Thursday’s opponents: New York Mets (Memphis and Springfield at Jupiter with Palm Beach and Quad Cities at Port St. Lucie) plus Quad Cities 2 entertained Gildea’s Rangers, a traveling squad.
Friday’s opponents: Another camp day with Memphis facing Springfield and Palm Beach taking on Quad Cities. There is a twist however. The MLB players not taking the Ft. Myers trip are joining the Memphis squad for an 11 a.m. game against Springfield. The other game should be at the regular 1 p.m. time.
Memphis defeated New Orleans, 3-2
Memphis pitching
Brad Thompson, 2 IP 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Ryan Franklin, 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K’s
Jess Todd, 4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K’s
Katsuhiko Maekawa, 1 IP, 2 K’s
Fernando Salas, 1 IP, 1 BB, 1 K
Memphis hitting
Justin Knoedler, 3-for-4 including, 9th inning 2-out, 2-strike, 2-run game-winning double down the LF line – made good throw to nail basestealer
Amaury Cazana, 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI
Shane Robinson doubled
Bryan Anderson and Nick Stavinoha singled and walked
Casey Rowlett added a singled and SB.
Springfield lost to Binghamton, 9-5
Springfield pitching
Brad Furnish 3.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K’s
Tyler Herron, 2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R
Elvis Hernandez 1 IP, 2 H, 2 unearned runs, 2 K’s
Francisco Samuel 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 K’s
Springfield hitting
Brett Wallace, 2-for-4, doubled and had an RBI
Tyler Henley and Brandon Buckman 2-for-4
James Rapoport and Daniel Descalso both singled and walked
Palm Beach tied with St. Lucie, 4-4
Palm Beach pitching
Brian Broderick 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K’s
J.D. Stambaugh, 2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Blake King, 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Pete Parise, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Adam Reifer 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
Palm Beach hitting
Paul Vasquez 2-for-2 with 2 RBIs
Tommy Pham 2-for-4 with two triples
Curt Smith 2-for-4 with a double
Shane Peterson tripled
Colt Sedbrook singled and walked
Charlie Kingrey and Francisco Rivera singled
Quad Cities #1 lost to Savannah, 5-4
QC#1 pitching
Deryk Hooker, 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K’s
Ramon Delgado 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1K
Dylan Gonzalez 2 IP, 2 H
David Carpenter, 1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 K
Jorge Rondon 1 IP, 2 H, 1 K
QC #1 hitting
Niko Vasquez 2-for-2 with a walk
Jose Garcia doubled
John Cawley had a two-run single
Paul Cruz and Ryde Rodriguez singled for the only other hits
Quad Cities #2 defeated Gildea’s Raiders, 13-5
QC #2 pitching
Josh Hester, 2 IP, 2 H, 1 unearned run, 1 K
Jose Rada, 2 IP, 0 H, 1 unearned run, 2 BB, 4 K’s
Santo Maertz 1 IP, 1 K
Daniel Richardson 1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB
Jason Buursma, 1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 K’s
QC #2 hitting
Travis Mitchell, 4-for-4 with a walk, run scored and two RBIs
Oliver Marmol 2-for-4, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs
Roberto De La Cruz 2-for-5 with an RBI
Ivan Castro RBI double in his only AB
Brian Buck doubled
Michael Swinson singled, and walked twice
Edgar Lara and Beau Riportella each had RBI singles
These reports as above are provided through the courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals by Director of Minor League Operations John Vuch.
As I reported earlier, the Cardinals released nine minor leaguers on Thursday. They are Hyang-Nam Choi, Russ Haltiwanger, Brian Cartie, Zach Pitts, Matt Spade, Wayne Daman, Jose Mateo, Jon Mikrut and Jameson Maj.
Memphis notes
Brad and Brad starting. Major leaguer Brad Thompson pitched two innings starting for Memphis. Springfield’s starter was another Brad, Brad Furnish. As expected, the Mets’ Triple-A club didn’t get a ball out of the infield until the second, when Thompson gave up an RBI double deep to left center.
Catchers were everywhere as Nick Stavinoha moved behind the plate, Justin Knoedler started at first and Bryan Anderson was the designated hitter.
Fellow MLBer Ryan Franklin also came over and pitched a quick third inning. Teammate Kyle McClellan along with bullpen coach Marty Mason and bullpen catcher Jeff Murphy were among us looking on.
The original starter, Jess Todd, looked simply dominating. I don’t get those who are whispering he will have to convert to relief.
Bryan Anderson led off one inning with a single, but Shane Robinson, Brian Barton and Tyler Greene whiffed in succession. The Mets’ pitcher was Eddie Kunz.
Third baseman Allen Craig was hit on the elbow earlier in the week and is being kept out as a precaution. It is not baseball news, but Barton has a new shorter hairdo, pulled back in sort of a short ponytail.
Springfield notes
Furnish gave up a bases loaded single up the middle, but averted further damage when Jim Rapoport nailed a Mets runner at the plate.
After stroking an RBI double early, third baseman Brett Wallace was handcuffed on a hard-hit ball right at him. Later with the bases loaded, Pete Kozma drew a walk and Wallace should have had a sac fly to medium center, but Antone DeJesus was nailed at the plate by another great throw.
I saw Tyler Henley foul off pitch after pitch, seeing at least nine in one at-bat before striking a single between first and second.
Tyler Herron was the second pitcher and yielded a triple on his first pitch. Though he allowed several more runners, I only saw the one cross the plate. (clarification: It was an inherited runner from Furnish. In an unusual move for a spring minors game, Pop Warner made a mid-inning pitching change.) When I shot a photo of Herron dragging a weighted sled the other day, he was rehabbing a tight hamstring.
Second baseman Jose Martinez has been excused from camp to attend to a serious family matter that may keep him away for awhile.
Palm Beach notes
Catcher Blake Murphy is out of action due to some minor elbow soreness.
Quad Cities notes
I saw what is likely my first-ever 2-4-6 play as catcher Kevin Moscatel ran out to catch a runner napping off first. He ran the runner toward second, but waited too long to throw the ball. It plunked off the second baseman and dropped into the covering shortstop’s glove.
GM John Mozeliak and VP Jeff Luhnow were among those taking in the game.
| Lineup | Memphis | Springfield | Quad Cities 2 |
| 1 | Robinson cf | Rapoport cf | Mateo cf |
| 2 | Barton rf | Kozma ss | Marmol 2b |
| 3 | Greene ss | Wallace 3b | Mitchell rf |
| 4 | Stavinoha c | Hill c | Lara dh |
| 5 | Cazana lf | Descalso 2b | De La Cruz 3b |
| 6 | Hoffpauir 2b | Brown lf | Riportella lf |
| 7 | Shorey dh | Henley dh | Martinez 1b |
| 8 | Knoedler 1b | Buckman 1b | Swinson dh |
| 9 | Rowlett 3b | De Jesus rf | Castillo ss |
| 10 | Anderson dh | Moscatel c | |
| Pitchers | Thompson | Furnish | Hester |
| Franklin | Herron | Rodriguez | |
| Todd | Freeman | Rada | |
| Maekawa | Samuel | Maertz | |
| Ostlund | Richardson | ||
| Salas | Buursma | ||
The photo depicts the pair of former first-round draft picks playing on the left side of the Springfield defense, third baseman Brett Wallace and shortstop Pete Kozma.
From Kevin Goldstein at baseballprospectus.com about Jess Todd:
“The scout also came away very impressed with Cardinals #5 prospect Jess Todd, who went from High- to Triple-A last year in his full-season debut. “He’s so young, but he’s commanding the mound like a veteran—just really aggressive with a good pace,” said the scout. “It’s not huge stuff, but it’s upper 80s with real top-heavy sink, and he can also cut it and sometimes throws a two-seam splitty thing. He looks like a guy they’ll have to consider soon.”"
When a guy like Todd is said to throw in high 80s with sink, he likely could throw 92 without the sink. It is generally more effective to throw the sinker than to register more velocity.
Getting a haircut shows Barton is getting serious. Good for him.
This matter of the Cards sending MLers to minor league games and vice versa. It seems a bit in in keeping with what Luhnow has been doing for a while — breaking down artificial barriers within the overall business enterprise, the Cardinals. He held unified meetings of international and US scouts. Moved amateur scouts to pro scouting. Supports managers and coaches changing jobs. Mix things up a bit and swap perspectives.
Who is the “Mateo” in the QC2 outfield? As far as I know Luis Mateo is not in camp and I don´t think it is the pitcher we just cut.
Is the 1B at QC2 Jairo Martinez (normally an outfielder)?
CC, the only 1B on QC2 is Matt Arburr, who is hurt. So it appears Martinez was the one drafted into temporary 1B duty.
DD, thanks for Goldstein’s report. That is more encouraging than what was coming from the main StL news source, though perhaps there are mixed opinions among the staff.
I guess Broderick is healthy!
Has smith had a multi-hit or xtra base hit game every day since Spring training started?
Hooker with his 2nd terrible game in a row.
Carpenter has also not seemed impressive – I can see him ending back in extended Spring Training.
Any idea who the Mateo was? Is Luis now in camp?
Amaury Cazana still raking… you know as much as we have kept this kid down..he could be a nice bench OFer on the big club while Rasmus gets more time in AAA…Rasmus, Jay, Robinson/Barton in the OF at AAA.. Mather and Amaury in the bigs… how are his lefty splits… i know he woudl haev to be added and all that…but really his futre (if he has one with us) is probably as a reserve OFer and power bat off the bench…
since he is not on the 40man he can come up to the big camp any time right? ya think he gets a few at bats against MLB pitchers late in some games?
Cazana has an OPS of less than .800 playing in the US. Yeah, he has put up some nice numbers in Mexico, but numbers from that league are really misleading. Sometimes they have guys hit .430 or so for a full season in that league. He’s also at least 34 years old. I’m not at all excited about his chances in the big time.
kozma looks like he’s put on some weight, particularly in the legs.
I thought some of the ardent faithful were fevered about Rasmus in the majors. Colby may have been overtaken by Kid Cazana. This takes ardent to a brand new level. It is wonderful that springtime inspires optimism.
Welcome greenback! Yes, that is a good observation. Jon Jay is another about whom I noticed the same thing.
I have several hundred photos, but won’t have time to sort through them all until I get home.
Cazana is also weak on defense. That won’t play in St.Louis with only four bench players they can use without using their second catcher.
I’m really suprised that they have kept Cazana around. Maybe they hope to get some AL team to take him on as a DH.
Since the Palm Beach lineup was not shown I don’t know whether Jon Edwards played today or not. He has had a good spring so far for the first time. Maybe he will stick at Palm Beach. Would like to see a breakout season from him.
I’m suprised at how well Paul Cruz has done. He really didn’t do that well at JC last year and I think was a senior sign out of Tampa U. I also have not seen Tony Cruz mentioned much. Is he playing.
I think the Mateo in that game is the infielder that was drafted last year out of high school and did well in the Gulf Coast League and then earned a promotion to Johnson City.
I had been noticing Paul Cruz also in terms of getting lots of mentions in the Vuck report.
I also think that the Mateo listed is the minor league infielder ( he actually did play a few OF games last year) but he surprisingly wasn’t listed among those in camp.
Sooner, yes Tony Cruz is playing though Steven Hill is getting most of the work behind the plate for Springfield. For playing time purposes only, Cruz might be better served going by going back to PB, but he has already proven he can hit there. Another logjam as Pagnozzi and Anderson at Memphis also puts Knoedler and Yarbrough in a bind coming down from above.
IIRC, Big Carlos Pupo hit a bit last spring training. This may have staved off being released until the end of the season. It can be difficult to extrapolate from the Vuch report to 2009 games. That said, its good to see CF Travis Mitchell go 4 for 4, after his difficult 2008.
i never said CAzana was “overtaken” by Cazana…i just said that perhaps Cazana’s potential future role is better suited to the big club right now than Rasmus’… Cazana has hit everywhere he has been, i coudl care less where it is, if HE hits well that is all that matters..and as for his defense being subpar, i really have to disagree…he would be a fine LFer…especially compared to Duncan or probably Thurston or Ryan… as for backups at the MLB level for the bench…Mather, and Skip are both still OFers with good gloves, you know Skip is going to be double switched to the OF late in game for defense upgrade to IF and OF (for Duncan perhaps)…Cazana’s power from the bench would be nice in that case (since we woudl lose Duncan in the switch)…and since he STILL is in our system and has not been dropped, and has hit VEYR well everywhere we have sent him..AND he is in AAA camp and STILL hitting well, it seems like we should at least talk about his future role within the system as PERHAPS being real and not just throwaway and unrealistic… he hasnt been dropped is on the AAA team as of now and is hitting well… to discuss the possibility is not out of line or unimaginable , just because everyone is upset about him being older than we all thought and did not meet our “messiah-like” expectations we shouldnt dog the guy and find ways to discount everything he does
Jager, just looking at the facts, Cazana received an MLB invite last spring. This year, he did not. This year, he has not been called over to play in MLB games. He has no ABs. Robinson and Jay are clearly ahead of him. Stavinoha and Barton are already on the 40-man and have MLB experience. Sorry, but added up, this says to me that Cazana does not seem to be anywhere near the bigs.
thejager: It would be nice to see Cazana get more opportunity somewhere, because he works hard and was trapped in Cuba for many years, denied a chance to compete in US ball. The problem is playing time is a limited commodity and the Cards have other OFs who they need to play. This logjam seems why the Cards kindly let Haerther go, so Cody could get more at bats with the Blue Jays.
It seems likely TLR has not made or had to make a decision about whether to return in 2010. Thus DeWitt, Mo, and maybe even TLR do not know if he will be back next year or will retire. If so, this unknown could be another reason to elevate Rasmus to the 2009 ML roster. The Cards might want Rasmus to be mentored by TLR for at least one season.
Cazana’s career line in organized ball in the U.S. is .268/.333/.455 compared to Rasmus’ line of .277/.366/.485. That doesn’t scream prospect to me, certainly not at his age. Jay’s line is more impressive at .308/.377/.443 with a lot of upside potential
I don’t think anybody on this board is “dogging” the guy.
Jumbo, while there are a number of good reasons for the Cardinals to put Colby on the MLB roster, the fleeting opportunity to be mentored by TLR wouldn’t have made my top 20…
One difference between Cazana and Rasmus is defensive range and flexibility. Rasmus can play any of the three OF positions. Cazana may be 31 to 35 years old, its unclear, and cannot have as much speed and range. Cazana seems best suited as a DH or LF (but the Cards have Mather, Barton, Robinson, Stavinoha as OFs who swing righty). Cazana seems part of a logjam. He could play at Memphis, or return to Mexico, or be traded. We will find out pretty soon.
Brian, its why I thought I should throw out the idea. It seems under-discussed.
Usually, a young prospect who hits .251 at AAA (albeit at the tough offensive stadium at Memphis) would be ripe for more AAA practice. But the Cards ate Kennedy’s contract (unusual) to relocate Schumaker to the infield (unusualer), apparently to liberate an OF roster slot. If we just want a reserve OF who swings from the left, then Jay seems plenty ready with the stick and can even back-up Ankiel in center.
My possible explanations: 1) with the economy going south and the Cards holding down spending, the heralded rookie Rasmus provides some buzz to help sell tickets in these depressing times; (an economic reason)
2) Rasmus can backup RF better than Jay, because of stronger arm; (a performance reason)
3) the Cards are looking ahead to Rasmus earning a bigger role in 2010 and are getting him accustomed to the majors in a limited way in 2009. (This is a psychological explanation that excludes TLR.)
4) DeWitt and Mo respect TLR a great deal as a leader and positive influence on young men; they do not know if TLR will return for another contract, so would like to take advantage of Tony’s presence in 09 to mentor Rasmus.
I doubt reason 1. Reason 2 cannot be rejected. 3 and 4 seem plausible.
Cazaqna has to earn his way on to the roster at this point and I think it is very possible he will. I think he will hit a ton this year at Memphis. However, even if he does, his call up is not guaranteed.
Consider one hypothetical reason to have Rasmus on the roster. What if the Cards want to trade one of Duncan, Ankiel, or Ludwick, say for a pitcher, filling the spot with Rasmus? This could happen.
However, such a trade seems not contingent upon Rasmus being stationed as a 4th OF. He could be sent to Memphis and promoted if one of the starters is traded. If you only want Rasmus to start, a trade is not reliant on whether he is Memphis or a backup in the majors.
Rasmus seems to be being fit to a 4th OF role. Or 5th OF role, depending on how it is spinned.
TLR has said Rasmus would announce himself and push somebody out of the way, when ready. This seemed the criterion for promotion to the majors. Well, he is unlikely to push Duncan/Mather platoon, Ankiel, or Luddy out of the way, in 2009. He’s a good talent, and will become a better player in due course, but unlikely to elbow one of these strong hitters out of the way. The Cards have a choice between him playing in Memphis full time or playing in a reserve role in the majors. If they choose the latter, there seem a moderate number of contributing explanations.
Why would the Cards steer Rasmus to a backup OF job? Corey Patterson is one reason. Toolsy young athletes can get earmarked for stardom. They get hyped by the press, rated the best thing since sliced bread. A kid like Patterson gets deposited in CF in Chicago and finds the confines are not so friendly. The fans have been pumped up to think he will be great and get disappointed. Then it becomes hard for Patterson to grow as a player. He has been rushed to the majors to lead a club. After a knee injury and a great number of strikeouts, trying to slug more than he should, Patterson has never achieved what EVERYONE said he would become. (There must be plenty of such examples.)
Tony Rasmus has not liked high expectations for his son.
Its better to set modest expectations for a rookie, not heap pressure and expect an instant Hall of Famer. The Cards want to tuck Rasmus into the roster, set modest expectations, given him specific responsibilities, have him execute them and build condidence, and gradually build up playing time and learn about MLB, under the mentorship of Uncle Tony.
Patterson is a poor comparison to Colby Rasmus. Patterson has never accomplished pitch recognition let alone plate discipline. Rasmus has walked nearly twice as often as Patterson did. I don’t think Colby would be in competition for a job in St. Louis this spring if he waked once every 13 plus AB’s over the course of his minor league career as Patterson did.
He’s going to earn his playing time, as all rookies should have to do. Jumbo, you are still a minority of one that thinks of Rasmus as an apprentice backup outfielder.
Hi Diz: just to clarify, I think he could be an apprentice OF in 2009 and as such he serves in a backup capacity.
“Apprentice backup” I have not intended to suggest. Not sure what that means.
He could apprentice in the majors, in a limited or backup capacity, during 2009. Mozeliaks recent comments on the roster choices seem compatible with this option.
Mather will spell Duncan against southpaws, giving him about 35 starts that way. Rasmus could spell Ludwick against right-handers for 25 games, let us guess. Maybe Ankiel could take a breather for 20 games. That would give Rasmus 45 starts, say 180 at bats. Then if any starting OF was injured, he might collect some more starts.
Its going to be a gradual, evolving thing. Start simple, build upon success, take on more responsibility, as Rasmus seems comfortable.
The comparison to Patterson was about the perils of being highly touted. The question for the Cards is how best to navigate these perils.
I refuse to get into a protracted debate with you about any subject. I will just leave it at the fact that I disagree that Rasmus will be used that sparingly. He will be playing fulltime in Memphis if he is not earning plenty of time on the field in St. Louis. You don’t treat a premium prospect like a Rule 5 player.
Of course, we all have our opinions about that and yours is well-documented. Jeez, is it well-documented.
Dizzy, I too used to think Rasmus would play full-time in Memphis, if not earning plenty of time in St Louis. I used to think this until quite recently, until folks like Bernie M, thejager and westcoastbirdwatcher helped change my mind.
TLR says it matters what is going on “in their coconuts” I agree with him. In other words, baseball is played by human beings, not machines. The human element is important.
Also baseball is played a pitch at a time, game by game. What matters is the here and now, not somebody’s long term potential, but who they are right now.
Earl Weaver used to prefer to bring rookie pitchers into the majors via one year in the pen. This seems similar to ushering Rasmus into the majors in 2009 via a backup role that can expand, as appropriate, based on the human element.
Apples to oranges
I do like saluting WCBW and thejager for helping me see Rasmus in a new way.
Another way to consider this is round 1 pick Chris Duncan took about 6.5 years of minor league play to reach the majors in mid-2006. When he did so, it was in a platoon capacity.
Joe Mather took about 7 years of minor league seasoning to make the Cards roster last season, on a part-time basis. Both Joe and Chris turned pro after high school and it can be a long climb for many guys who turn pro at this point.
To date, Colby Rasmus has 3.5 seasons of minor league training. His ascent toward the majors has been much quicker. Thus, if the Cards incorporate Colby into their roster this April, it would not seem surprising if they phase him into play gently. There is not an open platoon role available. TLR could instead pick chances to use Rasmus in all 3 positions, so as to maximize his opportunities.
Beau, you are indeed the King of Misdirection. Colby Rasmus is a top ten prospect in all of baseball, repeat, all of baseball. His comps do not include Chris Duncan or Joe Mather, neither of which ever made anybody’s top 100 prospect list nor do they include young pitchers under the control of Earl Weaver.
Since you brought up Weaver, I am reminded of a young super prospect who came up during Earl’s tenure as manager. Don Baylor was the Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year in 1970 at AAA Rochester. He was 21 that year. In 1971, the O’s were loaded in the outfield with Don Baylor, Paul Buford, Hall of Famer Frank Robinson and Merv Rettenmund and Baylor earned two AB’s for the pennant winning Orioles, again spending the entire season at AAA. In 1972 he forced his way into the picture, starting eighty games, batting cleanup more often tha any other spot in the order and got over 300 AB’s.
Your crystal ball has him filling in here and there. If you want to believe that, fine by me. You’ve made your point, ad nauseum.
Somebody either here or at the Birdhouse asked you to identify a top 10 prospect in all of baseball that was used in the manner you are suggesting. You came up with nothing but a bunch of examples of guys that failed. Guys with Colby’s upside don’t sit on the bench.
Diz: I have suggested what I think may happen. I have admitted that until quite recently I thought otherwise. I trust you and I agree that the Cards will do what they will do, without referring to this message board or the drivel of Shrimp.
Its a nice story about Baylor. You report Baylor excelled at Rochester in 1970, was saluted as the best player throughout the minors, and for his terrific exploits, Mr. Baylor landed right back in Rochester during 1971. Life was a little unfair.
One difference in this situation, versus that of Rasmus, is Rasmus did NOT excel during his first year at AAA and has also not “forced” himself into the lineup this spring. I had assumed, perhaps like yourself, the Cards would return him to Memphis, but from some things Mo has said, I have come to doubt this.
TLR is well known as an innovator, in handling relievers and batting the pitcher 8th. TLR is going to pursue what he thinks makes sense as in the best interest of the Cardinals.
In any event, we shall not have too long before all will be revealed. If I am mistaken, it shall not be the first time, nor the last.
One reason why I am think as I do is I give little weight to Baseball America’s Top 10 in all of baseball list, in terms of 2009 use of this player. The actual data on where a player is presently at, takes precedence. Colby hit .251 last year; he has been ok this spring; he can handle himself in the majors, so he could certainly be used successfully in this extra OF role.
His Dad and I are on the same wavelength that he is not ready to displace the incumbents. I do not mind points of agreement with Tony Rasmus. This gent knows vastly more about baseball than yours truly.
IIRC, you suggested Rasmus might make the roster last spring. Nothing wrong with anyone being optimistic. Mo predicted mid-season, but Mo was a little over-optimistic. Then Rasmus had an injury and the Cards took him off-line, because they care about him and his future. Similarly in 2009, they are going to be careful in considering how to introduce him to the majors, IMHO.
I am confused why there seems to be a question about Rasmus perhaps being a fourth outfielder. I was standing there with Mo yesterday morning when he made it very clear that there are four starting outfielders and as such Rasmus will get more time than a traditional fourth.
I paraphrased Mo’s comments yesterday morning on Scout, but I imagine the P-D or MLB.com may have transcribed the remarks verbatim. I also have them on tape. They are very clear about Colby.
Beau,
I was not posting last spring but even if I did believe he had a chance to make the team last year it would have been under the same blasted conditions I feel it will take this year. My optimism has nothing to do with anything.
My point that you don’t seem to address is that position players of his pedigree do not waste their age 22 season sitting on a bench watching less talented players play baseball. Please name one such player in the last forty year history of this game. You have to go back to the days of bonus babies being forced onto major league rosters to find top tier prospects sitting on the bench in the majors when everybody in the organization knows they need AB’s to sharpen their skills.
I didn’t mention Baseball America by name. He is a consensus top tier prospect. If there is no room for him to play often enough to hone his skills at the major league level, he darn well should be at Memphis, getting that “training” you like to refer to. You act as though I am saying he should be given a spot to play. What have I written that gives you that idea?
I’m sorry but I have to end this discussion. You are the most exasperating person I have ever met on a message board.
One of Mo’s jobs is to say things in a nice way to the fans. He seems to be billing Rasmus as “more than a 4th OF.” This seems an artful way of communicating to the fan base, given the unconventional way the Cards are thinking of using Colby.
While I have been discussing this without knowing how final the roster decision is, it sounds from Brian that he views it as a done deal. I have in this thread been trying to fathom this decision. It makes sense to me.
The question (as often is) is whether Mo and TLR are on the same page.
The Cards seemed to try hard on Holliday and Fuentes, at TLR’s behest. Mo and TLR seemed on the same page about freeing roster space via releasing Kennedy, with Rasmus as a reason. TLR wanted another reliever, they got Reyes. TLR and Mo work well together.
Your drinking again Jumbo. They got Reyes the same day Tony had his inspiring talk with Colby.
Mo is trying to keep his job. If Mo doesn’t stay on Tony to yield unto Caesar, he will get a kick in the pants. Tony is on a roll right now.
Jumbo, from your vantage point, it is easy to smooth away the rough edges of any particular topic, including the manager-GM relationship. Many individuals around the team more than I would put reality somewhere in between the more extreme positions taken by you and WC.
Tony is a lawyer. He now has Dave making a salary reflecting his contribution. He knows the coaches prerogatives very well. And more importantly, he know the power of his resignation and testimonial. He knows the role Mo is forced to play, and in many ways is probably sympathetic. I’m sure more than one wink has flashed between them. Tony scored points for his escape from the Kennedy fiasco when BD/MO renegotiated the history of the event. Round two coming up. I honestly think Tony is well aware of his probably future and will contest it. Colby is the pull toy.
Brian: Baseball must involve a fair amount of stress. Fans are demanding. Executives must look into crystal balls about player potential and later hear from 10/10 hindsight critics. So there should always be diversity of opinion among team leaders. It would seem normal, at least when the people are not flunkies.
A GM’s job tends to be short term and long-term, while TLR focuses a game at a time. TLR has an unquenchable thirst to compete and is always looking to improve. Its just Tony. There should be tension between TLR and any GM. (Tony says it was his idea to trade Haren. Whether we can fully believe him, he has said he pushed for this over the objections of Duncan. When Whitey was co-hatted as GM he traded Van Slyke. Managers focus on the present, GMs need to balance this with the future.)
I thought it was surprising the Cards could not land a bit more help last July. But they are transitioning to new ways of doing business and may not be wiling to sacrifice prospects so much in trades for aging vets.
The move of Schumaker and role for Rasmus seem like they could work and are inventive. So these guys deserve to be judged not in terms of speculation about tensions, but in terms of the cleverness of the outcomes.
This past off-season seemed successful. They went after Miller (and probably Ring) early. They did a rigorous medical review of Miller and adjusted his contract accordingly. Mo said they would wait to spring training and see about adding someone. This became Reyes, on a two year deal.
They went after Boras client Holliday who will be a free agent next year. It took 3 players and the Rockies went with the package from Beane.
They asked about another Boras client in the same situation, Ryan Madsen, but Madsen decided to do what Boras is claimed never to do, which was sign a bridege deal with the Phillies.
Went after Putz, but the Mets wanted him.
The Cards seem to go after select players who are “in play” or free agents.
The economy has cast a big pall over spending. The Memphis deal was put off.
But I do not see clear evidence that Tony and Mo are not trying to work hard together.
Great information and background Jumbo. Your use of the word “Cleverness” excites me. Is that an admission or recognition of a need to be creative in a hostile environment? Surely not just another hot political “platooning” complication for Tony to negotiate? As Freeze closes in, Mather becomes another competitor for Colby’s scholarship seat. This is fun!
Another great moment for me is when Oquendo says that if Shu can be an average 2nd baseman, he should really be able to make a good living. Doiwwng!!!!!!!! Some much for his coaching future in ST Lou. (:
Freese solidified his role at 3rd with a dinger off Beckett. You do that, son, you are in the big leagues. Westie, you are impling why they announced Colby as the more than 4th OF now. Slip Joe back to the OF later. Announce Colby first, before anyone notices Mather.
RCW advised hamate injuries take time and Joe seems not himself. But we have Barton, Robinson, and Jay in reserve. For pitching depth, Boggs, Walters, Todd, Mortensen, Hawksworth seem ready at Memphis. We seem in good shape. Let the games begin.
During Andy Van Slyke’s first full season with the Cards, he had 366 at bats and batted .244, with an OPS in the 720s.
This was after he had 309 at bats the previous year.
Van Slyke was a high first round draftee, swung left, played center, but Willie McGee was in the way. Whitey Herzog used van Slyke at all three OF positions, 3B, and 1B. During his 4 seasons with the Cards, van Slyke averaged about 400 at bats per year. He got more play after traded to Pittsburg.
Yes Jumbo, it can all work out. Only problem is Tony has a fetish for Chris Duncan. If he gets more than a fair or earned share of playing times, the Fun starts. Every failure by Duncan when Rasmus is not in is now amplified DeWitt/fold. It will be a memorable season.
When Duncan is healthy, he is a good hitter against right-handers. Against left-handers, we turn to the equally large Joe Mather.
TLR will develop a fetish for Colby too. Then fans will complain about how Colby is getting more playing time than he has earned. Everybody wants to play manager.
I start Colby. the only way to keep Albert, is when some of these kids show futures. Duncan must produce. If he is hitting enough to stay above the fray, we should be kicking ass. They just announce that Glaus starts off the year on the 15 day dL.
Starting Kid Rasmus from the onset of 2009, has no logical connection to Albert’s choice for 2012. Dunc, Ankiel, Luddy, Freese are rough beasts and will give Albert loads of help in the offensive department. TLR wants to overtake Sweet Lou this season.
The key thing, WCbW, is for you to pace yourself and simply enjoy life. Don’t fret about old man DeWitt and his money in the Caymans, or about Skip making a few errors as we know he will, or about Albert’s next deal, or whether TLR the lawyer will sue a nice guy like Mo, and especially about the undisclosed whereabouts of Dick Chaney and the deep oil. Its going to be a new season, green buds will sprout from the earth to inhale deeply the CO2 from combustion of the deep oil, resulting in photosynthesis, creating oxygen to fill our lungs and blood stream, leading us to emit CO2 for the plants to breathe. And all will be well.
You, you can actually smell the glory, the O2, the Polish Dogs. I guess I’m going to come back for opening day, maybe the whole series. Lets have lunch. I’ll will explain to you how rich men gamble.
If prospects develop the Cards win. If the Cards win, Albert will negotiate. If prospects develop and Cards lose, life goes on……………without Albert. DeWitt knows that all futures depend on the prospects. If the Cards are 6-10 games out at the break, Ankiel is gone. The quality of his performance just dictates what his trade value is. Its the future.
All teams rely on scouting and development. DeWitt began to strengthen these functions circa 2003. This suits a mid-market team. Now things seem on a good course.
When the time comes, the Cards will make Albert a fair offer.
If he departs via free agency, Ankiel could yield a couple of useful draft picks, to assuage our loss. We seem more likely to be buyers than sellers in July. Rick could have a monster season. Thanks kindly for the lunch idea.