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Closing the Cardinals books on Ludwick

August 1st, 2010 • Category: Ryan Ludwick • Tagged as ,

Traded outfielder Ryan Ludwick had been one of St. Louis’ top two offensive leaders since his 2007 arrival.

Ryan Ludwick (AP Photo/Kyle Ericson)With Saturday’s surprising trade to San Diego, outfielder Ryan Ludwick left the St. Louis Cardinals after three-plus years at the major league level, following a partial Triple-A season. The man who dealt away Ludwick, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak, was instrumental in bringing the 32-year-old to the organization prior to the 2007 season.

Here are a few of Ludwick’s Cardinals highlights:

2007: Called up from Memphis on May 6 and did not return. His 11 pinch hits were second on the team and tied for 11th in the National League.

2008: All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner. Set career highs in average (.299), home runs (37) and RBI (113).

2009: Led Cardinals outfielders with 22 home runs and 97 RBI. NL Player of the Month for July. Had nine assists and just one error all season long. Was one of the few to hit well in the short post-season, going 4-for-12 (.333) against the Dodgers in the NLDS.

2010: Out from July 3-24 due to a calf injury. Having played in 77 of the team’s 103 games, Ludwick was fourth on the team with 11 home runs and third with 20 doubles and 43 RBI.

Researcher Tom Orf helps me close the books on the segment of Ludwick’s career that intersects with the Cardinals. The data that follows indicates that since the start of 2007, Ludwick was second only to Albert Pujols on the club in most offensive categories. That proven production will need to be replaced.

Rk
 Player HR From To
1 Albert Pujols 139 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 84 2007 2010
3 Rick Ankiel 47 2007 2009
4 Matt Holliday 32 2009 2010
5 Colby Rasmus 32 2009 2010
6 Chris Duncan 32 2007 2009
7 Troy Glaus 27 2008 2009
8 Yadier Molina 23 2007 2010
9 Skip Schumaker 17 2007 2010
10 Jim Edmonds 12 2007 2007
Rk
 Player RBI From To
1 Albert Pujols 425 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 305 2007 2010
3 Yadier Molina 188 2007 2010
4 Rick Ankiel 148 2007 2009
5 Chris Duncan 129 2007 2009
6 Skip Schumaker 124 2007 2010
7 Matt Holliday 115 2009 2010
8 Troy Glaus 101 2008 2009
9 Colby Rasmus 95 2009 2010
10 Brendan Ryan 79 2007 2010
Rk
 Player R From To
1 Albert Pujols 384 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 253 2007 2010
3 Skip Schumaker 238 2007 2010
4 Rick Ankiel 146 2007 2009
5 Brendan Ryan 139 2007 2010
6 Yadier Molina 134 2007 2010
7 Colby Rasmus 126 2009 2010
8 Aaron Miles 112 2007 2010
9 Chris Duncan 102 2007 2009
10 Matt Holliday 99 2009 2010
Rk
 Player H From To
1 Albert Pujols 670 2007 2010
2 Skip Schumaker 464 2007 2010
3 Ryan Ludwick 450 2007 2010
4 Yadier Molina 446 2007 2010
5 Brendan Ryan 266 2007 2010
6 Aaron Miles 259 2007 2010
7 Rick Ankiel 244 2007 2009
8 Chris Duncan 211 2007 2009
9 Colby Rasmus 200 2009 2010
10 Matt Holliday 198 2009 2010
Rk
 Player 2B From To
1 Albert Pujols 150 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 102 2007 2010
3 Skip Schumaker 81 2007 2010
4 Yadier Molina 67 2007 2010
5 Rick Ankiel 50 2007 2009
6 Brendan Ryan 48 2007 2010
7 Chris Duncan 43 2007 2009
8 Matt Holliday 42 2009 2010
9 Colby Rasmus 41 2009 2010
10 Troy Glaus 35 2008 2009
Rk
 Player 3B From To
1 Brendan Ryan 9 2007 2010
2 Skip Schumaker 9 2007 2010
3 Ryan Ludwick 6 2007 2010
4 Rick Ankiel 5 2007 2009
5 Adam Kennedy 5 2007 2008
6 Colby Rasmus 4 2009 2010
7 Julio Lugo 4 2009 2009
8 Joseph Thurston 4 2009 2009
9 Matt Holliday 3 2009 2010
10 Felipe Lopez 3 2008 2010
11 Aaron Miles 3 2007 2010
12 Albert Pujols 3 2007 2010
13 Cesar Izturis 3 2008 2008
Rk
 Player BB From To
1 Albert Pujols 384 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 153 2007 2010
3 Yadier Molina 148 2007 2010
4 Skip Schumaker 135 2007 2010
5 Chris Duncan 130 2007 2009
6 Troy Glaus 90 2008 2009
7 Rick Ankiel 81 2007 2009
8 Brendan Ryan 79 2007 2010
9 Colby Rasmus 74 2009 2010
10 Matt Holliday 69 2009 2010
Rk
 Player SO From To
1 Ryan Ludwick 388 2007 2010
2 Chris Duncan 242 2007 2009
3 Rick Ankiel 240 2007 2009
4 Albert Pujols 227 2007 2010
5 Skip Schumaker 193 2007 2010
6 Colby Rasmus 192 2009 2010
7 Yadier Molina 146 2007 2010
8 Brendan Ryan 145 2007 2010
9 Troy Glaus 112 2008 2009
10 Matt Holliday 103 2009 2010
Rk
 Player SB From To
1 Albert Pujols 36 2007 2010
2 Brendan Ryan 36 2007 2010
3 Cesar Izturis 24 2008 2008
4 Yadier Molina 16 2007 2010
5 Skip Schumaker 16 2007 2010
6 Adam Kennedy 13 2007 2008
7 Ryan Ludwick 12 2007 2010
8 Colby Rasmus 12 2009 2010
9 David Eckstein 10 2007 2007
10 Matt Holliday 9 2009 2010
11 Felipe Lopez 9 2008 2010
Rk
 Player HBP From To
1 Ryan Ludwick 26 2007 2010
2 Albert Pujols 22 2007 2010
3 Yadier Molina 14 2007 2010
4 David Eckstein 12 2007 2007
5 Jason LaRue 10 2008 2010
6 Brendan Ryan 9 2007 2010
7 Matt Holliday 8 2009 2010
8 Rick Ankiel 8 2007 2009
9 Tyler Greene 6 2009 2010
10 Cesar Izturis 6 2008 2008
11 So Taguchi 6 2007 2007
Rk
 Player SF AB From To
1 Albert Pujols 28 2037 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 15 1608 2007 2010
3 Yadier Molina 11 1589 2007 2010
4 Rick Ankiel 10 957 2007 2009
5 Aaron Miles 7 854 2007 2010
6 Skip Schumaker 7 1562 2007 2010
7 David Eckstein 7 434 2007 2007
8 Scott Rolen 7 392 2007 2007
9 Matt Holliday 6 617 2009 2010
10 Chris Duncan 5 857 2007 2009
11 Adam Kennedy 5 618 2007 2008
Rk
 Player BA AB From To
1 Jon Jay 0.396 111 2010 2010
2 Albert Pujols 0.329 2037 2007 2010
3 Matt Holliday 0.321 617 2009 2010
4 David Eckstein 0.309 434 2007 2007
5 Felipe Lopez 0.308 425 2008 2010
6 Aaron Miles 0.303 854 2007 2010
7 David Freese 0.299 271 2009 2010
8 Skip Schumaker 0.297 1562 2007 2010
9 So Taguchi 0.290 307 2007 2007
10 Juan Encarnacion 0.283 283 2007 2007
11 Yadier Molina 0.281 1589 2007 2010
12 Ryan Ludwick 0.280 1608 2007 2010
Rk
 Player SLG AB From To
1 Albert Pujols 0.610 2037 2007 2010
2 Jon Jay 0.604 111 2010 2010
3 Matt Holliday 0.554 617 2009 2010
4 Ryan Ludwick 0.507 1608 2007 2010
5 Troy Glaus 0.471 573 2008 2009
6 Rick Ankiel 0.465 957 2007 2009
7 Felipe Lopez 0.447 425 2008 2010
8 Colby Rasmus 0.445 776 2009 2010
9 Juan Encarnacion 0.445 283 2007 2007
10 Julio Lugo 0.432 148 2009 2009
Rk
 Player XBH AB From To
1 Albert Pujols 292 2037 2007 2010
2 Ryan Ludwick 192 1608 2007 2010
3 Skip Schumaker 107 1562 2007 2010
4 Rick Ankiel 102 957 2007 2009
5 Yadier Molina 91 1589 2007 2010
6 Matt Holliday 77 617 2009 2010
7 Chris Duncan 77 857 2007 2009
8 Colby Rasmus 77 776 2009 2010
9 Brendan Ryan 66 1022 2007 2010
10 Troy Glaus 63 573 2008 2009

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107 Responses to “Closing the Cardinals books on Ludwick”

  1. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 6:19 am

    To look at Ludwick’s history, he played at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, before selected by the Oakland A’s with the 60th pick in the nation (2nd round) in the Albert Draft of 1999. For the Cards, this draft was steered by John Mozeliak, who selected RHPs Chance Caple and Nick Stocks, and Chris Duncan (46th in nation). Coco Crsip was rd 7, Jose Pujols rd 13.
    After a little more than 3 years in the minors and a trade, Ludwick reached the majors in late 2002. He was traded again to the Indians and was playing well during 2003 when he must have suffered injuries that required extended rehabs.
    As a result, Ludwick had limited minor league at bats during 2004 and 2005, before resuming full time play with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2006. He had a strong season for the Hens, plenty of HRs and Ks, but the Tigers had a World Series team and did not call him up. After the season, he was a free agent, a 27 year old AAA slugger who many would regard as “too old,” but not Mo.
    Mo remembered Ludwick from scouting him in college back in 1999. With his brother Eric having pitched for the Cards, Mo wooed Ryan to sign with the Birds and suggested he cut down on the Ks. Luddy began well for Memphis in 2007 and got his long delayed second chance at the majors in 2007.
    http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/L/Ryan-Ludwick.shtml

  2. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 6:40 am

    Luddy was a Mozeliak success. Mo would not have wanted to trade him. Ludwick was a good defensive OF, slugger, and good personality. But sometimes a GM has to make changes. With injuries to Penny and Lohse, the Cards needed another starting pitcher. Hawksworth and Suppan are not elite starting pitchers. Hawk’s best role is reliever and Suppan is winding down a long career and has a lot of miles on his arm. They do not last long enough into games, putting a strain on the bullpen.

    A week or two back, I guessed Ludwick would be traded for Oswalt, who makes $16MM. It turned out Ludwick was traded for Westbook, an $11MM pitcher. For the Cards to take on the salary burden of another expensive pitcher, they needed some salary relief by including Ludwick in a trade. Also the team has been overweighted toward right swinging hitters (Pujols, Holliday, Ludwick, Molina, Ryan). Trading Ludwick enables better R/L lineup balance with Jon Jay.

  3. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 8:40 am

    Everything you say makes sense Jumbo but you left out one thing. The Cardinals should have gotten more than an average starting pitcher and a so-so prospect. We needed a middle infielder. People are angry about losing Luddy, but I think more are angry because we lost him for so little.

  4. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 8:47 am

    The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t give up much to acquire a No. 1 starter, Roy Oswalt, from Houston.

    “The Los Angeles Angels gave up little to secure power-armed starter Dan Haren from Arizona.

    The LA Dodgers just landed a quality lefty starter in Ted Lilly and middle infielder Ryan Theriot from the Chicago Cubs for a decent second baseman, Blake DeWitt.

    Starters who pitch above Westbrook’s level were auctioned off, and buyers didn’t have to give up the farm. So I am baffled as to why the Cardinals felt it necessary to sacrifice Ludwick — an established asset — for a two-month rental of Westbrook.”

    Bernie’s article

  5. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 9:57 am

    The roster matrix shows 26 on the 25 man roster. I assume Stav took Luddy’s spot last night, and Greenwood goes on as of this morning. I take it someone was removed when Greenwood went on but we don’t know who yet.

  6. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:00 am

    Bernie is pretty smart, but his outlooks are not always well reasoned. He likes to ride the tide of popular opinion, not a bad idea, given his job.
    The Rangers gave up 4 players for a short rental of Cliff Lee, including RHP Beaven, who the Cards may have wanted ahead of Kozma in rd 1 of 2007. Also former first round 1B Justin Smoak, who has struggled at AA/ML. Hes a gamble the Mariners were willing to try.
    The Angels gave up a lot for Haren, contrary to what Bernie thinks. It is rumored the PTBN is last summer’s first round lefty Skaggs. The Diamondbacks are cutting back on salaries, the only reason why a team would inexplicably jettison a fine pitcher like Haren. The economy in Arizona is especially soft, with housing values way off. The Dbacks also got rid of Jackson and Snyder. Big salaries tossed overboard.
    The Phils gave up CF Gose, who projects as an outstanding CF, with a plus arm and speed. He was immediately traded for Brett Wallace, who is sought after, having been involved in trades for Holliday, Holiday, and Oswalt, three different stars, inside of one year.
    The Cards chose not to trade Shelby Miller. Bernie established last summer that he is in favor of trading all minor leaguers, so his opinions should be understood in this light; Bernie is a gadfly who will sometimes claim to be smarter than the team. Instead, the Cards moved the only highish salary they could (Luddy), to help bear an even higher salary (Westbrook). The reason is to win the division in 2010, grab the brass ring, when it is within grasp, as it is. Plus Ludwick is near to free market price, so we are only giving up one year of control over his services.
    The Indians just dumped Kerry Wood’s enormous salary on the Yanks. The Indians were probably unwilling to accept Ludwick, because like the Diamondbacks they want to downsize salary. Ohio’s economy is not in a good way. The Cards had to bring the Padre’s into the picture to find a team, like themselves, willing to add salary in order to compete in 2010.

  7. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:03 am

    Greenwood will be assigned to Quad Cities, at the low A level.
    The Cards just drafted 10 southpaws in June. They are stocking the system with lefties. Greenwood is another.

  8. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:10 am

    Walt Jocketty sat it out yesterday, though he has more treadable prospects than does Mo. Walt will probably make waiver deals, plus he has Springer and Izzy working out at AAA.
    The Reds probably cannot take on a salary like Westbrooks or do not want to surrender good prospects. Or they are waiting to see how Edison Vasquez pitches. Walt is more of a bottom feeder and more patient. Mo has more money to spend and wanted to err on the side of action versus inaction. So Mo pulled the trigger on adding salary.

  9. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:13 am

    Here are a few thoughts on the trade.

    Bernie M. (above exerpt) expresses a common sentment. But it seems Mo had tried to at least some extent to get a top guy for less than a Ludwick, but other teams didn’t like what was put on the table. I understand that other teams don’t necessarily rate our prospects and young guys as highly as we do.

    A negative seems to be that the already troublesome ‘clubhouse’ vibe has taken a hit. It has been pointed out, though, that winning tends to cure that sort of problem. Let’s hope for that.

    Trading for a run producing bat would have amounted to an admission that cannot realistically be made. Replacing Luddy’s production will have to come in house. Colby has the ability, but he has to do it.

    Replacing Luddy’s production will not be enough. The master plan calls for the 3-4 guys to be the force that wins the games. That has to happen.

  10. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:18 am

    The P-D says the Padres sent $2MM to the Cards. This would have been to make it a financially easier deal for the Birds. We take on 2 months of Westbrook $11MM/yr salary, get rid of Ludwick’s $5.5MM salary, and collect $2MM. The low A lefty is a throw-in. Mo had a choice of OF depth or another solid starting pitcher.

    Ludwick was sorry to leave, because the Cards have done well by him, exhuming him from the Mud Hens, enabling him to earn millions of dollars. But they will be glad to see him in San Diego and he will enjoy playing there.

  11. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:22 am

    It would feel great once again today to stomp on a doormat in a fashion which is expected of a contender, but we have no assurance that any of the symptoms seen in the 1-0 squeaker on Friday night have disappeared. After being shut-out 3 times on the miserable 2-4 road trip, ’twas the RBI of a small-baller that won it on Friday night and our 3 boppers came alive last night, only after Jeff Suppan and the small-ballers had already won it. I suspect that our small-ballers led by Jon Jay, will continue to set the table henceforth, but one of the three boppers will have to respond in every single game!

  12. Brian Walton says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:25 am

    Sunday lineup from FOX Sports Midwest:

    Lopez 3B, Jay RF, Pujols 1B, Holliday LF, Molina C, Rasmus CF, Ryan SS, Wainwright P, Miles 2B

  13. Brian Walton says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:28 am

    bb, the Cardinals will remove someone from St. Louis’ roster (injury or Memphis) when Westbrook is officially activated – today or tomorrow.

  14. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:30 am

    The Cards have some tough financial decisions during August. 1st rounder Zach Cox is a sophmore who will hold out to the last minute for a big bonus or he will return to college. Other teams passed him over in the draft because his asking price was high. And there is Austin Wilson, who will be costly to sign, if he is willing to forego Stanford.
    It all comes out of one bank account. For the Cards to land high bonus amateurs like Cox and Wilson, and land a pricey starting pitcher, while retaining high upscale minor leaguers like Miller, hey had to move ML salary.

  15. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:35 am

    That’s what I figured Brian. Edit: I meant Westbrook not Greenwood.

    I guess its the lefty lineup today, with Colby and Molina switched and Miles instead of Schu. Let’s see some Pirate blood on the deck today.

  16. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:36 am

    I love to see (and imagine the results of) the Murderers’ Row continuity of Albert-Matt-Colby, but after Yadier’s 3 for 4 breakout last night, it is difficult to complain about him being strategically placed in the 5 slot today. Although I don’t like the idea of him trundling on the base paths ahead of a speedster, I love the idea of him being batted home by a hot, long-balling Colby!

  17. Brian Walton says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:41 am

    Jumbo, I agree with your basic premise – one source of money. However, the Cards did not HAVE to do anything. They made choices. We don’t have nearly enough knowledge of their books to make definitive statements, however.

  18. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 11:55 am

    Molina BA against Duke .308; Rasmus v. Duke .000

  19. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    The job of Mo and his merry men is to make personnel decisions, on a frequent basis.
    And things do not HAVE to work out for the best. A few days after we signed Rolen to a long-term deal, he suffered a shoulder injury when blindsided by a Diamondback. As soon as we gave up a lot for Mark DeRosa last summer, he suffered an injury that has since required two operations. Bad luck can mess up the best of plans.
    In Mo’s judgment, he wanted to compete against the Reds with another starting pitcher, after the Reds brought up Wood and had Volquez return to action. Mo and I agree another pitcher was the top priority. A few weeks back, a reporter for the P-D suggested the Cards might trade Jay for Oswalt. This was the moment it dawned on me the more likely trading chip was Luddy, for financial reasons.
    Mo has to balance multiple objectives: compete in the long run, by signing Matias, Cox, Miller, etc; and in the here and now of a stretch run, for which he wanted Westbrook. Since Westbrook has spent his career in Cleveland, he is not well known, unlike Oswalt. So fans are going to doubt the trade, just like many laughed when I suggested a Mud Hen might turn out better than Carlos Lee.

  20. Brian Walton says:
    August 1, 2010 at 12:05 pm

    crds, Rasmus is 1-for-11 career against Duke with a walk and just one K, so there is a bit of hope. ;-)

    Molina is 10-for-29 (.345) vs. Duke.

  21. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    I got my stats from Cardinals website. I thought they were reliable. :)

  22. CariocaCardinal says:
    August 1, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    In interviews immediately following the trade Mo cited clubhouse staleness as one of the reasons for making a move. Now, with players falling in line to question the move (including specifically from a club house standpoint), Mo seems to be backing off that line. It appears Mo was somewhat out of touch with the clubhouse issues.

    Mo also said he didn’t envision being able to win the division with the team we had. OF course we could have. We are on pace for 90 wins. That might or might not do it but that is with the offense still struggling. If the big boppers dont step up over the next two months we probably wont win more than 90 even with Westbrook. If they do, we would have won the division either way. I’m not a Mo hater but the absurdity of this trade is being exacerbated by the absurdity of the logic being expressed.

    I wish I knew how this really went down. It seems if Mo had worked on including Luddy in a deal a little sooner we could have gotten more for him. As it was it seemed like a last minute thing with no time to shop him for a better offer.

  23. CariocaCardinal says:
    August 1, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    “I got my stats from Cardinals website. I thought they were reliable.”

    The site must be kept up by the medical staff.

  24. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    “I’m not a Mo hater but the absurdity of this trade is being exacerbated by the absurdity of the logic being expressed”

    I have always been a Mo-Luhnow supporter, but I am just as confounded as Carioca (and, I would imagine, countless other fans). I cannot help, but to believe that the rotten deal was fueled by Tony’s dogged insistence that Studwick was an “inexperienced” hitter and, accordingly, refused play him regularly when he was healthy. Yes, by all means, sweep the deal under the carpet of salary-dumping, but no one has yet to give a credible reason for the fact that we got so little in exchange for so much…

  25. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    We’ve seen great games from Adam, after first innings which were far worse than 21 pitches and 2 singles… I’m not at all discouraged…

  26. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm

    At least Albert drove-up the pitch count. However, we certainly could have given a 5.00+ ERA mediocre a more impressive greeting than a weak 18 pitch 3-up, 3-down inning…

  27. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Finishing with an induced DP, followed by a groundout, we have every indication that Adam has now settled-in…

  28. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:50 pm

    We are certainly getting good wood and sending them all the way out to the warning track…

  29. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    Another 3-up, 3-down inning for the mediocre; this time with only 13 pitches!

  30. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    Now that Adam has settled-in (with his second straight 12 pitch inning), perhaps the small ballers at the bottom of our order will get the offense fired-up..

  31. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 1:59 pm

    Brendan is as INSPIRED as he is inspiring!

  32. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:02 pm

    That’s right, Adam: Knock Brendan over to third…

  33. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    Another fly-ball bomb, but this time, a worthy sacrifice! The small-ballers do it again!

  34. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:06 pm

    We’ve only gotten one hit off the mediocre, but Aaron made damned sure that it stung!

  35. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:08 pm

    Carioca, I don’t know what you heard from Mo about changing cluhouse stalenesss. That seems a pretty weak story line, if you heard it rightly.
    It is defensible, in a way, but its still not a useful narrative. It could be said the Cards wanted to get younger, go with the up and coming Jay. Also a team will often look livelier with more balance.
    I think Mo thought carefully about what the Cards need most and came up with starting pitcher as the answer, because Penny may be done for the year; we don’t know how Lohse will respond; Hawksworth and Suppan are iffy; Carpenter is neuro injury vulnerable; and they dont want to overwork Garcia.
    The idea Haren, Lee, and Oswalt were cheap to acquire, as claimed by Bernie, is detached from reality. The Cards deliberately went younger and cheaper in the OF so as to afford more starting pitching, their biggest vulnerability. Its all about trying to win in 2010, go for it while we still enjoy Pujols.

  36. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:13 pm

    A 10 pitch inning! Adam is definitely “on”!

  37. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    Once again, Albert drove-up the pitch count, but alas… it appears that he is mired in the “Sub .300 Club”.

  38. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Matt re-enters the “Sub .300 Club”… rather hastily and without driving-up the count!

  39. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    So it is, that the top and middle of our lineup failed us again. Perhaps, the inspired small-ballers at the bottom will once again compensate…

  40. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    Ouch! That hurt, Brendan!

  41. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:34 pm

    Adam is now at 82 pitches…

  42. CariocaCardinal says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:36 pm

    Ryan’s error may have cost Waino a chance to pitch the 7th.

  43. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Thank you, Colby! You’re the first of the 3 big boppers to contribute today!

  44. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    I agree, Carioca: Many more pitches were piled-on after that error. Thank God that it didn’t result in a run!

  45. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:42 pm

    Damn! Ya gotta love Brendan’s hustle! It’s good that he can compensate at the plate for the costly flub-up on the field….

  46. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    Adam knows the drill… He knows how to swing a bat and contribute to the cause…

  47. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    This time, with help from Colby, the small-ballers strike again!

  48. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    Now that the game is won, it’s time for the other two Boppers to awaken…

  49. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:47 pm

    That was a quick two outs…

  50. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:48 pm

    I love it when Jon sets the table: I love it even more when he knocks-in a run in the process!

  51. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    In tonight’s ESPN newsreel, it will be Albert’s home run which symbolizes this win, completely hiding the fact that the small-ballers had already won it…

  52. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:53 pm

    Aye, indeed; “Now that the game is won, it’s time for the other two Boppers to awaken…”

  53. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    I hope Matt enjoys his stay in the “Sub .300 Club”: The small-ballers are in no need of his contribution…

  54. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 2:58 pm

    Adam just MAY get to pitch through the 7th after all!

  55. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:01 pm

    Our guys completely destroyed Duke’s bid for a quality start and jacked his ERA back up above 5.00 (where it belongs)…

  56. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:02 pm

    Adam will pitch the 7th. Carp threw 115 pitches on Friday. Why can’t Adam? :)

  57. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    The Reds beat the Braves, 2 to 1 (Ankiel went 0 for 3 in his Brave debut)

  58. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    I was so hoping that Colby would stay hot…

  59. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Ya gotta love Brendan!

  60. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:10 pm

    Is our Ace also a batsman, or what?

  61. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:18 pm

    Adam will be a 20 game winner before the end of this month!

  62. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    Cy Young here we come.

  63. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:26 pm

    After 7 innings…
    H 2 R 2 Top half of our lineup
    H 8 R 4 Bottom half of our lineup

  64. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:30 pm

    Give ‘em Hell, Motte the Merciless!

  65. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    All those balls and that single were the result of experimenting with another pitch, other than Jason’s standard “high n’ hard”…

  66. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:34 pm

    Granted, we’ve got a 5 run pad against a sorry doormat, but this still is no time for Yadier to make Jason fiddle around with fancy stuff…

  67. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:35 pm

    Uh, oh! Reyes is pitching with a runner on base!

  68. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:41 pm

    Whew! He damned near loaded ‘em up!

  69. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    Right on, Matt! You’d be a fool not to pad your stats upon the backs of the small-ballers: We don’t have anything against it!

  70. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:45 pm

    Yadier won’t allow this day to end without getting in a good offensive lick…

  71. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:46 pm

    Colby enjoyed a wonderful 2 for 4 day! I’m proud of the lad!

  72. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:49 pm

    Brendan has gotten on base all four times today!

  73. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:52 pm

    Stavi really, really needed that!

  74. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:54 pm

    The small-ballers deserve to pad the stats which won the game!

  75. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:55 pm

    “Oh, four…” Well, it’s a good thing that we really didn’t need an effective Lead-Off today…

  76. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 3:58 pm

    What a sorry pitcher! What else could Winn do, but to take the walk!

  77. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:00 pm

    Too bad the Braves didn’t do us a favor today.

  78. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    Looks like I’ve missed a fun game. Albert and Matt homers, great! Might as well fatten up on the basement dwellers here at home. Perhaps it will work to help the ‘clubhouse’ situation. We will find out when we go back on the road.

    CC is right on about the trade. The explanations are absurd. Mo unloaded the high dollar RF in favor of the minimum wage guy. OK. He went for a starter because a bat would be an admission he is evidently not man enough to make. Luddy or no Luddy, we will win or not win depending on whether the masterplan comes back from the dead. Middle of the order clutch production on the road is the measure of that.

    Can’t wait to see how the new guy fares tomorrow. Good luck to him. Hopefully, he gets some run support. But he would be wise to take after Wainy and Supp and do some clutch RBI production himself.

  79. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    Two consecutive bad outings are not allowed, Mitchell!

  80. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Any news on the roster move yet?

  81. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:19 pm

    Greene is on the DL. That is all I know.

  82. CariocaCardinal says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:35 pm

    How many sweeps is that now 57? We still have 3 more series with Pittsburgh so their should be a few more coming.

  83. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:44 pm

    I think we have 4 down and 6 to go, Carioca. Suddenly, even from my perspective, it doesn’t appear to be such an ambitious feat; but highly do-able.

  84. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 4:47 pm

    It would be especially gratifying to cool the jets of the Astros (with their sweep of the Brewers, they’re on a 5 game winning streak). It seems that their club is rejuvenated by all the changes. Especially hot are their hitters, Pence and Keppinger (blingboy would be pleased to know that both of those guys are “old school”)…

  85. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 5:00 pm

    The attitude displayed by the old-schoolers is admirable. The cuff dragging chain wearers think that they get what they get because of what they do rather than because of what has been done by those who came before.

    Nevertheless, we will whip them like rented mules.

  86. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    blingboy – a quick recap of what the box score does not reveal:

    Colby and the small-ballers had already won the game for Adam, before the other two Boppers had awakened. Indeed, Albert and Matt did nothing offensively to win the game, but were privileged to merely pad their stats with the home runs.

  87. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    A likely story. Thanks 57. I believe that Adam contributed as one of those small ballers if I am not mistaken.

  88. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 1, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    Definitely!

  89. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    This from Rob Neyer is worth some thought:

    “The Indians got Double-A pitcher Corey Kluber from San Diego. The 24-year-old righty was 6-6 with a 3.45 ERA at Double-A and led the Texas League in strikeouts.Some of my (usually) like-minded colleagues are wondering why the Cardinals would seemingly give away Ryan Ludwick, whose line since 2008 is .271/.334/.460. ”

    The Cards system may be thin but we could have come up with something to equal or exceed what the Indians got from San Diego. So why didn’t we give it to them directly in exchange for Westbrook? Then, we would still be able to trade Luddy for something else. I would really like to know why it didn’t go down like that.

  90. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    “. . . there’ll be people wondering why the Cardinals keep losing 3-1. This trade of an above-average hitter for a below-average pitcher, is why.”

    http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/joe_sheehan/07/31/winners.losers1/index.html?eref=sihp

    This SI.com article is a good read, especially why the Cards are trade deadline losers, from which the above is taken.

  91. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 8:05 pm

    Bob Nightengale, USA Today, takes another view. I’m not sure I follow but here it is.

    The Cardinals have scored three runs or fewer in 40 of 102 games, and they have scored one run or less in 22 games. So what do they do? Trade outfielder Ryan Ludwick and acquire Cleveland starting pitcher Jake Westbrook. Westbrook could be a stud in the NL, and Ludwick had been underperforming. Bold moves by GM John Mozeliak.

  92. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    The key issue some of the journalists miss is money. The Indians did not just get Kluber. They got rid of Westbrook ($11MM/yr) and Wood ($10MM/yr), for about one third of the year. So the Indians lowered their costs $7MM in the two deals. They are out of contention and the contracts of Wood and Westbrook will be ending, so there is no reason to retain them to compete next year.
    Robb Neyer, whoever he is, seems clueless about budgets. If the Cards traded Lynn or Kopp for Westbrook, who would pay Westbrook’s salary? Mo has to operate within a budget and had to get $2MM from San Diego and offload Luddy’s salary to absorb the big added cost.

  93. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 8:47 pm

    I can try to explain this another way…..
    There is no way Mo would trade Ludwick, if he could land Westbrook for, hypothetically, David Kopp. But deals are not just about talent, but also about money. Ludwick had to go to enable the Cards to afford Westbrook.
    Mo could be faulted for not volunteering this and hiding behind some lame excuse that he is changing the tone inside the Clubhouse or something. This trade is clearly about how to pay for a costly pitcher, Westbrook. It was done in two ways: get rid of Ludwick’s salary and pocket money from the Padres.
    The Padres were key to the deal. They were a losing team last year. They had a very low payroll. But they have been a big surprise this year. So they are one of a handful of teams able to add salary. So the Friars were willing to take on Ludwick and to give the Cards $2MM cash.
    Nightengale is right that its a bold deal, just like last year’s for Holliday. If the Cards do not beat the Reds, Mo will be second guessed. But he has made a cool calculation that he prefers another costly pitcher and for this, as I had anticipated, Luddy had to be included in the deal for the Cards to swing it financially.

  94. crdswmn says:
    August 1, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    Is this horse dead yet? :)

  95. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 9:28 pm

    To change the topic, here is something about the Cards farm system in 2010. There are certain pitchers who have made progress: Thomas at Palm Beach, McGregor and Broderick at AA. They are starting pitchers and doing well. Yet they are not bigtime prospects. It must be part of the “new model” discussed last fall. Guys train long enough at a level that they are able to contribute well. Less rush to promote. The outcome seems to be better minor league pitching staffs and more pitching depth within the system, which is helpful. More heralded amateurs like Daley and Garceau ended up released, more average arms are pitching much better at AA.

  96. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 9:29 pm

    Very sound version of events Jumbo. You could well be entirely correct, but I am not convinced Luddy was moved for $2M.

    The question of whether or not we needed a starter at all has been beaten around, that horse is undeniably and reliably dead.

  97. Brian Walton says:
    August 1, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    Here are two different views of the offense. Both are valid. One is a full-season view. The other is since the All-Star Break.

    For the year, the Cards are in the top quarter, 3rd in the NL in batting average and 4th in on-base percentage, but in the bottom half in scoring, 9th. Interesting mismatch that might imply clutch hits are a bit lacking. StL also 3rd in the league in grounding into double plays, erasing more of those runners. Even so, they are tied for 4th in the NL in runners stranded. Being in the top quarter of the latter two stats is not so hot.

    Cards are 12-5 since the break. According to Matthew Leach, they lead the NL in batting average (.291) and OBP (.362) and are second in runs (82) over the most recent 17 games.

  98. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    As Westy would say:

    http://www.entertonement.com/clips/rhgqljtzwb–Man-behind-the-CurtainThe-Wizard-of-Oz-Frank-Morgan-Wizard-Of-Oz-

  99. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    I think the Cards are well up the list of runners lost on basepaths.

  100. blingboy says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    “Westbrook will be nothing more than a long man come playoff time, while the hole Ludwick leaves will remain unfilled”

    Jeff Passan Yahoo Sports

  101. JumboShrimp says:
    August 1, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    Dollars often figure in July deals involving the Cards. In 2006, Walt gave the Angels AA OF Terry Evans to help persuade the Angels to chip in millions to defray the cost of Jeff Weaver, whose salary was then $7.25MM, IIRC. In 2009, Mo gave up Chris Duncan and the Red Sox picked up the entire massive tab for Julio Lugo (a deal perplexing for our Westie). Mo even got Billie Beane to fork over $1.5MM in the Matt Holliday vs. Wallace, Mortensen, and Peterson trade.

  102. blingboy says:
    August 2, 2010 at 6:43 am

    If all goes well there should be some more roster congestion over the next week or so. If Lohse does well with the 80 pitch count and if Westbrook looks good and goes deep, then we should go back to twelve pitchers. That would mean with Lohse and Freese added, two pitchers would go. With Hawk prepped for long man work, it would seem to leave Supp out, although it would be smart to keep him a while just in case. Will be interesting to see who is shipped out.

  103. blingboy says:
    August 2, 2010 at 6:50 am

    Note: I feel a lot better now that the roster matrix has 25 on the 25 man. I just couldn’t sleep with 26 on there, and my bowels were all out of wack.

  104. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 2, 2010 at 8:16 am

    Ah, yes! With the system no longer stopped-up with 26, but functioning with regularity at 25, ’tis like the wise old sage once said (with a grunt of anticipated relief), “This too shall pass”.

    But, alas… my bowels have nevertheless been in an uproar ever since Friday night’s squeaker and methinks they won’t simmer-down unless…

    …Jake gets us through six without giving-up more than 3
    …we ruin Myers’ bid for another quality outing against us
    …we sweep Houston (and by an appreciable margin each of the 3 games)

    Then, I will know that our offense has truly awakened (and no longer completely dependent upon the Boppers), that our guys are alert on the field and lucid upon the base paths, that our relievers are consistently supporting the efforts of our starters and that the trade will have had minimal effect…

  105. CardFanSince57 says:
    August 2, 2010 at 8:50 am

    I just read Brian’s “Cardinals Prospect Interview: Nick Greenwood” and must confess that I am pleasantly surprised. When I first learned of the trade which included this particular “non-prospect” prospect, my heart sank (especially since he was summarily assigned to a “low A” club). Upon reading the interview, I thought to myself, “Damn! This guy sure talks a good game”. In fact, the interview alone convinced me that Nick Greenwood does not represent futureless deadweight after all, but will turn-out to be an up-and-comer and will likely to be pitching for the Memphis Redbirds in 2012! I’ve added him to my growing Scout.Com “Hot List” (along with such future stars as Shelby Miller and Carlos Matios). Talk about a “field of dreams”; we’ve got a farm system stocked to the brim with excitement and sparkling hope!

    (for those who are Scout.Com members…)
    http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/988171.html

  106. CariocaCardinal says:
    August 2, 2010 at 10:16 am

    I think Jumbo just called Mo a liar.

  107. JumboShrimp says:
    August 2, 2010 at 9:09 pm

    If Carioca’s account is to be believed, then Mo may have come up with a rationale that seems infelicitous. Mo is a baseball guy, not Ari Fleisher, who coached Big Mac so well.

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