We might want to get this out in the open now? Juan Gone

[Schwahalala]

Do we really want him on this team?

I know it's early but he's acting like he wants to stay. That would mean a kid gets sent down.

Discuss.

[billiken_roy]

personally i detest the steroiders in general. that said, i have a personal story for juan that makes me hesitate to attack.

back in like juan's 3rd year he came to town for a card show to do autographs.

at the same show was johnny bench, pete rose and keith hernandez.

we purchased autographs for all four and had three national league baseballs and one american league baseball for each to sign.

juan was first. he asked (via an interpretter) what my son's name was (my son, theo, was about 6 or 7 at the time) he made sure he shook my son's hand and ruffled his head and took a picture with him. just as nice a man as could be imagined. he even signed on the ball "to theo, always try your best"

all three of the others were total a$$es. bench even smudged the signature and refused to personalize it (i.e. to theo, johnny bench). all he would sign was his name. none of the rest would even acknowledge my son with eye contact.

[BringBackZezel]

If Juan Gonzalez makes the team, it'll be for two reasons:

1. He's tearing the cover off the ball
2. Brian Barton's knee is really in bad shape.


I think the Cards will keep one or the other...and I think given Barton's Rule 5 status, Juan really has to beat him out for that spot.


I think in the long run, this year is a training year to get the kids ready to play full time, and from that angle I don't really want to see Gonzalez here...but if he's putting the ball in play anywhere close to as much as he did earlier on in his career, it'll be tough to cut him.

[kmeyer]

Do we really want him on this team?

I know it's early but he's acting like he wants to stay. That would mean a kid gets sent down.

Discuss.

You look at the current make of this team and immediately assume that:

1) The Cardinals are rebuilding.
2) The owners are tightwad idiots.
3) Both.

It was only one pre-season game, but if Juan can perform like that on a consistent basis and not be a burden defensively (can't be any worse than Duncan), then I say we go with it....I think this lineup lacks enough power, especially when you consider that Molina is a project 6th hitter and the prospects of Pujols possible playing only 120-130 games this season with his bad elbow....

[billiken_roy]

cardinal owners are not stupid. they may be non caring to the fans, jerks or deceitful or all of the above, but they are far from idiots.

[dooz]

juan has a history of having year long nagging "injuries". he acted like he wanted to play a few years ago when KC signed him, then he sat all year.

[Schwahalala]

You look at the current make of this team and immediately assume that:

1) The Cardinals are rebuilding.
2) The owners are tightwad idiots.
3) Both.

It was only one pre-season game, but if Juan can perform like that on a consistent basis and not be a burden defensively (can't be any worse than Duncan), then I say we go with it....I think this lineup lacks enough power, especially when you consider that Molina is a project 6th hitter and the prospects of Pujols possible playing only 120-130 games this season with his bad elbow....

2 games - 2 for 3 yesterday and a home run today.

[Bleacher Creature]

I'm all for him making the team.

[kah]

Do we really want him on this team?

I know it's early but he's acting like he wants to stay. That would mean a kid gets sent down.

Discuss.

If he hits, yes.

I don't believe he'll hit.

[Schwahalala]

If he hits, yes.

I don't believe he'll hit.

He's hitting okay - the question to me is - can he catch.

[Bleacher Creature]

He's hitting okay - the question to me is - can he catch.

If he can hit, use him mainly as a pinch hitter.

Was he a butcher in the field during his prime?

[Schwahalala]

If he can hit, use him mainly as a pinch hitter.

Was he a butcher in the field during his prime?

Not really - but he is 38.

[El Establishment 1]

Ask me in 3 weeks.

[InSighT]

I don't see why not. I'm not particularly looking forward to having a 75 win team this year. If Juan Gone is a pleasant surprise, that's one less thing that has to happen to make this team competitive.

[kah]

I don't see why not. I'm not particularly looking forward to having a 75 win team this year. If Juan Gone is a pleasant surprise, that's one less thing that has to happen to make this team competitive.

Yeah, no kidding. It's not like we can be picky.