Winter WarmUp - Page 2

BleacherBum593 · January 23rd, 2008, 09:52 AM

Couple of notes from my visit to the warmup on Saturday.

Per Mozeliak, Izturis was signed strictly for his glove. Their not looking to him to provide offense.

Minor league session was a bummer. They reviewed the 4 top minor league teams and their 2007 season and who the key players were. A very limited Q & A session. I'm putting together an email to John Vuch with a list of questions. Hopefully, he can answer them within a week.

Luhnow did talk briefly about expanding the Asian market. They have signed a RHP from Korea to a minor league deal (no name given) and he'll report to Jupiter for the minor league camp. They have also signed a player from Hungary (no name given).

They have also hired someone with experience in Latin America operations to run the Cards operation there. Thus, freeing up Luhnow to do other things.

Jaime Garcia's elbow is fine and he'll be coming to the major league camp. Mainly to get exposure.

Joe Mather will also get a good look at the big camp. I'm wondering if he could possibly be Spiezo's replacement in 2009 - Experienced in all 3 OF spots and 1B/3B.

McCormick & Pomeranz should be able to go from Day 1 at camp.

When asked about the future at SS - Mozeliak said to look for Tyler Greene (great athlete/injury has hampered progress) and Pete Kozma as the most likely candidates. I wonder if Jose Martinez is targeted to move back to 2B?

BleacherBum593 · January 23rd, 2008, 09:54 AM

One other point - per the local news - Adam Kennedy was a no show at the WW-up. That pissed off a couple members of the Cardinal brass, specifically Tony LaRussa.

Nighthawk · January 23rd, 2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Their not looking to him to provide offense.

You don't say.

ArRedbird · January 23rd, 2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleacherBum593

Joe Mather will also get a good look at the big camp. I'm wondering if he could possibly be Spiezo's replacement in 2009 - Experienced in all 3 OF spots and 1B/3B.
....
When asked about the future at SS - Mozeliak said to look for Tyler Greene (great athlete/injury has hampered progress) and Pete Kozma as the most likely candidates. I wonder if Jose Martinez is targeted to move back to 2B?

BleacherBum,
thanks for going to the meeting. truly a bummer that they didn't open up for Q & A at the minor league session. good idea to contact Vuch!

Good thought on Mather. Could happen just that way.

Greene is a good athlete -- I think most of the fans would agree -- it's just taking time for him to adjust to being a pro, hitting with the wooden bat, learning the strike zone, taking walks, etc. Hey, it took Chris Duncan quite a few years in the minors before he figured those things out!

You may be right about Jose Martinez getting shifted to 2b. If that's so, then he should start the year at AA, right? Too crowded at Memphis, I guess.

January 23rd, 2008, 09:52 AM	#16 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,884	Couple of notes from my visit to the warmup on Saturday. Per Mozeliak, Izturis was signed strictly for his glove. Their not looking to him to provide offense. Minor league session was a bummer. They reviewed the 4 top minor league teams and their 2007 season and who the key players were. A very limited Q & A session. I'm putting together an email to John Vuch with a list of questions. Hopefully, he can answer them within a week. Luhnow did talk briefly about expanding the Asian market. They have signed a RHP from Korea to a minor league deal (no name given) and he'll report to Jupiter for the minor league camp. They have also signed a player from Hungary (no name given). They have also hired someone with experience in Latin America operations to run the Cards operation there. Thus, freeing up Luhnow to do other things. Jaime Garcia's elbow is fine and he'll be coming to the major league camp. Mainly to get exposure. Joe Mather will also get a good look at the big camp. I'm wondering if he could possibly be Spiezo's replacement in 2009 - Experienced in all 3 OF spots and 1B/3B. McCormick & Pomeranz should be able to go from Day 1 at camp. When asked about the future at SS - Mozeliak said to look for Tyler Greene (great athlete/injury has hampered progress) and Pete Kozma as the most likely candidates. I wonder if Jose Martinez is targeted to move back to 2B? __________________ "Build it and they will come"

January 23rd, 2008, 09:54 AM	#17 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,884	One other point - per the local news - Adam Kennedy was a no show at the WW-up. That pissed off a couple members of the Cardinal brass, specifically Tony LaRussa. __________________ "Build it and they will come"