****Official 2014 STL Cardinals thread ****

[BigRedChief]

2011 WS Championship
2012 one win from another WS
2013 two wins from another WS title
2014?

• This is a franchise that has made the postseason 10 times in the last 14 seasons.
• Reached three World Series in the last decade, and won as many championships (two) the past eight seasons as it did from 1965 to 2005.
• Our new Manager has more post season experience than any other manager in baseball, except the Giants manager.
• Three million attendance? Take it to the bank.
• 60 post season wins since 2004. 20+ wins more than any other team.
• Only one of the last 14 seasons has been a losing one.

[Mi_chief_fan]

Starting pitching has been pretty good, but still some big problems:
No power

Can't hit for a high average
Non-existent bench
Inconsistent bullpen
Terrible coaching
I just don't see how trading for Price fixes any of their flaws. It would only weaken the farm system.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

I guess it means with Waino Whacha Price....you may not even need much of a bullpen or a lot of runs

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Mi_chief_fan

Starting pitching has been pretty good, but still some big problems:
No power

Can't hit for a high average
Non-existent bench
Inconsistent bullpen
Terrible coaching
I just don't see how trading for Price fixes any of their flaws. It would only weaken the farm system.

I think Lynn and Garcia's value is as high as it will ever be. Replacing one of them with Price and giving up Piscotty/AA pitcher might get it done. We will get him for a year and a half.

We have a logjam of OF's starting next year. Someone has to go.

I'm not in favor of getting a pitcher but our offense is what it is. Peralta needs to start hitting with RISP. Wong needs to quit trying to hit the ball out every play. Craig's hands are way lower than when he was hitting the ball solid. Molina, Carpenter and Holliday are going no where.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

I guess it means with Waino Whacha Price....you may not even need much of a bullpen or a lot of runs

Pitching has always been more valuable than offense in the playoffs. Since the wild card era began, pitching has become even more valuable. And on top of this, we have this year's parity making pitching more valuable.

[Mi_chief_fan]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

I guess it means with Waino Whacha Price....you may not even need much of a bullpen or a lot of runs

Yeah, but Wacha is skipping his start tomorrow, Wainwright skipped his last start, and, well, you have to get to the playoffs first. Right now, this offense isn't good enough to get you there.

[BigRedChief]

Garcia to the DL with his shoulder. Everybody knew he wouldn't make it to the All-Star game. At least we got a couple of good games out of the guy. But.......................

Wacha with a stress fracture of his pitching shoulder....................

Quote:
Wacha began feeling "tightness" in his shoulder "four or five starts ago" that he said would go away once he got his arm loose. But the arm was taking longer than usual to loosen, and the feeling was different than soreness, which Wacha is used to.

"This is a little deeper down," Wacha said. "This is a little different."

The Cardinals decided to skip Wacha's start Sunday long before they received the results of a CAT scan and MRI on Saturday. He had been dealing with irritation since the beginning of May, but had been able to pitch through it until now.

Irritation in the pitching shoulder since Early May? Tightness 4-5 starts ago? WTF? Why didn't he get checked out?

[kcpasco]

I think the Cards should just part ways with Garcia, it's pretty obvious the guy cannot stay healthy.

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by kcpasco

I think the Cards should just part ways with Garcia, it's pretty obvious the guy cannot stay healthy.

I'm not sure who would take him now. I know they are scouting Price, but it better be a swap of Kelly or lower. He will command too much after next year to give away top prospects.

I would love for them to explore a Stanton deal. If it was just about any other organization I would say no chance, but it is the Marlins, who don't have the best track record of making great deals. We need an impact bat and I wonder if a Taveras, Craig or Adams (preferably Craig) and Jay package would do it. I know Oscar is the blue chip of our entire farm system, but Stanton is just 2 years older and just hitting his prime. Getting rid of Craig and Jay frees up the log jam for our other young outfield prospects. We get better defense and add power to the middle of our order. We would probably need to add a young arm, but I would not include Miller, Lynn or Martinez (Kelly or Gonzalez maybe).

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by VAChief

I'm not sure who would take him now. I know they are scouting Price, but it better be a swap of Kelly or lower. He will command too much after next year to give away top prospects.

I would love for them to explore a Stanton deal. If it was just about any other organization I would say no chance, but it is the Marlins, who don't have the best track record of making great deals. We need an impact bat and I wonder if a Taveras, Craig or Adams (preferably Craig) and Jay package would do it. I know Oscar is the blue chip of our entire farm system, but Stanton is just 2 years older and just hitting his prime. Getting rid of Craig and Jay frees up the log jam for our other young outfield prospects. We get better defense and add power to the middle of our order. We would probably need to add a young arm, but I would not include Miller, Lynn or Martinez (Kelly or Gonzalez maybe).

Yeah, you couldn't get a single "A" player for him now. He's done. Stick a fork in him done.

Originally Posted by VAChief

I would love for them to explore a Stanton deal. If it was just about any other organization I would say no chance, but it is the Marlins, who don't have the best track record of making great deals. We need an impact bat and I wonder if a Taveras, Craig or Adams (preferably Craig) and Jay package would do it.

They are going to want Taveras and a top pitching prospect. At least until the deadline gets closer.

We have plenty of OF's. I like trading OF's instead of pitching but I think clubs are going to want pitching in return.

[O.city]

Craig and Holliday need to go, Holliday can't though.

[kcpasco]

I think it's official that Jay has beaten Borjous for the starting CF position.

[kcpasco]

Originally Posted by O.city

Craig and Holliday need to go, Holliday can't though.

Craig is usually a reliable hitter. I think I will give him a pass on 1 horrible 1/2 season.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by kcpasco

Craig is usually a reliable hitter. I think I will give him a pass on 1 horrible 1/2 season.

Given his age, contract, lack of a position, and injury history, if they can move him, they should.


Especially with taveras ready to go.

[kcpasco]

Originally Posted by O.city

Given his age, contract, lack of a position, and injury history, if they can move him, they should.


Especially with taveras ready to go.

With the way Adams has been swinging the bat it does make it an interesting decision. But I want to know if Adams truly is the real thing before I trade Craig.
Adams is a much better defensive first baseman also.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by kcpasco

With the way Adams has been swinging the bat it does make it an interesting decision. But I want to know if Adams truly is the real thing before I trade Craig.
Adams is a much better defensive first baseman also.

Adams has hit at every level though.

With Craig's lack of power now and overall lack of hitting prowess, he doesn't bring much to the table.