Little chance  imo.  He hasnt even played at AAA yet has he?

APIAD wrote:

Little chance  imo.  He hasnt even played at AAA yet has he?

No, but a lot of people don't think that's necessarily a big deal. AAA is often filled with older guys who didn't work out in the majors.

I agree with you that it's unlikely, but I would like the idea of having his power on the bench as a late inning option. And he can play all 3 spots in the outfield.

Ellis at ss?  Opinions?

APIAD wrote:

What about stunting or stoping his development? Getting a handful of at bats a week isnt going to make him into an everyday palyer. With 5 players sharing time at 4 positions im not sure how many at bats are to be had. I agree power of the bench will be lacking unless tavarez makes the cut. If that happens there will be an at bat issue as well. Im in favor of them dealing jay. Unless there is an injury he isnt going to be much of a use.

Like I said, I agree with you that Grichuck isn't likely to break camp anywhere but Memphis.  I'm just expressing my opinion that the bench sucks.

The issue of stunting growth of a player depends on how you forecast that player down the road.  If the Cardinals think Grichuck could be a major league starter, then you're correct, and limiting him to a couple of at-bats a week is a mistake.  However, if they think his future is as a 4th or 5th outfielder, then it's arguably better to see how he handles that role.  That said, I have no idea how the Cardinals perceive his future with the team.

APIAD wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

APIAD wrote:

Ellis at ss? Opinions?

He's played 15 games there, and none since 2005.
It's probably going to be a battle between Kozma and Wong for that last infield spot on the roster. I don't know if Koz has options remaining, but I suppose it mostly depends upon what kind of spring Wong has, and whether they feel like he can accomplish anything more by sending him back to AAA. 

 

Wong and kozma or wong and descalso? I figured the later.
 

They were discussing this topic on McKernan's show this morning.  Consensus opinion was the only way Kozma makes the team is if Wong underperforms and gets sent back to Memphis.  Based on that, I think the options are Wong/Descalso or Descalso/Kozma.

 

Back to my question that i didnt offer an opinion on about ellis playing ss.  I have no clue if he can or not.  Descalso doesnt set the bar extremely high for back up ss.  If ellis could play ss enough to give peralta a break and serve as a bandaid untill kozma can catch up to the team in event of injury the team could have a roster spot open.  Peralta plays all but 10 to 15 games a season unless suspended.  Maybe ellis could man the position 3 times a month.  The extra roster spot could be used to carry a bench bat.

Last edited by APIAD (3/03/2014 12:49 pm)

Well ellis has honestly never played outside of 2nd base.  A few innings here and there over 10+ year career.  Its an idea.  Im not against it or for it because i havent seen him at ss or 3rd.  Right now he isnt a utility infielder.  Idk if that is because he cant play those positions or because he hasnt been asked.  this team has alot of duplicate players

"Not to defened miles but i wouldnt expect ellis to spend that type of time there."


Not to chew on the same ground we did for five years, there's only one person on the planet who thought Aaron Miles could play shortstop, and he happened to be Miles' manager when he was with the Cardinals. If you look at his minor league stats, the Astros, White Sox and Rockies came to the conclusion he wasn't a shortstop, and the Cubs and the Dodgers figured it out darn quick after he left St. Louis. 
He couldn't play second base, either, but at least at second base there was a shorter throwing distance for him to fuck things up.
I think the charity work Tony LaRussa has done on behalf of pets is admirable. But I wish he didn't think he always needed to have one in the dugout. 
 

Last edited by artie_fufkin (3/03/2014 3:12 pm)

Just my opinion, but I don't think Ellis spends any time at SS.  He's played 63 innings at the position over the course of a 15 year career.  He didn't play any SS in LA, despite the fact that Hanley Ramirez was repeatedly injured.  There's likely a reason he never plays there.

If nothing else, look to see if Ellis plays somewhere other than 2B this spring.  If they have an intention of playing him at SS or 3B during the season, it makes sense they would give him some innings there this spring.  If not, then I would think the only way he sees either position in the regular season is in the event of an emergency.

I think the simple reality is that Ellis is here to serve as a $5M insurance policy against Kolten Wong not being a major league ready second baseman or, at a minimum, that Wong can't hit left-handed pitching. 

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Not to defened miles but i wouldnt expect ellis to spend that type of time there."


Not to chew on the same ground we did for five years, there's only one person on the planet who thought Aaron Miles could play shortstop, and he happened to be Miles' manager when he was with the Cardinals. If you look at his minor league stats, the Astros, White Sox and Rockies came to the conclusion he wasn't a shortstop, and the Cubs and the Dodgers figured it out darn quick after he left St. Louis. 
He couldn't play second base, either, but at least at second base there was a shorter throwing distance for him to fuck things up.
I think the charity work Tony LaRussa has done on behalf of pets is admirable. But I wish he didn't think he always needed to have one in the dugout. 
 

If I was KLINK, I'd make a few more posts, so I wouldn't be Aaron Miles anymore ......
 

Martinez is making a pretty strong push for the 5th spot in the rotation.  4 scoreless innings today.  If that happens, I wonder who gets the 8th inning job.

forsberg_us wrote:

Martinez is making a pretty strong push for the 5th spot in the rotation.  4 scoreless innings today.  If that happens, I wonder who gets the 8th inning job.

Does Motte revert to the closer's role once he's able to pitch, or is Rosey the guy no matter what happens with Motte?