Major cardinal overhaul for 2006 season?

[mjohnson71]

I was wondering how different the Cardinals will be in 2006. Based upon my posting about Ray King wanting out of St. Louis, (http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=25950) it got me thinking of the Cards looking very different when they open their new park.

 

Ray King: gone. Unhappy and complaining. Tony doesn't like boat rockers so hell be shipped out of town.

Julian Taverez: gone. Too goofy for the business like Cards and a free agent I think

Matt Morris: gone. Free agent so someone will overpay for him.

Larry Walker: retired.

Reggie Sanders: free agent.

Mark Grudzielanek: free agent.

 

Cards fans: who else will be gone?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Grudzielanek will be back. I'm not sure about King and Tavarez.

[gus_dog]

Just my own observation, but the Cardinals without Rolen in there are much less imposing. Walker needs to retire (and I think he will), Edmonds seems to be slipping a bit (offencively), and so teams can pitch around Pujols to a higher degree.

 

I don't think career minor-leaguer 'J-Rod' is your answer. IMO, they need an offencive impact player in the outfield to protect Pujols in the batting order. A Willie McGee-type of guy - speed, power, defence, and hits for average.

 

They might lose Morris, but otherwise their starters are fine. Their bullpen will need some help.

 

They will still be a very good team for awhile.

[mjohnson71]

Just my own observation, but the Cardinals without Rolen in there are much less imposing. Walker needs to retire (and I think he will), Edmonds seems to be slipping a bit (offencively), and so teams can pitch around Pujols to a higher degree.

 

I don't think career minor-leaguer 'J-Rod' is your answer. IMO, they need an offencive impact player in the outfield to protect Pujols in the batting order. A Willie McGee-type of guy - speed, power, defence, and hits for average.

 

They might lose Morris, but otherwise their starters are fine. Their bullpen will need some help.

 

They will still be a very good team for awhile.

 

Walker has retired. He had a press conference after the game announcing it.

[gus_dog]

Walker has retired. He had a press conference after the game announcing it.

 

That was fast....I heard he discussed it earlier in the season, and it sounded like he would.

[dalgreen]

Just my own observation, but the Cardinals without Rolen in there are much less imposing. Walker needs to retire (and I think he will), Edmonds seems to be slipping a bit (offencively), and so teams can pitch around Pujols to a higher degree.

 

I don't think career minor-leaguer 'J-Rod' is your answer. IMO, they need an offencive impact player in the outfield to protect Pujols in the batting order. A Willie McGee-type of guy - speed, power, defence, and hits for average.

 

They might lose Morris, but otherwise their starters are fine. Their bullpen will need some help.

 

They will still be a very good team for awhile.

 

Willie McGee had power? :-s

[dalgreen]

I was wondering how different the Cardinals will be in 2006. Based upon my posting about Ray King wanting out of St. Louis, (http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=25950) it got me thinking of the Cards looking very different when they open their new park.

 

Ray King: gone. Unhappy and complaining. Tony doesn't like boat rockers so hell be shipped out of town.

Julian Taverez: gone. Too goofy for the business like Cards and a free agent I think

Matt Morris: gone. Free agent so someone will overpay for him.

Larry Walker: retired.

Reggie Sanders: free agent.

Mark Grudzielanek: free agent.

 

Cards fans: who else will be gone?

 

Suppan may be gone, as well. I'm sure Jocketty will trade some no-namer or low-impact player and get an All-Star in return.

[CuseCubFan69]

Just my own observation, but the Cardinals without Rolen in there are much less imposing. Walker needs to retire (and I think he will), Edmonds seems to be slipping a bit (offencively), and so teams can pitch around Pujols to a higher degree.

 

I don't think career minor-leaguer 'J-Rod' is your answer. IMO, they need an offencive impact player in the outfield to protect Pujols in the batting order. A Willie McGee-type of guy - speed, power, defence, and hits for average.

 

They might lose Morris, but otherwise their starters are fine. Their bullpen will need some help.

 

They will still be a very good team for awhile.

 

Walker has retired. He had a press conference after the game announcing it.

 

It's too bad that such a good player had to be injured at a time like this in his career. I know he was hurt a lot but this was a tough one.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

[dalgreen]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

 

I'm not sure if Sanders and Edmonds will start in the outfield next season. I can see one of them, but not both.

 

I heard Reyes may be back by August next year. Evidently, his prognosis was better than what they initially thought it would be after surgery.

 

I still say the Cardinals need another big time starter. The Astros had a big advantage in starting pitching because there's little to no drop-off between Pettite, Oswalt and Clemens. But for the Cardinals, it's Carpenter and then a big drop off after that. Mulder absolutely looked clueless last night. He covered first base late, threw wild pitches (Molina should have been charged a passed ball on one), and he didn't know which base to throw to on the sac bunt. Mulder just looked shaky.

[gus_dog]

Just my own observation, but the Cardinals without Rolen in there are much less imposing. Walker needs to retire (and I think he will), Edmonds seems to be slipping a bit (offencively), and so teams can pitch around Pujols to a higher degree.

 

I don't think career minor-leaguer 'J-Rod' is your answer. IMO, they need an offencive impact player in the outfield to protect Pujols in the batting order. A Willie McGee-type of guy - speed, power, defence, and hits for average.

 

They might lose Morris, but otherwise their starters are fine. Their bullpen will need some help.

 

They will still be a very good team for awhile.

 

Willie McGee had power? :-s

 

OK, maybe ya got me there. I sure thought I remembered him getting alot of doubles/triples, but he only averaged about 29 XBH's per year. Not great power, average power, I guess...

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

 

I'm not sure if Sanders and Edmonds will start in the outfield next season. I can see one of them, but not both.

 

I heard Reyes may be back by August next year. Evidently, his prognosis was better than what they initially thought it would be after surgery.

 

I still say the Cardinals need another big time starter. The Astros had a big advantage in starting pitching because there's little to no drop-off between Pettite, Oswalt and Clemens. But for the Cardinals, it's Carpenter and then a big drop off after that. Mulder absolutely looked clueless last night. He covered first base late, threw wild pitches (Molina should have been charged a passed ball on one), and he didn't know which base to throw to on the sac bunt. Mulder just looked shaky.

 

Edmonds is a lock to be back next year.

 

I agree the Cards could use another big time arm but I just don't see the cards finding another "shut down" pitcher out there. Anyway really the Cards offense was a bigger problem in the post season then the pitching.

[dalgreen]

Just my own observation, but the Cardinals without Rolen in there are much less imposing. Walker needs to retire (and I think he will), Edmonds seems to be slipping a bit (offencively), and so teams can pitch around Pujols to a higher degree.

 

I don't think career minor-leaguer 'J-Rod' is your answer. IMO, they need an offencive impact player in the outfield to protect Pujols in the batting order. A Willie McGee-type of guy - speed, power, defence, and hits for average.

 

They might lose Morris, but otherwise their starters are fine. Their bullpen will need some help.

 

They will still be a very good team for awhile.

 

Willie McGee had power? :-s

 

OK, maybe ya got me there. I sure thought I remembered him getting alot of doubles/triples, but he only averaged about 29 XBH's per year. Not great power, average power, I guess...

 

He didn't have power. His doubles and triples were pretty much regular style extra base hits. Remember, when he played the power alleys at Busch were 386 and it was 414 to center, and they played on astroturf. A lot of his extra base hits at Busch were liners in the gap that would take off on the turf and go to the wall. With his speed it wasn't hard to get three baggers.

[dalgreen]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

 

I'm not sure if Sanders and Edmonds will start in the outfield next season. I can see one of them, but not both.

 

I heard Reyes may be back by August next year. Evidently, his prognosis was better than what they initially thought it would be after surgery.

 

I still say the Cardinals need another big time starter. The Astros had a big advantage in starting pitching because there's little to no drop-off between Pettite, Oswalt and Clemens. But for the Cardinals, it's Carpenter and then a big drop off after that. Mulder absolutely looked clueless last night. He covered first base late, threw wild pitches (Molina should have been charged a passed ball on one), and he didn't know which base to throw to on the sac bunt. Mulder just looked shaky.

 

Edmonds is a lock to be back next year.

 

I agree the Cards could use another big time arm but I just don't see the cards finding another "shut down" pitcher out there. Anyway really the Cards offense was a bigger problem in the post season then the pitching.

 

I think you could make a strong case that the Astros pitching is what caused the Cardinal offense to be a problem.

[K-Town]

I have a hunch that signing Brian Giles is going to be top priority. He seems to fit the mold of mid-30's outfielder that the Cards have pursued in the recent past. I realize that other teams (Cubs?) will also have alot of interest, but I'm hoping that Jocketty can spin his magic. I'd like to see Reggie back, just because he's such a solid influence in the clubhouse. Taguchi isn't the worst 5th outfielder in the world, either.

 

A healthy Rolen is a must. The lineup obviously isn't the same without him. Add Rolen and Giles to the current lineup, and it looks a whole lot more imposing.

 

Re-sign Grudz at a reasonable price. He's no All-Star, but his bat was solid, and his defense was actually very good, in my opinion. He and Eck seemed to find a pretty good groove. That would allow Nunez (if he stays) and Luna to provide infield depth.

 

Rotation:

Carp

Mulder

Suppan

Reyes

Marquis or Free Agent (in which case Marquis becomes trade bait).

 

Bye bye Matt Morris. Thanks for the effort.

 

Major overhaul of the bullpen. Brad Thompson, Izzy, and Flores are probably sure-things. Wainwright? Possibly. Tavarez is too goofy..... I won't be disappointed if he's gone. Tyler Johnson could be something special as a LOOGY (along the lines of Sisco), but he needs to prove himself.

 

 

Jocketty doesn't have NEARLY as much work to do this winter as last. In my opinion, last winter he had his hands full, just to keep the Cards competetive. This winter, I think that the right tweaking could make the team scary-good.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I think you could make a strong case that the Astros pitching is what caused the Cardinal offense to be a problem.

 

I think it was both - good pitching and subpar hitting

[CubinNY]

Major overhaul

 

-TLR will go to "the hair club for men" and come back with a pompadore causing all mullett wearing Card fans to change their hair style.

 

-Duncan and LaRussa will hold a "commentment" serimony with their pet Poodles serving as best man and brides made.

 

-Jimmy Edmonds will also come out of the closet and profess his love for Big Z. He will request a trade to the Cubs but it will be rejected, at which time he will be delt to the SF Giants for Marquis Grissim.

 

-Rick Ankeil will come out of nowhere replacing Walker and win the batting title.

 

-The Cards will sign the kid who pitched for the Cubs in that stupid movie and he will win 20 games.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

 

3/39 will not get it done with Giles.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

 

3/39 will not get it done with Giles.

 

 

Most likely not - it was more wishful thinking. Not to hijack the thread but has there been anything in the news about what Giles expects? I haven't seen anything.

[dalgreen]

I have a hunch that signing Brian Giles is going to be top priority. He seems to fit the mold of mid-30's outfielder that the Cards have pursued in the recent past. I realize that other teams (Cubs?) will also have alot of interest, but I'm hoping that Jocketty can spin his magic. I'd like to see Reggie back, just because he's such a solid influence in the clubhouse. Taguchi isn't the worst 5th outfielder in the world, either.

 

A healthy Rolen is a must. The lineup obviously isn't the same without him. Add Rolen and Giles to the current lineup, and it looks a whole lot more imposing.

 

Re-sign Grudz at a reasonable price. He's no All-Star, but his bat was solid, and his defense was actually very good, in my opinion. He and Eck seemed to find a pretty good groove. That would allow Nunez (if he stays) and Luna to provide infield depth.

 

Rotation:

Carp

Mulder

Suppan

Reyes

Marquis or Free Agent (in which case Marquis becomes trade bait).

 

Bye bye Matt Morris. Thanks for the effort.

 

Major overhaul of the bullpen. Brad Thompson, Izzy, and Flores are probably sure-things. Wainwright? Possibly. Tavarez is too goofy..... I won't be disappointed if he's gone. Tyler Johnson could be something special as a LOOGY (along the lines of Sisco), but he needs to prove himself.

 

 

Jocketty doesn't have NEARLY as much work to do this winter as last. In my opinion, last winter he had his hands full, just to keep the Cards competetive. This winter, I think that the right tweaking could make the team scary-good.

 

Just curious about Suppan. Isn't his contract up? Or at least a rather large team or player option? I seem to recall one or the other.

[K-Town]

I think Reggie will be back for one more year. We'll resign Gruz.

 

Morris is gone, but we'll replace him by finding an aging arm that we'll turn around.

 

 

Oh and we'll sign Giles for 3\39* 8)

 

 

 

*

 

3/39 will not get it done with Giles.

 

Considering he's 35 years old, I think it will easily get it done. I could be wrong.

 

Heck, the best player in baseball (Pujols) only makes 14.2 mil per year. You think Giles is worth that kind of money?

[K-Town]

I have a hunch that signing Brian Giles is going to be top priority. He seems to fit the mold of mid-30's outfielder that the Cards have pursued in the recent past. I realize that other teams (Cubs?) will also have alot of interest, but I'm hoping that Jocketty can spin his magic. I'd like to see Reggie back, just because he's such a solid influence in the clubhouse. Taguchi isn't the worst 5th outfielder in the world, either.

 

A healthy Rolen is a must. The lineup obviously isn't the same without him. Add Rolen and Giles to the current lineup, and it looks a whole lot more imposing.

 

Re-sign Grudz at a reasonable price. He's no All-Star, but his bat was solid, and his defense was actually very good, in my opinion. He and Eck seemed to find a pretty good groove. That would allow Nunez (if he stays) and Luna to provide infield depth.

 

Rotation:

Carp

Mulder

Suppan

Reyes

Marquis or Free Agent (in which case Marquis becomes trade bait).

 

Bye bye Matt Morris. Thanks for the effort.

 

Major overhaul of the bullpen. Brad Thompson, Izzy, and Flores are probably sure-things. Wainwright? Possibly. Tavarez is too goofy..... I won't be disappointed if he's gone. Tyler Johnson could be something special as a LOOGY (along the lines of Sisco), but he needs to prove himself.

 

 

Jocketty doesn't have NEARLY as much work to do this winter as last. In my opinion, last winter he had his hands full, just to keep the Cards competetive. This winter, I think that the right tweaking could make the team scary-good.

 

Just curious about Suppan. Isn't his contract up? Or at least a rather large team or player option? I seem to recall one or the other.

 

$4 mil club option for 2006 (same as he made in 2005).

 

He's easily worth that, in my opinion. Heck, he had a 2.78 ERA in his 14 starts after the All-Star break.

[ManEatingTarp]

The top 2 guys I would like to see the Cards sign, and I'm being realistic.

 

Brian Giles and Scott Eyre

They're going to need an impact bat in right field, and a lefty to go with Reyes.

I think Sanders and Grudz will be back, but you never know at this time of year.

 

Last night stung, but not as bad as last year. I pretty much believe that you have to be the Wildcard team to win the WS anymore...

[K-Town]

The top 2 guys I would like to see the Cards sign, and I'm being realistic.

 

Brian Giles and Scott Eyre

They're going to need an impact bat in right field, and a lefty to go with Reyes.

I think Sanders and Grudz will be back, but you never know at this time of year.

 

Last night stung, but not as bad as last year. I pretty much believe that you have to be the Wildcard team to win the WS anymore...

 

I agree....... last night wasn't nearly as painful as I had imagined. Maybe we're becoming immune, like Braves' fans?

 

I think you mean a lefty to go with Flores, not Reyes. I'm wondering if Tyler Johnson could be the second lefty in the pen. He's almost unhittable as a lefty when he can find the plate. He was REALLY good the 2nd half of the year at Memphis, and he's still only 24 years old.

[ManEatingTarp]

The top 2 guys I would like to see the Cards sign, and I'm being realistic.

 

Brian Giles and Scott Eyre

They're going to need an impact bat in right field, and a lefty to go with Reyes.

I think Sanders and Grudz will be back, but you never know at this time of year.

 

Last night stung, but not as bad as last year. I pretty much believe that you have to be the Wildcard team to win the WS anymore...

 

I agree....... last night wasn't nearly as painful as I had imagined. Maybe we're becoming immune, like Braves' fans?

 

I think you mean a lefty to go with Flores, not Reyes. I'm wondering if Tyler Johnson could be the second lefty in the pen. He's almost unhittable as a lefty when he can find the plate. He was REALLY good the 2nd half of the year at Memphis, and he's still only 24 years old.

 

 

I'm hoping Reyes is back in August.

 

After the butt whooping they took in the Series last year, this year was easier to take. I think my heart is a little scarred over from last year. That, and I still have the Sox to root for.

 

well, looks like it's time to change my sig...[/i]