tkihshbt wrote:

It's over already, but this was a good way to get out. Wainwright looked decent and Jay Happ is still their whipping boy.

Without making a long post, I hope Mozeliak is currently searching for upgrades on the bench, in the bullpen and in the rotation. If Chris Carpenter doesn't come back and pitch like he at least did last year, this team isn't going far.

You forgot better defense and more speed.

We'll see what happens now that they have to play teams other than the NL Central.  I agree with AP, that I doubt they're looking for much.

Yesterday's game probably stirred up the VEB Tyler Greene Fan Club.  Hell, maybe they should just throw him out there for a month and see what happens.

I could see them sending Matt Carpenter back to Memphis for regular playing time.  As AP pointed out earlier, any at-bats given to a guy on the bench are going to go to Craig.  I think Shane Robinson has more value as a RH centerfielder than Carpenter would as the back-up to the back-up at every position he potentially plays.

forsberg_us wrote:

We'll see what happens now that they have to play teams other than the NL Central.  I agree with AP, that I doubt they're looking for much.

Yesterday's game probably stirred up the VEB Tyler Greene Fan Club.  Hell, maybe they should just throw him out there for a month and see what happens.

I could see them sending Matt Carpenter back to Memphis for regular playing time.  As AP pointed out earlier, any at-bats given to a guy on the bench are going to go to Craig.  I think Shane Robinson has more value as a RH centerfielder than Carpenter would as the back-up to the back-up at every position he potentially plays.

Greene was pretty awesome yesterday.  IDK how a guy cant suck so bad for so long and have that in him.  Thanks to yesterdays game he has the highest OPS of the 3 second baseman.  He needs to figure out how to do something everyday instead of once a month.  He looks like he is in really good shape. 


I would like to see Carpenter stay.  I enjoy watching him more so then Robinson.  I understand that he would play second fiddle to Craig and the club would lose depth in centerfield.

APIAD wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

Well, they don't necessarily have to find replacements, but they have to find better players to come off the bench so they aren't consistently losing one-run games.   

Shane Robinson has no value whatsoever. Throwing with the right hand and being able to stand in center field is not something the Cardinals should be wasting a roster spot on. They don't even need a right-handed center fielder because there's no need to bench Jon Jay ever. I don't care if the Cubs go back in time, stuff Sandy Koufax in a time machine and put him on the mound. There is no pitcher -- past or present -- who would make anyone in their right mind sit Jay for Shane effing Robinson, who barely qualifies as a Triple A player

Tony Cruz is completely overmatched.


Descalso/Greene are in the tank.

Carpenter has no need to go back to Memphis. His entire future is predicated on being a bench player, which he's done a fine job of. If they want him to get time in the outfield then have him shag fly balls during practice. He'll get more experience than playing at Memphis.

They have pretty good pinch hit options when Berkman gets back and as you suggest they keep Carpenter.  I doubt they keep Carpenter just because it is what I would prefer.  The issues with the bench isnt with Robinson or backup catcher.  It is that they are wasting 3 roster spots on a 3way second base platoon.  Unless Greene has done a 180 with yesterdays breakout the best way to improve this team would be to find an everyday second baseman.

You bring up a good point.  I doubt it would happen, but maybe Descalso needs to be the one that goes.  There's no reason for this team to carry three utility infielders.

Third base is Carpenter's natural position. 

As much as Tk doesn't like the idea, Robinson's right handed bat serves a purpose.  I don't want Craig to be the only RH bat on the bench (assuming Greene starts) that they're willing to use.  Matheny isn't likely to use Cruz and burn his back up catcher. 

It doesn't have to be Robinson, but the team is too vulnerable to LH pitching with Descalso, Schumaker and Carpenter on the bench.  They need a RH hitter (besides Craig) that they're willing to use.

forsberg_us wrote:

Third base is Carpenter's natural position. 

As much as Tk doesn't like the idea, Robinson's right handed bat serves a purpose.  I don't want Craig to be the only RH bat on the bench (assuming Greene starts) that they're willing to use.  Matheny isn't likely to use Cruz and burn his back up catcher. 

It doesn't have to be Robinson, but the team is too vulnerable to LH pitching with Descalso, Schumaker and Carpenter on the bench.  They need a RH hitter (besides Craig) that they're willing to use.

No disagreement that they need right-handed hitters on the bench; I'm just not excited about their current options. Cody Ross was a pricey bench acquisition for the Red Sox, but given the injury history of some of these guys, I think they should've reached out to him. Heck, even Scott Hairston would've been preferable.

They knew Craig would be limited and they knew Berkman/Beltran were serious injury risks. Their response was to ignore this completely, and when I say ignore this completely I mean they re-signed Schumaker and gave the job to Sugar Shane.

Hey, it's a good thing if on May 7 I'm complaining about the bench and not the rotation or the lineup, but damn if my ass isn't chapped over their lack of depth.

"Descalso has some value at third and his glove overall."

You are correct, sir!!