The list is long. The Cardinals are not ... beloved. Let's go with the Nationals. I could see Washington getting really drummed up about knocking the Cardinals out. Closer to home: Pittsburgh.
Time is on their side, yes. Let's see if talent is, too.
They will consider it absolutely. Kozma is the likely beneficiary of this because he would avoid going through waivers and he'd be in the majors as the true backup shortstop. That would leave Reynolds to play the corners, Grichuk to get plenty of playing time in Class AAA and come back when an outfielder is needed at length, and then Kelly, Pham, Anna, Garcia and perhaps Scruggs would be in a pell mell for the final spot with each offering very different traits. That to me is the most fascinating part about this. They aren't similar. They all bring something different to the role. Could be a real interesting evaluation process for the Cardinals as a result.
Thanks. Glad they're working.
Workouts designed for slimming and continued modification of his diet.
It would be up there, but still behind Pittsburgh.
Mark Ellis was one reason. The type of lefites in the majors was another. Yes, the platoon has been lifted. Wong is playing without training wheels this season. They want to see if he can zoom.
Another good question. I don't have the answer, to be honest. It's one I've asked and they want to see how it sorts out over time here in spring and the first month of the season. Wouldn't be a shock if Diaz starts in Class AA. Also wouldn't say it's mandated that he'll start there. He's going to leave spring as a priority shortstop at some level. That's all that is clear.
It's only safe to assume that the Cardinals think they have something to work with defensively. They are hunting for a backup catcher or a catcher who can offer some offense. Look around the roster and also what they've done with Carson Kelly. It's on their mind. They also believe they can teach some of the fundamentals that will help Ohlman at the position and make him viable there. He's got to get out of Class AA before you start putting him in the majors in 2015.
Good call. I'd go with "e," too. First pi, then "e," then perhaps for the long reliever role in the postseason that the Cardinals keep using, "i." That works. Yes, Reynolds = OF at times this spring.
No more than his switch-hitting helps him. Yep, Ty Kelly famously swings at fewer pitches than almost anyone in baseball.
He seemed less than enthused when I asked about having Kolten Wong appear some at leadoff this spring just because the young second baseman had made it clear that was his goal at some point in his career. That said, Jay will see time there when he's ready to play. Bourjos could, too.
The Yankees are looking for your number.
Great question. Pitching is volatile. Power is rare. I'm going with Stanton.
Wish I would have found that question earlier, would have been cool to get the answers from people around the press room here on video. I bet there would be healthy debate.
I don't see it that way at all. As far as timing goes ... This is Holliday, revisited, at worst.
Not likely. Luke Weaver, for example, isn't in major-league camp to make that first impression.
Yep. The movement on his fastball is different than others. He's got a sinker that some pitchers believe gives him the chance to go out and throw a no-hitter just because of the groundballs he'll get and swings and misses scattered throughout the game. He's got the mix of off-speed stuff to do that. It's just the flat filthiest pitches there. That's not judgment on his command or a statement on his success with that stuff, just a measure of his raw, untamed stuff.
Kershaw lost twice the Cardinals in the NLDS. Gonzales won two games. Random happens on the mound, too, in October.
Rewriting his contract is not off the table. Not sure if there was traction for an extension as much as there was talk about what else they could with incentives, or an option.
Sure. He's solid defensively, and athletic.
Call me crazy but I think the Cardinals are fine with the leadoff hitter who has led the NL leadoff hitters in OBP the previous two years. On-base Percentage sort of means what it measures.
Only one person? Well, then John Mabry. Should be a real interesting addition to the team given his background and his playing career. Quality guy.
I might be mixing my Jedi.
Both. They have to be. Also, appreciate that another Molina isn't coming up through the ranks because Molina is that good not because the ranks are that thin.
It was. Moncada did not qualify to be a free agent, while Diaz, after sitting out a year as his paperwork was validated, did. He had enough time in Cuba's highest league and was old enough to be declared an international free agent. Moncada, as a teen, did not have the time in the highest league to hit the open market.
Yes. He's a gifted shortstop. Kozma is the best defensive shortstop the Cardinals have had since Brendan Ryan, and there was a time when Brendan Ryan was the best glove at his position in the league.
Yes. If for no other reason than RF won't hit like a defense-first middle infielder this summer.
Thanks for the kind words. Rolen and Mozeliak are close, and they remain so. The Reds approached Rolen about a role with them, and I imagine the last team he was with being the first team to ask has given them dibs. It was great that he came back to St. Louis this past season to throw out the first pitch and be saluted by the team and the fans. I wouldn't rule out seeing him at some point doing something with the Cardinals as a guest.
You've got to bring a bat to the field if you're going to play out there, too.
Seems like a good place to end. Thanks to everyone who surged into the chat and rescued it for a good couple hours after the deluge of nonsense. The tone and even some of the language in the questions -- can you call them that? -- were not suitable for conversation. Kudos to the folks who came with the good questions late and kept them coming. This was the final chat of the year before we actually have games to talk about. Next week, I will be joining you from a game. The multimedia aspects will be reduced here as a result of the games taking over and the workouts being less. That just changes the content of the chat. Not the quality. So much of that depends on you. Talk with you next week from Roger Dean Stadium as the Cardinals face the ... oh, hey ... it's the Red Sox. Well, the ballpark will be buzzing. Looking forward to it. Same chat time. Same chat site. Same old chit chat. Aloha.
