Comments on: Set the Lineup http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/ 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/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1583 PHE Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:22:33 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1583 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. 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.

]]> By: StLCards http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1579 StLCards Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:10:56 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1579 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. 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.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1574 PHE Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:14:34 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1574 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. 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.

]]> By: chetthejet http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1573 chetthejet Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:09:31 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1573 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. 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.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1572 PHE Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:03:55 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1572 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 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

]]> By: chetthejet http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1571 chetthejet Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:27:59 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1571 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. 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.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/08/set-the-lineup/#comment-1570 PHE Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:01:51 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=474#comment-1570 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. 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.

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