Cardinals' offseason: If it's broke, defend it

gyb13 · 12-30-2002, 03:07 PM

One of the best defensive teams in baseball returns after the emotional rollercoaster that was 2002. The rotation is still being patched up, and LaRussa has managed to add yet another catcher. What do the Cards need to do to stay atop the NL Central, where Houston is a contender and the Reds and Cubs think they are?

C Matheny, Girardi, Torrealba
1B Martinez
2B Vina
SS Renteria
3B Rolen
LF Pujols
CF Edmonds
RF Drew
IF Cairo, Delgado, Perez
OF Marrero, Robinson, Taguchi
SP Morris, Carpenter, Willliams, Stephenson, Simontacchi, Tomko, Pearce
RP Isringhausen, Kline, Fassero, Crudale, Molina, Lambert

sweaver · 12-30-2002, 04:18 PM

A good team on the field but thin in pitching. Then again, you could say that about a lot of teams.

01-10-2003, 05:08 PM

Paper thin pitching for sure. But I am more leary about the man behind the shades. The man some people call the Genius.

Fuzzy Bear · 01-11-2003, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gyb13
One of the best defensive teams in baseball returns after the emotional rollercoaster that was 2002. The rotation is still being patched up, and LaRussa has managed to add yet another catcher. What do the Cards need to do to stay atop the NL Central, where Houston is a contender and the Reds and Cubs think they are?

C Matheny, Girardi, Torrealba
1B Martinez
2B Vina
SS Renteria
3B Rolen
LF Pujols
CF Edmonds
RF Drew
IF Cairo, Delgado, Perez
OF Marrero, Robinson, Taguchi
SP Morris, Carpenter, Willliams, Stephenson, Simontacchi, Tomko, Pearce
RP Isringhausen, Kline, Fassero, Crudale, Molina, Lambert

If a trade is what you are trying to do, why not try to move J. D. Drew. He still has a big upside, and someone would be willing to take a chance.

The Cards need pitchers. Why not see if the Boss would take Drew for one of his excess pitchers (El Duque comes to mind). It's not a bad strategy in the free agent era for a team under pressure to win, and win NOW.

BigJon · 01-12-2003, 02:22 PM

I think the Cards could use some new blood at the manager position. The team doesn't seem to have the umpf it used to.

sweaver · 01-12-2003, 07:46 PM

Right now, the Cards' offense is Vina, Edmonds, Pujols and Rolen, until Drew gets back from injury, whenever that will be. A four-man offense won't score too many runs. That rotation looks really thin behind Morris as well. I could see the Cards getting off to a very slow start.

Rajah · 01-12-2003, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sweaver
Right now, the Cards' offense is Vina, Edmonds, Pujols and Rolen, until Drew gets back from injury, whenever that will be. A four-man offense won't score too many runs. That rotation looks really thin behind Morris as well. I could see the Cards getting off to a very slow start.

Don't forget that last year the Cardinals started out with a 4 man offense (Edmonds, Pujols, Drew, and Martinez) last year, and Martinez pretty well sucked, so it was really a 3 man deal. And Edgar Renteria was a better hitter last year than Vina (.803 OPS vs .670)

I think the Cards have a good chance to be better this year offensively than last.

01-15-2003, 12:04 PM

I really hate to say this, but looking at things the Cards will be lucky to finish third this year. The Stros and the Cubbies have made the moves that the Cards did not. They improved, the Cards did not. The Cardinals pitching will be the weak point again. One injury and they are done. They need a new manager that is for sure, but as long as Walt is there, that will not happen.

WiredTiger · 01-15-2003, 02:19 PM

The Cardinals didn't do much to improve themselves over the winter. Renteria isn't a bad player. He's still fairly young and could be an important piece of the puzzle. It's hard to give up on Drew because when healthy he has been a very good hitter. He was having a monster season in 2001 until he got hit by a pitch. He seemed to struggle with injuries and such last year too.

JamesI · 01-15-2003, 02:42 PM

Moving Drew isn't a bad idea. Marrero is pretty good with the bat, although Drew is better. If Drew can bring in a pretty good starter, do it.

gyb13 · 01-15-2003, 03:07 PM

i dunno, gibby, i'm not as pessimistic as you. i still think they'll finish top 2. the reds and cubs are still another year away, methinks.

01-15-2003, 06:37 PM

I hope your right gyb13, but somehow I think the man who shall remain nameless will be the end of them anyway. And I hate that, since I am a huge Card fan.

Fuzzy Bear · 01-15-2003, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fuzzy Bear
The Cards need pitchers. Why not see if the Boss would take Drew for one of his excess pitchers (El Duque comes to mind). It's not a bad strategy in the free agent era for a team under pressure to win, and win NOW.

Too late, now!

gyb13 · 01-15-2003, 06:57 PM

i'd do a Wells and Mondesi for Drew and prospects deal...

01-16-2003, 01:49 PM

What prospects? They only have one that I would think of in that category, Journell. But I would not be letting him go if I was Walt.

12-30-2002, 03:07 PM	#1
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	Cardinals' offseason: If it's broke, defend it One of the best defensive teams in baseball returns after the emotional rollercoaster that was 2002. The rotation is still being patched up, and LaRussa has managed to add yet another catcher. What do the Cards need to do to stay atop the NL Central, where Houston is a contender and the Reds and Cubs think they are? C Matheny, Girardi, Torrealba 1B Martinez 2B Vina SS Renteria 3B Rolen LF Pujols CF Edmonds RF Drew IF Cairo, Delgado, Perez OF Marrero, Robinson, Taguchi SP Morris, Carpenter, Willliams, Stephenson, Simontacchi, Tomko, Pearce RP Isringhausen, Kline, Fassero, Crudale, Molina, Lambert __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

01-15-2003, 03:07 PM	#11
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	i dunno, gibby, i'm not as pessimistic as you. i still think they'll finish top 2. the reds and cubs are still another year away, methinks. __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

01-15-2003, 06:57 PM	#14
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	i'd do a Wells and Mondesi for Drew and prospects deal... __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rangers offseason: if it's broke, fix it.	sweaver	2003 Hot Baseball Chatter Archives	33	02-26-2003 10:44 AM
Padres' offseason: if it's broke, pray for help	gyb13	2003 Hot Baseball Chatter Archives	10	02-14-2003 12:04 PM
Rockies' offseason: If it's broke, fix it.	sweaver	2003 Hot Baseball Chatter Archives	23	02-14-2003 11:10 AM
Phillies' offseason: If it's broke, fix it.	sweaver	2003 Hot Baseball Chatter Archives	23	02-10-2003 12:36 PM
Expos' offseason: it ain't broke, it just don't fit the budget	gyb13	2003 Hot Baseball Chatter Archives	7	02-10-2003 11:33 AM

12-30-2002, 04:18 PM	#2
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	A good team on the field but thin in pitching. Then again, you could say that about a lot of teams.

01-10-2003, 05:08 PM	#3
Gibby Posts: n/a	Paper thin pitching for sure. But I am more leary about the man behind the shades. The man some people call the Genius.

01-12-2003, 02:22 PM	#5
BigJon NetShrine Fan Favorite Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 76	I think the Cards could use some new blood at the manager position. The team doesn't seem to have the umpf it used to.

01-12-2003, 07:46 PM	#6
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	Right now, the Cards' offense is Vina, Edmonds, Pujols and Rolen, until Drew gets back from injury, whenever that will be. A four-man offense won't score too many runs. That rotation looks really thin behind Morris as well. I could see the Cards getting off to a very slow start.

01-15-2003, 12:04 PM	#8
Gibby Posts: n/a	I really hate to say this, but looking at things the Cards will be lucky to finish third this year. The Stros and the Cubbies have made the moves that the Cards did not. They improved, the Cards did not. The Cardinals pitching will be the weak point again. One injury and they are done. They need a new manager that is for sure, but as long as Walt is there, that will not happen.

01-15-2003, 02:19 PM	#9
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	The Cardinals didn't do much to improve themselves over the winter. Renteria isn't a bad player. He's still fairly young and could be an important piece of the puzzle. It's hard to give up on Drew because when healthy he has been a very good hitter. He was having a monster season in 2001 until he got hit by a pitch. He seemed to struggle with injuries and such last year too.

01-15-2003, 02:42 PM	#10
JamesI Netshrine Vacuum Cleaner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Potsdam, N.Y. Posts: 3,723	Moving Drew isn't a bad idea. Marrero is pretty good with the bat, although Drew is better. If Drew can bring in a pretty good starter, do it.

01-15-2003, 06:37 PM	#12
Gibby Posts: n/a	I hope your right gyb13, but somehow I think the man who shall remain nameless will be the end of them anyway. And I hate that, since I am a huge Card fan.

01-16-2003, 01:49 PM	#15
Gibby Posts: n/a	What prospects? They only have one that I would think of in that category, Journell. But I would not be letting him go if I was Walt.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)