Top 10 Reasons to be Optimistic…

Spring Training games are finally underway…what better way to start the Baseball Blogging Season than by injecting a little flamboyant hope into the denizens of Cardinals Nation? So…here they are…the Cards ‘N Stuff “Top 10 Reasons to be Optimistic” about your 2009 St. Louis Cardinals.

(I considered going in order of least to greatest…but the OCD in me doesn’t like having the number 10 on top…too top-heavy. So deal…)

1.  Chris Carpenter   I’ve heard some chatter about the Cardinals counting too much on Carpenter’s health. I disagree – strongly. The Cardinals can’t go out and sign anyone capable of filling a mid-rotation spot just to watch him sit on the bench if Carp is healthy. And if he’s not healthy? K-Mac, anyone? And if someone else goes down? Well…that’s why we have Thompson, Boggs, etc. Don’t worry…we’ll make it through. For now, just revel in the glorious anticipation of watching a healthy Chris Carpenter flingin’ it old style from the mound.

2.  Adam Wainwright   The Wagon Maker makes the rotation go ’round. Waino is now the heart of this pitching staff – dependable, healthy, and capable. The guy knows how to compete, and despite his fluke finger injury last year, you can count on him to run out their every fifth day. He’s a pitcher any team - any team – would love to have right now.  The mere presence of a pitcher of his caliber is reason enough to be optimistic.

3.  Our Starting Rotation   Okay…I know it’s kind of cheating to use Carp and Waino as 1 and 2 and then make the overall rotation number 3…but it’s warranted. Think about it – Carp and Waino are self-explanatory…but the rest of our rotation looks like this:  Lohse, Wellemeyer, and Pin-head (I refuse to call him anything else until he pulls his head out of his posterior). In ‘08, Lohse should have been an All-Star (’nuff said). Wellemeyer won a Pitcher of the Month award and was one of the best in baseball when he was healthy. And Pin-head? Well…I really think he’ll be better than last year…but even if he’s not, Tony won’t let him flounder there. He’ll make a move fairly soon. J.P is on a very short leash. Overall, our rotation certainly makes me optimistic.

4.  Kahlil Greene   A significant upgrade to the lineup at SS, Greene has the potential to be a huge hit (pardon the pun) this year. Expect him to hit closer to his 27 homer season than his dismal 10 homer performance of last year. Sure, he won’t be a .300 hitter, but he’s going to fill a large hole in the order.

5.  Not-So-Holey Lineup   Again…cheating. With the addition of Greene at SS and the departure of Kennedy at second, we have the potential to conceivably fill every hole in our lineup this season. Schumaker has a very real shot to stick at second base, and that improves this lineup in more ways than one. First, Skip upgrades our second-base position by about 20 BA points and 7 home runs. Second, by fitting Skip into the lineup at second, we get to upgrade his previously held starting outfield spot with either a power upgrade (Duncan) or 5-tool player upgrade (Rasmus). Third, simply by moving Skip to second, we’ve not only upgraded an outfield spot AND a 2B spot – we’ve upgraded the bench. By not being forced to add a so-so hitting second baseman to our lineup, we get to add a clear offensive threat in Mather/Rasmus/Duncan/Unknown to our roster. Our bench can go back to being an asset as opposed to a liability – like in 2004. That’s right…I just compared this lineup to the 2004 offensive powerhouse. Think about it…put a lineup together that includes Skip at second base and hitting in the lead-off spot. Where’s the hole? That was the one thing that was so effective about our ‘04 lineup – there was no hole in the order.

6.  3rd Base Depth   This is something we lacked last season. When Glaus couldn’t go…we might as well put a sheet of plywood up next to the third base bag and take an automatic out at the plate. Now, however, not only do we have Freese, Mather, and one or two other viable options, but we even have the ability to spell Glaus every once in a while to keep him strong. I think he got winded last year and had a few stretches where he was either just worn out or just a bit outta whack. Without a viable backup, he couldn’t really take a day off. This year is different. Having a good backup will make Glaus and the team better.

7.  No Sheets/Sabathia   Last season, I could’ve thrown my head against a brick wall more than once at the prospect of facing a rotation like the Brewers in a short series. This year, we have the upper hand. With Carp, Waino, Lohse, and Wellemeyer facing a Sheets/Sabathia-less Brew-Crew…I gotta’ say I feel good about our chances in the division.

8.  Albert’s Elbow   While he didn’t have the major surgery we all fear, he did have a minor surgery to hopefully relieve some of the pain he’s decided to play through. He should be even more impactful to the lineup this year than he was last year…especially since the guys behind him are a bit more established in the eyes of MLB pitchers.

9.  One More Year   Last year, we all wondered how Ank would hold up serving a full season in an MLB outfield; we had no clue what Luddy was capable of doing; and Dunc was a non-factor at the plate and a distracting topic in the fan base. THIS year, however, things are different. Ank is healthy and ready to build on the success he had last season. Dunc is healthy for the first time in two years and ready to reclaim the raw power we all know he has stowed away in that large frame. And Luddy…he’s finally put it all together as an everyday player…the first quality everyday player we’ve had in right field since Larry Walker (who had to be spelled here and there due to age and wear and tear). What a difference a year makes…

10.  They’re STILL the Cubs   ‘Nuff said.

GO CARDS!!!

Reader Mail!

Greetings! Spring Training is off and running, meaning-less yet all-too-anticipated games are just around the corner, and Skip Schumaker is trying his hand at second base.

What’ll they think of next?

First…an apology. I’ve been absent from the site for some time, and that’s not fair to you, my loyal readers. I could go on and on about how I’ve had a deadline at work, a baby on the way, a novel in progress, and school in full swing…but I won’t bore you with that stuff…but I will say that I tend to shy away from much of the hullabaloo surrounding Spring Training-timed rumors and stories. I hate getting all worked up for nothing. Look for Cards ‘N Stuff to REALLY get going once the season starts.

But…in the meantime…we’ve got mail! In a Cards ‘N Stuff first, we’re going to take just a moment and answer some Reader Mail. So, grab yourself a hot cup’a joe, turn down the TV, and settle in while Cards ‘N Stuff explores Chris’ questions regarding the direction of Cards’ ownership, fanbase, and economic prosperity – or lack thereof…

From Chris…

Obviously, there’s been much discussion this offseason about the front office and what appears to most as a less than 100% dedication to winning. There’s also been quite a lot of talk of boycotting the home games to show Dewitt and Co. that Cardinal fans are not to be taken for granted.

I’m not going to say this is the correct or incorrect action for fans to take, because I’m not sure. What I’m wondering is: At what point does this become some sort of ouroboros or self-fulfilling prophecy?

Ownership states that the economy has taken a downturn. It expects less attendance this year, and therefore cannot justify spending money on players.

The fans state that unless ownership spends money on players, they will boycott.

Next season rolls around, and ownership states attendance has been low and they do not have the money to spend on players.

Repeat ad nauseum Pirates

To be clear: I’m not stating anything. Rather, I’m inquiring as to your thoughts on the situation.

Well, well, well…Chris…I hear ya’, brother…at least…I think I do. Lemme’ go at it this way:

Last season, Cardinals front office personnel stated they would be “aggressive” in the offseason and directly address the gaping holes in the team’s middle infield, closer role, and lefty-lacking bullpen. The common refrain, “Wait’ll next year!” was heard all over Cardinals Nation. And then…disaster.

The economy goes in the crapper…baseball teams and organizations all over MLB are cutting back and cutting costs in an attempt to build some sort of buffer against the economic hardships ahead…big name free agents like Manny Ramirez flounder in “I-wanna-big-contract” land…and the St. Louis Cardinals announce, “Well…we might not have as much money as we thought we would.”

Fans revolt.

Let’s take a moment here and review the actions of the Cardinals up to that point. Sign Kyle Lohse to what is now being looked at as a slightly extravigant deal considering the economic climate (and we signed him fast, by the way). Traded almost nothing away to get Kahlil Greene (who is, despite last season and what most want to believe, a shortstop who has one of the biggest upsides of any SS out there – especially among the “available” ones). And made one helluva run at Brian Fuentes (the guy just didn’t want to play here if LA was on the other line).

We’re not doin’ bad, guys.

Let’s take a look at our team right now:

Outfield – STACKED!  Infield – Pujols, Greene, Glaus/Freese/Wallace/et al, Free-for-all-at-2B-with-more-than-one-VERY-tantalizing-options. Catcher - ‘Nuff Said. Rotation – Carp/Waino/Lohse/Wellemeyer/Pin-head (oops). Bullpen – ‘meh…we’ll see.

Where do you improve the team? Really. An impact bat in the outfield? Who? Why? At least 3 of our outfielders have 40 home-run potential and some mad skillz in other areas…and our other outfielders ain’t exactly bad. With Raz, Mather, Daryl Jones, etc. emerging…we just don’t have the room in the outfield to add a bat.

The infield? How? With the 3B prospects we have, there is no reason to add a third baseman when you have Glaus on the team already. SS? Greene is going to play closer to his 27 home run season than last season’s dismal numbers…count on it. Sure, he won’t be 27 homers again, but considering what’s out there, we really have no reason to search elsewhere. Second base? Okay…sure…but lemme’ tell ya’ somethin’, guys…20 points on a batting average at second base is NOT going to win this team the division. It’s just not. So let’s just cool it with all the hoopla over finding a viable second baseman. I like the idea of Skip working out at second…and we have a few other viable options there in our bag’o'prospects. Let’s see how it plays out. There’s not exactly a lot out there.

Okay…pitching. First of all…if our current rotation holds true, we need no one else. We have 2 ace-quality pitcher, one who should have been on the all-star team last year, another who was one of the best in 08 when he was healthy…and Pin-head (but he’s our fifth starter! he does NOT define the rotation). You want anymore than that, and you’re just being greedy. And if one goes down, you have K-Mac (who I would LOVE to see in the rotation). The bullpen is another story…but bullpens are a difficult lot to predict as it is, anyway. And the closer role? Dude…despite what WE are willing to do, how many closer-potential pitchers do you think want to come to a team with a manager and pitching coach in a walk year and Perez and Motte ready to compete for the job? It ain’t gonna’ happen. You wouldn’t do it…you would go someplace else where you’re going to close games for the next couple years.

Look…all that to say, we’re not in bad shape. We have a LOT of talent on this team…and a LOT of depth in position players. This season is going to live and die by Carp…and right now, we just don’t know what we’re going to get…therefore, the front office CAN’T sign another pitcher in this economic client just to watch him sit on his multi-million dollar arse if Carp is healthy.

Anywho…to answer your questions directly, Chris…No, I don’t think it will be self-fulfilling. I watch Cardinals baseball because I LOVE the Cardinals. Sure, I get ticked off when they don’t do everything I want them to do…but that’s the nature of the biz, man. It’s baseball. If I choose not to go to a game because I’m miffed that the Cards aren’t doing what I think they should do…I’m just hurting myself. And if enough fans DID miraculously choose not to attend the games this year to actually turn a few heads in the front office with the bottom-line impact…then so what?

What are they going to do next year? Trade for a big bat? Nope. We have the talent to win. Cut players or trade them to reduce salary? Nope. That would make things worse.

No, no…I think a few fans will not attend this year due to economic hardships…and then many will claim it’s because they are “boycotting” the Cardinals. Some may actually do it…but in the long run, it won’t matter. The Cardinals would be stupid and disingenous if they let that happen.

You try to put a winning ball club on the field every year. You may disagree with how to do that…but you do it. Whether the fans attend in force this year or not, the organization is still going to make the best decisions possible as they see it. We are not the Pirates.

Long story short…we have a very competative club this year. Bill DeWitt is an idiot for being WAY too visible…and he does set a budget and try to stick to it. But he isn’t trying to cripple the team. This isn’t the movie Major League. He and the front office are trying to put a good product on the field…some fans just disagree with how they’re doing it. So what?

Unfortunately for DeWitt and Co….their method takes time to produce (farm system) where Jocketty had the luxory of raping the farm system and then hoppin’ a train outta’ town while we picked up the pieces. Walt Jocketty and his “sign a veteran” mentality are martyrs in this town. It’s time to let it go.

In this economic and baseball climate, the farm system is the right way to build a team. And if we weren’t all up in arms about missin’ the playoffs while we transition in some young blood…we would be yelling, screaming the same thing at the Yankees as they drop the kind of bucks we’re beggin’ for this year.

I think it’s high time Cardinals fans show a little integrity. If you hate the Yankees for buying a team five years ago…then you have to hate them for doing it now, too…and stop jumping down the Cardinals’ front office’s throat when they try to do it the “right way”…with a farm system.

Okay…whew…that was a LOT! Anywho…

GO CARDS!!!