Monday, May 4, 2009
Attn STL Autograph Collectors
I'm here to announce the creation of STL Graphs, the new place for St. Louis autograph collections to come together for help, advice, and share their collections. Feel free to join up and help us all fill in our collections.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Just a Quick Word
I'll be back in full force tomorrow, but I wanted to point out my prospect blog. I've always followed the minors pretty well and wanted a place to have all the top 10 team lists and top 100 lists. The Prospect Lists blog is that place. I'll be updating it as much as I can. I'll have the big boys, along with my lists (Riding the Pine).
The link is in the blog roll on the right.
The link is in the blog roll on the right.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Super-Savers
The battle for the closer is inching towards Jason Motte, in Joe Strauss's opinion. That's fine, but it means that Chris Perez will be squeezed off the roster. But will that maximize the usefulness of Cardinal Pitching?
As of right now, the bullpen would be set up like this:
Closer - Jason Motte
RH Set Up - Ryan Franklin, Josh Kinney, Ryan McClellan
LH Set Up - Trevor Miller, Dennys Reyes
Long Relief - Brad Thompson
I'm fine with almost all of this. My almost is Ryan McClellan.
McClellan has too many pitches to be used as a reliever. Why not send him to Memphis to begin the transition to starting pitcher? He needs to gradually be extended, based off his injury history. In Memphis, they can work to extend him, while paying attention to his innings and pitch counts. It's much better than coming to spring training next year expecting him to start while only pitching 70-80 innings this year.
We know he can get out major league hitters; now is the time to move him to the starting role.
With McClellan starting in Memphis, Perez can take his spot and make the bullpen better. I say the bullpen would be better bacause there are more options for closing.
The 4-man competition for closer could stay as it is; Tony tends to know match ups pretty well, so he would have 4 options against hitters. Say the Phillies are in town and Ryan Howards coming up to bat. If Tony thought Franklin's had some struggles in the past against him, he's getting the night off and one of the other 3 would have the chance to face him.
It would also make better pitchers available to face better hitters. If the heart of a line up is coming up in the 8th, you could use Motte against them without worrying about who would be available to close. It goes back to using your best pitcher in high leverage situations - would you rather use your best pitcher in a tie game in the 8th, or with a 3 run lead in the 9th? I know Baseball Prospectus has looked at it in the past.
As of right now, the bullpen would be set up like this:
Closer - Jason Motte
RH Set Up - Ryan Franklin, Josh Kinney, Ryan McClellan
LH Set Up - Trevor Miller, Dennys Reyes
Long Relief - Brad Thompson
I'm fine with almost all of this. My almost is Ryan McClellan.
McClellan has too many pitches to be used as a reliever. Why not send him to Memphis to begin the transition to starting pitcher? He needs to gradually be extended, based off his injury history. In Memphis, they can work to extend him, while paying attention to his innings and pitch counts. It's much better than coming to spring training next year expecting him to start while only pitching 70-80 innings this year.
We know he can get out major league hitters; now is the time to move him to the starting role.
With McClellan starting in Memphis, Perez can take his spot and make the bullpen better. I say the bullpen would be better bacause there are more options for closing.
The 4-man competition for closer could stay as it is; Tony tends to know match ups pretty well, so he would have 4 options against hitters. Say the Phillies are in town and Ryan Howards coming up to bat. If Tony thought Franklin's had some struggles in the past against him, he's getting the night off and one of the other 3 would have the chance to face him.
It would also make better pitchers available to face better hitters. If the heart of a line up is coming up in the 8th, you could use Motte against them without worrying about who would be available to close. It goes back to using your best pitcher in high leverage situations - would you rather use your best pitcher in a tie game in the 8th, or with a 3 run lead in the 9th? I know Baseball Prospectus has looked at it in the past.
Another Former Cardinal Surfaces
The Kansas City Royals announced they came to terms on a minor league deal with Sindey Ponson.
Ponson was pitching for the Netherlands this spring.
He last pitched for the Yankees briefly last season; he signed a minor league deal with the Rangers last winter and made the club, but was released for essentially being a disruption in the clubhouse.
Ponson pitched for half the season with the 2006 Cardinals, before being released for insubordination (aka, he didn't want to run wind sprints).
Ponson was pitching for the Netherlands this spring.
He last pitched for the Yankees briefly last season; he signed a minor league deal with the Rangers last winter and made the club, but was released for essentially being a disruption in the clubhouse.
Ponson pitched for half the season with the 2006 Cardinals, before being released for insubordination (aka, he didn't want to run wind sprints).
What Should Be Done With Colby?
One of the big decisions in camp is what should be done with Colby Rasmus? The prospect is worth playing in the majors right now, but is there room to get regular at bats?
If it's decided that he'll stay with the major league team, will he get regular at bats. My guess is no. LaRussa has a man crush on Chris Duncan and will play him against every righty pitcher. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it; he's had a great spring. But does he really give the team the best option to win? I don't think so. He's got great power, but is a butcher in the outfield. He's also very streaky.
The other factor in the decision is Skip Schumaker. If he makes it as the second baseman, there may not be an issue at first. If he can't make the transition, there's another outfielder that will push Rasmus aside. Skip is the only true leadoff hitter on the roster, so his importance to the team is greater than Duncan's. Is he better than Rasmus? No, but LaRussa won't bat Colby first.
The final factor into the Colby roster decision is Troy Glaus. When Glaus returns to the line up, Mather will be back to a utility man, meaning he'll get more time in the outfield. That's another person that pushes Colby out. Is Joey Bombs better than Rasmus? No, but he's more versatile, so LaRussa will value him more.
I think if Colby says up, he'll get playing time like Brian Barton last year.
Does Colby deserve to start the season in the minors? He's struggled this spring and didn't have great final numbers at Memphis last year. A few Triple A at bats to get going doesn't seem like it would hurt. It would also delay starting his service clock, pushing back arbitration and free agency.
This doesn't mean I don't want to see him in St. Louis; I really do, but not if he's not playing everyday. It's possible it could happen, but not with Tony LaRussa running the team. He's got his guys and he'll play them, even if they don't deserve to play.
If it's decided that he'll stay with the major league team, will he get regular at bats. My guess is no. LaRussa has a man crush on Chris Duncan and will play him against every righty pitcher. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it; he's had a great spring. But does he really give the team the best option to win? I don't think so. He's got great power, but is a butcher in the outfield. He's also very streaky.
The other factor in the decision is Skip Schumaker. If he makes it as the second baseman, there may not be an issue at first. If he can't make the transition, there's another outfielder that will push Rasmus aside. Skip is the only true leadoff hitter on the roster, so his importance to the team is greater than Duncan's. Is he better than Rasmus? No, but LaRussa won't bat Colby first.
The final factor into the Colby roster decision is Troy Glaus. When Glaus returns to the line up, Mather will be back to a utility man, meaning he'll get more time in the outfield. That's another person that pushes Colby out. Is Joey Bombs better than Rasmus? No, but he's more versatile, so LaRussa will value him more.
I think if Colby says up, he'll get playing time like Brian Barton last year.
Does Colby deserve to start the season in the minors? He's struggled this spring and didn't have great final numbers at Memphis last year. A few Triple A at bats to get going doesn't seem like it would hurt. It would also delay starting his service clock, pushing back arbitration and free agency.
This doesn't mean I don't want to see him in St. Louis; I really do, but not if he's not playing everyday. It's possible it could happen, but not with Tony LaRussa running the team. He's got his guys and he'll play them, even if they don't deserve to play.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Cards Cut 8
The most recent rounds of cuts happened yesterday. Here are the victims:
RHPs Mitchell Boggs, Matt Scherer, Adam Ottavino, Jess Todd, and Clayton Mortensen; LHP Charlie Manning; IF Allen Craig; OF Brian Barton.
Here's the quick round up:
Boggs - He was slowed by a sore shoulder, but I expected him to be around a little longer. He'll still get the opportunity for MLB Spring Games, but he's not being considered for the long relief role (I'm expecting that Thompson has it pretty much sealed; PJ Walters is a long shot at this point).
Scherer - The player responsible for Luis Perdomo being selected in the Rule V draft (OK, it wasn't his fault, but they will be tied together if Perdomo makes the Giants roster). Scherer also battled injuries this spring and wasn't expected to make the roster.
Ottavino - The Team Italy pitcher has had a really good spring, but wasn't ever seriously considered for the team. He was just being evaluated by the MLB staff; he passed with flying colors. I expect him to be in Triple A by the end of the season.
Todd - He was one of the staff gems last spring, and really hasn't done anything to tarnish that. Everyone knows he's not ready (but getting close). He'll be ready in Memphis, with Boggs and Walters, if someone goes down.
Mortensen - Another early injury victim. Mort is right there with Todd; I actually like him more, but realize he needs a little more time.
Manning - He wasn't given much of a shot, especially after the signing of Dennys Reyes. He'll be in Triple A just in case, but I don't expect to see him.
Craig - I've addressed Craig last week. He was on fire but not even considered for third base. It's a shame. Hopefully they find a space for him. He'll be in Triple A.
Barton - He's had a slow spring, at least recently. This isn't very surprising. They are going to get him regular at bats since they now control him. He'll be one of the first ones called upon if there is an injury.
That leaves roughly 36 players in the Major League Camp. DG has a good run down and poll about who is left.
RHPs Mitchell Boggs, Matt Scherer, Adam Ottavino, Jess Todd, and Clayton Mortensen; LHP Charlie Manning; IF Allen Craig; OF Brian Barton.
Here's the quick round up:
Boggs - He was slowed by a sore shoulder, but I expected him to be around a little longer. He'll still get the opportunity for MLB Spring Games, but he's not being considered for the long relief role (I'm expecting that Thompson has it pretty much sealed; PJ Walters is a long shot at this point).
Scherer - The player responsible for Luis Perdomo being selected in the Rule V draft (OK, it wasn't his fault, but they will be tied together if Perdomo makes the Giants roster). Scherer also battled injuries this spring and wasn't expected to make the roster.
Ottavino - The Team Italy pitcher has had a really good spring, but wasn't ever seriously considered for the team. He was just being evaluated by the MLB staff; he passed with flying colors. I expect him to be in Triple A by the end of the season.
Todd - He was one of the staff gems last spring, and really hasn't done anything to tarnish that. Everyone knows he's not ready (but getting close). He'll be ready in Memphis, with Boggs and Walters, if someone goes down.
Mortensen - Another early injury victim. Mort is right there with Todd; I actually like him more, but realize he needs a little more time.
Manning - He wasn't given much of a shot, especially after the signing of Dennys Reyes. He'll be in Triple A just in case, but I don't expect to see him.
Craig - I've addressed Craig last week. He was on fire but not even considered for third base. It's a shame. Hopefully they find a space for him. He'll be in Triple A.
Barton - He's had a slow spring, at least recently. This isn't very surprising. They are going to get him regular at bats since they now control him. He'll be one of the first ones called upon if there is an injury.
That leaves roughly 36 players in the Major League Camp. DG has a good run down and poll about who is left.
Monday, March 16, 2009
An Old Face with the White Sox
Baseball America is reporting former Cardinal pitching prospect Stu Pomeranz was signed by the White Sox to a minor league deal last week.
Pomeranz was a second round pick in 2003. He pitched well until he hit Springfield in 2005, then battle injuries after that. He was released from the organization last year, after shoulder problems.
Pomeranz was a second round pick in 2003. He pitched well until he hit Springfield in 2005, then battle injuries after that. He was released from the organization last year, after shoulder problems.
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