• Home
• About
• Contact
• RSS
• Comments RSS
• Advertise
• Register
• Log in

Cards’ Game 80 – Win vs Giants

Wa-hey!  That’s a winner!

After another frustrating night on offense from the Cardinals (don’t know about you, but I find it virtually impossible to tell anymore if the Cardinal lineup is that bad, or if we are just seeing great pitching each night – let’s call it both), the Cards finally were able to make good against a pitcher, this time Matt Cain who had *it* working.

Entering tonight’s game, the Cardinals in walk-off decisions: 0-4

After tonight’s game, the Cardinals in walk-off decisions: 1-4

Colby Rasmus hit a bomb into the right-center field bleachers leading off the bottom of the tenth inning, precluding another intentional walk to Albert Pujols.

Adam Wainwright was just as fearsome as Cain tonight, striking out twelve in nine innings, and really only getting himself into trouble in the eighth inning.  In fact, no San Francisco runner had reached second base in the game prior to that inning.  Waino, in true 2006 fashion, loaded the bases with no one out, then proceeded to allow only one run.  Not too shabby.

Random

Pujols stole his tenth base tonight, putting him into double digits prior to the halfway mark.  Is a 60/20 season in the making?

—–

Daniel of C70 at the Bat correctly predicted Colby’s walk-off home run on tonight’s UCB Radio Hour.  His bet would’ve paid off far more than mine in Vegas, I took the easy odds with Pujols not seeing a pitch to hit.  Good for Daniel.

—–

Is there a good argument for Ryan Franklin *not* making the All-Star team?

—–

They finally caved.

Joe Strauss and Rick Hummel have taken the Twitter plunge.  Following much harrassment by Miklasz, Leach, and Goold – you can now follow 140 or less characters worth of @JoeStrauss and @cmshhummel.  Enjoy!

Tomorrow

Todd Wellemeyer versus Barry Zito.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have Mark DeRosa in the lineup versus the lefty Zito?  Ah, wishful thinking.  Let’s just get DeRo back before the break, eh?

6:15p CT first pitch, as the Cards look to even the series.

Joe Thurston gives away outs

Joe Thurston has cost the Cardinals several outs on the bases (and thus himself as a baserunner and potential run, obviously) this season.  And when I say several, I mean a glaring amount, in comparison.

This subject was first broached on Twitter by Matthew Leach, the answer to which I was quickly able to find on Baseball-Reference.com, and Leach revisited yesterday afternoon after another transgression.

Let’s take a look at the damage, shall we?

5 outs on base

Explanation: Runner is put out while making a baserunning play.  Example plays: out advancing on a fly ball, out attempting to reach another base on a hit, doubled off on a line drive, or out attempting to advance on a wild pitch or passed ball.  Does not include pickoffs, caught stealing, or force plays.

This is the most egregious of all of these numbers, particularly for a player on a Tony LaRussa managed ballclub.  Thurston has run into outs on ground balls when he wasn’t forced, been doubled off while straying too far off of the bag, and the latest – on Sunday – was rounding second base too far with the not-so-fleet-footed Jason LaRue ahead of him (and don’t try to blame it on a late stop sign from Jose Oquendo).

Simply unacceptable baserunning at the Major League level, particularly when we find that Thurston’s OOB number represents 23% (5 of 22 total) of the baserunning mistakes made by the Cardinals this season.  That is a large number for one person to rack up.  Thurston is handicapping an already struggling offense.

2 pickoffs

Explanation: Runner picked off a base.  May include cases they were safe on an error.  Also includes Pickoff Caught Stealing plays.

For a guy with only three stolen bases, you would think that he wouldn’t be venturing far off of his current station, right?  Wrong.  Thurston certainly doesn’t (or at least shouldn’t) have the green light from the manager, so why the big leads?  Perhaps the better question, why all the leaning?  Is he really reading pitchers that horribly?  Is Dave McKay failing in his “BACK!” duties?

Obviously there’s a bit of kidding in that, but really Joe?  Really?  (Cue Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler.)

2 caught stealing

Explanation: Well, this one speaks for itself, I hope.

Everyone gets caught sometimes and Thurston has swiped three bases versus his two times caught.  Let’s just say Thurston’s times caught are a bit amplified by all of his other shenanigans on the basepaths.

So enough about the baserunning gaffes, surely he’s making up for it with the leather?

9 errors – 7 at 3B, 2 at 2B

Give Joey Outs some credit here, as third base is not his “natural” position.  But second base is not Skip Schumaker’s “natural” position either, and he’s committed only 5 errors there this season, including one in last night’s game.  (And at least Skip’s hitting.)

For my money, if you’re going to be living in the .230/.341/.371 ‘hood at the plate, you better be a serious glove-man in the other half-innings (I know, I know – what are the other Cardinals’ excuses then, eh?).

It appears that for the near future, a perfect storm of sorts is keeping Thurston on the roster now and in the foreseeable future.  He provides the ability to play multiple positions (some better than others).  He is a left-handed hitting option off of the bench when necessary, which has to be the determining factor at this point.

Surely Brian Barden would be a preferable option in the field in late innings, no?  It seems he certainly couldn’t be any worse in the baserunning department.  They seem to provide similar production at the plate.

If only Barden could switch-hit, this would be an open and shut case, wouldn’t it?

Al Hrabosky on UCB Radio Hour – 06.30

On Tuesday, June 30 we will have the pleasure of hosting another Special Edition of the UCB Radio Hour podcast, speaking with former Cardinal and current Fox Sports Midwest broadcaster Al Hrabosky.

Hrabosky will be joining us as part of a promotional appearance day for Bank of America’s MLB checking and Mastercard promotion.

Join us at 12:15p 1:30pm CT on Tuesday sometime, maybe (?) and listen in on the discussion!

UPDATE: Due to issues with the Blog Talk Radio switchboard, we were unable to connect with Mr Hrabosky at our originally scheduled time.  I will be reconnecting with them at 1:30p CT.  Please join us then.

UPDATE #2: We were unfortunately unable to make contact with Mr Hrabosky today because of issues with our switchboard at Blog Talk Radio.  I am attempting to make contact to reschedule for another time, but I have no guarantees.  My apologies to the listeners following along with my rambling for hours and to Mr Hrabosky for missing our scheduled interview.

The PTBNL in the Mark DeRosa trade (not that one)

More on the DeRosa trade…

Speculation is already running rampant on the name of the remaining player the Cardinals will send to the Cleveland Indians by September 1st to complete the Mark DeRosa trade.

We’ll know the answer to that question soon enough.

But what about the other potential player to be named later in this trade?

There are plenty of Cardinal fans on both sides of evaluating this trade, whether Cards GM John Mozeliak did well or not, and whether DeRosa should be resigned beyond this season or not (he is a free agent following 2009).

It stands to be seen how DeRo will perform in his remaining games of 2009 with the Cardinals, and that performance will likely decide his fate with the Cardinals beyond the end of the season.

But if the Cardinals do not resign him, they almost certainly stand to receive at least one compensatory draft pick, perhaps two.  Compensation will require the Cardinals to offer DeRosa arbitration, which is a safe assumption.

In a really brief, really abridged version of the free agency ranking system, I pulled this explanation from Jim Callis at Baseball America:

Players who rate in the top 20 percent of their position group (catchers; first basemen, outfielders and DHs; second basemen, third basemen and shortstops; starting pitchers; and relief pitchers) are designated as Type A. Players who rank in the 21-40 percent bracket are designated as Type B.

If a Type A or B free agent’s former club offers him arbitration, then it will receive compensation if he signs elsewhere. Type A free agents yield the signing team’s first-round choice and a supplemental first-rounder, while Type Bs return only the sandwich-rounder. Clubs who finished in the bottom half of the major league standings can’t surrender their first-round selection, and compensation picks for failure to sign draftees from the previous year can’t change hands either.

At the end of the 2008 season, DeRosa ranked 17th, good for the last ‘Type A’ slot in the 2B/3B/SS grouping.

Being that the Elias rankings take multiple seasons into account (I am unable to dig up information clarifying whether it is now two or three years worth of stats), DeRosa would have to continue to perform solidly the remainder of this season to keep his Elias ranking up.

So assume for a second that the Cardinals can’t come to an agreement with DeRosa on a multi-season extension beyond this season.  Then assume that they offer DeRosa arbitration, but he figures to receive a lucrative offer from another team.  The Cardinals would then receive either the first-round pick of that team (if it’s not protected) and a supplemental sandwich round pick between the first and second or second and third rounds, if DeRosa can maintain his Type A ranking.  If he slipped to a Type B, they would receive only the sandwich-round pick.

So then the trade becomes Chris Perez and the yet-to-be-named second player for DeRosa and the yet-to-be-drafted compensatory pick.

Make sense?  I’m sure someone will correct me on facts that I have incorrect about the process, but for the most part, the premise is accurate.

So a couple of things can happen:

1.  Cardinals resign DeRosa beyond this season and get another couple/few seasons of production and clubhouse leadership out of him.

2.  Cards utilize DeRosa to hopefully help them into the playoffs this season and then receive compensatory picks for him and further bolster the minor leagues.

I’m really fine with either of these outcomes, particularly when you take into account how common right-handed relievers (such as Perez) are, and how available they can be in the draft.

So who could the Cardinals expect to get out of such a compensatory choice?  I’m glad you asked.  Chris Perez was a supplemental round pick by the Cards in 2006.  The team received the additional choice as compensation for the Giants signing Matt Morris prior to that season.

Recognize the player chosen just before Perez?  Joba Chamberlain is now plying his trade in the Bronx as a member of the New York Yankees starting rotation.

Clay Buchholz and Jed Lowrie of the Red Sox were both compensatory picks in the 2005 draft.

Recently promoted Cardinal Clayton Mortensen was selected in the sandwich round with a pick gained when the Milwaukee Brewers signed Jeff Suppan before the 2007 season.

Seeing my point?

The Cardinals stand to either gain a long-term, versatile solution for both their defense and their lineup – OR – they stand to have an opportunity to replenish the missing player(s) in the farm system via the choices received as compensation if DeRosa goes elsewhere following this season.

I’m still not wild about some of the names being floated as the possible players that may still find their way to Cleveland, but at this relatively early point before the trade deadline, I think the Cards did just fine in getting value – one way or another.

Cards trade for IF-OF Mark DeRosa

Saturday brought not only a much needed win for the St. Louis Cardinals, but also another bat for their sometimes slumping offense.

Many Cardinal fans had been clamoring for weeks for Cards GM John Mozeliak to acquire the versatile Mark DeRosa from the Cleveland Indians, and the deal was made late Saturday night for reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named later.

Versatile is the word most often used to describe DeRosa, not only for the many positions he can play defensively, but also for the flexibility in where his bat can be used in the lineup, and his leadership and teammate qualities in the clubhouse.

DeRosa commands a respect from his peers that is demanded not necessarily by his words or actions off the field, but by those on the field.  Always considered the consummate pro, Cubs and Indians fans alike have lamented their club’s loss after DeRosa’s departure this season.

For the Cardinals on the field, this move represents a bolstering of their team in several ways.

DeRosa is a much needed right-handed bat in a lineup that has struggled versus left-handed pitching.  Hitting a stout .339/.409/.661 versus lefties at the time of the trade, DeRosa gives the Cards another hitter that can capably handle any spot in the lineup versus a southpaw.

His experience defensively is the perfect fit for a Tony LaRussa managed ballclub, bringing both infield and outfield gloves to St. Louis, and already flashing the leather in left field on Sunday.  DeRosa’s ability to play either left or right outfield positions will allow LaRussa to play the splits, as he so often does, and the Cards can now line up two right-handed hitters in their outfield, something not possible without someone playing horribly out of position.

Perhaps most importantly, DeRosa can play a very capable third base.  A position in flux all season with Troy Glaus on the shelf, DeRosa should hopefully bring some stability to the position as he settles in with the club.

DeRosa spent most of his at-bats with the Indians in the second or fifth positions in the lineup, but he will figure to see plenty of time in the clean-up role with the Cardinals, as he did on Sunday.  A prime candidate for the second slot in a LaRussa-made lineup, a split of at-bats between second and fourth the rest of the season would not surprise.

Early indications are that eventual evaluations this trade will hinge on the player to be named and/or the Cardinals’ ability to reach the post-season.  If the Cardinals win the NL Central Division and DeRosa had a hand in that, it’s an undoubted success.  If they miss the playoffs, and Chris Perez can find the command he’s lacked to fulfill his “closer of the future” promise in Cleveland, the trade may start to lean in Cleveland’s favor.  Many have noted that Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro is a shrewd executive, having plucked gems from other teams in similar trades, and this one may not be different.

Many assume that the quality of the player to be named later is contingent upon either the Cardinals making the playoffs, the Cardinals’ ability to resign DeRosa beyond the end of his current contract that expires after this season, or both.  JP Morosi at FoxSports.com has reported that Cardinal farmhand relievers Jess Todd and Francisco Samuel are on the shortlist, either of which, along with Perez,  would represent a fairly significant haul for an Indians team that has watched their bullpen implode and cause much of their struggle this season.

Time will tell on this deal and this may not be the end of the trading deadline season for Mozeliak.

Cards’ Game 74 (06.25) – Loss at Mets

Another day in New York, more of the same.

What is there to be said about this game?  The Cardinals apparently can’t handle the motivation (they can stick the pressure) of facing a former Cy Young winner.

Last time it was Cliff Lee doing damage versus the Cardinal lineup, and today, save for a couple of rough innings early and a lot of pitches, Johan Santana was almost as in control as Lee versus our Redbirds.

Albert Pujols came to bat with the bases loaded again, only this time he was finally retired, the first such occasion in the 2009 season.  His belt to left field was contained by the massive confines of Citi Field (it wouldn’t have gone anywhere in any park, but folks talk about the size of Citi – why not monopolize that?).

Random

Happy to see the Cardinals actually see a lot of pitches versus Santana today.  The Cardinal lineup forced the Mets’ starting pitcher into many pitches early, which likely could’ve chased him in the fifth or sixth inning, had Santana not settled down and the Cardinals not settled back into their routine of swinging early and often in counts.

I know Hal McRae preaches that the first strike may be the only one you see in the at-bat.  I understand the philosophy and greater approach.  I just don’t agree with it.  Take a pitch.  Once.  RYAN LUDWICK – I am looking at you.  Want to get your swing on track?  Maybe see some pitches.  Maybe you should’ve gone on that rehab assignment that you reportedly refused.  Maybe you should swing at three straight (arguably) chump breaking balls outside of the zone.

—–

Ludwick reached base again tonight on catcher’s interference.  That’s the third time this season (for three in his career).  Two have come against the Mets.  Is Ludwick in the wrong spot in the batter’s box, or do the Met catchers love to crowd the backside of the plate?

—–

Hitters are successful at a .167 rate versus Chris Carpenter after he has thrown a first strike.  19 of 26 first pitches thrown by Carp today found the strike zone.

Tomorrow

Things don’t get any easier with the Minnesota Twins coming to town.  The Twins are fresh off of taking two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers in Milwaukee.  We’ll see Adam Wainwright versus Glen Perkins tomorrow night at 7:15p CT.

The Twins have beaten up the NL Central in Interleague play, while the Cardinals have ensured themselves the first  winning Interleague record since 2005 with 8 wins logged already.

Go Cards!

Cards’ Game 73 (06.24) – Loss at Mets

I’m trying to get myself into a regular habit of writing again, so I decided yesterday (with credit due to a lot of other blogs that do this and inspired me a bit) to start writing quick game recaps – just a few things from each day’s post-game thoughts.

Unfortunately, I picked a bad day to start doing this.

The Cardinals did very little to cheer about save for Brendan Ryan and Skip Schumaker continuing to do well at the plate.  Trever Miller was the bright spot on the mound, which is telling, since he only pitcher to one batter.

Seemingly everything went wrong in this game, with errors, pitchers forgetting to cover first base, even the entire Redbird team apparently forgetting how many outs there were at one point.  Best to get it all out of the way in one game fellas.

Random

Matthew Leach noted on Twitter that Schumaker has reached base 21 times in the last 9 games.  Not bad for a guy expected to be the table setter.  Now if only someone would clean the table behind him…

Joe Thurston continued to give away outs, no matter the side of the inning.  More on that tomorrow.

David Wright is good.  Can he expect to see some intentional walk treatment if the Mets lineup continues to be injury-riddled?

With Kyle Lohse’s return from the disabled list looming, Brad Thompson did little tonight to make a play to stay in the rotation.

Tomorrow

Day baseball!  Cards and Mets finish off their four-game set at Citi Field with a 12:10pm CT start.  Chris Carpenter versus Johan Santana.  Who will flinch first?

Bruce Sutter on UCB Radio Hour: Special Edition on 06/23

Former Cardinal and Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter was a guest on a special UCB Radio Hour with Mike of Stan Musial’s Stance this morning.

Mike talked with the former Cardinal closer about his career, his take on baseball today, and about the Bank of America MLB promotion that is going on in advance of the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St Louis.

Take a listen via the BlogTalkRadio player at the United Cardinal Bloggers website or via iTunes by clicking on the large UCB logo at the top right here.

Thanks to Bruce Sutter for spending some time with the UCB!

Next Page →

• UCB Radio on iTunes

  

• Recent Comments

  • PHE on Joe Thurston gives away outs
  • Susan on Joe Thurston gives away outs
  • PHE on PHE 1Q Interview: Matt Sebek
  • Ed on PHE 1Q Interview: Matt Sebek
  • PHE on Cards trade for IF-OF Mark DeRosa

• Cardinals Twitter

  follow me on Twitter
• 
  Baseball Jerseys

• STLToday Articles

  • Brendan Ryan hits his stride
  • Baseball roundup: Cubs 9, Brewers 5
  • Lohse happy with return to mound
  • Wellemeyer rebounds in 5-2 win over Giants
  • Mateo is bold move for Birds

• MLB.com Articles

  • Hoffpauir follows Pujols' lead for Cards
  • Pujols named NL Player of the Month
  • Wellemeyer shines as Cardinals top Giants
  • Cards face tough road to end first half
  • Cardinals sign touted Dominican teen

• Sponsor

  Great Cardinals tickets available at Onlineseats.com. Check us out for all your ticket needs including MLB tickets like tickets for Cubs games and Cincinnati Reds tickets. Plus we have great Rams tickets and theatre tickets including Wicked tickets.

• Scoreboard

• Cardinals Blogs

  • 4thebirds…
  • Bird Brained
  • Bird Land
  • Busch Birds
  • C70 at the Bat
  • Cardinal Nation Globe
  • Cardinal Nation Photography
  • Cardinals Diaspora
  • Cardinals Front Office
  • Cardinals GM
  • Cards Clubhouse
  • Five O’Clock Blogger
  • Fungoes
  • Future Redbirds
  • Hey … Listen
  • la Beisbolista
  • Mike on the Cards
  • MLB Trade Rumors – Cardinals Rumors
  • Obviously, You’re not a Golfer
  • Play a Hard Nine
  • Redbird Ramblings
  • Redbird Review
  • Redbirds Fun
  • Redbirds Rap
  • Redbirds Row
  • RFT: The Rundown
  • Rockin The Red
  • Stan Musial’s Stance
  • The Cardinal Virtue
  • The Redbird Blog
  • Viva El Birdos
  • Whiteyball

• Other Baseball Sites

  • Baseball Intellect
  • Baseball Musings
  • Baseball Reference
  • Bugs & Cranks
  • Cot’s Baseball Contracts
  • Fantasy Baseball Dugout
  • It Might Be Dangerous…You Go First
  • Joe Posnanski’s Blog
  • St Louis Cardinals tickets – Ticket Network

• Other Sports Sites

  • Ballhype
  • Deadspin
  • Uni Watch

• Outside The Lines

  • Running Addict
  • Worthwhile Money

• Categories

  Select Category 2009 Cardinal Game Notes Aaron Miles Adam Kennedy Adam Ottavino Adam Reifer Adam Wainwright Adron Chambers Agents Al Hrabosky Albert Pujols All-Star Game American League Announcers Anthony Reyes B-R Play Index Ballpark Village Ballparks Baseball Writers Big Ten Bill DeWitt Bill DeWitt III Blaine Boyer Brad Thompson Braden Looper Brendan Ryan Brett Wallace Brian Barden Brian Barton Bryan Anderson Bud Selig Bullpen Busch Stadium Cardinal Blogs Cardinals Twitter Central Division Cesar Izturis Charlie Manning Chris Carpenter Chris Duncan Chris Perez Clayton Mortensen Cody Haerther Colby Rasmus Daniel Descalso Daryl Jones Dave Duncan Dave McKay David Freese Dennys Reyes Deryk Hooker Dr. George Paletta Draft Fantasy Baseball Felipe Lopez Former Cardinals Francisco Samuel Free Agents Fun Game Posts George Kissell Illinois Fighting Illini Inter-league Jaime Garcia Jarrett Hoffpauir Jason Isringhausen Jason LaRue Jason Motte Jeff Luhnow Jess Todd Joe Mather Joe Thurston Joel Pineiro John Abbamondi John Mozeliak John Vuch Jon Jay Jose Oquendo Josh Kinney Josh Phelps Katsuhiko Maekawa Kelvin Jimenez Kevin Thomas Khalil Greene Kyle Lohse Kyle McClellan Lance Lynn Live Blog Mark DeRosa Mark Johnson Mark Mulder Mark Worrell Matt Clement Media Appearances Memphis Redbirds Mike Parisi Minor League Baseball Mitchell Boggs MLB Draft MLB Front Office MLB Players Union MLBPA National League Nick Stavinoha Nico Vasquez NL Awards NL Division Series NL Wild Card Non-Cardinals Off Topic Offseason Opening Day Other Sports Pacific Coast League Palm Beach Cardinals Pete Kozma PHE 1Q Interview PHE Facebook PHE Polls PHE Power Rankings PHE Ramblings Photos PJ Walters Predictions Q&A Quad Cities River Bandits Randy Flores Redbird Reveille Redbird Tweets Rick Ankiel Ron Villone Royce Ring Russ Springer Ryan Franklin Ryan Ludwick Sam Freeman Scottrade Center Shane Robinson Shelby Miller Site Updates Skip Schumaker Spring Training Springfield Cardinals St Louis St Louis Blues St Louis Cardinals Blogger Awards St Louis Post-Dispatch St Louis Rams Stan Musial Standings Starting Rotation Sunday Spitballs Todd Wellemeyer Tommy Pham Tony LaRussa Trever Miller Troy Glaus Twitter Tyler Greene Tyler Herron Tyler Johnson UCB Radio Umpires Uncategorized United Cardinal Bloggers Video Winter Meetings World Baseball Classic World Series Yadier Molina

Wikio