluation of some outstanding investigative reporting to make up my mind. If you choose to believe McGwire never used PED's, that's your right. I'm with the 75 percent who believe his career is diminished by the obvious. There are those who believe he used and still vote for him. Fine. As stated, the writer's failure not to vote in a player does not preclude their eventual induction. A candidate can be permanantly shut out only if their peers also choose to exclude them.
Now get back to your ice cream and balloon party. I may have been quick to answer but I've given the issue plenty of thought. Sorry you're offended. |
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MrRick: Yo Joe,
What is up w/ all of these walks? NOTHING makes me cringe more than a ML pitcher that CAN'T THROW A STRIKE!!! I'll take the solo HRs gladly, but for the love of everything holy, quit walking teams into huge innings. Any idea what the problem is & how Duncan may be trying to address it? |
| Joe Strauss: Duncan is preaching greater aggressiveness. You are correct. This staff can not overcome walks. It is not a strikeout staff. It requires strong defensive support. Unfortunately, it has long been the ChatMeister's belief that the most glaring inconsistency on this team is the lack of emphasis placed on acquiring above-average defenders behind a staff that last year ranked last in the NL in strikeouts while receiving 156 double plays against 85 errors. There I go again, being negative. |
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| Jesse: Do you wish we had Brian Barton now, or are you satisfied with Blaine Boyer? |
| Joe Strauss: I don't believe Barton would fill this team's current need for a plus defender with power. |
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tone-dog: Joe: I asked this Monday and got ignored--What's with Tom Gorzalany? Is he available, and what would be the cost? Is he right for Dave Duncan?
Also, is there a right handed outfielder available that could sub for Ludwick--or is it time for Allen Craig to come up and show us what everyone is talking about? Thanks. |
| Joe Strauss: Interesting name. Gorzelanny looked to be one of the game's most underrated LH arms until losing last season to back problems, a sprained ligament in a finger and poor command. He has made seven starts at Triple-A Indianapolis after being optioned out of Pirates camp in mid-March. He is so far 1-1 with a 3.98 ERA and appears to be mending command issues that left him with a 6.66 ERA in 21 big league starts last season. Potential dumpster dive material. |
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| Mugz: When Carp comes back will he be "under orders" to not swing hard? Similar to when Woody came back from a similar injury? |
| Joe Strauss: Carp' may receive the chance to lead the league in sacrifice hits. He has never been a dynamic threat as a hitter, so why risk it? |
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ldomino: Howdy El Diablo!
Any word on how Josh Kinney is doing in AAA? Went to a game the other night and saw him warming up but he didn't end up coming in to pitch so I didn't get to see him pitch for myself. Got to see Jess Todd, who did a nice job of getting himself out of a jam. Anyway, just wondering what Josh's status is and whether he's getting his form back down in AAA. Have you talked to anyone who knows more than his line? Thank you! |
| Joe Strauss: Kinney has pitched relatively sporadically since being optioned. He struggled early at Memphis but appears to have found form in the last three weeks. He has struck out 10 against seven baserunners in his last six outings, three of them lasting two outings. Kinney's mechanics varied from pitch to pitch in April. He's closer now. |
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zuke: Philosphy on drafting local players?
Do you think teams should feel obligated to take local talent in the draft. I use the local HS kid wiht a 98mph arm as an example. Now he has moved up the board, but lets say he is projected as a 2nd round pick and the cards are picking mid-to-late first round. Should they feel compelled to draft him to avoid the situation that Kansas City went through with Pujols? Or just stick to your guns and draft your top guy? Should local ties be any concidertion when drafting? |
Joe Strauss: You're speaking of Jacob Turner, the flash from Westminster High in Ladue, Mo. Turner could go in the first round and would be more than a mere local flavor should the Cardinals grab him. That said, Cincinnati Reds GM Walt Jocketty recently attended one of Turner's starts. The Reds pick 8th, considered too high by most forecasters. The Cardinals pick 19th. Mizzou RHP Kyle Gibson may also go in the first round or as a supplemental pick. From what I've been told, Turner would fit the Cardinals well if they can get past their fear of high school pitchers and Boras clients. The Cardinals have picked based on familiarity before, among them in 2005 when they selected Albert Pujols' cousin in the 6th round. They have drafted relatives of scouts, trainers and Boras. None were taken with premium picks, however.
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| Joe Strauss: That's going to do it. I'm over time and over budget. We'll be back during next week's home stand for more discussion. It's been a fun ride made possible by your on-target questions. This is a challenging time for the local nine. Carpenter's return is looking more and more vital as pitching may have to carry this club for the rest of the month. It may be an unfair test, but the minor league system is now being challenged to provide competent fill-ins until health issues clear. Strap in. |
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| Joe Strauss: As they say in TV land, "We are Live!!!" atop the Tsunami that is JSL!!! The ChatMeister skipped Pittsburgh (a veteran move, I know) and has just completed a ratings-spiking appearance on the Bernie Miklasz Show. All Cardinals all the time, the same as right here with Baseball's Best Fans* (*copyright St. Louis Cardinals Marketing LLC). Ryan Ludwick has been disabled, Nick Stavinoha is on the way to the Burgh and the rotation has encountered an 11-game speed bump. Tough times for the NL Central leaders. For the next hour or so, the ChatMeister will ponder talking the fan base off the ledge or providing a push. With further ado, Let's Get it On!!! |
