tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28006842903115850122024-02-06T23:53:22.412-08:00baseballhasbeengoodtomeRob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.comBlogger343125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-20394148865722826052014-11-24T08:09:00.001-08:002014-11-24T08:09:34.150-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilUeNzWiVmaIjwM6hMsearhJQMzskvdEw4-NpBypPrS4inmTV1hNoPgZNlm8b_AylMSWGV2Rk5pZqvbC-7-D64dPX4dRD8yFuFD9vkuY8S7oPl08Z4x96VXRaCMqYov60DLZMCmyq8JI/s1600/WaterOnMars2_gcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilUeNzWiVmaIjwM6hMsearhJQMzskvdEw4-NpBypPrS4inmTV1hNoPgZNlm8b_AylMSWGV2Rk5pZqvbC-7-D64dPX4dRD8yFuFD9vkuY8S7oPl08Z4x96VXRaCMqYov60DLZMCmyq8JI/s1600/WaterOnMars2_gcc.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
<br />Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-60598507854759413892014-10-30T15:23:00.001-07:002014-10-30T15:23:40.198-07:00Play Ball with Babe Ruth "Just Pals"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tYYXnsGgfpM" width="420"></iframe><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #161616; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">This 1931 film, titled Just Pals, was one of a series of short baseball instructional films that Babe Ruth made in the early 1930s. The plot is a little bit on the corny side, but it is a fun peek back in time. Ruth was still in pretty good shape in 1931.</span>Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-57546935258514390292014-10-30T14:34:00.001-07:002014-10-30T14:34:33.613-07:00<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Q2pRNQuKS40" width="560"></iframe><br />
<div>
During the first two games of the 1972 American League Championship
Series, Oakland's Bert Campaneris was the best player on the field.
With Oakland having defeated Detroit in the first game and leading 5-0
in the seventh inning of the second game, Detroit manager Billy Martin
ordered relief pitcher Lerrin LaGrow to throw a pitch at the speedy
Campaneris' ankles. As this clip shows, Campaneris reacted by throwing
his bat at LaGrow! Both players were ejected and suspended for the rest
of the ALCS. </div>
Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-66917133258398096252013-12-22T10:24:00.001-08:002013-12-22T10:24:03.123-08:00The Next Phase in the Cardinals Long Term StrategyDoes David Freese foreshadow the future of Cardinal prospects? Ideally, yes.<br />
The Cardinals of the early 2000s benefited greatly from Walt
Jocketty's willingness to trade prospects willy-nilly for veterans.
Statistical analysis was still infantile at the time and in a battle of
scouting departments, Jocketty usually did well for himself. The
addition of guys like Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen at relatively cheap
costs proved fortuitous.<br />
The Cardinals of the late 2000s surely look like a transitional
period in retrospect. The team went through a rebuilding process that
was masked largely by the club's ability to spin gold with mediocre
pitchers and having the best player in MLB during his prime. Albert
Pujols of the late 2000s masks a lot of sins.<br />
Now the Cardinals find themselves reaping the bountiful harvest of
prospects they've been caring for since 2005 on. The organization has
built depth in their system and blue-chip prospects that is arguably the
best in the league. I'd take the Cardinals pre-arbitration team over
just about anyone else's.<br />
The Cardinals aren't likely to see the arrival of pitchers like
Shelby Miller, Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez and Trevor Rosenthal for a
while again and almost certainly not at the same time. The coincidence
of their ascendance to the majors makes for a formidable amount of
young, cheap talent producing at the same time.<br />
In a few years, it will make for a formidable amount of young, highly
credentialed talent headed for arbitration at the same time.<br />
This will be the Cardinals next looming decision on a large scale and
it is a fascinating one. The Cardinals aren't the Tampa Bay Rays or
Oakland Athletics that have to trade away their talent. The club has
shown a willingness to extend young players when it makes sense for both
sides (see: Jaime Garcia, Allen Craig). But extending one or two
players is different than extending five or six. The club has also seen
some of their early contract extensions hampered by injuries. Their is
risk there.<br />
So while the Cardinals don't have to be the Rays or Athletics, in a sense they <b><i>get</i></b>
to be those teams -- or at least the best part of those teams. The
Cardinals will have the chance to be supremely opportunistic over the
next 3-4 years. They get the chance to watch for the next Wil Myers who
is about to hit the market from a desperate GM and then trade for that
player from their stock of players approaching free agency.<br />
David Freese isn't a perfect parable for this story. He was coming
off a down year and the Cardinals received an injured player in return.
As much as anything, this was a swap of underperforming players. From a
contract perspective, however, this is exactly the type of deal the
Cardinals will be looking to make in coming years. They shift a player
whose salary is rising and whom they aren't overly interested in
extending to another club for a cost controlled, younger asset.<br />
The trade of Freese has all sorts of complicating factors but it's
the first indication in some time that he Cardinals are willing to part
with some slightly aged Fabrege eggs -- to resurrect the derisive Joe
Strauss term from a few years ago. (PS - I have to wonder if Strauss
sees how foolish that all looks now that said eggs were the foundation
of the Cardinals post season run last year. I'll guess he lacks the
introspective quality to acknowledge it. Alas.) The club now has to
figure out how to transition from trading those medium value players
like Freese to trading someone with a lot more value that they can't
agree to a club-friendly deal with.<br />
If you've watched the Athletics or Rays over the years, what they've
shown is that there is a pretty clean timeline for moving a player.
Somewhere between that player having two seasons of arbitration left and
having one season of arbitration left. Basically, there's a two
offseason window with a summer trade deadline in between. Trading
players too early is giving up too much of their surplus value. Trading
players too late means a diminished return during the trade. Call it
the Goldilocks of trade timing: not to early, not to late but just
right.<br />
Each trade is it's own beast and no one is immune to a bad trade. The
particulars of what dumb/desperate GMs are out there in any given
offseason vary. The availability of other prospects that interest a team
changes. But the Cardinals have an opportunity to turn their drafting
success into a cyclical product that essentially rebuilds itself --
while continuing to augment through the draft.<br />
The Athletics and the Rays have shown what that model looks like. The
Cardinals can emulate it. The fun part is that the Cardinals can
emulate it ... and then spend another $60M a year that those clubs
can't.<br />
It's a good time to be a Cardinals fan.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-65954527112104861292013-12-19T19:29:00.001-08:002013-12-19T19:29:26.584-08:00The Value of a Great BenchAfter a weak bench in 2013, the Cardinals' off-season moves have given them as solid a bench as almost any team in the majors.<br />
The Cardinals' bench looks likely to feature Mark Ellis, Jon Jay, and
Tony Cruz. The other outfield spot will probably be taken by either
Shane Robinson or Oscar Taveras. The other infield spot is a tossup
among Daniel Descalso, Pete Kozma, and Greg Garcia.<br />
That's a pretty outstanding bench to start with.<br />
Oscar Taveras will probably make an appearance at some point during the season. His projections are<a class="underlink bluelink" href="http://www.avclub.com/review/30-rock-grandmentorkidnapped-by-danger-71079" tabindex="-1" target="_blank"> off the charts, Kemosabe</a>.
Oliver's somewhat suspect projection thinks he'll hit for a .347 wOBA
and be worth 3.8 WAR, if given 600 PA's. Steamer is more conservative,
claiming he'll hit for a .332 wOBA and be worth an extrapolated 2.1 WAR
over 600 PA's (I'll use 600 PAs because most of these projections for
playing time are speculative). ZiPS splits the difference, aiming at
similar offensive production (.334 wOBA) and a 2.7 WAR over 600 PAs.<br />
Last year, ten teams didn't get 2.1 WAR (Taveras' most modest
projection) out of their right fielders. Only 12 teams got better than
3.8 WAR from their right fielders. Taveras would be a threat to start in
right field in a lot of organizations, not merely a bench player. Of
course, Taveras might turn out to be a threat to take over in right
field later in the season, or at least to force some shared playing time
across right field, center field, and first base.<br />
* * * * *<br />
Mark Ellis started at second base for a playoff team as recently as
2013. He projects to be worth 1.6 WAR by Oliver across 600 PAs, about
1.5 WAR by Steamer, and roughly 2.2 WAR across 600 PAs if I remember the
ZiPS projection right. He doesn't often play a full season, last
getting 600 PAs in 2007. Still, 11 teams got less than a win and a half
from second base last year. He could easily be a starting second baseman
for the Rockies, Braves, Nats, Cubs, Marlins, White Sox, or Blue Jays;
some teams (like the Mariners) had poor second base production in 2013,
but have since shored up their second base position. While Ellis looks
like a barely average to slightly-below-average second baseman, second
base is a weak position across the league.<br />
* * * * *<br />
Jon Jay also started in center field for a playoff team in 2013, but
looks likely to share time at best this season. Projections are all
quite bullish on him. He has a 2.5 WAR projection from Oliver, a 2.9 WAR
projection from Steamer, and a 1.9 projection from ZiPS. He looks like a
solidly average centerfielder. Anywhere f<a class="underlink bluelink" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=cf&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0" tabindex="-1" target="_blank">rom 8-10 teams</a> would be seriously thinking about starting Jon Jay in center field.<br />
* * * * *<br />
Probably in a surprise to some, Tony Cruz does fairly well by
projection systems. Oliver thinks he's a 2.0 WAR catcher. ZiPS,
extrapolated, would make him a 1.5 WAR catcher across a full season.
Steamer's projection looks like it anticipates him being a 1.8 WAR
catcher over 600 PAs. There's a good bit more uncertainty in his
projection, since he has so little major league playing time, so he
gains a fair amount by regression to the norm. But even ZiPS's worst
projection basically expects him to hit in line with his career numbers;
Cruz has a .263 wOBA for his career, and ZiPS anticipates a .264 wOBA
in 2014. If Cruz played up to ZiPS 1.5 WAR full-time projection,<a class="underlink bluelink" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2013&month=0&season1=2013&ind=0&team=0,ts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0" tabindex="-1" target="_blank"> fully ELEVEN teams would have been better off with Tony Cruz as their full-time starting catcher last yea</a>r. Let that sink in for a minute.<br />
* * * * *<br />
The remaining bench players have a hodge-podge of projections. Oliver
is way too forgiving of Daniel Descalso and Pete Kozma (with 1.9 and
1.5 WAR projections, respectively), but the other systems project them
both to be worth less than 1 WAR across a full season. Both Steamer and
Oliver think Greg Garcia will hit well as a major leaguer (94 and 96
wRC+ projections for Garcia), while ZiPS places him much lower (a .289
wOBA, which looks like an 84-85 wOBA to me). Garcia's downside basically
looks like Descalso's ordinary projection. Shane Robinson projects with
some upside. He has a 2.1 WAR projection from Steamer and a 3.0 (!)
projection from Oliver, while ZiPS seems a bit more plausible (1.0 WAR
across a full season).<br />
* * * * *<br />
Our bench is in excellent shape. We will have anywhere from 2-4
players on our bench who could be starting for lesser teams. And the
other candidates for the bench look like proper bench players. Pete
Kozma and Daniel Descalso look much more appealing when you are no
longer expecting them to start at shortstop routinely. As role players,
Kozma, Descalso, Garcia, and Robinson look like good fits. Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-80828099879507502912013-12-19T14:36:00.001-08:002013-12-19T14:36:06.110-08:00Goold: Have the Cardinals found true glove? Start with the premise that the Cardinals will score fewer runs in 2014.<br />
That’s something that team has had to obviously consider.<br />
In
2013, the Cardinals hit better with runners in scoring position than
any lineup had in several generations. As we’ve detailed before here in
the blog and in articles for the<em> Post-Dispatch</em>, the Cardinals’
uncanny .333 average with runners in scoring position (RISP) meant that
they scored about 100 more runs in 2013 than they would have if they
just hit the league average with RISP. The Cardinals led the National
League with 783 runs scored.<br />
Cast them as mere mortals in RISP
at-bats and they slip to, oh, about Pittsburgh Pirates level. That’s
average, but it’s not aspiration-killing because the Pirates made the
playoffs and gave the Cardinals a push before the Cardinals pulled away
for a baseball-best 97 wins. The Pirates won 94 games by scoring enough
to support a strong pitching staff and the second-best team defense in
the National League. In other words, they didn’t have to score as much
because they didn’t allow as much. They maintained a strong run
differential – plus-57.<br />
The Cardinals had a plus-187 run
differential, and they faced in the World Series the only team with
strong run differential (Boston, plus-197). Run differential is an
excellent way to judge the best teams when scanning the standings.
Fourteen teams in the majors had a plus run differential in 2013 and all
14 had winning records. All 10 of the playoff teams in the majors had a
plus run differential. Duh. But run differential isn’t just the act of
scoring a lot of runs – though that does lead to the league-leading
totals that say the Cardinals and Red Sox had. If the Cardinals accept
that they are going to score fewer runs, they can still maintain a
strong run differential. They must allow fewer runs.<br />
This was the buzzphrase from a few winters ago: run prevention.<br />
Given
that the Cardinals’ pitching staff was also one of the strongest in the
league in 2013, the way for them to improve their run prevention isn’t
on the mound. It is in the field.<br />
The Pirates were a plus-68 Runs Saved on defense.<br />
The Cardinals were a minus-39.<br />
Do the math.<br />
While
the club will have to find more power from internal sources, several of
the Cardinals’ moves this winter have been done with the intention of
maintaining the run differential by improving the defense. The addition
of <strong>Peter Bourjos</strong> means a potential upgrade defensively in center field and cleared the way for <strong>Matt Carpenter</strong> to move to third base, his more natural position. Rookie <strong>Kolten Wong</strong>
has the inside track on second base, but if he falters the Cardinals
this past weekend spent at least $5.25 million to secure one of the best
defensive second baseman in the game, <strong>Mark Ellis</strong>.<br />
The Cardinals’ acquisition of <strong>Jhonny Peralta</strong> is a downgrade defensively – trading much better bat for lesser glove than <strong>Pete Kozma</strong>
– but the numbers show that Peralta is an “even” fielder. The eyes,
which are just as important to understanding defense as the improving
metrics, tell us that Peralta uses positioning to make the most of his
range and compensate for the reach he lacks at the position. In total
plus/minus, Peralta is a minus-25 in his career at shortstop, but keep
in mind that he’s a plus-12 in his last 4,184 2/3 innings at the
position, and he’s had four Runs Saved in that stretch. He’s improved in
the field from his youth. Has to be the savvy, right?<br />
All of that leads to this question: Did the Cardinals substantially improve their defense?<br />
The answer: It should be the most-improved facet of the 2014 club.<br />
The
Cardinals set a club record for the fewest errors committed last
season. I’m going to assume that we’re all past the point where we
believe that is a measure of good defense.<br />
It’s not.<br />
The
Cardinals were a below-average defensive team. Subpar. Erratic. Fuzzy.
At times, costly. This was on display in the postseason and whenever the
team played in one of baseball’s bigger ballparks, like they did for
the opening series in Arizona. <a href="http://www.billjamesonline.com/stats/team_runs_saved/" target="_blank">Bill James Online and Baseball Info Solutions track more-enlightened defensive stats</a>
than errors (valuable, but not for defense) and fielding percentage
(complete garbage stat). BJO has the plus/minus numbers you’ve seen here
before and the Runs Saved metric that is calculated as a result. The
Cardinals had a minus-39 Runs Saved, and only statuesque Philadelphia
(minus-102) was lower. Seven AL teams were worse than the Cardinals,
putting them right at the top of the lower third for defense.<br />
For context, here were the best defensive teams, per Baseball Info Solutions:<br />
<ol>
<li>Kansas City, plus-93</li>
<li>Arizona, plus-86</li>
<li>Pittsburgh, plus-68</li>
<li>Milwaukee, plus-58</li>
<li>LA Dodgers, plus-47</li>
<li>Atlanta, plus-46</li>
<li>Texas, plus-39</li>
</ol>
As you can see, defense and Runs Saved is not the indicator that
run differential is or offense is when it comes to measuring
playoff-bound or winning teams. Detroit, for example, had a minus-66
when it comes to defense. But the Tigers, like the Cardinals, had the
offense and the pitching to overcome those heavy gloves. Teams like
Seattle (minus-99) or Washington (minus-16) didn’t. Six NL teams were
minus on defense. The Cardinals were the only one to reach the
postseason, and they won the NL pennant.<br />
The drag caused by the Cardinals’ defense is clearer when going position by position, through the spectrum of fielders (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=818934608123721&set=a.759208070763042.1073741827.144696718880850&type=1&theater" target="_blank">see my trusty Yellow Legal Pad doodle for more info</a>). A look at the team Runs Saved totals for the Cardinals, by position (NL rank in parentheses):<br />
<blockquote>
P – minus-4 (12th)<br />
C – plus-10 (2nd)<br />
1B – minus-5 (15th)<br />
2B – minus-3 (10th)<br />
3B – minus-10 (14th)<br />
SS – zero, or “even” (8th)<br />
LF – minus-16 (14th)<br />
CF – minus-5 (10th)<br />
RF – minus-6 (11th)<br />
</blockquote>
Baseball Info Solution then adds those up to arrive at
the minus-39 for the team. (Keep that in mind.) The Cardinals only had
one position – catcher – that ranked in the top third for the league,
and the club had five positions that ranked in the lower third. Catcher
was buoyed by <strong>Yadier Molina</strong>, who was a plus-12 (third
in MLB) at catcher. Leading individuals at the other eight positions
that defined or defied the scores at their positions (MLB rank):<br />
<blockquote>
P Adam Wainwright … plus-4 (17th)<br />
1B Allen Craig … minus-1 (20th)<br />
2B Matt Carpenter … even (19th)<br />
3B David Freese … minus-14 (33rd)<br />
SS Pete Kozma … plus-8 (5th)<br />
LF Matt Holliday … minus-13 (34th)<br />
CF Jon Jay … minus-10 (32nd)<br />
RF Carlos Beltran … minus-6 (25th)<br />
</blockquote>
It is through these individual scores and team scores
that we can gauge whether or not the moves the Cardinals have already
made this winter will/should improve the defense.<br />
It takes some
finagling with the numbers, some averaging, and some use of rates. But
it works. It does hinge on past performance being an indicator of future
production, but I’ve tried as much as I can to avoid the Small Sample
Size Theater. It’s impossible with rookie Wong, who had 111 innings at
second base in the majors in 2013. But that’s a good place to start.<br />
Carpenter
was an average second baseman by the end of the season, his first at
the position at any level. He was an even fielder there, <strong>Daniel Descalso</strong>
finished a minus-3, and Wong in limited exposure at second base was an
even fielder. Ellis is an exceptional fielder there. Ellis’ 12 Runs
Saved at second for the Dodgers last season was the second-best of any
everyday second baseman. He has 47 Runs Saved at second in the past four
seasons, and he’s a plus-48 at the position in his last 3,901 1/3
innings played there.<br />
That takes second base from a minus-3 in
2013 to a potential even in 2014 if Wong takes over the position or a
plus-14 with Ellis in the field.<br />
To come to that number, I took
Ellis’ average Runs Saved over his previous 3,901 1/3 innings played and
stretched over 1,200 innings at second base in 2014. That would be the
everyday player – or roughly the equivalent of 133 complete games played
in the field. I used that same figure (1,200 innings) to calculate
Carpenter at third base, Craig in right, Adams at first base and so on
and on. As mentioned above, Peralta has four Runs Saved in his past
4,184 2/3 innings and that hints at one Run Saved as the everyday player
in 2014.<br />
Bourjos has to stay healthy and in the field to reach
his potential, but with 33 Runs Saved in his past 2,635 2/3 innings in
center field, he can be a run-stealer in center.<br />
On opening day
2014, the Cardinals will have only two players returning to their
positions: Molina at catcher, Holliday in left, and (from the Dept. of
Obvious) Wainwright at pitcher. Six other players will be new to the
team or new as the starter at their position or both. That’s a
tremendous amount of churn for the pennant-winning team. But it does
lead to an improved defense. Check out the same spectrum that we
highlighted earlier from 2013 with the potential totals for 2014:<br />
<blockquote>
P – minus-4 in 2013 … returns with minus-4 in 2014<br />
C – plus-10 in 2013 … returns with plus-10 in 2014<br />
1B – minus-5 in 2013 … Adams projects for minus-2 in 2014<br />
2B – minus-3 in 2013 … Wong projects for even in 2014<br />
3B – minus-10 in 2013 … Carpenter projects for plus-5 in 2014<br />
SS – even in 2013 … Peralta projects for plus-1 in 2014<br />
LF – minus-16 in 2013 … returns with a minus-16 in 2014<br />
CF – minus-5 in 2013 … Bourjos projects for plus-15 in 2014<br />
RF – minus-6 in 2013 … Craig projects for minus-5 in 2014<br />
(Note: <em>I re-calculated many of these based on the 1,200-inning
rate and have not updated the totals below from when the blog was
originally filed. -- dg.</em>)<br />
</blockquote>
As Bill James Online does to arrive at the team totals
for Runs Saved, we can add those totals up to get a sense of how the
Cardinals have improved in the field.<br />
The total from the above would be plus-4.<br />
That’s a plus-43 Runs Saved reversal.<br />
Include Ellis as the everyday second baseman, and that jumps to plus-57.<br />
That’s enough glove to get away with less bat.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-54664287517746116132012-11-14T12:09:00.004-08:002012-11-14T12:09:51.038-08:00Mozeliak modifies his winter wish list<br /><div id="above-asset-related">
<div class="inline-gallery" id="blox-gallery">
<div id="blox-gallery-container">
<div class="dark-gradient" id="blox-gallery-image" style="display: block; height: 450px; overflow: hidden;">
<img alt="Furcal grounder" id="image-index-1" src="http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/bc/0bc289fe-a430-52d5-b54f-bb17cf5e495e/50a3de10dd224.preview-620.jpg" /></div>
<div class="clearfix" id="blox-gallery-caption-open">
<div class="text-shadow-light" id="blox-gallery-caption">
Cardinals
shortstop Rafael Furcal zeroes in on a grounder during a game at Busch
Stadium early in the 2012 season. (Chris Lee photo / Post-Dispatch)<br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="publish-meta clearfix">
<div class="date left">
<span class="pubdate">1 hour ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=By%20Derrick%20Goold%0Adgoold%40post-dispatch.com314-340-8285">By Derrick Goold
dgoold@post-dispatch.com314-340-8285</a></span></div>
<div class="comment-count right">
<a class="blox-comment" href="http://www.stltoday.com/print/sports-section/mozeliak-modifies-his-winter-wish-list/article_73c1f09f-2a0a-5a9d-b534-b79f2ec55745.html?mode=comments" id="comment_73c1f09f-2a0a-5a9d-b534-b79f2ec55745"><span class="ui-icon ui-icon-comment"></span><span class="fb_comments_count">12</span></a></div>
</div>
<aside class="grid_3 left" id="asset-related"><br /></aside>
<div class="entry-content">
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak made an immediate
move Tuesday to start clearing roster space on the same day he received
news that could influence future moves.<br />
The Cardinals gave
reliever Kyle McClellan, the longest-tenured member of the bullpen, his
unconditional release, sending the righty into free agency even as he
tries to rehab from an arm injury.<br />
Two other Cardinals recovering
from arm injuries, pitcher Jaime Garcia and shortstop Rafael Furcal,
have made encouraging progress, Mozeliak said after receiving reports
from his medical staff. Garcia threw off the mound Monday and Furcal
will have his elbow re-evaluated this weekend as part of his rehab.<br />
It’s the improvement from Furcal that could modify Mozeliak’s winter wish list.<br />
“Knowing
that the two players we’re talking about have had positive outcomes in
(their rehabs) provides optimism,” Mozeliak said. “It’s something you
consider in your offseason strategy. It does mean we don’t have to chase
a shortstop at this point.”<br />
Garcia was placed on the disabled
list during the postseason with a tear in his rotator cuff and
inflammation inside his shoulder. A tour of specialists commenced, and
though surgery was one recommendation for the lefty, after a
consultation with Dr. James Andrews, he pursued a treatment program to
avoid a procedure.<br />
On Monday at Busch Stadium, Garcia threw about
25 pitches off the mound. He will continue physical therapy this month
and by December begin a “normal offseason,” Mozeliak said.<br />
The
current plan is to have him on the preparation regimen in January,
though the Cardinals have said the success of Garcia’s recovery won’t be
clear until he pitches during spring training. Garcia has acknowledged
that his hope to avoid surgery means sticking to exercises and
treatment.<br />
Furcal, likewise, sought to avoid surgery to repair a tear in his elbow.<br />
Such
a procedure would push back his availability for 2013 and enhance the
Cardinals’ need to explore the shortstop market this winter. Furcal’s
health would change the Cardinals’ urgency, but the club acknowledges a
need to at least explore depth options in the middle infield.<br />
Furcal
is scheduled to return from the Dominican Republic this weekend, and
he’ll meet with members of the medical staff in Florida to have his
elbow re-evaluated. The shortstop’s agent said Furcal has not yet
attempted baseball activities such as throwing. Paul Kinzer said his
client is “very confident he’ll be ready at the start of the year.”<br />
Mozeliak said during his conversations with trainers Tuesday “the word surgery never came up” for either Furcal or Garcia.<br />
McClellan
has a similar spring training target in mind, though for the first time
in his career he no longer knows the team he’ll be on. The St.
Louis-area native missed more four than months of the season and needed
surgery to repair damage in his right shoulder. He is in the middle of a
throwing program to strengthen his arm and will visit with the surgeon
in early December. He said he expects to be ready for spring training.<br />
McClellan
would be eligible for arbitration this winter, and the Cardinals chose
to release him Tuesday rather than to not offer him a contract by the
deadline later this month. The release allows him to become a free agent
a few weeks before other arbitration-eligible players are not tendered
offers on or before Nov. 30.<br />
It also frees up a spot on the 40-man
roster for the team to use before next Tuesday’s deadline to protect
players from the Rule 5 draft. The Cardinals have four open spots on the
roster and another move in the coming week is likely as the team clears
room for minor-leaguers such as lefty Kevin Siegrist and righty Eric
Fornataro.<br />
“When you look at the situation from my standpoint you
see that they have a lot of young, exciting arms coming up and they’re
excited about that and have every reason to be,” said McClellan, a
Hazelwood West grad. “They have guys ready to contribute at the
major-league level. They want to see them get that chance. And you can
see how it makes sense for both sides to explore other opportunities.”<br />
McClellan
was the Cardinals’ 25th-round pick in 2002, and he jumped from Class AA
to the major-league bullpen to open 2008 with the team. In 261
appearances over five seasons, McClellan was 19-23 with a 3.69 ERA. The
Cardinals’ depth at his role made Tuesday’s release possible for the
tenured reliever.<br />
He’s not alone in feeling that squeeze. Skip
Schumaker, one of only two position players remaining from the
Cardinals’ 2006 club, is in a similar depth-pinch as the Cardinals look
to others at second base and in utility roles. Sources have described
the club as willing to trade Schumaker, who has a year remaining on his
contract.<br />
McClellan, 28, was told of his release Tuesday morning.
He said he didn’t want to get his “hopes up or down” for what offers
he’ll find as a free agent. He recognizes he’ll have to prove his health
and that he may not go to spring training with a guaranteed roster
spot.<br />
“Either way I’ll have to have a good spring training,”
McClellan said. “I have to prove my health. You’d love to have the
security of a major-league deal. As long as I’m healthy, I’m confident
in my ability and what I can do when given an opportunity.”<br />
The
Cardinals signed catcher Rob Johnson to a minor-league contract that
came with an invitation to major-league spring training. Johnson, 30,
will offer depth behind backup Tony Cruz. The Montana native was with
the Mets and their Class AAA affiliate in 2012.<br />
</div>
Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-1636184737880590032012-11-07T15:23:00.000-08:002012-11-07T15:23:02.491-08:00Strauss: Cards interest in Cabrera 'real'<div class="title-block">
<h1>
Strauss: Cards interest in Cabrera 'real'</h1>
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Cleveland
Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera tags out Cardinals catcher Yadier
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Photo)<br />
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In today's chat with hundreds of <a href="http://stltoday.com/">STLtoday.com</a> readers, Post-Dispatch baseball writer Joe Strauss addressed the Cardinals' shortstop situation in the wake of <strong>Rafael Furcal's</strong> late-season physical breakdown.<br />
Strauss' bottom line? The Cardinals have "real" interest in pursuing Cleveland shortstop <strong>Asdrubal Cabrera</strong>
if the Indians, as rumored, shop him this winter. Cabrera, who turns 27
next week, batted .270 with 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 2012; he hammered
25 homers with 92 RBIs in 2011.<br />
Fans also are making a lot of noise about Colorado's <strong>Troy Tulowitzki</strong>,
but Strauss said he would be "surprised" if the Cardinals were willing
to take on such a hefty financial obligation. Strauss also downplayed
Cardinals interest in Texas shortstop <strong>Elvis Andrus</strong>, saying only that he expected both teams' general managers to discuss the player's availability.<br />
As for <strong>Stephen Drew</strong> ... the 29-year-old free agent would be a short-term fit at best.<br />
Below is Strauss' insight into the Cardinals' shortstop situation, followed by a bonus reply on the prospect of <strong>Rick Ankiel</strong> returning as a pitcher — a possibility Strauss raised in last week's chat.<br />
<a href="http://live.stltoday.com/Event/Thread.aspx?Id=68026">Or you can read today's entire Joe Strauss Live Q-&-A here.</a><br />
* * *<br />
<strong>QUESTION:</strong>
With Asdrubal Cabrera apparently on the trade block, what is the
likelihood of the Cards inquiring about his availability? Do you think
guys like <strong>Lance Lynn</strong> and <strong>Matt Adams</strong>
could serve as the pillars of a deal with the Indians? Do you think 'Mo'
would trade from our RH pitching strength to find a long-term solution
at SS?<br />
<strong>Follow-up question:</strong> Joe, what odds do you
have on one or two of these four pitchers being in a different
organization come spring training: Kelly, Lynn, Rosenthal, Miller?<br />
<strong>STRAUSS:</strong>
I do believe the Cardinals' interest in Asdrubal Cabrera real. With
such a flimsy free agent market for shortstops, a number of teams are
intrigued by Cabrera if the Indians are indeed willing to shop him.<br />
To
compete for Cabrera, the Cardinals would have to part with multiple
prospects. One of the names you mention would certainly be introduced
into talks by the Tribe. The Cardinals' willingness to part with a
current or future member of their starting rotation would then be
tested.<br />
This much is known: the club will not expose itself at
shortstop to the same degree as it did this year. Whether or not Rafael
Furcal requires surgery, he will not be viewed as a 145-game player in
2013. The team requires at least depth at the position. With Furcal's
contract set to expire after next season, GM <strong>John Mozeliak</strong> can't ignore landing a potential long-term answer via trade.<br />
Should that not pan out, a short-term fix becomes more palatable. My information is that Mozeliak does not envision <strong>Pete Kozma</strong> as a starting option. He projects as a utility middle infielder.<br />
* * *<br />
<strong>QUESTION:</strong> Do you think Tulowitzki would be a good fit? Would, say, <strong>Matt Adams</strong> and <strong>Skip Schumaker</strong>
"start" some good discussions with the Rockies? I'm totally intrigued
by the thought of 'Tulo' in a Cardinals uniform if he becomes available,
just not sure the money he is due would be wise.<br />
<strong>STRAUSS:</strong>
Healthy, Tulowitzki is one of the game's 10 best players, maybe five
best. I'd be surprised, however, if the Cardinals were willing to assume
that kind of financial obligation at this time. Tulowitzki has become
an injury risk even before reaching a six-year, $118 million extension
set to begin in 2015. He is scheduled to make $20M in each of the first
five seasons.<br />
That's significant money when taking into account that <strong>Matt Holliday</strong> makes $17M two of those years and <strong>Adam Wainwright</strong> will receive close to $20M per annum if he forgoes free agency.<br />
* * *<br />
<strong>QUESTION:</strong> Stephen Drew had a very serious ankle injury. Is he capable of fielding the SS position to major league standards?<br />
<strong>STRAUSS:</strong>
Fair point. His performance the last two seasons has been wanting.
However, his need to rehabilitate his value could make him a short-term
fit for a team such as the Cardinals, if they fail to acquire a
long-term answer.<br />
* * *<br />
<strong>QUESTION:</strong> Do you think the Cardinals will make calls to see if Elvis Andrus from the Rangers really is available, as has been rumored?<br />
<strong>STRAUSS:</strong>
(This week's) GM meetings serve as foundation for what happens between
now and December's Winter Meetings. I'd expect 'Mo' to have a discussion
with (Rangers GM) <strong>Jon Daniels</strong>, if not already. Again, I
believe it more likely that the Cardinals seek a short-term fix at the
position this winter, unless Furcal's elbow is ruled a no-go for next
season.<br />
* * *<br />
<strong>ANKIEL UPDATE</strong><br />
<strong>Question:</strong> Have any execs or scouts told you they're interested to see Rick Ankiel pitching again?<br />
<strong>STRAUSS: Scott Boras</strong>
told Yahoo Sports his client is not interested in pitching at this
time. Boras insisted Ankiel still perceives himself as a position
player.<br />
The question remains, however, what Ankiel does if unable to land a major-league contract as an OF. That's a real possibility. <br />
</div>
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-83372771543228238612012-11-04T12:47:00.002-08:002012-11-04T12:47:30.188-08:00Cardinals needs for 2013 are 'complementary'<div class="title-block hammer-stack">
<h1>
Cardinals needs for 2013 are 'complementary'</h1>
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Cardinals
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Sept. 3 game against the Mets. (Chris Lee photo / Post-Dispatch)<br />
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<span class="pubdate">15 hours ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20JOE%20STRAUSS%0ASt.%20Louis%20Post-Dispatch">BY JOE STRAUSS
St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a></span></div>
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There is no massive contract to broker, as was the case with
Matt Holliday after the 2009 season or Albert Pujols following the
Cardinals’ 2011 world championship.<br />
No glaring need exists within
the Cardinals’ performance core, such as one that led to signing veteran
right fielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year guarantee – a deal that
curiously enough compensated Beltran more handsomely in 2012 than what
Pujols received in the first installment of his 10-year bonanza.<br />
Unlike last November, general manager John Mozeliak faces no paralysis as this year’s free agent market opens.<br />
What
Mozeliak does see is opportunity on a smaller scale than the $120
million required to re-sign Holliday in January 2010 or even the $26
million he devoted to Beltran last December. Mozeliak has spoken of
“creativity” to address more complementary needs that picked at the
Cardinals for much of an 88-win season that fell one win shy of the
World Series.<br />
For all their recent postseason success, the
Cardinals have secured just one division championship the last six
seasons. They have reached 90 wins twice during the span. More and more
they appear content to construct a team able to win through balance than
dominance. The last two seasons have forced the organization to
compensate for the loss of a starting pitcher during spring training.
Uncertainty about Jaime Garcia’s left shoulder creates fear for another
such episode. Though Mozeliak has spoken confidently about shortstop
Rafael Furcal’s ability to avoid elbow surgery, Furcal’s status is the
source for lingering unease within the organization.<br />
Mozeliak
appears motivated to address the club’s middle-infield uncertainty. At
various times last season Tyler Greene, Skip Schumaker and Daniel
Descalso served as primary second baseman. Greene was traded and the
same fate could befall Schumaker after he entered virtual quarantine for
much of September and the postseason. To many, Descalso offers more
value in a utility rather than an everyday role.<br />
The club projects
highly rated prospect Kolten Wong as its eventual starting second
baseman. However, Wong has never taken an at-bat beyond Double-A
Springfield. Barely 22, Wong is more likely to join a crush of
competition at the position next spring rather than arrive as a
prohibitive favorite to earn the role.<br />
Though publicly confident
in Furcal’s availability, Mozeliak is privately wary of exposing a
premium defensive position in the manner that occurred after Furcal
suffered an August 30 ligament strain.<br />
The Cardinals may pursue
short-term fixes at both positions rather than entrust their depth to
organizational players such as Pete Kozma, Ryan Jackson or Wong.<br />
Just
as Mozeliak committed a premium ($13 million) last winter to retain
Furcal and his complicated medical history, the Cardinals could overpay
to add a player for one year. Middle infielders Stephen Drew, Jeff
Keppinger, former trade target Alex Gonzalez and NLCS Most Valuable
Player Marco Scutaro represent the most attractive alternatives.<br />
Drew,
Keppinger and Scutaro will command starter’s money with term an
additional complication. The Oakland A’s last month declined their $10
million option on Drew, who has taken a combined 608 at-bats the last
two seasons, hitting .238 with only 12 home runs along the way. Drew,
29, could fit the profile of a player willing to accept a one-year
“pillow” deal in order to rehabilitate his value before returning to the
market after next season.<br />
The Cardinals realized, but wouldn’t
acknowledge until after their postseason elimination, that they flexed a
substandard bench. A lack of maneuverability too often left manager
Mike Matheny at the whim of an opposing bullpen. Unable to dictate
match-ups, Matheny was forced to hope a series of walks and singles
might accomplish what one power bat could create. They rarely did.<br />
Lance
Berkman’s injury-riddled year forced Allen Craig into an everyday role.
By itself the development was not a bad thing given Craig’s
productivity at first base. However, a domino effect radically altered
offensive depth.<br />
When healthy, the Cardinals can afford to keep
Matt Carpenter on the bench as a late-inning bullet. Should he be
pressed into a starting role because of injury elsewhere, a
re-enforcement such as Jonny Gomes or Laynce Nix would fit. Gomes and
Nix also fit the profile of a short-term, budget-friendly veteran
addition. A desire to offer left fielder Matt Holliday and Beltran more
liberal playing time could dovetail with the acquisition of another
flank outfielder.<br />
If a short bench paralyzed Matheny at times, so
did the lack of a second lefthanded reliever. The late-inning
righthanded formula of Edward Mujica, Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte
offered little opportunity for Marc Rzepczynski. However, Rzepczynski’s
ineffectiveness for much of the season also fed a predicament that saw
the club invest false hope first in J.C. Romero and then Brian Fuentes.
Neither made more than 11 appearances before discarded.<br />
The
Cardinals typically have invested little in lefthanded relievers, opting
instead of low-cost options such as Brian Tallet and Trever Miller.
Lacking lefthanded relief became a torpedo that helped sink the 2008
season as well.<br />
Flush with righthanded power relievers, the
Cardinals could stick with six rights in the bullpen and commit to a
single more established left such as Sean Burnett or Jeremy Affeldt, who
is coming off a three-year, $14 million contract. Consensus exists that
the club is not well served with Rzepczynksi as its sole lefthanded
reliever.<br />
Uncertainty over Garcia could vaporize flexibility
within the rotation. If Garcia is fit, the club intends to open
competition among Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Shelby Miller and Trevor
Rosenthal for the fifth starter role. Mozeliak and Matheny emphasized to
Lynn a need for more diligent conditioning this winter and made clear
that a starting role is not guaranteed the returning 18-game winner.<br />
The club hopes to know more shortly about whether Garcia will indeed require surgery.<br />
Should
such a need arise, costing Garcia a significant portion of next season,
Mozeliak would then contemplate whether to pursue another veteran
starter on a short-term deal.<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-51124690160558786582012-11-04T12:41:00.000-08:002012-11-04T12:41:09.161-08:00Mozeliak has done stellar job<div class="title-block hammer-stack">
<h1>
Bernie: Mozeliak has done stellar job</h1>
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Huy Mach</div>
Cardinals'
GM John Mozeliak talks to the media about the season on Thursday, Oct.
25, 2012 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Photo by Huy Mach,
hmach@post-dispatch.com<br />
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<span class="pubdate">8 hours ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20BERNIE%20MIKLASZ%2C%20Post-Dispatch%20Sports%20Columnist">BY BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch Sports Columnist</a></span></div>
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When John Mozeliak was promoted to the general manager’s office before the 2008 season, the chair was uncomfortable.<br />
In
a harsh and tragic follow-up to the 2006 World Series championship, the
2007 Cardinals went 78-84 and finished a distant third in the NL
Central. That was hardly the worst part. Relief pitcher Josh Hancock
died in a drinking-and-driving wreck on April 29. On Aug. 30, outfielder
Juan Encarnacion was struck in the face by a foul ball that caused
severe damage to his left eye socket. The injury ended his career.<br />
After
a tension-filled summer wrought with front-office infighting, Cardinals
owner Bill DeWitt Jr. fired GM Walt Jocketty at season’s end. Jocketty
had resented losing control over the draft and player development, and
his feud with scouting director Jeff Luhnow created an organizational
fissure that couldn’t be resolved.<br />
Less than a calendar after
winning the World Series, Jocketty was out. DeWitt interviewed several
outside candidates and seemed to be zeroing in on Cleveland assistant GM
Chris Antonetti as the choice. But the Indians convinced Antonetti to
stay, and DeWitt gave the job to Jocketty’s assistant, Mozeliak.<br />
Manager
Tony La Russa wasn’t exactly thrilled by the seismic shakeup. Jocketty
and La Russa were close allies that had formed a winning partnership,
and TLR didn’t care for Luhnow.<br />
La Russa decided to return in 2008 after being offered a huge raise by DeWitt.<br />
The
organization was still roiling when Mozeliak took over for Jocketty.
The new GM faced a difficult challenge on multiple fronts.<br />
Mozeliak
had to broker an uneasy peace between La Russa and Luhnow. It was a
complicated arrangement. DeWitt valued La Russa’s leadership and record
of impressive achievement, but DeWitt also wanted the franchise to put
more emphasis on scouting, drafting and developing young players.<br />
The
old-school La Russa went along with the program, but maintained
skepticism. And Mozeliak had to find a way to oversee the dramatic
change in philosophy without alienating La Russa. To pull this off,
Mozeliak had to display considerable dexterity and diplomacy.<br />
Mozeliak succeeded.<br />
I
offer the history lesson for a reason: it’s easy to forget about the
tumultuous period of transition that could have ripped the franchise
apart. It’s difficult to win in a calm setting, but in his early days as
GM Mozeliak had to deal with a potentially volatile set of
circumstances. He handled the assignment with impressive skill.<br />
So
when people ask me if I think Mozeliak has done a good job as GM, it’s
rather easy to answer the question. Mozeliak hasn’t done a good job as
GM; he’s done a great job.<br />
Over Mozeliak’s first five years, the
Cardinals have maintained their level of success. This was never going
to be a full-scale youth movement. Because the Cardinals are determined
to continue winning, there will always be room for big contracts (Matt
Holliday, Yadier Molina, Kyle Lohse, Chris Carpenter.) Vacancies will be
filled by imported veterans such as Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran and
Jake Westbrook.<br />
The organization, however, has given expanded
opportunities to young players. That in turn led to the
difference-making emergence of David Freese, Allen Craig, Jon Jay, Matt
Carpenter, Daniel Descalso, Jaimie Garcia, Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs,
Lance Lynn, and Joe Kelly.<br />
Mozeliak has successfully balanced the
roster; the Cardinals have an appealing mix of experienced, proven
players and youthful, ascending talents.<br />
The player-development
plan is working, and there’s another wave of wave of young talent on the
way. I don’t know if any major-league franchise can match the
Cardinals’ collection of young power arms: Lynn, Kelly, Trevor
Rosenthal, Shelby Miller, Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha. Depending on
their progress and/or comeback from injuries, the list could be
lengthened to include Tyrell Jenkins and Jordan Swaggerty.<br />
On the
player-position side, the Cardinals are legitimately excited by the
seemingly imminent graduations of outfielder Oscar Tavares and second
baseman Kolten Wong. And down the road there’s a potentially powerful
third-base bat in teenager Carson Kelly. Matt Adams, the slugging first
baseman, may get a shot at some point.<br />
The infusion of young
talent is real. It isn’t hype. The 2012 Cardinals even benefited from
the surprisingly effective play from rookie shortstop Peter Kozma, who
had tumbled from the list of top prospects. But Mozeliak has also made
adept moves to plug in more expensive pieces. The 2011 Cardinals
wouldn’t have won the World Series without Berkman. Without Beltran, the
2012 Cardinals don’t make the playoffs and advance to Game 7 of the NL
championship series.<br />
Mozeliak’s quality work includes the deal
that sent an aging Jim Edmonds to San Diego for a young minor-league
third baseman, Freese. Given what Freese has done here, this will go
down as one of the best trades in franchise history.<br />
Mozeliak’s
insistence in relying on prospects also applied to the manager’s job.
When Mozeliak had to replace the iconic La Russa, a certain Hall of
Famer, he made an unconventional and somewhat controversial decision to
hire the promising but inexperienced Mike Matheny. That decision appears
to be a home run.<br />
Because of the depth assembled by Mozeliak, the
2012 Cardinals were able to compensate for the free-agent loss of
superstar Albert Pujols. With Craig, Matt Carpenter and Adams taking
most of the at-bats, the Cardinals got 21 homers, 109 RBIs and a .293
batting average from the first base position in 2012.<br />
By declining
to match the Los Angeles Angels’ 10-year, $240 million offer to Pujols,
Mozeliak created payroll flexibility for the future. That enabled him
to sign the industry’s best catcher, Molina, to a five-year, $75 million
contract extension. With Pujols gone, the Cardinals were able to give a
full-time opportunity to Craig, who responded by leading the major
leagues in RBI rate in 2012. (Craig had an RBI for every 5.1 at-bats,
and led the majors with a .400 batting average with runners in scoring
position.)<br />
In Mozeliak’s first five seasons as GM, the Cardinals
had the NL’s second-best winning percentage. Only Philadelphia won more
games. The Cardinals made it to the playoffs three times in the five
seasons, have won 18 postseason games, and captured the 11th World
Series title in franchise history.<br />
When Mozeliak succeeded the
ousted Jocketty, it was natural to wonder if the Cardinals would slip,
and lose ground. It hasn’t happened. I would never insult Jocketty or
demean the work he did here by insisting that Mozeliak is a better GM.<br />
That
said, Mozeliak obviously was the right choice to take over during such a
sensitive, tricky time. Given the thorny challenges that have
confronted Mozeliak over the past five seasons, I don’t see how another
GM could have possibly done a better job than Mo.<br />
</div>
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</div>
Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-16225726959781721282012-11-02T20:28:00.000-07:002012-11-02T20:28:03.106-07:00Cards make coaching moves<div class="title-block">
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Cards make coaching moves</h1>
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The Cardinals have promoted Memphis pitching coach Blaise
Ilsley to manager Mike Matheny’s staff as bullpen coach, the
Post-Dispatch has learned.<br />
The club offered no comment on coaching
matters Friday in the wake of hitting coach Mark McGwire’s decision to
accept the same position with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the
Cardinals are expected to confirm Ilsley’s promotion on Monday, when
they may also announce assistant hitting coach John Mabry’s promotion as
McGwire’s replacement.<br />
Ilsley, 49, becomes the Cardinals’ fourth
bullpen coach in as many years, succeeding Dyar Miller, the only member
of Matheny’s staff not offered a contract following the club’s ouster
from the National League championship series.<br />
Mabry, 42, became
the final member of Matheny’s inaugural staff when he took over Mike
Aldrete’s role as assistant hitting coach after the club promoted
Aldrete to bench coach.<br />
Amid Friday’s coaching swirl the Cardinals
tendered a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to their own free
agent pitcher, Kyle Lohse. The bid – considered a formality to arguably
the market’s second-most compelling starter – assures the Cardinals will
receive draft compensation from the team that signs Lohse, who has
seven days to accept or reject the offer. If Lohse accepts, the
Cardinals would owe him $13.3 million for 2013. However, Lohse’s agent,
Scott Boras, hasn’t prepared an elaborate presentation for his client
merely to take a qualifying bid.<br />
After constructing a 16-3 record
and 2.83 ERA this season, Lohse will likely command a guaranteed
four-year bid approaching a $15 million average annual value.<br />
The Cardinals made no such offer to their other free agent, first baseman Lance Berkman.<br />
After
serving three tours with the Cardinals as a player, Mabry worked
closely with his former teammate McGwire and, according to the team’s
hitters, developed an effective professional relationship. Mabry batted
.263 with 96 home runs and 446 RBI within a 14-year career and would
become the Cardinals’ third hitting coach in the last five seasons.<br />
The
club intends to promote its next assistant hitting coach from within
the system, according to a source familiar with the matter, leaving
Aldrete as the only coach who joined the major-league staff without a
previous tie to the organization as a player or minor-league coach or
manager.<br />
The Cardinals are also expected to announce Chris Maloney’s return as first-base coach.<br />
Ilsley
spent the past five seasons as pitching coach for the Cardinals’ Class
AAA affiliate and is very familiar with the parent club’s bullpen as
well as starters Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn. Ilsley’s work with top
pitching prospect Shelby Miller is considered pivotal in turning
righthander Shelby Miller’s disastrous first half in the Pacific Coast
League into a late launching pad for his September promotion to St.
Louis, where Miller impressed in a limited relief role.<br />
During
Ilsley’s tenure at Memphis the Redbirds three times led the Pacific
Coast League in earned run average and captured the league title in a
fourth season.<br />
Matheny moved quickly to firm his coaching staff
after deciding not to retain Miller and after learning of McGwire’s
desire to work closer to his Southern California home.<br />
The past
three seasons have seen Marty Mason, current pitching coach Derek
Lilliquist and Miller serve as bullpen coach. Ilsley’s promotion also
squares with general manager John Mozeliak’s stated preference to
promote from within an increasingly respected player development system,
something that only infrequently occurred during Tony La Russa’s term
as manager. La Russa agreed minor-league managers and coaches should
have greater opportunity for upward mobility but remained loyal to a
successful, veteran staff.<br />
McGwire’s departure leaves third-base
coach Jose Oquendo, Lilliquist and bench coach Mike Aldrete as the only
holdovers from La Russa’s regime. Lilliquist and Aldrete serve Matheny
in different roles.<br />
Ilsley’s promotion is part of an expected
renovation of the player development system’s pitching hierarchy. Palm
Beach (High A) pitching coach Dennis Martinez and Johnson City (Rookie)
pitching coach Doug White will not return to the organization. Martinez,
who spent six seasons in the Cardinals’ player development system, will
coach the Nicaraguan entry in next year’s World Baseball Classic. He
also runs a baseball academy..<br />
</div>
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-86245267457424653812012-11-02T16:26:00.001-07:002012-11-02T16:26:33.996-07:00Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals<h2 class="entry-title">
<a class="entry-title-link" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/MlbTradeRumors/%7E3/RQy4L6lggdU/offseason-outlook-st-louis-cardinals.html" target="_blank">Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals</a><span class="entry-icons-placeholder"></span></h2>
<div class="entry-author">
<span class="entry-author-parent">by <span class="entry-author-name">Ben Nicholson-Smith</span></span></div>
The Cardinals enter the offseason without the need for large-scale change.<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Guaranteed Contracts</span><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Yadier Molina</a></strong>, C: $74MM through 2017</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollima01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Matt Holliday</a></strong>, OF: $69MM through 2016</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/garcija02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jaime Garcia</a></strong>, SP: $23.25MM through 2015</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/beltrca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Carlos Beltran</a></strong>, OF: $13MM through 2013</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=carpech01,carpech02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Chris Carpenter</a></strong>, SP: $12.5MM through 2013</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Adam Wainwright</a></strong>, SP: $12MM through 2013</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/westbja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jake Westbrook</a></strong>, SP: $9.75MM through 2013</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/furcara02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Rafael Furcal</a></strong>, SS: $7.5MM through 2013</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schumsk01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Skip Schumaker</a></strong>, 2B: $1.5MM through 2013</li>
</ul>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/10/arbitration-eligibles-st-louis-cardinals.html" target="_blank">Arbitration Eligible Players</a> (estimated salaries)</span><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mujiced01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Edward Mujica</a></strong></strong>, RP: $3.2MM (third time eligible)</li>
<li><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccleky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Kyle McClellan</a></strong></strong>, RP: $2.4MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate)</li>
<li><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/motteja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jason Motte</a></strong></strong>, RP: $4.7MM (second time eligible)</li>
<li><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freesda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">David Freese</a></strong></strong>, 3B: $2.6MM (first time eligible)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boggsmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank"><strong><strong></strong></strong></a><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boggsmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Mitchell Boggs</a></strong></strong>, RP: $1.3MM (first time eligible)</li>
<li><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rzepcma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank"><strong><strong></strong></strong></a><strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rzepcma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Marc Rzepczynski</a></strong></strong>, RP: $900K (first time eligible)</li>
</ul>
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Free Agents</span><br />
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lohseky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Kyle Lohse</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/berkmla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Lance Berkman</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fuentbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Brian Fuentes</a></strong></li>
</ul>
No general manager begins an offseason by declaring that his team
could contend for a championship as-is. It'd be boastful and create
unwanted attention. But if any team can contend in 2013 without making
prominent offseason additions it's the Cardinals.<br />
<a href="http://rotoauthority.blogs.com/.a/6a00d834515b9a69e2017ee4a4a4b1970d-pi" style="float: right;" target="_blank"><img alt="Adam Wainwright - Cardinals (PW)" src="http://rotoauthority.blogs.com/.a/6a00d834515b9a69e2017ee4a4a4b1970d-250wi" style="border: #cccccc 1px solid; margin: 0px 0px 5px 15px; padding: 3px; width: 160px;" title="Adam Wainwright - Cardinals (PW)" /></a><br />
The Cardinals seem to be in tremendous position for the 2013 season.
Their roster includes impact players in their prime such as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Yadier Molina</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hollima01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Matt Holliday</a></strong>. It
features an effective starting rotation with a combination of
established veterans and powerful young arms. There's a collection of
homegrown, pre-arbitration eligible position players who can really hit.
And the roster doesn't include a single bad contract.<br />
That said, John Mozeliak has a number of needs this offseason. The
general manager will pursue left-handed relief, perhaps through free
agency. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/affelje01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jeremy Affeldt</a></strong>, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burnese01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Sean Burnett</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/choatra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Randy Choate</a></strong>
are among the free agent left-handers who could become targets in St.
Louis. There's also the possibility of a trade, not that teams are
generally keen on parting with reliable left-handed relief. It'd make
sense for the Cardinals to offer Burnett or Affeldt a modest multiyear
deal if that's what it takes.<br />
The Cardinals could also consider upgrades at the middle infield
positions. They have more internal options at second base than at
shortstop, since <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/carpema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Matt Carpenter</a></strong> will work out at second this offseason and prospect <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=wong--001kol?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Kolten Wong</a></strong> could contribute at the MLB level by 2013. There's also trade candidate <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schumsk01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Skip Schumaker</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/descada01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Daniel Descalso</a></strong>, who spent most of the '12 season at second. <br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kozmape01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Pete Kozma</a></strong>'s postseason performance aside, the Cardinals have legitimate questions at shortstop. Counting on <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/furcara02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Rafael Furcal</a></strong> to stay healthy all year probably isn't realistic at this point, leading <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-insider-questions-with-joe-strauss/article_ac23780c-239f-11e2-a22b-0019bb30f31a.html" target="_blank">Joe Strauss</a> to
suggest the Cardinals could add a shortstop for the short term. While
this may not be an urgent need, it's worth keeping in mind.<br />
Schumaker doesn't have a clear role on next year's Cardinals team, so
he could be traded. He'd likely draw interest given his $1.5MM salary,
the scarcity of free agent second basemen and his ability to hit
right-handed pitching and reach base. The Royals, Orioles and Blue Jays
should all consider Schumaker in my view. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/adamsma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Matt Adams</a></strong>
could be another trade chip, since he doesn't have a clear role on the
St. Louis roster. The 24-year-old has shown lots of power at the minor
league level and could appeal to teams such as the Rays and Indians. If
those teams hesitate to surrender value in trades, the Cardinals can
simply keep Adams as depth.<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lohseky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Kyle Lohse</a></strong> will hit free agency this offseason, and he won't be returning to St. Louis. Expect the Cardinals to extend the right-hander a <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/05/qualifying-offers-for-free-agents.html" target="_blank">qualifying offer</a> to set themselves up for draft pick compensation in 2013. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/berkmla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Lance Berkman</a></strong> will also leave as a free agent (assuming he doesn't retire). Instead, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121027&content_id=40079254&vkey=news_stl&c_id=stl&partnerId=rss_stl" target="_blank">Jenifer Langosch</a> has suggested the Cardinals could pursue a right-handed hitting power threat for the bench. <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gomesjo01.shtml" target="_blank">Jonny Gomes</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wellsca01.shtml" target="_blank">Casper Wells</a></strong> are among the right-handed hitting outfielders who could appeal to Mozeliak.<br />
The GM will likely discuss a potential extension with <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Adam Wainwright</a></strong>'s representatives in the coming months. At this point, Wainwright, <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/player_search.cgi?results=carpech01,carpech02&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Chris Carpenter</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/westbja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jake Westbrook</a></strong>
are all on track to hit free agency following the 2013 season. By
extending Wainwright the Cardinals would lock up a reliable starter who
can facilitate the transition to a younger group of arms. He pitched
well in his return from Tommy John surgery, even if he fell short of the
lofty personal standards he established in 2009-10. Wainwright's
representatives at Aegis Sports Management could be positioned to demand
four or five additional years now that Wainwright's this close to free
agency.<br />
The Cardinals' group of six arbitration eligible players includes one non-tender candidate: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccleky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Kyle McClellan</a></strong>.
It's also possible Mozeliak could trade McClellan to a team in need of
pitching, though they probably wouldn't obtain much in return given his
season-ending shoulder injury.<br />
The group also includes a number of extension candidates. It might make sense to wait before extending <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freesda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">David Freese</a></strong> given his difficulties staying on the field. The Cardinals could also look to cap costs by signing relievers such as <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/motteja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jason Motte</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boggsmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Mitchell Boggs</a></strong>
to modest extensions. At this stage there's no urgency to complete
deals, so unless the Cardinals are getting discounts or extending their
period of team control, new contracts won't be necessary.<br />
Even a well-built team such as this one has offseason needs. Mozeliak
will attempt to add left-handed relief and sort out his team's middle
infield in the coming months. Still, compared to last offseason -- a
winter that included a managerial search and high stakes negotiations
with the organization's franchise player -- this year will probably seem
pretty quiet.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-13584746358067661702012-11-01T16:35:00.002-07:002012-11-01T16:35:56.367-07:00Bernie Bytes: What's up with Holliday?<div class="title-block hammer-stack">
<h1>
Bernie Bytes: What's up with Holliday?</h1>
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<img alt="The St. Louis Cardinals vs. the San Francisco Giants Game 5 of the NLCS" id="image-index-0" src="http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/stltoday.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/7a/47a08583-8a97-5c05-8a47-1fdf4858b5b7/50821d32e0e70.preview-620.jpg" /></div>
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St.
Louis' Matt Holliday strikes out for the third time during Game 5 of
the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants
and the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at
Busch Stadium. Photo By Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com<br />
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<strong>Five Opinions:</strong><br />
<strong>1. What’s up with Matt Holliday?</strong>
If they haven’t already done so, the Cardinals need to get a handle on
his physical condition. We’ve alluded to this before, in the
Post-Dispatch column and the Bytes on <a href="http://stltoday.com/">STLtoday.com</a>, and <strong>Joe Strauss</strong>
mentioned it in his online chat Wednesday. Holliday was clearly
impacted by back issues in 2012, and I’m not just talking about the back
spasms that rendered him incapable of playing Game 6 of the NLCS.<br />
Publicly,
Holliday won’t acknowledge injuries because he has pride and doesn’t
want to make excuses. So he downplayed any talk about being bothered by
the creaky back during long stretches of the 2012 season.<br />
The
evidence can be found in his statistics. Holliday had a very good
season, batting .295 with 27 homers and 102 RBIs. He ranked fifth in the
NL with a .378 w/OBA and ended up being ranked in the league’s top 15
in most key categories, including OPS and WAR. But Holliday’s slugging
percentage, .497, was a career-low. That isn’t a bad slugging
percentage, not at all. It ranked 17th in the NL. But it was a career
low.<br />
More than that: Holliday had a robust .545 slugging
percentage on Aug. 5. But over the final 52 games, he batted .237 with a
.324 onbase percentage and .384 slugging percentage. The ability is
still there; we all watched Holliday destroy NL pitching last season
during a crazy-good hot streak that lasted more than two months. But
something happened, and all signs point to his back.<br />
The question:
was this a one-time thing, an isolated injury, or will a stiff back
continue to impact Holliday’s performance into 2013 and beyond? He’ll be
33 next year. I assume the Cardinals will be on top of this. Holliday
played 157 games last season, and only six NL players had more plate
appearances. Holliday loves to play, but if anything he should probably
play less in 2013. It could help prevent wear and tear on the back.<br />
<strong>2. It’s nothing personal against Rafael Furcal,</strong>
but I don’t trust this situation. Do you? Furcal has a partial tear of
the ligament in his right elbow, but didn’t have surgery to repair it.
That’s not uncommon; Albert Pujols has played years with a partially
torn elbow ligament. The injury can be managed.<br />
That said, Furcal
plays shortstop. It’s a demanding position that requires a strong arm.
Making throws from shortstop puts stress on the arm, the shoulder, the
elbow. If Furcal blows out the elbow in 2013, then what? Furcal is under
contract for next season, and that’s it. The Cardinals don’t have a
Plan B, unless they’re committed to giving the gig to Pete Kozma. But if
Furcal experiences a setback early in the season, do the Cardinals
really have confidence in Kozma for 120, 130 or more games?<br />
The
Cardinals are vulnerable at shortstop. They must address the position.
I’d prefer to see GM John Mozeliak be aggressive and pursue a SS that
can be a starter there for multiple seasons. If Furcal’s elbow pops, the
Cardinals would have to rely on Kozma or a pedestrian utility man to
fill a vital role on the ballclub. No thanks.<br />
Cardinals GM John
Mozeliak told us that he plans to have insurance at the position and
will likely address it with a personnel move this offseason. If so, will
the Cardinals pursue a stopgap player or be more ambitious and go after
a more prominent shortstop?<br />
<strong>3. Barring injury, rookie Oscar Taveras</strong>
has to be on the big club when the Cardinals open the 2013 season. If
nothing else, he’d fill an important role as a busy fourth outfielder.
Taveras can play all three positions. He has power and above-average
speed. He is the organization’s best hitting prospect since Albert
Pujols. And if the Cardinals deploy him wisely, Taveras would receive
plenty of at-bats. If Jon Jay continues to struggle as a hitter on the
road, Taveras could start a lot of games in center.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-85335834794882768482012-10-28T13:15:00.001-07:002012-10-28T13:15:20.434-07:00ROTATION 2013<div class="title-block">
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ROTATION 2013</h1>
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Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny, right, visits the mound with
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National League championship baseball series against the San Francisco
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Given health, the Cardinals could argue that all five spots
in the rotation for 2013 are already spoken for as they leave 2012. They
won't. The team plans to open at least one spot for competition, and
there could be two spots open if Jaime Garcia is unable to use rehab and
strengthening to avoid surgery on his left shoulder. A look at how the
rotation turns for 2013, including the three veterans who have contracts
that can expire at the end of the coming season:<br />
CHRIS CARPENTER, RHP<br />
2012: 0-2, 3.71 ERA, three starts<br />
Career as a Cardinal<br />
95-44, 3.07 ERA, 198 games (197 starts)<br />
Contract: Will earn $12.5 million in final year of two-year, $21-million deal.<br />
A
sudden return from what was supposed to be season-ending surgery in
July gave Carpenter valuable innings to contribute, sure, but also to
test his health. He'll return as the Cardinals' ace next season and
arrive at spring training after a normal offseason, optimistic that
nerve issues have been surgically corrected and, for the first time
since 2008, won't be a constant concern.<br />
ADAM WAINWRIGHT, RHP<br />
2012: 14-13, 3.94 ERA, 32 starts<br />
Career as a Cardinal<br />
80-48, 3.15 ERA, 214 games (151 starts)<br />
Contract: Will earn $12 million in final year of six-year, $36 million extension.<br />
In
his first season back from elbow reconstruction, Wainwright muscled
through early limitations and finished with 213 2/3 innings in 2012. His
year ended with seven strong innings in his lone NLCS start, assuring
the righty the only question going into the offseason and next year is
whether the team can negotiate a deal that keeps him a Cardinal for the
rest of his career.<br />
JAIME GARCIA, LHP<br />
2012: 7-7, 3.92 ERA, 20 starts<br />
Career as a Cardinal<br />
34-23, 3.43 ERA, 90 games (81 starts)<br />
Contract: Will earn $5.75 million in second year of four-year, $27-million extension.<br />
Shoulder
troubles eroded Garcia's season and complicated his standing within the
rotation. The lefty sought several opinions on a rotator cuff tear, and
it was determined he could try to recover without surgery. The
Cardinals will know by mid-November if that worked. Surgery or not, he
enters 2013 with the club "holding our breath a little" for his health,
GM John Mozeliak said.<br />
JAKE WESTBROOK, RHP<br />
2012: 13-11, 3.97 ERA, 28 starts<br />
Career as a Cardinal<br />
29-24, 4.18 ERA, 73 starts<br />
Contract: Will earn $8.75-million in first year of extension that includes 2014 option.<br />
The
Cardinals' resident sinkerballer was unable to contribute in the
postseason because of an oblique strain, one that he'd overcome by the
end of the NLCS. That was a disappointing ending to his best season with
the Cardinals, one that included 6 1/3 innings per start, his lowest
ERA since 2004, and an extension that reworked his 2013 option into a
potential two-year pact.<br />
OPEN CASTING<br />
After an All-Star turn
and a team-best 18 wins in the regular season, Lance Lynn is the
incumbent for this spot. But the Cardinals plan to create a competition
between Lynn (18-7, 3.78 ERA, 29 starts) and the three ascending talents
who made their major-league debuts this past season: Joe Kelly (5-7,
3.53 ERA, 16 starts), Trevor Rosenthal (0-2, 2.78 ERA, 19 games), and
Shelby Miller (1-0, 1.23 ERA, six games). They are the future. They
could be the present.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-17623688383021084332012-10-28T13:12:00.001-07:002012-10-28T13:12:22.895-07:00Matheny learns plenty in first season<div class="title-block hammer-stack">
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Matheny learns plenty in first season</h1>
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<span class="pubdate">14 hours ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20JOE%20STRAUSS%20%E2%80%A2%20jstrauss%40post-dispatch.com%20%3E%20314-340-8371">BY JOE STRAUSS • jstrauss@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8371</a></span></div>
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A season that lasted 175 games, included 95 wins and brought
his team within nine innings of a World Series appearance left Cardinals
manager Mike Matheny emotionally drained but wiser for the experience.<br />
Matheny
entered the 2012 season a first-time manager inheriting a World Series
champion from a future Hall of Famer. He was assigned a coaching staff, a
fairly impressive roster with a vulnerable bullpen and a robust
starting rotation that for a second straight spring training lost a key
arm before opening day.<br />
When October spit him out its other side,
Matheny had acquired a better sense of how to utilize his staff and a
greater feel for running a bullpen that didn't take final shape until
August.<br />
Matheny also learned first-hand how to deal with devastating losses as well as exhilarating reversals.<br />
"I
think we had an entertaining season," Matheny summarized last week,
three days after the Cardinals suffered the final installment of a
seven-game loss to the San Francisco Giants in the National League
championship series. "I know it was emotionally draining. I don't think
I've been part of a team that had so many gut-wrenching games — not just
the close ones, but crazy stuff."<br />
Matheny evolved from conducting
lengthy afternoon sessions with his coaches during spring training to
being surrounded by them near the dugout rail during early-season games.
The situation was a natural outgrowth of an expedited managerial search
that followed a lengthy postseason, but Matheny admittedly had to learn
which voices to listen to and when.<br />
"I wanted them thinking
alongside me so we don't let anything slip. It was a little more chaotic
at the beginning because we were all trying to feel each other out,"
Matheny said. "I'm trying to pick apart people's strengths and
weaknesses and where I believe they can help the guys the most. It
didn't take long.<br />
"They're talented. They just needed to know where they were needed. They could fill a lot of different roles."<br />
The
club was immediately tested by the spring training loss of co-ace Chris
Carpenter to a recurring nerve disorder. First baseman Lance Berkman
experienced knee discomfort in March that eventually led to two
operations. Shortstop Rafael Furcal suffered a season-ending ligament
sprain in Washington just before the club made its September push.
Lethander Jaime Garcia dealt with shoulder discomfort that necessitated
two months off. Managing a defending world champion never became a
push-button experience.<br />
Still, an experienced roster played as such.<br />
"This
team was very consistent. We got beat, it was dead in here. We came
back the next day and it was like it never happened," Matheny said.<br />
"I never saw them go flat because of adversity," he said. "At times I thought adversity brought more out of them."<br />
The
manager interspersed themes of urgency and resilience through an 88-win
regular season that saw the Cardinals fall behind the Cincinnati Reds
on May 24, endure consecutive losing months, find themselves in third
place as late as Aug. 21, yet still find enough to craft a 14-6
finishing kick.<br />
Reliever Edward Mujica, whose July 31 acquisition
signaled a turnaround for an unpredictable bullpen, thought Matheny
"like a player" in his ability to relate to his team. Even during the
first half's bullpen chaos, no one publicly took issue with managerial
moves. Instead, the club embraced Matheny's mantra to "have each other's
back."<br />
General manager John Mozeliak pressed hard for Matheny's
hiring. He had made known his intention to hire Matheny long before Tony
La Russa announced his retirement within hours of the team's victory
parade. Mozeliak also understood there would be a learning curve, at
times a steep one.<br />
"When you look at the team we took from spring
training, the expectation was the bullpen would be a strength and the
rotation would be a question. The reality turned out to be very
different," Mozeliak said. "It was the bullpen that became a struggle.
And even the most experienced manager will have a difficult time dealing
with an unsettled bullpen."<br />
Acquiring Mujica represented a "huge"
move, according to Matheny, who established a pecking order that
utilized Mujica in the seventh inning, Mitchell Boggs in the eighth and
closer Jason Motte in the ninth. All three excelled under more
predictable circumstances.<br />
"It didn't get much attention on the
national scene. But everyone in here saw what (the trade) did for us,"
Matheny said. "We were struggling. It's amazing how one piece instantly
changed things."<br />
Matheny became a much stronger proponent of a
static lineup than La Russa. In 13 postseason games, Matheny made only
two adjustments to the batting order and lineup, each resulting from
injuries. Matheny acknowledged Thursday such heavy reliance on a set
lineup may have eroded his bench's effectiveness, making it more
difficult to make changes as the offense mustered only one run in the
final three NLCS games.<br />
"I looked every day at it and every night I
thought about it. But we also rode those guys so hard because they were
coming together so well as a lineup. The guys who you wanted to put in
as a spark hadn't seen that many pitches," he said.<br />
Matheny took
the playoff defeat stoically. He stopped at numerous lockers following
Game 7 to offer words of appreciation and consolation. Like most, he saw
the Game 5 loss to soft-tossing Giants lefthander Barry Zito as the
turning point.<br />
"We're watching it and watching the radar guy
thinking, 'How is this happening?'" Matheny recalled. "Well, he's making
quality pitches. He's not making that many mistakes."<br />
The
Cardinals ultimately blinked. The weight of allowing 10 unearned runs in
the series and getting outscored 16-0 in the first four innings of the
final three games proved fatal. "Game 5 was the turning point, to be
sure," Matheny said. "You could just see the frustration on everybody
knowing that it was right there to be put away, to be able to do it at
home and you're not facing (Matt) Cain, (Ryan) Vogelsong and (Tim)
Lincecum. But that's how the game works."<br />
Some described the
Cardinals' offensive brownout as inexplicable. Matheny saw it
differently because he, like others familiar with a two-sided offense,
had seen it before, especially in the second half.<br />
"I couldn't say
it didn't look like us because we saw this all season. There were times
it just wasn't there," Matheny noted. "It didn't matter what kind of
batting practice, what kind of extra work or meetings we had. This team
went in ruts together. We were just looking for spark to get it going.
When you look at Game 5 we had opportunities just like we had all season
long."<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-87650041484622351202012-10-28T13:09:00.002-07:002012-10-28T13:09:51.505-07:00Bernie: Cardinals fell short, but they went far<div class="title-block hammer-stack">
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Bernie: Cardinals fell short, but they went far</h1>
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closer Jason Motte (right) embraces catcher Tony Cruz as their
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Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals on
Friday, Oct. 12, 2012, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. (AP
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The 2012 Cardinals didn't have a happy ending to their
season. The ending was rather hideous. The defending World Series
champions were overthrown in the NL championship series, handing over a
3-1 lead in succumbing to the San Francisco Giants.<br />
In losing
three consecutive games by a combined 20-1 score, the Cardinals were to
the Giants what Missouri football is to the SEC. The result was a
stunning elimination and an early frost as the Cardinals staggered home
to begin the offseason.<br />
"I'm still trying to deal with it,"
Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said Thursday, three days after his
team's elimination. "I should be driving to the ballpark to get ready
for a game instead of driving to the stadium to say goodbye to the
players."<br />
The Cardinals' 2012 season can be interpreted in several
ways. They should have put the Giants away and didn't. That's a
negative, but the Cardinals also outlasted all but two of the other 31
MLB teams and fell one victory short of advancing to the World Series.<br />
The
Cardinals won 88 regular-season games and barely qualified for the
playoffs in the expanded postseason format that accommodated two wild
card entries.<br />
Now consider the Cardinals' degree of difficulty. It
isn't easy being the king. Just ask recent defending World Series
champions that experienced down years in their encore seasons. The 2012
Cardinals went against that established trend.<br />
Of the previous 10
teams to win the World Series, four followed up by missing the playoffs,
three lost in the league division series and two lost in the league
championship series. Only one, the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies, made it
back to the World Series.<br />
By winning a wild-card playoff game in
Atlanta, then upsetting Washington in the NL division series, the 2012
Cardinals did better than seven of the last 10 defending champs.<br />
That's
why the 2012 Cardinals have no reason to apologize. They won seven
postseason games and largely maintained the high standards set in place
years ago. This year did nothing to diminish the Cardinals' status as
one of the most elite franchises in professional sports.<br />
Since
Bill DeWitt Jr. took control as owner before the 1996 season, the
Cardinals have won two World Series titles, three NL pennants and 57
postseason games. And over those last 17 seasons only the New York
Yankees have more postseason victories. Since 2004, the Cardinals lead
the majors with 41 postseason victories — 10 more than the Yankees, who
rank second.<br />
As the Cardinals were winning 57 postseason games since 1996, the other teams in the NL Central combined to win only 29.<br />
Great
organizations specialize in finding solutions. Great organizations
always have a foundation that prevents collapses. Accordingly, in a year
of dramatic transition and turmoil, the 2012 Cardinals pushed through
the hard times to attain more postseason success.<br />
So much had
happened since the World Series parade last fall. There was a seismic
change in leadership, with future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa and
esteemed pitching coach Dave Duncan retiring after the 2011 season.<br />
The
lineup lost the iconic presence and mass production of Albert Pujols,
who bolted to the Los Angeles Angels for a $240 million free agent deal
of a lifetime.<br />
The Cardinals also lost Jeff Luhnow, their director
of scouting and the amateur draft. After earning accolades for his work
in replenishing the Cardinals' farm system, Luhnow was hired as general
manager by the Houston Astros.<br />
DeWitt's organization has
displayed considerable staying power though the strength of stability.
DeWitt had one manager and two general managers over the remarkable
16-season stretch that ended with the hoisting of the 11th World Series
trophy in franchise history in 2011.<br />
The Cardinals hired Matheny
to manage, and he'd never managed at any level. Considering La Russa's
vast experience of managing more than 5,000 big-league games, the
Matheny appointment represented a tremendous leap of faith.<br />
The experiment worked.<br />
The
Cardinals promoted from within the front office to fill Luhnow's roles.
Derek Lilliquist moved from bullpen coach to pitching coach. To replace
a healthy percentage of Pujols' offense, the Cardinals made a
calculated gamble by signing outfielder Carlos Beltran and his unhealthy
knees.<br />
That all worked, too.<br />
"Ever since you look back to
1996 when DeWitt and the group took over, we've had a lot of consistency
with the manager, and in the baseball operations," Cardinals GM John
Mozeliak said. "I think this past year we've had the greatest turnover.
And to still be able to produce like we did on the field is really a
credit to a lot of people."<br />
An already formidable challenge was
made more difficult by an outbreak of injuries that bedeviled the
Cardinals all season. Yeah, I know: Every team must deal with injuries,
and change.<br />
Did other teams lose Pujols, La Russa and Duncan? Did
the other teams lose Chris Carpenter for all but three regular-season
starts? How many teams had to make do without a hitter the caliber of
Lance Berkman, who was limited to only 97 plate appearances because of
injuries?<br />
Did those teams have an RBI machine, Allen Craig, idling
on the DL twice during the first two months? Did those teams lose
starting pitcher Jaime Garcia (shoulder) for more than two months? (You
may not be thrilled by Garcia now, but in 2010-2011, only Clayton
Kershaw had more wins among lefthanded NL starters.)<br />
It never
ended. The Cardinals had to play Shane Robinson in center field for a
month when starter Jon Jay went on the DL with a bum shoulder. Another
shock to the system came Aug. 31 when the Cardinals lost their starting
shortstop, Rafael Furcal, to a season-ending elbow injury.<br />
Sure, every team has emergencies, but no team got walloped more severely than the 2012 Cardinals. They are worthy of respect.<br />
Matheny
was a strong leader who helped guide the players through the hardships.
Beltran wasn't Pujols, but he did swat 32 homers and drive in 97 runs.<br />
The
Cardinals covered roster shortfalls by rushing young pitchers to the
majors. They were thrilled by what they saw from Joe Kelly, Trevor
Rosenthal and Shelby Miller. Rookie Matt Carpenter was valuable as an
all-purpose problem solver on the lineup card. Late in the year, rookie
Pete Kozma took over at shortstop and may have saved the season with his
surprisingly superb play in September.<br />
Mozeliak cited the young
talent that's already in place, with more on the way, when he referred
to 2012 as a 'steppingstone" season. Yes, and winning seven postseason
games is a nice springboard to the future.<br />
So if you want to stay
mad and stew all winter in reaction to the Cardinals getting thrown out
of the postseason by the Giants, then go ahead and simmer. Stay bitter
even though you've been fortunate to witness a golden era for the
Cardinals franchise. I'm sure the baseball fans in Kansas City and
Pittsburgh will feel really sorry for you.<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-34594662124171396452012-10-27T14:50:00.003-07:002012-10-27T14:50:59.625-07:00Arbitration Eligibles: St. Louis Cardinals<h2 class="entry-title">
<a class="entry-title-link" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/MlbTradeRumors/%7E3/nH6RX8JD34I/arbitration-eligibles-st-louis-cardinals.html" target="_blank">Arbitration Eligibles: St. Louis Cardinals</a><span class="entry-icons-placeholder"></span></h2>
<div class="entry-author">
<span class="entry-author-parent">by <span class="entry-author-name">Tim Dierkes</span></span></div>
The Cardinals are next in our <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013-arbitration-eligibles/" target="_blank">2013 Arbitration Eligibles series</a>. Matt Swartz's salary projections are below.<br />
<ul>
<li><strong>First time</strong>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/freesda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">David Freese</a></strong> ($2.6MM), <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/boggsmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Mitchell Boggs</a></strong> ($1.3MM), <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rzepcma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Marc Rzepczynski</a></strong> ($900K)</li>
<li><strong>Second time</strong>: <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/motteja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Jason Motte</a></strong> ($4.7MM)</li>
<li><strong>Third time: </strong><strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mujiced01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Edward Mujica</a></strong> ($3.2MM), <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mccleky01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Kyle McClellan</a></strong> ($2.4MM)</li>
</ul>
With Motte, Mujica, Boggs, Rzepczynski, and McClellan, the majority
of the Cardinals' arbitration cases are relievers. In his first full
year as the Cardinals' closer, Motte racked up an impressive 42 saves
with strong peripheral numbers. The 30-year-old is under team control
through 2014, and the Cardinals could reduce the cost and add a free
agent year or two with an extension. The three-year, $20MM extension
signed by <strong><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marmoca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-www.typepad.com" target="_blank">Carlos Marmol</a></strong> after the 2010 season could be a model.<br />
Mujica came to the Cardinals at the trade deadline and allowed just
three runs in 26 1/3 regular season innings. With 30 holds this year,
he's in line for a handsome raise. Boggs posted 34 holds, and will top
$1MM as a first-timer. Rzepczynski slipped this year, but figures to be
retained affordably. McClellan spent most of the year on the disabled
list, requiring shoulder surgery in July. Earlier this month, <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121001&content_id=39311460&notebook_id=39321774&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl&partnerId=rss_stl" target="_blank">MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch</a>
wrote that McClellan will throw for the entire month of November, which
will give the Cardinals a chance to evaluate him before deciding
whether to tender a contract. Langosch expects McClellan to be
non-tendered, but with the door open for a new contract.<br />
Freese, 29, made the All-Star team this year and ultimately posted
career highs in games played (144 in the regular season) and thus all
relevant counting stats. Last year's postseason heroics won't hurt at
the arbitration table, either. Is it too early to consider extending
Freese, a Wildwood, Missouri native? Freese's injuries this year were
numerous but minor, though you hate to see any kind of ankle concerns
still cropping up. I think the Cards would be best-served to let 2013
play out before seriously talking extension.<br />
Assuming everyone is tendered a contract aside from McClellan, the
Cardinals are looking at a projected $12.7MM for five arbitration
eligible players.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-39749536135116849882012-10-27T11:34:00.000-07:002012-10-27T11:34:07.432-07:00Cardinals are armed and ready<div class="title-block">
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Cardinals are armed and ready</h1>
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Louis' Yadier Molina and Lance Lynn talk after Lynn made a throwing
error allowing a run to score in the fourth inning of Game 5 of the
National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and
the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at Busch
Stadium. Photo By J.B. Forbes, jforbes@post-dispatch.com<br />
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<span class="pubdate">13 hours ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20DERRICK%20GOOLD%20%E2%80%A2%20dgoold%40post-dispatch.com%20%3E%20314-340-8285">BY DERRICK GOOLD • dgoold@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8285</a></span></div>
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When Chris Carpenter started his unexpected push to return to
the Cardinals' rotation this season, his arm felt strong, his
surgically improved shoulder responded, and his conditioning hadn't
softened. One thing gave him pause.<br />
He saw the young arms the team had used in his absence.<br />
"We
have a group of young people who I was like — well, should I really
come back?" Carpenter said. "I'm telling you, I had that in my mind. Is
my stuff and my ability going to benefit us? ... We have some power
guys, some competitive guys, some hard-working guys, some guys who care,
all these young guys.<br />
"It's totally different than when I first came here."<br />
Despite
what appears like the inevitable departure of starter Kyle Lohse to
free agency, the Cardinals will return five incumbents for the rotation
in 2013. Carpenter expects to be full-strength, joining Adam Wainwright,
Jake Westbrook, Jaime Garcia, and Lance Lynn. That does not mean the
rotation is settled. Youth must be served.<br />
The Cardinals plan to
open up at least one spot in the rotation for competition; so encouraged
by what they saw from young lions like Joe Kelly, Trevor Rosenthal, and
Shelby Miller that the organization will give them a chance to compete
for a spot with Lynn. All he did was take over Carpenter's spot in the
rotation, win 18 games, and earn a spot in the All-Star Game. All four
of the contenders will be 25 or younger.<br />
"To have these guys step
up and do what they did shows us a lot of this isn't all smoke and
mirrors when we talk about what we have in the minor leagues," general
manager John Mozeliak said. He added later: "You never have enough
pitching, but I do think from our end a lot of it has crystallized in
terms of exactly what we have. First of all, we've never had this kind
of conversation where we felt like we had this kind of depth and this
kind of quality of depth."<br />
Although the rotation lost Carpenter to
nerve issues during spring training and didn't have Wainwright or
Garcia at their best for several stretches, it still propelled a team
that came one win shy of the World Series. The Cardinals' starters had a
3.62 ERA combined, which ranked third in the National League, and their
71-47 record was second to Washington. What propped up the rotation
beyond Lohse's 16-3 season was the arrival of Lynn as a starter and
Kelly as a big-leaguer. Before faltering in the second half and moving
into the bullpen, Lynn was 11-4 with a 3.41 ERA as a starter. Kelly went
4-6 with a 3.74 ERA as a starter and had seven consecutive quality
starts while filling in for Garcia.<br />
Rosenthal and Miller,
September callups, joined later, primarily as relievers, and both
pitched their way onto the playoff roster. Rosenthal used his
overpowering velocity — more than half his pitches were 99 mph or faster
— to 15 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings in the playoffs.<br />
"Joe and
Lance and Trevor and Shelby — those are big-time arms that are going to
be here for a while," Wainwright said. "When you're going to sign
somewhere long-term, you want to look at what kind of team you're going
to have, who you're going to call teammates. And the future here is real
bright."<br />
Although their immediate future could be in the bullpen,
all four young guns will come to spring training as starters,
conditioned for a starter's workload.<br />
Garcia's health is a
question mark as November arrives, and Mozeliak said his availability
for 2013 won't truly be clear "until you ramp it up and put yourself on
the mound." If Garcia requires surgery or is slowed by shoulder trouble,
a second spot in the rotation would open. Assigned to improve his
conditioning this winter, Lynn figures to be the favorite. Kelly and
Rosenthal have proven proficient in a relief role but capable of
starting. Miller has been pegged since being drafted 19th overall in
2009 as a future starter.<br />
Manager Mike Matheny said though the
young arms will come to spring as starters, they'll leave in whatever
role improves the major-league club.<br />
"We appreciate our
development system, but we're not in the development business in this
clubhouse. We're in the winning business," Matheny said. "So, we don't
want somebody sitting around here to be a mopup man if they can be
getting better as a starter (in Class AAA). But if he can help us win,
that's going to be the focus."<br />
On Thursday, Rosenthal was back at
Busch Stadium, preparing for a workout in the players' weight room.
Rosenthal has relocated to St. Louis for this winter in order to shadow
Carpenter and others as he prepares for 2013. Wainwright was there
packing up his locker and he chided the rookie for getting back to work.<br />
Take two weeks off, Wainwright said.<br />
Rosenthal offered a reason to keep working.<br />
Take
two weeks off, Wainwight insisted. He added that Rosenthal deserved the
rest and needed the rest "if you're going to be a starter."<br />
That's the only if for Rosenthal and the others.<br />
Their role is uncertain, their future contribution isn't.<br />
"We're
going to go to spring training not sure what to do with everybody,"
Carpenter said. "We're going to have too many guys, guys who have
already proven themselves in the minors, guys who have already proven
themselves here. There could be four guys for one spot and all four
deserve it."<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-14466367636662113672012-10-26T14:49:00.003-07:002012-10-26T14:49:52.726-07:00Bernie Bytes: Awards for 2012 Cardinals<div class="title-block">
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Bernie Bytes: Awards for 2012 Cardinals</h1>
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Closer
Jason Motte and catcher Yadier Molina celebrate after the Cardinals
beat the Giants in Game 3 of the NLCS at Busch Stadium. (Photo By Laurie
Skrivan / lskrivan@post-dispatch.com)<br />
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<span class="pubdate">2 hours ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20BERNIE%20MIKLASZ%2C%20Post-Dispatch%20Sports%20Columnist">BY BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch Sports Columnist</a></span></div>
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The 2012 Cardinals had a good season, and they have nothing
to apologize for, and I’ll discuss their year and their future in a
Sunday column.<br />
Today, let’s dish some team awards:<br />
<strong>Most Valuable Player:</strong> Catcher <strong>Yadier Molina</strong>.
This is an easy call. I don’t think I really need to explain the
choice. But in case you missed the season … not only did Molina maintain
his status as the best defensive catcher in baseball, but he emerged as
an offensive force in 2012. He finished fourth in the NL in batting
average (.315), 10th in onbase percentage (.373), 14th in slugging
(.501). He hit 22 homers, 28 doubles, drove in 76 runs and swiped 12
bases. Just a superb all-around season, and don’t forget his leadership
in running the pitching staff. In the <a href="http://fangraphs.com/">FanGraphs.com</a> rankings of Wins Above Replacement, Molina was 7th in the league with a WAR of 6.5.<br />
<strong>The STL Cy Young: Kyle Lohse</strong>.
Another easy pick here. Lohse was fifth among NL starting pitchers in
ERA (2.86), tied for fourth in quality starts (24), seventh in innings
pitched (211), and had the top winning percentage (.842) after going
16-3. His win total should have been higher. Lohse was down on the list
(24th) of NL pitchers that received the most run support per start. In
12 combined starts in which he was charged with a loss or had a
non-decision in a game that the Cardinals lost, Lohse had a 3.41 ERA and
eight quality starts.<br />
<strong>Rookie of the Year: Matt Carpenter.</strong>
He really had a superb season, providing significant value with his
ability to produce offensively, play all of the corner defensive
positions, and serve as a highly effective starter when needed.
Carpenter helped lessen the damage of the Cardinals’ many injuries by
hitting .308 with a .382 onbase percentage and .490 slugging pct. in 66
games as a starter. He also had 11 RBIs as a pinch hitter. He batted
.311 with runners in scoring position, and .333 with RISP and two out,
and .303 in high-leverage situations.<br />
<strong>Breakout season: The choice is Allen Craig.</strong>
Yes, Craig emerged as a true impact bat in 2011, but that was as a
part-time player. This season he went national in that he had enough
plate appearances to qualify for the league’s leader boards on offense.
Craig finished sixth in the NL in batting average (.307), led the majors
in average with runners in scoring position (.400), was fifth in
slugging percentage (.522). Most of all, he drove in runs. Despite
playing in only 119 games and taking only 469 at-bats due to injuries,
Craig finished tied for fifth in the NL in RBIs with 92. But here’s the
true measure of Craig’s timely production: he led the NL in RBI rate,
delivering an RBI every 5.1 at-bats.<br />
<strong>Most underrated pitcher:</strong> that would be the closer, <strong>Jason Motte</strong>.
He was tied with Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel for the league lead with 42
saves. After some rough moments in the first two months, Motte found a
consistent groove in the middle of June. From June 13 until the end of
the regular season, he had 41 saves in 45 opportunities, an ERA of 2.18
and averaged 12 strikeouts per nine innings. So why do I believe Motte
is underrated? Because closers usually are ripped by fans when they blow
saves, and there is a tendency to overlook the quality and consistency
of their work.<br />
<strong>Most underrated hitter: Matt Holliday.</strong>
Many of you will disagree with that. I would guess that many of you
would go the opposite way and claim that Holliday is most overrated …
which is EXACTLY why strongly believe he’s underrated. In my 27 years
I’ve never observed a prominent St. Louis athlete that’s been as
unfairly maligned by fans as Holliday. Why is that? We’re an old-school
baseball town, and a nostalgic baseball town. Holliday got a $120
million contract from the Cardinals and way too many fans are hung up on
that, forgetting that (1) this isn’t 1952, and (2) Holliday provides
good value for the dollar.<br />
<strong>Most overrated hitter:</strong>
center fielder Jon Jay. I think Jay is good. I think he had a good
season. He was impressive in his defensive range in CF. I respect him.
But I would also be a coward if I declined to choose someone for the
overrated category. My reason for Jay? A .210 batting average, .274
onbase percentage and .275 slugging percentage on the road. That’s
really a minus for a leadoff hitter. Jay played well in center, he had a
plus five rating in the John Dewan Fielding Bible system. But that plus
five didn’t place him among the plus-minus leaders in CF. Atlanta’s
Michael Bourn was a plus 37. I like what Jay did for the 2012 Cardinals.
He deserves credit for snatching the job from Colby Rasmus, and then
holding onto it and making the best of it. I’m just hung up on the
home/road splits.<br />
<strong>Most overrated pitcher:</strong> this
one is tough; Adam Wainwright would be the choice of many because he
wasn’t in vintage form and had some rough days. Which us understandable;
he missed all of 2011 (elbow surgery.) Jake Westbrook is a candidate.
But the choice here _ and really I am not trying to be controversial _
is Lance Lynn. Why? Overall he did a nice job for the Cardinals. A very
nice job, going 18-7 with a 3.78 ERA. But did Lynn really deserve to be
an NL All-Star? Probably not. Other NL pitchers were having better
seasons at the time, and that includes Lohse. But more than that, Lynn
had a 4.78 ERA over his final 16 starts and was demoted to the bullpen. A
lot of people will point to his wins and say, “How the heck can that be
considered overrated?” One answer: Lynn had the most generous run
support of any NL starter in 2012. I like Lynn’s future prospects. He’s
talented. And the Cardinals want him to focus on conditioning this
offseason. That will help him.<br />
If you prefer the standard stats,
Holliday finished seventh in the NL in RBIs, seventh in onbase
percentage, seventh in runs, 17th in slugginng, eighth in combined
onbase+slugging, 10th in extra-base hits, 15th in batting average, 14th
in homers, fifth in most times on base. People obsess over his batting
average with runners in scoring position, but batting average in
high-leverage situations is a more credible stat. In high-leverage plate
appearances Holliday batted .276 with a .376 OBP and .495 SLG.<br />
In
the sabermetric evaluations used by front offices, this season Holliday
was 14th in the NL in WAR (5.1). In Holliday’s three full seasons with
the team his WAR is 16.7, and over that span only Joey Votto, Ryan Braun
and Andrew McCutchen have been more valuable among NL players.
According to FanGraphs, Holliday played at a $26 million value in 2010, a
$22.5 million value in 2011, and a $23 million value in 2012.<br />
<strong>Best newcomer: Carlos Beltran.</strong>
Yes, his extended drought after the All-Star break was problematic and
disturbing. And it knocked down his season numbers to a .269 batting
average, .346 OBP and .495 SLG. But Beltran reheated in September and
played an important role in getting the Cardinals to the postseason.
Here’s the bottom line: Beltran played in more games and had more
at-bats (547) than we than we expected (151). He hit 32 homers and drove
in 97 runs. He was a starting NL All-Star. I don’t know about you, but
that was more than I thought he would do.<br />
<strong>Coach of the Year: Derek Lilliquist.</strong>
He did an excellent job taking over as pitching coach for Dave Duncan.
He maintained the high standards, and the performance, and did so
despite considerable injury-related turmoil within the rotation.Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-54544938554891860352012-10-26T07:06:00.000-07:002012-10-26T07:06:10.356-07:00Jay's in charge in center<div class="title-block">
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Jay's in charge in center</h1>
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Louis's Jon Jay makes a leaping catch against the wall in the sixth
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It happened early in spring, perhaps even the first time they
met as teammates, and its importance carried all the way through
October.<br />
Carlos Beltran, who has three Gold Glove Awards as
souvenirs from his time as a center fielder, approached Jon Jay, the
Cardinals' full-time center fielder for the first time. Jay had been
thinking all offseason about how he needed to be more assertive in
center. He wanted to lead more, yield less. And here was the Cardinals'
new right fielder, one of the finest center fielders of his generation,
coming to him with some words of advice.<br />
"Hey, do your thing out there," he said, as Jay recalled. "You're the center fielder."<br />
Emboldened
by that role and encouraged by the two veterans flanking him, Beltran
and left fielder Matt Holliday, Jay emerged this season as what manager
Mike Matheny called "the quarterback of the outfield." Jay started 108
games in center, led the team in highlight-reel catches and went the
entire regular season without committing an error. He will at least be a
finalist for the Gold Glove Award and could win his first — a fact that
his manager, general manager and even teammates trace back to what he
first did in spring training.<br />
He took charge.<br />
"The largest
area of improvement was really just him taking control of the outfield,"
Matheny said. "That's a pretty tough spot for a young player to be put
into when you have Matt Holliday on one side and Carlos Beltran on the
other with a lot of accolades on their shelves. He took control and
that's a huge part of the position: (don't) be afraid to tell a guy,
'Hey, you need to get closer to the line.' They certainly have respect
for Jon and his instincts now, and that's a huge step forward."<br />
Added
Jay: "I think it was having the chance to know I was going to be out
there more, knowing that I was going to get the time to prove myself."<br />
Time worked for Jay. It only recently worked against him.<br />
Last
month, the center fielder heard from his agent that he would fall less
than a week shy of qualifying for arbitration this winter. This week it
was announced that "Super Two" status was given to the players between
two and three years of experience with the top 22 percent of service
time.<br />
Under the agreement between the union and the leagues last
November, the bar this offseason was set at two years, 139 days. Jay has
two years, 134 days. Those five days mean Jay won't have access to
arbitration to raise his salary for 2013 and the Cardinals will have
control of him for another four seasons.<br />
"I came into the year
knowing the situation. It doesn't change anything for me," Jay said. "I
don't take anything for granted. I know how this game is. You've seen it
a lot with guys in other years. You're in. You're out. I work hard to
stay consistent. That stuff takes care of itself."<br />
Jay speaks from
experience because he's often been the player who was in while others
were out. In 2010, his play as the fourth outfielder allowed the
Cardinals to trade Ryan Ludwick for Jake Westbrook. In 2011, Jay
outplayed Colby Rasmus in center and that led, in part, to a deal that
sent Rasmus to Toronto and instantly steeled the bullpen for an October
run. In 2012, Jay took over as the everyday center fielder, and he'll
return as the incumbent in 2013 — but there may be a challenger on the
horizon.<br />
Oscar Taveras, 20, is being developed as a center
fielder, and on Thursday general manager John Mozeliak called him "one
of the most prolific hitters I've seen in our organization probably
since Albert Pujols." Taveras won the Texas League's equivalent of most
valuable player award after batting .321 with 23 home runs, 94 RBIs and a
organization-high .572 slugging percentage. In six games already this
fall for the Dominican Winter League, Taveras has a .364 average with
two homers. Projected initially as a right fielder, Taveras has improved
enough for the team to think his athletic ability will translate to
center.<br />
Although Taveras will come to big-league spring training
in 2013, that doesn't mean he'll arrive as a center fielder or that
he'll leave spring with the major-league club.<br />
That takes time.<br />
"That's
a great question, frankly," Mozeliak said when asked how a young player
could take control of the demanding position. "That should be what
drives the answer. It is the hardest position to play as a rookie. When
you think about getting Taveras in the mix I'm not sure what that looks
like."<br />
What it means for Jay is the very thing that allowed him to
stand out and take over as center fielder for the Cardinals is what
will keep him there.<br />
He seized control of the role.<br />
"Right now, he's our center fielder," Mozeliak said. "And he played like it."<br />
Jay
started the final 41 games of the regular season in center and all of
the 13 playoff games. He will have his right shoulder re-examined soon
to assure that the injury he sustained in April doesn't have lingering
effects. Jay also took over at leadoff when Rafael Furcal faltered, and
the lefthanded-hitting outfielder batted .303 in the top spot. Though a
.224 average and a .289 on-base percentage on the road was a riddle, and
hole in his season. Jay doesn't plan to spend much time this winter
fretting about that extreme split, focusing instead on improving his
approach at leadoff and his angles in the field.<br />
He sees winning a
Gold Glove much as he views falling short of arbitration: It takes
time. Often a stellar defensive season puts the player in the
conversation first and the Gold Glove doesn't follow until a year later —
if the fielder earns the opportunity for an encore.<br />
"I understand
how all this stuff works," Jay said. "I know how this game is — you
have to wait your turn. You have to put in your time, pay your dues. ...
You put in your time, your work, and you wait patiently and then your
time comes."<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-18638631766354223502012-10-26T06:57:00.001-07:002012-10-26T06:57:11.089-07:00Cardinals stay on steady course<div class="title-block">
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Cardinals stay on steady course</h1>
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Cardinals'
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Next season's Cardinals team will bear a striking resemblance
to the edition that secured 88 games this season, captured the
wild-card playoff, unseated the Washington Nationals in a best-of-five
playoff and ultimately couldn't protect a 3-1 lead in the National
League championship series.<br />
General manager John Mozeliak offered
the appraisal during a far-reaching Thursday briefing at Busch Stadium.
Mozeliak allowed that free agent 16-game winner Kyle Lohse and
oft-injured first baseman Lance Berkman don't fit into a future heavily
reliant on organizational depth but said he has challenged his front
office to find "creative" methods to improve the club.<br />
"If you go
around the diamond right now you would assume all these jobs are locked
up and that sort of scares me looking at next year," Mozeliak said
during a morning 40-minute session. "I just want to make sure that we're
really taking a step back as we enter the (general managers') meetings,
winter meetings and free agent market that we're not close-minded to
anything that might improve this team."<br />
Mozeliak spoke
optimistically about pitcher Jaime Garcia's and shortstop Rafael
Furcal's ability to avoid surgery following respective season-ending
shoulder and elbow issues. He also minimized the possibility of center
fielder Jon Jay requiring a procedure to address a shoulder weakened in
an early-season collision with the Busch Stadium wall.<br />
Most of
all, Mozeliak voiced confidence in an increasingly productive
minor-league system that is shifting from a complementary resource to a
primary one.<br />
Mozeliak insisted young arms Joe Kelly, Trevor
Rosenthal and Shelby Miller would arrive at spring training positioned
to compete for a spot within a starting rotation that already boasts
five pitchers under control. The fifth-year GM referred to outfield
prospect Oscar Taveras as "the most prolific hitter I've seen in this
organization since probably Albert" Pujols and said that second base
prospect Kolten Wong would compete for playing time next spring as well.<br />
Ramifications for the current club are mixed:<br />
Mozeliak
referred to Jay as "our center fielder, and he played like it." The
description softens any expectation Taveras, rated by many draft
analysts as among the game's top five prospects, might unseat Jay next
season. Jay's value is especially high as he fell six days of
major-league service shy of reaching "Super Two" eligibility for
arbitration.<br />
Still, Mozeliak said he believed it likely the
20-year-old Taveras would appear with the parent club at some point in
2013. Mozeliak described Taveras as "an unbelievable hitter."<br />
An
anticipated crush at second base should include Daniel Descalso, Pete
Kozma, Wong and potentially Matt Carpenter, who will use this winter to
add a fifth position to his repertoire. The glut argues against veteran
Skip Schumaker, the starter at the position for more than two seasons,
receiving significant time there.<br />
"It's hard to imagine him getting a ton of playing time there with what we know we have and what we have coming," Mozeliak said.<br />
Schumaker's
role on the club would appear further pinched with Jay, Matt Holliday
and Carlos Beltran forming an everyday outfield. Mozeliak made clear he
would seek to bolster a bench that represented a weak link in October.<br />
All
but neutered once Allen Craig and Carpenter filled frequent starting
roles, the bench could use "that little extra thump late in the game,"
according to Mozeliak. "Overall, there were reasons why our bench became
what it was. That's certainly something we'll look at in the
offseason."<br />
Craig remains more comfortable on an outfield flank, according to Mozeliak, but his immediate future remains at first base.<br />
Craig's
ascendance leaves little need to bring back Berkman following a season
truncated by two right knee operations that left him unavailable for the
postseason. For the same reason, prospect Matt Adams appears blocked.<br />
"When you look at the depth we have coming, it's hard to imagine us finding a fit for (Berkman) here," Mozeliak said.<br />
The
return of Adam Wainwright, Garcia, Jake Westbrook, Chris Carpenter and
18-game winner Lance Lynn similarly argues against offering a long-term
deal to Lohse, who looms as one of the market's three most attractive
starting pitchers. The club hasn't approached Lohse (16-3, 2.86 ERA)
about his pending free agency, nor does Lohse expect it to happen.
Mozeliak called extending the relationship "probably unlikely at this
time."<br />
Lynn's conditioning drew the club's attention, and both
Mozeliak and Matheny indicated emphasis was placed on the big man
tapering himself this winter.<br />
With an abundance of power right
arms available in relief, the Cardinals will pursue additional depth on
the left side. Marc Rzepczynski was the only lefthanded reliever on the
team's postseason roster and was seldom used.<br />
Mozeliak noted the
availability of hard-throwing rookie Sam Freeman while allowing that he
would be aggressive within the market.<br />
"Overall, I would say that's on the short list of things to look at," he said.<br />
The
glut of righthanded relief makes it likely the club won't offer a
contract to Kyle McClellan, the bullpen's senior member. McClellan, who
is still rehabilitating from shoulder surgery in May, has cleaned out
his Busch Stadium locker and may shift his rehab to an outside trainer.<br />
Mozeliak
and manager Mike Matheny remained at a loss to explain a prolific but
inconsistent offense that suffered its final brownout while scoring only
one run during the Cardinals' last three losses to the San Francisco
Giants in the NLCS. The tendency, however, may lead the club to
aggressively pursue a situational lefthanded bat this winter.<br />
"It's
a very odd year to explain when you look at the run differential
(plus-117) being one side of the equation and then look at our one-run
games (21-26) and lack of success," Mozeliak said. "There's not one
place you can point to in explaining it."<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-36422445360282499092012-10-25T15:27:00.003-07:002012-10-25T15:27:48.698-07:00Cards make one change to coaching staff<div class="title-block">
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Cards make one change to coaching staff</h1>
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Cardinals
starting pitcher Joe Kelly high fives bullpen coach Dyar Miller as they
talk in the bullpen before a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and
the New York Mets on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at Busch Stadium in St.
Louis. Photo by Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com<br />
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<strong>ST. LOUIS</strong> • The Cardinals will add a new
bullpen coach after notifying Dyar Miller, a veteran of the
organization, that his contract will not be renewed for the 2013 season,
general manager John Mozeliak announced this morning at Busch Stadium.<br />
All
of the other coaches, including hitting coach Mark McGwire, pitching
coach Derek Lilliquist and third-base coach Jose Oquendo, will be
offered a chance to return.<br />
Mozeliak said the move allows manager Mike Matheny to put his fingerprints on the coaching staff.<br />
"From a standpoint when we're putting the whole staff together," Mozeliak said, "we wanted to look at long-term."<br />
Mozeliak
said the preference would be to fill the position from within the
organization. Cal Eldred has been mentioned as a possible candidate in
the past, and he is a close friend of Matheny's. Blaise Ilsley has
served in the minor-leagues, last year with Class AAA Memphis, and is
well-regarded within the organization and familiar with the young arms
that Cardinals will rely on next season.<br />
When asked, he could not
say whether Miller would be offered a chance to remain within the
organization. Miller served for a long time as a minor-league coach and
the pitching coordinator.<br />
Some other comments from Mozeliak this morning:<br />
• He called re-signing Kyle Lohse "probably unlikely."<br />
•
He said all of the young, power-arm pitchers like Lance Lynn, Joe
Kelly, Trevor Rosenthal and Shelby Miller will be brought to spring
training conditioned as starters so that they can compete for an opening
in the rotation. He added that Lynn has been given an offseason plan
that focused on conditioning.<br />
• There will be concern about Jaime
Garcia's health and Rafael Furcal's availability that won't be answered
or cleared until spring training.<br />
"The probability of (Garcia)
having surgery is very remote or small at this point," Mozeliak said.
"We'll go into spring training, hold our breath a little bit with him.
Until you ramp it up and put yourself on the mound, we're not going to
know for sure."<br />
• He said that with veteran Lance Berkman "it's hard to imagine finding a fit for him here," Mozeliak said.<br />
• Skip Schumaker is not seen as an option at second base for the team going into 2013.<br />
"It's
hard to imagine him getting a chance at a ton of playing time there
with what we know we have," Mozeliak said, "and what we know we have
coming."<br />
That is a reference to first-round pick and rising prospect Kolten Wong.<br />
• The other prospect discussed was Oscar Taveras, the outfielder and Texas League most valuable player.<br />
"He
is the most prolific hitter I've seen in our organization in a long
time, probably since Albert Pujols," Mozeliak said. "To think he'll play
in the major leagues in 2013 -- I wouldn't rule it out."<br />
• Mozeliak also tied how the 2012 went with how the 2013 season should be welcomed in a summary statement.<br />
"The
general narrative of 2012 was all of the turnover and change and still
having the same success in the season," Mozeliak said. "The hurdles this
organization had to deal with ... and then handling them internally.
We'll utilize that (farm system) as an asset to sustain the success that
we had this year."<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-8179426833169012412012-10-25T15:22:00.003-07:002012-10-25T15:22:29.261-07:00Carpenter told to 'focus' on second base<div class="title-block">
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Carpenter told to 'focus' on second base</h1>
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Second
baseman Matt Carpenter is unable to reach a single by Colorado's Wilin
Rosario in the July 5 game at Busch Stadium. Carpenter appeared in five
games at second base for the Cardinals in 2012. (Photo by Chris Lee /
clee@post-dispatch.com)<br />
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<strong>ST. LOUIS</strong> • As he looks back at the 2012
season with the intent of planning ahead for the 2013 season, Cardinals
manager Mike Matheny said he is working through the notes he wants to
pass along to his players and coaches this winter.<br />
He already has passed along one note to Matt Carpenter.<br />
Actually, it was more of a homework assignment.<br />
"I
told him to make it a focus," Matheny said of instructing Carpenter to
work this winter at second base, a new position for the
lefthanded-hitting utility fielder.<br />
"And go see what he can do
with it and be ready to (come to spring training) as a ballplayer. I
want him to have some repetition out there."<br />
Carpenter appeared
sparingly at second base this past season, but the Cardinals often toyed
with the idea of getting him playing time there so they could get his
bat in the lineup more consistently.<br />
Carpenter proved adept enough at the corner positions -- first, third, left and right -- to spell the regulars there.<br />
Matheny
said his hope is to actually get Carpenter and Jose Oquendo together a
few times this winter to work directly on the position and give
Carpenter a head start going into spring training. Daniel Descalso is
the de facto incumbent at second base.<br />
General manager John
Mozeliak said earlier this morning that it would be hard to see how Skip
Schumaker would get playing time there. Kolten Wong, a first-round pick
in 2011, will get a look at spring training to see if he's ready to
vault from Class AA to the majors as the second baseman.<br />
Carpenter would offer a bigger bat for the position while also adding to the many ways they could use him during games.<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-88474905603614042562012-10-19T06:02:00.003-07:002012-10-19T06:02:21.611-07:00<div class="title-block">
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Holliday plays on through family health crisis</h1>
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Matt
Holliday drives an RBI single into center field in the first inning of
Game 4 of the NLCS at Busch Stadium. (Huy Mach photo / Post-Dispatch)<br />
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<span class="pubdate">2 hours ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20JOE%20STRAUSS">BY JOE STRAUSS</a></span></div>
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With a series-clinching win over the Giants tonight, the
Cardinals could assure themselves of spending the next eight days at
home.<br />
So in a way, they play today for left fielder Matt Holliday,
who helped position the Cardinals for their 8-3 win in Game 4 of the
NLCS with two RBI singles.<br />
A win today puts the Cardinals in the
World Series — which starts Wednesday and for which St. Louis would have
home-field advantage — and allows Holliday to remain in town close to
his mother, Kathy. She underwent surgery in a St. Louis hospital hours
before Thursday’s Game 4 for removal of colon cancer.<br />
"It’s been
hard. This week’s been hard," Holliday said. "It’s part of life, part of
being a big boy. You’ve got to deal with what happens in your life. I
wish it wasn’t. But it’s part of it. She’s doing good and we’ve had
great support."<br />
Aware of Holliday’s personal situation, the
Cardinals clubhouse said little publicly out of respect. It wasn’t until
the clubhouse thinned almost an hour after Thursday’s win that the left
fielder addressed it at any length.<br />
"He’s a brother to us," offered third baseman David Freese. "We’re all here for him. He knows that."<br />
The
family crisis happened quickly. Kathy Holliday was diagnosed with colon
cancer while the Cardinals played the final segment of the division
series in Washington.<br />
The club’s medical staff helped arrange for
her surgery to take place in St. Louis. Holliday spent much of the day
with his family at a local hospital.<br />
He was there when his mother came out of surgery and later when she awoke, still groggy.<br />
"The doctor was very pleased with how it went," Holliday said.<br />
Holliday
did not hit on the field before Thursday’s game. He said nothing of his
personal situation during a group postgame interview.<br />
He had hoped to avoid addressing the matter publicly but became concerned when word began to leak via social media.<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2800684290311585012.post-3120121662488663582012-10-18T22:06:00.004-07:002012-10-18T22:06:57.503-07:00Wainwright bounces back to beat Giants<div class="title-block hammer-stack">
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Wainwright bounces back to beat Giants</h1>
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Chris Lee</div>
Adam
Wainwright pitches in the third inning of Game 4 of the National League
Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the San
Francisco Giants on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012, at Busch Stadium. Photo by
Chris Lee, clee@post-dispatch.com<br />
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<span class="pubdate">1 hour ago</span> • <span class="byline"><a href="http://www.stltoday.com/search/?l=50&sd=desc&s=start_time&f=html&byline=BY%20JOE%20STRAUSS%20jstrauss%40post-dispatch.com%20%3E%20314-340-8371">BY JOE STRAUSS jstrauss@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8371</a></span></div>
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Adam Wainwright had promised himself this time would be
better, that he wouldn't squander the second chance afforded by his
team's improbable scramble from a pit of his making in last Friday's
all-in tilt against the Washington Nationals.<br />
So far this
postseason Wainwright had absorbed the loss in Game 1 of the National
League division series and experienced the shortest start of his career
in Game 5. After lasting only seven outs, Wainwright became a spectator
to the biggest comeback ever in a make-or-break postseason game.<br />
There were no apologies needed Thursday night at Busch Stadium, no promises of a future make-good.<br />
This
time Wainwright took a recovering offense's largesse and turned it into
a personal statement. The Cardinals and an announced crowd of 47,062
afterward celebrated a 8-3 win over the San Francisco Giants in Game 4
of the National League championship series.<br />
The series now leans
heavily toward the defending World Series champions. Where it goes from
here still isn't certain. But unless the Giants win tonight it won't be
returning to the Bay.<br />
The Cardinals hold a commanding 3-1 lead in a
series that has seen the Giants score only twice the last two games
before a too-late two-run homer in the ninth. After getting by with
less, the Cardinals' python offense engaged in a feeding frenzy.<br />
Up
and down Thursday's lineup the Cardinals made amends for squeezing just
19 hits from the series' first three games. They started by reaching
two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum for four runs in 4 2/3
innings and kept going after a bullpen that allowed two significant
sixth-inning runs.<br />
Left fielder Matt Holliday became the night's
early offensive centerpiece, driving in the Cardinals' first run before
Lincecum secured an out and producing a 3-1 lead with a fifth-inning
single. He entered the game one for 11 with runners in scoring position
this postseason.<br />
Hitting .167 for the postseason, center fielder
Jon Jay scored the night's first run, then followed with a two-run,
sixth-inning double that put the Cardinals up 6-1 and, realistically,
the game out of reach.<br />
The Cardinals broke out with right fielder
Carlos Beltran on the bench with a sore right knee. They asked little of
their bullpen the night after closer Jason Motte offered a six-out
save. Wainwright lasted only eight innings in his first two postseason
starts but this time strong-armed his way through seven innings with
minimal suspense.<br />
After escaping a two-game deficit in their
division series against the Cincinnati Reds, the Giants now seem a team
in checkmate. Tonight they replace their Game 1 starter, Madison
Bumgarner, with Barry Zito, a question to even appear when the series
opened. Of the 14 teams to take a 3-1 lead in the NLCS since 1985, 12
have reached the World Series. The odds are better against a team that
seeks scraps from a lineup that boasts an MVP candidate (Buster Posey)
and eight escape valves.<br />
The Cardinals improved to 7-3 in the
postseason and 19-7 since Sept. 16. They are within a game of facing the
American League champion Detroit Tigers in the World Series and vying
to become the first National League team to repeat as Series champions
since the 1975-76 Cincinnati Reds.<br />
Right fielder Hunter Pence
provided the Giants' early offense when he launched a second-inning home
run that halved the Cardinals' lead to 2-1. It was also an anomaly
against a pitcher who allowed three home runs with a six-run performance
against the Nationals six days before.<br />
Wainwright zoomed through
his outing in 96 pitches, including 70 strikes. He allowed four hits but
none with a runner in scoring position. He relied less on strikeouts
but exhibited improved fastball command, walking no one and constantly
working ahead in counts. The Giants gave backup catcher Hector Sanchez
his first start of the series, batting him fifth, and received three
strikeouts.<br />
Wainwright retired the side in order four times and
only once allowed multiple baserunners in an inning. He dodged his most
serious threat by retiring Posey on a one-out fly ball, then getting
third baseman Pablo Sandoval to ground out weakly to second base.
Wainwright left the field with a hop, skip and a fist pump.<br />
Giants
manager Bruce Bochy didn't officially name Lincecum his Game 4 starter
until Wednesday. Lincecum's first out also scored the Cardinals' second
run as Jay, first baseman Matt Carpenter and Holliday reached on two
hits and a walk.<br />
Even when the Giants were in it, they appeared to
be only on the fringes. Lincecum dodged a second-inning rally derailed
by shortstop Pete Kozma's ill-timed steal attempt. An error and two
walks brought the Cardinals nothing.<br />
Bochy hoped to coax Lincecum
through the fifth inning before pinch-hitting for him to lead off the
sixth. The plan fizzled when Carpenter reached base for a third
consecutive plate appearance, this one a double high off the center
field wall. Holliday, the focal point of a Game 2 controversy,
contributed his second RBI with a single to center field. Catcher Yadier
Molina entered his at-bat five for 35 for the playoffs and denied extra
bases in his previous appearance by center fielder Angel Pagan's
leaping catch at the wall. There were no heroics to prevent his two-out
single, which scored Holliday and chased Lincecum from a 4-1 game.<br />
The
Cardinals continued with back-to-back two-run rallies against the
Giants' bullpen. After the middle-infield tandem of Daniel Descalso and
Kozma opened the sixth inning with singles, Jay greeted lefthander Jose
Mijares with a two-run double.<br />
Molina's double scored right
fielder Allen Craig after Craig opened the seventh inning with a single
that halted an 0-for-11 series. A wild pitch advanced Molina to third
base before Kozma delivered the Cardinals' final run with a two-out
single.<br />
The Giants' Sandoval provided final punctuation with a two-run, ninth-inning home run.<br />
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Rob Hoodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02211809421832142963noreply@blogger.com0