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STL sports chat with Jeff Gordon

Bring your Cardinals, Rams, Blues and Mizzou questions, and join columnist Jeff Gordon for a live discussion starting at 11 a.m.

by Mike Smithon Nov 1, 2012 at 6:33 PM

Gordo, The Holliday debate between fans (and a certain sportswriter) about his talent vs overrated vs unfair criticism is one I haven't seen in this town since TLR. Personally, I feel some of the criticism is warranted. The man doesn't perform like AP, but yet he is concreted into the number 3 spot in the order as if it's his god-given right , even if he endures a 2 month slump. Now, I know those are Matheny's decisions, but maybe if Holliday wasn't treated like the 'straw that stirs the drink' he wouldn't be such a target for criticism. (like Beltran, for example.)

by Eric 11/5/2012 6:31:05 PM
Matt needs to hit more consistently wherever he sits in the lineup. He needs to boost his RISP numbers from where they were last year and he needs to avoid the late-season tailspin he endured. There has been a lot of chit-chat about his back and whether he has some chronic issues that will require him to consent to more rest next season. One reason he got the No. 3 slot was his desire to almost never sit out. He offered continuity there. I don't see a better No. 3 option for next season, but in a few years perhaps Taveras and Craig will be the regular 3/4 combo.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:34:14 PM
The Astros wisely hire Dennis Martinez as bullpen coach. El Presidente had a big impact on developing Cardinal hurlers over the years.

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 11/5/2012 6:36:49 PM
RT @JoeStrauss: Cards keeping radio silence. Typically means news (coaches) ready to pop. Wouldn't be stunned if front office element included."

by Jeff Gordon via twitter edited by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:37:39 PM
Joe Strauss is tormenting his Twitter followers with a developing news tease. Could be an interesting day for Cardinal Nation.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:40:11 PM
Thanks Jeff for the answer regarding Holliday. I agree with the consistency only when the dude is consistent. Beltran batted 2nd, 4th, lead off, etc. I think if the Holliday moved around in the order more, he would be less of 'the man' and simply a good player with great OPS. And if you have back problems, I commend you for wanting to play....but that doesn't mean the 3 spot is waiting for you, bad back and all. Just saying... Thank you tho. :)

by Eric 11/5/2012 6:40:26 PM
Holliday will be interesting case the next few years. He isn't a kid any more. Mike Matheny likes to lock in his lineup, as we saw during the late-season run, but is that realistic for Matt? And like you say, is it realistic to bat him in that key spot regardless of matchups?

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:41:43 PM
I know we have a long way to go till April but do you think in the next NFL draft the rams will use their first round picks on offensive tackle and safety?

by logan 11/5/2012 6:41:47 PM
Those appear to be the two largest needs now. By trading a younger guy (Smith) for an older guy (Hunter), the Rams moved OT toward the top of the list. And this team's woeful coverage from the safety slot this year keeps that position near the top. Rams loaded with CBs. Safeties? Not so much.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:43:02 PM
To follow up on my question on Pinkle/Franklin I think you nailed it. I think Pinkles stubbornness in staying with Franklin cost the team the season. He pulled the red shirt off of Chase Daniels why not Maty Mauk?

by Ken 11/5/2012 6:43:10 PM
Chase arrived ready to play, so Pinkel got him involved right away. Mauk wasn't a world beater in the preseason work, so the development time will be valuable to him. Also, this season reached the point where 6-6 was the best case. Pinkel had no appetite for rushing the lad into a tough spot.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:45:18 PM
Stephen Drew hasn't produced offensively since his injury and over his career has been sub-par defensively, -22.3 fielding according to fangraphs. Why take a flyer on a guy who's trend is downward?

by StL416 11/5/2012 6:45:29 PM
Given his age, Drew is a decent bounce-back candidate. He plays the game hard. He has never had Khalil Greene issues. Drew was much better with the A's this year than he was in Arizona, so that is a positive indicator. All that adds up to a decent one-year possibility.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:47:34 PM
who do you think is more likely to be on the opening day roster, oscar taveras or kolten wong?

by logan 11/5/2012 6:48:58 PM
Taveras. I could see him hitting so well during the spring that the team HAS to keep him. If Matt Carpenter proves he can play second base -- or if the Cards land a shortstop that slides Furcal over one spot -- then Wong could get full year of Triple-A development.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:50:16 PM
RE Drew, All that adds up to a decent one-year possibility. if all this comes to pass, where do we go after that one year, as you said last week, no one in system coming along at SS

by john 11/5/2012 6:50:39 PM
The free agent market for shortstops this season is thin and overpriced. Perhaps that changes in future years. Perhaps the Cardinals will develop more defined surpluses at other positions that could position the team for a big trade. Perhaps Ryan Jackson makes a stronger case with an even better season at Memphis. This could go a bunch of ways.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:54:02 PM
If you had tio say today....who is more highly regarded in the FO, Miller or Rosnenthal?

by Denver 11/5/2012 6:54:09 PM
Rosenthal. That was evident by his usage during the season and the postseason. But Miller is right there as well -- as the team proved by calling on him for some low-leverage postseason work.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:55:17 PM
My son played in a hockey game last night, he's in Bantam, scored a hat trick, received a Gatorade at the end of the game for his play. He was thrilled! Amazing how greed can destroy playing for the love of the game!

by Sad NHL Fan 11/5/2012 6:55:31 PM
Hockey is a big business. It has grown steadily in spite of considerable mismanagement at the team and league level. The dollars involved are huge, but respect plays a big factor in this shutdown. The players want to be treated as partners because they ARE partners in growing his industry.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:57:23 PM
IMO Rams need to get a starting safety in free agency that can contribute right away and another with a top two/three draft pick they can develop.

by Kwick 11/5/2012 6:57:31 PM
I would agree.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:57:36 PM
Why do you think it's unlikely Jack Clark would become the Cardinal's hitting coach? Thanks for the chats

by GoCards 11/5/2012 6:57:41 PM
Matheny is getting a chance to build a staff with with loyal organizational folks and some individuals he has much comfort with. I don't Clark fitting that scenario.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:58:35 PM
Even with Matt Carpenter training for second base, do you see him there as a starter or more as the super-sub.

by danthefan 11/5/2012 6:58:42 PM
He could start there is he handles the defensive side to Matheny's satisfaction.Matheny really, really likes him.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 6:59:15 PM
Mizzou should have remained in the Big Twelve. With their style of play they're no match for SEC teams. SEC teams can tackle and they're very quick.

by flyer19999 11/5/2012 7:01:13 PM
Well, the Tigers were a match for Florida at Florida, to my surprise. A healthier and/or slightly more effective Franklin could have won that game. As I noted earlier, the best Pinkel teams could have done OK in that league. This was a bit of a lull year compounded by injuries.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:02:41 PM
I do believe the Tigers must become more physically imposing to play in the SEC. You can't try to play flag football in a tackle football conference. Bigger RBs would be a great place to start -- and the Tigers are working on that.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:03:57 PM
When will the NCAA investigation of Frank Haith yield a decision, if anything?

by MIZSEC 11/5/2012 7:04:05 PM
I can only assume by now that the NCAA doesn't have anything significant on Haith for what happened at Miami. He is well into his second season at the helm at Mizzou. But with the NCAA, you never know what to expect next.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:07:58 PM
is it possible the cardinals could trade matt adams for a left handed reliever? I know they're difficult to come by but are there any out there on the trade market right now?

by logan 11/5/2012 7:08:08 PM
Adams is a MLB-ready hitter. To that lefty reliever would have to be a great long-term asset, IMO.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:08:55 PM
Watched the Mizzou Tigers play for the first time against Florida - they looked like smurfs compare to FLA - what gives???

by Smitty 11/5/2012 7:09:14 PM
As we've discussed, Missouri needs to get more physical, especially at RB. But, again, the Tigers were big enough to beat Florida on its own field. They just didn't finish the job.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:10:18 PM
Any chance VanSlyke or Lance Berkman joining the coaching staff?

by danthefan 11/5/2012 7:10:20 PM
I'm guessing Berkman would want to be closer to home to start his coaching career, but you never know. And there isn't much available on the coaching staff at the moment, assuming that Mabry is the next hitting coach.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:11:13 PM
Cards need a good everyday contact hitter, any position. I could not believe how the Giants pitchers kept getting St Louis hitters out on the down and away pitches. At least they made it to the playoffs.

by flyer19999 11/5/2012 7:11:29 PM
The Cardinals were one of the elite offensive teams in the NL last season. They need to be more consistent overall, but only possible lineup changes for next year are at SS and 2B, with internal candidates looking good for the latter post.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:13:03 PM
Think the Cards get an extension done with Waino?

by Tom 11/5/2012 7:13:06 PM
I'd guess yes. The team has the money to spend. They dug deep to keep Molina, signaling the possibility of doing it for Wainwright as well.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:13:35 PM
I don't think the Rams quarterback is durable enough to make it thru a season. His size is against him.

by flyer19999 11/5/2012 7:13:43 PM
He already made it through a season in 2010. He has only missed a few snaps this season, counting time sitting during a blowout.

by Jeff Gordon 11/5/2012 7:15:00 PM
Jeez, if the Cards traded Adams for a Loogie I think I'd shoot myself. Adams has the potential to hit big-time at this level. Keep Adams sign loogies in free agency.

by Red Bird 11/5/2012 7:15:11 PM