Who you're pulling for

[AutobodyCAD]

With final roster moves and cuts coming soon, I thought a short discussion of who we are rooting for, (to make the team or have a big year), would be in order. Be it the big club or any level you follow.

I'm mainly hoping that Skip Schumaker gets a ton of AB's this year and rewards with a great OBP and occasional power. I'd be totally fine with letting So go if he does.

I've been rooting for JRod to make it too, but it looks tough. He really worked hard in the off season, but might still be sent down.

It would really be something if Looper pans out as a starter. If not, hopefully Franklin, Narveson or Hawksworth get a shot, and shine under pressure.

And Yadi's gonna have a good year at the plate - I can feel it.

[BleacherBum593]

I'm still looking for the Cards to make a trade before the home opener on April 1.

It wouldn't surprise me if Schumaker beats out SO, but I think TLR will show loyalty to SO and send Skip down. Skip still has options available and since the Cards are going with 12 pitcher's, that leaves only 5 bench spots available. Bennett, Miles, Wilson, Rodriguez and SO.

Breakout years in the minors: Joe Mathers and Nick Webber (now that he's back to where he belongs - in the BP).

Comeback player of the year - Kyle McClellan. Gotta go with the hometown kid

Players that I'll be following - Nick Stavinoha, Bryan Anderson, Colby Rasmus, Chris Perez, Dennis Dove, Jose Martinez, Senger Peralta, Blake King, Elvis Hernandez, Brendan Ryan, Mark Hamilton, Mark Shorey, Jamie Garcia, Oh heck, I might as well list all the players in the minors

LET THERE BE BASEBALL AGAIN

[AutobodyCAD]

Originally Posted by BleacherBum593

I'm still looking for the Cards to make a trade before the home opener on April 1.

It wouldn't surprise me if Schumaker beats out SO, but I think TLR will show loyalty to SO and send Skip down. Skip still has options available and since the Cards are going with 12 pitcher's, that leaves only 5 bench spots available. Bennett, Miles, Wilson, Rodriguez and SO.

First, I thought JuanE's wrist might still be sending him to the DL, which I would conclude as the perfect opening for Skip. If not...

Let's see, Skip's defense is better than JRod's and probably now better than So's, if last year is any indicator. And his focused effort to improve his batting seems to be paying off. He'll have less HR power than JRod and maybe less than So, but his OBP was sparkling in ST, and in the WBC last year (though admittedly not for the AAA season) - both of which are declining for So. This is where it frustrates me - and no doubt Skip and those in his shoes - when contractual factors (size of salary and/or options) and experience trump all other indicators. To what degree must a guy outshine the incumbents to crack the roster? Hit .600? Hit more homers than Chris Duncan? Field better than ALL other contenders? Maybe handedness is also key here, I dunno. JRod, Edmonds and Duncan are all lefties, and Spiezio is a switch, but favors LH IIRC, so Skip makes a crowd? Yes, it's an old, tired topic in some eyes, but this year in particular I'd say this guy's earned a spot

As long as you've got a decent roster to play with, personnel moves are no doubt tough to make. I don't envy delivering those messages to the guys who just missed.

[BleacherBum593]

From what I've heard Juan the Glider will start the year on the DL. It'll be Duncan, Edmonds & Spiezo, left to right in the OF. That leaves 4 OF's - Preston Wilson, J-Rod, So-Tag and Schumaker - battling for 3 spots. Baring a trade, I don't see the Cards releasing any of the 4, so it comes down to the options a player has left. I'm not sure if J-Rod has any options left, but I believe Skip does. So it comes down to 1 of those 2 going down. Which one would you like to be seeing playing every day at Memphis? Getting ready for the first call up....

Another way to look at it. Wilson & J-Rod provide more power potential than Skip and So-Tag. When it comes down to Skip or So-Tag, So-Tag is going to get TLR's loyalty vote and a spot in St Louis. Not fair, but that's life in St Louis.

I'd rather go with 11 pitchers instead of 12, but that's not likely to happen, based on past history. There's only been a few times, like last August 31 (just 1 day) where we carried less than 12 pitchers. If you went with 11, Skip makes the club hands down.

[tulcard]

I think JRod will be sent down (if he clears waivers), traded or released....So, Skip, Bennett, Miles and Spiezio will round out the bench IMHO....we'll see.

[AutobodyCAD]

I guess in a perfect world we'd like a 28- or 30-man roster. 'course then you'd have a couple disgruntled players who aren't getting any playing time. And some guy is still gonna be number 31.

[GoCrazyFolks]

I'm still pulling for Marrerro. I know it is unlikely that he makes the team, but I think he has more to offer than Bennett. (speed, versatility, defense, an arm, etc.)

I'm also on the Schumaker bandwagon. I'd love to see what he can do for the Big Club.

As for the pitchers, I'm with Bleach; I still can't fathom why we break camp with twelve pitchers every year. I would leave with 11 and then re-assess the situation as the games start. That extra bench player would be nice to have, especially this year when we have so many good options.

[BleacherBum593]

Well, it looks like my strategy worked for Skip Schumaker. Since I usually guess wrong on what TLR is going to do, I used a little reverse psychology this time. In promoting Skip to go down, I got my wish as TLR kept him and sent J-Rod down to Memphis. This occured after the game yesterday.

Also going down -Dennis Dove, Kelvin Jimenez and INF Jolbert Cabrera.

Rumor by Joe Strauss in the Post this morning is that the Cards are actively shopping Ricardo Rincon. No confirmation of this by the Cards (I wouldn't expect them to).

[AutobodyCAD]

Awesome for Skip! Tough for JRod. Maybe he can be packaged with Rincon and somebody else to land a top prospect that's two years or so from the bigs.I'm thinking up-and coming 2B/SS in case Eckstein or Kennedy begin declining, LF/RF to replace JuanE when his contract is over, or a starting P.

[BleacherBum593]

We have a couple of MI's in the organization now that you might want to keep an eye on:

Brendan Ryan - slated to be the SS at Memphis this year. He had a pretty good camp with the big boys before getting sent down. In addition to SS, he might get some innings at 2B this summer.

Edgar Gonzalez - slated to be the 2B at Memphis in 2007. He knows how to hit, but must work on his D. Oquendo worked extensively with him at camp and according to articles I've read, Jose has gotten him to start thinking about positioning, double play execution, etc. He could work his way up if the need arises this summer.

Tyler Greene - Looks like he'll open the season at Springfield. All-American in college and a first round draft pick in 2005. Has some holes in his swing, but picked up the pace last year after getting demoted from Palm Beach to Quad Cities. If he hits well at Springfield, it could put him on the fast track to St Louis. Might be the heir apparent to David Eckstein.

Jose Martinez - Signed as a free agent in 2005. From Venezula. Show start the year at Palm Beach. 21 years old. Good hands. Above average speed. I've only heard good things about him. Could be the heir apparent at 2B, when Kennedy's contract is up.

[Kodiak]

Good to see Skip get a legit shot in the bigs out of ST.