Live Chats

Join Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold for his live chat at 11 a.m. Monday

Bring your Cards questions and comments to Monday’s 11 a.m. live chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

I picked them to win the NL pennant. So I have to own that.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:36:52 PM
Is the team convinced that the hip impingement has been a part of VerHagen's struggles since spring training?

by JoJo Disco 4/25/2022 5:36:56 PM
They believe it contributed given the reaction of his pitches and the difficulty he had with some of them floating on him due to the way his mechanics were limited.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:37:17 PM
Do you get the sense that Waino is motivated by his HOF candidacy? If he is still pitching well in the fall, may he return for another season to further bolster his Cooperstown resume?

by Rex 4/25/2022 5:37:31 PM
Wouldn't you be? Only the best of the best get into Cooperstown, and if you have an opportunity wouldn't that drive you? I wouldn't fault anyone for that at all.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:37:52 PM
Are the Cardinals going to do city connect uniforms this year? If so, do you have any idea of the design?

by Warren 4/25/2022 5:38:05 PM
They are not in the group this year. The Cardinals will participate in 2023, at the earliest. Again, that's at the earliest. They are not guaranteed to do it in 2023 at this point. That would, again, only be the earliest they get the City Connect jerseys.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:38:41 PM
Watching games other than the Cards over the weekend reinforced to me the urgency to get auto umpire behind home plate. When the network goes to the trouble to show the home plate in 3D and the path of the ball thru the zone, it seems obvious that is better than the erroneous calls being made.

by Larry M 4/25/2022 5:38:59 PM
But it's not consistent for 300 pitches, and it's not consistent ballpark to ballpark. It looks cool, and the broadcast use of it gives off the perception of its quality, but the tech -- the actual application of tech -- has been tricky. One of the things that MLB has been unable to do is take the tech that is used in tennis, for example, and apply that to ballparks with 30 different dimensions, vs the tennis court that is the same the world over. That's been tricky. And that contributes to how you're describing it's greatness anecdotally for one pitch, but over the hundreds in a game and thousands from ballpark to ballpark, its flaws show.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:40:38 PM
I'm wondering to what extent, if any, O'Neill's contract status/pending arbitration hearing is impacting the pressure he's putting on himself at the plate. I guess there's no way to really know...

by MDCardFan 4/25/2022 5:40:43 PM
There's always the ability to ask him, and see what he says. I have. He says it hasn't. He actually talked about how it's another chance to show how he compartmentalizes things and how he can separate on field and in cage vs. off field and in boardroom. He's been consistent with that answer, going back to spring training when he did not set a deadline for negotiations and said he was open and able to handle them during the season. It's also worth noting that he's turned a lot of that over to his agent/agency, and he'll get updates but not be in the fine print. That's another way to avoid distraction.
You're right, if he's not honest with the answer, then we'll never know. But we can ask.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:43:34 PM
Seems like Marmol was stretching the limits on analytics to justify leaving AP in when Cincy changed pitchers to a RH. What weight is given to recency and player age when citing analytics. Seems like they should be included with last 2 years having more weight.

by Larry M 4/25/2022 5:43:44 PM
They are. The thumb is on the scale for sure. Teams presume players age and metrics know that players improve. So those two things have to be factored and weighted accordingly, and teams do. They spend a lot of money on minds that know to do that.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:44:30 PM
Can you explain to me how MLB will make any money by fans gambling on the games. MLB can't possibly bankroll the games, so they can't make money off of the bets. Where is the upside to this?

by Bretto 4/25/2022 5:44:37 PM
Advertising. Sponsorships. Luxury box sales. Partnerships. That's big money when you're talking about MGM sponsoring tons of events, and DraftKings splurging on advertising during broadcasts and at games, and other outlets providing enough support for programming or being a business big enough to buy suites at ballparks, etc. And then there are the Sportsbooks -- and now we're talking real estate benefits and revenue from the bets.
It's a lot of money. And, yes, it's uncomfortable giving the game's past stances.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:46:41 PM
DG, Might tonight tell us more about what contributions to the rotation Mikolas can bring to 2022 than what our offense is? His stuff looks closer to 2018, It would be huge if it is.

by renostl 4/25/2022 5:46:48 PM
Absolutely. Building on his recent start would be a big benefit/bounce for Cardinals. Mikolas did look better than he had in any start since his All-Star season.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:47:12 PM
How would Nashville getting an MLB franchise affect the Cardinal’s TV market share and revenue in KY and TN? Thanks

by Rex 4/25/2022 5:48:48 PM
The Cardinals would have to be compensated for the loss of that market. They are not alone. The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds would also have a claim to it. The Orioles, for example, were compensated for the arrival of the Nationals, and that would have to be a part of the expansion to Nashville. The Cardinals would expect that, argue for that.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:49:45 PM
What is the idea behind the City Connect jerseys. Royals unveiled theirs today and those have to be the homeliest unis I have ever seen!

by JohnB 4/25/2022 5:49:59 PM
Merchandise sales. That's why. Inspired by the success of multiple jerseys, say, in the NBA. That's the reason. Making money. Bringing different styles to the ball field, too, without a complete overhaul of a team's look. I like some of them. I don't care for others. The KC logo inspired by the fountains is quite good.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:50:57 PM
Interesting that the Mets had such a time hiring a GM this off-season and now appear to be one of the better teams in MLB. Why the seeming lack of interest in that position from many?

by JohnB 4/25/2022 5:51:05 PM
Same reason for both. The owner, it seems.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:51:19 PM
As a follow up to your answer on gambling, how would Rose have been disciplined in today’s environment? In my opinion he needs to be in the HOF.

by FlaDad 4/25/2022 5:51:43 PM
They would have a hard time disciplining him with a lifetime ban given the cozying up to some of the companies, but he would still be suspended. He would still be banned from the ballpark. Those rules are still posted and clear in the clubhouse. Was reading them this past week in Miami, where they are posted in the visitors' clubhouse between the main room and the stairs to the field.
He should be in the Hall. His transgression and ban mentioned on his plaque.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:52:58 PM
I think the KC logo inspired by fountains looks like a bunch of paper clips, but maybe that is just moi.

by JohnB 4/25/2022 5:53:04 PM
I like it. I also don't mind paperclips.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:53:16 PM
A little further on Waino’s possible HOF credentials? Would those 200+ wins all as a Cardinal have any sway with voters?

by Joliet Dave 4/25/2022 5:53:24 PM
Unsure. No more than 200 wins will. Jon Lester's first year of eligibility will be a window into how that year's voting body will then consider Adam Wainwright in the coming years.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:54:02 PM
I don't mind if the team tries to accomplish individual goals for the players this season, i.e., Pujols 700 homes, Yadi-Waino battery record, etc. They won't do much anyway because they simply are not built to go far in the playoffs.

by JohnB 4/25/2022 5:54:31 PM
Then demand better. Don't let them settle in July, when such building can happen.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:54:43 PM
O'Neill has just 2 RBI's and 2 extra base hits since the Pirates series. Is there concern there?

by JoJo Disco 4/25/2022 5:55:29 PM
Concern enough to not start him and give him time away from the lineup to work in the cage. That happened. Actions speak loudly.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:55:51 PM
Derrick, In trying to figure out why the Cards don't give Woodford a shot in the 5th spot, I came across some interesting stats. During the Cards win streak last year, during the month of Sept. these are the stats I found for Woodford. date/inngs./RA/pitches: 9-4 / 5.1 / 0 / 74. 9-9 / 4 / 1 / 66. 9-14 / 4 / 2 / 61. 9-21 / 5 / 0 / 84. 9-26 / 5.1 / 2 / 83. These are pretty good lines for the month. 3 outings of 5 inngs or more. and 2 outings of 4, but with limited pitch count, easily goes 1 more. Am I missing something here..??

by Tom 4/25/2022 5:56:14 PM
You are not missing anything.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 5:56:21 PM
What do you think about using Edman as a trade chip? Donovan and Gorman are knocking at the door and Edman's value right now is higher than it will ever be. Would hate to see the young guys who are above average defenders get blocked by an inferior hitter just because he's better defensively.

by Gardner Minchew 4/25/2022 5:56:33 PM
To trade for what? I get a few questions like this every chat, and even more on Twitter and it seems to be driven by the roster limitations on Fantasy Baseball, not actual roster limitations on MLB baseball. I say that because there's room for all of those players in a 162-game schedule with a 26-man roster. It makes zero sense to carry a starter you're not using in fantasy baseball with a nine-man/10-man lineup and commitment to a starting lineup for the week. But that's fantasy. It's OK for MLB teams to pack as much talent on their roster as possible and if that means there are a few overlaps at positions, then it only makes sense to trade that player when there's a grand/equivalent return. I don't know what that would be for Edman. Do you have any suggestions? That would make answering these questions easier.
Again, I'm speaking from experience, and if this isn't the motivation behind your question then please offer some insight as to who he could/would be traded for, otherwise it sure makes sense to have a switch-hitter who plays multiple positions, several of them exceptionally well, coming off the bench and starting two, three times a week. A contender would.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 6:00:49 PM
Derrick, with Wainp being only ordinary on the road so far, is there some fear that he may be reverting back to 2020 and his not too great home/road splits where he was realiable only at home?

by Mikemk 4/25/2022 6:01:01 PM
No. It's April 25.

by Derrick Goold 4/25/2022 6:01:05 PM
Do you think the rotating cast a DH does more harm than good? I get having Pujols has your guy vs LHP, but Dickerson and Nootbaar haven't had a change to get into a groove yet.

by Ray 4/25/2022 6:01:13 PM