Opening day lineup as of now.  I think it is important that they replace Craig with someone they feel can produce throughout the season.  Mo seemed unworried that he would be out 2 months.  To me that is alot of the season.  Plus Cardinals injuries have a way of compounding.  I am not sure what the 32 year old Michael Cuddyer is expecting but I like the idea of him on the roster for about what Furcal got, maybe a few million more.  he can play RF, 1b and 2b.  No matter what happens they could put him to use.  I think Carlos Beltran would expect a full time spot that they Cardinals might not be able to provide depending on Craig and Jays play.   


SS Furcal
CF Jay
LF Holliday
1b Berkman
3b Freese
C Molina
RF????
2B Delscalso

Wow, after years of avoiding spending just to spend, this sort of falls into that category.  What does Furcal bring that Brendan Ryan doesn't, for about 1/20th the price?

All-in-all, I am glad to have Furcal around, but we have now spent about half of the Pujols windfall (based on last year's $16 M), and we've done nothing at all to replace his presence in the line-up.

Max wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Sign Beltran.

Any projections on what he'll cost?  Anything over $20/2-ish sounds risky, to me.  But in the current market, I worry he might still command something like $48/4.

Jim Bowden did some early projections at the beginning of the off-season, but I don't remember. I may try to find it later. Beltran's either 34 or 35. I wouldn't give him more than 2 plus an option. Outfielders haven't been all that expensive lately, but Beltran had a really good season last year.

Interesting note--Beltran's agent is Dan Lozano.

I think it was as a regular. He couldn't play CF every day. But maybe as a RH option against LHP only.

It's not ideal, but there really isn't a true CF on the market.

When did Schumaker become fabulous defensively in center field?

tkihshbt wrote:

When did Schumaker become fabulous defensively in center field?

he was pretty clearly an upgrade over jay, who's not bad, when he came in during the playoffs.

what was the play where he made a fabulous grab and fired to first for the double play, but the ump was in such disbelief that it was a catch that, in the argument over whether he caught it (he did), the assist was wiped out?  No way any of our other CF's last season 1) makes the catch, 2) has the presence of mind to throw to first, and 3) has the arm to get the job done.

I doubt Greene adds much to the value of that deal.  It's also possible they think Furcal will be a 2/3 time SS and that they'll need a back-up who can make 40-50 starts and sub in the late innings.

I agree they have some pieces that need to be traded or they will lose value. If we are to believe what we read, the team (Matheny?  Moz?) believes in Greene and want to give him a chance.  I doubt he has much trade value, but he could get packaged together with pitchers for the hell of it.

It's pretty much make or break for Greene.  He's out of options, so they can't get him to Memphis this season. 

My guess is that the Nick Punto era ended when the re-signed Furcal.  Unless Greene gets worked into a trade, Greene provides a cheaper option to Punto with a different skill set.  Punto's better defensively, but Greene offers better speed and power.

Assuming they get a legitimate outfielder to play RF, one big difference between this team and last year's version should be this year's ability to play defense.  I doubt we'll see nearly as many late inning defensive replacements.  That being the case, and Greene being cost-controlled, my guess is Greene gets the nod.

forsberg_us wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

I don't even want to talk about 2012 right now. I'm still fucking pissed at Pujols. I'm pissed at Lozano. I'm pissed at Arte Moreno. I'm even pissed at Victor Rojas, who emceed that friggin' dog and pony show yesterday.

I'm guessing you didn't buy his "it wasn't about the money" speech.

"Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course. People from other teams want to play in St. Louis, and they're jealous that we're in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable. So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 million or $4 more million a year? It's not about the money. I already got my money. It's about winning, and that's it."

forsberg_us wrote:

We never said anything that we didn't mean."

"Do I want to be in St. Louis forever? Of course. People from other teams want to play in St. Louis, and they're jealous that we're in St. Louis because the fans are unbelievable. So why would you want to leave a place like St. Louis to go somewhere else and make $3 million or $4 more million a year? It's not about the money. I already got my money. It's about winning, and that's it."

forsberg_us wrote:

That being the case, and Greene being cost-controlled, my guess is Greene gets the nod.

at what position?