Gee, how did I know which PD writer wrote that piece before even clicking on the link?

So the Cardinals made 13mill profit compared to 43 million by the Yankees.  What does profit mean?  Does that mean if Dewitt makes 10 million and gives himself another 10 million dollar raise then there was only 3 million of profit?  Or if the Cardinals pay more on there stadium debt then there is less profit?  I would think that number would be meaningless and could be made whatever the team wants.

What I am saying is that 13 million is what is left over after they pay themselfs and reinvest into there business.  Really that number could be whatever they want it to be depending on how much they pay themself and how much they invest back into the staduim.  That goes for any business.  Really you can show whatever you want to show.

artie_fufkin wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Gee, how did I know which PD writer wrote that piece before even clicking on the link?

It's almost like a p.r. piece.

Ya think?

"Mozeliak must avoid deals that send top prospects (like relievers Chris Perez and Luke Gregerson) for short-term veteran help (Khalil Greene and Mark DeRosa). Those trades left a developmental gap that kept Kyle McClellan in the bullpen, thus leaving the Cards lacking starting pitching depth last year when Brad Penny and Lohse broke down."

Yeah, that was the reason we didn't make the playoffs last year, because Moz momentarily veered off of the game plan and traded Perez and Gregerson (notice there's no mention of the guy who was traded for Holliday).  And it goes without saying that is why the Greene trade blew up in his face.

Last edited by Max (12/11/2010 7:42 pm)

"Ya think?"

Must be more of that dry sarcasm. I wanted to say I agreed without the 1-word "Agreed" response that I've always read as a ham-fisted commandment.
And in a more specific context, cut me a little slack tonight please. I've just spent the last 10 hours taking orders from a cranky 70-year-old man recovering from a hip replacement whilst supervising the world's most restless 10-year-old. In an alcohol-free environment.

artie_fufkin wrote:

Max wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

It's almost like a p.r. piece.

Ya think?

"Mozeliak must avoid deals that send top prospects (like relievers Chris Perez and Luke Gregerson) for short-term veteran help (Khalil Greene and Mark DeRosa). Those trades left a developmental gap that kept Kyle McClellan in the bullpen, thus leaving the Cards lacking starting pitching depth last year when Brad Penny and Lohse broke down."

Yeah, that was the reason we didn't make the playoffs last year, because Moz momentarily veered off of the game plan and traded Perez and Gregerson (notice there's no mention of the guy who was traded for Holliday).  And it goes without saying that is why the Greene trade blew up in his face.

Was Gregerson a "top prospect?"

He's the reason Kyle McClellan got stuck in the bullpen instead of having the breakout season as a starter that he is destined for the moment there's a spot in the rotation, which, considering we just dropped $17 million on Westbrook isn't going to be anytime soon.  But forget that for a moment, and basically, that one trade caused us to creamed in the first round of the playoffs in 2009 AND miss the playoffs completely in 2010.  Who knows how many seasons it will take to claw our way out of the hole that the loss of Gregerson caused? 

Now I know what you're thinking. A decent right-handed bullpen arm costs no more than $1.5 - 3 million, and seeing as our budget the past few seasons has been down around $95, but is projected to be over $110 million this season, then doesn't that mean we had $15 million in payroll flexibility, and doesn't that beg the question why we didn't just buy ourselves 3 or 4 Gregersons the past two seasons???  Well listen up Cardinal Nation, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

forsberg_us wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

Max wrote:

Ya think?

"Mozeliak must avoid deals that send top prospects (like relievers Chris Perez and Luke Gregerson) for short-term veteran help (Khalil Greene and Mark DeRosa). Those trades left a developmental gap that kept Kyle McClellan in the bullpen, thus leaving the Cards lacking starting pitching depth last year when Brad Penny and Lohse broke down."

Yeah, that was the reason we didn't make the playoffs last year, because Moz momentarily veered off of the game plan and traded Perez and Gregerson (notice there's no mention of the guy who was traded for Holliday).  And it goes without saying that is why the Greene trade blew up in his face.

Was Gregerson a "top prospect?"

No. If you remember, Mark Worrell was supposed to be the big loss in that trade. Worrell blew out his arm. Funny Gordon never mentions that.

That was my recollection as well.

Max wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

Max wrote:

Ya think?

"Mozeliak must avoid deals that send top prospects (like relievers Chris Perez and Luke Gregerson) for short-term veteran help (Khalil Greene and Mark DeRosa). Those trades left a developmental gap that kept Kyle McClellan in the bullpen, thus leaving the Cards lacking starting pitching depth last year when Brad Penny and Lohse broke down."

Yeah, that was the reason we didn't make the playoffs last year, because Moz momentarily veered off of the game plan and traded Perez and Gregerson (notice there's no mention of the guy who was traded for Holliday).  And it goes without saying that is why the Greene trade blew up in his face.

Was Gregerson a "top prospect?"

He's the reason Kyle McClellan got stuck in the bullpen instead of having the breakout season as a starter that he is destined for the moment there's a spot in the rotation, which, considering we just dropped $17 million on Westbrook isn't going to be anytime soon.

I've always questioned the whole "McClellan as a starter" notion.  Maybe it's just my perception, but McClellan seems to be a guy who falls behind a lot of hitter and who throws a lot of pitches per inning.  Assuming he has the arsenal to go through a lineup multiple times, McClellan strikes me as a 5-6 inning pitcher at best.  An inability to go deep into games is the same reason Boggs, Ottavino, Walters and others have been deemed unfit for the rotation.

It's my perception. First batters faced in McClellan's career are batting .231, and his overall BAA is .237.
Last year, he was a studly .194 against FBF and .210 BAA overall.
My apologies to Kyle and the entire McClellan family.

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