Joe Strauss at it Again…

No surprise here.

Joe Strauss – Post Dispatch reporter and long-time critic of the Skip-at-2B experiment – has followed his article all but denouncing Schumaker’s attempt to convert from the outfield to the infield with a glowing assessment of Joe Thurston’s play at second base.

Really? This is just getting embarrassingly obvious, now.

Thurston turned in a 3 for 4 performance on Thursday (Thurston/Thursday…?) in a rare opportunity to start at 2B ahead of Skip Schumaker. TLR says the break for Schu (who hit DH and went 0 for 3) was more mental than it was a physical necessity. The grind of putting up with the pressures of making a conversion in the public eye and at this level appear to be weighing him down a bit. A break is warranted.

Perhaps Struass should take the advice.

Joe has made no secret of his disbelief in the Skip-at-2B (Skip@2B…?) experiment. When the team decided to give it a shot – perhaps validating some fans’ opinions that it was worth a try – Joe could not have been happy. His pride was hurt, and he was embarrassed. After all…as a sports-writer for the PD, isn’t he supposed to know more than all of us combined?

Again…to repeat myself…I like Strauss. I just call ‘foul’ on this one issue.

Thurston was 3 for 4 Thursday…true (one of which was a drag bunt)…and he was 4 for 22 leading up to that performance. His Spring Training batting average sits at .269 with an OBP of .321. Keep in mind…as a late-in substitute, most of his numbers prior to Thursday came against a sampling of relief, second-tier, and/or minor league pitchers. Skip, however, posted his numbers (.303 BA, .361 OBP – including his 0 for 3 day) while starting in most games against starting pitchers and MLB ready hurlers.

Now…to the best of my knowledge, no one (including Strauss) is claiming Thurston is a better hitter than Skip. The argument, instead, is that Thurston is a better second baseman…which is true…but jumping on Thurston’s 3 for 4 performance as an argument for Schu in the OF rather than 2B is a little disingenuous.

The 2009 St. Louis Cardinals are a better offensive lineup with Skip at second…let’s not forget that. Thurston may do a great job in the field for us this year – assuming he makes the team – but let’s not pretend he’s going to offensively upgrade this team.

If Skip can’t make it at second base…this lineup is clearly worse-off. Thurston at second base would be an example of the Cardinals settling for the second best option. No doubt about it. Skip at second is clearly the desired choice. It may not happen, but let’s not turn a blind eye to what Strauss is doing in the media because Skip is struggling.

Joe Strauss has stated he doesn’t want Skip to fail at second. He says claims about his desire to see Skip falter are untrue. I believe that. Joe does NOT want Skip to fail in his conversion attempt. Joe is a good guy and is better than that.

But Joe also doesn’t want to be wrong. He really likes to be right. That causes a problem.

Skip sticks at second, and Joe was wrong in his assessment and aggressive dismissal of the notion. Skip fails to stick, and Joe is vindicated.

When it comes down to it, Joe is a good guy…but he’s only human. Right now, his wounded pride is winning.

Go Cards…

Skip Schumaker…Should He Stay?

Look...no one thought this was going to be easy.

When the idea of Skip Schumaker at second base was flung about by fans last season, all the media types jumped down their throats - in a manner of speaking. Everyone who was anyone in the press told all comers there was virtually no way the Cardinals would try Skip Schumaker out at second base.

Don't they have enough options there without converting an outfielder? Hasn't it been forever and a day since Skip played the infield? And never in professional ball? "No, no," they said..."Skip at second will never happen."And then it did.

When the big league club announced they would try Schu at middle infield, even Skip was surprised (he, of course, had just laughed off the notion himself a matter of days before). And suddenly...all the press darlings were on his side, rooting for the would-be second baseman.

One very visible Cardinals reporter has consistently listed Skip on his Opening Day roster projections as a second baseman. Others have noted his work ethic and track record of unexpected success. But there is one...a lone reporter...who has clearly had a hard time swallowing the whole Skip-at-2B experiment.

Joe Strauss.

Strauss is an excellent reporter who writes wonderful stories for the Post Dispatch. I love his wit, his thorough reports, and his blunt-yet-flamboyant character with the fans. But on this...I think he's struggling a bit.

Joe was one of the most aggressive press types in his attack of the Skip-at-2nd idea from fans. He addressed it at nearly every turn, time and time again choosing to answer questions in his pseudo-weekly chats with fans regarding Skip in the infield. And then the Cardinals went and tried it out...and Joe was embarrassed.

Making his way as a sure-footed, confident reporter willing to offer opinion-based commentary on the Cardinals, Joe was left hanging in the wind, encouraged to swallow his pride and admit Skip-at-2B was a possibility. A tough one...sure...but a very real one.

He didn't like it.

Now, I'm not saying Joe's out for vindication or revenge...but I am saying it stirs the cynic within me that he is the one so aggressively seeking out doubts about Skip's performance at second. He tried to goad TLR into a negative comment, he led Wellemeyer down the Skip-bashing road, and he took it upon himself to go on Bernie Miklasz's radio show and all-but proclaim the Skip-at-2B experiment an utter failure and near the end.

I like Joe...but this smells of pride.

Skip is going to have a lot of difficulty making this switch...and...honestly...the chances of it succeeding are probably closer to 50%, now. But let's cut the kid a break. Skip's problem isn't ability, work eithic, or desire...it's nerves. When he thinks, he screws up. He has no muscle memory, no infield instincts to draw upon. He needs time to build that...and if he's given the time, he will.

The question is...will he be given that time?

He needs reps...lots and lots of reps. Look...we know what Ryan can do at second - let him hit DH to get his ABs in and leave it at that. He'll be ready by Opening Day. Same with Barden - he's just good, period. Thurston? Big deal. Over-hyped coming into camp with what we already have in place. I'm not impressed.

Let Skip play it out for a bit longer and really get a shot to shut his brain down and develop some instincts...and maybe claim the second base job. I mean...hell...he can't be much worse than Uggla, can he?

And, yes, I understand the whole "ground ball pitching philosophy" risk...but come on. Second base is one position on what will be a strong infield, even with Mather at 3rd for a month. The double-play problem? That's real...but it can be overcome. He just needs time and work.

But it's worth it.

Here's the reality...we have too many outfielders. Dunc is back and healthy and he will demand a spot with his performance this year. If we stick Skip in at leadoff, he takes away a power outfield bat and creates a hole in the lineup at second base. I don't care who takes Skip's spot in the infield, it WILL be an offensive downgrade.

Skip at second is worth a shot. It makes the entire lineup better. It eliminates a hole in the order and upgrades an outfield bat (previously his) from a contact hitter to a doubles and power hitter.

Skip at second should continue...at least for a while.

And Strauss and the other doubters armed with a public forum to wield as they and their wounded pride see fit?

Just back off.

Go Cards...

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!!!