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First off, if any of you hate Joe Morgan enjoy: http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/
And now on to the Cardinals:
Why did the Cards bats disappear in the NLCS and last years World Series? I mean this is really the question management needs to answer. For two straight seasons, the Cardinal offense has torched regular season pitching, but come up short facing elite post-season staffs. The Cards scored at will against the Dodgers and Padres in the NLDS. Seems to me we need to then figure out what changed between the NLDS and NLCS, other than not having Odalis Perez on the mound? Power pitching? Elite pitching? What I have decided is that the Cardinal lineup, in its current form is very susceptible to good power pitchers (though to be fair most teams are).
The heart of the Cardinal attack is vulnerable to the strike out. Rolen, Edmonds, Sanders, and Renteria last season; Walker, Sanders, and Edmonds this season. When facing elite power pitching staffs like the Astros and Red Sox’s, the Cardinals just can’t score runs, pilling up strikeouts or weak hits. Therefore, I agree with Dan that the Cards must make moves this off-season to add good contact hitters. I can understand moving Rolen, but only for a boatload of good young players. Think trading him to Minnesota, and getting back some combo of Cuddyer, Bartlett, Kubel, or Liriano. Other than a great deal, Rolen stays. Edmonds goes nowhere; the man deserves some loyalty. Beyond that here is where I would like to see the Cards go:
Offense:
Middle Infielder: Could brink back Grudz, but I don’t know if I want him back, though if he is still so cheap, then fine keep him. I would say go after Todd Walker, a good option for a #2 hitter, but his defense is sub par. The Cards could go after Nomar. He should be cheaper this season because he is injury prone and with the flexibility of Eckstine, you can mix and match at 2nd and SS. The other option is trying to trade for Luis Castillo from the Marlins, since that is a team looking to drop some payroll. In all of these cases, except for Grudz, these are players that draw walks, don’t strike out much, and put the ball in play. No Furcal, that guy is streaky. Let the Cubs have him.
OF:
You could resign Sanders, but he is a perfect example of the problems the Cards have had the past two seasons. Jacques Jones is a younger version of Reggie, but again a lot of k’s. Milton Bradley is a younger angrier version of Reggie, but also a lot of k’s. For the same reasons, I don’t want the Cards to try and trade for either Willy Mo or Dunn. If you thought Rolen and Edmonds looked bad against Oswalt, just wait. So what does that leave the Cards with? Brian Giles. I say sign the man, so long as the offer can be reasonable and no longer than 4 years. He walks, doesn’t strike out a ton, and is a perfect addition to the Cardinal lineup. The Cards could pursue Hideki Matsui, but the Cards would lose any bidding war with the Yankees. If the Cards fail to sign Giles or want to forego spending on pitching, the Cards should look to trade for another outfielder. Tampa Bay is the obvious choice, but also consider Texas or Cincinnati (though for Cinci I would only go after Casey or Kearns). The Cards have pitching to offer and should focus on those teams that need good young pitching. Think a package deal with Marquis and Wainwright.
Bench:
If the Cubs non-tender Corry Patterson, the Cards should move immediately to add him as a bench player. Let Mabry walk, as I thought he was injured/ in a lot of pain, down the stretch. Bring back So, Nunez, and Diaz; though it would not surprise me to see the Twins make a run at Nunez, that team needs a good defensive 3bman badly. Give Duncan, Gall, and Rodriguez a shot in spring training to earn a place.
Starting Pitching:
If Cards fans really care about Morris, let the man go. He needs to go someplace where people only see his current skill and don’t remember the past greatness. Now that Mazzone is going to what Baltimore, I think the O’s would be wise in adding Matty Mo. Bring back/ negotiate a new deal with Suppan; he has shown that he is the Cards #3 starter. If the flexibility is there, try and sign Mark Mulder to a contract extension this season and keep him off the market. Add Anthony Reyes to the rotation. Keep Marquis, but look really really hard to trade him (like to the Marlins for Castillo). If the Cards do trade Marquis, find a decent veteran that Duncan can make work, like Vincente Padilla or Steve Trachsel.
Bullpen:
Well, I say go on the cheap. Izzy, Thompson, Flores, and Johnson. Bring back Eldred and add Wainwright if he isn’t traded. Invite a few washed up bums to camp, sign a few veterans to minor league contracts, and see what comes out. Trade King for more payroll room.
My 2006 Cardinals:
Lineup
1: Eckstine
2.Castillo/ Walker/ Garciaparra
3. Pujols
4. Giles
5. Rolen
6. Edmonds
7.Molina
8. Duncan/Gall/Rodriguez/ Patterson/ So
Bench:
Luna
Nunez
Diaz
So
Duncan/Gall/Rodriguez/ Patterson
Rotation:
Carpenter
Mulder
Suppan
Reyes
Marquis/ Trachsel/ Padilla
Bullpen:
LHP: Johnson
LHP: Flores
RHP: Thompson
RHP: Wainwright/ Some bum
RHP: Some bum
RHP: Eldred
Closer: Izzy[/b][/quote]
And now on to the Cardinals:
Why did the Cards bats disappear in the NLCS and last years World Series? I mean this is really the question management needs to answer. For two straight seasons, the Cardinal offense has torched regular season pitching, but come up short facing elite post-season staffs. The Cards scored at will against the Dodgers and Padres in the NLDS. Seems to me we need to then figure out what changed between the NLDS and NLCS, other than not having Odalis Perez on the mound? Power pitching? Elite pitching? What I have decided is that the Cardinal lineup, in its current form is very susceptible to good power pitchers (though to be fair most teams are).
The heart of the Cardinal attack is vulnerable to the strike out. Rolen, Edmonds, Sanders, and Renteria last season; Walker, Sanders, and Edmonds this season. When facing elite power pitching staffs like the Astros and Red Sox’s, the Cardinals just can’t score runs, pilling up strikeouts or weak hits. Therefore, I agree with Dan that the Cards must make moves this off-season to add good contact hitters. I can understand moving Rolen, but only for a boatload of good young players. Think trading him to Minnesota, and getting back some combo of Cuddyer, Bartlett, Kubel, or Liriano. Other than a great deal, Rolen stays. Edmonds goes nowhere; the man deserves some loyalty. Beyond that here is where I would like to see the Cards go:
Offense:
Middle Infielder: Could brink back Grudz, but I don’t know if I want him back, though if he is still so cheap, then fine keep him. I would say go after Todd Walker, a good option for a #2 hitter, but his defense is sub par. The Cards could go after Nomar. He should be cheaper this season because he is injury prone and with the flexibility of Eckstine, you can mix and match at 2nd and SS. The other option is trying to trade for Luis Castillo from the Marlins, since that is a team looking to drop some payroll. In all of these cases, except for Grudz, these are players that draw walks, don’t strike out much, and put the ball in play. No Furcal, that guy is streaky. Let the Cubs have him.
OF:
You could resign Sanders, but he is a perfect example of the problems the Cards have had the past two seasons. Jacques Jones is a younger version of Reggie, but again a lot of k’s. Milton Bradley is a younger angrier version of Reggie, but also a lot of k’s. For the same reasons, I don’t want the Cards to try and trade for either Willy Mo or Dunn. If you thought Rolen and Edmonds looked bad against Oswalt, just wait. So what does that leave the Cards with? Brian Giles. I say sign the man, so long as the offer can be reasonable and no longer than 4 years. He walks, doesn’t strike out a ton, and is a perfect addition to the Cardinal lineup. The Cards could pursue Hideki Matsui, but the Cards would lose any bidding war with the Yankees. If the Cards fail to sign Giles or want to forego spending on pitching, the Cards should look to trade for another outfielder. Tampa Bay is the obvious choice, but also consider Texas or Cincinnati (though for Cinci I would only go after Casey or Kearns). The Cards have pitching to offer and should focus on those teams that need good young pitching. Think a package deal with Marquis and Wainwright.
Bench:
If the Cubs non-tender Corry Patterson, the Cards should move immediately to add him as a bench player. Let Mabry walk, as I thought he was injured/ in a lot of pain, down the stretch. Bring back So, Nunez, and Diaz; though it would not surprise me to see the Twins make a run at Nunez, that team needs a good defensive 3bman badly. Give Duncan, Gall, and Rodriguez a shot in spring training to earn a place.
Starting Pitching:
If Cards fans really care about Morris, let the man go. He needs to go someplace where people only see his current skill and don’t remember the past greatness. Now that Mazzone is going to what Baltimore, I think the O’s would be wise in adding Matty Mo. Bring back/ negotiate a new deal with Suppan; he has shown that he is the Cards #3 starter. If the flexibility is there, try and sign Mark Mulder to a contract extension this season and keep him off the market. Add Anthony Reyes to the rotation. Keep Marquis, but look really really hard to trade him (like to the Marlins for Castillo). If the Cards do trade Marquis, find a decent veteran that Duncan can make work, like Vincente Padilla or Steve Trachsel.
Bullpen:
Well, I say go on the cheap. Izzy, Thompson, Flores, and Johnson. Bring back Eldred and add Wainwright if he isn’t traded. Invite a few washed up bums to camp, sign a few veterans to minor league contracts, and see what comes out. Trade King for more payroll room.
My 2006 Cardinals:
Lineup
1: Eckstine
2.Castillo/ Walker/ Garciaparra
3. Pujols
4. Giles
5. Rolen
6. Edmonds
7.Molina
8. Duncan/Gall/Rodriguez/ Patterson/ So
Bench:
Luna
Nunez
Diaz
So
Duncan/Gall/Rodriguez/ Patterson
Rotation:
Carpenter
Mulder
Suppan
Reyes
Marquis/ Trachsel/ Padilla
Bullpen:
LHP: Johnson
LHP: Flores
RHP: Thompson
RHP: Wainwright/ Some bum
RHP: Some bum
RHP: Eldred
Closer: Izzy[/b][/quote]
"Can't buy what I want because it's free...
Can't buy what I want because it's free..."
-- Pearl Jam, from the single Corduroy
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