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Live Chats
Cardinals Chat from Jupiter, Fla.
Bring your questions and comments about the Cardinals and talk to Post-Dispatch baseball writer Joe Strauss.
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We're here LIVE!!! from Roger Dean Stadium, where the Cardinals trail the Detroit Tigers 4-2. Some defensive hijinks have contributed to the early barrage against Waino'. Mike Matheny voiced some doubt this morning about Allen Craig's readiness to open the season. Chris Carpenter's status is unchanged as he begins a strengthening program from his right shoulder. All in all, this has been a positive camp. Carpenter's situation is a glaring exception but the rotation's performace to date has been very encouraging. Skip Schumaker's oblique strain is improving more quickliy than expected, though there is no question he will join Carp' on the season-opening DL. Apologies for the wait. I'm certain the riveting back-and-forth to follow will more than compensate for any inconvenience. -
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You certainly describe a worst-case scenario. Many places use Opening Day as an excuse to write bad poetry about the game's pastoral essence. In St. Louis, we put down insurrections because the defending world champs haven't signed Roy Oswalt. To your question, Brandon Dickson projects as the next stopgap. I do believe Mo' would look at outside options should another shoe drop on the rotation.
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Hi Joe. I haven't missed a tsunami ride this season. Just haven't been posting. Quite frankly, I realized my recent efforts were not JSL worthy so I sent myself back to Spring Training in hopes of refining my game. With so many former Cardinals back in the fold (Ozzie, Franklin, Jimmy Ballgame, etc.), I wonder if you've witnessed them having a positive influence on the players? Have they made a difference or was participation more of a family reunion type of thing?
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It's OK. It's spring training for ChatHeads, too. The presence of those you mentioned in addition to the Hall of Famers and Willie McGee was welcomed by the players. McGee was very forthcoming in his baserunning and outfield instruction. Adron Chambers seemed to especially take McGee's words to heart. Edmonds gave an extended talk to minor-league outfielders that was very well received. Whitey Herzog's brief Q&A with sponsors last weekend was a big hit. It will be interesting to watch how, or if, Edmonds' role with the organization evolves.
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If one is a Snooze and 10 is running into the streets for the return of Jason Simontacchi, I'd rate this a 6.5. I believe 2 or 3 months a fair window of expectation for Carp's return. There are no guarantees. Though the organization has tried to distinguish the current problem from the brachial plexus issue that shut Carpenter down in '08, my understanding is that the issues may be related. The degree of severity is less this time.
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The industry suggests that the Cardinals are due for a significant boost when (or before) their current cable deal expires in 2017. The Cardinals reside in the 21st largest TV market but enjoy the highest or second-highest local ratings. That translates into a significant increase. And, no, I have no idea how significant a bump that will be. I wouldn't anticipate anything like the 20-year, $3 billion whale that Arte Moreno landed from Fox last December.
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I'm sure significantly more than at this time yesterday. I would expect the Cardinals would today fetch $750 million-$850 million. Who knows? That may be light given the growth potential of the local cable rights. The Houston Astros just sold for $680 million. They also just negotiated a deal that guarantees them $80 million annually in local rights fees for the next 20 years as well as a stake in ComCast Sports Houston.
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Spring training stats are not very relevant. It's more important whether a player exits camp healthy. Jake Westbrook has looked very good. Rafael Furcal is still working himself into shape after a difficult offseason. I believe Furcal's availability one of the three most vital issues to this team. His defense has been more hit-and-miss than usual. I believe Tony Cruz remains as the Cards' backup catcher with Bryan Anderson joining Steven Hill at Memphis.
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If I understand the Dodger deal right, McCourt (and friendly investors) get to keep the parking lots and other land around Dodger stadium as well as $2 billion. Not only will he be able to pay off all his debt and settle with Jamie, he will put a lot more money in his pocket than he came into town with. Insane.
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I don't believe Braun is suffering from post-traumatic stress following his lengthy appeal of his PED-related suspension. It's spring. It doesn't count. Braun has long been one of the NL's best five hitters. That's unlikely to change. Ryan Madson's absence is a massive hit to the Reds, who face a total restructure of their bullpen. The Cardinals are my pick in the NL Central. The loss of Madson may be significant enough for me to bump the Brewers ahead of the Reds as the Cardinals' primary challenger.
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TLR typically tried to rest players, often to the consternation of the fan base. When Craig returns, you'll likely see Beltran, Jay, Craig and Berkman rotate among CF, RF and 1B. Descalso and Greene may work a modified platoon at second base, with Descalso serving a Punto-like role as a utility infielder. While he's here, Matt Carpenter can play some 3B behind Freese. Versatility is one of this team's strengths. The problem is that an injury to one pivotal player could lead to overexposure of another.
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I'm curious about the identity of the 2012 Cardinals. The past several years the Cardinals were identified by TLR, Dunc, Pujols and Carp as the most out-front faces of the organization. This year, how do you think that identity is defined, or rather, who's the leader that defines this team that will have an impact both in the clubhouse and PR-wise?
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I would expect Berkman, Wainwright and Holliday will play pivotal roles. Yadier Molina has long been considered a core player, but he may now step forward as a more prominent figure in the team's marketing and as a player willing to deal with media. Certainly, last season helped David Freese's visiblity nationally. Chris Carpenter is a huge presence. Obviously, the manager serves as a face for almost every franchise. It will be interesting to see how Mike Matheny deals with the phenomenon previously known as Tony TV. For good or bad, Albert cast a long shadow during his term here. With him gone, others may find it more comfortable to seek a place in the sun.
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They''re different pitchers. KMac hadn't started regularly since 2006. Lynn had served almost exclusively as a starter until TLR and Dave Duncan shifted him to the bullpen last summer. Lynn is a big man. However, he has never thrown more than 160 innings in a professional season. Quality starts will be a big stat for Lynn because it requires six innings. If Lynn can average close to 6 innings per start, the rotation can survive -- perhaps prosper -- until Carpenter returns or Mo' re-examines an outside option.
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As a Dodger fan, I think that Card fans should take a deep breath and enjoy this team. Lineup and rotation looks as strong as at the beginning of last year and the bench and bullpen look much better. Even the players they sent down late look like good insurance. Sure there are question marks, but what's not to like?
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The Cardinals look like the best team on paper. Health is their biggest concern. If Puma, Furcal, Beltan, Molina and Freese are available for 130+ games, I don't see the train derailing. To me, spring's biggest positive is that every member of the starting rotation will open the season in a positive frame of mind. Garcia has look extremely sharp his last two times out. Westbrook and Waino' have been almost untouchable. Westbrook's winter conditioning and diet bode extremely well for this season.
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It will be closely watched. Veteran relievers constantly praised TLR as the best handler of a bullpen they had ever played for. The Cardinals enjoy plenty of depth in the bullpen. But maintaining definition in the eighth and ninth innings is a big deal. Derek Lilliquist and Dyar Miller are very familiar with the vast majority of arms on this staff. The transition may be less jarring than some may fear.
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One must be on the DL to go on a rehab assignment. The club hasn't made clear what it will do with Craig because it hasn't formally announced that he will open on the DL. However, I believe it more likely that he remain in camp for a brief period to continue his progression. Unless he appears in a Grapefruit League game, Craig will become eligible to be activated April 10. My sense is that he may play elsewhere before rejoining the club.
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If Shelby Miller is pitching in STL before September, something has gone seriously awry. I don't think you want that for the prospect or the team. I'm intrigued to see how quickly Trevor Rosenthal moves. It sounds as though he could start at AA Springfield, bypassing High A Palm Beach. No minor-league arm impressed more in this camp.
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Beltran has long been known as a quiet clubhouse presence. He and Berkman were teammates in Houston and retain a good relationship. This is typically a welcoming environment for a veteran player. The Cardinals are well aware of the damage Beltran can cause. He's an elegant player to watch both at the plate and in the OF. My sense is that he will be embraced by the fan base as quickly as he was by his new teammates.
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Mr. Strauss, Is Tyler Greene worthy of the starting second base job? Do you see him making an impact during a full season? Or is this experiment a lst ditch effort for the organization to salvage the time and effort devoted to selecting him in the draft? Basically, is there a person in camp that deserves the job more than he does with regard to on-field performance?
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Greene has done some good things in camp. He was very receptive to the move to second base and his actions have improved there. He's played well enough to earn a piece of the position. Daniel Descalso has been very good this spring, so good that the club will find ways for him to start at second base as well as provide insurance at 3B and SS. Descalso deserves playing time. However, Greene hasn't played himself off of second base. A modified platoon appears possible.
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Not briliant. Not awful. When you see so many combinations on the field, it's tough to write an impression in pen. Again, Furcal has been less consistent than one would think. Greene has made some strong plays while struggling with more routine ones. Freese may still warrant late-inning help at third base. A healthy Beltran represents an upgrade in RF while a healthy Berkman may be less of a drop-off at first base than some might initially think. Descalso, a Gold Glove nominee at third base, has significant late-inning value. His performance at SS was sound enough that the Cardinals jettisoned Alex Cora in something of a surprise move.
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Descalso is proven to be a better hitter. Descalso is proven to be a better fielder. And Descalso is a proven winner. But we're getting Greene because the manager and GM are big fans of his. So, it begs the question: What did Descalso do or say to whizz them off?
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Greene projects as the better offensive player. He has base-stealing speed and power. Those qualities could separate him from most at his position. I agree that Descalso has showed well in camp. However, the Cardinals perceive Greene as the player with the higher ceiling.
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The team overcame Wainwright's season-long absence, did it not? Carpenter was 1-7 heading into his start last June 23. The NL Central is not exactly a murderer's row. If the first four starters deliver what is expected from them, the Cardinals should be fine. Another injury would represent a serious problem, agreed.
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