I dont think they will be active at all other then at the bottom end.  As you said a bullpen seems to be logical area.  I doubt they shoot for he moon on that.  If it takes trading off top prospects for a major arm I think they will pass.  I dont think they will be in the hunt for a starter if things keep going like they are now.  However adding a top of the rotation starter has been popular in the last few years for teams in the hunt.  Theriot is a clear problem but he is TLR's boy so he gts a pass.  If anything major happens it will be at thirdbase unless injury changes something at another position.  Wrigth is out of there league.  I think we are seeing the team that makes or breaks the playoffs.

It's kind of a premature discussion because a lot depends upon their health going forward. A week ago, the Cardinals were set at third base with this Freese-plays-every-game-but-one-in-a-series thing, but now they have a hole there.
A second lefty in the pen is an obvious need. Obviously, the best scenario is Tallet becomes that guy once he gets healthy.
Of the players TK mentioned, Reyes would fill the Cardinals' greatest needs. I don't know his contract situation, so I can't say for sure what it takes to get him, but the notion that Garcia would have to be involved is probably correct.

"I doubt that they bring in a 2B or SS because it would mean sitting one of Larussa's boys."

Tk, are you still getting residuals every time Hrabosky refers to Theriot as "scrappy?"

forsberg_us wrote:

I agree with AP.  I doubt that they bring in a 2B or SS because it would mean sitting one of Larussa's boys.  Not likely.

Same with the rotation.  Absent an injury, I think you're looking at their rotation.  Regardless of what you think of the rotation, Duncan has been telling us for 3 years that McClellan has "starter's stuff."  I doubt they're going to pull the plug on McClellan and raise doubt as to that assertion.

If they make a move it will be for bullpen help.  Maybe, and I emphasize maybe, they make a move to support 3rd.  If the Giants fall out of contention, a move for Tejada would be something I could see them doing.

I could see Tejada, too. Honestly I don't know why they couldn't pull off that trade tomorrow. Tejada is giving them squat.

At some point the Cardinals will have to recognize that McClellan is not a starter. I don't know if it will be June or July, but it has to happen before the deadline. They can't afford to carry two starters who can't make it to the seventh inning.

tkihshbt wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

I agree with AP.  I doubt that they bring in a 2B or SS because it would mean sitting one of Larussa's boys.  Not likely.

Same with the rotation.  Absent an injury, I think you're looking at their rotation.  Regardless of what you think of the rotation, Duncan has been telling us for 3 years that McClellan has "starter's stuff."  I doubt they're going to pull the plug on McClellan and raise doubt as to that assertion.

If they make a move it will be for bullpen help.  Maybe, and I emphasize maybe, they make a move to support 3rd.  If the Giants fall out of contention, a move for Tejada would be something I could see them doing.

I could see Tejada, too. Honestly I don't know why they couldn't pull off that trade tomorrow. Tejada is giving them squat.

At some point the Cardinals will have to recognize that McClellan is not a starter. I don't know if it will be June or July, but it has to happen before the deadline. They can't afford to carry two starters who can't make it to the seventh inning.

Why are you so down on McCellan?  He has had a couple of bad outings the last few times out but the team has won every game he has started.  He is 4-0 and has a 3.79 ERA.  He looks like the best 5th starter the team has had in years.

I wouldnt support them trading for Tejada at all.  He cant field and now he cant hit.  He isnt any better then Theriot at SS and I doubt he is much better then Craig at third.  I guess I shouldnt say that because I havent seen alot of Craig at third.  What are the early thoughts on him playing the position everyday while Freese is out. 

Freese is about to the point that I am done think about him factoring in.  Every year he goes down.  Now he is going to be playing on two bad ankles and a bum hand.  I sure I will change my tune if he comes back and hits but counting on him would be dumb.  9 weeks from now he will have a season ending injury making a rehab start in Springfield.

Last edited by APRTW (5/06/2011 1:33 pm)

Why are you so down on McCellan?  He has had a couple of bad outings the last few times out but the team has won every game he has started.  He is 4-0 and has a 3.79 ERA.  He looks like the best 5th starter the team has had in years.

He looked good through those first three starts, but he's been looking Suppanish in his last three starts. Too many hits, not being efficient and playing with some hot fire. He and Garcia are six-inning pitchers. I'd feel better about the rotation and the bullpen if they had someone more sturdy and McClellan was in relief.

FWIW, Garcia has been walking that fine line, too, but he's also got more upside and can be unhittable for stretches. Even on his best day I don't think McClellan could be described as "unhittable."

When I think about it, I don't think the Mets are going to reap the bounty on Reyes that they should. Alderson is a smart guy so he won't go for nothing, but I think the Cardinals could probably pull it off without parting with either Miller or Garcia. Sanchez may have to be put in a deal, but it would still be one hell of a rental. As Fors has pointed out, though, Therrible is Tony's boy, so it won't even be discussed. Just for fun...

1. Reyes
2. Rasmus
3. Pujols
4. Holliday
5. Berkman
6. Freese (assuming he lives)
7. Molina
8. Theriot

When your two worst hitters are still guys in the .700-.730 OPS range, you're in good shape.

"Now he is going to be playing on two bad ankles and a bum hand."

If there's an upside, a broken bone in his hand won't give him any residual effects once it's healed. All he really has to do is get his timing back.
But I'm with you. Albert has been on the 15-day once in going on 11 years, and Freese has spent more time on the DL than off it in three.
No to Tejada, BTW. Never liked him anyway, and his skill set is no longer worth it.

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Now he is going to be playing on two bad ankles and a bum hand."

If there's an upside, a broken bone in his hand won't give him any residual effects once it's healed. All he really has to do is get his timing back.
But I'm with you. Albert has been on the 15-day once in going on 11 years, and Freese has spent more time on the DL than off it in three.
No to Tejada, BTW. Never liked him anyway, and his skill set is no longer worth it.

I guess that is the difference between a broken hand and a broken wrist.  DeRosa went on the DL a week ago when his wrist flared back up.

I thought he had surgery after the 2009 season.

tkihshbt wrote:

Why are you so down on McCellan?  He has had a couple of bad outings the last few times out but the team has won every game he has started.  He is 4-0 and has a 3.79 ERA.  He looks like the best 5th starter the team has had in years.

He looked good through those first three starts, but he's been looking Suppanish in his last three starts. Too many hits, not being efficient and playing with some hot fire. He and Garcia are six-inning pitchers. I'd feel better about the rotation and the bullpen if they had someone more sturdy and McClellan was in relief.

FWIW, Garcia has been walking that fine line, too, but he's also got more upside and can be unhittable for stretches. Even on his best day I don't think McClellan could be described as "unhittable."

When I think about it, I don't think the Mets are going to reap the bounty on Reyes that they should. Alderson is a smart guy so he won't go for nothing, but I think the Cardinals could probably pull it off without parting with either Miller or Garcia. Sanchez may have to be put in a deal, but it would still be one hell of a rental. As Fors has pointed out, though, Therrible is Tony's boy, so it won't even be discussed. Just for fun...

1. Reyes
2. Rasmus
3. Pujols
4. Holliday
5. Berkman
6. Freese (assuming he lives)
7. Molina
8. Theriot

When your two worst hitters are still guys in the .700-.730 OPS range, you're in good shape.

The moment you doubt Garcia and McCellan, Garcia throws a shutout and McCellan throws 8 innngs of shutout baseball.  Please speak ill of the rest of the staff.   I think Al said something about pitchers going threw a dead arm phase after the first few starts of the season.  I agree with that.

artie_fufkin wrote:

"McClellan is not a starter. I don't know if it will be June or July, but it has to happen before the deadline. They can't afford to carry two starters who can't make it to the seventh inning."

There's no way Chris Carpenter will ever throw a no-hitter at Wrigley Field. Especially on a Tuesday in May. Ever.

I see we're all in on that game now.  Well done.

tkihshbt wrote:

That was a big-time performance by McClellan. Apparently his wife is expecting and she's going to be going into labor next Sunday (he pitches against Cueto on Saturday).

I wonder who got Johnny Cueto pregnant?