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Eventually Mathews and Dobbins may get a chance to start. Henderson perhaps this summer as well. Among others, Henderson and Mathews have to be added to the 40 man roster by this November.
I guess Pallantes good spring earned him the spot in the rotation. I was hoping Fitts to get the last spot. But with day off Friday, Pallante will be in the pen until next week, correct?
So will it be Nootbaar to the 60 day IL, or a Prieto dfa? I wonder why they are waiting to last minute. Maybe a small trade?
An interesting lefty arm became available from the Mets. Bryan Hudson was Dfa’d. I would pick him up. He might be more valuable when a Romero trade happens. He had a really good year with Milwaukee.
Who on the 40 man roster are we protecting? I can think of Fernandez, Prieto, and Roycroft can easily be replaced. In that Gastulem will likely pitch in St Lou this season the 2 relievers aren’t needed. And because we have many left handed infielders Prieto. I guess Fernandez and Roycroft have options. And credit Roycroft for a good spring. Although I still do not believe in his stuff.
I was disappointed that Velazquez wasn’t added. He is the only outfielder not named Baez that has true thump. It makes for a very poor outfield group.
I read on the injury report that Nootbaars expected return is April 10th. I guess rehab will start then, and his return would be early May. So I guess a 60,day DL would not happen. So if Velazquez and Wetherholt are needed to be added to the roster, 2 moves will be needed.
Pallante has had good spring, but I wonder if his salary made him the fifth starter. Even with a new boss, FO and owners still don’t want to pay 4 mill + to start at Memphis.
Soriano has pitched well this spring. I was concerned after trading Granillo for him. We’ll see what he does during the regular season.
I think our starters will be much better than last years. Liberatore hit an innings wall last year, and should be better. I’m not saying we have 5 Cy Young candidates, but it isn’t hard to replace Mikolas, Fedde, and Pallante. We have younger arms with potential. Pallante has had a good spring, and if he struggles, he can be replaced. Mathews and Mautz should be able to replace him. Henderson and Dobbins will add to the mix eventually. Doyle in the next few years too.
I believe we have more lefty relief depth than in the recent 5 or 6 years. Raquet, Naughton, Watson, and possibly Hjerpe. I’m not sold on Bruhil, so the others mentioned above may be needed.
I’ll guess the opening day lineup.
Winn-SS
Wetherholt-2b
Burleson-1b
Herrera-DH
Gorman-3b
Velazquez-Lf
Church-Rf
Pages-C
Scott-CfLiberatore-P
Winquest has a 5.68 era in 6 appearances for the Yankees this spring. He could add to our minor league starting depth if he is returned.
I don’t think we’ll see a 6 man rotation at Memphis. I think we’ll see piggyback tandems at the class A teams though.
If Fittsis sent to Memphis to start, this changes projections on their rotation. To start the year, it would appear the Henderson and Dobbins likely would be rehabbing in April. Mathews, Fitts, Mautz, Hence (if still starting), Hansen, Rajcic seem possibly to be 4/starters for now. Maybe Rembersse as the 5th. But i see a good chance that Rembersse and Rajcic eventually moved to relief.
It’s odd that there still is not much new on Nootbaars return. I guess he would go to the 60 day DL.
I think the reliever mix will be Svanson, O’Brien, Pushard, Graceffo, Romero, Bruihl, Soriano, with Fitts in long relief. If Fitts has to pitch a number of innings early in the season he will be sent down, with Roycroft being called up. I really prefer Fitts over Pallante, but I feel like the FO will give weight to Pallantes good spring showing. I did see some swing and misses on Pallantes new pitch, a slider. At least I think it’s a new pitch. I also prefer adding Moreno to Roycroft, but Roycroft is on the 40 man roster, and has had a good spring. He also has an option. Raquet may get a look as well soon. To add both Velazquez and Wetherholt there will need to be a 40 man roster spot cleared, likely a reliever or Prieto.
So what is the Cards history on roster split to begin the year? 13/13 or 12/14 in terms pitchers/position players? Much like Jnevel said, they may keep Fitts possibly for long relief, or someone else, and swap out for another position player. It would seem likely they might dfa one of the relievers to make room Velasquez and Wetherholt. In addition, Prieto 40 man spot may be in jeopardy. Pushard hasn’t pitched that well, but the 13/13 split may help his chances. I also wonder if they might keep,Raquet around as third lefty for a while. And a 60 day stint may be in the Cards for Nootbaar.
If 40 man roster spots are needed, Fernandez wouldn’t be a tough DFA. After a good rookie year, he hasn’t been the same. But his Dfa might add the spot for Velazquez.
