[thejager]

nice list and info to get this going.. kudos

If we throw out Story or Correa wish to me solves almost everything except maybe one more reliever, which i am confident they can find via minor league deals or cheap under the radar deals given their track record recently (and also they will have a healthy Hicks, Helsley, Whitley to help with).

Story or Correa allows for DeJong to slot in at DH and work his swing out, Gorman and Yepez will not be depended on and gives us a better option to use Edman as a utility player in infield and OF to help with depth (not forcing it to all land on Noot’s shoulders)

to me Correa is a slam dunk, Story will probably be cheaper (in relation), but i do like him too.

—

again…setting that aside. I don’t think they sign anyone for more than 1yr hitter or reliever/swing starter. I think only a guy like Story or Correa would move that needle.

-David Peralta as a lefty hitting solid defender vet OFer isn’t bad and will probably be cheap, and also probably only a 1yr deal, Dickerson and Rosario are solid optiosn too, but i think they get multiyear deals Peralta seems to have fallen off but I think what he has left is probably enough of what we need. And if he fails, then the risk is minimal
-Gsellmann and his groundball nature seems really obvious though may take a bit more that we think

Also…I want them to sign to minor league deal Willians Astudillo, he can play all over including Catcher, super hustle guy (even if odd sized), puts the bat on the ball. Would be great to have for a minor league AAA catcher who would have extra use as a 3rd catcher if we needed one when Yadi is too banged up to play but not banged up enough for the IL. His ability to slot in all over also allows for Knizner to pinch hit more (if Astudillo would be added to 40 as i would imagine would happen) and also for more half games for Yadi if needed. His ability to make contact is also nothing to laugh at, it is almost otherworldly, and SOMETIMES that is all you need. GET THE GUY OVER. no flailing and hoping the guy can put the bat on the ball, AStudillo can do that with his eyes closed.

So for me:
-diamond in the rough signing for bullpen
-Correa or Story
-Astudillo

or, and far more likely:
-Gsellmann
-diamond in the rough reliever
-D Peralta (if you can work JUST a minor league and ST invite all the better)
-AStudillo minor league deal with ST invite

I accept that no one cares about my love for AStudillo, but i see so much value in a guy like him

[thejager]

After Dejong had a good year in the minors and then seemed to use the AFL perfromances to force his way to the big club, to me i think all 4 of these guys need to be considered pretty much locks for a big role next year

Gorman, Yepez, Nootbaar, Donovan

put one at DH (probably Gorman to give every day ABs)
the other 3 on the bench
add Knizner and Sosa/DeJong

Looks like the bench to me.

Maybe we bring back Rondon to start the year and let Donovan start at AAA, maybe another stays down for ABs (like Gorman) and we fill that with a journeyman 1 yr vet

To me the “every day roster” is probably set, as Moz said pretty blatantly

Sure they will look and listen a little, but at this point it seems unlikely they will give up on Dejong (pride for giving him the contract), trade any of these kids or the young pitchers (fear ala Randy A), or move Sosa (arrogance of his breakout)

We MIGHT get Max or a big money vet on 1-2yr deal…MAYBE a media loving Pujols signing to appease the masses…maybe a 1yr deal to a vet guy like D Peralta then a bunch of extensions and other things to fill the lack of spending void…

If the right trade falls into their laps? sure…but i doubt it…

DeJong to someone for a salary swap type deal or slightly better than lottery ticket…SEA? Maybe snag Haniger?
then find a way to trade for Ketel Marte from ARZ?
or maybe buy/trade low on Adelberto Mondesi from KC as Witt Jr looks to be the SS of the future and is ready now…Mondesi is a wizard in the field and adds unreal speed…but his injury prone nature is worrisome, but him and Sosa together makes for a good pair or excitement and defense. Maybe look to get Brad Keller too after a poor year though the year before was pretty good

Max + Garcia + McF + Waino + Yadi

trade for Mondesi + BKeller…use some useful young arms and prospects

trade Dejong + parts to SEA for Haniger

Haniger and Mondesi for the offense

We have enough to make a couple of smart trades i think without losing the potential of the bench from above

I’d feel better with a veteran hitter like Haniger to give depth and protection from injury and also not force these kids who have great momentum from losing ABs on the bench

Mondesi is a wildcard, but i think worth the gamble at a position we are not so deep at
Keller is a pet project of interest for me i admit, but i do think there is something there for a better team to unnravel…and adding 2 arms really would help a rotation that is losing A LOT

[thejager]

i dont lose Plummer..not to Rule V

A Trade? sure…unless it is just a trade to not have to put him on the 40 for a guy not needed to be protected…i’d rather keep the good thing going than starting all over with a new player in the system

as part of a trade for an important MLBer or a prime time prospect, sure…he can be moved

He’s got momentum and confidence right now, often that is what guys need as they approach MLB and make the next step.

He could flop and fall next year…so what? then you remove him from the 40man and take your chances on keeping him or him leaving.

[thejager]

I am torn. I agree with Descalfani being a nice look. But…that was Desclafani from last year… the history before that is pretty murky and injury riddled…

I am not sure I am comfortable handing out a 3yr deal after 1 good bounceback year for guy like him. We did that with Mikolas and it has been mixed results to bad results at best

2yrs and team option? maybe…

Though i think we are either looking at a top of the line Ace no-doubters (and I dont think Stroman is one) and whatever they want… or 1yr deals with the excuse of Libertore and all the kids being why

[thejager]

He may be a good coach. I dunno, he hasn’t really done much of it, but neither had Matheny and he produced some great teams

But it’s pretty hard not to see him as a “yes man”

You don’t rise from being drafted in 2007 to being the MLB head coach by creating waves or challenging the tops decisions.

He’s cheap and easy and now the philosophy of depending on the farm to fill MLB roles is almost complete. They had a chance to remove Albert with Edmonds and Duncan with Carpenter but that will have to wait it seems (or maybe they don’t want those strong voices)

Best case we get a Matheny type run, worst case he’s gone after a year or two and used as a scapegoat for someone else’s mistakes. That’s usually the ultimate role of the “yes man”

[thejager]

So earlier is aid what I thought we should do…optimistic Jage

but the pessimist in me sees this happen:

-Waino and Yadi back
-Shidlt gone… Clapp, Marmol or Skip will be manager
-Albert gone and Edmonds brought in for hitting coach (“philisophical differences” were about Albert and Shildt backing him to the point of “he goes i go”…so Shildt goes…new guy brought in..magically Albert is gone because the new coach wants a “new voice” not because Albert was a failure (thus not Moz’s “failure” at retaining him in light of the stats that showed the downward offensive trend since his arrival).Moz and the FO save face without admitting Albert was mistake
-Lester or Happ will be courted but with the fact that they will be out of a spot all folks being healthy when the FO decides Reyes is ready for rotation spot means they look elsewhere
-Garcia, McF back
-extensions to Gallegos and Bader
-will consider Jack and Oneill for extensions but neither will happen
-Scherzer is approached but will not come for a discount…we are out…but we will make a big stink about “how hard we tried” to appease the locals
-LeBlanc will be brought back and penciled in (along with Woodford and Oviedo) for the 5 spot until the FO give Reyes the go ahead
-Hicks will be brought into camp as starter but will end up in pen
-Story is approached…but we draw a line in the sand on money and he goes to the highest bidder
-Chris Taylor is brought in because “We believe in Sosa and DeJong and Perez” and we need someone who can play everywhere instead of someone stuck to one spot…and obviously “the market” stops us from looking at anyone else.
-Rondon brought back for flexibility and “attitude”
-no other FA hitters are brought in because Gorman is real, and Nootbaar and Yepez…etc etc.
– in general the line of “the money off the books will go to extensions and Waino and Yadi” as well as “COVID has still been a major problem with our available money to look into the FA market”…also.. “Arenado’s contract shouldnt be forgotten”…. just excuse after excuse to be as cheap as possible to recoup the losses incurred from 2020 and 21 to the stakeholders…
– facing fan dissent and unhappiness with moves and obvious needs…club re-signs Pujols for bench
-enter Spring training with hope…
– injuries in ST, this year to the hitters…go into the season with at least 2 major hitter on IL…
– bad year…really bad year…. under .500
-excuses that “new coach needs to time to get situated” Maddux is thrown under the bus to appease the fans, and because he couldnt get a rotation filled with too old vets and too young kids to beat the Max Scherzers of the world…but maybe Madddux might just retire before it happens

Reality is probably in between both posts..

[thejager]

Step 1: Waino and Yadi are signed on
Step 2: Lester signed (promise of rotation spot as internally they know they’ll have Reyes to start in AAA)
Step 3: Bring back any players who need to be brought back that earned it: Garcia, McF, LeBlanc (minors)
Step 4: arbs for everyone but Justin Miller, Gallegos, Bader
Step 5: Extend Bader and Gallegos
Step 6: wait for CBA, expect DH to be in
Step 7: bring in a FA SS, Seager or Story (Seager top choice, Story because Arenado could help)
Step 7: announce open audition for DH spot in Spring Training
Step 9: then start shopping DeJong
Step 10: Trade Dejong (and other parts if necessary) to Minnesota for Rogers
Step 11: sign Pujols (LH pitcher starting DH and pinch hitting against LH)
Step 12: JRondon, and hopefully JMiller on minor league deal with ST invite

Jack, Mik, Hud, Waino, Lester
Rogers, Gallegos, Genesis, McF, Garcia, Hicks, Helsley, Whitely
Edman, Goldy, Story, Arenado, ONeill, Carlson, Yepez, Yadi, Bader
Knizner, Noot, Sosa, Pujols

Reyes, Woodford, LeBlanc first up for depth
Oviedo, Libertore, Thompson, Rondon all in play for pitching depth
Sanchez, Rondon, Perez, Plummer, Gorman, Burleson all in play for positional help

One big move (like most offseasons), this year a FA splash
A bunch of small moves
Extensions and arbs for team guys

Seems do-able

I do wonder about another offseason big trade…but the SS options for a trade seem limited unless we want to try to buy low on Adalberto Mondesi from KC and really amp up the running game and defense even more, if we could go that route then I think Max Scherzer would be in play instead of Lester leading to Reyes

[thejager]

GScott…why do you think Schwarber is a game changer? Max I get. But what about him makes us a no doubter for World Series victory.

He seems a fine piece, but there is no doubt that Story or Seager OR Correa or Semien are better all around players.

Max won’t cost $200m
He will be expensive per year but it will be shorter deals…id guess 2yrs with 3rd option maybe

$200m is not that much for the right talent and for the right amount of years…AND structured the right way

Also, Schwarber creates a positional problem as his ability to play in the field to promote his value as anything other than a DH becomes problematic for the teams reliance on defense and team speed

Having a DH that can be moved into the field to give flex on rest is a huge thing. I don’t see why we’d throw it away for Schwarber’s bat…maybe for a Castellenos or JD Martinez type bat…btu not Schwarber’s

Gorman’s ability to play 2b and 3b (and hopefully eventually 1b and corner OF) makes him a great future candidate for the “DH” spot. which is only a “DH” spot if you cant play them in the field without sacrificing.

A solid 3 position OF is a solid look too for that new starting hitter (DH) spot. But I think with Gorman AND DeJong and maybe even Sosa or Nootbaar or Yepez…we have a lot of internal candidates for an extra multipositional rotatable DH spot player where we can mix and match until Gorman matures or someone else does.

What we dont have is an impact hitter at SS.

There are at minimum 5 of them available. I don’t want them all. But they are available.

We have money available and a team that has too much invested in veterans to not see this as an important 2-3yr window. Waiting on unproven talent is not a goal of a team with Yadi, Waino, Nolan, Goldy, and probably Lester or Happ

A mid career high end SS and a veteran ace would be perfect…expensive…but built for NOW…and wouldn’t hurt any long term plans for the kids.

And financially so what? We are wasting Goldy and Nolan if we don’t go for it…so it is spending money or wasting it either way

-Max let’s say 60mil total 2yr with mutual 3rd year option of some kind (30m per)
-Seager let’s say 200m total 6yr (33m per on avg but structure for 20-25 first year)

We are sitting at about $111 right now after Yadi and Waino…

add those two and it is about 160-170ish, even with a few little additions elsewhere and maybe a trade it doesn’t put us in a danger zone…especially when Waino and Yadi are really just 1yr deals, and yes some guys need extensions maybe or raises…

point is…putting all your eggs in 2 baskets is risky…but only when it is risky players… Max and Story/Seager/Correa are not risky….unless you WANT to see them as risky…

like Whit being too old to trade for the last 3-4yrs, or Castellos not being able to play RF, or Waino being too old, or Max being too old to invest so much, or Haniger being too old or too injured… or whatever…

We all make our justifications…but with the cash coming off the books and the obvious needs the team has with the obvious targets it makes it tough sell for me to think we dont have the money or need….

I will play with ideas all offseason and during the season….i just dont see Schwarber as a difference maker enough to make the offense all of a sudden be fixed… the pitchign was far better than the hitting this year…and that was pretty much without Hud, Jack, and Mik for most of the season

our system and drafting produces solid pitchers pretty effectively and consistently…it does not produce middle order game changing bats…free agency and trade to me is about filling holes of what we cant fill internally…Gorman is no guarantee… and he is our closest guarantee we have…even if Libertore doeesn’t work out we have more options for guys that COULD

Not trying to be insulting Gscott…just trying to explain my thoughts all the way through…in all likelihood your scenario or probably closer to what may happen….but then again trading for Arenado and having them give us 50m on top whiel only losing Gomber and Montero basically…well i dont think a lot of us thought that was possible either…which is what makes this thread so fun

anyways….long as always…sorry but not sorry 😛

Go Cards!

[thejager]

Nate…your question is just baiting, stop it

Whether you or anyone else WANT to go after them is the point of this thread…talking about what you want or dont want to see and trying to justify it or defend it…or even point out your disagreements with it

This thread is not for fighting or antagonism or baiting. Why you feel the need to try to attack and insult instead of having a real conversation is really disrespectful and mean.

You think you would understand by now, we have known each other for years and you think somehow that behavior is endearing or makes people sit in awe of you is really misguided and sad

This new format doesn’t allow me to NOT see your posts like in the past. It just shows me more and more how little you have grown…. you are allowed to think what you want…but when i say “grown” i mean grown to at least respect the other people on here…why you choose to create, have, and continue a long relationship of antagonism and disrespect is beyond me

Grow up Nate

and as must be stated unfortunately, i will not respond to any response to this, i expect you will which is your prerogative… but i wont participate again

I will however continue to use this thread to post my ideas and thoughts of moves that could likely or unlikely be possible for the team without fear or threat of attack or antagonism by anyone. I will continue to do so ad nauseum as means to enjoy following the team and engage with this BUILT and RESPECTFUL community regardless whether they agree with me or not.

[thejager]

Whoo boy… lame way to end it…but fought it and proved they deserved to be there. Even without scoring they still were getting on base throughout.

Max + 4 closers = tough for anyone to face

memorable season…a bit too streaky for my taste as the downs were so far down that it was tough to see it as real…and the ups were so unrealistically up i couldnt trust them…

anyways

If we want to do this again like this…bring in a marginal talent level SS (like Taylor) and recycling Lester or Happ…

If we want to truly contend and be a favorite. Max + Seager/Story

I am guessing we do one or the other…probably a SS…Story IMO… then recycle Lester or Happ and expect a breakthrough of Libertore of Thompson or Oviedo or Woodford or even Reyes for the rotation

Oh well…it is going to be a long and frustrating offseason as the CBA will disrupt everything…AND it will be frustrating because the team we saw at the end of the year (not the 17 game in a row version, but somewhere in between) has some really fun things to watch…and was just hitting a nice stride…. now we have to wait til Spring to see them again

but the offseason is just another part of baseball…

Go Cards!

[thejager]

win or lose they made this season memorable when it had all the makings of being one we would want to forget

No reason they can’t get the win today

It’s baseball!

Go Cards!

[thejager]

Cardinals get the last laugh in WS title striking out Arozarena and the Rays in last at bat to win it all

[thejager]

and you are right about the Reds broadcasters…I love Barry Larkin but my word he doesnt need to be up there. And the 3 person teasm on air is not good at all..and when they are those three…my word…

I like do like Cowboy though

[thejager]

any more info on that Edmonds info? I dont remember him saying that about not broadcasting anymore

I like Jimmy, and Ankiel…they really watch the game and the ABs and pitches, they arent polished announcers and that is good

I hope Jimmy comes back…or better, just becomes the hitting coach

[thejager]

i was a little surprised not to see Burleson and even Luken Baker

I figured it was injury or rest or something…still these are just the initial lists things can change because of playoffs etc.

Also…I do think DeJong’s AFL was pretty much his springboard to the majors, and to a handed over role at SS…I do think the FO uses AFL as a test for some guys to see if they are truly ready for a big leap to an important role the following year…not all of them, but it can be a tool they use

Not picking Burleson and Baker to me indicates that Yepez and Nootbaar are ahead of them respectively on the potential impact next year

maybe i am wrong…but that is what it looks like

[thejager]

From what i watched of the celebration it was mostly spraying each other with booze not drinking too much

I think they can smell 20 in a row and want to see if they can do it

Without the streak going there really is no incentive to plat anyone even with the slightest of injury

But i think the players want to see how far they can take it

Gotta be tough for the coaches and FO right now

Could give Oviedo another look, bring up a few kids to give them a little taste, rest everyone

but i think they know their strength and reason they might have ANY chance in the playoffs is because of this run…and you gotta keep the run going if you want to use it

Still..it would be nice to see anyone on the 40 not up and available to get a chance to contribute to the streak

[thejager]

craziness

grats on the WC spot!

keep the crazy going!

[thejager]

Gags!

Wowza! Welcome back!

[thejager]

baseball is a crazy beautiful game

This time of year brings out all the stuff that can’t be quantified in players and teams, some good some bad, some momentary brilliance and others harbingers of present and future doom

It’s baseball, the balance of feeling like you know and have all the info to know what will happen with the knowledge that you can’t predict ANYTHING is what makes it exciting from season to season, game to game, at bat to at bat, and pitch to pitch

If you don’t love the excitement of the anxiety it’s probably not the game for you

We can lose the rest of the games this year and it will already be a memorable season

[thejager]

25

I like the idea of Rogers and Kepler

I think you have to include a big prospect with DeJong though

even with Rogers injury concern his value is pretty high as closer or non closer

Kepler is similar…but injuries are a thing with him too…and even with that seems to be a better bat than DeJong..

I think they’d be interested in arms, but also a bat

DeJong + Rondon + Thompson + Burleson

looks and feels like an overpay…but with way DeJong has played and hit…his value is def negative right now

Our farm can absorb losing all of them…

We provide them with good talent that is very close if not already ready to be up, all with pretty high ceilings…including a possible resurgent DeJong

Adding Rogers and Kepler along with a Seager/Story etc. along with the vets coming back (Waino, McF, Garcia, Lester)…puts together a pretty imposing team, that can use youth to boost the team instead of being dependent on it

Edman, Goldy, Seager, Arenado, Oneill, Carlson, Kepler(DH), Yadi, Bader
Knizner, Nootbaar, Sosa, Gorman/Yepez

Jack, Hud, Mik, Waino, Lester…Reyes, Libertore, Oviedo, Woodford
Rogers, Gallegos, Genesis, Hicks, Helsley, McF, Garcia, Whitley, Woodford

[thejager]

They have to add a bat, and not hope and pray DeJOng returns, or that Sosa can keep this up, OR that Perez is SO much of a lock for top end production that they don’t have to fix it.

With a veteran team and two guys in their last hurrah, you don’t decide to go with your kids or hopes.

They have money coming off the books, they have uncertainty at CF and SS and DH for offense production. Also, C should also be considered a big question mark for production due to his age.

Depending on Sosa or Perez is a mistake
Gorman should not be rushed nor should he be depended on for production
Hoping DeJong figures it out again is what we did with Carp and it never worked out and made the offense stutter for 4yrs
Knizner should not be depended on for offensive production, and Yadi’s value should not be dependent on hitting anyways and that is ok
Bader should not be depended on for offensive production either, he is becoming a CF version of Yadi…you take empty bat for the defense…and that is ok

Having 2 holes in the offense is fine…as long as they have platinum level defense and not .100 level hitters
Having 4 holes that production is based on hopes and dreams is unacceptable…

Also, Carp is coming off books…nto just money but supposed IMPACT of his position..an impact bat is what needs to be replaced…Gorman and PErez or Sosa or DeJOng getting better…or staying better…should all be BONUS

Yes, Edman could play SS and we could look at a 2bman…but the impact SS are all out there. We have the money, the options are all pretty good and relatively young.

Perez has had ONE good year in the minors, Sosa half of ONE good year in the majors, DeJong has downslid for 3yrs, Gorman just got to AAA this year… I apologize but depending on those 4 scenarios producing 2 STARTING level offensive production on a team that is veteran driven and supposed to be a contender is a huge mistake

Spend the money on Seager (one bad injury a few years ago, and one freak hand breaking injury on a hit by pitch…and a few other short IL trips…so what?…that is FAR from being injury prone)

OR get Arenado to get Story to come and join the fun. Story is a fine SS hits for power, and in the age of striking out all the time but hits HRs…he fits right in…

Add a big SS bat… then you don’t have to depend on Bader and Yadi producing…while giving the farm or depth ONE spot to deal with concerning offensive production

2 spots for top defense and no offense fine
1 spot for rotating youth or bench trying to find best spot… fine

Don’t go to the 4 out of 9 spots are hopes and dreams route for offensive prodcution….it is a mistake and wastes the investment in the veterans and really dangerous and susceptible to injury problems

Being cheap and milking the fanbase to get more profit is the ONLY reason to not go out and get one of the big SS

[thejager]

I can’t stand the idea of Baez as a Cardinal, i’d rather play Sosa and have a worse offense

Seager is my top choice…followed by Story…then maybe Semien if the deal can be shorter

I would say SS makes the most sense for upgrade… BUT i would add that 2b COULD be the place if we wanted to shift Edman to SS….but other than a dedicated upgrade to leadoff like a trade for Whit Merrifield I am not sure where you look

-the pessimist in me says… Chris Taylor + Waino + Lester + Garcia + McFarland with an outside chance at Pujols to appease the masses

-the optimist wants…Waino, LEster, Garcia, McF… Pujols + Story (the Arenado connection)

-hopes and dreams…Seager, Pujols, Scherzer, Waino, Garcia, McF

[thejager]

all the credit for finding the right pitchers that would fit in… much respect…and let’s nto forget LeBlanc in the list

having said that…why were the incapable of doing the same thing with a bat for the offense when it really needed it?

We had a couple REALLY bad hitting months…an average guy like DPeralta could have went a long way in helping out, and even for a stretch off the bench

We played JWilliams and Hurst and Muncy and even depended on Noot far too much for the offensive hole we were in….and i like Rondon’s attitude but he isn’t really help, more a necessary bandaid player every team has for the end of the bench…but he is not a guy we can start for a few weeks..and Carp and Dejong at this point can’t do that either…so our entire bench is made up of guys who can’t be trusted to fill long term playing time roles without severely hurting the offense…all due credit to Knizner

also…the pitching moves came…but they did all come at the very last minute…we had to watch a clearly not ready Oviedo run out there far too many times…

[thejager]

eh… i dont agree… i think the Cardinals have consistently shown they can find pitching and teach pitching well enough to survive the onslaught of injurie and bad performances without having to spend big money…and they have TWO big SP prospects in Libertore and Reyes seemingly close

If they could get Max…sure..

What the Cardinals have NTO been able to do consistently is produce or go out and find mid-season is hitting talent…

and the offense has been bad for 3-4years…they have tried to fix it with internal hopes and dreams or resurgences…but it just doesn’t work…

outside help is needed…

Seager makes most sense…Story maybe

We can’t and shouldn’t expect Gorman to be a monster right away…or for Bader to yet again “figure it out” at the plate, or for DeJong to turn it around yet again…or Sosa to keep it up…or Yadi to yet again defy time..orr even Goldy or Arenado to not see a decline with age…

A solid to spectacular bat would go a long way in the Cardinasl plugging the offense holes it digs for itself that we experienced for the last 3-4yrs and for terrible multi-month or month long droughts as we have seen

what did FO do to help offense when we had injuries and poor play?
Rondon
Moroff
Nootbaar
JWill
Hurst

That’s is the help from AAA or outside that we got

Sosa saved us some
Knizner and Ali don’t count

yes i think Yepez, Gorman, maybe Baker PErez and PLummer maybe Burleson…might be able to help a bit next year…but should we be leaning and banking on that? That is dangerous…maybe let those guys be happy surprises or late season impact instead of depending on them to fix any holes from the start

The organization has proven it can make the most out of not much when it comes to pitching..or identify cheap outside help when pressed..

It has not shown it can solve offensive issues the same way…which is why you need to g o out and pay for dependable veteran talent …that unfortunately costs money…we have it…so do it

[thejager]

I think all these Pujols points are totally legit

Still…looking at Carp’s use this year I see it similarly to Pujols potential use except probably with better returns if used against lefties correctly

Also, he is not an embarrassment at 1b, there is just no way he can or should run out there every day if we want to maximize his value

against choice lefties and to give Goldy a day off he can do it

Still..i’d prefer Gorman or Yepez get those reps at 1b for development if i was pressed…but Pujols 2-3 ABs against the right lefty is fine

Pujols is obviously fine with a part time role

no doubt he wants 20HRs….hitting 700 for the Cards would be WAY bigger than doing it anywhere else…and the same goes for his last game played…. he knows where the love is, if i was his agent i’d be finding any way to convince StL to do it…. no one wants to go out on a whimper and even if he doesn’t hit well he won’t do that in StL

I think with Gorman being lefty and Yepez being a righty it makes a lot of sense right now…Yepez and Pujols make for a fine DH combo for cheap (or if you pull of a SS trade/sign add Dejong in there)…doesn’t force Gorman to be immediate impact…i still think Carlson might even be better had we not forced him up last year and had a stopgap DPeralta to share time with for the last 2 years.

If we aren’t dealing Gorman for an impact hitter then we need him to be an impact hitter…and i don’t want to rush that…i want his numbers SCREAMING for him to be called up (Yepez-like but with the high prospect status)

Still Pujols plus a top hitting SS and bringing back some seems the way to go for me…. I want that Scherzer or big pitcher, but i don’t see it with how they are talking up Reyes and have Libertore waiting….

[Author]

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