Well, the second season has begun (Hot Stove League), kicked off by the 2008 awards. I haven't posted in a while, so I thought I'd share a few thoughts.
- Congratulations to Pujols, Ludwick, and Molina, who managed to pick up some hardware this offseason. Ludwick garnered a Silver Slugger, Molina got a long-overdue Gold Glove as well as a Fielder's Bible award (although this was easily his worst defensive year), and Pujols earned pretty much every piece of hardware imaginable, save a Gold Glove. (more thoughts in this later on) I'm certainly glad Pujols won the MVP award, as I wrote earlier. Phillies pundits are claiming bloody murder, but it's hard to argue that Howard was any more valuable than Pujols. If the bullpen had cut its number of blown saves in half, a factor out of Pujols' control, the Cardinals would have easily made the playoffs, and there wouldn't even have been a debate. I know, it's a hypothetical. But nobody was more irreplaceable than Pujols this year.
- I understand the reasoning for not going after Peavy. I really do. But I don't agree with it. Unless there are some crippling financial losses that the Cardinals are suffering (and given their attendance, costs, and the fact that St. Louis is hosting the All-Star game in 2009, this doesn't seem likely [although, admittedly, the effects of the current situation have yet to be seen]), there is no reason DeWitt can't open up his wallet a little more and go after one of the true aces in the league. I hate to say it, but it will be hard for Carpenter to be effective after yet another elbow surgery. We may have to consider going the Kerry Woods route with him. But there is no reason we can't go above the $100 million mark, up to around $110 or $115.
For his talent level, Peavy is relatively cheap and would offer a solid front three starting rotation (should Carpy be unavailable) - Peavy, Wainwright, and Lohse would give us a great chance of winning any three-game series. We also have a bevy of prospects and outfielders, a position San Diego could use help with.
- Speaking of Kerry Wood, it would be quite interesting (to say the least) to see him in a Cardinals uniform. He's open to a one-year contract, and I think that Perez or Motte could greatly benefit from another year learning from a maximum-effort closer like Wood. Plus, what would be better than beating the Cubs at Wrigley, with Wood closing the game for us? If we could get him at a relatively low cost, it'd be a medium-risk, high-reward proposition.
- Congratulations to the Phillies, 2008 World Series champs.
- For all the talk about how dominant the AL is, the NL has won two of the last three World Series. The All-Star game is hardly evidence of how great the AL is, considering many of the wins have been by a run or two. And if you truly want to look at a dominant streak, look at the All-Star games of the 1960s and 1970s, when the NL won 20 of 21 All-Star games.
- Did anyone else notice the World Series sorta followed the pattern of the 2006 World Series?
Game 1 - NL win on road
Game 2 - AL win at home
Game 3 - NL win at home
Game 4 - NL win at home
Game 5 - NL win at home
Game 4 of the 06 Series was delayed by rain, while Games 3 and 5 of 08 were delayed by rain. I just thought it was interesting.
I guess that's about it. How many more days til spring training?
Oh, one other announcement. I will be a contributing writer to the baseball blog Seamheads (www.seamheads.com). These guys are serious students of the game. I thought I was quite knowledgeable about baseball, but some of them are going to give me a run for my money. I plan on my first post being about the Gold Gloves (not just this year, but a historical look at them and the perceived injustices), so if you like reading here, be sure and check out that website. The writers there are doing what I think is an awesome project, having writers pick an all-time team for every team (something I did for my first blog here) and creating a historical fantasy league to determine who has the best team of all-time. So for any serious fan of the game and its history, check out the website.
I'll still be posting here though; don't worry. All three of you who read this :P.
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Comments (8) Add A Comment
No, it would not be interesting to see Kerry in a Cards uniform. The Cubs were foolish to let him go and I can only hope that he doesn't stay in the NL because I'd bet that he'd own the Cubs hitters. Seriously, Woody would be a great addition to any team regardless of his past troubles. He's got a good attitude and he still throws smoke. By the way, I do recall him blowing a save and losing the game at Busch back in June or July. I must be number 4!!! Oh, and Wood for Pujols straight up! LOL !!!
budman59
Total Comments (376)
I thought that was ironic about Molina, too. He wasn't nearly as good this year as past years....and this year he finally gets the GG. Losing it to Russell Martin last year was highway robbery.
I'm with you on Peavy. I understand what Mozeliak is saying, but he's locked in for four years at reasonable $$$$, and we have the prospects and payroll room to get this done. I'm very disappointed in what Mo has done this offseason, but I've griped enough about that on the die-hard site.
Kerry would need to come in pretty reasonable for us to sign him........but I think I'd rather focus on Lefthanders than to bring him in.
Budman - you can dream........but you're not getting Pujols :o)
TenRingsSTL
Total Comments (4177)
Hey, you still owe us for Brock. Seriously, Pujols is the Manny Ramirez of the NL with a better glove and without the attitude. Just what would it take for any team to pry him away? How about Pujols for Peavy and Adrian Gonzlez?
budman59
Total Comments (376)
Geez Budman......we gave up Marquis and let you sign him........what more do you want????
I don't know if there is anything that would make sense to give up AP. The PR fallout in STL would be huge. He's bigger there than Ozzie was......and approaching Musial status.
TenRingsSTL
Total Comments (4177)
No 10, I forgot about that. You owe us for taking Marquis, too. Send Albert over ASAP. Can you tell I'm bored? The moderator removed a few of my comments, said I was making a personal attack on another user. Guess I'll have to stop responding to Kenosha, he's reporting my comments as abuse. Maybe someday I'll grow up! LOL !!!
budman59
Total Comments (376)
haha. i'm getting a kick out of all this. Regardless of how much a trade might make sense (Peavy and Gonzalez would be interesting, at least to me), TenRings has a point: it'd be essentially like trading a St. Louis hero. And you have our thanks for taking Marquis.
pikesteve22
Florissant , MO
Total Comments (41)
pikesteve22: And you have our thanks for taking Marquis. Sorry! You're not welcome! But, boy was he (Marquis) full of himself when he hit a gs against the Mets in NY. What would you reasonably expect to get for AP that would help the Cards next year? And I agree, Albert is a multi-year MVP and the Cards would have to be well compensated.
budman59
Total Comments (376)
You know Budman....as soon as you said the Mods were on you, I knew it had to be KMark that you were being rude to......
Yeah, Steve.....as far as PR moves go they might as well trade the Arch. For me it would take a package like that to even consider it: a #1 starter, an all-star caiber power bat......and probably a top prospect or two.....
Oh, and Marquis was full of himself well before the GS........ he's probably sitting at home right now.....going nuts trying to figure out why he didn't get any Cy Young votes.
TenRingsSTL
Total Comments (4177)
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