| Joe Strauss: OK, back up for what could be a very abbreviated session of Joe Strauss Live!!! We let the general manager (try to) ride the tsunami for an hour and the ChatHeads migrate to his side of the board. Believe me, the Chatmeister doesn't forget. That said, let's push ahead to the spin-free portion of Wednesday chat. You want the truth? You can't handle the truth!!! But let's get it on anyway!!! |
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therealdealankiel: Joe,
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO IZZY. Thank you for what you've done for the Cardinals and St. Louis. You were a vital piece of one of the most successful stretches this OR ANY team has ever had. On behalf of all of the TRUE Cardinal fans, we're looking at your entire body of work...this year has been and will be forgotten.
Clear your mind and get back on the mound. Although your time in STL may be up, I anxiously await your 300th save in another uniform...just not for the Cubs Izzy! |
| Joe Strauss: Consider it done. Many share you sentiments, RDAnks. |
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| Chris Rushin: I know that Barry Bonds has a lot of baggage but why not sign him for the stretch run? He has said he will play for the min. and TRL can handle him. Last night we had a .244 hitter with no pop hitting behind a legitimate MVP candidate. He had the highest OBP last year and he might conform to know this might be his last chance at a ring. |
| Joe Strauss: There's no way BB could get in shape to contribute this season. He has not been working out in recent weeks and, at best, might help someone as a DH next season. As the ChatMeister opined in a column following Bonds' indictment on perjury and obstruction charges, he is at the end, not the beginning of the end. Funny how the same fan base that despised Bonds in previous years now clamors for him as its savior. Ain't gonna happen. |
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tlwilborn: Greetings Great One:
In your most humble opinion, what do you think of the acquisition of Felipe Lopez? I watched him in Washington and thought he was extremely undervalued by the Nationals. Further, he has the Cardinals-sought personality, notwithstanding the Nats gripes against him. Since he is under contract only until the end of the year, any chances the Cardinals will sign him for next season. I just knew months ago he was going to St. Louis, so I think he's another Cairo/Grud kinda guy.
By the way, I really do enjoy and value your comments, Oh great one.
Regards
tlwnlin
Alexandria, Va. |
| Joe Strauss: Lopez appears re-energized since escaping the Anacostia gulag known as Home of the Nationals. He is a pending free agent who has value as a utility player and a switch-hitter, especially against righthanded pitching. It would appear, however, that the club will have to choose between Lopez and Aaron Miles, who is arbitration-eligible and far less likely this winter to accept a deal after being non-tendered. Your reverance is appreciated and entirely justified. |
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tc22: Dear Tsunami Master,
I've been using a smaller board to ride the tsunami this month ever since the Cardinals front office locked down the bank on July 31 by refusing to pursue any quality relief pitchers to help a beleaguered staff. With only the wild card as a possibility now, do you expect the Cardinals to be scouring the waiver wire for pitching help or should I continue to down size my board and wait for the Sept call ups in hope of rescue? Please advise. |
| Joe Strauss: With Wainwright likely returning for Friday's start, I would expect any relief help to be coming from within. The club has only nine more days to make a move, since any player acquired in September is ineligible for a postseason roster. |
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| mike kelly: Whatever happened to Matt Clement??? Forgive me if that's been asked before on this chat, but I don't follow the Cards like I do the Blues (a rarity in this town, I know). I thought the Cards inexplicably signed this career DL pitcher and gosh, I think he's been on the DL all season? Or Mo realize how dumb that was and quietly release him some time ago?? |
| Joe Strauss: The organization released Clement last month. He was a "lottery ticket" that didn't pay off. |
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J.Brad: Herr Chatmeister,
a.k.a. the keeper of the tsunami,
What's your take on why there wasn't an ejection at Cincy on Sunday after the warnings? A Cardinal was hit by a pitch and nothing happened. I thought Tony might get tossed at that point, and with good reason. Had it been reversed, the Cards would surely have gotten an ejection of the pitcher and manager. What gives? Enjoyed your handicapping of the wild-card race.
Is there a pythagorean style equation that you used? Do tell!
thanks for your input oh guru of the weekly bonanza we like to call JSL!
J. Brad in Lakeland, TN. |
| Joe Strauss: TLR seemed more than a little irritated after the game. Methinks there could be some continuation when the team meets again in Great American BP Sept. 16-18 or in the season-ending series at Busch. As for the JSL!!! odds, we call upon our extensive statistical experience at various horce racing venues. Indeed, it is true that JSL!!! set the over/under on Rams wins at 6 1/2 two months before the Vegas books caught on. But we digress. |
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k30: Will you please beg Mo to put Carp and Waino BOTH in the rotation (assuming both are healthy)? :)
That's my question! Thanks! |
| Joe Strauss: Walk to the next chat over and you'll find that Mo addressed your concerns. |
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| tim: What would you think about hitting Molina second? I know hes slow but thats seems like it would be the perfect fit for him because he makes great contact and hits for average. And it would only make him better hitting infront of Pujols letting Ludwick hit 4TH so Pujols will get some protection. |
| Joe Strauss: I'm not sure your theory flies. Albert leads the team in doubles and Molina is among the least likely on the team to take extra bases. With a leadoff hitter on base, you typically don't want to see Molina bounce a ground ball, either. Within this lineup, No. 6 or 7 seems to work best. |
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GSW: Chatmeister,
Help - I'm getting thirsty, and my Kool-Aid's running out. What needs to happen for the Cards to take the wild card (aside from winning more games than the Brewers, smart a$$)? |
| Joe Strauss: Braun needs to stay out and Ned Yost must continue to bend CC Sabathia until he breaks. A Cardinals sweep of next week's two-game series wouldn't be a bad thing, either. |
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| BradV: Mr. Chatmeister, with the lack of a surplus of good left handed pitching this year out of the bullpen, do you see the team acquiring a big time lefty in the offseason, or will they allow some of our top lefty prospects to battle it out in spring training next year? |
| Joe Strauss: Flores is arbitration-eligible and Villone is a free agent. I can see a scenario in which the club makes a clean break and scour the free agent market. Jaime Garcia remains a possibility, but the front office may prefer to see him progress as a starter at Memphis. Fair to say, there will be much shuffling in the bullpen this winter given that Isringhausen and Springer also are free agents. |
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cardsfaninmass78: Dear Chatmeister [insert groveling praise alluding to a cataclysmic ocean disaster here]-
Any word on Wainwright's velocity? It has been an eerily absent item in the otherwise brilliant reports of his rehab outings in your great paper . Apparently his command is improving (for all pitches - even uncle charlie), but that might not much matter if his velocity is down. |
| Joe Strauss: Waino made a point to lower expectations about his velocity following Tuesday's throw, suggesting he will pitch "like Tom Glavine" when he is activated. That would suggest greater reliance on breaking and off-speed stuff while his velocity gradually increases. The good news is that Wainwright insists he is throwing without having to max out his effort. |
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| roger from lake tahoe: joe, any chance the cards look at al reyes? |
| Joe Strauss: Tell me why. |
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Steve: Joe
I have to be honest that until recently I have never been a rider of the tsunami, but now that I’m in Milwaukee I’m riding the wave of JSL!!! I like it here, but I would really rather play for the world’s best baseball fans. What to you think my agent’s going to ask for my next contract at the end of the year?
cc |
| Joe Strauss: The JSL Tsunami reaches from shore to shore. I'm guessing you'll be seeking a market of $20 million per season, especially if the esteemed voting members of the Baseball Writers of American confer a NL Cy Young Award on you a year after recognizing you in the AL. Watching you stand next to Albert Pujols during the July 21-24 series at Busch, it struck JSL!!! that CC is the Shaq Daddy of Major League Baseball. |
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redbirdswin: What the heck is in the air at Busch that makes the Cards' bats invisible? That first game against Pittsburgh was PAINFUL to watch.
Looper was fantastic, but saw no reward for his efforts - so does he get rewarded in the offseason by re-upping with the Cards? |
| Joe Strauss: Interesting stuff. Looper shares an identical ERA with Kyle Lohse as we speak. He has pitched better the last three weeks. He is coming off a three-year, $13.5 million deal signed as a reliever. Yet Cardinal Nation remains fixated on Lohse, whose agent is more likely to shoot for the moon in negotiations. NO talks between the club and Looper's agents has taken place, though one of Loop's representatives is expected in town late this month. |
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jaypyo22: Chatmaestro,
First time caller. Cardfan here in Nashville, really enjoy your commentary. Looking into your crystal ball, where do you see us finishing this year? Also, do you have any insight to the reason we are playing better ball on the road then home. |
| Joe Strauss: Each day reduces their chances. The Cardinals badly need a two-game sweep of the Brewers next week. Every game that gets away allows also the NL East teams to get more involved in the wild card race. The Cardinals face the Cubs, Marlins and D'Backs 16 times in September. That's not a good schedule for any team trying to make up ground. As for the home-road split, I have no idea. The Cardinals have performed better on the road (37-29) than at home (33-29). Strangely, the Redbirds have not swept a road series this season. They were also 14-7 at Busch Stadium through May 4, leaving them 19-22 since. They have thrived when hitting home runs but struggled otherwise. New Busch is not a home run park. The Cardinals have 61 home runs in 62 home games compared to 78 home runs in 66 road games. |
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cards fan trapped in chi-town: A tsunami travels across the ocean as a small hump of water but at speeds as high as five hundred miles an hour. When it reaches land, it explodes. . .hence JSL!!!
Do you follow the work of other scribes across the nation? If so, which columns do you enjoy? Please don't say Marriotti from the Sun-Times!!! |
| Joe Strauss: I like the work of any scribe who tells me something I don't already know. Believe it or not, that includes a large circle of peers, most of them beat hacks like the ChatMeister (P-D sports department motto: "Row Well and Live.") Those who do the reporting are often the lesser knowns compared to higher-paid "stars." The best columnists haven't forgotten their "beat hack" roots. If you read Bernie, Richard Justice, Bill Plaschke, Dave Kindred, etc., you'll get my drift. |
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brettjhouston: Hey Wise Chatmeister,
In watching the game last night, it has become obvious that when we face tough pitchers or just come out flat our Cards no longer do the things necessary to scratch out runs.
I understand the american league mentality of working towards the big inning but I'd like to see some more fundamentals to put us in the position to suceed whether thats hitting to the right side with a runner on or stealing a base.
In the last couple of years we've seen a little more of that type of baseball but this year appears to be a different story. Is this something you have noticed and if it is a trend is it because of the number of younger players on the roster. Thanks and keep up the good work!!
BA |
| Joe Strauss: There's a truism about the two leagues: In the AL, the big inning wins. In the NL, whoever scores in the most innings wins. The Cardinals are 34-5 when scoring in four or more innings, 36-52 when they fail to do so. It's a fair read that this year's pitching staff minus Wainwright does less to help itself than its predecessors. The club has not done as well controlling the running game (Carpenter's absence hurts) and is not particularly adept at bunting. Meanwhile, the overall defense is better. |
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| Morgan Lester in Va. Beach: Hey, the JSL!!! surf is up here in VA. Last week you mentioned that Felipe Lopez would not be a Cardinal next year. With Miles/Kennedy (2b) being the major weakness of the current lineup, do you see any potential free agents Mo may persue? Regarding this season, will Mo make any deals now that Izzy seems to be done? |
| Joe Strauss: I believe I questioned Lopez as a starter for next season. The Cardinals are committed to Kennedy through next season and have yet to suggest they will dump him. As stated before, expect significant turnover in the bullpen next season, which is actually fairly typical. |
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jeff: Hi Mr. Strauss:
Do you think the following lineup AND bench might help the offense get going for a long winning streak and the stretch run:
Schmaker/Mather
Lopez
Pujols
Ludwick
Ankiel
Glaus
Molina
Pitcher
Izturis
Ideal bench: Mather, Phelps, Miles, Larue, Barton
(we don't need Kennedy here, why we need 3 second basemen in the 25 man roster? that is a waste of a spot which we could have Josh Phelps as a power threat on the bench). Last night, we could bat experienced Phelps with power instead of rookie Barton (who strikes out) with the base loaded and the Cards down 3 runs? Since every game is important now, can we call up Josh Phelps and find excuse to send Kennedy/Barton down for 10 days until the roster expands in 10 days? |
| Joe Strauss: An A for effort, Jeff. I think there is a larger issue, however. The need to protect this bullpen has caused TLR and the front office to adopt a 13-man staff, leaving only a 4-man bench. Since a team typically uses its backup catcher only as a last resort, this leaves only three position reserves. Phelps is rated a defensive liability, making him unattractive to a short bench. The result ties the manager's hands allowing the man in the other dugout to better dictate match-ups. TLR has been unsparing in criticizing the offense's ability to "add on" late. Might that have something to do with his limited bench? |
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| Janice from Memphis: O wise controller of the pounding surf that heralds the tsunami, did Tony La Russa seem at all relieved to be done with the drama surrounding Izzy this year? I know there have been some "uncomfortable" conversations between the two this year when TLR refused to return Izzy to his closer role. Is their relationship so strained that Izzy wouldn't consider working with the younger pitchers at some point? Were his teammates really surprised when the Cardinals announced that Isringhausen was going on the DL? |
Joe Strauss: Yes, there has existed a degree of tension.
No, I don't envision Izzy has some sort of surrogate coach.
No, a number of teammates were not surprised to learn that Izzy was headed to the DL. (He likely won't arrive until Friday, when Wainwright is activated.) |
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| Brian: why are reports saying Izzy's career is over? Has he said he wouldn't try to rehab, or is the injury THAT serious? |
| Joe Strauss: He indicated to some teammates and staff Tuesday that "I'm done." He could change his mind, but his comments were construed to mean he was done pitching. To be continued. |
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Steve from SoCo: Oh great wave-master...
long time reader....first time poster.
It was nice that Mo took time to participate. Was it just me, or is it quite obvious that Izzy has put the Cards uni on for the last time? Seems like an obvious reference in his last post. It is unfortunate that it ended this way, and I really appreciate everything Izzy did in the Cards uniform, but I also agree it is time to move on. It would be nice if fans would have a fitting way to say thank you to him for his efforts. |
| Joe Strauss: I agree. The question remains whether Izzy would want to be honored by fans who booed him heavily in two of his last three seasons with the club. |
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| Tom in Indy: Oh great Tsunami, I forsee a logjam at third base in our minor league system with a lot of good potential. With the logjam in the outfield as well, who do you see as most likely being trade bait? |
| Joe Strauss: Craig would seem to be blocked at 3B. He has power but is a defensive question. David Freese has had an outstanding year and, according to some, should be among the leading candidates as Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year. (The ChatMeister will announce his ruling in a future chat.) Jon Jay is an interesting player whose skills are not that different from S. Schumaker. Big difference; Schumaker has shown his production translates to the major leagues and is not arbitration eligible until after the '09 season. OF Daryl Jones qualifies as the system's breakout talent this season. C Bryan Anderson is obviously an intriguing guy, since the Cardinals are committed long-term to Y. Molina. The Cardinals are also heavy in RH pitching. |
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| cje81: In Mo's chat, he oultined four of next year's starters as Carp, Waino, Wellemeyer, and Pineiro. What is your best guess as to the fifth member of the rotation? |
| Joe Strauss: An additional veteran arm not currently with the club. |
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| riotmute: With Wallace making a great impression within the system, do you think there is a chance we may see the Walrus in the majors in the spring of 2010? |
| Joe Strauss: Yes. |
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chrusctp: Finally, the (week)long-awaited Aquatic Avalanche has arrived! Two questions:
1. In his chat Mo seemed to concede that Brett Wallace would get some time in the outfield in winter ball. Other than the fact that he's still been playing third, any other signs/reports/rumors about his position in the future?
2. We all know about Furcal and Hudson. What other free agent middle infielders are going to be available this offseason?
Great job as always!! |
Joe Strauss: Many are as convinced that Wallace will end up in the OF or at 1B as they are that he will be an impact major league hitter.
M. Grudzielanek and M. Ellis are pending free agent 2B along with J. Kent, Jamey Carroll, et al. The SS class includes Renteria, Furcal, A. Everett and Juan Uribe in addition to Izturis. |
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| Dave: The Tsunami is whipping through here in Chicago and Lake Michigan is surging high enough to take out the Cubs. With the Cards still hanging in there, I had a question about how the Cardinals handle injuries. Its been going on for a while now, but management tends to go after guys who are prone to getting hurt or end up getting hurt while in STL. The last 2 years have been particularly bad with injuries, but it goes back farther than that. I know injuries are a part of the game, but it seems we have more than most teams. What's the deal here JSL?! Is this an unlikely string of bad luck or is it simply poor decision making on management's part? |
| Joe Strauss: The Cardinals seek "value" in free agency. Part of "value" stems from buying low. The club did it successfully with Chris Carpenter and, to a lesser degree, with David Eckstein. They tried unsuccessfully with Matt Clement and Kip Wells. That said, there is less risk in sinking $1-$2 million dollar in a recovering player than risking a long-term deal on a veteran in decline such as Tino Martinez. The problem arises when the bargain player breaks down and the club needs a replacement. Remember, Jeff Weaver arrived as insurance behind Sidney Ponson. No insurance arrived this year to replace Carpenter, Waino, Clement or Izzy. No minor league starting pitchers were seen as ready for prime time. |
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| Scott: Why is there no love for Braden Looper? Everytime I see a "projected" rotation for 2009, he's never mentioned, despite his great numbers of late. Why is Pineiro loved, and not Looper? Seems a little whack to me. |
| Joe Strauss: Pineiro is under contract for '09, Looper (and Lohse) are not. |
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John: The Tsunami makes Fay look like a spring storm...
With Wainwright returning and hopefully Carpenter next week. Can you see lengthen the bench soon? |
| Joe Strauss: You can lengthen the bench and bullpen considerably Sept. 1. I don't see it happening before then. |
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kaeagles: Joe,
You said today is all about telling the truth. Okay. Are the Cardinals a good enough team from top to bottom to beat out the Cubs and/or Brewers for a playoff berth? |
| Joe Strauss: A month ago, when they still led the wild card, I rated their chances a '4' of reaching the postseason. Sunday, I assigned the Milwaukee Brewers a 3:5 shot. (Big Brown went off at 1:5 in the Belmont). With Wainwright and/or Carpenter healthy, I'd rate the Cardinals with a puncher's chance. The Cubs are out of reach. The Brewers are volatile enough that they could come back to the Cardinals. |
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| Joe Strauss: OK, everyone out of the water!!! The sharks are again circling as the Cardinals prepare to open their clubhouse. Rumor is Mark Mulder may again be in the house. We'll see. I suspect the Cardinals will announce Wainwright as Friday's starter. It's going to get interesting next week. Indeed, the Brewers will be playing the Cardinals hours after the conclusion of JSL!!! Talk about a mid-week holiday!!! I hope you enjoyed this week's tsunami as well as Mo's warm-up act. He promised to reappear before October and we intend to hold him to it. Thanks again. |
