Live Chats

Join Hall of Fame baseball writer Rick Hummel for his live Cardinals chat at 11 a.m. Monday

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

3rd & 7 37yd

Are Gorman, Yepez and Donovan the real deal? Just curious, they sure look like it, however I know there is not enough history / data at this point. When July rolls around, could ONeill, Carlson, and / or DeJong be used for a frontline starter?

by Texas Redbird Fan 6/6/2022 5:34:01 PM
All three of the young players you mentioned had big seasons in the minors last year and Yepez and Donovan in the Arizona Fall League, too. Of the other three, Carlson would be the least likely to be dealt. But it depends on how great the need for starting pitching might get.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:35:45 PM
Why does Ollie go back to back with the only two lefties in the lineups often? Is it so he can lock in a lefty against the first guy and then counter with Albert or another RH?

by Foghorn 6/6/2022 5:39:02 PM
I haven't found that Marmol has done it that often unless you consider Edman, who is a switch-hitter, and then Gorman. Down in the order the other day, he had several left-handed hitters in a row, but, generally when Marmol does that, one is the DH and Albert Pujols would pinch hit for that player later in the game against a left-handed pitcher.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:41:37 PM
Thank you and all PD reporters for these chats I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the Cards keep developing major league ball players out of there minor leagues. Yet they are constantly considered middle of the pack by all the experts. The problem with this is at the trade deadline their talent is down graded and often keeps them from making a trade that would help down the stretch.

by JW Help 6/6/2022 5:41:40 PM
Thank you. The other organizations are well aware of some of the Cardinals' young talent and if the Cardinals want to move some of it, there shouldn't be any lack of takers.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:42:49 PM
DeJong to KC for Grienke, pairs back with Matheny where he had his best years, we get an innings eating veteran, salaries offset, though we may need to throw something else in. Thoughts?

by Foghorn 6/6/2022 5:42:59 PM
The Royals want Bobby Witt to play shortstop for them for the next half dozen years. I don't see Greinke having that much upside, relative to some of the right-handers the Cardinals already have.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:44:07 PM
I think there were SEVERAL plays at wrigley that O'Neill would've made vs. Yepez. Once TON (and Carlson) are back, Yepez probably doesn't sniff the OF again, will he be optioned?

by Foghorn 6/6/2022 5:44:46 PM
Yepez isn't going anywhere. But he will DH more.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:45:08 PM
What's with all our RP going 3-4 innings now? Who is actually going to start and go 5?

by Foghorn 6/6/2022 5:45:15 PM
Well, you had seven last night from Wainwright and Hudson had seven in his last previous start on Wednesday.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:46:12 PM
Hold up now. Pump the brakes. DeJong, he of the 3 years running slump and carrying a .218 avg in Memphis, doesn't deserve a Greyhound ticket just yet. Is it against the rules to make a guy hit .285 for a month first? Geez you're turning soft there Rick. Need another cup of joe?

by Ryan 6/6/2022 5:46:18 PM
DeJong was hitting about .118 before the last week and then he had three or four homers in a week. It seems as if he is making some progress.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:47:10 PM
Do the Cardinals actually use analytics, or is it a convenient excuse for decisions that they want to make? For example Albert Pujols playing against right handed pitching. When he was on the Dodgers, a team that actually uses analytics, he hit almost exclusively against left handed pitching. Pujols is the same player but used very differently. It’s frustrating for me to watch the Dodgers or Rays using analytics to gain an edge, but the Cardinals use them as a reason to justify keeping Paul Dejong on the field long after the eye test tells you he’s not getting it done. The Cardinals stay very consistent in what they say their approach is, but they are not consistent in what they actually do. Will we ever see the team use players according to their performance vs their name/salary?

by WP 6/6/2022 5:47:28 PM
Pujols actually hasn't had that many at-bats against right-handed pitching. And, with a couple of injured outfielders about to return, Albert won't have to face right-handers very often. Yes, the Cardinals employ analytics. Yes, they gave DeJong a lot of rope.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:49:03 PM
Does Donovan need a position? Seems like their Zobrist. An everyday player, if not one with an everyday position or spot in the order.

by TomBruno23 6/6/2022 5:50:08 PM
Ben Zobrist actually is a good comparison. So Is Tommy Edman, .

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:50:29 PM
Mr Hummel, do you notice a tendency this year that Marmol goes with the hot hand, has less patience for long slumps...believes in giving more opportunities to rookies, and looks at performance more than contract status ? It is refreshing ! Is this Marmol or the front office ?

by alacarsfan 6/6/2022 5:50:37 PM
Oliver Marmol will go with the hot hand and isn't shy about giving rookies big opportunities. I'd like to think he is managing a game without front-office help. As far as who's on the roster, that largely is out of his hands.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:52:17 PM
You may have answered this already. Who goes down with Carlson and O’Neil comeback? Also Donovan has to be a starter at this point. So where does he get his starts at?

by Mike 6/6/2022 5:52:36 PM
Second base, third base, left field, right field, first base. There. . .Donovan could start at five different positions in five days.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:53:32 PM
It feels like the bullpen could be a monster if they could get another solid reliever or two that can hold some leads. Any idea on the type of guy the cards might target later in the season if no one emerges to take that slot?

by Adam 6/6/2022 5:53:41 PM
I suspect the Cardinals have been looking for left-handed relief help for Cabrera. McFarland has been too inconsistent.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:54:17 PM
A lineup that eventually goes Edman, Gorman, Goldy, Arenado, O’Neil, Carlson, Yepez/Donovan, Molina, Bader seems like it would have the chance to be one of the best in the league. Obviously that’s contingent O’Neil being the player he was last year, but even thought is exiting.

by Adam 6/6/2022 5:54:34 PM
You're right. The possibilities, while not endless, at least are there.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:55:02 PM
Is pitch com being used in the minor in addition to the clock? If so, how much does those being used together speed up the game?

by Adam 6/6/2022 5:55:05 PM
I don't think "PitchCom is being used in the minors. But "Pitch Clock" has shaved 25 to 30 minutes off a game.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:55:44 PM
Based on the way a few fans react to Flaherty's political views on twitter and other internet places, how do you think Gibson, who was outspoken about racism at times, would have been treated in the internet age? I think some would want to "DFA him" to punish him for believing something different. Most Cards fans, however, are not represented by internet fools.

by Tom 6/6/2022 5:55:53 PM
,,Gibby might have had a rough ride in the "internet age." .

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:57:11 PM
Is Ryan Helsley slated to continue not to pitch on consecutive days for the remainder of the season?

by Nick N 6/6/2022 5:57:19 PM
Helsley won't be used often on back-to-back days for the first half of the season. The second have might be different, depending on circumstances.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:58:30 PM
Houston is already 16 games over 500 after losing Springer the year before last and Correra this year, that surprise you?

by AustinTx 6/6/2022 5:58:35 PM
Dusty Baker, no matter old he might be, knows how to manage. Also, Verlander is back and some of the young Astros pitchers have come of age.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 5:59:22 PM
When do we get robo umpires? Saturday’s first game became unwatchable solely because of the home plate umpire.

by ICCFIM 6/6/2022 5:59:25 PM
That actually was one of the better crews although Bruce Dreckman's game on Saturday was not his best.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 6:00:11 PM
hi commish, Masyn Winn seems to have made the jump to AA without any hicups. Across 12 games, he's slashing .289/.365/.556 with a walk rate above 11, a K rate below 20, and an ISO of .21. Oh, and don't forget that he the best SS arm in *all professional baseball*, he has Bader/Edman speed, and he's a good fielder. He's 20. I'm as excited about Jordan Walker as the next guy, but Winn is really starting to look like he could be really really special too. Do you think he's gonna be a Top tier prospect by the end of the season?

by Hi commish 6/6/2022 6:00:26 PM
I'm not sure what "top tier" means, but Winn should be the Cardinals' shortstop in about two years.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 6:01:27 PM
Mr. Hummel, thanks for doing chats. I appreciate your wealth of knowledge and opinion. One point and one question. BenFred wrote a column on pitch clock that I agree with totally. I am tired of watching all the glove retightening and pitchers standing there like they don't know what to do. Where do you stand on pitch clock adoption? Second, OIlie Marmol may have won me completely over with the protest Saturday by demonstrating how far outside the strikes were falling along with creative bullpen solutions in the series instead of doing it the same way everyone else does

by JP in TN 6/6/2022 6:01:47 PM
You're welcome. Marmol and pitching coach Mike Maddux certainly were creative in their use of the bullpen in the past two games. Now, let's see how those relievers bounce back. I'm OK with pitch clock with nobody on base. Let's start there and see how it goes.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 6:03:46 PM
On the national broadcast last night it was mentioned how Pujols believes Yepez has tremendous upside talent with the bat. This was the 1st I heard of this, how about you?

by Nick N 6/6/2022 6:03:48 PM
Yes, Pujols has been high on Yepez since he first saw him and Albert enjoys mentoring the youngster.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 6:04:39 PM
How does Moises Gomez project as a big league prospect. He had poor numbers until this year and he looks sensational on paper this far with Springfield. How is his glove?

by The Schlay 6/6/2022 6:04:41 PM
I haven't see Gomez play the field. He is a rare prospect that Tampa Bay has let go.

by rhummel 6/6/2022 6:05:11 PM
What will you say the chances are that Waino pitches on beyond this season assuming he maintains the kind of productivity he is currently at?

by Nick N 6/6/2022 6:05:37 PM