By JP
Yep, the Cardinals are not looking good. At 19-19 (.500) the Cards are second in the division and 5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. They aren't hitting and their bullpen has been suspect. But there is one number to keep in mind before getting worried: 124.
There are 124 games left this season. That is 76% of the season remaining. But what does that mean? Does that mean that fans have to suffer through another four and a half months of .500 baseball? Perhaps, but more likely there is plenty of time to right the ship. Rmember last season (2013) when the Dodgers were 10-15 games below .500 at the all-star break? They ended up with one of the best records in baseball and played the Cardinals for a chance to go to the World Series. 2006 should prove that all the Cardinals need to do is make the playoffs.
Sure, right now the fact that Peter Borjous, Jhonny Peralta, and Allen Craig are not hitting well at all right now and Trevor Rosenthall and Shane Mannes are both struggling a little in the bullpen and the Cards aren't getting much production out 2nd, but there is plenty of time to get things going. Have faith in Matheny. He will get things going.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
Last Call For Spring Training Baseball, So Finish Your Whiskey or Beer
By JP
Spring Training is almost over and as of Monday, Marth 31st it will be regular season. Opening Day is Monday! Iam so excited I feel tingly all over, I am short of breath and my left arm hurts. But Cardinals baseball can do that to a man. It could be worse, I could be having a heart attack or something.
I now live in the great state of Texas, which is, of course, Rangers country. I have encountered some bitterness from Rangers fans over 2011, some even pulling a page right out of the Rules to Being a Cubs fan playbook and stating silly things like "Ha, ha, the Cardinals lost in the World Series." Completely ignoring the fact the fan's team wasn't even in the playoffs. But, the vast majority of the time my experiences with Rangers fans has been pretty pleasant. In fact, I may hit a Rangers game or two this year, but mostly because I like watching professional baseball. And in the history of the Cardinals, the Rangers are, outside of 2011, a nonentity. There just isn't any history between the clubs. I certainly hope that in 2015 the Cardinals play the Rangers in Arlington.
2014 is going to be an exciting season. The Cards have one of the deepest pitching staffs they have had in a long time and have an impoved offense and defense. The additions of Peter Bourjos and Jhonny Peralta should help the Cards get over the hump to another WS victory. If Jaime Garcia, a left handed pitcher, can get and stay healthy that could help seal the deal. But that's a big if. There are a lot of factors that could be obstacles (such as injuries or a Wacha and/or Miller regression), but I am really looking forward to this season. Go Cards!
Spring Training is almost over and as of Monday, Marth 31st it will be regular season. Opening Day is Monday! Iam so excited I feel tingly all over, I am short of breath and my left arm hurts. But Cardinals baseball can do that to a man. It could be worse, I could be having a heart attack or something.
I now live in the great state of Texas, which is, of course, Rangers country. I have encountered some bitterness from Rangers fans over 2011, some even pulling a page right out of the Rules to Being a Cubs fan playbook and stating silly things like "Ha, ha, the Cardinals lost in the World Series." Completely ignoring the fact the fan's team wasn't even in the playoffs. But, the vast majority of the time my experiences with Rangers fans has been pretty pleasant. In fact, I may hit a Rangers game or two this year, but mostly because I like watching professional baseball. And in the history of the Cardinals, the Rangers are, outside of 2011, a nonentity. There just isn't any history between the clubs. I certainly hope that in 2015 the Cardinals play the Rangers in Arlington.
2014 is going to be an exciting season. The Cards have one of the deepest pitching staffs they have had in a long time and have an impoved offense and defense. The additions of Peter Bourjos and Jhonny Peralta should help the Cards get over the hump to another WS victory. If Jaime Garcia, a left handed pitcher, can get and stay healthy that could help seal the deal. But that's a big if. There are a lot of factors that could be obstacles (such as injuries or a Wacha and/or Miller regression), but I am really looking forward to this season. Go Cards!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Oh Baseball, How I've Missed You
By JP
The long, cold winter has an end in sight
Spring Training, the sun after a dark night
Pitchers and catchers and position players galore
Baseball season is so close, I can't take it anymore!
Now I have moved so far away
I still think of you everyday
Cardinals in red, birds on the bat
St. Louis is where heaven is at
The starting rotation has not been set
But Wainwright and Wacha will be there you bet
With Molina leading the way behind the plate
There is no doubt this season will be great
Some old heroes have now been lost
And perhaps some lines were crossed
But forgiveness abounds in the Gateway to the West
That is way out team is the best!
It has been awhile since my last post
More to come I would like to boast
But the future I cannot tell
My intent is good and well
Living in the Land of the Ranger
I often feel like a stranger
But those in the UCB* are my kin of a sort
And can be found between every port
From the west to the east
Our clan is a hungry beast
More banners are sure to come
This season promises to be quite fun!
*United Cardinal Bloggers
The long, cold winter has an end in sight
Spring Training, the sun after a dark night
Pitchers and catchers and position players galore
Baseball season is so close, I can't take it anymore!
Now I have moved so far away
I still think of you everyday
Cardinals in red, birds on the bat
St. Louis is where heaven is at
The starting rotation has not been set
But Wainwright and Wacha will be there you bet
With Molina leading the way behind the plate
There is no doubt this season will be great
Some old heroes have now been lost
And perhaps some lines were crossed
But forgiveness abounds in the Gateway to the West
That is way out team is the best!
It has been awhile since my last post
More to come I would like to boast
But the future I cannot tell
My intent is good and well
Living in the Land of the Ranger
I often feel like a stranger
But those in the UCB* are my kin of a sort
And can be found between every port
From the west to the east
Our clan is a hungry beast
More banners are sure to come
This season promises to be quite fun!
*United Cardinal Bloggers
Sunday, January 12, 2014
He's Not the Wong Choice
By JP
Kolten Wong had a less than stellar Major League debut during his call up in August. In fact, he had a .153 batting average and became "nothing" more than a pinch hitter/runner. But there is reason to believe that Wong is the right choice at 2nd base.
First, he showed flashes up plus defense ability at the position during the World Series. Secondly he should be able to improve that batting average with regular time at 2nd, which should happen this season with the Cards trading David Freese to the Angels which will allow Matt Carpenter to shift over to his normal position of 3rd base. Lastly, but most important, is Wong's work ethic.
Kolten Wong has been working almost without rest since the end of the 2013 season to improve both his defense and offense and that is something Cards fans can be excited about. Sure, many (most? all?) Cards players spend a chunk of the off season trying to improve, but Wong is determined to be the every day second baseman and to contribute to the Cardinals 2014 season and goal to retrun-and win-the Worlds series. The Cardinals signed former Dodger Mark Ellis as a back up in case Wong struggles, but base on his work ethic, I think he will do well.
--14--
Kolten Wong had a less than stellar Major League debut during his call up in August. In fact, he had a .153 batting average and became "nothing" more than a pinch hitter/runner. But there is reason to believe that Wong is the right choice at 2nd base.
First, he showed flashes up plus defense ability at the position during the World Series. Secondly he should be able to improve that batting average with regular time at 2nd, which should happen this season with the Cards trading David Freese to the Angels which will allow Matt Carpenter to shift over to his normal position of 3rd base. Lastly, but most important, is Wong's work ethic.
Kolten Wong has been working almost without rest since the end of the 2013 season to improve both his defense and offense and that is something Cards fans can be excited about. Sure, many (most? all?) Cards players spend a chunk of the off season trying to improve, but Wong is determined to be the every day second baseman and to contribute to the Cardinals 2014 season and goal to retrun-and win-the Worlds series. The Cardinals signed former Dodger Mark Ellis as a back up in case Wong struggles, but base on his work ethic, I think he will do well.
--14--
Sunday, December 8, 2013
A Moving Break and PEDs
By JP
After a long delay during which I relocated to the great state of Texas, I am back and into the game again, so to speak. When last I left you, David Freese had been dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or some such bullshit) for Peter Borjous, a trade I think will be beneficial to the Cardinals. I couldn't give a shit if it helped the Angels. It probably won't. Signing Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and C.J. Wilson hasn't done them a damn bit of good. But, whatever, the Cards I think are better off. Well, since then, the Cardinals have added a short stop, a position that they needed to fill. However, some people have been complaining about who the picked up:
Jhonny Peralta.
Why all the complaints about Peralta? Well, he was linked to Biogenesis, a company that allegedly supplied performances enhancing drugs to players such as Ryan Braun, Peralta, and Alex Rodriguez. I am not going to defend Peralta except to say that he was linked in 2012 and he had a slight dip in performance that year and that he wasn't linked to anything in 2013 and was (as far as we know anyway) clean in 2013 when he had a better season that in 2012. Take that for what you will.
Some MLB players are whining about the signing and some writers think that the signing is bad for baseball. I disagree with both of them. I will call bullshit when I see it, but people are entitled to their opinions (like, for instance, when I accuse certain MLB players of whining). But I also think that if people are entitled to their opinions, they are also entitled to second chances. To a certain extent, Peralta wasn't rewarded for "cheating" he was rewarded for his circumstance. Let me explain:
1) The St. Louis Cardinals needed a short stop. Peralta is a short stop
2) Detroit did NOT make a qualifying offer to Peralta (which means that any team that signs Peralta would NOT have to give up a draft pick)
3) The only other legitimate short stop on the market was Stephen Drew who has a history of injuries, something the Cardinals wanted to stay away from (the Red Sox also DID make a qualifying offer to Drew, which means the Cards would have had to given up a draft pick)
4) Cardinals GM John Mozeliak doesn't like to give up young talent, so a trade was probably a last resort option for Mo.
5) The Cardinals had some money to spend this off season and felt that spending on Peralta was a better business decision, despite the controversy, than giving away a chunk of their young talent for someone like, say, Troy Tulowitzki who seems to be injured all the time
So, before people start spouting off about Peralta being rewarded for cheating, they should think about it for a moment and realize that Peralta wasn't rewarded for cheating, he was rewarded for being in the right place at the right time.
-19-
After a long delay during which I relocated to the great state of Texas, I am back and into the game again, so to speak. When last I left you, David Freese had been dealt to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (or some such bullshit) for Peter Borjous, a trade I think will be beneficial to the Cardinals. I couldn't give a shit if it helped the Angels. It probably won't. Signing Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and C.J. Wilson hasn't done them a damn bit of good. But, whatever, the Cards I think are better off. Well, since then, the Cardinals have added a short stop, a position that they needed to fill. However, some people have been complaining about who the picked up:
Jhonny Peralta.
Why all the complaints about Peralta? Well, he was linked to Biogenesis, a company that allegedly supplied performances enhancing drugs to players such as Ryan Braun, Peralta, and Alex Rodriguez. I am not going to defend Peralta except to say that he was linked in 2012 and he had a slight dip in performance that year and that he wasn't linked to anything in 2013 and was (as far as we know anyway) clean in 2013 when he had a better season that in 2012. Take that for what you will.
Some MLB players are whining about the signing and some writers think that the signing is bad for baseball. I disagree with both of them. I will call bullshit when I see it, but people are entitled to their opinions (like, for instance, when I accuse certain MLB players of whining). But I also think that if people are entitled to their opinions, they are also entitled to second chances. To a certain extent, Peralta wasn't rewarded for "cheating" he was rewarded for his circumstance. Let me explain:
1) The St. Louis Cardinals needed a short stop. Peralta is a short stop
2) Detroit did NOT make a qualifying offer to Peralta (which means that any team that signs Peralta would NOT have to give up a draft pick)
3) The only other legitimate short stop on the market was Stephen Drew who has a history of injuries, something the Cardinals wanted to stay away from (the Red Sox also DID make a qualifying offer to Drew, which means the Cards would have had to given up a draft pick)
4) Cardinals GM John Mozeliak doesn't like to give up young talent, so a trade was probably a last resort option for Mo.
5) The Cardinals had some money to spend this off season and felt that spending on Peralta was a better business decision, despite the controversy, than giving away a chunk of their young talent for someone like, say, Troy Tulowitzki who seems to be injured all the time
So, before people start spouting off about Peralta being rewarded for cheating, they should think about it for a moment and realize that Peralta wasn't rewarded for cheating, he was rewarded for being in the right place at the right time.
-19-
Friday, November 22, 2013
So Long David Freese, Thanks for 2011
By JP
David Freese and Fernando Salas were traded to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Peter Bourjos and minor leaguer Randal Grichuk on Friday. As usual with John Mozeliak, this deal helps the Cardinals.
Peter Bourjos is very good defensive outfielder and could win the everyday center fielder job during spring training over Jon Jay. The main problem is that Bourjos is very injury prone and comes with the possibility of missing significant time. But that's why John Mozeliak is such a smart GM; Bourjos is a defensive upgrade, but can platoon with Jon Jay and (maybe mid season if not sooner) top Cardinal prospect Oscar Taveres. Matt Holliday will still patrol left field and Allen Craig will presumably play right field.
As far as the infield goes, trading away David Freese opens 3rd base up, which will allow Matt Carpenter to slide over from 2nd which in turn opens up 2nd for Kolten Wong. Wong struggled at the plate in limited at bats in 2013, however he showed defensive brilliance during the World Series. He also made a base running gaffe during the World Series, however, he is young and has spent very little time at the Major League level, so his mental mistakes can be excused. More at bats in the Majors should allow him to improve his batting and if he can continue excelling on defense, he will be a very valuable player.
The St. Louis Cardinals would not have won the 2011 World Series if they did not have David Freese and for that, I will always be grateful. But, unfortunately, professional sports is all about "what have you done for me lately" and lately, it could be argued, Freese may have cost the Cards the 2013 WS. It seemed like every game, sometimes multiple times in a game, Freese would get up to bat against the Red Sox with the bases loaded, only to weakly pop out or strike out. As I have stated previously, I function on the smell test (that is, I am not Sabermetrics guy), so it's possible that Freese may not have been in that situation every game (and I think Pete Kozma is also guilty of the same baseball crime). But it sure felt like it to me.
Freese was an All-Star in 2012, but struggled in 2013. Why? Well, he did start the season on the Disabled List with back problems, so it is certainly possible that he was suffering through that all season. If that's the case, then I give him props for fighting through it.
Having said all that, I am going to miss Freese. I love the idea of a boyhood Cardinals fan growing up to play for his favorite team. There is something poetic about that. The fact of the matter is, however, that on paper this trade improves the Cardinals for 2014.
Now they just need to get a short stop.
-42-
David Freese and Fernando Salas were traded to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Peter Bourjos and minor leaguer Randal Grichuk on Friday. As usual with John Mozeliak, this deal helps the Cardinals.
Peter Bourjos is very good defensive outfielder and could win the everyday center fielder job during spring training over Jon Jay. The main problem is that Bourjos is very injury prone and comes with the possibility of missing significant time. But that's why John Mozeliak is such a smart GM; Bourjos is a defensive upgrade, but can platoon with Jon Jay and (maybe mid season if not sooner) top Cardinal prospect Oscar Taveres. Matt Holliday will still patrol left field and Allen Craig will presumably play right field.
As far as the infield goes, trading away David Freese opens 3rd base up, which will allow Matt Carpenter to slide over from 2nd which in turn opens up 2nd for Kolten Wong. Wong struggled at the plate in limited at bats in 2013, however he showed defensive brilliance during the World Series. He also made a base running gaffe during the World Series, however, he is young and has spent very little time at the Major League level, so his mental mistakes can be excused. More at bats in the Majors should allow him to improve his batting and if he can continue excelling on defense, he will be a very valuable player.
The St. Louis Cardinals would not have won the 2011 World Series if they did not have David Freese and for that, I will always be grateful. But, unfortunately, professional sports is all about "what have you done for me lately" and lately, it could be argued, Freese may have cost the Cards the 2013 WS. It seemed like every game, sometimes multiple times in a game, Freese would get up to bat against the Red Sox with the bases loaded, only to weakly pop out or strike out. As I have stated previously, I function on the smell test (that is, I am not Sabermetrics guy), so it's possible that Freese may not have been in that situation every game (and I think Pete Kozma is also guilty of the same baseball crime). But it sure felt like it to me.
Freese was an All-Star in 2012, but struggled in 2013. Why? Well, he did start the season on the Disabled List with back problems, so it is certainly possible that he was suffering through that all season. If that's the case, then I give him props for fighting through it.
Having said all that, I am going to miss Freese. I love the idea of a boyhood Cardinals fan growing up to play for his favorite team. There is something poetic about that. The fact of the matter is, however, that on paper this trade improves the Cardinals for 2014.
Now they just need to get a short stop.
-42-
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Well, There's Always Next Season...
By JP
It's been a few days since the St. Louis Cardinals lost the World Series in 6 games to the Boston Red Sox. Frustrating? Yep. But, unlike the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals have a bright future ahead of them and will likely be right back in the thick of things next season.
The Cardinals lost the WS because they failed at the one thing they did better than anyone else all season and better than any team for the last 30 SEASONS; they failed to score with runners in scoring position. It seemed like almost every game the Cards, at least once, had the bases loaded with one out or no outs and failed to score. The Red Sox pitched well, but the Cards were not facing Greg Maddox, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine (future Hall of Famers). Several times I saw David Freese get up to bat with runners in scoring position only to pop out on the infield or to strike out. Same with Pete Kozma and Kozma's defense cost the Cardinals several runs. Now, it was NOT their fault that the Cardinals lost the world series, but they certainly didn't help. At all.
So, what was the point of mentioning that about Freese and Kozma? Simply, I doubt they will be on the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2014. Honestly, Freese hasn't done much of anything since the NLCS and WS in 2011 and Kozma hasn't lived up to the hype he had when he was in the Minor Leagues. I like David Freese and I appreciate what he did in 2011, but, unfortunately, professional sports is a "what have you done for me lately" business and Freese and Kozma haven't done anything for the Cardinals lately.
Now, the free agents are Carlos Beltran, Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal, and Edward Mujica. The Cards already decline their part of Jake Westbrook's mutual option making him a free agent as well. I suspect that Carp will retire and Furcal and Mujica are gone. I would love to see Beltran stay, but I don't think the Cardinals are going to want to pay him what he's going to want. He has been very healthy the last two seasons (something that he hadn't been previously and scared off many teams two seasons ago when he was previously a free agent) and he has been very productive. The Cards can offer him a one year qualifying offer of $14.1 million, but to be honest I think Beltran will seek more money elsewhere. He has had interest in the Yankees in the past and it could be mutual this off season. Also, the Cardinals could use Allen Craig in right and Matt Adams at first base.
With Furcal, Carp, and (possibly?) Beltran off the books, the Cardinals are going to have quite a bit of money coming off the books. If Freese and Kozma are both gone, then it's possible for Matt Carpenter to move back to 3rd base and the Cards could go after a free agent or make a trade for a short stop and a 2nd baseman.
The Cardinals will have Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and (maybe) Jaime Garcia. I know that's six names, so it's possible that Garcia could start in the bullpen coming off a season ending injury early in the 2013 season. So, Spring Training will have some stiff competition among the starting rotation.
This off season is going to be very interesting, but the Cardinals look to be in pretty good shape, save for a couple of holes to fill and decisions to make. I will keep you updated as I learn more.
It's been a few days since the St. Louis Cardinals lost the World Series in 6 games to the Boston Red Sox. Frustrating? Yep. But, unlike the Chicago Cubs, the Cardinals have a bright future ahead of them and will likely be right back in the thick of things next season.
The Cardinals lost the WS because they failed at the one thing they did better than anyone else all season and better than any team for the last 30 SEASONS; they failed to score with runners in scoring position. It seemed like almost every game the Cards, at least once, had the bases loaded with one out or no outs and failed to score. The Red Sox pitched well, but the Cards were not facing Greg Maddox, John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine (future Hall of Famers). Several times I saw David Freese get up to bat with runners in scoring position only to pop out on the infield or to strike out. Same with Pete Kozma and Kozma's defense cost the Cardinals several runs. Now, it was NOT their fault that the Cardinals lost the world series, but they certainly didn't help. At all.
So, what was the point of mentioning that about Freese and Kozma? Simply, I doubt they will be on the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 2014. Honestly, Freese hasn't done much of anything since the NLCS and WS in 2011 and Kozma hasn't lived up to the hype he had when he was in the Minor Leagues. I like David Freese and I appreciate what he did in 2011, but, unfortunately, professional sports is a "what have you done for me lately" business and Freese and Kozma haven't done anything for the Cardinals lately.
Now, the free agents are Carlos Beltran, Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal, and Edward Mujica. The Cards already decline their part of Jake Westbrook's mutual option making him a free agent as well. I suspect that Carp will retire and Furcal and Mujica are gone. I would love to see Beltran stay, but I don't think the Cardinals are going to want to pay him what he's going to want. He has been very healthy the last two seasons (something that he hadn't been previously and scared off many teams two seasons ago when he was previously a free agent) and he has been very productive. The Cards can offer him a one year qualifying offer of $14.1 million, but to be honest I think Beltran will seek more money elsewhere. He has had interest in the Yankees in the past and it could be mutual this off season. Also, the Cardinals could use Allen Craig in right and Matt Adams at first base.
With Furcal, Carp, and (possibly?) Beltran off the books, the Cardinals are going to have quite a bit of money coming off the books. If Freese and Kozma are both gone, then it's possible for Matt Carpenter to move back to 3rd base and the Cards could go after a free agent or make a trade for a short stop and a 2nd baseman.
The Cardinals will have Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Shelby Miller, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn and (maybe) Jaime Garcia. I know that's six names, so it's possible that Garcia could start in the bullpen coming off a season ending injury early in the 2013 season. So, Spring Training will have some stiff competition among the starting rotation.
This off season is going to be very interesting, but the Cardinals look to be in pretty good shape, save for a couple of holes to fill and decisions to make. I will keep you updated as I learn more.
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