2023 StL Game #34: Saturday, May 6 vs. Tigers

Maddux and Albert didn’t just happen to both suddenly decide to leave at the same time by coincidence. Just like all the pitchers didn’t just get worse than they were all at the same time, all the hitters didn’t just go into a slump at the same time. There is a reason Albert and Maddux left and it is the same reason nobody who could do us any good will come here. Not to work for the present FO. And the present FO would not want such a person, we have seen that three times in a row.

I really hate to say it, but among our high priorities is finding a catcher. As it is, we will have a lifetime 60-70 OPS+ .200 hitter at best in the lineup every single day. And who is not all that great at controlling the running game. A team without a real catcher is seldom competitive. So that’s another rock on the pile.

Bling, Matt Holliday is another one who bailed.

I tend to think you’re right regarding high priorities, Bling. However, I think it’s incredibly unfair for the Cardinals to in essence point their finger at Contreras as the primary reason for the pitching woes of this team. The reality is that as they’re doing so, they’re pointing their fingers directly into a mirror and looking at the reflection of an image of themselves. And they’re doing it in double fashion. The first is in reality pointing to the fact that they alone failed to bolster a 5 man during the offseason. And the one that really doubles down is pointing to the fact that they alone signed Contreras to a 5 year $87M contract to be the primary “real” catcher to serve as the receiving end in the battery of a 5 man that they don’t possess. The net bottom line is that top to bottom no one in this organization will merely consider taking ownership of anything at all. They’ve clearly demonstrated that anytime that they’ve obviously made a mistake, or two, they have zero qualms whatsoever regarding pointing their fingers in a direction away from themselves. This time, the direction has boomeranged on them and I’m not entirely certain that they even realize that it has.

Bling, Matt Holliday is another one who bailed.

Bailed? I wasn’t sure if ever made it inside the building.

Yes, I agree about Holliday. The coaching staff starts work to some extent before report day. Especially getting a new guy up to speed. He’s a baseball guy and would have know what he was looking at. If there is scuttlebutt floating around amongst insiders in the baseball world, he would have picked up on it. Matt had enough time to get the gist and dodge the bullet.

If so, why not Herrera?

I was just thinking about that too. The story line is they want to allow for more familiarity with the pitchers and our ways of doing things. That should help they think. And maybe it will, or would. So do they go with Herrera, who has been here from day one, seven years, and knows the system and many of the guys? No they go with Barerra who has been here about as long as Contreras. But why do what seems logical based upon your stated objective. Another thought is if Herrera is not useful in this situation, what is he useful for at all? “He’ll be fine”, we’ve heard around here countless times. When might that be going to happen? I’m coming around to Marilyn’s way of thinking. I bet a few folks are drinking early these days.