All posts by Brian Walton

Brian Walton runs The Cardinal Nation, covering the St. Louis Cardinals and minor league system.

Mark Mulder: What comes after “fooled me twice”?

December 15, 2008 Brian Walton

Recently, FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal apparently had a nice chat with Gregg Clifton, the agent for former St. Louis Cardinals left-handed starting pitcher Mark Mulder.

Guess what news Clifton relayed about his currently unemployed and therefore non-commission-generating client?

Of course! Mulder is “making significant progress in his recovery”. He’s been working with a pair of celebrity personal trainers in Arizona.

“Dr.” Clifton assured Rosenthal that Mulder’s shoulder is “fine, but that he is just now starting to build ‘functional strength’ — in other words, the muscles that will enable him to pitch successfully again.”

Let me translate that. Mulder is probably looking very buff these days, but no one still knows if he can pitch a baseball worth a darn.

Rosenthal dutifully reported that the 31-year-old Mulder “will not begin throwing until December”. His article was posted all of nine days before the month began.

The writer closed his probing interview with a sales pitch suggesting that the lefty “could prove a reasonable one-year risk for a team in need of starting pitching”.

I have a suggestion for Clifton. Dial 1-800-Walt-Jocketty. Call now!

They say that lightning does not strike in the same place twice, but it clearly did in St. Louis. And now fortunately, Walt has since moved up river to Cincinnati.

Some think that internal friction over the building of the farm system versus the trading of prospects for established minor leaguers was the spark that burnt down Jocketty’s comfy 13-year-old St. Louis mansion.

If so, Mulder lit the match.

Fooled once

In what is unquestionably the most disastrous trade in Jocketty’s St. Louis reign, he dealt Dan Haren, Kiko Calero and Daric Barton to Billy Beane’s Oakland A’s for Mulder in December, 2004. At the time, much of the fan fury was over losing top prospect Barton, who has been a washout so far, while Haren has become one of the best young starters in the game.

Though Mulder had been the American League’s starting pitcher in the 2004 All-Star Game, there were whispers all over baseball as he went in the tank big-time after the break that season. His second-half ERA was an alarming 6.13 with a 1.59 WHIP and he posted a below-.500 record. That compared to 3.21, 1.19 and a 12-2 record prior to the break.

Was that screaming “buyer beware” or what?

Still, the post-trade Mulder started ok, bagging his fifth straight 15-game winning season in his St. Louis debut in 2005. But the next year, his troubles more than returned. The lefty logged 85 days on the disabled list in 2006 due to left shoulder impingement. That culminated with surgery on his rotator cuff and labrum in September of that year.

Any time “rotator cuff” is mentioned in conjunction with a pitcher, be concerned. Be very concerned.

Fooled twice

Walt could have walked away from the whole mess as Mulder was a free agent following the 2006 season, but he didn’t. Presumably with the support of the Cardinals medical staff, Jocketty doubled down on his Mulder gambit, laying a fat, juicy, two-year, $11.5 million offer chock full of incremental incentives on the table.

What a surprise! Mulder took it, though he probably had to sign with his right hand.

Not surprisingly, Mulder made none of his over $10 million in additional performance bonuses in that albatross of a contract over the next two seasons. In fact, the Cards got 12 2/3 innings total of over-ten ERA pitching in 2007 and 2008 combined for their increased investment.

Mulder missed 135 games in 2007 and for the second consecutive year, had surgery in September. The labrum was now fine but the rotator cuff had only partially healed. He actually managed to top that in 2008, as he missed a total of 149 games.

I was there in the Philadelphia clubhouse before Mulder’s Waterloo, his one and only 2008 start as a major league pitcher, on July 9. I remember vividly Mulder’s excitement as he told us the day before that he had finally located a new, comfortable arm slot and he couldn’t wait to try it out in the game.

After throwing just 16 pitches in live action, the big lefty trudged off the mound with more shoulder discomfort. After the contest, a disappointed, frustrated and bewildered Mulder simply said he felt pain and was unable to throw the way he wanted.

The next day, Mulder said he had absolutely no idea what the next steps would be. Back onto the DL he went, never to be seen on the mound again. This time, everyone seemed to agree that more surgery would likely not accomplish anything.

To add insult to injury, in the January, 2007 deal, Walt gave Mulder an $11 million option for 2009 that cost the Cardinals another $1.5 million to extract themselves from. That made Mulder’s meter run up to $13 million for the two washed out seasons. His stint with the Cardinals officially ended in October when this last buyout check was tendered.

Fooled thrice?

Part two of the agent’s current awareness campaign seemed to focus on the Winter Meetings and was delivered through the Boston Globe, who on Sunday quoted Clifton saying this: “He’s ready to go for any team right out of the chute.” There had been some talk that teams would have to wait until May or June (before Mulder would be ready to pitch in 2009). “Not true,” said Clifton.

It is most assuring to learn that the agent has recently added fortune-telling to his medical credentials.

At least the Globe writer had the common sense to include the Mulder blurb in an article entitled “Beware of warning signs”.

So all in all, you’ll have to excuse me if I don’t start doing backflips over Mulder’s exciting “progress”.

Don’t get me wrong. I bet Mulder wants nothing more than to be an effective major league pitcher again. It’s just that he may not be able to do it. I imagine his agent wants to score another big contract for Mulder. It probably isn’t going to happen.

The reaction of many Cardinals fans when Mulder is mentioned is very similar to how those rabid Boston Red Sox fans feel about Matt Clement. Go to any BoSox board and look up Clement or ask about him. A vast majority of the posters’ remarks I viewed were from fans sick of the years of injuries and ineffectiveness. They just wanted him to go away.

The Cardinals obliged last winter. Do you remember how well that worked out?

Maybe GM John Mozeliak, who was with the Cardinals throughout the entire Mulder saga, will have the guile to immediately forward any calls from Clifton over to his old boss Walt.

Let’s see. There’s “fooled me once”. There’s “fooled me twice”. Let’s just hope the Cardinals never write the definition of “fooled me thrice”!

Cardinals: Where are they Now? – Ken Oberkfell

December 14, 2008 Brian Walton

“Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal”, is the way I have always seen things.

To wit, I read with interest this news item: The Mets’ new Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, will formally name Ken Oberkfell as their 2009 manager this coming Tuesday, December 16.

Being old enough to have remembered the great era of the 1960’s when the St. Louis Cardinals played in three World Series, winning two, then suffering through the 1970’s positioned me as one of millions of Cardinals fans excited when Whitey Herzog’s 1982 Cardinals finally made the playoffs after a 14-year drought.

Along with Keith Hernandez, my favorite Cardinal at the time, another of the most prominent of the players that bridged the gap from the awful 1970’s to the fantastic 1980’s was their second/third baseman Oberkfell.

Who can ever forget Ernie Hayes cranking out the “Star Wars” theme on the Busch Stadium organ every time “Obie” came to bat?

Oberkfell as a Cardinal

Oberkfell was a free agent signing by the Cards in 1975 and remained in the organization for almost the next ten years. He made his major league debut via a brief cup of coffee at the age of 21 in 1977. In two more seasons, the Highland, IL native had taken over at second base before moving over to third in 1981 when Tommy Herr came onto the scene.

Probably my favorite Obie moment was in Game Two of the 1982 National League Championship Series. (In those days, there was no Divisional Series, as there were still just two divisions. In an alignment that only MLB is capable of devising, the Cards were the Eastern Division Champions, while the Braves represented the West.)

Always difficult to strike out, the Cards third sacker came up in a crucial situation with one out in the bottom of the ninth in a tie game. Obie promptly singled to center off Braves closer Gene Garber. That scored David Green, who had singled and was sacrificed to second, with the winning run as the Cardinals defeated the Atlanta Braves, 4-3.

What could be more exciting than a home walk-off win in the playoffs?

That put St. Louis on the way to a sweet three-game sweep of “America’s Team” and silenced annoying Skip Caray for yet another winter. (Realize this was in the early days of cable television, when the Braves, Cubs and Mets were pretty much the only teams on.)

More importantly, it helped get the thirsty Cardinals to the World Series, where they topped the then-American League champion Milwaukee Brewers.

Obie, who never hit more than three home runs nor drove in as many as 50 in a single season during his time with the Cardinals, was known most for his solid fundamental play and especially, his glove. He led the NL in fielding percentage as a second baseman in 1979 and at third both in 1982 and 1983.

Post-St. Louis playing days

In June, 1984, Herzog/GM Joe McDonald traded Oberkfell to the hated Braves. The return was lefty reliever Ken Dayley (I wonder if he is available today?), who would become a key contributor to Whitey’s 1985 and 1987 champs, along with first baseman Mike Jorgensen.

“Jorgy” was near the end of the line as a player but stayed around. He later managed in the Cardinals farm system, reaching Triple-A, then becoming the director of player development. He temporarily added the role of major league skipper for part of the 1995 season. Jorgensen remains with the Cardinals organization to this day with the current title of Special Assistant to the General Manager.

In addition to the Cardinals and Braves, Oberkfell played for the Pirates, Giants, Astros and Angels. Oberkfell was a member of the 1989 NL champions from San Francisco that fell to Tony La Russa’s Oakland A’s in the infamous “Earthquake Series”. He ended his playing days with the then-California Angels at the conclusion of the 1992 season.

Always in charge

In 2009, the 52-year old will be entering his 13th season as a minor league manager in affiliated ball and his fifth at leading the Mets’ Triple-A team, first in Norfolk, most recently in New Orleans and now settling in Buffalo.

Coming into the season, Oberkfell is 812-803 (.503) as a manager.

He began his managing career in the independent Northern League in 1995 and 1996 before joining the Philadelphia Phillies the next season. Obie skippered Phils farmhands in the Sally and Florida State Leagues from 1997 through 2000.

Obie the Met

Though Obie never donned the New York Mets uniform as a player, he has been a most loyal employee since 2001.

Oberkfell moved over to the Mets organization that season, where he first led the Capitol City Bombers of the Sally League. In the second of his two seasons with St. Lucie club of the FSL, his 2003 team was the league champion. An assignment up the ladder to Double-A Binghamton for the 2004 season ensued.

Oberkfell was recognized as Baseball America’s Minor League Manager of the Year in 2005 when he was leading the Norfolk Tides, but he has never received the call to manage in the big leagues.

He was most recently the Mets’ first base coach under Jerry Manuel, who became the team’s interim manager upon the firing of Willie Randolph in June. Oberkfell received a promotion to the bigs from the New Orleans’ managerial role that would last only half a season as he was reassigned following the 2008 campaign. Coincidentally, in moving to New York, Oberkfell had replaced another ex-Cardinal, Tom Nieto.

Obie interviewed for the top job with the Mets several times, including when Randolph was hired prior to the 2005 season. Previously, he had also been passed over for at least two other coaching spots on the big league club in Flushing.

Future Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson was brought in to be first base coach in the summer of 2007 instead of him and the prior off-season, Obie interviewed for, but did not win a spot on the Major League staff when Manny Acta moved to become the Nationals’ skipper. Howard Johnson got that job.

Interestingly, Oberkfell’s reputation with the tough New York press seems to be that of a low-key, nice guy who prefers to remain in the background. As such, he does not seem to be considered to be the next in line to manage the Mets.

On a personal note, Obie was sidelined for a considerable time in 2006 with serious leg circulatory problems and complications from surgery. Hopefully, those health issues are totally behind him now.

Yet, through all the twists and turns, ups and downs, Oberkfell clearly remains loyal to the Mets organization.

Despite that, Cardinals fans from the 1980’s surely still hold a soft spot in their hearts for the former second/third baseman.

Best of luck to Obie with his 2009 Buffalo Bisons!

Houston Writer says “Don’t Count out the Cards” in 2009

December 14, 2008 Brian Walton

Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle, writing for the Sporting News, has some very complimentary words for the St. Louis Cardinals coming into the 2009 season.

Here are two excerpts:

“The St. Louis Cardinals also will be competitive. Write it down. Hold me to it. Almost every year, people like me count them out. Almost every year, they prove us wrong.”

“The Cardinals have an impressive organizational confidence. Let the Cubs continue to build a huge payroll. Money guarantees them of nothing. Don’t bet against La Russa.”

Justice also proclaims the Milwaukee Brewers can survive the loss of C.C. Sabathia and most likely Ben Sheets. He doesn’t spill any ink on the Cincinnati Reds or Pittsburgh Pirates between the intro and a 2009 obituary at the very end.

He does slam his hometown Houston Astros, calling ownership “shortsighted” for limiting payroll to $100 million when he estimates it would take $120 million to keep the current team together.

Do the cries sound familiar?

“Instead of getting better, the Astros seem to be getting worse. (GM Ed) Wade didn’t have the minor league talent necessary to pull off a Jake Peavy deal, and if Hampton gets hurt again, the Astros could hit bottom.”

“IF” Hampton gets hurt again? If he is the key to the 2009 Astros, they may as well stop taking season ticket orders now.

No one asked me, but keeping that Houston team together may not be the best thing, anyway.

Apparently, Justice isn’t as cute as the St. Louis columnists or he would come up with a clever name to slam the owner, Drayton McLane. Since “McWallet” wouldn’t be very original, what about “McScrooge”?

I don’t know about you, but I am still amazed the pitching-less Astros found a way to finish ahead of the Cardinals in 2008 and I am pleased that one of their local writers doesn’t see it happening again.

Cards Non-Tender Flores, Johnson and Miles

December 13, 2008 Brian Walton

The handwriting was on the wall for Randy Flores and fellow left-hander Tyler Johnson.

The two had lost precious ground in their attempts to seize the two left-handed spots in the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen and as a result, were among three players non-tendered by the club at Friday’s midnight EST deadline. Infielder Aaron Miles was the other.

There were two other important reasons for these players being cut loose. One is money and the other is roster spots. These players three could have each earned several million via arbitration while there are replacements coming up behind them still making only six figures.

Two lefties gone

Flores, 33, had his time in the St. Louis spotlight, playing a headline role while pitching in 185 games for the Cards from 2005 through 2007, but began to decline in the second half of 2007.

Last season, his fifth in the organization, was a complete washout between injury and ineffectiveness. Flores passed through waivers unclaimed last summer on his way to a demotion to Memphis.

Despite over three years of major league service time, the injury-prone Johnson has only pitched in 77 big-league games. Once a top organizational prospect, the 27-year-old was selected by the Oakland A’s in the 2004 Rule 5 Draft, but was returned to St. Louis during spring training.

Since, he has been slowed by a myriad of arm problems. Johnson’s St. Louis highlight may have been his team-leading ten appearances and four holds during the magical 2006 post-season.

Left-handed relief alternatives aplenty

In recent weeks, the Cardinals have added a host of others from the left side. They include Charlie Manning via waivers from Washington, the former free agent from Tampa Bay, Trever Miller, and minor leaguer Ian Ostlund, also invited to major league camp.

The Cards have stated they are still in search of another lefty, with former Colorado closer Brian Fuentes a prime target. All will compete for likely two roster spots at the major league level this coming spring.

Miles also gone (again)

Of the three non-tenders, Miles was perhaps the biggest surprise, but perhaps not.

The switch-hitting infielder, who will turn 32 on Monday, was in the same situation one year ago and was also non-tendered by the Cardinals. That way, the team could avoid the arbitration process with Miles, where the club could end up being forced to overpay to keep him. Surprisingly, the two sides reunited in January when Miles was given $1.4 million to return to St. Louis for 2008.

After a solid year backing up the middle infield and even getting starts in the outfield, I thought Miles would be asked back in 2009. Perhaps that could still happen, but not via the arbitration process.

Market realities

Though I had projected that the Cardinals would tender Miles a contract, I second guessed myself as recently as Friday. That is when the Minnesota Twins re-signed their utility infielder Nick Punto to an eye-opening two-year, $8.5 million deal.

The 30-year-old Punto, playing a comparable role to Miles for the Twins, has a career line of .252/.319/.332 over the equivalent of roughly five MLB seasons. Miles’ line is .289/.329/.364 over his time with the White Sox, Colorado and the Cardinals.

So, if Punto can fetch $4.25 million per year on a two-year deal, isn’t Miles worth at least $5 million? Considering that view of the current market, I can see why the Cardinals took the cautious route here.

Miles is a handy player to have around, but not at that kind of price.

Infield alternatives

While they may still go outside for a Miles replacement if he does not return, the Cardinals do have alternatives. Several younger, cheaper and less-experienced in-house players already on the 40-man roster include Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden and Tyler Greene.

Ryan has the most time in the majors of the three but lacks consistency. That translates into less confidence shown by the coaching staff. The 26-year-old has no minor league options remaining, which means he has to either make the big league club in the spring or pass through waivers before heading back to Triple-A.

The Olympian Barden was originally claimed off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks late in the 2007 season. It doesn’t seem the Cardinals can decide about the 27-year-old. Last spring, they took him off the 40-man, when he went unclaimed, then later re-added him. Barden has yet to impress in two end-of-season call-ups. Despite a decent season in Memphis, Barden received a grand total of nine September at-bats with St. Louis in 2008. Not inspiring.

Greene, taken just two picks after top organizational prospect Colby Rasmus in 2005, has long been touted for his potential, but had yet to deliver until 2008. The shortstop had a decent season between Springfield and Memphis and for the first time as a professional, was moved all around the infield during his stint in the Arizona Fall League where he looked fine defensively. That tryout was surely not coincidental.

Second baseman Jarrett Hoffpauir also still sits on the 40-man roster, likely on the strength of a .407 OBP put up in 2007 between Springfield and Memphis. His 2008 mark was a more realistic .352, but any future shot at St. Louis seems unclear.

What’s next?

All three non-tendered players, Flores, Johnson and Miles, are officially free agents, available to sign with any team with no penalties or restrictions, including the Cardinals – if both sides are willing.

As expected, five other Cardinals were tendered offers for 2009 by the deadline, Chris Duncan, Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Todd Wellemeyer and Brad Thompson. These players are bound to the Cards for next season, with the amounts of their salaries still to be negotiated over the next two months.

With these moves, the Cardinals 40-man roster is currently at 34 players. This gives the organization plenty of flexibility to make other moves as the 2008-2009 hot stove season continues.

Selling Anthony Reyes for $50K

December 13, 2008 Brian Walton

The Cardinals were relatively quiet in Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft, picking up one reliever yet to pitch in Double-A, Russ Haltiwanger, but they lost two players, reliever Luis Perdomo and outfielder Cody Haerther.

The loss of Haerther, squeezed out by his uneven play, injuries and tougher competition, was all but assured when the Cardinals did not even protect him at the Triple-A level. He was taken by Toronto, also the “other” when they claimed Haerther off waivers one year ago, only to try to remove him from their roster a few days later – just before the 2007 Rule 5 Draft. Of course, as most know, the Cardinals took him back.

Cody is a class guy and as such, will be missed by The Cardinal Nation.

Perdomo’s loss was unnecessary, what with the Cardinals having enough roster space to keep him. As the draft demonstrated, he had value in the market, so why give it away? Taken by the San Francisco Giants, the reliever has to remain in the majors for the entire 2009 season, or be passed through waivers and potentially returned to the Cardinals.

Perhaps it is for the better, as any mention of Perdomo reminds me of the decline and eventual give-away of another ex-Cardinal, Anthony Reyes, as the two were swapped for one another in the days approaching the 2008 trade deadline.

Perdomo just reached Double-A this season, too, but his over-90 mph sinking fastball is why he didn’t last beyond the sixth pick in this Rule 5 Draft. The Cardinals now have just $50,000 to show for Perdomo, and therefore, for Reyes.

To put that into perspective, Albert Pujols makes roughly $30,000 per at-bat over the course of the season!

I am not going to raise my blood pressure rehashing the details of Reyes’ years with the Cardinals other than to again shake my head over what might have been. I can’t properly dish out blame in the proper proportion among player, coaches and front office, but I do firmly believe that somewhere, somehow, someone should have done more.

Best wishes to Perdomo and Haerther with their new organizations and same to Reyes with the Indians, for that matter.

To read more about the newest Cardinal, Haltiwanger, check out my free article on Scout.com.

WBC: See Pujols an Extra Time this Spring

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

For those attending Spring Training in Florida this coming March, be aware that tickets for the World Baseball Classic are now on sale. Six second-round games will be played in Miami from March 14 through 18. (Full WBC schedules and tickets available here.)

In addition, as I noted in this earlier article outlining the details of the Cardinals spring training schedule, St. Louis is playing one exhibition against a WBC team in Jupiter on Thursday, March 5. Their opponent will not have to travel far, as they will also be training right in Jupiter.

Though the title of this entry gives already gives away the answer, I will disclose the answer is Felipe Alou’s Dominican Republic squad.

(Details on all Cardinals spring tickets are available though the spring ticket office at Roger Dean Stadium. Individual game tickets go on sale January 10, but package deals can be purchased now.)

Alou’s club is just one of 11 WBC entries running their camps in Florida this March. The others, the four Asian teams and Cuba are training at home. The Asian Round One pool is made up of defending champion Japan, Korea, China and Taipei.

Among the players who have reportedly expressed interest in competing for Jose Oquendo’s Puerto Rican team include Cardinals Yadier Molina and Joel Pineiro. For those who are game for a side trip over to the Commonwealth (passports not required), first round games for the pool including both Puerto Rico and the Dominican are being held in San Juan from March 7 through 11.

No offense intended to Jose and his club, but if you want to catch Team Puerto Rico, you had better either swing by their training camp in Fort Myers or travel to see their Round One games. I don’t think they are going to get past the Dominicans.

The 2009 Dominican Republic squad should be absolutely loaded. Infielders committed to play include Albert Pujols and Carlos Lee at first, Robinson Cano and former Cardinal Placido Polanco at second with Alex Rodriguez and Aramis Ramirez at third. For his shortstop, Alou is going to have to choose among Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Miguel Tejada. Big Papi is penciled in as the designated hitter, according to USAToday.

For those who would rather catch Derek Jeter and Team USA, training over on the west coast at Clearwater, they will play exhibitions against the Phillies in Clearwater on March 3 and 5, and the Blue Jays in Dunedin March 4. The USA begins its formal Round One play on March 7 in Toronto against a pool which also includes Canada, Venezuela and Italy.

Cardinals Mailbag

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

For those questions that don’t fit neatly under a specific post or if you just prefer email, send your questions to brian@thecardinalnation.com. I will answer them here, just like in the old days at The Birdhouse.

On passwords, Wilson and Martinez (5/4)

Hey Brian!

You’re still doing a fantastic job. I just have a couple curiosities maybe you can help me with:

1. How is Josh Wilson doing in Extended?
2. Jose Martinez’s absence. Is it due to illness of his newborn baby this past offseason or other? Either way, is there a way to send him well wishes for a speedy return?

Randy

p.s. Your website is awesome. I’ve tried to get on, but I messed up the password somehow. Someone sent me a new one, but it didn’t work either. No matter I just enjoy your original topics and overall coverage.

Brian’s take: Thanks for the kind words. I have reset your password and emailed it to you. For anyone else out there having this problem, please contact me and I will fix you up.

Now to your questions. I exchanged emails with Josh a few days ago. He says all is going well, but he has no idea when he will be promoted – could be a day or a month, he says. I only have hearsay on Jose’s situation, so I can’t comment. I am not aware of a good way to contact him at this time.

Perez fantasy advice – trade or hold? (03/09/09)

Brian

I heard you on rotowire’s fantasy focus last week and I was impressed by the depth of your cardinals knowledge.

I am weighing a decision in my deep nl only home league and I thought I’d run it by you to get your two cents.

My theory on saves is to go cheap if you can and grab ugly saves for less. I am heading into our auction with lindstom (fla) and mike Gonzalez (atl) both at $2 against an $80 cap. I also have chris perez for $2 and he is currently my final keeper.

All I seem to read recently suggests that perez is THIRD in the race for saves right now behind franklin and then motte. But, I love perez’s makeup and he seems to me to be the kind of guy who could really grab that job and run with it (though Larussa seems to hate him…)

So my question to you… Do you think perez gets 15 saves this year? Or do you think he will remain buried behind the veteran franklin and serve as a setup man this season and perhaps beyond?

Thanks very much for your time and thoughts!

Mark Anestis

Brian’s take: Mark, the ninth inning plans for the Cardinals remain unclear. La Russa pegs Franklin as the fallback closer while Dave Duncan has some different ideas for how to use the pen, the details of which he has not yet disclosed. All things equal, Duncan will make the call as the head of the staff.

To answer your question, my biggest worry about Perez is his heel, which required a cortisone shot over the weekend. Assuming he remains healthy, I think he will get those 15 saves. While Motte is a sexy pick right now, I am not convinced he is ready nor do I think he will be given the ninth inning no matter how well he pitches this month. Believe it or not, I see Franklin as the least sure of the three. He showed me last season that he cannot handle the job and does not offer the upside of either Motte or Perez.

Good luck with your trade decision.

Solid behind Brad (03/06/09)

I know you’re a very busy man these days, but I’m curious about something. Yeah I know me and a million other Cardinal fans. What is the Cardinals win/loss record when Brad Thompson starts a game? I seem to recall from last year that it was pretty good or am I mistaken.

Randy Wile

Brian’s take: Last year, Thompson had six starts. The team went 4-2. In 2007, they were 12-5. 2006, 1-0 and 2005, none. Total record: 17-7.

How about some schedules? (03/04/09)

Can you email me a game schedule for the Gulf Coast Cardinals?

Julie Jones

Brian’s take: The GCL doesn’t typically begin play until the second half of June. I have not seen 2009 schedules yet.

Ducky fan club (02/12/09)

A very interesting article on the numbers, but I’m baffled by one thing; why is Joe Medwick‘s number 7 not retired by the Cardinal organization. He was an outstanding player for us before he was shipped out. A HOF player. He was good enough for the Hall but not good enough for our organization?! I don’t get it. I think this is an injustice, unless you know of a good reason why not. In which case, please enlighten me.

Perhaps you could champion the cause of Ducky to get his proper due with our beloved team. Go for it Brian!!!

Randy

Brian’s take: I have never understood the Cardinals’ thought process regarding retired numbers and Hall of Famers. In fact, I wrote an article about it back in 2005 called “Retirement Mysteries” (sorry, Scout subscribers only).

The reason I did was to try to understand why Frankie Frisch, Jim Bottomley, Johnny Mize and Medwick were never recognized with retired numbers. I have stated why (this article is free) I believe they are all deserving before Willie McGee or even Bruce Sutter (yes, I know it is too late for that one). You’ll have to read the article to appreciate the lack of clarity that exists. Basically it is all up to ownership.

Generally speaking, the Cardinals are not particularly history-focused, in my opinion. For example, as far as I could tell, they let the Billy Southworth Hall of Fame induction pass without even a mention at Busch last summer. It was a shame.

How to see early spring practices (2/11/09)

I saw your article about Spring Training dates. I’ll be visiting Florida with my kids from Feb. 15-20 and was wondering if it’s possible to see any players/practices during that time. I realize that the games don’t start until later, but my kids would be happy to watch practices (or try to get autographs) if that’s a possibility. Please let me know. Thanks.

Marty

Brian’s take: I am not down there that early and don’t ever enter that way, so don’t consider this the be-all-end-all answer. But based on what I have seen later in March, I would guess that you should be able to approach from the side/rear of the Cardinals complex and get up to the fences at least the closest two of the six back practice fields.

I suggest hitting the Roger Dean site in the morning, between 9 a.m. and about 11 a.m., as things get a lot quieter in the afternoons. There are several of semi-retired folks at the main stadium serving as security guards that are generally more than willing to help with directions.

Follow this link to see a satellite map of the area. Enter this address: “4751 main street, jupiter florida 33458” and you will see the main stadium. Scroll the map up and to the right to see the Cards’ six practice fields. The two on the bottom should be your most likely target, probably entering from the right.

Good luck with your trip. I wish I could be down there that soon!

Darryl Kile Award (01/23/09)

Thank you for putting this online as this is the first that I’ve heard this news. I am also disappointed that Russ Springer won’t be back, I thought he was the most dependable out of the bullpen.

Terry Vance

Brian’s take: You’re welcome, Terry. So few seem to care about good news these days. Adam Wainwright was a most deserving winner.

Yes, Springer was very effective the last two years and the team will miss his experience. I felt he should have been given the closer’s job when Franklin was struggling.

However, now even without him, they have at least eight qualified relievers for seven openings this spring. How quantity will translate to quality remains to be seen.

On Saturday, look for my next article looking at this very subject – the loss in experience levels in the pen.

Izzy update requested (01/02/09)

Brian, hope you are having a happy new year! Since Fuentes signed elsewhere, do you think there is any chance that the Cardinals will offer Izzy an incentive deal? Have you heard how his rehab program is coming and whether he still wants to pitch next year? If he doesn’t return to the Cardinals, is there any other team that might give him a shot? I listen to MLB Home Plate all the time and have not heard one word about him. Looks like the Cardinals are going cheap this year so it seems that a healthy Izzy might be a bargain.

Lynda Freeland

Brian’s take: Lynda, happy new year to you, too! The rumors are that Izzy definitely wants to pitch in 2009 and if so, I believe he will get a job somewhere. While he may represent a fallback option for the Cardinals, I hope both sides decide to move on.

The two were great for each other for the better part of seven years, but Izzy, a proud man, may need time to adjust to not being the center of the action as closer and I think that will occur better somewhere else.

Welcome to TCN! (12/12/08)

Cards to Re-Use Uniforms in Minors

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

Just prior to their Winter Meetings at the opulent Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Major League Baseball general managers had been sternly warned by Commissioner Bud Selig to act accordingly given the economic downturn. (Apparently, the Yankees’ Brian Cashman didn’t relay that message back to the Steinbrenners.)

Anyway, I had already heard that young job seekers trying to catch on with an organization at the minor league job fair and trade show were having tough sledding. (As an aside, working the Winter Meeting circuit is how Cardinals senior quantitative analyst Sig Mejdal started on his path to getting hired. More details here.)

Now, a Friday New York Times article provides examples of cutbacks at the minor league level, using the Cardinals as a poster child.

“In the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league system, many players will wear last year’s uniforms. Buddy Bates, the organization’s minor league equipment manager, said it was difficult to find items to cut on the field because the teams still needed catcher’s equipment, helmets and baseballs. But, he said, reusing uniforms was something his organization could get away with.

“We’ll just fill in the things we need,” Bates said.”

I have an idea. Maybe they can pass the unis down from level to level. Can you imagine how proud an aspiring minor leaguer would be to have the opportunity to wear an old (…or shall I say, “pre-worn”) Albert Pujols or Chris Carpenter jersey?

If so, Bates and his cohorts might have to enhance their loss avoidance procedures, though. Maybe some of those job-seekers can hire on as security guards!

Message from Classy Cody Haerther

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

I have had the pleasure to meet many St. Louis Cardinals major and minor leaguers over the years and one of the nicest, most genuine of them is outfielder Cody Haerther. As you may know by now, the 2002 sixth-round draft pick was taken by the Toronto Blue Jays in Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft.

Though the 2008 season had to be difficult for the 25-year-old California native, he pressed on, contributing at both Memphis and Springfield.

Haerther had been dropped from the Cardinals’ 40-man roster twice in the last year. The first was just prior to last year’s Rule 5 Draft, when Toronto grabbed him off waivers only to try to pass him back through a few days later. Their attempt to send Haerther down to the minors was thwarted by the Cards, who claimed him right back.

St. Louis then outrighted Haerther off their 40-man again this summer, followed by them assigning him to Springfield for Rule 5 purposes. That essentially meant the Cards were willing to give Haerther away for $12,000. With no waiver restrictions this year, the Jays grabbed him a second time. He seems likely to begin with the Jays’ Triple-A squad in the spring.

Haerther asked me to pass this message on to Cardinals fans:

“Thank you for the support all these years. I can’t wait for a fresh start and a good opportunity with the Jays. I always wanted to be a Cardinal but it was apparent this year I was not in their plan, which is fine and I understand. But I’m very thankful that the Jays believe in my ability as do I. Hopefully one of these years the Jays and Cards will play in interleague. Thanks again.”

For more info on all the Cardinals Rule 5 activity on Thursday, including the addition of minor league reliever Russ Haltiwanger, check out my article on Scout.com.

Will Friday be Flores’ Last Day with St. Louis?

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals have to declare whether or not they are offering arbitration to eight players that have accrued from just under three to six years of major league service. The alternative is being non-tendered, which is a kind way of saying, “you’re fired”.

The eight include pitchers Randy Flores, Brad Thompson, Tyler Johnson and Todd Wellemeyer, infielder Aaron Miles and outfielders Chris Duncan, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick.

Of this group, I project only Flores is at serious risk of receiving his walking papers. Given the left-handers that have been added in recent weeks says nothing good about Flores’ job security. They are minor leaguer Ian Ostlund and 40-man additions Charlie Manning (off waivers from Washington) and free agent Trever Miller (from Tampa Bay).

The Cardinals are still looking for a lefty and a closer. If he is affordable enough, free agent Brian Fuentes could be the man for both job. Add Johnson to the mix and you have potentially six lefties fighting for two or three jobs at most.

That could mean trouble for Flores’ continued employment with the Cardinals.

For more details on the process and my logic on all eight players, check out my free article on Scout.com.

Tony La Russa Still Loves Colby Rasmus

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

There has been a long-running saga surrounding the St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospect, outfielder Colby Rasmus, at least since last spring training. The youngster played very well then, as did his left-handed hitting competitors on the roster, especially Skip Schumaker. The latter made the team instead of Rasmus.

Rasmus was apparently disillusioned because he believed he had done all that was asked of him to make the club, yet did not. This all comes from the talented player’s dad, Tony, who frequents the Scout.com message board. The outfielder went into a funk on the field, was injured and his 2008 season went down the drain before he knew it.

The elder Rasmus (and/or those close to him) have been stating in print for months that Colby will not make the Cardinals until September, 2009 and attributes that to manager Tony La Russa and the personnel currently on the roster. A not-so-subtle message board campaign to increase awareness of a wish that the top prospect would be traded so he could become the 2009 Rookie of the Year elsewhere has ensued.

La Russa granted an extensive interview at Baseball’s Winter Meetings, where he expressed admiration for the player’s abilities, while also noting that he has others also very capable of starting in the big league outfield. The theme was why the club is looking to trade outfielders to both address other needs and open spots up.

Here are several of the skipper’s comments. Head on over to Scout.com to read the rest of this extensive interview.

Whether Rasmus could shuttle between Memphis and St. Louis: “I mean, I would hope — this guy, because he has a chance to be a very special package, you would try to avoid that. You’d avoid disrupting a guy, either send him to AAA, send him to the big leagues and not do that to him if you can help it.”

Whether Rasmus could be a lead-off man: “I think he’s a unique, remarkable kind of talent from what I saw in spring training. I saw he had a good strike zone, and when he got the ball — he’s shown it. He got some home runs, he runs really well. I probably would prefer him at the top of the lineup.”

Links to Cardinals “Best of” Lists

December 12, 2008 Brian Walton

To help pass the time over the various off-seasons in recent years, we compiled lists of some of the top current Cardinals minor leaguers and past major leaguers as well as engaged in some very interesting debate as a result.

Following are the links to these lists:

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2014

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2013

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2012

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2011

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2010

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2009

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2008:

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2008: #16-20

Top 20 Cardinals Stories of 2008: #11-15

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December 9, 2008 Brian Walton

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First-hand news and commentary on the St. Louis Cardinals™ and minor league system for over 25 years