vance_the_cubs_fan

I think his 900+ OPS matters a whole lot more.

If Bowden really twisted our arms, I'd even part with Macias. I don't know. Macias has been one of our best pinch hitters lately. Fred, can you back me up with the numbers?

If he posted someone else's article, he should read this.

Sorry guys, can't reach my source. I'll keep trying. And Dunn has played some first, yes.

The Astros likely would put Dunn at first. I have a source in Houston; I'll see what I can find out.

In the AAA all-star game, Gerald Laird just hit a grand slam.

I would readily do Patterson for Wilkerson. I'd even throw in Leicester or Welly to get it done. Wilkerson would fit nicely into our line-up.

thanks, i needed a good laugh \ Yeah, I didn't know if I should respond with a laugh or the eye-rolling smiley.

There's been more Woo-Woo sightings than there are of Elvis!

I assume than that Wagner does not have a no trade clause. I think Walt will be willing to move Wainwright or Reyes for the right deal. If he thinks Wagner is the main need I could see a trade involving one of these two prospects. Likewise, I could imagine Walt working a deal with one of the pitching prospects for a good hitting outfielder to platoon and take over next year. Either way, I don't think Walt is at a point that he has to jump at the first offer because the team does not have any glaring weaknesses at this time. You are correct in that the team doesn't have any weaknesses that need to be fixed in order for them to make the post season. The Cardinals, sans a collapse of epic proportions, will be in the playoffs. What Jocketty has to ask himself now, is what weaknesses this team will have in a short series and how can those be remedied and if it is worth the cost. It's different than teams trying to make a deal to get to postseason. The cost-benefit analysis is much more critical in this instance. B-I-N-G-O was his name-o In a short series, what would be of the most benefit to the Cards? Improved Pen? Another Frontline Starter? Impact OF? A 4th OF? Personally, I believe a front line starter would be more valuable. The offense is fine. It may have a hole here or there, but it should be able to score. Bullpen would be number two, but only if it was for a guy I knew would be a shut-down kind of pitcher. Impact OF would be number three. Saying that, however, some cost analysis would come into play. How much would the front-line starter cost opposed to the bullpen guy or Impact OF? If the starter is going to cost more than I'd want to give, I'd move on to the other and so forth. Wagner would be nice to have in the play-offs. With him and Izzy in the pen, you're down to a seven inning game. On the other hand, if you find a starter who can shut the other team down for two games for 6-7 innings that appears to be more valuable.

I cannot speak on behalf of all the Cardinal fans, but home field to a WC team is a joke. What is the purpose of winning more games throughout the course of the season if it does not mean anything? For example, I remember a lot of Cub fans complaining that TLR might throw games in order to hurt the Cubs chances at the WC (which was unfounded). Under the current system and the Cards large lead wouldn't it be logical for TLR to rest his older players in order to maintain their health. As long as they are assured home field advantage during the NL championship, that is all he should really care about. Thus, at the end of the season the Cards could be putting out a weak lineup against WC teams in order to maintain their health and stamina. That is not a good situation to be in and could be misconstrued as throwing games. As for last year, the Red Sox already had the momentum of winning 4 straight games against their rival. Then add to that home field advantage. The momentum was clearly on their side. NOTE: In no way do I think that the Home Field advantage cost the Cardinals the WS. Well, to challenge your point just a bit...homefield in the World Series has never in my lifetime gone to the team with the best record. While I'm no fan of the "This time it counts" ASG-incentive program, prior to this season homefield for the WS rotated between the leagues. So, homefield has never really been granted on merit. And your scenario of teams resting players, particularly starting pitchers has always been a possibility based on the fact that homefield in the WS was not dependent on regular season records.

I assume than that Wagner does not have a no trade clause. I think Walt will be willing to move Wainwright or Reyes for the right deal. If he thinks Wagner is the main need I could see a trade involving one of these two prospects. Likewise, I could imagine Walt working a deal with one of the pitching prospects for a good hitting outfielder to platoon and take over next year. Either way, I don't think Walt is at a point that he has to jump at the first offer because the team does not have any glaring weaknesses at this time. You are correct in that the team doesn't have any weaknesses that need to be fixed in order for them to make the post season. The Cardinals, sans a collapse of epic proportions, will be in the playoffs. What Jocketty has to ask himself now, is what weaknesses this team will have in a short series and how can those be remedied and if it is worth the cost. It's different than teams trying to make a deal to get to postseason. The cost-benefit analysis is much more critical in this instance.

True, but Houston also replaced their manager at this time last year... :-k

My line-up when Nomar comes back? How am I supposed to know who will be on the roster in 2006?

And even when they will lose and he's down in AAA, it'll STILL be his fault! :wink: By his squandering his ability and not playing all star caliber CF for the Cubs, then he is the result of the losses we receive when he isn't here too! :x I sure hope this is sarcasm, because if this post is meant to be taken seriously I'm going to have to put on my hip boots to wade through this crap.

I would do Zambrano for ARod and probably Cabrera too. I wouldn't hesitate to trade Zambrano for Arod. Considering our hole at SS, that would be great. Not like that deal would ever happen...

I think there's plenty of blame to go around for the poor performance thus far and to place it squarely on Patterson is a bit myopic. How much blame should we reserve for Hawkins? What about other members of the pen who failed us in critical situations? How much blame will go to some of the starters who were simply horrible? How much should go to Dusty for not being willing to use Dempster at closer from the outset of the season? If you want to pass around blame, which I feel is a pretty pointless task, there's plenty to go around.

Can I add one more and get Jim Riggleman as manager?

Eric, What players did you grow up watching? Is there any particular player you have tried to model your game after?

Jeff, How are the fundraising efforts going for JDRF? Is there any way this site could help in those efforts?

No, really? I wonder what were the last words uttered by him? :-s

We still suck. I like winning, bet they can't do it again.

But this time it counts!

Why? Players signed for at least another year usually require more in a trade because the window is bigger for a payoff for losing your prospects. Mark Mulder is a good example of this. He's been average at best this year, but we'll have another year to evaluate him. On Wagner. This is the guy I've wanted all along. I think the Cards can find a younger OFer in the off season, but the addition of Wagner would be a huge boost. Besides giving backup to the closer position, it would make that bullpen one of, if not the best in baseball. It would make most games 6 inning contests. That said, Walt usually surprises at the trade deadline, so I don't think this one is going to happen. I half expect him to get an impact starter. I still fail to see how that is cheaper than I might think. 1) You have to give up decent prospects 2) If you don't sign him, those prospects are gone, and so is the player you got. Although, I guess you do get the compenstory pick from whatever team does sign him. 3) If you sign him, and he is talented (e.g. Wagner), that will cost plenty, especially with the stiff competition from teams like Boston. Of course, he could give Saint Louis the ever popular and famous 'home team discount' like all their other players do. :wink: Don't get me wrong, I think the price would be VERY high. If he were already signed to a 2 or 3 year deal, I don't think we would even be considering it. edit- meaning he probably wouldn't even be on the block (if he indeed is...) All indications are that he is on the block. I think the Phillies want to make sure they get something for him and they have grown weary of his mouth. The Phillies may act reluctant to move him in order to drive up the price. How much he'll cost will determine how greatly he is desired by the teams that are bidding. For example, if the Red Sox offerred Shoppach and Abe Alvarez would the Cardinals be willing to top that with an offer of either Reyes or Wainwright? Hawksworth, Lambert, or Pomeranz doesn't seem to be enough unless the Red Sox offer less than the Shoppach /Alvarez level.

We get to pay all of his salary minus the major league minimum. But I don't think that's what you meant.