Tweet
Enjoy.
In the Nomar Garciaparra section of the article, Gammons says the Cardinals are "optimistic" about reaching a deal with Renteria, whatever that means.
Cardinals overlooked?
Yes, the Cardinals still play in the National League Central. "No one even mentions us," says Matt Morris.
"To be honest," says Walt Jocketty, "we like it this way."
"This is still a very good team," says Jason Isringhausen. "If a few things break right, we'll be right back in it again."
The NL Central is definitely a two-tiered society, with the three Haves, and three Have Nots that are below the poverty line. But while the Cubs are going to cross the $90 million plateau, the Cardinals think they -- as well as Houston -- can stay in the race. And Isringhausen is one of the reasons everyone seems so optimistic before the games begin.
"This is the best I've been in the first couple of months in three years," says the Cardinals' closer, who can dominate when healthy. "I absolutely feel as if I'm in for the whole year."
"Missing him those first couple of months killed us," says Jocketty. When Izzy was able to pitch, he was 22-for-25 in save opportunities, had a 2.40 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 42 innings. But when he wasn't, they had to get saves from eight different relievers. With Steve Kline and Ray King from the left side, Cal Eldred, Kiko Calero, Julian Tavares and perhaps Alan Benes from the right, Tony La Russa could have a deep bullpen.
The second reason for optimism is Chris Carpenter, who three years ago threw 215 innings and was a notch above Roy Halladay on the Toronto pecking order before going through two years of arm hell. "I originally had the operation in September 2002, then pushed it too fast and had another to scrape out scar tissue," says the former Jays' No. 1 draft pick. "It's been so long, I'm cautious about being too optimistic. People here are very positive. I keep hearing how I'm a big key. I hope so."
To Morris and Woody Williams, Jocketty thinks of it as adding Carpenter and Jeff Suppan, two 200-inning horses, as well as Jason Marquis, who is trying to get back to being the power pitcher who showed so much promise in Atlanta. If that's the rotation, then they will have Danny Haren, Adam Wainright (the key to the Braves deal) and promising lefty Chris Narveson in Memphis. "This is potentially as much depth as we've ever had," says Jocketty.
With Albert Pujols playing first, the Cardinals' biggest question is left field, where LaRussa and hitting coach Mitchell Page are closely watching the group of John Mabry, Ray Lankford, Greg Vaughn and Mark Quinn. This is a time-will-tell-if-they-need-to-deal thing, or just wait until Bernie Williams is healthy and Brian Cashman has to pay someone to take Kenny Lofton.
"This is a very good team, a lot better than people think, and we'll prove it," says Kline. For now, they are the underdogs, the best role to have.
Yes, the Cardinals still play in the National League Central. "No one even mentions us," says Matt Morris.
"To be honest," says Walt Jocketty, "we like it this way."
"This is still a very good team," says Jason Isringhausen. "If a few things break right, we'll be right back in it again."
The NL Central is definitely a two-tiered society, with the three Haves, and three Have Nots that are below the poverty line. But while the Cubs are going to cross the $90 million plateau, the Cardinals think they -- as well as Houston -- can stay in the race. And Isringhausen is one of the reasons everyone seems so optimistic before the games begin.
"This is the best I've been in the first couple of months in three years," says the Cardinals' closer, who can dominate when healthy. "I absolutely feel as if I'm in for the whole year."
"Missing him those first couple of months killed us," says Jocketty. When Izzy was able to pitch, he was 22-for-25 in save opportunities, had a 2.40 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 42 innings. But when he wasn't, they had to get saves from eight different relievers. With Steve Kline and Ray King from the left side, Cal Eldred, Kiko Calero, Julian Tavares and perhaps Alan Benes from the right, Tony La Russa could have a deep bullpen.
The second reason for optimism is Chris Carpenter, who three years ago threw 215 innings and was a notch above Roy Halladay on the Toronto pecking order before going through two years of arm hell. "I originally had the operation in September 2002, then pushed it too fast and had another to scrape out scar tissue," says the former Jays' No. 1 draft pick. "It's been so long, I'm cautious about being too optimistic. People here are very positive. I keep hearing how I'm a big key. I hope so."
To Morris and Woody Williams, Jocketty thinks of it as adding Carpenter and Jeff Suppan, two 200-inning horses, as well as Jason Marquis, who is trying to get back to being the power pitcher who showed so much promise in Atlanta. If that's the rotation, then they will have Danny Haren, Adam Wainright (the key to the Braves deal) and promising lefty Chris Narveson in Memphis. "This is potentially as much depth as we've ever had," says Jocketty.
With Albert Pujols playing first, the Cardinals' biggest question is left field, where LaRussa and hitting coach Mitchell Page are closely watching the group of John Mabry, Ray Lankford, Greg Vaughn and Mark Quinn. This is a time-will-tell-if-they-need-to-deal thing, or just wait until Bernie Williams is healthy and Brian Cashman has to pay someone to take Kenny Lofton.
"This is a very good team, a lot better than people think, and we'll prove it," says Kline. For now, they are the underdogs, the best role to have.
Comment