As Spring Training continues, from what I have read over at the PD, in the last few days Skip at 2B has been struggling. I am still firmly on this band wagon with a round trip ticket. I remember last year when we had no real leadoff hitter, and the Sports talking heads and commentators wrote Skip off. We found out quickly that this guy could be put under the great pressure of leading off, as a table setter for one of the true greats in all of baseball history no less, and find success and prove that he belonged on the team for a full season and that he IS our lead off hitter.
This is a prime example of the organization’s movement to solving problems from within. Skip is one of those guys who just seem to love playing baseball, and who are willing to put in the work to make the team stronger. I am still in his corner.
It will be a rough go the next few weeks, and also early in the season but I would rather have Skip out there giving his all than singing a stop gap one year guy to keep the recent revolving door spinning.
Have a look at this from the PD on the competition for the expected two infield utility spots: http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/7A935BBEF6F2289086257575000D5651?OpenDocument
TLR is the king of the double switch and moving player’s positions mid game. All four of those guys bring exciting skill sets to the table (I like the sound of T. Greene and Thurston) and I think any combo would be a surprising upgrade over Miles. Don’t get me wrong, I was a big Miles fan, be he will be over exposed with the North- siders the next two seasons.
Think of how this team could shift in the most LaRussian of ways: send your 2B to the OF for a defensive upgrade while keeping your leadoff guy, bring in a speedy utility guy to cover 2B adding a speed threat in the later innings with a defensive upgrade at the keystone, move the current 3B placeholder (Matther) to the OF for a 3B defensive upgrade with more speed but still keeping the power bat of “Joey Bombs”, if Albert is hurting you could give him a slight rest by shifting an OF (Duncan) to first which is a better fit defensively for him than the OF and he is still a strong bat and left handed so TLR can still play his leftie/righty matchups with the player off the bench. Doesn’t that sound like TLR will be happier than a kid in a candy store? Imagine him doing most of those things in the same inning all at once or between opposing at bats…he will either look like he is nuts and/or like a genius. I think that could throw any major leaguer off their game by getting in their head and forcing them to try to recall all of the scouting game plan stuff from locker room meetings, all the while they are flying solo in the batter’s box so they wouldn’t have the option of whispering with the guys in the dugout.
Current Bottom lines: Don’t bet against Skip and the Utility Competition will be fun to watch develop.
Showing posts with label Cardinals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cardinals. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
New Arm Left of the Mississippi
Yesterday the cards signed Dennys Reyes a LHP for the bullpen. He will be a Card through next season for $3 Mil total on his 2 yr deal. Last year he pitched for an ERA of 2.33 in 75 appearances and 46.1 total innings. His record was 3-0, and he allowed 40 hits, 15 BB, and struck out 39. The PD reports that over the last three seasons he has the lowest ERA of Southpaws in the Majors at 2.14.
The only downside to this signing is that Reyes is pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and that will keep him out of camp for the next few weeks.
It looks like the left side of the bullpen is set with Miller and Reyes (and should be a huge upgrade over last season).
Not to brag, but I called that a player would be brought in the day before this signing happened. I told you (As I have said before I have been aggressively following the team on-line for the last three off-seasons) I am starting to pick up on the rhythms of the FA thus my long winded open letter back when the blog started. I think the move of an outfielder comes in the next week and a half for either a proven middle infield utility guy or a back of the rotation starter.
If you get the chance look at the forums over at the PD’s site; the same people who were bitching that we needed to sign more lefties for the pen are now up in arms that Reyes is here the quotes still out there are that our two new lefties aren’t “good” some how. I still don’t get it, and we also have Ring as depth in addition to that handful of other LHPs. This is a nice time to introduce the term “VIs” to this blog this term comes courtesy of my dad and little brother and their observations of overheard conversations at Rams games. VI stands for “Village Idiot(s)” the logic being that when dumb people gather together, who are not the most deft at handling the English language when it comes to matters concerning professional sports, that some villages are without their resident idiot. The VIs these days are having a convention in their new convention center at the PD please give it a look if you need a good laugh. http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=612058
Here are the links to Reyes’ MLB profile page and then the PD’s coverage
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=121096
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/120EB5E7F1A535C3862575710010E309?OpenDocument
The only downside to this signing is that Reyes is pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic and that will keep him out of camp for the next few weeks.
It looks like the left side of the bullpen is set with Miller and Reyes (and should be a huge upgrade over last season).
Not to brag, but I called that a player would be brought in the day before this signing happened. I told you (As I have said before I have been aggressively following the team on-line for the last three off-seasons) I am starting to pick up on the rhythms of the FA thus my long winded open letter back when the blog started. I think the move of an outfielder comes in the next week and a half for either a proven middle infield utility guy or a back of the rotation starter.
If you get the chance look at the forums over at the PD’s site; the same people who were bitching that we needed to sign more lefties for the pen are now up in arms that Reyes is here the quotes still out there are that our two new lefties aren’t “good” some how. I still don’t get it, and we also have Ring as depth in addition to that handful of other LHPs. This is a nice time to introduce the term “VIs” to this blog this term comes courtesy of my dad and little brother and their observations of overheard conversations at Rams games. VI stands for “Village Idiot(s)” the logic being that when dumb people gather together, who are not the most deft at handling the English language when it comes to matters concerning professional sports, that some villages are without their resident idiot. The VIs these days are having a convention in their new convention center at the PD please give it a look if you need a good laugh. http://www.stltoday.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=612058
Here are the links to Reyes’ MLB profile page and then the PD’s coverage
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=121096
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/120EB5E7F1A535C3862575710010E309?OpenDocument
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Back from my Off Days for Today's Off day
As I am writing this, I have WGN on in the background with Len Casper and Bob Brently calling a spring training game between the Cubs and the White Sox and I sit here thinking about our guys in the birds on the bat. I have had some issues with the internet being down the last few days so I am sorry that it has been so long between posts.
MLBTradeRumors had a post today saying that the cards were looking at free agent lefties which was expected (at least in my book). I still think they have 1-2 moves to make before the season starts and I think pitching will be the focus.
From what I have read, it sounds like Duncan has returned to form so we either a) have another offensive option or b) have a strong trade chip to an AL team needing a DH. If they move an outfielder as expected, I think it will be Dunc. I really like all of our outfielders for different reasons, but Dunc or Ankiel would be the two I would look to deal first. Luddy, Rasmus, Mather, and Batron would be a fun group to watch. John Jay seems to be having a strong spring so, maybe he and Ank would be out the door, and then you keep Dunc as the 5-OFer. I think I have talked about our OF before, but what a great area to be a backseat GM.
Tomorrow Wellemeyer starts against the Dominican Republic WBC team, and that game should tell us a lot about how the guys are progressing. Let’s see how Skip handles second against J. Reyes, H. Ramirez, D. Ortiz, and M. Tejada. The Cards play an All-Star team and we aren’t even in April this should be fun.
MLBTradeRumors had a post today saying that the cards were looking at free agent lefties which was expected (at least in my book). I still think they have 1-2 moves to make before the season starts and I think pitching will be the focus.
From what I have read, it sounds like Duncan has returned to form so we either a) have another offensive option or b) have a strong trade chip to an AL team needing a DH. If they move an outfielder as expected, I think it will be Dunc. I really like all of our outfielders for different reasons, but Dunc or Ankiel would be the two I would look to deal first. Luddy, Rasmus, Mather, and Batron would be a fun group to watch. John Jay seems to be having a strong spring so, maybe he and Ank would be out the door, and then you keep Dunc as the 5-OFer. I think I have talked about our OF before, but what a great area to be a backseat GM.
Tomorrow Wellemeyer starts against the Dominican Republic WBC team, and that game should tell us a lot about how the guys are progressing. Let’s see how Skip handles second against J. Reyes, H. Ramirez, D. Ortiz, and M. Tejada. The Cards play an All-Star team and we aren’t even in April this should be fun.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Grapefruit Goings-On
It is tough to judge games from here in the windy city without a box score, highlights, or radio broadcast but today in the grapefruit league opener the cards played to a 5-5 tie with the Marlins.
From the recap on the official Cardinals site: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090225&content_id=3880104&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl
It looks like Skip is really hustling to earn that 2B job with two singles and a stolen base on the offensive side of things, and according to the PD: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2009/02/conflicting-signs-cardinals-strand-14-in-5-5-tie/ he didn’t see a ground ball.
The other thing that excites me about what I am reading on today’s events is the success of Royce Ring. Two strikeouts against the heart of the Marlins roster. Maybe that Mo guy knows a thing or two…
Here is a fun read from Sports Illustrated: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/02/25/larussa/index.html
TLR: Love him or hate him either way he still loves this game.
From the recap on the official Cardinals site: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090225&content_id=3880104&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl
It looks like Skip is really hustling to earn that 2B job with two singles and a stolen base on the offensive side of things, and according to the PD: http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/commishs-hot-stove/commishs-hot-stove/cardinal-beat-updates/2009/02/conflicting-signs-cardinals-strand-14-in-5-5-tie/ he didn’t see a ground ball.
The other thing that excites me about what I am reading on today’s events is the success of Royce Ring. Two strikeouts against the heart of the Marlins roster. Maybe that Mo guy knows a thing or two…
Here is a fun read from Sports Illustrated: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/02/25/larussa/index.html
TLR: Love him or hate him either way he still loves this game.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Let the Games (ST) Begin
Are we all excited yet? Spring Training games start tomorrow. So far the reports from FL I have caught over at the PD website sound very encouraging, and the skeptics seem to be dying down. Thus far carp seems ready to go, and Duncan has faith in him so let’s keep our fingers crossed that our Cy Young winner is back to his old self.
Also, if further evidence was needed to illustrate the leaps and bounds our farm system has made in the last few years Baseball America just put out their annual list of Top 100 Prospects. Give it a look: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/top-100-prospects/2009/267698.html
Colby Rasmus (OF) #3
Brett Wallace(3B) #40
Chris Perez (RHP) #91
We still have the best possible problem in our OF, how do we get all of these guys playing time? Ludwig, Ankiel, Rasmus, Mather, Duncan, Wallace (I have read from multiple sources that a position shift to the OF might be in his future) with Barton and Jay down in AAA there is something to like about all of these players and the first five on my little list all bat with power. If Skip sticks at 2B, with the reporting from the PD it sounds like he will, that at least clears up some OF at bats. I hope Wallace can up his defense and stick as the everyday 3B later this season. Mather is learning 3B and has played some 1B and he was drafted as a SS and we know he played in the bigs last year in the OF, so he could be the new super sub and would provide lots of power off the bench.
My thought, trade Duncan and Ankiel later this spring for pitching depth and/or a SS prospect with an ETA projected for 2010.
Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Also, if further evidence was needed to illustrate the leaps and bounds our farm system has made in the last few years Baseball America just put out their annual list of Top 100 Prospects. Give it a look: http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/top-100-prospects/2009/267698.html
Colby Rasmus (OF) #3
Brett Wallace(3B) #40
Chris Perez (RHP) #91
We still have the best possible problem in our OF, how do we get all of these guys playing time? Ludwig, Ankiel, Rasmus, Mather, Duncan, Wallace (I have read from multiple sources that a position shift to the OF might be in his future) with Barton and Jay down in AAA there is something to like about all of these players and the first five on my little list all bat with power. If Skip sticks at 2B, with the reporting from the PD it sounds like he will, that at least clears up some OF at bats. I hope Wallace can up his defense and stick as the everyday 3B later this season. Mather is learning 3B and has played some 1B and he was drafted as a SS and we know he played in the bigs last year in the OF, so he could be the new super sub and would provide lots of power off the bench.
My thought, trade Duncan and Ankiel later this spring for pitching depth and/or a SS prospect with an ETA projected for 2010.
Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Spring time
Spring Training has started for the 2009 season and it will be exciting to watch unfold on many levels. Carpenter has had four throwing sessions and told the PD that he was already at about 75-80% of being game ready. Duncan also told the post that he would be comfortable sending Carp out into a game as is. He is due for a full season, and if he stays healthy the Cubs will fall faster than an investment bank.
This bullpen excites me. The kids will bring great energy to the team, and having Kinney back will be huge. Please remember when thinking about the 08’s pen blowing 31 saves that: a) you can have more than one blown save per game, and b) some of those blown saves turned out to be wins. I don’t have the time or energy to look up all of the games in question, but winning in extra innings after blowing a save still equals a win.
Skip at 2nd! I really want this to work, I really do. He stepped into the leadoff role quite nicely last year when people were worried about the team lacking the one slot. He was drafted into the cards system as a shortstop so he does have some middle IF work experience in his past. If he can get the foot work down, then he should be the guy. He also plays every OF position so he becomes a very valuable super-sub, and TLR told the post this past weekend that he thinks at a minimum Skip will be an average 2B by the time the team breaks camp, the guy is working with the secret weapon after all.
I still think there is a move to be made, and over at MLBtraderumors they think so too.
http://www.springtraining09.com/features/spring-training-trade-candidat.php
This year should be fun.
This bullpen excites me. The kids will bring great energy to the team, and having Kinney back will be huge. Please remember when thinking about the 08’s pen blowing 31 saves that: a) you can have more than one blown save per game, and b) some of those blown saves turned out to be wins. I don’t have the time or energy to look up all of the games in question, but winning in extra innings after blowing a save still equals a win.
Skip at 2nd! I really want this to work, I really do. He stepped into the leadoff role quite nicely last year when people were worried about the team lacking the one slot. He was drafted into the cards system as a shortstop so he does have some middle IF work experience in his past. If he can get the foot work down, then he should be the guy. He also plays every OF position so he becomes a very valuable super-sub, and TLR told the post this past weekend that he thinks at a minimum Skip will be an average 2B by the time the team breaks camp, the guy is working with the secret weapon after all.
I still think there is a move to be made, and over at MLBtraderumors they think so too.
http://www.springtraining09.com/features/spring-training-trade-candidat.php
This year should be fun.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Cards on the Table dollars and cents
Let’s take a look into the Cardinal’s finances and the “money coming off the books”.
Here is the link to my source for the figures
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/st-louis-cardinals_111971260115041890.html
I went through and here are the departing players:
Mulder $6.5 Mil $1.5 Mil buyout this year
Flores $1Mil
Izzy $8Mil
Villone $600K
Springer $3.5Mil
Miles $1.4 Mil
Izturis $2.85Mil
Looper $5.5Mil
Total: $30,850,000
Kennedy $4mil
Total after Kennedy: $34,850,000
Raises:
Carp +$3.5Mil
Pineiro +$2.5Mil
Lohse +$2.875Mil
Greene +$6.5Mil
Wellemeyer +$3.05Mil
Yadi +$1.5Mil
Wainwright +$2.1Mil
Franklin +$250,000
LaRue +$100,000
Ankiel 08=$900,000 Arb. Ank wins +$2.4Mil Cards win +$1.45Mil
Duncan +$386,000
Thompson +$236000
Miller +$500,000
Ring =$475,000
Ludwick 08=$411,000 Arb. Lud wins +$3.839Mil Cards win +$2.389
Schu +$140,000
Total (before Ankiel and Ludwick arb.) = $22,222,000
Total if both win= $28,461,000
Total if both loose= $26,061,000
Total if Ludwick wins and Ankiel looses (what I think happens) = $27,511,000
So, the Cards have $7.339 Mil to equal last year’s payroll (assuming that my arb. guess is correct)
Ben Sheets post surgery in June ?
Spring Training trade taking on more salary?
Dry Powder for the Deadline?
Or, was it all really just a bunch of talk?
I am excited to see the competition but I won’t be surprised if any of the following happen: we sign Grudz to a 1yr deal, make the big trade for Roberts from Baltimore, trade with Atlanta for either their SS or 2B (their SS started in the Majors at 2B), or trade for Left handed relief from Toronto. I figure the core of any of the above trades would be from our OF depth most likely Ludwick or preferably Ankiel. Depending on Carp's spring a FA Starter might be in the picture as well.
We shall see.
Here is the link to my source for the figures
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004/12/st-louis-cardinals_111971260115041890.html
I went through and here are the departing players:
Mulder $6.5 Mil $1.5 Mil buyout this year
Flores $1Mil
Izzy $8Mil
Villone $600K
Springer $3.5Mil
Miles $1.4 Mil
Izturis $2.85Mil
Looper $5.5Mil
Total: $30,850,000
Kennedy $4mil
Total after Kennedy: $34,850,000
Raises:
Carp +$3.5Mil
Pineiro +$2.5Mil
Lohse +$2.875Mil
Greene +$6.5Mil
Wellemeyer +$3.05Mil
Yadi +$1.5Mil
Wainwright +$2.1Mil
Franklin +$250,000
LaRue +$100,000
Ankiel 08=$900,000 Arb. Ank wins +$2.4Mil Cards win +$1.45Mil
Duncan +$386,000
Thompson +$236000
Miller +$500,000
Ring =$475,000
Ludwick 08=$411,000 Arb. Lud wins +$3.839Mil Cards win +$2.389
Schu +$140,000
Total (before Ankiel and Ludwick arb.) = $22,222,000
Total if both win= $28,461,000
Total if both loose= $26,061,000
Total if Ludwick wins and Ankiel looses (what I think happens) = $27,511,000
So, the Cards have $7.339 Mil to equal last year’s payroll (assuming that my arb. guess is correct)
Ben Sheets post surgery in June ?
Spring Training trade taking on more salary?
Dry Powder for the Deadline?
Or, was it all really just a bunch of talk?
I am excited to see the competition but I won’t be surprised if any of the following happen: we sign Grudz to a 1yr deal, make the big trade for Roberts from Baltimore, trade with Atlanta for either their SS or 2B (their SS started in the Majors at 2B), or trade for Left handed relief from Toronto. I figure the core of any of the above trades would be from our OF depth most likely Ludwick or preferably Ankiel. Depending on Carp's spring a FA Starter might be in the picture as well.
We shall see.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Sorting Through the Spin
I wanted to try to lay out the Team’s off-season quotes to see if the charge that the FO has been misleading to the fan base. After thinking it over, and remembering some of Bernie’s Columns from 2007 to the present over at the PD, I am now sold that the reporting has lead to much of the “fans” seemingly getting up in arms. Bernie coined the phrase “DeWallet” for owner Bill DeWitt (I believe as far back as just before the 2007 trade deadline but I might be wrong on that), and Joe Strauss started calling the future Ball Park Village Site “Lake DeWitt” (referring to the muddy foot print of the old stadium filling with rain water) in his weekly chat sessions. Both are now popular talking points for the unruly fans.
Below is what I was able to find on both the Cards official site: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com and over at the post dispatch’s site: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/cards
You will have to forgive me, as I am very new to blogging, but I don’t really know the best way to site sources in a formal capacity so I tagged the given quotes from both sites (Cards) = the team site and (PD) is the Post. As it was pretty hard to track down the PD articles I will include the full links to each article with the article’s date and a guidepost as to contents. I also must note that I searched and searched for the now infamous comment on “low-hanging fruit” with no luck (since many fans have been throwing it around in forums and blogs). I know that it was said after the “aggressive” comments but before the “payroll not as fluid” comments. Enjoy.
9-14-08 (PD) Mo announces aggressive off season
Mo: "Last year, I thought the only way we could improve was through addition by subtraction," "This year is different. I think we will identify holes and aggressively pursue closing them in a number of ways."
I believe we look at it as having a lot more flexibility going forward,"
"We're younger. There are still some things we need to do," "This isn't a team that was able to sustain its early success for a variety of reasons. Without going into specifics, I expect those needs will be addressed."
"Today, we have a much better idea about players like (Skip) Schumaker and (Ryan) Ludwick."
"There is always going to be people who want you to do more. I want to see us stick to the plan and how we accomplish it. I know a lot of people interpret that as 'play the kids and do nothing more than that.' I can assure you that is not my position."We didn't have a strong agenda in free agency last year because, frankly, there wasn't a strong free-agent market. This agenda is going to be different. We're going to have to address specific needs either through the free-agent market and the trade market. The impact that will have on payroll is significant."
Joe Strauss notes in his reporting: “The Cardinals enter the upcoming offseason with far more payroll flexibility than last winter, when they faced payments to numerous players (Carpenter, Mark Mulder and Juan Encarnacion) unavailable for at least significant portions of 2008. The abrupt release of utility player Scott Spiezio and La Russa's abandonment of second baseman Adam Kennedy added to the payroll dysfunction.”
9-29-08 (Cards) Lohse signs 4yr $41Mil
10-3-08 (Cards) Cards Website Leach comments that it should be an aggressive off-season mentions “several more hefty contracts come off the book this winter”.
10-15-08 (Cards) Cards get manning a LHP (claimed from the Nationals)
10-31-08 (Cards) Resign Jason LaRue for $950,000
11-05-08 (Cards) Mo on GM Meetings: "I've had conversations with every club, but nothing specific,"
"The way to characterize the last 48 hours is meeting with clubs, assessing what you haven't accomplished in prior phone calls before we got here, but not real deep [discussions],"
Mentions “cleaning up” the 40 Man roster
11-07-08 (Cards) Proposed Holliday for Ludwick trade reported
11-14-08 (Cards) Mo on the off-season: "We've built a foundation of what we're trying to do," general manager John Mozeliak said on Thursday. "But once the market opens, a lot of agents and players are really going to try to survey the landscape rather than just jump into anything.”
"Is there a chance we could do something quicker? Yeah, there's always that chance. But I'm only speaking on behalf of what I know. I have no idea of how they're looking at it."
11-17-08 (Cards) Mo on signing Left Relief Help: "We've got some offers out now, and hopefully we start to hear back sooner than later," Mozeliak said on Monday. "The ball is rolling on that. It's just a matter of a very fluid process. We're hoping we can address some of our needs as soon as possible. I do think you may see some more activity on [left-handed relief] sooner than later."
"I suspected that would be a market that would move quick," Mozeliak said. "It's kind of like the Draft, where catchers go fast. It's a limited supply that typically isn't around in January.
"I think we're making progress. But are we imminent today? No."
11-20-08 (Cards) Cards agree to deal w/ LHP Miller [this is the agreement that is pending the physical, and the deal later becomes restructured]
11-25-08 (Cards) Cards make offer to LHP Rhodes which was confirmed by his agent.
12-1-08 (Cards) No arbitration offers are made to team free agents
Mo comments: "The big thing for us is we want to remain flexible and also look at what we feel might be the best way to improve this team,"
"The one thing that I was cautious about was, if we decide to offer arbitration, there is a chance they might have accepted. Especially if you look at the pace of this market to date."
12-2-08 (Cards) Mo on getting ready for the winter meetings:
"I don't think anybody could have gauged how slow things have developed this offseason, so to try to think that this is going to change gears or change pace is hard to predict,"
"We have what we want to see accomplished as we get into this week and next, but in terms of looking at results, I honestly don't know."
"It doesn't take anybody real insightful to read that this player isn't signing until the Winter Meetings,"
"That rhetoric I don't think is too unusual. What I think is unusual is that there just hasn't been a lot of activity to this point."
"We have a lot of things going on, but nothing that has come to fruition at this point,"
12-3-08 (Cards) Cards sign LHP Miller to a 1yr deal that could be worth up to $2Mil
12-4-08 (Cards) Cards get SS Khalil Greene from the Padres for RHP Mark Worrell (Greene will make $6.5Mil in 09)
Mo on the trade:
"Clearly, he had a tough year last year, but historically he's produced,"
"We really felt this was a situation where we had an opportunity to really improve. He's obviously an above-average defensive player, as well. So it seemed like a great fit. It came about very quickly and we really are excited about the opportunity we have today."
12-07-08 (Cards) Mo on the start of the Winter Meetings:
"I do think where we are today is a better situation than where we were [earlier in the week],"
"But I still think we have to look at ways to improve this team. My mindset right now is that it's probably going to be a heavy focus on pitching."
"I don't know how the free-agent market is going to completely unfold, and I'm still not ignoring the trade market,"
"I think there's two avenues that we still need to look at. ... I think that old axiom, you can never have enough pitching, is something that we have to keep in the back of our minds and not forget."
12-09-08 (Cards) Cards plan to keep Kennedy at 2B
Mo:
"I think he really is out of play,"
"I just think we've exhausted the market. We understand that if he gets the opportunity to play, he's committed to doing that."
12-10-08 (Cards) TLR wants Fuentes
TLR:
"I know we're talking to Fuentes,"
"I don't know if we're going to get him. I know he likes our situation, and we like him. It seems like it's a perfect fit. So I don't know. If we don't get him, we'll see what's next."
"From Day 1, he's been the guy that fit us the best,"
"You know, we have a strong right-handed relief core, whether it's a veteran like Ryan [Franklin] or [Josh] Kinney or Brad Thompson or the two kids [Jason Motte and Chris Perez]. A left-handed reliever, quality like Brian, from Day 1, he's the guy who was our first choice. And I'm excited that here we are and we're still in the hunt and he's still available."
"How can you watch our [2008] season," "and not think that one of our key winter objectives would be to do something to improve our 'pen? And not just count on the guys improving that were there. Whether you do it or not, you've got to try, and it's just a question of priority. I actually moved the bullpen and pitching even above what I had been talking about for two winters, which is the [cleanup] hitter. So, yeah, it's a priority. Now, if you can get them, you can get them. If you can't get them, you can't get them."
Mo:
"We've said all along that if there's a chance we can address the closer role, we're going to try,"
"Is there some more clarity in this market with the rumors of [Kerry] Wood signing and the confirmation of [Francisco] Rodriguez signing? I think it does help define it. It doesn't mean we're any closer to a deal. We're open and willing to explore. We also are not giving up hope on some other fronts as well should we not be able to accomplish this."
12-10-08 (Cards) Mo admits he is talking to Seattle about J.J. Putz
Mo:
"I don't want to speak for them," "In terms of a fit, we've made it very clear that if we think we can find a closer, we'll pursue it."
12-11-08 (Cards) Winter Meetings End with no trades or Deals Putz sent to the Mets
Mo:
On Fuentes "We've always made it clear that if we could find a way to address the closer, we're going to try," "That hasn't changed. But it's a dynamic that takes mutual interest, and I don't think we're to the point yet where I think anything is imminent."
"I don't get into offers and that type of thing," "but I would characterize it as, it's more than just exploration at this point."
On the Meetings:
"I would say, look, we've been going through this exercise of Winter Meetings and you're spending a lot of time talking to so many different people," "If you look at it on a spectrum of success versus just kind of kicking the tires, I never felt like we were getting to that endgame. I just felt we were doing our due diligence to see what makes the most sense."
12-11-08 (Cards) TLR on the Coming Season:
"I've said it, but I really mean it. I don't feel any different right now in almost every respect than I did at the first of two years [of this contract] or the first of three years or the second of three. You know what I mean?
"It's all [about] the year you're going into, and it's all about what you do that year. The only thing I am aware is that the years are piling up and I'm not going to manage forever. But that doesn't distract at all from what has to happen to get our club ready. I don't even think about it beyond that."
"Mo [general manager John Mozeliak] was part of Walt's immediate staff, so we've worked well all year long. I'm not going to get to the end of the year and think, 'Well, I don't want to be a part of this organization.' I think it's going to be more, 'When is it time to stop managing?' But I don't even think about it because I'm ready for 2009."
"It's better than last year's club because you have a whole year of at-bats for [Rick] Ankiel, [Ryan] Ludwick and [Skip] Schumaker. You also have [Kyle] Lohse that we know is with us. I think [Joel] Pineiro will be improved this year. You got [Todd] Wellemeyer with a year of experience and health. I think Khalil [Greene] is a good fit for our club.
"So on paper we're better, and if we can just make a move or two, it will be significant."
On Kennedy:
"His first year, for whatever reason, you know, he wasn't the same player he's been. And then he might have gotten upset, but, I mean, really, I probably played him more than I should have, showing patience because of what he had done in his career. Last year he was more himself, so then it comes down to, is he going to work as hard and be as ready this spring, which I think he will."
On Kennedy’s Trade Request:
"We talked about it at the end of the season," the manager said. "He just wants to play, and I think it was a mutual respect thing. I thought he handled himself really well the times he didn't play. He ended up on a plus note. I think he's been quoted as saying, or maybe he said it over the radio or something, that he just wants to play, and if he has a chance to play in St. Louis, he has no problem playing here."
12-11-08 (PD) Jeff Gordon: “It’s obvious that Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak must sign reliever Brian Fuentes.”
12-13-08 (Cards) Fuentes: Anaheim would be a great fit, being a California kid," "That would be my first choice."
"In one sense, there are two teams gone, but it also narrows the field down a little bit. I'm the last top-end closer left. There are some other closers out there, but not many with my kind of experience or the track record I've had."
12-17-08 (Cards) It is reported that the cards have offered Fuentes 2yrs between $16-$18Mil still waiting for an answer
Mo: On other Closer Option if Fuentes doesn’t sign "A lot of it depends on how the market continues to evolve," "There are going to be a lot of different scenarios that shake out. For me to say we're going to do 'X' or we're going to chase 'X,' it's too hard to say right now because it's just such a fluid situation in terms of how best to allocate our resources."
12-19-08 (Cards) Cards sign LHP Katsuhiko Maekawa with no invite to ST Maekawa has both starting and relief experience
12-23-08 (Cards) Fuentes on the Angels: "They're still high on my list -- they always have been," "It looks like they're out of the market for Teixeira. They'll draw up a new plan, and hopefully I'll be a part of it."
12-24-08 (PD) Bernie calls cards Cheap on his PD Blog
Bernie: “ HERE’S A WORD TO DESCRIBE THE CARDINALS: Cheap. This covers all of the code words and phrases that already have been offered, such as “low-hanging fruit,” and “patient” and “keeping the powder dry.” No, what all of this really means is the Cardinals are cheap until they prove otherwise. No one is asking them to throw money around like those crazy Steinbrenners, but when Khalil Greene is the big offseason acquisition (so far) after the organization promised an “aggressive” approach … well, that’s sad.”
12-24-08 (PD) Cards become “patient”
Mo: "Our approach right now is wait and see," "We were aggressive early, and had some things to show for it. We made offers (during the winter meetings) and didn't get much response. We tried those approaches. Now we have an opportunity here to step back — to step back and see where the market goes next and what makes the most sense for us."
It is reported that the cards are shifting their expected attendance from 3.4 Mil to less than 3 Mil due to economic concerns
DeWitt: "I would categorize it as a slight shift," "We can no longer look at 3.2 (million in attendance) as a lock and a growing payroll as a lock. The economy has gotten a lot worse, and we don't want to be caught unprepared. ... What we've done in the past and what we want to try to do now is not have the payroll be the thing that gets the hit during something like this, to the extent we can."
Mo: “We wanted to address our immediate needs," "We needed a lefty reliever, and we did that. We needed a shortstop, and we did that. We always want to be as opportunistic as we can be (but) we also want to position ourselves to have some flexibility going into '09. A deal, right now, would have to be compelling, so compelling that we couldn't walk away from it."
DeWitt: "We need to be careful because maybe everything is rosy, but if it's not, we have to build in some flexibility," "It's the team that has the dry powder that will ultimately get the benefit of this market. … From that standpoint, we want to be in great position to take advantage."
12-31-08 (Cards) Fuentes signs with Angels It is reported that the Card’s offer was 2yrs with an option for a 3rd
Mo:
"We made a very strong run out at the Winter Meetings," "And then with so much dead time, there wasn't much action. So when it really came time, I got basically called a few days ago to re-engage."
"I think he ended up where he wanted,"
"[Using a pitcher already in-house to close] has always been an option," "That's never changed. I think when we saw the market change on closers is when we engaged. So we made an attempt. We weren't [Fuentes'] first choice."
"Some of the higher medical risk players out there, I would say that is not the path we necessarily want to go down at this point," "I'd rather have more of a sure thing."
Also, Miles signs with the Cubs.
1-3-09 (PD) DeWitt Doesn’t like the Cheap Comments
DeWitt: "From Day One, we've always pushed payroll. It's at a very high level. We have different financial obligations than most clubs. How many teams have privately financed their own stadiums? "Clearly we have obligations there, and to have a payroll that's been in excess of $100 million over the last several years, in the top third of baseball. I think it speaks to the fact that we continue to push payroll. We've pushed player development, we've pushed scouting, we've pushed international (scouting and development). I think we've made a very strong commitment financially to this franchise. It kind of goes with the territory. But do I think it's unfair? Yes, I do."
DeWitt on TLR: "I say to him, 'You're worried about tonight's ballgame, or tomorrow's ballgame or the upcoming season. I'm worried about it, too. But I'm also worried about this franchise three years from now. I'm worried about this franchise five years from now. "So that's the sort of push and shove you have with someone who is on the field on a daily basis and living it. Who really wants the best possible team he can have at all times. And that's great. We do, too. But there's sometimes a difference of opinion whether you put the resources into a player (now), versus using those resources on something two or three years from now that is going to really pay off in a big way."
DeWitt on payroll: "We do not have a hard budget for payroll. Put it this way: If there were a player out there who I thought would significantly help this club, and it would push our payroll beyond what we'd like it to be, we would consider it."
TLR on using Motte or Perez as the Closer: "The way they can get there is to be put in a situation where they can learn, they can grow, without having the stress of it being all up to them to get that last out, and nothing to protect them. Our plan all winter was to try and beef it up to do something as we continue to develop these young guys. A guy like Fuentes was a real good fit for us, and we were all disappointed that it didn't work out. Now we go to Plan B. To me, you do what you have to do. If we get nobody, we'll push the kids some. But if you really want to get serious about getting the most out of them for their career, you want to protect those guys this year while they're learning their trade."
1-5-09 (Cards) TLR on the Closer situation:
"You still want to improve your bullpen," "We still want to try. I know we talked about it. The optimum thing is not to ask Chris or Jason to close in '09. Let them grow into the role when they're ready to take it. So who else is out there? One of the things you look at is ... a starter that's a veteran [who has] pitched in the ninth inning with a one-run lead before."
On Izzy: "We talked about that some," "I don't know how well [Isringhausen] fits. For one thing, I don't know how interested he is in coming back."
"I like Juan Cruz," "But he is a [Type-A] guy and he's looking for a lot of money. ... Lyon is a guy that we've talked about."
1-5-09 (Cards) Cards sign LHP Royce Ring to 1yr deal
1-7-09 (PD) Mo on the payroll: "Everybody talks about how much money we had come off (the books), but there's the realities of the arbitration cases," "and then there's players entering their second years of multiyear contracts, like your Wainwrights and your Molinas, that are going to see bumps as well."
"So there isn't as much freedom as people felt we had with guys like (Mark) Mulder coming off the books," "There's definitely some internal increases (outfielder Skip Schumaker among others) that we're dealing with. All in, it's probably close to $20 million."
Mo on the upset fans: "If I read the papers and if I go online to read the blogs, I'd probably be more aware of (the discontent)," "I can't ignore that, but that can't be the basis of the direction we go in. "I have to do what's best long-range and not make mistakes just to appease the headines tomorrow."
"When I said we were going to plan on being aggressive, I thought we were,"
"I'm not a wordsmith. Maybe I shouldn't use words like that."
Mo on the “Low-hanging fruit”: "I've been getting killed on that," "To me, that's defined as getting things done quickly — like getting (Jason) LaRue done and obviously (Kyle) Lohse."I guess I just need to choose my words a little better — or talk less."
Mo on TLR’s wanting a closer: "I know it's not optimal the way Tony (manager Tony La Russa) looks at it," "But we went with a very young outfield last year that got the same type of scrutiny and questions that now our bullpen is getting. I'm using that as a barometer that it works. "We had the same type of faith in Ludwick and Ankiel and that group as we do with Perez and Motte and (Kyle) McClellan."
1-8-09 (Cards) Mo ok to look at current team for Closer:
Mo:
"I think I've made it very clear that I'm comfortable with what we have [in the ninth inning]," "We did say that if we could find somebody like [Brian] Fuentes, that we thought there was value and talent in return, we would try to do it. But that didn't happen. We're very comfortable going with what we have in-house."
On TLR’s mention of converting a starter: "We were discussing throwing everything on the table, and if anybody had any ideas or thoughts on how we could possibly address one or the other need," "That was one idea that came up -- are there any pitchers out there that we could identify that have been traditionally used as starters who we could use to close?"
1-8-09 (PD) Fans upset by dry powder talk
Bernie on the upset fan base: “The fan base seems angry. On the talk shows and in the blogosphere, where the rage bubbles into a rapid boil, there's chatter of a boycott, of customers giving up their season tickets. They question the commitment to winning. They are tired of excuses. They won't spend another dollar until things change.”
“But the growing perception is that DeWitt is content to stand pat, freeze player costs and rake in the revenue. In the annual survey conducted by USA Today, the Cardinals ranked sixth in the majors in payroll spending in 2005, but have been ranked 11th in each of the last three seasons. In relative terms, they haven't kept up.”
“One of management's favorite expressions is "keeping the powder dry." When the club declines to sign a prominent free agent over the winter, we're told that they're keeping the powder dry for a better shot, later on. In spring training, the powder is kept dry for taking a shot at the July 31 trading deadline. And if nothing happens, the powder is still dry as another cycle begins anew, in the offseason.Apparently there's a vast, towering pile of unused powder sitting somewhere in the innards of Busch Stadium. And fans are tired of the constant spinning.”
“But if the Cardinals remain dormant and do nothing ...Will disgruntled fans react by purchasing fewer tickets? Will fans choose to keep their powder dry?”
1-8-09 Fungoes (Im not the only one who gets the impression that the PD is fanning the flames the)
*This was not included in the quotes above, but I thought it was a well articulated post.
http://stl-sabr.bajink.com/fungoes/?p=1551
Links to Sources:
*All of the Cards team site quotes can be found in their “News Archive” Section under the dates I have included.
From the PD:
Cards shift to patient 12-24-08
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/3357B8DB59222555862575290011339E?OpenDocument
1-3-09 DeWitt Unfair to Call Cards Cheap
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/1DA31EA834F08E848625753300141B90?OpenDocument
Cash flow might not be as Fluid as thought
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/263E0E19814836F386257537000905AE?OpenDocument
1-8-09 Dry Powder
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/AC9C1824CC29D1AE86257538000AACDB?OpenDocument
12-24-08 Bernie’s Blog Cards Cheap
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extra-points/bernies-extra-points/2008/12/five-minutes-for-blogging-dec-24/
12-11-08 Jeff Gordon on Fuentes
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/jeffgordon/story/3C36729274CAB6918625751C007CB612?OpenDocument
9-14-08 Aggressive Offseason
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/27BE79D50A8A25CA862574C4000F24A0?OpenDocument
Below is what I was able to find on both the Cards official site: http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com and over at the post dispatch’s site: http://www.stltoday.com/sports/cards
You will have to forgive me, as I am very new to blogging, but I don’t really know the best way to site sources in a formal capacity so I tagged the given quotes from both sites (Cards) = the team site and (PD) is the Post. As it was pretty hard to track down the PD articles I will include the full links to each article with the article’s date and a guidepost as to contents. I also must note that I searched and searched for the now infamous comment on “low-hanging fruit” with no luck (since many fans have been throwing it around in forums and blogs). I know that it was said after the “aggressive” comments but before the “payroll not as fluid” comments. Enjoy.
9-14-08 (PD) Mo announces aggressive off season
Mo: "Last year, I thought the only way we could improve was through addition by subtraction," "This year is different. I think we will identify holes and aggressively pursue closing them in a number of ways."
I believe we look at it as having a lot more flexibility going forward,"
"We're younger. There are still some things we need to do," "This isn't a team that was able to sustain its early success for a variety of reasons. Without going into specifics, I expect those needs will be addressed."
"Today, we have a much better idea about players like (Skip) Schumaker and (Ryan) Ludwick."
"There is always going to be people who want you to do more. I want to see us stick to the plan and how we accomplish it. I know a lot of people interpret that as 'play the kids and do nothing more than that.' I can assure you that is not my position."We didn't have a strong agenda in free agency last year because, frankly, there wasn't a strong free-agent market. This agenda is going to be different. We're going to have to address specific needs either through the free-agent market and the trade market. The impact that will have on payroll is significant."
Joe Strauss notes in his reporting: “The Cardinals enter the upcoming offseason with far more payroll flexibility than last winter, when they faced payments to numerous players (Carpenter, Mark Mulder and Juan Encarnacion) unavailable for at least significant portions of 2008. The abrupt release of utility player Scott Spiezio and La Russa's abandonment of second baseman Adam Kennedy added to the payroll dysfunction.”
9-29-08 (Cards) Lohse signs 4yr $41Mil
10-3-08 (Cards) Cards Website Leach comments that it should be an aggressive off-season mentions “several more hefty contracts come off the book this winter”.
10-15-08 (Cards) Cards get manning a LHP (claimed from the Nationals)
10-31-08 (Cards) Resign Jason LaRue for $950,000
11-05-08 (Cards) Mo on GM Meetings: "I've had conversations with every club, but nothing specific,"
"The way to characterize the last 48 hours is meeting with clubs, assessing what you haven't accomplished in prior phone calls before we got here, but not real deep [discussions],"
Mentions “cleaning up” the 40 Man roster
11-07-08 (Cards) Proposed Holliday for Ludwick trade reported
11-14-08 (Cards) Mo on the off-season: "We've built a foundation of what we're trying to do," general manager John Mozeliak said on Thursday. "But once the market opens, a lot of agents and players are really going to try to survey the landscape rather than just jump into anything.”
"Is there a chance we could do something quicker? Yeah, there's always that chance. But I'm only speaking on behalf of what I know. I have no idea of how they're looking at it."
11-17-08 (Cards) Mo on signing Left Relief Help: "We've got some offers out now, and hopefully we start to hear back sooner than later," Mozeliak said on Monday. "The ball is rolling on that. It's just a matter of a very fluid process. We're hoping we can address some of our needs as soon as possible. I do think you may see some more activity on [left-handed relief] sooner than later."
"I suspected that would be a market that would move quick," Mozeliak said. "It's kind of like the Draft, where catchers go fast. It's a limited supply that typically isn't around in January.
"I think we're making progress. But are we imminent today? No."
11-20-08 (Cards) Cards agree to deal w/ LHP Miller [this is the agreement that is pending the physical, and the deal later becomes restructured]
11-25-08 (Cards) Cards make offer to LHP Rhodes which was confirmed by his agent.
12-1-08 (Cards) No arbitration offers are made to team free agents
Mo comments: "The big thing for us is we want to remain flexible and also look at what we feel might be the best way to improve this team,"
"The one thing that I was cautious about was, if we decide to offer arbitration, there is a chance they might have accepted. Especially if you look at the pace of this market to date."
12-2-08 (Cards) Mo on getting ready for the winter meetings:
"I don't think anybody could have gauged how slow things have developed this offseason, so to try to think that this is going to change gears or change pace is hard to predict,"
"We have what we want to see accomplished as we get into this week and next, but in terms of looking at results, I honestly don't know."
"It doesn't take anybody real insightful to read that this player isn't signing until the Winter Meetings,"
"That rhetoric I don't think is too unusual. What I think is unusual is that there just hasn't been a lot of activity to this point."
"We have a lot of things going on, but nothing that has come to fruition at this point,"
12-3-08 (Cards) Cards sign LHP Miller to a 1yr deal that could be worth up to $2Mil
12-4-08 (Cards) Cards get SS Khalil Greene from the Padres for RHP Mark Worrell (Greene will make $6.5Mil in 09)
Mo on the trade:
"Clearly, he had a tough year last year, but historically he's produced,"
"We really felt this was a situation where we had an opportunity to really improve. He's obviously an above-average defensive player, as well. So it seemed like a great fit. It came about very quickly and we really are excited about the opportunity we have today."
12-07-08 (Cards) Mo on the start of the Winter Meetings:
"I do think where we are today is a better situation than where we were [earlier in the week],"
"But I still think we have to look at ways to improve this team. My mindset right now is that it's probably going to be a heavy focus on pitching."
"I don't know how the free-agent market is going to completely unfold, and I'm still not ignoring the trade market,"
"I think there's two avenues that we still need to look at. ... I think that old axiom, you can never have enough pitching, is something that we have to keep in the back of our minds and not forget."
12-09-08 (Cards) Cards plan to keep Kennedy at 2B
Mo:
"I think he really is out of play,"
"I just think we've exhausted the market. We understand that if he gets the opportunity to play, he's committed to doing that."
12-10-08 (Cards) TLR wants Fuentes
TLR:
"I know we're talking to Fuentes,"
"I don't know if we're going to get him. I know he likes our situation, and we like him. It seems like it's a perfect fit. So I don't know. If we don't get him, we'll see what's next."
"From Day 1, he's been the guy that fit us the best,"
"You know, we have a strong right-handed relief core, whether it's a veteran like Ryan [Franklin] or [Josh] Kinney or Brad Thompson or the two kids [Jason Motte and Chris Perez]. A left-handed reliever, quality like Brian, from Day 1, he's the guy who was our first choice. And I'm excited that here we are and we're still in the hunt and he's still available."
"How can you watch our [2008] season," "and not think that one of our key winter objectives would be to do something to improve our 'pen? And not just count on the guys improving that were there. Whether you do it or not, you've got to try, and it's just a question of priority. I actually moved the bullpen and pitching even above what I had been talking about for two winters, which is the [cleanup] hitter. So, yeah, it's a priority. Now, if you can get them, you can get them. If you can't get them, you can't get them."
Mo:
"We've said all along that if there's a chance we can address the closer role, we're going to try,"
"Is there some more clarity in this market with the rumors of [Kerry] Wood signing and the confirmation of [Francisco] Rodriguez signing? I think it does help define it. It doesn't mean we're any closer to a deal. We're open and willing to explore. We also are not giving up hope on some other fronts as well should we not be able to accomplish this."
12-10-08 (Cards) Mo admits he is talking to Seattle about J.J. Putz
Mo:
"I don't want to speak for them," "In terms of a fit, we've made it very clear that if we think we can find a closer, we'll pursue it."
12-11-08 (Cards) Winter Meetings End with no trades or Deals Putz sent to the Mets
Mo:
On Fuentes "We've always made it clear that if we could find a way to address the closer, we're going to try," "That hasn't changed. But it's a dynamic that takes mutual interest, and I don't think we're to the point yet where I think anything is imminent."
"I don't get into offers and that type of thing," "but I would characterize it as, it's more than just exploration at this point."
On the Meetings:
"I would say, look, we've been going through this exercise of Winter Meetings and you're spending a lot of time talking to so many different people," "If you look at it on a spectrum of success versus just kind of kicking the tires, I never felt like we were getting to that endgame. I just felt we were doing our due diligence to see what makes the most sense."
12-11-08 (Cards) TLR on the Coming Season:
"I've said it, but I really mean it. I don't feel any different right now in almost every respect than I did at the first of two years [of this contract] or the first of three years or the second of three. You know what I mean?
"It's all [about] the year you're going into, and it's all about what you do that year. The only thing I am aware is that the years are piling up and I'm not going to manage forever. But that doesn't distract at all from what has to happen to get our club ready. I don't even think about it beyond that."
"Mo [general manager John Mozeliak] was part of Walt's immediate staff, so we've worked well all year long. I'm not going to get to the end of the year and think, 'Well, I don't want to be a part of this organization.' I think it's going to be more, 'When is it time to stop managing?' But I don't even think about it because I'm ready for 2009."
"It's better than last year's club because you have a whole year of at-bats for [Rick] Ankiel, [Ryan] Ludwick and [Skip] Schumaker. You also have [Kyle] Lohse that we know is with us. I think [Joel] Pineiro will be improved this year. You got [Todd] Wellemeyer with a year of experience and health. I think Khalil [Greene] is a good fit for our club.
"So on paper we're better, and if we can just make a move or two, it will be significant."
On Kennedy:
"His first year, for whatever reason, you know, he wasn't the same player he's been. And then he might have gotten upset, but, I mean, really, I probably played him more than I should have, showing patience because of what he had done in his career. Last year he was more himself, so then it comes down to, is he going to work as hard and be as ready this spring, which I think he will."
On Kennedy’s Trade Request:
"We talked about it at the end of the season," the manager said. "He just wants to play, and I think it was a mutual respect thing. I thought he handled himself really well the times he didn't play. He ended up on a plus note. I think he's been quoted as saying, or maybe he said it over the radio or something, that he just wants to play, and if he has a chance to play in St. Louis, he has no problem playing here."
12-11-08 (PD) Jeff Gordon: “It’s obvious that Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak must sign reliever Brian Fuentes.”
12-13-08 (Cards) Fuentes: Anaheim would be a great fit, being a California kid," "That would be my first choice."
"In one sense, there are two teams gone, but it also narrows the field down a little bit. I'm the last top-end closer left. There are some other closers out there, but not many with my kind of experience or the track record I've had."
12-17-08 (Cards) It is reported that the cards have offered Fuentes 2yrs between $16-$18Mil still waiting for an answer
Mo: On other Closer Option if Fuentes doesn’t sign "A lot of it depends on how the market continues to evolve," "There are going to be a lot of different scenarios that shake out. For me to say we're going to do 'X' or we're going to chase 'X,' it's too hard to say right now because it's just such a fluid situation in terms of how best to allocate our resources."
12-19-08 (Cards) Cards sign LHP Katsuhiko Maekawa with no invite to ST Maekawa has both starting and relief experience
12-23-08 (Cards) Fuentes on the Angels: "They're still high on my list -- they always have been," "It looks like they're out of the market for Teixeira. They'll draw up a new plan, and hopefully I'll be a part of it."
12-24-08 (PD) Bernie calls cards Cheap on his PD Blog
Bernie: “ HERE’S A WORD TO DESCRIBE THE CARDINALS: Cheap. This covers all of the code words and phrases that already have been offered, such as “low-hanging fruit,” and “patient” and “keeping the powder dry.” No, what all of this really means is the Cardinals are cheap until they prove otherwise. No one is asking them to throw money around like those crazy Steinbrenners, but when Khalil Greene is the big offseason acquisition (so far) after the organization promised an “aggressive” approach … well, that’s sad.”
12-24-08 (PD) Cards become “patient”
Mo: "Our approach right now is wait and see," "We were aggressive early, and had some things to show for it. We made offers (during the winter meetings) and didn't get much response. We tried those approaches. Now we have an opportunity here to step back — to step back and see where the market goes next and what makes the most sense for us."
It is reported that the cards are shifting their expected attendance from 3.4 Mil to less than 3 Mil due to economic concerns
DeWitt: "I would categorize it as a slight shift," "We can no longer look at 3.2 (million in attendance) as a lock and a growing payroll as a lock. The economy has gotten a lot worse, and we don't want to be caught unprepared. ... What we've done in the past and what we want to try to do now is not have the payroll be the thing that gets the hit during something like this, to the extent we can."
Mo: “We wanted to address our immediate needs," "We needed a lefty reliever, and we did that. We needed a shortstop, and we did that. We always want to be as opportunistic as we can be (but) we also want to position ourselves to have some flexibility going into '09. A deal, right now, would have to be compelling, so compelling that we couldn't walk away from it."
DeWitt: "We need to be careful because maybe everything is rosy, but if it's not, we have to build in some flexibility," "It's the team that has the dry powder that will ultimately get the benefit of this market. … From that standpoint, we want to be in great position to take advantage."
12-31-08 (Cards) Fuentes signs with Angels It is reported that the Card’s offer was 2yrs with an option for a 3rd
Mo:
"We made a very strong run out at the Winter Meetings," "And then with so much dead time, there wasn't much action. So when it really came time, I got basically called a few days ago to re-engage."
"I think he ended up where he wanted,"
"[Using a pitcher already in-house to close] has always been an option," "That's never changed. I think when we saw the market change on closers is when we engaged. So we made an attempt. We weren't [Fuentes'] first choice."
"Some of the higher medical risk players out there, I would say that is not the path we necessarily want to go down at this point," "I'd rather have more of a sure thing."
Also, Miles signs with the Cubs.
1-3-09 (PD) DeWitt Doesn’t like the Cheap Comments
DeWitt: "From Day One, we've always pushed payroll. It's at a very high level. We have different financial obligations than most clubs. How many teams have privately financed their own stadiums? "Clearly we have obligations there, and to have a payroll that's been in excess of $100 million over the last several years, in the top third of baseball. I think it speaks to the fact that we continue to push payroll. We've pushed player development, we've pushed scouting, we've pushed international (scouting and development). I think we've made a very strong commitment financially to this franchise. It kind of goes with the territory. But do I think it's unfair? Yes, I do."
DeWitt on TLR: "I say to him, 'You're worried about tonight's ballgame, or tomorrow's ballgame or the upcoming season. I'm worried about it, too. But I'm also worried about this franchise three years from now. I'm worried about this franchise five years from now. "So that's the sort of push and shove you have with someone who is on the field on a daily basis and living it. Who really wants the best possible team he can have at all times. And that's great. We do, too. But there's sometimes a difference of opinion whether you put the resources into a player (now), versus using those resources on something two or three years from now that is going to really pay off in a big way."
DeWitt on payroll: "We do not have a hard budget for payroll. Put it this way: If there were a player out there who I thought would significantly help this club, and it would push our payroll beyond what we'd like it to be, we would consider it."
TLR on using Motte or Perez as the Closer: "The way they can get there is to be put in a situation where they can learn, they can grow, without having the stress of it being all up to them to get that last out, and nothing to protect them. Our plan all winter was to try and beef it up to do something as we continue to develop these young guys. A guy like Fuentes was a real good fit for us, and we were all disappointed that it didn't work out. Now we go to Plan B. To me, you do what you have to do. If we get nobody, we'll push the kids some. But if you really want to get serious about getting the most out of them for their career, you want to protect those guys this year while they're learning their trade."
1-5-09 (Cards) TLR on the Closer situation:
"You still want to improve your bullpen," "We still want to try. I know we talked about it. The optimum thing is not to ask Chris or Jason to close in '09. Let them grow into the role when they're ready to take it. So who else is out there? One of the things you look at is ... a starter that's a veteran [who has] pitched in the ninth inning with a one-run lead before."
On Izzy: "We talked about that some," "I don't know how well [Isringhausen] fits. For one thing, I don't know how interested he is in coming back."
"I like Juan Cruz," "But he is a [Type-A] guy and he's looking for a lot of money. ... Lyon is a guy that we've talked about."
1-5-09 (Cards) Cards sign LHP Royce Ring to 1yr deal
1-7-09 (PD) Mo on the payroll: "Everybody talks about how much money we had come off (the books), but there's the realities of the arbitration cases," "and then there's players entering their second years of multiyear contracts, like your Wainwrights and your Molinas, that are going to see bumps as well."
"So there isn't as much freedom as people felt we had with guys like (Mark) Mulder coming off the books," "There's definitely some internal increases (outfielder Skip Schumaker among others) that we're dealing with. All in, it's probably close to $20 million."
Mo on the upset fans: "If I read the papers and if I go online to read the blogs, I'd probably be more aware of (the discontent)," "I can't ignore that, but that can't be the basis of the direction we go in. "I have to do what's best long-range and not make mistakes just to appease the headines tomorrow."
"When I said we were going to plan on being aggressive, I thought we were,"
"I'm not a wordsmith. Maybe I shouldn't use words like that."
Mo on the “Low-hanging fruit”: "I've been getting killed on that," "To me, that's defined as getting things done quickly — like getting (Jason) LaRue done and obviously (Kyle) Lohse."I guess I just need to choose my words a little better — or talk less."
Mo on TLR’s wanting a closer: "I know it's not optimal the way Tony (manager Tony La Russa) looks at it," "But we went with a very young outfield last year that got the same type of scrutiny and questions that now our bullpen is getting. I'm using that as a barometer that it works. "We had the same type of faith in Ludwick and Ankiel and that group as we do with Perez and Motte and (Kyle) McClellan."
1-8-09 (Cards) Mo ok to look at current team for Closer:
Mo:
"I think I've made it very clear that I'm comfortable with what we have [in the ninth inning]," "We did say that if we could find somebody like [Brian] Fuentes, that we thought there was value and talent in return, we would try to do it. But that didn't happen. We're very comfortable going with what we have in-house."
On TLR’s mention of converting a starter: "We were discussing throwing everything on the table, and if anybody had any ideas or thoughts on how we could possibly address one or the other need," "That was one idea that came up -- are there any pitchers out there that we could identify that have been traditionally used as starters who we could use to close?"
1-8-09 (PD) Fans upset by dry powder talk
Bernie on the upset fan base: “The fan base seems angry. On the talk shows and in the blogosphere, where the rage bubbles into a rapid boil, there's chatter of a boycott, of customers giving up their season tickets. They question the commitment to winning. They are tired of excuses. They won't spend another dollar until things change.”
“But the growing perception is that DeWitt is content to stand pat, freeze player costs and rake in the revenue. In the annual survey conducted by USA Today, the Cardinals ranked sixth in the majors in payroll spending in 2005, but have been ranked 11th in each of the last three seasons. In relative terms, they haven't kept up.”
“One of management's favorite expressions is "keeping the powder dry." When the club declines to sign a prominent free agent over the winter, we're told that they're keeping the powder dry for a better shot, later on. In spring training, the powder is kept dry for taking a shot at the July 31 trading deadline. And if nothing happens, the powder is still dry as another cycle begins anew, in the offseason.Apparently there's a vast, towering pile of unused powder sitting somewhere in the innards of Busch Stadium. And fans are tired of the constant spinning.”
“But if the Cardinals remain dormant and do nothing ...Will disgruntled fans react by purchasing fewer tickets? Will fans choose to keep their powder dry?”
1-8-09 Fungoes (Im not the only one who gets the impression that the PD is fanning the flames the)
*This was not included in the quotes above, but I thought it was a well articulated post.
http://stl-sabr.bajink.com/fungoes/?p=1551
Links to Sources:
*All of the Cards team site quotes can be found in their “News Archive” Section under the dates I have included.
From the PD:
Cards shift to patient 12-24-08
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/3357B8DB59222555862575290011339E?OpenDocument
1-3-09 DeWitt Unfair to Call Cards Cheap
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/1DA31EA834F08E848625753300141B90?OpenDocument
Cash flow might not be as Fluid as thought
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/263E0E19814836F386257537000905AE?OpenDocument
1-8-09 Dry Powder
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/AC9C1824CC29D1AE86257538000AACDB?OpenDocument
12-24-08 Bernie’s Blog Cards Cheap
http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bernies-extra-points/bernies-extra-points/2008/12/five-minutes-for-blogging-dec-24/
12-11-08 Jeff Gordon on Fuentes
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/jeffgordon/story/3C36729274CAB6918625751C007CB612?OpenDocument
9-14-08 Aggressive Offseason
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/27BE79D50A8A25CA862574C4000F24A0?OpenDocument
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Welcome
So, Here We Go
Thanks for dropping by. I was born and raised in St. Louis, but now live in the city where the Cubs play (but in Sox territory). Following baseball is a favorite hobby of mine, and I thought it would be fun to join the world of blogging with my thoughts on the best baseball team in all of MLB. I have always been a fan of the Cards thanks to trips to Busch starting when I was just a few months old and many Saturday afternoons riding around with my dad listening to KMOX while picking his brain for his memories following the team. I have always loved the Cards, but I became a true die hard when I left STL. I realized that the Cardinals were the only team I really felt like a fan of and now suddenly they weren’t playing a few miles from home, they were back in my old hometown. Absence does make the heart grow fonder; at least it did for me. I hope to use this blog as my sounding board as a fan and offer my perspective and take on the team for whatever that's worth. I am just a fan, in no way am I any type of expert. Maybe down the road we can get some debates going and see how this thing evolves. The goal is to stay on topic, but from time to time I may comment on my other interests and passions. That seems like enough of an intro let’s get started.
I typically follow the team online through the following sites:
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/cards
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
I read those pretty much daily, and I drop by http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/ every now and then.
The thing that really made me want to get this blog going has been the recent cynicism that seems to be growing in corners of the fan base mostly over at the forums on the Post’s website. We are fans of one of the most storied franchises in all of pro sports and there is always something to say. I am tried of all of the bitching and moaning, why call yourself a fan if you don’t like anything about the team except for #5? Yeah, sometimes they make dumb moves, have a rough game, or let some great opportunities slip past them but being a fan fosters ties that go deeper. I am sure I will do my share of bitching here, but I try to keep things in perspective and look at as many sides as possible before I settle on my finial opinion. We have the reputation as being the smartest fans in baseball, to me that means doing the research.
Thanks for dropping by. I was born and raised in St. Louis, but now live in the city where the Cubs play (but in Sox territory). Following baseball is a favorite hobby of mine, and I thought it would be fun to join the world of blogging with my thoughts on the best baseball team in all of MLB. I have always been a fan of the Cards thanks to trips to Busch starting when I was just a few months old and many Saturday afternoons riding around with my dad listening to KMOX while picking his brain for his memories following the team. I have always loved the Cards, but I became a true die hard when I left STL. I realized that the Cardinals were the only team I really felt like a fan of and now suddenly they weren’t playing a few miles from home, they were back in my old hometown. Absence does make the heart grow fonder; at least it did for me. I hope to use this blog as my sounding board as a fan and offer my perspective and take on the team for whatever that's worth. I am just a fan, in no way am I any type of expert. Maybe down the road we can get some debates going and see how this thing evolves. The goal is to stay on topic, but from time to time I may comment on my other interests and passions. That seems like enough of an intro let’s get started.
I typically follow the team online through the following sites:
http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/cards
http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
I read those pretty much daily, and I drop by http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/ every now and then.
The thing that really made me want to get this blog going has been the recent cynicism that seems to be growing in corners of the fan base mostly over at the forums on the Post’s website. We are fans of one of the most storied franchises in all of pro sports and there is always something to say. I am tried of all of the bitching and moaning, why call yourself a fan if you don’t like anything about the team except for #5? Yeah, sometimes they make dumb moves, have a rough game, or let some great opportunities slip past them but being a fan fosters ties that go deeper. I am sure I will do my share of bitching here, but I try to keep things in perspective and look at as many sides as possible before I settle on my finial opinion. We have the reputation as being the smartest fans in baseball, to me that means doing the research.
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