Comments on: Mozeliak has to make a move http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/07/23/mozeliak-has-to-make-a-move/ An Unofficial St. Louis Cardinals baseball blog. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:15:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/07/23/mozeliak-has-to-make-a-move/#comment-230 PHE Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:17:45 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=133#comment-230 There's been a lot of talk about Waino taking over the closer role again, a la 2006. I personally don't think it's a good move. If the guy is a starter, he's a starter, use him as such. 2006 was an extraordinary circumstance - they got his ears wet at the ML level that way (and he succeeded, wildly) before settling him back in to his intended role as a starter. I wouldn't mind seeing McClellan at closer. Or Springer. Or no one designated. Just play matchups. For now, the bullpen needs to be the best option in the best situation, I think. Is it only a sprain for Rasmus? Early reports were MCL tear - so a sprain would be great news. Might still prohibit Olympic participation, but still potentially allow a September callup. There’s been a lot of talk about Waino taking over the closer role again, a la 2006.

I personally don’t think it’s a good move. If the guy is a starter, he’s a starter, use him as such. 2006 was an extraordinary circumstance – they got his ears wet at the ML level that way (and he succeeded, wildly) before settling him back in to his intended role as a starter.

I wouldn’t mind seeing McClellan at closer. Or Springer. Or no one designated. Just play matchups. For now, the bullpen needs to be the best option in the best situation, I think.

Is it only a sprain for Rasmus? Early reports were MCL tear – so a sprain would be great news. Might still prohibit Olympic participation, but still potentially allow a September callup.

]]> By: StLCards http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/07/23/mozeliak-has-to-make-a-move/#comment-229 StLCards Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:12:53 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=133#comment-229 I wonder if they'd give any consideration to putting Wainwright back in as closer? I don't know the extent of his finger injury, but maybe limiting him to an inning vs 7 or 8 innings at a time could make sense? Doubt they'd consider that, but an interesting idea. I do like the idea of Rhodes. He seems to be the kind of guy that could step right in and be a big contributor. Speaking of Rasmus, I read something about him needing an MRI on his knee and now see he has a sprained knee and will miss the Olympics. Maybe this will set him up for a September look afterall. I wonder if they’d give any consideration to putting Wainwright back in as closer? I don’t know the extent of his finger injury, but maybe limiting him to an inning vs 7 or 8 innings at a time could make sense? Doubt they’d consider that, but an interesting idea.

I do like the idea of Rhodes. He seems to be the kind of guy that could step right in and be a big contributor.

Speaking of Rasmus, I read something about him needing an MRI on his knee and now see he has a sprained knee and will miss the Olympics. Maybe this will set him up for a September look afterall.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/07/23/mozeliak-has-to-make-a-move/#comment-228 PHE Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:53:56 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=133#comment-228 Right - I wasn't implying Dunc and Reyes for only Marte - but rather Marte and/or Grabow plus Wilson. You're right, Wilson carries a hefty price tag salary-wise, but he could probably outplay any middle infielder we have currently at either 2B or SS. He has a 7.25M tag for next season and a '10 option. Whether he likes it or not, I feel like TLR sees the writing on the wall with the bullpen - his old "preferences" are probably out the window at this point. If Mo acquires a guy the likes of Sherrill who has had success this year as a closer, Tony will use him. I'm with you on going for a tier two guy at LHRP - I am a big advocate of Rhodes or Grabow - I'd love Mahay, but I don't think the Royals have any motivation to deal him. Agreed on Rasmus - I don't think there's any doubt that Ank moves to a corner when he comes up. I also would not advocate trading Rasmus - but there are players who could be dealt. Is Bryan Anderson really ever going to get a shot with the big club if Yadier is there? If not, he's perfect trade bait - these are the internal discussions I wish I was privy to. As mentioned, methinks Looper is primed for a bullpen move before Pineiro. If you recall, Joel wasn't too excited about pitching in relief for Boston, and one of the reasons he was happy to resign with the Cards was the opportunity to start. Looper, while he's said he prefers to start, I think is better suited to the pen. Especially since starting, in my opinion, has taught him a few things about himself and his pitches. If he could prepare as if he only needed to throw 1-2 innings every other night, I think he could be wildly successful. Right – I wasn’t implying Dunc and Reyes for only Marte – but rather Marte and/or Grabow plus Wilson.

You’re right, Wilson carries a hefty price tag salary-wise, but he could probably outplay any middle infielder we have currently at either 2B or SS. He has a 7.25M tag for next season and a ’10 option.

Whether he likes it or not, I feel like TLR sees the writing on the wall with the bullpen – his old “preferences” are probably out the window at this point. If Mo acquires a guy the likes of Sherrill who has had success this year as a closer, Tony will use him. I’m with you on going for a tier two guy at LHRP – I am a big advocate of Rhodes or Grabow – I’d love Mahay, but I don’t think the Royals have any motivation to deal him.

Agreed on Rasmus – I don’t think there’s any doubt that Ank moves to a corner when he comes up. I also would not advocate trading Rasmus – but there are players who could be dealt. Is Bryan Anderson really ever going to get a shot with the big club if Yadier is there? If not, he’s perfect trade bait – these are the internal discussions I wish I was privy to.

As mentioned, methinks Looper is primed for a bullpen move before Pineiro. If you recall, Joel wasn’t too excited about pitching in relief for Boston, and one of the reasons he was happy to resign with the Cards was the opportunity to start. Looper, while he’s said he prefers to start, I think is better suited to the pen. Especially since starting, in my opinion, has taught him a few things about himself and his pitches. If he could prepare as if he only needed to throw 1-2 innings every other night, I think he could be wildly successful.

]]> By: StLCards http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/07/23/mozeliak-has-to-make-a-move/#comment-227 StLCards Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:40:08 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=133#comment-227 I still wouldn't want to give up Duncan and Reyes for Marte and while I like Jack Wilson he has a pretty hefty contract at $6+ million and I think they are still hopeful that Ryan can play SS with more seasoning. Tony is not likely to use a lefty as a closer anyway so we could get a lesser named lefty much cheaper than Marte probably. Lefties to Tony and Dunc seem to be more 1 out specialists anyway. I think the Cardinals could target someone like Weathers and instantly improve the pen for cheap. He is old, but I think that works to your favor as right now we might be asking too much from our young guys. Weathers is pitching great right now too and has experience closing if that were needed. I wouldn't trust him long term as a closer, but hopefully that falls to Perez next year anyway. Sherril is still in his first full year as a closer and who knows if he holds up or not, plus he isn't likely to come cheap. That is still a problem with the Cardinals, depth in the minors. It has gotten better, but I'd hate to see them deplete it now. LaPorta was expendable since they had Braun now in the OF and Gamels an up and coming 3B or maybe yet another OF. The Cards really need Rasmus in center for the future. Ankiel is doing a good job for now, but the future in center is Rasmus, IMO. Those are some good points about getting Carp and/or Wainwright back and then having an extra arm for the bullpen. Right now I'm guessing Piniero would be the one they would move first. I'm pretty sure that Boston had him targeted as their closer when they planned to make Papelbon a starter. Maybe he'd have better luck in the Cardinal bullpen. I still wouldn’t want to give up Duncan and Reyes for Marte and while I like Jack Wilson he has a pretty hefty contract at $6+ million and I think they are still hopeful that Ryan can play SS with more seasoning. Tony is not likely to use a lefty as a closer anyway so we could get a lesser named lefty much cheaper than Marte probably. Lefties to Tony and Dunc seem to be more 1 out specialists anyway. I think the Cardinals could target someone like Weathers and instantly improve the pen for cheap. He is old, but I think that works to your favor as right now we might be asking too much from our young guys. Weathers is pitching great right now too and has experience closing if that were needed. I wouldn’t trust him long term as a closer, but hopefully that falls to Perez next year anyway.

Sherril is still in his first full year as a closer and who knows if he holds up or not, plus he isn’t likely to come cheap. That is still a problem with the Cardinals, depth in the minors. It has gotten better, but I’d hate to see them deplete it now. LaPorta was expendable since they had Braun now in the OF and Gamels an up and coming 3B or maybe yet another OF. The Cards really need Rasmus in center for the future. Ankiel is doing a good job for now, but the future in center is Rasmus, IMO.

Those are some good points about getting Carp and/or Wainwright back and then having an extra arm for the bullpen. Right now I’m guessing Piniero would be the one they would move first. I’m pretty sure that Boston had him targeted as their closer when they planned to make Papelbon a starter. Maybe he’d have better luck in the Cardinal bullpen.

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