Apparently he told the Cardinals he'll honor his extension.

artie_fufkin wrote:

"The unfortunate reality for him is that in the organization's eyes, assuming the availability of everyone, Kelly wasn't among their top 5 pitchers."

The problem being is that two of those five aren't currently available, and one might be done permanently.
I think the question we have to ask is whether the Cardinals improved their team over the past 48 hours. I'm not sure they have.

I wasn't including Garcia.  IMO, in the organization's eyes, Kelly fell behind

Wainwright
Lynn
Miller
Wacha
Martinez

 

tkihshbt wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

I think the question we have to ask is whether the Cardinals improved their team over the past 48 hours. I'm not sure they have.

Well, the problem is that Kelly simply can't be counted on to pitch into the seventh inning. Lackey has pitched at least seven innings more times this month than Kelly has in his (admittedly) young career. Getting innings down the stretch is a big deal. Plus, Lackey has been pretty solid in a more difficult league, age be damned.

Agree.  Masterson didn't pitch that well in his last rehab start, but he pitched 6 2/3 innings.  The Cardinals rotation subtracted two low inning starters for two starters who should pitch deeper into games.  Not only should the rotation be better, but so should the bullpen.  Plus, at this point, Taveras is likely an upgrade over Craig.  

If nothing else, today's trade had a clear up a tension in the clubhouse.  I haven't talked to Chad, but it would be difficult for me to believe that the Taveras/Craig thing didn't create some problems.  If nothing else, I'm sure there were plenty players in the clubhouse who liked Craig and felt bad about how poorly he was playing and the heat he was catching from fans for "blocking" Taveras.  

Of course, it's entirely possible that Lackey and Pierzynski are complete clubhouse turds, but something had to change.  This team is beyond stale.

Yes there is alot of tension judging by the post dispatch.  Alot.  Im not real impressed with MM.  A leader has to make tough calls.  You cant be everyones friend.  Here are some quotes that annoy me.

“It’s a tough morning for us, no question,” manager Mike Matheny said. “We ask these guys from Day 1 to buy into the fact that we’re in this thing together and we’re going to be together more than we are with the majority of our families. To buy into the fact that we’re all here for each other. To buy into the culture and everything this organization stands for."To see a few guys who have bought into that packing their stuff up – yeah, there’s a business here, but we’re asking for more than just business.”

“Right now we’re still dealing with the reality of the parts that are missing instead of the ones who are coming,” Matheny said.

How are the new guys or taverez supposed to feel about being on this team?  It is a fucking baseball team...not a family reunion.  It is about winning games not having some greater meaning of life moment.  All that bs chistian theme is fine but when it gets in the way of managing i think MM needs a come to jesus moment.  He better get in tune with what his job entails or fine another bankruptcy attorney.

Also, your take on it was far better than mine, AP. I just read what you wrote again and laughed my ass off.

If the Boston media is high-fiving themselves over their newest Boy Wonder, then their heads are further up their posteriors than I previously thought. One didn't need to watch two-thirds of the season pass by without recognizing that Craig looks hopeless.

At least we wont have to see craig sulking as he rolls over on another pitch every game.

artie_fufkin wrote:

Has Lackey officially told the Cardinals he'll honor his contract for next year? Because in Boston he'd apparently been telling anyone with ears that he'd rather retire than play for $500,000.

Yes, Moz specifically asked this question of Lackey's agent and received confirmation that Lackey would honor the deal.  I suppose he could change his mind, but the agent would lose a lot of credibility over something like that.

APIAD wrote:

I assume the purpose is that he wants to play beyond 2015.

I suspect you're correct.  When interviewed on the topic, Moz commented that he had a "good faith" agreement with Lackey's agent.  I suspect the "good faith" goes both ways, and Moz agreed to consider a reasonable extension.

Apparently Craig went 1-4 with a double in his Red Sox debut, twisting an ankle coming across first base in his final at bat and missing yesterdays action because of it. They are hoping he'll be back in the lineup today. 

Will be interesting to track how him and Kelly do with their new club. 

Craig is on the dl.  Brings to light one reason why the cards traded him.  He cant stay healthy.

Puts huge pressure on Kelly to show value, IMO. Wednesday's start will be verry interrestink. I hope Craig's at least in the park to get his standing O.

Hard to play a guy with no power at 1st or dh.  Hard to play him in a corner outfield spot to.  I am feeling better about this trade already