artie_fufkin wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

Although Cardinals GM John Mozeliak has downplayed the possibility of upgrading their middle infield situation through free agency, "internal support exists" for a pursuit of Orlando Hudson, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss.
The Cards are also expected to look at trade possibilities for second base and shortstop, with the Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew and Kelly Johnson as targets and maybe Dan Uggla as a longshot option. O-Dog makes sense as an upgrade at second base, where he is vastly superior defensively to Skip Schumaker.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Related: Kelly Johnson, Stephen Drew, Dan Uggla, Cardinals

The Cardinals are expected to go into 2011 with a platoon of Jon Jay and Allen Craig in right field.
The team wants to retain Jake Westbrook, upgrade the middle infield and add a left-handed reliever and more offensive-minded backup catcher, so they aren't likely to have the resources to get an impact outfielder. Jay was red-hot for the Cardinals in July but scuffled down the stretch. He profiles as more of a fourth outfielder. Craig, meanwhile, finished with a nice September/October and offers more upside, but he would be on the short end of the platoon.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Related: Allen Craig

Although GM John Mozeliak said no deal was "imminent," the Cardinals are increasingly optimistic about retaining free agent Jake Westbrook.
The deal reportedly would be for two years with an option for a third year. Westbrook pitched well down the stretch for the Cardinals this past season, and staying in the National League and under the tutelage of Dave Duncan is ideal for him. It's a good fit for both teams, and it sounds as though the likelihood of something getting worked out is high.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

-Westbrook
-Hudson
-Bengie Molina
-Lefty reliever

I'd take it.

Who's the lefty reliever?

Strauss' article from Sunday listed four possibilities: Arthur Rhodes (although he's a type-A free agent and is considered a long shot), Scott Downs, J C Romero and Brian Fuentes.

APRTW wrote:

I would take Fuentes.

Bengie Molina is a starter not a backup.  He is to good to play the 15 games a year Yadi doenst play.  Plus if he was on the Cardinals he would be our best catcher.  They should trade Yadi to the DBacks for Drew or Johnson or both and sign Bengie.

The article stated that they have changed philosophies on back up catcher, and that the new guy must be able to play more games and ideally contributes some offense.

APRTW wrote:

I would take Fuentes.

Bengie Molina is a starter not a backup.  He is to good to play the 15 games a year Yadi doenst play.  Plus if he was on the Cardinals he would be our best catcher.  They should trade Yadi to the DBacks for Drew or Johnson or both and sign Bengie.

If The Cardinals let/require Yadi to catch more than 120 games next season, they'll really be screwing up -- him and the team.  Once it becomes clear that his knees are going bad, he wouldn't bring Kip Well's sister in a trade.  Besides, Ben's aging and I doubt he would mind cutting back on his playing time to somewhere around 70 or 80 games a season.

So long as they have a decent emergency catcher, so that they can pinch run for either one, I would imagine it's possible to get 2/3's of the Molinas enough time behind the plate with the Cards.

forsberg_us wrote:

...whether or not her knees have held up

Always looking at the past, aren't you?

"Once it becomes clear that his knees are going bad, he wouldn't bring Kip Well's sister in a trade."

How would anyone be able to tell the difference between Cement-head and his sister?

Jeff Gordon tires his hand at Hot Stove League speculation

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/jeff-gordon/article_d7c93dec-ec34-11df-9169-00127992bc8b.html

His comments on Rasmus are interesting.  If I put two and two together, it almost sounds like the idea might be to propose Drew and Johnson for Rasmus.

Last edited by Max (11/09/2010 5:54 pm)

APRTW wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Once it becomes clear that his knees are going bad, he wouldn't bring Kip Well's sister in a trade."

How would anyone be able to tell the difference between Cement-head and his sister?

His sister throws harder.

And his cat is easier to coach.

Last edited by Mags (11/09/2010 9:42 pm)

Derrick Goold tries his hand at Hot Stove league, but focuses just on backup catcher.  What I like here is his academic's style of citing the literature (in this case, himself, which is just like an academic) but in the article of his that he cites, a BM article is cited.  With hyperlinks and good journalism we can follow a thread.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/article_a184ef08-ec28-11df-8b85-00127992bc8b.html

Last edited by Max (11/10/2010 12:21 am)

I wonder how far Magglio Ordonez salary will fall.  If it falls low enough I like to see the Cardinals take a shot at him.  He would be well worth 6 million.  I dont know how his fielding is doing but he could hit .300 in his sleep and doesnt give away at bats.  He would be a good table setter for Pujols and Holliday.   

How does this look?

2b Eck
RF Ordonez
1b Pujols
LF Holliday
CF Rasmus
3b Freese
C Molina
SS Ryan or whoever

tkihshbt wrote:

Derrick Goold said on Bernie's show earlier that he thinks all this talk about trying to find a shortstop is a misdirection and that they would upgrade second base. His theory is that they aren't talking publicly about it out of respect to Schumaker.

The business of baseball is cold, but this nonsense about trying to protect the fee fee's of a 31-year-old man is over-the-top.

I personally like VEB idea of Hardy at utility.  He could fill in for Ryan full time if he can regain what he lost.  Add Hudson at second and you might just have a solid lineup.

tkihshbt wrote:

Derrick Goold said on Bernie's show earlier that he thinks all this talk about trying to find a shortstop is a misdirection and that they would upgrade second base. His theory is that they aren't talking publicly about it out of respect to Schumaker.

The business of baseball is cold, but this nonsense about trying to protect the fee fee's of a 31-year-old man is over-the-top.

the unstated subtext being that publicly shitting on brendan ryan is OK.

actually, this kind of makes sense (the misdirection, not the shitting on ryan), and i hope it is true.

Last edited by Max (11/24/2010 10:36 am)