JV wrote:

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2014/2/22/5436442/jaime-garcia-shoulder-injury-cardinals

Story doesn't indicate whether it's his left or right shoulder.

If any Cardinals pitcher had to have a shoulder issue, Garcia is the name that bothers me the least.

alz wrote:

And the "not trading away one of our 8 options for Starting Pitcher" begins to look like another genius move by the front office. Seems like everything they do works out pretty well.

No doubt.  It feels a lot better knowing that Garcia's spot will likely be filled by the winner of the Joe Kelly/Carlos Martinez competition rather than having to pluck Cement-head off the unemployment line.

Just my opinion, but the all-right handed rotation thing is overblown.  The rotation was all-right handed for most of last year and did just fine. 

As far as the money is concerned, I would have to think the Cardinals have insurance for this, but I don't know that for sure.

 

"The money doesnt bug me as much as garcia likely getting a shot over more qualified players because of it.  That has yet to happen yet but it likely will."

If the Cardinals decide to go "Mark Mulder" and allow Garcia to post a 10+ ERA while relegating an otherwise able-bodied starter to the bullpen, then shame on them.  I realize that's exactly what they did in 2007, but they were also running pitchers like Wells, Maroth and Reyes to the mound as starters.  In that situation, the reward may have outweighed the risk.  In our current situation, Garcia had better be throwing the ball really, really well at Memphis before he ever sees the St. Louis rotation.

Quite honestly, there's a part of me that thinks we've seen Jaime Garcia's last game.  They just can't fix shoulders the way they fix elbows.

Last edited by forsberg_us (2/24/2014 12:35 pm)

I think more then anything the point to having a lefty is to keep the hitters off balance.  The cardinals have alot of the same as far as the rotation goes.  Hard throwing righties top to bottom.  If they were able to throw a lefty in there i think it would help.  It isnt something im worried about and i dont think garcia deserves a spot based on that need alone.  I do think there is some point in having a lefty in the rotation.

I agree with the notion that if nothing else, a lefty gives the other team something different to consider. The Cardinals right now have a very similar starting rotation. The five right-handed starting pitchers all throw fastball/cutter/curve, though all not necessarily in that order of preference. But if I'm an opposing hitter and the Cardinals are coming to town for a series, I don't feel like I have to make too many adjustments.  
Again, it's not a huge deal. The more important thing is having quality starters who can make pitches. It really doesn't matter if they're left-handed, right-handed or have flippers like a harbor seal.

See you next year Jaime.... Says he's going for "a second option" after seeing Galetta (spelling sorry).
That's certainly not good news for Jaime.

So, Wain-o, Miller, Wacha, Lynn, Kelly/Martinez?

Definitely a solid rotation. Not crazy about Lynn, but I can't see kicking him out without Garcia in the discussion.

After the visit with Dr. Andrews, Garcia received an anti-inflammation shot.

I'm not sure if this is good or bad news.  This tells me that there isn't anything structurally wrong with Garcia's shoulder--it just hurts, probably a lot.  Sounds to me that Garcia either learns to pitch with pain or doesn't pitch anymore.