As of now, trending to 2016. Injuries would change that, of course.
Agreed. I've had this conversation several times with folks in the Cardinals organization and even a couple of the players. I was glad that Rick Hummel recently wrote an article about Lilliquist and his influence on this pitching staff. Wacha's new pitches? Taught to him and urged upon him by Lilliquist. The work Gonzales has done to expand the pitches he has is from Gonzales. Elevated fastballs? Lilliquist. Garcia's fastballs? Lilliquist. He has a feel for not just how to scout opponents but also how to improve the pitchers he has. Deserves a lot of credit.
Standing ovation. No question.
I cannot think of a reason to trade Lynn and his contract for two months of any pitcher. That would be a tremendous help to the Tigers, and leave the Cardinals exposed. It might sell more jerseys -- Price would move merchandise, as they say -- but it won't win more games.
He can become one yes. The Cardinals have an option for 2016 and an option for 2017. If they elect not to exercise them, they do owe Garcia a buyout.
No. More proof that this counts stuff is nonsense.
He's not on the 40-man roster. He has played well enough to merit that consideration so they don't lose him to another team. But that move can be made in November not September.
And then he watched highlights of his home run and dreamed of islands made from cotton candy.
Nah. The Rusty Nail was so 2014.
The timing seemed off, as much as anything, to be honest. Did seem like an intriguing fit, but the move happened swiftly with Seattle, as if the Mariners wanted to stay ahead of the market that would develop.
The stance hasn't changed from this past winter. They have two Shields-types. Lackey and Lynn. The commitment beyond this year would be unpalatable.
Kelly was claimed quickly because there is a time limit on waivers. It's not perpetuity. Kozma's place on the 40-man roster is because -- how to put this so I can help ... -- he's the handcuff for Peralta. Let's use Fantasy Football terminology. When you take a RB in Fantasy Football, you sometimes take his backup or his backup's backup so that you're covered in the case of injury. Same with QB, right? That's called a handcuff, and it's a strategy that also used in the real world. The Cardinals have steadfastly maintained that their only option in the organization if Peralta misses a significant amount of time is Kozma.
Argue that point if you want. And some have. Some have asked it often of the organization.
The Cardinals view hasn't changed. Kozma is the handcuff.
The "question mark" would have to be a quality prospect, I think. These aren't outlandish suggestions.
No. That's not fair to say. We haven't seen other players go off and do winter leagues when coming back from injury. The Cardinals could just be content with him having a normal winter and getting ready for spring. If he feels he needs to make up for these at-bats -- and he hasn't said he does -- then he can approach the team about winter ball, but I don't think this is a given. It would be unusual.
That's exactly what I've said. Multiple times. They would want some protection in there because of his track record of injury. That hasn't changed. Two months isn't going to change that. Look at this way. Say the Cardinals have room in their budget for a starting pitcher in 2016 and 2017. And they do. Garcia has two options, triggered independently, that will pay him $11.5 million in 2016 and $12 million in 2017.
Would you prefer the Cardinals ...
a) Take those options as written and have Garcia for two years, $23.5 million?
b) Sign John Lackey to a two-year, $23.5 million extension?
Which offers the larger likelihood of return? Now, if you rework the deal for Garcia where the guarantee is lower and the potential earning is the same, then the discussion changes because Garcia has to make starts and avoid the DL to maximize his earning potential. That's the protection I'm talking about.
That was discussed. Teams cannot write an agreement like that into the contract. But the Cardinals have done that with veterans like Carlos Beltran and, this time, Lackey. Lackey said in spring that was something that was important to him.
The crusades would crash the chat.
I think he can handle the majors. Call me crazy.
Sure. Bourjos. Cooney. Wouldn't they have to at least consider Tuivailala if the deal was big enough?
That's more than a mantra -- that's a sound strategy. It's one that has been around for a lot longer than those teams. It goes back to 2004 when Theo Epstein articulated that as the way he looked at things for the Boston Red Sox. Survive the marathon. Then see what happens. Trades are about surviving the marathon, so you could easily see how the Cardinals would argue they have the depth to survive and see what happens. There are still holes to patch however that could cost them in the near-term.
