The Blog Returns

Sorry that it has been so long between posts, I have been burning the candle at both ends and am going to try to make it a point to make updates here more frequent. All that being said, opening day is a mere 14 days away and the roster looks to be shaping up.

My timetable for an OF trade has come and gone with no action, so let make some changes from what we can learn from Spring Training thus far. My new thought is Duncan, Ryan, and a right handed reliever (I would prefer Thompson but it seems like TLR loves the guy so he probably stays) for a promising 2B/SS prospect on the cusp of being MLB ready for the 2010 season and a LHP for the 2010 bullpen or insurance in 2009. I am thinking the Edmonds for Freese last year and it now looks like Freese makes the team as the 3B placeholder as Mather is in the TLR doghouse after his promising start. I still think Duncan is the OF they trade. I am not one of the nepotism conspiracy thinkers out there and like the power he brings to the roster. With the pending arrival of Rasmus and his left handed bat and + + defense, it looks like for all parties involved Dunc being sent out makes the most sense. He can be an American League DH and can relax after leaving his dad’s shadow and the Cards free up OF room, have the potential to keep with the new player development emphasis, plug the holes in depth at the minors which are also the areas the team has revolving doors for the last several years. Everybody comes out better.

Other things that I hope develop:

Joe Thurston on the team as a utility guy, I was hoping that T. Greene would join Thurston as the other IF backup but he was sent out a few days ago so it looks like Ryan (unless he is traded).

Rasmus on the team; Jay, Stavinoha, and Barton have been sent out so, it looks increasing likely that this can and will happen. If memory serves from my reading over at the PD (*Disclaimer- as of late the PD site has been my primary source of ST info; so that is where I am getting the updates that inform my thoughts) I think Rasmus, Duncan, Ankiel, Ludwick, Mather, and the new 2B Schumaker are the other OFers left. I really, really like an active OF of Ankiel, Ludwick, Rasmus, and Mather (with the added flexibility of Schumaker).

Memphis has a great season. TLR had a comment the other day where he said something to the effect of “you have to be a good team when you are sending players of this ability down”, and it does look like the Redbirds will have a solid team all around. This also starts a logjam in the system young players blocking young players. The blockage then allows for the trades that the fan base is all worked up about. The players become more desirable as their professional track records grow. A cost controlled young starting pitcher with a couple of season’s in the majors sound appealing anyone?

Let’s go Cards! The season is almost here and I really hope the cynics can stop rooting for a big payroll and begin rooting for the team again.

Last little item, if you want to get excited and have a laugh watch these: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/stl/fan_forum/2009_commercials.jsp