The St. Louis Cardinals bullpen was prominent in their win over Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Tuesday evening.
Lance Lynn, up again from Triple-A Memphis where I saw him just one week ago, was named the FOX Sports Midwest Player of the Game after he fanned five and allowed just one hit and no walks in two scoreless innings. The rookie is showing he deserves to receive more work.
Though he had struggled recently, especially in multi-inning outings, closer-for-now Fernando Salas did his job. Asked to once again go longer, to secure five outs to seal the win, that is precisely what the 26-year-old did.
Perhaps the reason for seeing Salas in the eighth was the lack of dependable options in the bullpen, but I will give manager Tony La Russa the benefit of the doubt. I give him considerable credit for apparently recognizing that the most crucial point of the game was in the eighth. Holding Salas until the ninth would be of no value if the contest had already gotten away from his staggering club, losers of 12 of their last 15. Using the closer in a non-save situation is not TLR’s standard M.O., but it was clearly the right thing to do on Tuesday.
In between, former closer Ryan Franklin was given the ball to start a clean eighth with a six-run lead and floundered. A J.J. Hardy home run, a single and an RBI double in just 1/3 of an inning increased Franklin’s 2011 ERA to 8.46 and created the mess Salas was asked to clean up.
As researcher Tom Orf pointed out, Franklin has now given up nine home runs in 28 innings this year after yielding just nine in 2009 and 2010 combined, over 126 frames.
As we know, both La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak have repeatedly expressed confidence in the beleaguered reliever, saying they want him to return to pitching in meaningful situations. If there is an injury, no one will admit it.
After over two months of trying, it seems about time to admit a turnaround may not happen – at least in this environment.
Franklin’s last save opportunity (it was blown) was back on April 17. Since then, La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan have been reluctant to use Franklin and when they have, the results have not been good. The 38-year-old appeared in just six games in May and six so far in June.
Franklin is not getting better as he has been scored upon in five of those six June contests with his ERA this month now 10.61. That is worse than his 10.13 ERA during his April meltdown (four blown saves and two losses over his first five appearances of the season).
Fierce loyalty to his players (as well as having a large doghouse for those who end up on his wrong side) are among La Russa trademarks. The trait is usually admirable, but at times like this, the manager seems painfully slow to acknowledge what most others can clearly see.
This is a game of results and despite all the past successes, the results have not been there in 2011. Extreme patience has been shown, but improvement is not occurring.
Franklin was a solid player for the Cardinals prior to this season and deserves thanks for those memories, but his performance has deteriorated to the point that his presence on the roster is hurting his team.
It is time for someone to take action, whether Mozeliak, La Russa or Franklin himself.
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Where is the out here? TLR says they will look for a “creative solution”. What solution is there other than removing him from the roster in some fashion? I feel bad for Franklin, but he is just one player and the team is suffering. We need someone in that spot who can get the job done NOW and Franklin is not that person.
I was thinking some of thesame things. We should be grateful for his past help to the team and his dedication. It doesn’t help that he is doing so poorly now, it hurts his mental state and tarnishes his record (though not his spirit of contribution). Tony probably shouldn’t throw him under the bus publicly, the creative solution should be a way for him to bow out gracefully as let’s face it, not too many 40 yr olds out there. I wish there were a senior circuit he could contribute to, how about an office or coaching job? Its hard to let go of a game you love. Injuries forced me to quit rugby after 12 yrs. Now I am throwing that passion into becoming a better fan of another sport I am very fond of.
Unless there’s more to come, I can’t see anything creative or graceful about it.
Its about eating that money at this time………… Tony is carrying water for BD………..and thats about something……….. Look what TLR had to do to break Lance Lynn loose …………….. This isn’t about Tony……….he is dealing with the options he is being given ………… if Franklin pitches 2 clean innings…. he is joining the suit case crowd…….not getting more innings……. he is no longer even an option to remain………… everyone needs pitching now……they want at least, a clean salary bail………..
No one is going to bite on Franklin for much more than the league minimum. Why would they?
If Lynn keeps pitching like this, he would probably make the smarter play in the rotation over Westbrook. However, we all know that the guy making the money will get the preferred spot rather than the guy who can help win games in nearly every instance, and I doubt that Westbrook would be considered to close.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_e5b27a68-a23c-11e0-abc9-0019bb30f31a.html
DFA is considered an option. Though Franklin could veto the assignment (assuming he clears waivers) I would think it would be in his best interests to accept and work on his pitching with the goal of coming back to the club. That is if he really wants to pitch as opposed to just drawing his salary.
Well, I don’t know the guy, but I don’t consider it to be very likely at all that he would accept a minor league assignment. He could refuse it, still get paid his money, and probably sign with another team who would try him out in the majors at least for a little while.
Memphis player-coach?
That would qualify as creative and would probably be fun to see.
If I tell you up front that these aren’t all “original” ideas / words…(I read much of it elsewhere)…is it still plagiarism?…surely not. Well, anyway, here’s a “creative solution” for consideration as to what to do with Ryan Franklin…
Whatever the process is, you get the guy to Memphis. You pitch him often. His LONE assignment…to work on perfecting the knuckle ball. Tried and tested and consistent. THEN, in September with the expanded roster and call-ups, you bring him in for specialty work to throw the knuckler.
He wouldn’t be the first “washed-up, old pitcher” who developed a wicked knuckle ball and extended their professional career in fine fashion.
The (naive [is it still naive when you admit up-front that you are naive? ala "Catch 22?"]) way I see it, this is the only possible “win-win” scenario. I think we can pretty much assume that Franky is not going to retire and forgo the balance of the salary owed him…unless the FO “creatively” offers him a nice retirement package. No MLB club is coveting having him on staff…certainly not at his salary; probably not for any price. Trade value? [chortle]
Admittedly, the guy’s a competitor and savvy. And he does know how to pitch…he just can’t physically get his muscles to do what his brain instructs. What’s to think he could NOT hone his knuckleball? That meets the “creative” requirement, I’d say.
Interesting. Franklin has often boasted of having six or seven different pitches, but what good are they if they can’t get anyone out? Focus on mastering the most unique one and the minor league time would be to test it out.
:Yeah, so why don’t you get the word to TLR, and if they end up doing that, I’ll take full credit for the original idea…plagiarism doesn’t apply!
Some facts………….. Franklin is healthy……….he is throwing the ball fairly well………….. relief pitching is at a market premium right now. For a partial years salary……. with scouts that have been watching this every day for the last 2 months……………. he pitches somewhere…………..the Cards want to beat his salary baggage……….. you can’t announce he is injured….and have Tony say he’s not…… at the same time………… Tony doesn’t want him lurking in the minors it would appear………… Any dope team first on the wire would take him as “trade” bait trying to get the value out of him from the contenders at the bottom of the list……………
Frankie is a Halo addict…………. extreme adrenal exhaustion……….this also causes addictive emotional cycles………which he is very much trapped in now………. no one is as unlucky as he has been……those are self fulfilling prophecy’s he is weaving……………. he has looped at this point……….needs a whole new environment………….
Tony is using his on field leverage to push for change……..while the pushing is good………. he knows his situation……….. its time to rock………. Cards are favored even though the money is equalizing a bit……. I like the Cards again tonight………….
Well, his high BABIP and HR/FB rates suggest that he has been unlucky. However, at age 38 and giving up more fly balls than in recent years, Franklin isn’t simply unlucky.
Franklin played lots of video games the past couple of years as well, to hear you tell it. It didn’t mess up his performance then.
Yeah, but maybe that was because, as a younger man, his adrenal glands could replenish more quickly, and by game time, he was stoked again! Now, not so much. Kind of akin to the ol’ “Low T” dilemma. But not so much.
Says you Nut …………………
About the fly balls……. give that some thought……….. was that tater hit last night….head for Molina’s glove? Probably ………… he was left with a decision…..possibly hang the breaking pitch for a strike, or hoping for weak contact ………………. the walk at that point was essentially a game ender for him too………… he is continually defining the boundary’s of his personal prerogatives……with fatalistic thinking …….. the results of this conflict “illuminate” all of the hitters hopes and aspirations….end of story…………
After reading Bernie’s rant……… as he rhetorically outlines the parameters of management/coaching incompetence in the way Franklin has been handled …………….. you all need to get a grip on reality…… TLR is not incompetent………… BD/Mo are not incompetent……… Cardinal medical staff is not incompetent ………….. they simply have conflicting interests………. deal with it.
Well, it sounds like someone settled those conflicts and gave him the boot.
Doubt there was a boot involved……….. probably just “squirted out” from under a pile of mud wrestlers.
I agree with you…I, too, like the Cards again tonight.
Breaking news…Ryan Franklin’s name is not on the “line-up” card for tonight’s game. Don’t know exactly what that means, but something has happened.
Unconfirmed reports on Twitter that he has been released.
Two down. One (or two) to go, but finding replacement lefties can be trickier.
So who gets Franklin’s roster spot?
I vote for Heath Bell
http://eye-on-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/30313148
I doubt they can get Heath Bell by tomorrow.
I was hoping he would be in Baltimore tonight. A man can dream.
I guess the most important thing is that some one in the Cardinal organization finally told Franklyn the story about the rabbits. I wonder who pulled the trigger.
Might go with 12 for a while. A proven pinch hitter would be handy.
Franklin release now confirmed by PD.
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/article_e5b27a68-a23c-11e0-abc9-0019bb30f31a.html
Could the new player be Brandon Dickson?
Inside info?
The release was the most humane process…………..I applaud the front office for that……..
His brother is his agent I think………….. Maybe he plays again….maybe not. Good luck to Frankie.
Bsck pedaling I see. As late as yesterday he was going to get snapped up quickly. Reality is a lot tougher than random comments.
1. Schumaker 2B
2. Jay RF
3. Holliday LF
4. Berkman 1B
5. Freese 3B
6. Rasmus CF
7. Molina C
8. Hamilton DH
9. Punto SS
(Carpenter, P)
We get to see punto at short. Hamilton not at 1st again. Kind of sad to have a DH hitting 8th.
Best wishes to Franky. He was a gamer but it was time. Past time.
Nice format BB……………………. this is a huge game for Carpenter, no shortcuts…………..at first…..
Getting Punto at SS must have softened Carp up about Colby in CF. Hope we see strong D up the middle tonight.
Sad to have the DH hitting 8th or does it show how strong are lineup is? Or does it show how stubborn Tony is to move Yadi out of the #7 spot no matter how bad he’s struggling?
I think it shows we have no bench. A AAA guy who gets smoked most of the time.
1. Schumaker 2B
2. Jay RF
3. Holliday LF
4. Berkman 1B
5. Freese 3B
6. Rasmus CF
7. Molina C
8. Hamilton DH
9. Punto SS
I really didn’t see Nicks arm work much yesterday………he was taking cut-offs so he must of had something ………………….. I like the idea of Bartlett for no other reason than it would be a change. The kid might flourish in this environment………… Salas is better than Bell………… however, it wouldn’t hurt to have another good arm………….. that would allow them to save Sanchez until next year…………. Rotor isn’t good to rush for a kid……….
Bell will come with closer price tag.
Its not my money BB…………….. but be honest…….. they are trying to make a statement, and SD has been a team that they are comfortable getting reamed by………… I know Bartlett a little bit…… he was out of his environment in Florida……..no glamor in SD………. he might get along here.
This would be a nice pen: Bell, Salas, Sanchez, Motte, Lynn, LHR#1, LHR#2
Could go with 12 pitchers unless the rotation flames.
No room for Boggs, then.
Once sanchez comes back, I don’t see what Boggs’s role would be. Assuming Lynn works out.
Of course, just because I think we need an accomplished pinch hitter more than a 13th pitcher means nothing.
that flip by Punto was a flip if I’ve ever seen one……….
We get Arizona at the end of a 10 game road trip……… and they just lost to Cleveland…..they’ve been hot so that can’t hurt……………..
Not much of a crowd. The Cards have always been a pretty good draw, especially where they don’t go much.
Nice RC………………….. Molina is trying to lift the ball…….and is…… suction come to mind …………..
Colby has pulled down a small gazelle……………… the pride feeds a little……. have to think Berkman breaks out here………….
That was a nice recovery by Lance………tough AB…………
Punto show a little bit of wing………….. thats encouraging………….. Listening to Palmer and their front man is refreshing……..they just like baseball…… they love Carp…………..
Tony will call that….but won’t squeeze with Punto?????????? Colby was standing on the bag…..that doesn’t help………..somebody screwed up………….
We can guess who that most likely was, if indeed somebody was admiring the sunset out there.
terrible AB by Holiday……………… why chase ……….. kid is struggling…….
Nice job their CF did backing up the LFer on Skips hit to the wall. Skip would have had three.
Any guesses what Carp’s pitch count will be. I think he’s gone 120 twice in a row now.
He’s 54 now………..lets watch the 5th………….
You guys could do the color commentay it tracks along with the fx spts guys.
They get paid for that?
If I had $ id pay ya
That’s what we have been missing of late, grit to get out of jams. Too often that would have been the beginning of the end, when bases loaded on a botched play
Yeah, I was losing confidence there, myself.
Yah. We’ve had grit to get into jams.
That was a huge confidence builder for Chris………….. he stunk for 3 hitters………and then he fired it up…………. the 95′s were encouraging………….. more bloody carcass for the dugout………..
I take it Albert didn’t make the trip. I believe he was in the dugout during the homestand.
Carp is really hot when he does that.
You’re reading Jumbo’s mind again.
I have to admit that one went over my head.
Just trying to see if he’s lurking out there.
He’s at 75………not much rest………. that inning had to be worth 2……… he may finish 7…Max
Lynn and Salas probably wouldn’t be available, going just about 30 pitches each yesterday.
He starts 1 more……..thats it…………we need to score a couple more to grease the BP cage door……
Not much rest again………. Holiday needs drugs…………..or bend his legs a bit…..
Okay, what’s happened to Skip?
Skip gets facetime on Baseball Tonight.
After watching Carp stomp off ………. fur in his teeth……..Tony might not be able to get the ball from him………… if Tony guaranteed that the lefty’s wouldn’t be involved……he might be content.
Assuming he goes 8, who goes in the 9th
Boggs I hope.
Looks like he could open the 9th, see how it goes, He’s around 110 I think. Looks strong. D is solid behind him. Does Tony have the nads to tell him no? Stay tuned.
Yanks up 4-2, into Brewers pen in the 6th.
I watched Greinke get shelled yesterday…………..they pulled him to protect him……thats a good sign…
Another nice one by Skip. He didn’t waste time he didn’t have thinking about the lead runner. Or should I say, he thought about it ahead of time. Impressive.
Carp was shaking the arm a little there………have to believe he won’t go out for the 9th……
Have no idea who Tony uses…………. Boggs/Motte ????
Arm, shmarm. He’s a real man, Westie. Ice is cheap.
I think they will have to wrench the ball out of his cold, dead hands.
Told you so.
Somebody hose me off.
Good call CRD………….
Speaking of cold, dead hands. . . . never mind, we win.
Glad that was Matt that dropped that……..
Right. But it would have been funny to see Dave veer off and kick it in to try and take down Carp somewhere behind second.
Still there Kansas, been kinda quiet.
The only feeding here is milk from a bottle. Had my hands full, but my eyes on the tube. That was great to watch, goosebumps. Good to see Carp doing well, cause it kinda bugs me when he gets down on guys, even if he is hard on himself as well
Duncan runs out to keep him from blowing his cork…………….. he mans up and finishes…………130 pitches………….. stupid from where I sit……….. that lead could have been a builder for the BP too…. lets hope bringing down that elephant feeds everyone for a week…………. Holiday needs a day off……
Wonder if Matt will have tired legs next Carp start?
Any more thoughts on the roster move.
I read on facebook it was Brandon Dickson, but who knows if that is factual or not.
Depends on whose FB page
Would be fun to see what he’s got. An Alabama boy, isn’t he?
Doesn`t Dickson have to be added to the 40-man roster first.Maybe it could be Augenstein.
Franky’s spot is open.
BB, think Holiday will wear the stirrups tomorrow since he was 0-3 today?
I would guess he will since the team is winning. Unless they are cutting off the circulation to his glove hand.
That’s a good 1
The three lougies are piled behind the BP bench covered with cobwebs and sunflower seed shells. Its been a week since Tallet and Miller have pitched, unless I’m forgetting something. And Valdez has been here a week and had one appearance for one inning.
That is so unTonylike. It would have to be complete lack of confidence to get Tony to alter his usual MO. So I think probably Mo is looking into that. If he doesn’t come up with anything, I don’t see any reason to keep more than one if they aren’t going to be used in the usual way. That would allow for another righty, besides whoever takes Franky’s spot. Maybe that is where Augenstein figures in.
Being lefties, they might have more value than Franky, but not much. Mo will be hesitant to flush any more salary.
The other pitcher related thing is this. It would be great good luck to have a sinker ball throwing ground ball pitcher going in Camden Yards. So Jake getting offed in favor of Jaime tomorrow is telling. There are reasons given of course, but the fact is he’s getting bumped by an off day like a fifth starter.
Are you saying injury or his stuff’s not there, and is that temporarily or long-term backslide? Wasn’t Jake signed to a two-year deal to justify the Luddy trade?
KL CC JG KM JW…………. he isn’t being dropped, they are just setting match ups………..
KL CC JG JW KM…………. he isn’t being dropped, they are just setting match ups……… (revised)