I wouldn't trade Piscotty. He's not a centerfielder, though, AP.
I can't see La Russa swapping Goldschmidt, unless it's to the Angels for Mike Trout or to the Dodgers for Kershaw. I don't know about Cespedes, but I'm pretty sure the Cardinals won't sign him and Heyward. The number that's been thrown out for Heyward is a $20 million AAV. Cespedes may want at least that much coming off the second half he had with the Mets. The Cardinals will make their play for Heyward, and if he doesn't fit into their budgetary structure, they'll look elsewhere. It's always been their style, even when their franchise player was under consideration after 2011.
The difference this time is they don't have a lot of slack to play with inside the division. The Cubs are going to be good for a long time.

artie_fufkin wrote:

I wouldn't trade Piscotty. He's not a centerfielder, though, AP.
I can't see La Russa swapping Goldschmidt, unless it's to the Angels for Mike Trout or to the Dodgers for Kershaw. I don't know about Cespedes, but I'm pretty sure the Cardinals won't sign him and Heyward. The number that's been thrown out for Heyward is a $20 million AAV. Cespedes may want at least that much coming off the second half he had with the Mets. The Cardinals will make their play for Heyward, and if he doesn't fit into their budgetary structure, they'll look elsewhere. It's always been their style, even when their franchise player was under consideration after 2011.
The difference this time is they don't have a lot of slack to play with inside the division. The Cubs are going to be good for a long time.

I thought piscotty played a few games at center.  It was just one.

I realize my pipe dream of signing heyward and cespedes is off base.  It is what the cardinals need tho.  Maybe not cespedes but resigning heyward does nothing to improve the team over what we saw this year.
 

artie_fufkin wrote:

"Maybe not cespedes but resigning heyward does nothing to improve the team over what we saw this year."

A team that won 100 games despite losing for significant periods of time its ace pitcher, #3 and #4 hitters on opening day, and then its perennial Gold Glove catcher and 14-game winner late in the season. 
I don't know how much better you want them to be, AP. 

The problem with that analysis is it presumes the pitching staff can repeat a sub 3 ERA in 2016.  Much like the year after the team had its historic batting average with runners in scoring position, I'd expect some regression.  When that happens, the team will need help from its offense.

Yes, Holliday was injured, but he had 3 HR before he was injured.  Yes, Adams was injured, but is Adams really a cleanup hitter or is he just slightly better than Brendan Moss (with less power)?

I don't think it's enough to say the 2016 lineup should be healthy, therefore all is well.  Even when healthy, the 2015 Cardinals were filled with a lot of complimentary pieces lacking a true threat in the lineup.  They need to find that threat from somewhere.

"The problem with that analysis is it presumes the pitching staff can repeat a sub 3 ERA in 2016.  Much like the year after the team had its historic batting average with runners in scoring position, I'd expect some regression."

Even though they get their ace back, and Wacha and Martinez - presuming they're both healthy - are going to be more acclimated to the rigors of a 162-game season? The pitching staff could be even better.

 "The team is headed in a different direction then the 100 wins suggest."

I agree they could use a power bat in the middle of the lineup. Maybe, as  you (?) or Alz (?) suggested, Chris Davis could be an attractive free agent. Or they trade pitching for hitting like they did last winter. But if the Cardinals don't win the division, it's not because they're heading in a different direction. It's because they're being lapped by two teams who stunk for years and are finally reaping the rewards of drafting in the top five. 

Last edited by artie_fufkin (10/15/2015 9:17 am)

I dislike Chris Davis hitting closer to .250 than .275 for his career, but perhaps that keeps him economical (15 million a season), and allows us to make an honest attempt to keep Heyward. We need someone to put the fear of god into an opposing pitcher. With Wainright back, get Martinez right for next season, see what's on Lackey's mind, I like the rotation, as long as Wainright is at the front of it. 

To me we're mostly missing a hammer to bat cleanup.

alz wrote:

I dislike Chris Davis hitting closer to .250 than .275 for his career, but perhaps that keeps him economical (15 million a season), and allows us to make an honest attempt to keep Heyward. We need someone to put the fear of god into an opposing pitcher. With Wainright back, get Martinez right for next season, see what's on Lackey's mind, I like the rotation, as long as Wainright is at the front of it. 

To me we're mostly missing a hammer to bat cleanup.

If you didn't like Chris Davis at .250, you really wouldn't have liked him in 2014 when he hit .190.

From the Cardinals' official website: "Yadier Molina will have surgery on his left thumb this afternoon. Molina will go without baseball activity for 8-12 weeks, but he should be ready by Spring Training."

artie_fufkin wrote:

From the Cardinals' official website: "Yadier Molina will have surgery on his left thumb this afternoon. Molina will go without baseball activity for 8-12 weeks, but he should be ready by Spring Training."

 
Fuck they will probably graphed his big toe to his hand.

alz wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

alz wrote:

I dislike Chris Davis hitting closer to .250 than .275 for his career, but perhaps that keeps him economical (15 million a season), and allows us to make an honest attempt to keep Heyward. We need someone to put the fear of god into an opposing pitcher. With Wainright back, get Martinez right for next season, see what's on Lackey's mind, I like the rotation, as long as Wainright is at the front of it. 

To me we're mostly missing a hammer to bat cleanup.

If you didn't like Chris Davis at .250, you really wouldn't have liked him in 2014 when he hit .190.

True, although I'm considering that an anomally. He still popped 26 HRs that year, missing about 40 games. Something had to have been bothering him. Last year he was back at .262

 

That's a BIG anomaly. But I don't disagree with you. I didn't realize he had been a .270-.280 hitter in 2012-13.

Of course it's probably a moot point. He's represented by Boras. Davis will still be unsigned in February and the bidding (between one team with actual interest and a team that probably doesn't exist) will probably be more than the Cardinals will pay. Plus the Cardinals typically don't go after players who will cost them a draft pick.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/surgery-for-molina-rest-for-others/article_56f0b70c-3bc2-5037-a13c-4495b7954e50.html

Alot of good info

-moss is back for sure

-broujos and lynn seem to be on the trading block

-decison on garcia have to be made cloee to the end of the WS

The Cubs signed another Cuban player. The Cardinals are thinking about the office Halloweeen party.

artie_fufkin wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

The Cubs signed another Cuban player. The Cardinals are thinking about the office Halloweeen party.

I hear they give out full-size Snickers bars.

Yeah, Ballpark Village had a really good year.

JV wrote:

So is the Cardinals exercising their option on Garcia the same as a big FA signing? Should we all stop clamoring now?

 
Their top target will be David Price, but he'll want too much money over too many years. Price ends up signing with the Cubs. The Cubs become favorites to win the World Series. The Cardinals maintain their financial integrity. So they've got that going for them. Which is nice.