Comments on: UCB: Top 5 Cardinals Stories of 2008 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/ 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/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1950 PHE Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:26:49 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1950 Well, as of right now, I think they're counting on it being Carpenter. I'm not saying I agree, but everything I've read indicates that is the plan. I'd like to see them turn around and turn the Fuentes cash (plus a little, probably) into Wolf and Ohman. Well, as of right now, I think they’re counting on it being Carpenter. I’m not saying I agree, but everything I’ve read indicates that is the plan.

I’d like to see them turn around and turn the Fuentes cash (plus a little, probably) into Wolf and Ohman.

]]> By: StLCards http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1949 StLCards Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:22:31 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1949 Was just reading an SI article by John Heyward that was discussing free agents and where they might wind up (I was searching for Randy Wolf news) and didn't see the Cardinals mentioned once. I do know that Mo voiced his displeasure with the Rockies leaking news about Cardinals interest in Holliday way back when, so maybe things are going on behind closed doors that aren't getting leaked. Right now I'm still wondering who the 5th starter will be to start the season. Was just reading an SI article by John Heyward that was discussing free agents and where they might wind up (I was searching for Randy Wolf news) and didn’t see the Cardinals mentioned once.

I do know that Mo voiced his displeasure with the Rockies leaking news about Cardinals interest in Holliday way back when, so maybe things are going on behind closed doors that aren’t getting leaked. Right now I’m still wondering who the 5th starter will be to start the season.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1948 PHE Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:08:22 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1948 Yeah, I kind of took Ludwick as a given - but I guess that could've been said of a couple that I did write up too. I think the 2B situation very simply boils down to the Cardinals not being willing to throw away AK's $4m this season, else they would've cut bait a long time ago. Yeah, I kind of took Ludwick as a given – but I guess that could’ve been said of a couple that I did write up too.

I think the 2B situation very simply boils down to the Cardinals not being willing to throw away AK’s $4m this season, else they would’ve cut bait a long time ago.

]]> By: StLCards http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1947 StLCards Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:57:57 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1947 If I'm thinking top stories of 2008 I'm thinking one name, Ludwick. Meant to be the 4th outfielder he became an all-star and received national talk of MVP. I know I never believed he would have so much success last year. Other notable stories would be the rise of McLellan and the fall of Izzy. RE: Miles. I'm really sorry that he can't have a chance to be the everyday 2B. Not that I think he is what the Cards need, just that I would rather see him than a disgruntled Kennedy. I have voiced my opinions before as to what I'd like to see in a 2B. Mainly that would equate to a solid leadoff batter. If I’m thinking top stories of 2008 I’m thinking one name, Ludwick. Meant to be the 4th outfielder he became an all-star and received national talk of MVP. I know I never believed he would have so much success last year.

Other notable stories would be the rise of McLellan and the fall of Izzy.

RE: Miles. I’m really sorry that he can’t have a chance to be the everyday 2B. Not that I think he is what the Cards need, just that I would rather see him than a disgruntled Kennedy. I have voiced my opinions before as to what I’d like to see in a 2B. Mainly that would equate to a solid leadoff batter.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1937 PHE Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:41:30 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1937 Yeah, at least on this point. I'm sure I'd have gotten myself in trouble on some others. Yeah, at least on this point. I’m sure I’d have gotten myself in trouble on some others.

]]> By: Sarah-bug http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1936 Sarah-bug Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:23:19 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1936 Too bad nobody listens to us, right? :) Too bad nobody listens to us, right? :)

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1935 PHE Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:09:48 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1935 Felipe Lopez for 1 year at $3.5 would've been my choice. :) Felipe Lopez for 1 year at $3.5 would’ve been my choice. :)

]]> By: Sarah-bug http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1934 Sarah-bug Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:43:28 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1934 I would have said the same thing last year. We had Kennedy and Izturis set up to play every day, but they brought back Miles and he definitely got his share of playing time. I am just sure (in my heart of hearts) that Kennedy wants to be better than he is, but Tony isn't going to change his doctrine just to make AK feel welcome. If he isn't producing, he's going to get pulled from the lineup. The question is, who is going to back him up? I love Brendan Ryan as much as anybody, but is he the answer? I guess we'll find out. I would have said the same thing last year. We had Kennedy and Izturis set up to play every day, but they brought back Miles and he definitely got his share of playing time.

I am just sure (in my heart of hearts) that Kennedy wants to be better than he is, but Tony isn’t going to change his doctrine just to make AK feel welcome. If he isn’t producing, he’s going to get pulled from the lineup. The question is, who is going to back him up? I love Brendan Ryan as much as anybody, but is he the answer? I guess we’ll find out.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1931 PHE Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:53:30 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1931 Here's where I'm at re: Miles. He was never supposed to be an offensive contributor to the Cards. LaRussa made him that. If a large part of the 2008 success of the Cardinals was dependent upon the success of Miles, there were much larger underlying problems than the bullpen. Know what I mean? You're probably right in that they dawdled a bit to offer him at all...after all, they did the same thing last season, and he had little to no interest. It just so happened this season that the Cubs are willing to try to make a career journeyman into a starter (again). I'm not knocking Miles, he just clearly didn't have a place (whether naming AK the starter without competition was right or not). Here’s where I’m at re: Miles.

He was never supposed to be an offensive contributor to the Cards. LaRussa made him that. If a large part of the 2008 success of the Cardinals was dependent upon the success of Miles, there were much larger underlying problems than the bullpen.

Know what I mean?

You’re probably right in that they dawdled a bit to offer him at all…after all, they did the same thing last season, and he had little to no interest. It just so happened this season that the Cubs are willing to try to make a career journeyman into a starter (again). I’m not knocking Miles, he just clearly didn’t have a place (whether naming AK the starter without competition was right or not).

]]> By: Sarah-bug http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1928 Sarah-bug Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:02:21 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1928 I was trying to find something to disagree with, but I couldn't. Good list! :) Although (re: your twitter comment)... I'm not sure Miles will be that easy to replace. Maybe I've just got my rose-colored glasses on where he's concerned. (Plus, I was a little disheartened by the way they waited until the last minute to even make him an offer. Seems like if they didn't want him around, they could've at least told him as much.) I was trying to find something to disagree with, but I couldn’t. Good list! :)

Although (re: your twitter comment)… I’m not sure Miles will be that easy to replace. Maybe I’ve just got my rose-colored glasses on where he’s concerned. (Plus, I was a little disheartened by the way they waited until the last minute to even make him an offer. Seems like if they didn’t want him around, they could’ve at least told him as much.)

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1924 PHE Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:58:45 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1924 I may be wrong, and <a href="http://www.futureredbirds.net" rel="nofollow">Future Redbirds</a> would probably be a better source, but I think the bullpen is one of the strongest areas of the minor league system right now. Between Motte, Perez, and McClellan they've got a good head-start. I may be wrong, and Future Redbirds would probably be a better source, but I think the bullpen is one of the strongest areas of the minor league system right now.

Between Motte, Perez, and McClellan they’ve got a good head-start.

]]> By: Trey http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1923 Trey Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:56:20 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1923 I hope you are right about the continued development of young players. We're going to need that, especially in the bullpen. I hope you are right about the continued development of young players. We’re going to need that, especially in the bullpen.

]]> By: PHE http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1919 PHE Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:26:40 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1919 True - Tony is nothing if not fair to the team and the organization. I think he realizes to an extent how good he has had it (and continues to have it) here. True – Tony is nothing if not fair to the team and the organization. I think he realizes to an extent how good he has had it (and continues to have it) here.

]]> By: Cardinal70 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/2008/12/31/ucb-top-5-cardinals-stories-of-2008/#comment-1918 Cardinal70 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:25:10 +0000 http://www.pitchershiteighth.com/?p=487#comment-1918 Good work! As long as the TLR situation doesn't turn into the local equivalent of Brett Farve's yearly decision making, I'm OK with the one-year contracts. TLR tends to decide fairly early, without dragging it out. Good work!

As long as the TLR situation doesn’t turn into the local equivalent of Brett Farve’s yearly decision making, I’m OK with the one-year contracts. TLR tends to decide fairly early, without dragging it out.

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