Let’s get an early jump. Based on what we have now and what we know about Tony let’s try to set the lineup for 2009. You can enter names or stats or just general wants.
Leadoff, RF, Skip Schumaker. – Schumaker really proved himself as a leadoff hitter last year. In fact, Shoeman batted .309 with a .370 obp from the leadoff spot in 485 abs and scored 81 runs. Only Kinsler and Ichiro had higher batting averages from the leadoff spot. The one knock against him would be that he only stole 8 bases but only had 10 attempts. I really believe the Cardinals were too worried about taking the bat out of Pujols hands and didn’t try to steal enough when he would be due up in an inning. Some people have Rasmus penciled in as the leadoff batter, but why put all the added pressure on the kid, especially when Schumaker has already shown he can do it. Another big knock on Schumaker, and one reason I think we need a true leadoff hitter, is that vs lefties Schumaker really struggled. A .168 average and a .238 obp. That ain’t going to get er done.
batting 2nd, Colby Rasmus, CF – Rasmus is supposed to be a good contact hitter that won’t strike a lot. He has the power that Tony likes in the 2 hole and has the speed to keep from hitting into double plays. If he hits like he’s capable of I envision a lot of 1st and 3rds with nobody out and Pujols coming up next year. Tony might not want to have two lefties leading off, but unless they sign a leadoff capable 2nd baseman then I think they have to go with that. If they would sign a right handed hitting 2B that is a leadoff hitter, then you could put Shoemaker 9th if you wanted and have the flexibility to bat him leadoff as you wanted. What better way to let Rasmus see great pitches to hit than to bat him in front of Pujols. I like that a lot!
3rd – Pujols, no comment necessary
4th – Ludwick, LF – Really another key player here. Ludwick will absolutely have to repeat or even build on his incredible year. Pujols can get walked, but there has to be a price to pay. I really wanted to see Holliday here, or a ‘name’ player that can strike fear into an opposing pitcher. I remember last year listening to Cardinal broadcasters talking to Bobby Cox about Ludwick before a game, and paraphrasing he said, “well, I really don’t know much about him but he’s certainly putting up numbers”. With 37 HRs, 113 RBIs, and 104 runs scored, at least people will have heard of Ludwick this year, but still that won’t keep them from walking Pujols to get to him considering he also struck out a whopping 146 times while only walking 62. Hopefully he learn to be a bit more selective without hurting his power numbers.
5th, Troy Glaus, 3B – What’s not to like about Glaus. He plays hard and is a team guy. I remember with Toronto when he voluntarily moved over to SS to cover an injury of another player. Last year Glaus batted .270 with 27 HRs and 99 RBIs. He also had a .372 obp taking 87 walks. He also struck out 104 times which was low for him. Hopefully he can be as selective at the plate again this year. Glaus has a full year in the national league now and I really expect a huge year out of him. Just wish he liked batting 4th as then there would at least be an option if Ludwick struggles.
6th – I’m not sure if this is Greene or Molina. Problem right now is we’re going lefty, lefty, righty, righty, righty, righty, righty and Tony is very unlikely to use that lineup. But we can’t really hit Kennedy this high can we? Probably not, especially as I don’t even think Kennedy is going to crack my lineup. Since we have two high strikeout guys at 4 and 5 I think I’ll have to pencil in one of the hardest guys to strike out last year, that being Molina. Problem is that he is also going to hit into double plays being so slow and Glaus possibly on first. Hard to use Greene here though as he strikes out at a rate equal to Ankiel. Again, I think the answer is a right handed hitting leadoff 2B and then you could put Shoemaker or Ankiel here, depending on Tony’s gut that day. We could at least break up the string of righthanded bats and go with either contact or power.
7th – Greene, SS – I’m really afraid that Tony is going to put Greene in the 2-hole. I just don’t think your two hitter can strike out so much. His average has been consistently around .250 and his obp less than .300. I’ve heard his stats away from Petco are much better. Certainly a change of scenery will do him good, but I’m really thinking a 2nd Kennedy here. Hope I’m wrong.
8th – pitcher – duh
9th – For now I’ll go with Miles at 2nd base. Kennedy wants to play everyday which isn’t going to happen so they should really find a way to trade him for something. A 2B that can lead off should really be a priority. A Brian Roberts or Ian Kinsler needs to be here. Not going to happen, I know. Maybe Miles could make a decent lead-off batter.
Bench, leaves Ankiel as the 4th outfielder. He’ll get plenty of playing time since Tony is the manager. Duncan gives left handed power and is the only real option to back up Pujols at 1B now and then. Rest of the guys will need to show us who stays and who goes. Big problem I see is that many of these guys are too similar. Power hitters that strike out a lot. That is ok while everyone is hitting, but 2 or 3 of those guys get into a slump and you suddenly can’t score runs. I’d like to see the option of having some more speed, stealing 2nd and 3rd and really pressuring the defense. Have a couple of guys that handle the bat really well, contact hitters, whether slap hitters or gap hitters. Last year our fastest players couldn’t handle the bat all that well.
Lots of time to make some changes but that is about how I would see it right now. Obvious need for a 2B with base stealing potential. Obviously can’t spend the farm either. The answer might just be to sign Felipe Lopez once he gets his head out of the clouds. It would be nice to have a switch hitting lead off batter. Then you could have more options with mixing in lefties like Ankiel and Schumaker between Glaus and Molina/Greene. Not sure who would bat 9th, but I guess you’d put Schumaker 9th on days he started and Ankiel 6th and Greene 9th on days Ankiel started, although I would rather get a set lineup and go with it rather than moving people around everyday. Thinking about it more, maybe even Miles could lead off. As good of choice as anybody right now. A switch hitter that doesn’t strike out that much. Could even bat him 2nd after Schumaker and let Rasmus bat 6th. I might like that even more.
Overall I think we are asking a lot and have too many question marks. Rasmus is almost certain to struggle at some point. Very few players come up and instantly strike gold without some struggles along the way. Rasmus could be one of the fortunate few, but I would bet a few years will be in order to make all the needed adjustments. Asking Greene and Kennedy to have rebound years could be asking too much. Miles is probably more suited to be a utility player. I think Ludwick and Ankiel will both be fine, but both need to cut down on their K’s. Gluas should be fine as will Pujols and Molina will probably regress a bit on the hitting. Overall looks like a fine hitting lineup, just not sure it will mesh well to be a consistent slump proof lineup. The addition of a Roberts or Utley or Kinsler type at 2B would be huge.
Go ahead a rip it apart and tell me what you would like to see or what you think we will see as the Cardianls 2009 lineup!
{ 7 comments }
The more I listen to Mo, the more I expect Schumaker or Ankiel to be dealt before Spring Training. Ankiel seems the most logical candidate, having the most upside and running out of cost-controlled time.
Either way, I’m wondering if the Cardinals haven’t backed themselves into a bit of a corner with the outfielders. It would seem that they will hold Rasmus down again if they can’t “make room” for him by trading one of their main three OF from last season. Does that deflate the trade value of Schu, Ank, and Luddy from the get-go?
I also wonder if Mo is flexing a bit on Tony that Kennedy needs to play if he’s here? Mo has said more than once that he believes AK will be the starting 2B.
I’d love to see Lopez back on a 1 year, $5m-ish deal…see if he can repeat his scorching end of 2008. I doubt that’s likely once the free agent market starts moving. Most have Lopez ranked the 2nd or 3rd best 2B on the market, believe it or not.
Good work.
Now all you have to do is re-work the lineup and re-submit 161 more times.
I like your thoughts on AK; I understand your concerns on KG hitting 2-hole.
I still think that to some extent Kennedy is still catching a lot of grief for his sub-par 2007.
People forget (or choose to overlook) that Kennedy hit .304 with a .765 OPS from June 1 to the end of the season last year.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cgi?share=1&n1=kennead01&year=2008&t=b#1153:1227:sum
Take out a terrible month of May, and the guy hit about .306 on the season.
With all the troubles the Cards had at 2B last season (ignoring Lopez’ late contribution for a minute), it’s staggering to me that LaRussa couldn’t get past his ego to find AK more at-bats.
Look at the monthly splits:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=kennead01&year=2008#dates-month
I’m amazed the Cards turned their fair share of DPs considering all the tag-team going on. If AK is at 2B, so be it. And I might be the only one that thinks Miles can be decent at everyday 2B, but whoever is assigned, leave em be for a while. Greene is better SS than a lot of folks realize and the defense will prosper if there is a more consistent middle infield. (And AK surprised me with how well he manned the right side, too.)And you’re right, AK should’ve been plated a lot more than he was. AK was not timid in pressure ABs, either, regardless of the outcome.
Heh, your last point is very true – Jimmy-style uppercut and all. I think if they could convince Kennedy that he’s not a power hitter, he might just surprise everyone. 🙂
Miles certainly made the most of his ABs last season, but I think he can get a full season of playing time just rotating through 2B, SS, and (shudder) 3B in Tony’s Magical Changing Lineup.
Watching a little ESPN2 hot stove talk and see that K-Rod is now a Met signing only a 3year deal for $37M or something like that. That sets the going rate for the elite closers and now the market should start to move. Can’t remember who it was now, but one of the analysts was saying that Fuentes will likely land with the Cardinals. Personally I don’t see that because what I believe the Cardinals are looking for is a 1 or 2 year deal stop gap pitcher until Motte or Perez is ready to close. If they did sign Fuentes to a 3 or more year deal, then it might make sense to trade Motte or Perez to fill some holes. They might be able to use one in a package for a Putz or Jenks. Of course, after the Haren/Mulder deal, I shudder at thinking of trading away good pitching for older ‘proven’ guys.
Also on the show was talk and speculation around Peavy with general agreement that he would sooner or later become a Cub during the offseason. That would be a hard rotation to beat.
If Ludwick or Schumaker were dealt we better get back something worthy in return as that would leave some big holes. I think Ankiel could indeed be on the block, but hard to imagine someone that has been through so much with the Cards would be traded. Too big of the human interest story and fan favorite. I think he’ll stay around.
Also heard that Ryan Freel was traded to the O’s for Catcher Hernandez. Freel was someone I had forgotten about. He’s a terrific utility player but can’t seem to stay either out of trouble or stay healthy. Love his hard play though.
KRod went cheap(er than he originally was hoping, methinks) – Mo has acknowledged at least that “Fuentes might come back into play”.
I still would rather see Perez get his shot full-time.
There are still Peavy-to-the-Cubs rumors, but also Hendry denials that they are even close, issues with ownership in flux (including today’s Blago-fireworks), and also rumors that the Cubs would be looking to trade Zambrano if they picked up Peavy. I’m looking for something more concrete before I start worrying.
Schumaker isn’t a big loss in my mind, in a trade. If they can get something to reasonably plug a hole, they’re probably selling high after Schu’s career 2008.
Ludwick or Ankiel should command a fairly high return, hopefully more than the one-for-one swaps for relievers I’ve heard rumored.
I think it’s a good thing if Mozeliak can remove emotion and “the past” from his dealings surrounding Ankiel. After all, he’s represented by Boras – you can bet that emotion and good tidings won’t be returned.
Comments on this entry are closed.