Which St. Louis Cardinals players may benefit or suffer from the club’s recent roster moves?
Following Saturday’s signing of free agent outfielder Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak declared his 2011 club to essentially be in place. Here are a few of the players who may have impacted in the short term, either positively or negatively, by the moves made by the front office since the conclusion of the season.
Risers
Matt Carpenter. The system’s Player of the Year in 2010, named by both The Cardinal Nation and the Cardinals organization, appears set to become the starting third baseman for Triple-A Memphis in 2011.
With the addition of Berkman, Allen Craig was displaced from the starting outfield picture. Mozeliak announced the ex-minor league third baseman would be returned to his former position in spring camp, ostensibly to become the back up behind fragile David Freese.
If the Cardinals do not move to bring in other reinforcements at the hot corner and if a full-time replacement for Freese is needed during the season, Carpenter could find himself in the mix in St. Louis.
Fernando Salas. I am pretty sure Salas set a Cardinals record with six trips back and forth between St. Louis and Memphis as the extra bullpen man in 2010. Generally, the right-hander did a good job in his MLB introduction.
With the trade of Blake Hawksworth to the Dodgers for Ryan Theriot, a spot in the 2011 Cardinals pen has opened up. Salas would seem to be the favorite entering camp to seize that spot.
Fallers
Allen Craig. With the signing of Berkman, Craig went from the right-handed hitting part of a right field starting platoon to a reserve third baseman/outfielder. While it remains to be seen, my above comments about Carpenter indicate my skepticism that if a full-time third baseman would be needed in the event of a Freese injury that Craig would get that job.
Brendan Ryan. The acquisition of Theriot spelled the end of Ryan starting at shortstop. He does have limited experience playing at the other infield positions and could become a defensive-oriented super-sub if not traded.
Lance Lynn. The re-signing of Jake Westbrook killed off any non-injury hope of a Triple-A starter cracking the 2011 rotation, as did Jaime Garcia the spring prior. Recent vibes from the major league coaching staff indicate they do not consider Lynn ready for the unofficial “sixth starter” role, though that could change with consistent results on the mound.
Kyle McClellan. McClellan is a most important part of the bullpen, yet each spring the club holds open the promise of letting him be a starter, only to snatch it away from him every time. McClellan is a team player and while he has expressed his preference to start, he has proven he will do any job asked. In my opinion, it has reached the point that the organization needs to let McClellan be as good of a reliever as he can be and stop with the “one day he will be a starter” storyline, as it seems clear that isn’t going to happen.
In limbo
Bryan Anderson. Though defense-first catcher Matt Pagnozzi is gone, Anderson, his former job-share partner with Memphis, seems destined for a return to Triple-A for a fourth season. This will not become semi-official until a veteran reserve catcher to replace Jason LaRue is signed, but this seems highly likely. At that point, Anderson will move to the “fallers” group.
Tyler Greene and Daniel Descalso. Unless the Cardinals add another veteran infielder to the roster, there remains a chance that either could make the 2011 club as a reserve. If Ryan is dealt away, their chances obviously improve.
Another factor is who is designated as the reserve second baseman behind Skip Schumaker. If Theriot is restricted to short exclusively, being the only natural second baseman in the mix, Descalso’s chances of making the team could improve. Greene is more interchangeable with Ryan.
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I asked this question on the other thread. Mo has said the payroll is “leaking” Does that mean there is no money or just little money? In either case, who can the Cards afford as a veteran backup catcher? Will they get him as a FA or in trade for BR? I assume he would have to be less than or equal to BR in cost. I don’t see the Cards keeping Ryan, so who will make the squad, Greene or Descalso?
My TCN cohort Dustin Mattison asked this question yesterday.
Can a leaking payroll be bolstered by dry powder?
From the Cardinals? Surely you jest.
I will be away for a while, so when I get back, I expect everyone to have all this figured out.
P.S. I am through with my BR rants. I have made my point so continuing to press it is just a waste of blog space.
Who says the Cards won`t bring in a minor league FA who can play 3B? A Travis Metcalf or someone else who has a bit of MLB experience as a NRI.Same thing at backup catcher.There are several minor league FA catchers with some MLB experience available….Dusty Ryan,Steve Holm.Chris Gimeniz, etc;.
No reason they wouldn’t look at NRIs. The only limiting factor in a discussion with a prospective 3B would be an inability to promise starter’s ABs in Memphis with Carpenter set there. On the other hand, there is going to be established competition just about anywhere an NRI-type free agent might consider.
Nice review Brian. Agree with pretty much everything you said.
Funny how ‘KMac as a starter’ has turned into a strange burlesque… like Charlie Brown and Lucy and the football.
On the poll, I voted Craig. He’s backup for the two guys who pose the biggest risk of losing time to the DL… Berkman and Freese. If TLR is reluctant to use Craig at 3B, makes me wonder how reluctant he’d be to use Carpenter… who hasn’t even played a game in 3A yet.
Brian — Why no mention of Jon Jay? Wasn’t he just as much a ‘faller’ in RF as Craig?
I actually thought about the Charlie Brown and Lucy example for McClellan, too, but left it out.
I also considered listing Jay among the fallers, but because he also remains a viable change of pace for Rasmus in center, I felt he lost less by Berkman’s arrival. If Berkman has to sit late in games, Jay is the likely defensive replacement. I contrasted that with Craig, who has yet to prove he can handle his new assignment. Things could also tighten if they bring in a veteran outfielder to compete for a job off the bench.
Edit: What I was trying to say is that prior to Berkman, I saw Craig as the possible starter in right with Jay as the fourth outfielder. After all this, Jay is still the fourth outfielder.
Berkman is much more effective as a LH batter. In fact last year he was totally dismal from the right side of the plate (and seems to be getting worse yearly). I see a Brekman/Craig platoon coming with Jay as the odd man out.
I voted for Lance Lynn. Its easy to have a couple of starting pitchers go down with injuries. And its not easy to find replacements in season. Lynn and Walters could find themselves in ML rotation at some point during 2011.
An interesting point. One might figure that Walters is ahead of Lynn now, but that could change as the season progresses.
I am still having trouble accepting that Mo expects Berkman to be an everyday outfielder. He has not done that in 5 or 6 years. I understand he has dealt with injuries, and is supposed to be healthy now, and has/is getting himself into good shape. He is a character guy and a clubhouse guy. If anyone can do what it takes to rejuvinate his career it would be a guy like him. But that said, I still can’t believe it. Not $8M worth. I hope it works though.
I guess the idea that Luddy was offed because of his 2011 cost is out the window. Lends credence to the idea he was moved for some other reason. Obviously we did’t need pitching more than offense at the time. Since he did have to be moved for whatever reason, I’m glad we got Jake for him.
If I am not mistaken, the improved clubhouse dynamic has been mentioned by Mo in connection to both Theriot and Berkman. Late season lay downs are a sign of leadership issues. Mo had said a few things about that last season, before backpeddeling. It seems like that has been a main consideration behind these moves.
Can’t remember if I said it here or elsewhere, but noted that replacing Ludwick’s production would end up costing more than it would have cost to keep him. This Berkman signing is the realization of that.
TLR and Mozeliak, defending the Ludwick-Westbrook trade, both said there was an offensive part of that whole deal that fell through. One thing Mo mentioned yesterday is that Berkman was on their radar last year at the deadline. Maybe he was the guy they had in mind last year. Also heards some suggestion that Tejada was the guy they were after.
I forgot to mention that I am not sold on Matt as an everyday right fielder. His arm was not all that impressive from left. I am not aware of any reason to think he has the arm for right field. What in the world is going on.
Bling, I do not infer signing Berkman implies Ryan Ludwick was run out of town for some reason.
This time of year teams can make a lot of roster changes. There are many different choices. There are not as many during the July trading time. There are not $8MM free agents sitting around available to be signed. TLR liked Ludwick a lot and considered him a Gold Glove candidate in RF. Ludwick had to be traded to try to improve the team for the 2010 pennant race, because TLR thought more starting pitching was needed, then Rasmus and Freese went down and there was not enough hitting. This trade may not have succeeded for either the Cards or Padres, but adding an expensive pitcher was the sole reason for Ludwick’s trade.
Looking to 2011, the Cards value a good bat in the OF corners and like getting someone to plug the gap opened by the trade of Ludwick. They value a switch-hiiter and TLR loves long time stars like Berkman or Larry Walker a few years ago.
I agree the idea of Berkman lumbering around in LF is a little frightening.
Its revealing the As were the underbidders on Berkman. Both As and Cards gamble on guys who may be able to bounce back, whose current performance has not been as high as a couple of years ago.
No real arguement there Jumbo. I’m not pushing a Luddy consiracy theory,
just don’t want to lose sight of the possibility.
Catching just bits and pieces of Mo on the radio this morning, he likes Berkman hitting second (high OBP). That leaves the masterplan in tact with Holliday hitting behind Albert like he’s being paid to do. It also shoots down any idea of small ball with Theriot leading off. Mo also, I think, said that last year’s emphasis on defense didn’t work out so he is trying an emphasis on offense this time.
How about a Luddy stupidity theory or maybe more likley a Luddy they lied ot us (again) theory.
bb — I would think Fat Elvis in the 2-hole, with bad wheels, would clog up the basepaths, but I understand Mo’s OBP point. I’m intrigued by the idea of Elvis hitting 4th, Albert 3rd, Colby second, and Matt 5th. It gives you (vs. RHP) a L-R-L-R combo 2-5 that would be a challenge for opposing managers & pitchers. It combines pop (a TLR plus) and speed in the 2 hole in Colby. You’d have speed up top with Theriot leading off, 25+ HR/100 RBI guys 3-5, RBI guys 6-7 in Freese-Yadi and Skip/RH platoon at 2B/SS in the 8 or 9 hole. For Skip, not too shabby having a .292 career hitter at the bottom of the lineup.
On Westbrook… as much as I hated losing Ludwick, I understand that move. Think to the end of the year… Jaime shut down… Waino shut down, Hawks with a busted mouth from that ball to the face in Chicago. Had the Cards even made post-season, the rotation would have been mighty thin without Jake: Carp, Suppan & Lohse. Luds was included in the trade because of the sad fact that we had little in the minors that other teams wanted in trade.
HB, a very interesting lineup proposal.
At the time of the trade, I recall reading at least one prominent media member (who is often critical of the Cards minor leagues) assert the Cardinals lacked any minor league trading chips of interest to Cleveland/San Diego. I don’t remember seeing officials from any of the clubs involved actually having said that. Do you?
No, I never saw that sourced to another team. Just assumed it was so from observation. The Cards seemed stuck in the mud at the deadline as other teams were closing deals around them. My first read on the Westbrook trade was that it was something of a panic move after they failed to land Oswalt.
Clearly, we couldn’t match what Philly put together for him with an MLB ready LHP (JA Happ), an OF (Anthony Gose) they flipped to Toronto for Brett Wallace and and a SS (Jonathan Villar). All I heard at that time was that teams were asking about Shelby Miller, but we weren’t willing to let him go.
At the time, it really struck me as odd that the team would trade Ludwick, a key run producer, when the team was already offensively challenged. There might have been some excessive optimism about Jay, who was hitting .396 on July 30th, the day before the trade, and dropped 96 points off that average down the stretch. But at the end of the year, I understood better about the shape of the pitching staff, and the need to limit Jaime’s inning.
Even without the arm problem Waino developed, we were really limping down the stretch.
HB, as I am led to believe, it will be formerly fat Elvis entering the building in Jupiter. I’m with you on him clogging the bases. But lets face it, Tony’s team is not going to play small ball. And Mo and Tony convinced BDW to spend a lot of money to have Matt behind Albert. Besides that, I don’t think Tony, Albert or Colby (not to mention RC) likes the idea of Colby hitting ahead of Albert.
I agree Jake came in handy, and I like the rotation going forward.
Also, Wainy is well aware of Berkman’s defensive implications, yet he strongly lobbied for it. Something is, in Wainy’s mind, more important than good defense behind him.
bb — That’s what I hear… about 15 pound lighter since the end of the season. I’m thinking about nicknaming him POUND… based on his initials, LB… And I’d surely like to see him POUNDING the ball for the Cards in 2011…
LB-pound, excellent HB.
I don’t understand when Mozeliak says that Brendan Ryan could be a super sub. By that, I have to assume that he means that he can sub in for the regular infielders, yet still field shortstop when in the game. I can’t possibly imagine why one would assume that Theriot or Greene or whomever wouldn’t be shifted around in favor of letting the superior defender man SS.
Fortunately, TLR doesn’t usually get as locked into thinking that one player has to field one position all the time as much as most managers. Ryan can play shortstop and other guys can move around to field 2B or 3B if it comes to that.
If a starter at SS, 3B, or 2B goes down, Ryan could sub for him.
But I doubt the Cards would trade for Theriot, but move him to 3B if Freese is injured, so as to allow Ryan his old SS job back. Ryan could play SS, however, in the event of Theriot getting hurt.
TLR seems to follow a depth chart. If Theriot is at the top of the chart for SS, there Theriot would stay, I would imagine.
I don’t know if Theriot can play 3B, but he certainly can play 2B. There’s no way that Brendan Ryan plays as 2B with Theriot at SS in a meaningful game situation, no matter who the regular starter happens to be. If Theriot, Schumaker, and Ryan are all in the game … I don’t know. Maybe Ryan has to play 3B because the others don’t have the arm?
What does the “depth chart” comment mean, Jumbo? Do you have an example?
Defensively, Schumaker is best in the OF.
But he is first on top of the depth chart for 2B. TLR will move Skip to the OF upon occasion, during a game, in pursuit of a tactical advantage. But TLR generally favors Skip having continuity at 2B. He generally does not start Skip in the OF, because he has become a 2Bman, at the request of the team.
When Descalso came up in September, TLR moved him to 3B and displaced an irrelevant vet (Feliz), rather than disrespecting his 2Bman.
OK, thanks for the example. I understand most of it except for the end about disrespect. As long as the manager handles it professionally, making depth chart changes are an accepted part of life in sport. I don’t think that applies here though.
As the season neared its end, had TLR given time to the rookie Descalso at 2B, the act itself would not have been disrespectful to Skip (or Miles). It happens all the time across the game every season and would not even mean there was a depth chart change. Callups get a look-see in the majors during garbage time. It doesn’t mean they are given the job permanently.
Lets go to the triggering issue, Theriot and Ryan. If Ryan stays and if he gets a chance to play and rebounds in 2011, then he could displace Theriot at SS, IMO. Then Theriot could slide to 2B and into a R/L platoon with Skip. Theriot is unlikely to hit enough to take over 2B by himself.
As to last September, it is past tense. We now know what happenned. No what, if. TLR could have put Descalso at 2B, his accustomed position. But TLR did not, he slid him over to 3B, because TLR respects Skip. Skip is the incumbent at 2B and TLR was not going to bench him just to give Descalso a bit of playing time. I think this owes to respect.
I agree September is garbage time, when your team is out of the running. I dont think TLR puts much stock in September play. Play Pagnozzi, release him. It does not matter. Spring training is when next year’s team will take shape. If September play mattered, then it would be easy to sit down Skip or Miles for Descalso. TLR did not do so, because Skip was his 2Bman to begin 2011 and he is not going to bench his lead guy just for a rookie. Its about respecting the hierarchy among players at a given position. Rookies need to scrap their way to the top of the heap.
Saw that move a lot differently, Jumbo. At the time, Skip was hitting and Feliz was tanking. If you wanted to get Dirty Dan some playing time, better to replace the weakest link (Feliz) and keep Skip’s bat in the lineup. Plus, the way TLR likes to move guys around in mutilple spots, it gave him a look at Descalso at 3B for future reference.
I am not sure we see it all that differently.
But some see it as hiding Schumaker’s inadquacies, or TLR trying to cover up for Skip’s contract. I think its a lot simpler. Descalso still belongs at AAA and there was some playing time at 3B, no reason to sit a 2011 regular in skip.
Try to remember the environment at the time Brian………….. If Tony uses Descalso at second, and he hits and looks good……………Tony looses major leverage, being the protector of the Skip contract and fan support illusion…………all big to BD……………I know he avoided it………..At this point, Craig is the most likely to be traded………..he’s already beaten up AAA……can’t send him back……
If Pujols plays here…………..they will surely trade Craig this week for what they can get. Unless they trade CR……….
WC, I know what you are saying about why Descalso didn’t play second and think it is much more likely than the respect line of thinking Jumbo is championing. That and the fact that third base was a far bigger mess than second at the time.
I don’t see Craig being traded now, though, or Rasmus for that matter. The latter is very valuable, the former much less so and there is no obvious reason to move him.
Craig has all the credentials………….. I really wanted to see him play……………..his ability to adjust at the plate was a huge problem for me………..it was for the organization too………….. If he fails again, he will have very little value………… Mo is going to make some moves………… they said they were going to engage Lozano at the meetings…………… Mo’s activities will likely reflect his appraisal of the situation………….he will trade someone……………
Berkman took the one year for an extra million………..can’t help but think that he is speculating on a first base job………………. BD loves to sign and insure………….can’t see Berkman lasting a year in left. He could have waited until after the meeting’s………………he was waiting for this opportunity. Give him credit for a career risking decision…………I do. He is a prideful performer………….
Here is another factor. The Cards do not regard Descalso as ready yet. They will want him to begin 2011 at Memphis. He only hit circa .280 at Memphis during his rookie season in the PCL. He can use fine tuning. Adam Wainwright took a couple of years there. Skip 2+. Ludwick a few seasons at AAA. Accordingly there is not really a “threat” that Descalso deserves to be 2B come April 2011. There is not really a risk of TLR “looking bad” by hiding Descalso in September 2010 and not showing up Skip. This is conspiracy thinking, but not credible.
Descalso is an nice, not great prospect, at 2B. He can repeat AAA, as did Jon Jay to begin 2010. When he performs better at Memphis, then the Cards could bring him up, in the event of an injury. For 2011, Descalso provides depth. He is a candidate for making the team fulltime in April 2012.
Though he hit ok in September, Descalso may not be ready with the bat, but don’t you think he is a better second baseman defensively than Schumaker today? We didn’t get the chance to see…
BTW, Descalso was voted the top 2B in all of Triple-A this season (PCL + International League).
The Cards know what Descalso can do, based on seeing him in the minors. They do not need to see him in September play 2B. This is garbage time, we agreed, and not a determining factor in 2011 planning. It fundamentally does not matter for Mo/TLR purposes whether Descalso plays 3B, 2B, or somewhere else. “We did not get a chance to see….” is unimportant.
Fans fed up with Skip can think the Cards are hiding Descalso at 3B. But this does not make sense, because they could have kept him in Memphis if the real need was to hide him.
Fans who do not like TLR can invent a new reason for doing so.
Who wanted Skip at 2B, to begin with? Mo. This opened a roster slot for Rasmus. It would not have been TLR’s bright idea to turn Skipper into a 2Bman. The Cards rewarded Skip for his commitment by giving him a 2 year deal, some financial security. If healthy, he will begin the 2011 season at 2B. He is top of the depth chart for 2B. If a nub comes up in September, Descalso can play where there is playing time, 3B. Depth chart, respect for veterans, contracts, the need for more time at AAA for the rook all contribute to why Descalso was at 3B. These are sufficient reasons.
There is no need to invent less likely explanations. Occam’s razor.
A lot of words. All I will add is that if orgs didn’t want/need to see players in September, why do they expand rosters? Nothing to do with respect or lack thereof.
I guess getting all the way to the right is a good way of getting the last word. I assume crdswmn will think of it.
I can add more levels… if it suits me!
Power to add levels comes but to few. Use that power wisely, young Jedi.
I could see the possibility of Brendan playing SS against lefties with Theriot playing second. The main problem with that is it would give Brendan the chance to bounce back and out play Theriot, and Theriot the chance to out play Skip. I can’t see Tony letting that happen, but I can’t see what else super sub could mean.
The idea of Craig as the backup for Freese seems absurd. We will just have to see how it all shakes out.
There is some speculation on other boards that the Berkman signing gives Mo some flexibility in the event the sides agree that Pujols cannot be signed and a move is to be mutually agreed upon.
Its hard to imagine the Cards trading Pujols this winter, because the Cards have him for 2011 and would hesitate to prematurely surrender the career of one of their greatest heroes. Albert can decamp next winter, if he wants to do so, but Berkman is not signed beyond 2011. Its hard to see Berkman as linked to Albert.
I do not think TLR would scheme to keep a better player on the bench. TLR is too competitive. If Ryan were to bounce back from a poor 2010, he could take over SS and Theriot platoon with Skip.
bb, what do you think of that idea about Berkman and Pujols?
The Berkman/Pujols idea has to be compared with the idea than Mo and BDW decided to bet $8M on the idea that Berkman can be an everyday left fielder (and Matt an everyday RF). That, after trading Luddy and his 2011 arb salary. So you have to condede its plausible, more than that really.
What is perhaps more intriguing, in the Westy school of thought, is weather the Cards signing Berkman had anything to do with Boston’s attitude toward giving Gonzales multi-years. Like Theo said hmmm, maybe we hold off on that.
Check out what’s on Boston’s NESN:
http://www.nesn.com/2010/12/albert-pujols-is-a-run-making-machine-at-the-plate-in-pressure-situations.html
Cards move on Berkman…………………Gonzales trade falls through…………………. My eyes are wide open at this point………………………… I’m just watching……..and enjoying……….. Pujols has play again. Berkman deal is done………….soap opera………………
Westie, I thought the two were linked? Guess not!
Brazil is truly remote I take it…………………. somewhere below LA I’ve heard.
Gonzales leaves for Boston on the red eye Thursday night…….Cards move Friday late…..Berkman and agent in Orlando ready to hustle the WM…………. easy sign and physical late Friday……….
AP/ Lozano have been given a play…………….. St. Louis has been give a 1st baseman and an excuse.
Pujols doesn’t have to secure an extension from Boston…………the Berkman play is well understood by him………………………………………. There plan to Jeter AP just fell through…………………. its a fantastic herding job………….. Boston had stipulated all along that they wanted a window…………….. It could be just happen stance………….. to a moron……… somebody has a working dog………….. Think about it……..Berkman in left field………..and worse…..Holiday in right…………………. if they wanted to push AP out………..they just gave him a play…..its the business.
This might not come to pass………….but somebody is trying………………. good enough that from Brazil…………it will look like an accident…………… If Pujols ends up in Boston……with the trade material we get………….we run away with the division……………….period.
Grassy knollers beware… just read that Boston completed the deal for A. Gonzalez. Turns out the sticking point didn’t actually have anything to do with BD and Albert in the Library with the rope (anybody remember Clue?) but with Boston’s desire to avoid luxury tax implications by making the announcment ‘official’ at a later date.
The old luxury tax avoidance trick, huh? A likely story.
There was crossfire for awhile anyway………………….or they read this article and backed down…………that seems likely…………..kind of……….a little bit………..looks like Pujols is back on the spit, or at least that appearance is being given………… that’s good…………. they aren’t talking about the deal at this point anyway………..which could influence AP negotiations.
By ‘making the announcement’ I neglected to say that was about the extension… The trade goes down right away, but the extension of his contract with the Crimson Hosers after 2011 will be delayed to avoid the old luxury tax… likely an offshore operation involving a bank account in the Caimans.
Here’s a link to the article with the news about Gonzalez. Lots of Albert stuff in here too, relating to setting the market for 1B-men…
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_6df70f1e-00db-11e0-bca0-0017a4a78c22.html
Thanks Tex…………… I doubt we’ve heard the last of this contract loop hole, or promissory agreement. Were they going to boost this years salary or not? If not, whats the difference? If yes, what precedent does that set?
7/126 for Jayson Worth. Gad.
Werth has zero seasons with 100 RBI or a .300 average and is already 31. Holliday, who got 7/120 a year ago, has four and seven years with those respective numbers and is younger. The Nats should have kept Dunn, who got 4/56 from the White Sox.
Boras strikes again!
It would be a safe bet Scotty didn’t mention the K rate.
“The #Nationals offer on Werth was so far above everyone else that Boras didn’t even ask other interested teams if they wanted to match it.
26 minutes ago via web
Retweeted by 78 people
jaysonst
Jayson Stark”
(He’s an ESPN guy)
Boras strikes again is right Brian.
Nationals are crazy…………Worth was trouble last year……….I can remember when he was just trying to hold the Job……… That’s a Carlos Silva contract.
Or Barry Zito-bad.
The issue is…………..who in the hell was even in that neighborhood…………. I didn’t think he would get a Jason Bay deal.
Maybe he same “who” that was in the 7/120 neighborhood last year.
Bernie’s article on Berkman is pretty good. Here’s his possible lineup:
Theriot, Berkman, Pujols, – Holliday, Rasmus, Freese, – Schumaker, Molina, Pitcher.
He points out that Berkman LF, Matt RF weakens both corner OF spots, and Colby was rated a negative defender last year. But also puts equal focus on Berkman’s prodigeous offensive output.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/bernie-miklasz/article_e85632ca-00af-11e0-ab76-00127992bc8b.html
I can’t see Molina batting 8th behind Skip. Maybe Jumbo can tell us which one would be less disrespected by being at the bottom of the order.
I was thinking Molina, pitcher, Schumaker. Everybody is happy.
Actually, in the past I have proposed Molina hitting ninth, so that either his inning ending DPs would leave us with the top of the order next inning, or he comes up leading off after the pitcher had ended the previous inning, in which case he couldn’t hit into a DP. The idea was not warmly recieved by my fellow commenters.
I’ve heard that TLR doesn’t like to bat Yadi in front of the pitcher, since if he gets on, it takes a perfect bunt from the pitcher to get him to 2B. If you look over old lineups, he bats 7th most of the time… lower (mostly 6th) when he’s hot or if key RBI guys are MIA.
Guy on another site was saying Yadi should hit #2 since he doesn’t strike out and has a high OBP. Insanity in my view… why have a leadoff hitter single just to have him erased via the DP on just about any ground ball? Plus, that lack of foot-speed would clog up the bases for the highest OBP guys on the team… AP and Matt. What was he thinking?
Watched game 7 of the 2006 NLCS vs. the Mets the other day. Yadi’s HR in the top of the 9th of that game was classic… as was Waino striking out Card-Killer Beltran on 3 pitches with the sacks juiced in the bottom of the 9th. One of my favorite moments… defeating the pond scummers!
Looking at Yadi’s career splits… 1 start hitting leadoff, 12 hitting cleanup, 39 hitting 5th, 222 hitting 6th, 282 hitting 7th, 189 hitting 8th and 6 hitting 9th.
I must have missed the game where he hit leadoff… don’t remember that!
TLR said today that he sees Berkman hitting fifth.
Looks like the Brewers have decided that the NL Central is soft enough to make their own push. They just traded for Shaun Marcum, who is a darn fine pitcher. That was definitely the sort of move that they needed to make.
The bar is low, last two NL Central champs have shown up at the DCS and barfed on their shoes. As of now, its hard to see a legit WS team taking shape in the Central.
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