Welcome To Baseball Heaven…

A common pitcher, typically used for juice or possibly punch.

So the St. Louis Cardinals pitchers and catchers plus pretty much everyone else has reported to camp. That’s good right? I mean I don’t get as fired up as some but it’s still nice to have a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to the off-season for sure. Speaking of the off-season it’s been a pretty quiet one for the Cardinals as far as fresh faces go. I’m not wasting time breaking down the acquisitions but Ty Wiggington, Randy Choate and Ronny Cedeno are now Cardinals. Nothing groundbreaking for sure but that’s alright. Sometimes quiet is just fine.

Moving to the reason I’ve decided to come out of my shell and type some words is in regards to some uncertainty that’s surfaced with the team’s pitching. With the news of Chris Carpenter last week it’s opened some discussion on who’s going to fill certain roles on the staff. And real quick if you know me personally you already know the Carp news hit me pretty hard and it sucks ass but it is what it is and I hope Chris can remain involved with the team in some capacity.

Ok, I’m going to list my predictions for the rotation and bullpen and in somewhat of an order from Ace to 5 rotation wise and high leverage (closer) down in the pen and this is all assuming health. Rotation: Wainwright, Garcia, Lynn, Westbrook and Miller. Bullpen: Motte, Boggs, Mujica, Salas, Kelly, Rzepczynski and Choate. This is what I highly expect the pitching staff to look like on Opening Day. The topic of conversation recently seems to lie on where Trevor Rosenthal, Shelby Miller and Joe Kelly should end up role wise. Also as current as yesterday some Cardinals fans didn’t take some Lance Lynn comments in regard to his status in the rotation so hot. So here’s some thoughts on each.

Let’s go Lance Lynn first since this topic is fresh and also stupid. Some have already touched on this subject and have similar views but I’m not really sure what he did wrong. Oh yeah, what he said. Not quoting exactly because I’m too lazy to look it up but essentially he stated that he was an All-Star and an 18 game winner last season and that a spot in the rotation was his to lose. Good for him. Where exactly is the issue? As far as the wins and all-star game I really don’t care but as far as his ability I’m on board. Should he say oh shucks, darn I really hope I have what it takes to scratch out a spot in the rotation? Maybe he should open a twitter account so he can tweet Rise and Grind every morning as well. Look, if you haven’t seen the pictures yet Lance Lynn has dropped some serious pounds and was obviously on a conditioning program more than likely to help with fatigue late in the season AS A STARTER. He needs to be getting ready for the season by refining his pitches not going balls out to win a spot.  He’s comfortably in.

Shelby Miller has been on track to be in the rotation for a couple seasons now with 2013 widely recognized as the target for him to enter the rotation. Joe Kelly did a nice job filling in last season but the reason it was him and not Miller was due to the fact they wanted to continue to groom Miller so he’d have all the tools needed at the MLB level. When Miller struggled last season fans were ready to dump him with no clue as to what was going on. I’m not trying to be a smart ass or know it all type but come on. Miller had been used to dominating  and what happened last season is his development was calling for him to be able to effectively throw his secondary pitches for strikes in hitter’s counts against higher level hitters.  He struggled with that. Remember when we heard they weren’t going to allow him to shake off the catcher? It just forced him to learn how to pitch at a high level out of his comfort zone. Then as the season progressed down the stretch he got better and better topped off with effective outings in STL at the end of the season. He’s in.

Quickly on Kelly he’s just simply not Miller. He’s good but will most likely fill the long roll in the pen and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. If a starter gets in trouble early and Matheny feels the game slipping Joe Kelly can come in and give the team extended innings and a chance. He’ll also get opportunities to step into other rolls in the pen as well I’m pretty sure. Plus, who really thinks this rotation will last the entire season without a couple DL stints? Kelly will get opportunities don’t worry.

Lastly Trevor Rosenthal. For those who want to see Rosenthal in the pen just know that’s the floor of his potential. ESPN’s Keith Law was on the radio in St. Louis last week and he believes Rosenthal may actually have a higher ceiling than Shelby Miller. Now that doesn’t mean he’s going to be better it just means there’s the potential. And with Miller projected as a top of the rotation guy why on earth would you have Rosenthal come out of the pen for 1 inning stints in games in April and May when he could be going through development to start similar to what Miller did last season. Again for me it’s easy, Rosenthal to Memphis.

And of course I could be completely wrong about everything.

Think about this though. If the Cardinals can work out a deal with Adam Wainwright which I think (really hope) happens look at this potential rotation next season: Wainwright, Miller, Garcia, Lynn, Rosenthal with Martinez, Wacha and maybe Maness or more in the mix.  If that doesn’t excite you then I don’t know. Heck, go look at Milwaukee’s rotation or Chicago’s. Feel better about the future yet?

In closing I know some are anxious about what the Cardinals front office did (didn’t do) this off-season as far as personnel but you have to look at the strength of the farm system and also the competition in the Central Division and NL as a whole. Similar to the Reds the Cardinals are in a really good spot to take either the division or at least a wild card this season and most importantly will be for seasons to come.

Lastly and then I’m really done. No more pitching talk. Keith Law brought up what I thought to be a great idea. A 4 man outfield rotation. Holliday, Jay, Beltran and Oscar Taveras. And I don’t mean having Taveras as a 4th outfielder but having each player sit every 4th day. This would get each guy plenty of AB’s while hopefully keeping them healthy and in good shape for the stretch run. Obviously it could be tweaked as they went if say Beltran needed extra days or whatever but I really liked the idea. Maybe not right away but who knows possibly call up Taveras in May, start of June? If he’s hitting in Memphis why not? He can play centerfield so get him up here. Alright that’s enough from me. Take care.

It’s roundtable time! If for whatever reason my blog is the only blog you read (I wouldn’t know why) and you don’t remember the format I’ll lay it out quickly. We do this twice a year, before and after the season, where as a UCB group each blogger has a day in which they submit a question to the others via our Google Group. They then compile the responses and post them on his or her respective blog. Below I’ll show you my question and follow with the responses including my own. You can visit UnitedCardinalBloggers.com for the other roundtable Q&A.

My question involves a scenario: MLB has contacted you regarding the work you do on your blog and would like to offer you a job for 1 season covering any team of your choosing EXCEPT the Cardinals (Don’t worry you’ll have MLB.TV). They’ve made arrangements with all other 29 teams and you get to select the one of your choosing. The team you select would then give you full access to their club.  Essentially anything you wanted to see or anyone you wanted to talk to and pick their brain you would have including players, coaches, front office, tv and radio personnel and even the fans. You’d start in Spring Training and go until their last MLB game is played. Your job would also include travel and stadium accommodations to their Minor League clubs as well. The only stipulation is you would need to blog at least once per day discussing your experiences and that given team.

So my question is: Which club would you choose and why? The direction you take your answer is completely up to you. Examples could be because of certain players, front offices you’d love to see work, geography, or maybe they are your second favorite team and/or an organization you just respect. You do have the option to turn the opportunity down as well. The choice is yours. Oh, and your regular job will be there when you get back and your family can come see you anytime on MLB’s dime.

My response would be the Washington Nationals. Coming off a very disappointing loss to the Cardinals in the NLDS in which Stephen Strasburg made zero appearances I’d love to follow the drama. They’ll have not only Strasburg back but also Bryce Harper in his second season and an overall solid team. I wanted to stay in the National League and cover a competitive team as well.

The rest of the group:

Daniel Solzman:

If I can’t choose the Cardinals, I would turn it down.

Dennis Lawson:

I would pick the Astros simply for the opportunity to cover the team’s transition to the AL.  As a bonus, spending time hanging around Luhnow and Goldstein would be entertaining, especially when they do their war room for the amateur draft at a local Fuddrucker’s.

Just imagine all the young talent set to go through Houston during the next few years.  They have a lot of interesting players and young talent, and then there is Tyler Greene.

Christine Coleman:

Interesting question, Dustin.

My choice would be the Astros as well. The fact the team is switching leagues next season, and going into the AL West, would certainly offer plenty of interesting fodder to write about daily. But the rebuilding process starting with the minor leagues, and with the front office personnel they’ve brought in to help with that like Kevin Goldstein, would be fascinating to see and learn about and write about — although the story will take years to completely unfold.

I had the opportunity to watch a River Bandits game with Jeff Luhnow in June 2011 and it was an unbelievably great experience. Obviously he was still with the Cardinals at that time, so I was able to learn much about the current Cardinals and the future as well. Overall he’s a very cool and engaging guy too, so having the chance to spend more time talking with him, learning from him and seeing him in action would be welcome (and terrific to write about).

Plus, in learning more about their minor league system, I’d have the chance to be home and go to games at my favorite minor league ballpark.

Mark Tomasik:

Dustin:

The Reds _ because I’d want the chance to spend each day learning how Walt Jocketty operates, how he goes about putting together a big-league team, a farm system and a staff, and to get him to talk about his remarkable time as Cardinals’ general manager and what that was like in leading the transition from Joe Torre to Tony La Russa and building the Cardinals clubs of the Mark McGwire-Albert Pujols eras.

Tom Knuppel:

The Dodgers- always been a class organization and love the weather.

Rodney Knuppel:

Definitely the Cubs. Because then I could see how NOT to do things. But, I would only do it if I could have a bottle of hand sanitizer with me at all times to keep me from getting the nasty germs of Wrigley Field and the surrounding areas. During this entire process, I would laugh at their decision making knowing that no matter what happens – the Cubs Suck.

Daniel Shopaw:

I’m such a homebody that I’m not sure I’d care for traveling much for a team, but if I had to do my regular blogging routine (with a little more access) for another team for the next year, it might be the Nationals.  You’ve got some great talent, a historic city, seeing how they rebound after a devastating playoff loss.  Lots of good possibilities, but that’d likely be my choice.

Wes Keene:

I would select the Texas Rangers for this assignment. In addition to appreciating the geography of the team, I would like to cover the team itself. How must it feel to be an organization that has been “this close” three years in a row. Two world series losses in back to back years followed by a heartbreaking theft of the division title at the tail end of the season have to be devastating.

I would want to cover a team that has to recover not just from injuries, loss of free agents, and the struggles every team has to cope with, but also has the mental hurdle to overcome. The Cardinals are more on the opposite end of the spectrum where the impossible always seems possible to fans just because the Cardinals *can*. In Texas it must feel a lot more like “no matter what we do, we’ll end up blowing it at the last moment”. In short, I’d like to see how the other half lives.

Bob Netherton:

I’d pick the Nationals.  On top of what Daniel has alread said, the intrigue around the decision to shut down Strasburg last year would make for some fascinating stories.  It would also be interesting to follow Bryce Harper as he transitions from prospect to franchise player, and the demands and maturity that requires.

Mary Clausen:

What a great question! Problem is, I’m not real sure.  If I had to pick a team that would be enjoyable to write about, I think I’d pick the Chicago Cubs.  My website is all about Fun! & they would be Fun! to write about – I think.

Matt Whitener:

This is a good question. I write a full league column now, and really
try to avoid the Cardinals as much as I can when I’m there. So of all
the teams in baseball I cover throughout the year, the one I would
choose?

The Yankees

It’s unbelivably fun to cover a team that has only one option every
year, if for no other reason, than to get to write extremes non-stop
everyday. You don’t have to be measured when you assess them and the
expectation of competition lets me be able to rip and praise them just
the same. Plus, there’s a ton of really, really good players to watch
all the time.

I love to write Hot Stove too, and they are constantly at the middle
of it all year round. Great gig to have.

Dathan Brooks:

Definitely not a clown question, bro.

I’d be inclined to choose the Rays.  I think it’d offer perspectives that may not be found many other places.  It would be a good exercise to see how truly difficult it is to try to compete in the AL East with the likes of NYY & BOS on a payroll that’s a fraction of those teams you face.  You’d get to spend time with Joe Maddon and his hair, which would make the whole thing worth it, by itself.  …unless he’s really Clint Hurdle–think about it, have you ever seen the two of them in the same place at the same time?  An opportunity to be around some of the game’s young stars, and gain a better understanding of the unique challenges that are brought forth by things like low attendance, & a less-than-ideal ballpark, to name a couple.  It would also provide good opportunities to possibly see some really interesting trades take place.

Chris Mallonee:

I’d like to cover the angels for many reasons. See if there’s any tension between Pujols and trout, what kind of guy Pujols really is behind the scenes, watch trumbo hit everyday, and just watch a team with lot of pressure on it to win. Covering the best hitter and rookie of our generation on the same team, would be pretty sweet.

Tara Wellman:

Great question!

I’d have to think long and hard about which team I’d want to spend a season with. But, because of their current, shall we say, “situation,” I’d be inclined to choose the Red Sox. I wouldn’t have any kind of emotional connection to the team, and there is so much chaos in that organization right now, that I’d never be short a headline or an eyebrow-raising soundbite! Plus, my curiousity makes me wonder what you do when you’ve hit rock bottom,and how you keep the demanding Boston fans from totally turning on you.

At the very least, it would be an interesting summer.

And I’m told there’s all the fried chicken you can eat …

Nick from Pitchers Hit Eighth

Pirates for me. An (in theory) up and coming organization with still interesting minor league teams – and I get to watch 81 games at PNC to boot!

You know, I really wanted to make my return post a happy balloon dance but unfortunately after tonight’s events that will not be the case. Of course I don’t have to write but I kinda feel like it so let’s go.

My favorite team the St. Louis Cardinals were beaten in a game of baseball tonight 9-0. And by beaten I mean p*ss pounded. Jake Westbrook was hammered and Pedro ‘Babe Ruth Ted Williams’ Alvarez continued to destroy Cardinals pitching for some unknown reason. Now the outcome of the game sucked but I’d be completely content with moving on to tomorrow with the series tied at 1 had that been the biggest storyline to come out of tonight. But it’s not.

Oh no, not at all. The biggest, bestest story to come out of tonight’s game was Yadier Molina getting barreled over at home plate by Pittsburgh’s Josh Harrison in the 2nd inning of a 1-0 game. Yadi of course left the game and was diagnosed with neck, back and shoulder pain or something like that. Concussion tests and x-rays were fortunately negative.

My point in writing this is not to recap the beating the Cardinals just took but to voice my opinion on the absurd fact that a baserunner in an attempt to reach home plate still has the option to lower his shoulder and destroy a defenseless catcher in order to do so. In almost any sport if you were to ask any given commissioner, chairman or high ranking individual representing that sport what their number 1 priority is they would more than likely say ‘safety of the players.’ Well Bud Selig may just drool but regardless he’d think it I suppose. And why? Because when the good players stay healthy the game thrives and people watch which in turn makes that given league more $$$$$$$$$.

When a league puts safety 1st it not only protects it’s players but also it’s product. Cutting to the chase with regards to tonight  there is absolutely no reason Molina should have to try and catch a ball and apply a tag while having a grown man plow into him shoulder to head at full speed. That’s not hard nosed baseball it’s garbage. I mean look at the play! Molina is getting ready to try and tag the runner but instead the runner crushes Molina’s face with his shoulder!

I’m not quite sure why just because a catcher has a thin piece of foam on his chest and plastic shin guards on that the powers that be continue to think they can take full speed defenseless collisions. Absurd. Just like the morons last season who blamed Buster Posey for not being in a better position to absorb the collision and fall back.

For what it’s worth deep down I don’t completely blame Harrison. It’s the game’s fault for giving him the option of barreling into the catcher. And if a goober so called ‘baseball purist’ tries to argue that collisions at the plate are part of the game I’ll punch them right in the eye. In 1920 players weren’t 3 percent body fat build like tanks. Athletes are way more evolved.

In closing I understand that there’s 2 sides to every argument but if you honestly think defenseless catchers getting destroyed at the plate is just good baseball then, well, I bid you adieu.

Heads it’s Carp, Tails it’s Robinson?

Welcome back folks. Or folk not really sure what my readership actually looks like these days but if you’re reading then thank you and if you’re new welcome aboard! Anyway, this post is basically a continuation of my last post. Or at least the same train of thought. When I was last seen typing Allen Craig was on his way back into the lineup. I sorta speculated on who would be on their way out to clear a spot and the answer was Erik Komatsu. 

After the news broke it immediately clicked in my brain and I really wasn’t surprised at all. You see the job of the General Manager is to give the Field Manager the opportunity to have the best 25 players available to him. They saw Komatsu as player 26 and was released knowing full well he wouldn’t clear waivers which he didn’t. I doubt they saw Komatsu as anything other than an extra outfielder anyway.  Fast forward to now which is Thursday night May 10th or it could be the next day depending on when I publish and of course when you’re reading. Lance Berkman is set to be in the lineup tomorrow night (Friday) coming off the calf issue which means another roster move will need to be made.

I’m not going to just recycle thoughts from my last post but the situation still really intrigues me. You see quite a case can be made for all 3 of the remaining suspects. (Greene, Matt Carp and Robinson) In fact I have absolutely zero clue as to the direction they’ll go. On 1 hand you could send Robinson down and have Beltran shift to center and Craig play right against left handed pitching. Then you could give Berkman the day off and have Carp play since he hangs well against left handers but Berkman is a switch hitter so yeah there’s that. Of course it doesn’t have to just be against left handed pitching to give someone a day off.

You could also send Carp down and have Robinson play center against lefties and have either Berkman or Craig play first on that given night. I know Matheny really likes Carp but not sure of the mobility of Craig or Berkman and Carp’s still finding his way as an outfield option. Again doesn’t have to just be against lefties. Plus I wouldn’t be shocked to see Berkman getting days off similar to how the Braves are handling Chipper Jones. If that would indeed be the case or similar it wouldn’t be overly complicated getting Craig’s bat into the lineup on a semi-regular basis. That’s all just pure speculation on my part of course but hey that’s what makes this fun.

I don’t see a move made with Greene so just refer to my last post for my thought process on his situation.

So this is going to be 1 of those shorter posts I’d talked about when I jumped back on the blog wagon. The Cardinals are playing wonderful baseball and are facing a decision of choosing a player that’s playing well to remove from the roster to make room for Lance Berkman. I mean look at this possible f*ck!ng lineup!

1. Furcal
2. Beltran
3. Holliday
4. Berkman
5. Freese
6. Molina
7. Craig
8. Schumaker
9. Pitcher

And that’s with Jon Jay on the bench who’s currently hitting .379. That’s a fantastic lineup. Allen Craig would be the best 7 hitter in all of baseball. Inter-league play will actually benefit the Birds on the road so they can utilize the stupid DH. Stupid AL and their stupid DH. Alright that’s enough, cheers.

Blame Tyler Greene! The guy really can’t catch a break can he? As I’m sitting here typing on this fine Sunday evening the Cards have completed a nice series win over the Brewers. But boy they should have swept. Good weekend of baseball nonetheless but I really can’t figure out why anyone’s pointing a disapproving finger at Mr. Greene for the outcome of Sunday’s game. One out hit and run with Yadi at the plate, he misses for strike 3 and that leaves Beltran hung out to dry between 1st and 2nd. Greene tries to sneak home before Carlos is tagged and game over. People complained TLR wasn’t aggressive enough and now Matheny’s reckless and Greene’s and idiot. And yes I’m just referring to this instance with Matheny. Quickly summed up then I’ll move along: Yadi’s not fleet of foot, he’s a very good contact hitter, want to stay out of the double play, hit and run put on, swings through, Beltran screwed, Greene breaks for home and is tagged. Now if Yadi hits one in the gap Matheny’s a genius. Can’t please everyone, obviously.

On a definite positive it’s sounding good that “The Wrench” Mr. Allen Craig will be back in the Cardinals lineup as soon as Tuesday against the Bucs with Lance Berkman hopefully not far behind. That means 2 roster moves will be needed to accommodate. Someone’s feelings are heading for Hurtsville but it’s really not clear who. I’m not going to necessarily make a case for anyone but I’ll sum up who it could be and just say I was right after the fact.

Shane Robinson: Alright so I’ll take one guess and assume Shane’s heading back to Memphis. Not for a lack of effort or even results he’s just an odd man out and probably the 1st move made. He’s got the options and will benefit not only himself but the Redbirds by seeing regular playing time there. I’m guessing he’s on a plane to Memphis Tuesday.

Matt Carpenter: There’s no way they send Matt to Memphis right? He’s been strong at the plate and can play 1st base and the outfield. Just get rid of that Greene guy! Not so fast. Carpenter will more than likely stay with the big club when Craig gets back. Then I assume Craig will play 1st and Carpenter will head to the bench. Then when Berkman gets back it gets murky. See next 2 names as to why.

Erik Komatsu: As a rule 5 selection he’s either in or out. In case you’re not familiar with the terms he must remain on the Cardinals 25 man all season or else be placed on waivers. If he clears they would then have to offer him back to his original team which is the Washington Nationals I believe. In other words he’s gone. Obviously not an easy choice especially if the team believes he has upside.

Tyler Greene: So sick of this subject. Eerily similar to the Colby Rasmus fiasco the last couple seasons. Again though not a cut and dry situation. First off he’s out of options so they’d have to cut ties. No Memphis. Let’s not forget Matheny tried to give the 2nd base job to him in Spring Training and he just couldn’t take it and run. On a quick side note 2 of the least confident guys on the 2011 edition of the Cardinals were probably Boggs and Greene and Matheny tried to give both a boost of confidence in the Spring. Telling Boggs he was the man in the 8th and basically giving Greene the 2nd base job to lose. I like that. Wow sweet story right?

Moving on…

Let’s play a game called Be Objective Negative Pants. Awful name I know but it gets my point across. Let’s begin. 1. When Daniel Descalso starts at 2nd you only have Greene and Schumaker as backup middle infielders and Skip’s well Skip in the infield. 2. He’s fast. This team can use his speed. 3. They’re 1 injury in the infield away from an alarming situation if they release Greene.

In other words other than possibly Robinson a really tough decision will have to be made. If you had to beat a guess out of me I’d say they send Carpenter to Memphis. He’ll get regular AB’s there and then it’s easier to get Jay and Craig regular AB’s in St. Louis with Craig rotating between the outfield and 1st. Just a guess though.

In closing who in the world saw the Los Angeles San Jose Compton Anaheim Angels starting 7-15 and 9 games back of the Texas Rangers? And then of course Albert Pujols hitting .216 with 4 RBI and 0 HR in 88 AB’s. Now I’ll admit I wanted him to scuffle at least for awhile and would love the Angels to miss the playoffs but it’s a little troubling. Well, on second thought I could care less about the the Angels but I can’t just act like I never watched 1 of the greatest decades ever for a player wearing the Birds on the Bat. He just looks clueless at the plate right now. Maybe when Stan Musial put up the stop sign and told Albert to stay in St. Louis it’s one he should have listened to. Whatever, later skaters.

WTF is that?

So uh, yeah I’m going to pretend that I haven’t posted anything to the site in forever and write this post just like any other. Cool?  I’m going to change it up a little bit from what I tried doing back when I started this whole blog thing. Basically I’m going to try and make this a weekly thing or at worst bi-weekly. Hell, I may even throw two posts at you some weeks. I really need to get in shape before I attempt those kinds of shenanigans though.  Some posts will be longer than others. I may write one paragraph or one hundred paragraphs. (that was stupid but I’m not re-writing it)

Big Shoes to Fill 

I guess I’m going to start with the biggest off-season stuff and work my way to the present. I don’t want to spend a ton of time re-hashing old news but since this was a massive change for the organization I suppose I can spare a minute or two. I’m referring to the departures of Albert, Tony and Dunc. Just typing that is pretty weird.  As far as Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan are concerned it couldn’t have ended any better. Not a ton to say on the topic besides I wish them both the best. I think it was almost poetic that they removed the birds on the bat at the same time (I know Dunc’s decision came a little later). I believe it was the right choice for both.

And then there’s Albert. I’m not going to lie I’ve written this post about Albert over and over in my head since the decision went public. I was on the there’s no way he’ll leave St. Louis train like a lot of people. We crashed. To keep it short I really admired how the Cardinals as an organization handled themselves and quite the opposite as far as Albert goes.  Dude got paid. Good for him. That’s a lot of In-and-Out burgers. I hate the Angels. Go Rangers! Pujols is a weird name. Whatever I’m over it.

Greene Acres and Stuff

I’m so tired of hearing about Tyler Greene. It’s like a cult following. I’m not a hater I like Tyler Greene. He’s going to get an extended opportunity this season. Chill. Actually a funny thing happened today that I’d like to share. When the Cardinals posted their Tyler Greeneless lineup for the game against the Marlins tomorrow I saw numerous people on twitter complaining about it. Really? Pretty sure Josh Johnson’s on the mound for the Marlins. I think Tyler will be just fine sitting this one out. But again he’ll get his opportunity so I’m asking to please not kill it with Tyler Greene stuff this season. Thanks.

Let’s see what else; well I really liked the Carlos Beltran and Rafael Furcal signings. They were the best available at positions we needed filled. Really excited for Allen Craig to get some more regular AB’s this season. Hopefully the knee is strong because I think if all goes well an outfield of Holliday, Beltran and Craig would be pretty freaking fantastic even if it’s not an everyday thing.

Just A little More

I’m really excited about our farm system. As most if not all of you know the Cardinals were highly ranked by both Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus and Keith Law of ESPN. I’m not going to ramble off every prospect I’m excited about but I will say Matt Adams hits taters. With first basemen getting giant stacks of cash daily it’s nice to have a guy like Adams on his way. Can you believe how much the Reds just paid Joey Votto?!?! Take it easy Uncle Walt.

And on a couple final notes I really, really hope for the best regarding Chris Carpenter. If we can take a positive from his injury it’s that he pitched 2000 innings last season so a late start may not be the worst thing. He’ll be ready come October.

I know there’s a lot more off-season stuff I didn’t touch on but I’m ready to move on and get back to writing about present day happenings. Albert’s gone, TLR’s gone and wouldn’t you know it, MLB is still allowing the St. Louis Cardinals to continue to operate. Real baseball tomorrow or today depends on when this posts. Cards / Marlins, later.