Forum Replies Created
-
AuthorPosts
-
I have always loved the argument that he plays because of how much he is payed. The ones who say that seem to ignore the fact that a player is payed that much because of how he should perform. Fowler may be overpaid but he still has a decent bat. There is no guarantee that the rookies or other young players will perform as well.
That said, I still would like Fowler traded. I am ready to give the younger players the playing time to see what we really do have with them.
The Cardinals are 19-18 on the road in games decided by 3 runs or less. So they are now 11-14 in games decided by more than 4 runs. To me, it indicates the Cardinals are better on the road than the Cubs. I am very interested in how a team does in the close games.
There is no doubt in my mind that the Cubs’ offense can really erupt for some runs. The question becomes how the team performs in the close games. The Cubs have had a total of 35 (22-13) blowouts (5+ run differential) this year. The Cardinals have had 29 (15-14).
Considering the Cubs are 12-26 in road games decided by 3 runs or less, I think their record is fairly accurate. Blowouts can really skew the run figures for the Pythagorean record.
What is the over/under for number of games before Arozarena appears in a game and also for when he starts a game?
If they want to maximize everything:
Arozarena RF
Edman 3B
Goldschmidt 1B
Ozuna DH
DeJong SS
Fowler LF
Molina C
Wong 2B
Thomas CFAlthough I give this a less than 5% probability.
All right, for yet another time, I am not saying that Edman should not play. I am saying that he should not be starting regularly in the OUTFIELD. 1 start in the OF in 10 games I MIGHT be able to get behind. But there is no reason for him to be regularly starting in the OF when Thomas is sitting on the bench. Thomas is a PROVEN fielder in the outfield. I have yet to hear an argument of how Edman is a better hitter than Thomas. Otherwise, let’s play JMart at catcher. He is a good player.
OK, let’s try this another way. Can anyone explain, with numbers and not eye test, how Edman is a better hitter than Thomas?
I really don’t care if the Cardinals agree with me or not. It is stupid to continue playing an infielder in the outfield when there are more capable outfielders sitting on the bench. If his bat is that important, start him in the infield.
GameCard, if your post about Edman’s speed is in response to me, Thomas is also fast. Edman had 9 SBs in Memphis while Thomas had 11 SBs. According to MLB, Thomas ranks as a 60 for Run. Edman couldn’t have been anymore than a 60.
GameCard, while I agree that Edman can be spark at times, he is not hitting so well that it makes sense to play him in the OF over good fielding, good hitting regular OFs. Thomas also has the tools to be a spark while he is a regular outfielder. If the Cardinals want to start Edman, start him somewhere in the infield. Start Thomas somewhere in the OF.
Absolutely none of my posts about Wong are saying to trade him this offseason. His contract for next year is over $10 million and the option for 2021 is over $12 million. He will hit free agency after the 2021 season. At that time, he will have just turned 31. He won’t be looking to take a pay cut and he will be looking for his 1 shot at a good free agent contract. I don’t want to sign him for $13 million or more per year for 4+ years. He would be 35 or more at the end of that contract. He will definitely be slowing down.
Right now, he is supposed to be in his prime. Following historical patterns, he will not get better from here on out. According to Baseball Reference figures, he has had 1 year in which he was above league average offensively. It is the same according to wRC+
Looking at Edman, his OPS is .667 after 143 PAs this year. Wong’s OPS after 142 PAs in 2014 (his first full year in the majors) was .667. Wong also had 62 PAs in 2013 and had an OPS of .363.
All the defensive metrics show Wong as an outstanding defender. However, they all show Edman as a pretty good defender at second, as well. He doesn’t have the range as Wong but he is good.
If they could get Wong to extend for only 2 more years beyond his current contract at around $12 million per year, I would say do it. Otherwise, you have to let him walk or trade him for a great return.
August 7, 2019 at 5:27 am in reply to: A few minor fixes for the Fangraphs Cardinal prospect list #101273Careful Bob Reed, some may accuse you of wearing rose colored glasses. You can’t show too much love for your team. You must bash them at every opportunity. At least that is what some have insinuated to me.
Good job, as always.
Wong may be the top fielder at the position but his bat isn’t. If he would be making half of what he is, I would make him a key player for the next 3-4 years. However, I think Edman can be almost as valuable when you figure hitting and salary.
BHC, that’s your argument? Classy.
Carpenter seems to be aggressive in his ABs tonight. Swung (or attempted to bunt) on the first pitch in both ABs.
When the ball went past Bellinger’s glove, he was 1 step away from the ball. He actually looked a little slow turning back to go to the ball. Bellinger made a good play by getting to the ball and making a good throw. Carpenter was in a no-win situation. I would love to know how you would look at it if he took off for 2nd and the ball was caught.
Atripleshy, in 4 years, Wong will be 32. He may be a good fielder but I don’t see him being that valuable at that time. I would hope we could use his salary to upgrade elsewhere.
atripleshy, I agree that the bullpen, as a whole, has been good. There are a few RPs that have not done very good and we have played a little musical chairs with a couple of spots. Overall, it has been good.
On defense, there has been some good and some not so good. 1B, 2B and SS have been very good. When Bader played CF, it was outstanding. When you look at Martinez, Fowler and Ozuna, there may not be a lot of errors but they definitely leave a lot to be desired. Carpenter at 3B is another situation where he doesn’t make many errors, but his arm and range are another matter.
In 4 years I could see a team as follows:
C – Knizner, ???
1B – Goldschmidt
2B – Edman
SS – DeJong
3B – Gorman
LF – Arozarena
CF – Bader
RF – CarlsonReserves – Munoz, Montero/Nunez, ????, ????
SP – Flaherty
SP – Rondon
SP – ZThompson
SP – Oviedo/Woodford/Fagalde
SP – Mikolas
RP – Hicks
RP – Fernandez
RP – ???
RP – ???
RP – ???
RP – ???
RP – ???That looks like a good start. Although, I would like to see a couple of acquisitions to upgrade a couple of positions. Maybe a SP. Possibly an OF position.
My definite keepers:
Flaherty
Knizner
DeJong
GoldschmidtMy 2nd tier:
Fernandez
Hudson
Mikolas (not as important if some MiLBers develop)
Hicks
CMartinez
These guys are only traded for a major upgrade to either the ML team or the minor league system (a top ten prospect)There are others like Gant, Edman, Munoz, Thomas, Gallegos that could fill an important spot. However, I don’t see them as must keep.
In the minor leagues:
Gorman and Carlson are the only keep unless there is a stupid return playersMontero/Nunez
Oviedo/Rondon
ZThompson/Oviedo/Woodford/Fagalde
Herrera/Rodriguez
Torres/Arozarena
We need to keep at least 1 player from each of the previous parings.I would rather roll the dice with the personnel the team already has rather than give up some trade chips for a small incremental upgrade that will be gone in a year or 2. IF the offense doesn’t get going, the team wouldn’t be very long for the playoffs, anyway. The starting rotation has shown that it is weaker than the other playoff teams.
We need to use the next 2 years to carefully put together a quality playoff team and let the farm system regenerate. We might be able to speed up the process if the team is willing to spend extra money to make Fowler and Cecil go away and sign an ace like Cole. I also think it would take signing Ozuna to a reasonaable extension. (I know the chances are slim)
We gave up Kelly, Weaver and Young for Goldschmidt, so the front office is willing to pay the price for the right players. But, since we didn’t make a trade at the deadline, that is the more telling proof that actions speak louder than words? I am confused.
If posters want to cherry pick stats, I can cherry pick Yelich to prove he was a poor hitter for at least a month and a half in 2018. Carpenter was good for a lot longer than just 1 month in 2018. Let’s stop all the foolishness and admit Carpenter has not been good in 2019 but had a pretty good 2018.
Onyx, the team can’t keep Carpenter down to rehab if Carpenter doesn’t want them to. There is no other way about it.
Meanwhile, Wong collects the first hit off of Nolan Ryan with 2 outs in the Cardinals half of the 5th. However, he gets stranded on 2nd when Wieters strikes out.
-
AuthorPosts