Sam Freeman hasn't shown the control to merit a spot.

TK, don't you think Robinson gets a spot in the outfield rather than keeping Kozma and Descalso?

"Sam Freeman hasn't shown the control to merit a spot."

You just don't like him because he went to Kansas.

Sure, but he's a useful guy to have around in a pinch.

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Sam Freeman hasn't shown the control to merit a spot."

You just don't like him because he went to Kansas.

I didn't know he went to Kansas, but if that's the case you're correct.
 

Pretty good column by Strauss on how the Cardinals advertise these open competitions, then basically pull the rug from under their guys when it was obvious it was never a competition at all. He mentions Rasmus, who tore up Jupiter in 2008; Rosenthal, who prepared for a starting role last season; and now Martinez this season.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/joe-strauss/strauss-cards-are-risking-players-trust/article_422ae8e0-ccf6-52a2-8943-e4f8ee124842.html

Now, the Cardinals were completely justified with all these moves. Rasmus needed Triple-A. Rosenthal needed to be in the bullpen, and Martinez does, too. But if that's their intention all along, why lie? It's a terrible motivational tactic. If you're going to tell a player that he has an honest shot at the rotation, then you can't go back on that when he works his ass off to ready. The Cardinals challenged Martinez to get prepared as a starter, and he came into Spring Training fired up. Even if it's the right thing to put him in the bullpen, they went about it completely wrong. I like Matheny, but he needs to get a handle on how he's dealing with his young players.

"I like Matheny, but he needs to get a handle on how he's dealing with his young players."

Well, in that framework it needs to be pointed out first that keeping Raz in Triple A in '08 was TLR's call, not Matheny's. And I agree to a point the Cardinals' may be hedging on the definition of "open competition," but the players need to remember that the meter doesn't start running on the first day of spring training. Of course the Cardinals were going to factor Kelly's past performance, as they were going to consider Martinez's history, when making the decision about the 5th starter. If Martinez didn't know that, then he's being naive (which isn't all that astonishing, because he's still a kid, after all).
I think you've found your answer in the first three sentences of your second paragraph. The players ended up where they needed to be. How Martinez handles it from here will be telling. He can either pout like Rasmus, or suck it up like Rosenthal and be a valuable member of a contending team.

"I also don't want the team to run the risk of damaging trust in their young players, especially when the time comes to negotiate contracts."

It's a fair point. Hopefully, by the time Martinez gets around to negotiating a long-term deal, he'll be ensconsed as the ace or the #2 starter and any real or imagined slights will be forgotten.
And I'm a little wary the situation may be a little overblown because Strauss was the author of the article. He tends to be the P-D's resident shit-stirrer, especially now that he's been elevated to columnist.

Last edited by artie_fufkin (3/26/2014 12:09 pm)

The roster lack a hire bat like they had in berkman and beltan.  I think the roster is very well rounded tho.  It is yet to be seen but i dont see a weakness.  I dont see many innings that there isnt going to be someone exciting come to the plate. 

I think if it wasnt for an inning limit martinez would be a starter.

The back end of the bullpen is solid.  Long relief may be an issue.  Still if your using lomg relief things have already went wrong.  It would be nice to have a better option for the 5th, 6rh and 7th tho.

APIAD wrote:

The roster lack a hire bat like they had in berkman and beltan. I think the roster is very well rounded tho. It is yet to be seen but i dont see a weakness. I dont see many innings that there isnt going to be someone exciting come to the plate.

I think if it wasnt for an inning limit martinez would be a starter.

There are a hundred things that could go wrong. Carpenter may not get on-base as often. Wong could be a bust. Adams could be exposed during a 500 AB season. Holliday is aging. Craig may be awful in right field. Miller and Lynn have been pretty bad in ST, and that could continue. Wacha's career trajectory could flatten out. Rosenthal may not develop into a closer over a 162 games. Injuries could wipe them out. Yadi takes one errant foul tip or is HBP in the hand and breaks his thumb, and suddenly Tony Cruz is the starting catcher.
But a lot more could go right. They're the best team in the division, and one of the three best teams in the league. This is the least I've been worried about a Cardinals team since 2005. 
 

Hope Aardsma's contract isn't guaranteed. He's screwing the pooch right now.