- This topic has 19 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
#Braves vs. #STLCards
(1:05 PM):Ender Inciarte (CF)
Charlie Culberson (SS)
Freddie Freeman (1B)
Tyler Flowers (C)
Nick Markakis (RF)
Lane Adams (LF)
Ryan Schimpf (3B)
Christian Colón (2B)
Sean Newcomb (P)#ChopOn— Braves Lineups ‘n Extras (@ATLBravesLineup) March 17, 2018
Today's lineup…#STLCards pic.twitter.com/L6WnockJGg
— Brian Stull (@StullySTL) March 17, 2018
And I also have to give a shout out to Pena. He looks like a good backup to Molina. Kelly has some competition for that spot.
Regarding Texascard’s last 2 posts. I have really been impressed with Weaver’s progress expecting a big year from him.
And I am starting to wonder if Pena might earn the back up spot and they let Kelly go get some playing time at AAA.
I think Valera is on the 40 man bubble. His only saving grace is he can switch hit. But right now he is not hitting from either side.
I realize it would require a 40 man roster move, not a decision I am saying I would make. But with Kelly not hitting this spring and the recent love being shown to Pena, is starting to look like a possibility that could happen.
Looking at the 40 man roster, if no one ends on the 60 day DL coming out of spring, and a move would need to made to free up a spot, I would list Valera as the most likely at risk.
I have been impressed with Pena, but I say you send him to Memphis. But at some point, perhaps with an injury midseason, you swap Kelly and Pena.
BW I don’t know who you remove from 40 man at this point, but he is forcing a decision to be made. He handled the staff today very well. 1 hit in 9 innings is salty even for Spring Training and he had a role in that effort. Gonna be some interesting roster calls in the coming days.
Its going to be Valera if anyone is removed. You look at the pitching and I honestly can’t find anyone you want to drop currently. Although Cecil is on some most wanted list.
For the record, the Cards tossed a combined one-hitter at the Braves and won 3-0. Their record is 11-10-2. Weaver went 4 1/3 with one hit, three walks and 6 Ks.
Ask yourself if the perceived incremental difference between Pena and Kelly for a position that rarely plays anyway is worth the risk of losing Valera for nothing. I believe the answer is “no”.
I don’t think much of a value of Valera, a utility infielder, who can be replaced, depending on a later need, with Schrock, Wisdom, Tovar, or Mejia. with a hit tool as a calling vard, who is not hitting in ST. And with Munoz, who has far more offensive and defensive potential waiting next. I think It is essential to get Kelly regular at bats at AAA, so a trade value can remain high, or of an injury happens to Molina, if necessary. If moved off of 40 man roster, Valera becomes a free agent, right?
If Valera is removed from the 40-man, he would be placed on waivers and could be claimed, ala Rowan Wick earlier this spring. If he cleared waivers, though, he would report to Memphis and become a free agent this coming fall.
I agree that getting Kelly regular work would be ideal, but there is no reason this has to occur starting on opening day. I would wait until there is an injury to enable roster moves without having to risk losing any players in the process. There is no immediacy requirement other than in some peoples’ minds, perhaps.
Frankly, given Knizner has a future and Pena does not, I would wait until I saw if Knizner was progressing at Memphis well enough. And if so, he would get the 40-man spot and the rotation with Kelly instead. That would also better prepare the Cardinals for a trade of one of the two catching prospects this coming winter.
I get that there has to be talk about roster competition, as it keeps everyone motivated as spring training drags on. However, as I see it, Bader vs. Munoz is about the only real competition and I bet it will be Bader when all is said and done.
But, having expressed my opinion, I continue to see that Goold writes that Knizner is tagged for Springfield. That continues to surprise me and leaves me with the impression that either Knizner’s defense is considered worse that they hoped or they are artificially slowing him down because of Molina’s contract. I sure hope it is not the latter. In fact, I hope it is neither.
I honestly think it unlikely Valera would get claimed right now after his weak Spring. Unlike Wick, there isnt a lot of upside. He is a high batting average, no power player who can adequately play several positions (none of them above average).
If the Cards want to expose Valera, it would likely come at the very last minute as all teams are trying to set their own rosters coming into opening day.
Agree that timing is important.
At the time we added Valera he was basically a guaranteed loss if we didnt sign him as we would lose him as a minor league FA. I dont think he would have been taken at that time as a rule 5 pick.
But things have changed. Our IF depth is stronger now. Meija is improved. Sosa has a year more under his belt. We added Munoz and Strock. Edmond and Seferina are coming on. We have Tovar in an emergency.
I think the team would have little regret at this point if Valera was claimed by another team.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.