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

I've seen far fewer emergency catchers than position players pitching. Teams can bring up a catcher the next day if somebody gets hurt. Or just carry a third catcher who can play some other position.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:30:54 PM
What did Jack F do in the dougout on Friday. I missed it; please give us the details. Thanks

by Joe F. 9/19/2022 7:30:56 PM
Flaherty broke the glass on the fridge in the dugout by slamming the door on it. Twice.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:31:26 PM
I would love to see Paul D be what he was. I also remember a guy nam dDal Maxvill did pretty well for the Cardinals

by Joliet Dave 9/19/2022 7:31:52 PM
But Maxie never hit 30 homers in a season once. Or for his career, for that matter

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:32:46 PM
The public service you provide is deeply appreciated, good scribe!
My question is, I read recently that the division series this year (some or all of them, I'm not sure which) will have 5 straight games without travel days, even though teams will travel. In other words, no off-days. Is this true?!?

by Dr. Ifo Suspense 9/19/2022 7:33:00 PM
Every division series will have an off day between Games 2 and 3. But there isn't an off day between Games 4 and 5. Nor is there one between Games 5 and 6 of the LCS round.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:38:01 PM
I predict Paul DeJong will hit a grand slam in the 9th inning of World Series game 7 to win it all. I also predict world peace later on in that week.

by AustinTx 9/19/2022 7:38:34 PM
Why not later on that day?

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:38:52 PM
I know it's too early to put a verdict in for various rookies but I find it fascinating of the valued hype of a Gorman compared to a Donovan. I couldn't wait to see Gorman from all I heard about him. I never heard of Donovan and simply want him in every game somewhere because he shines is so many areas. I too was excited to see Burleson from what I heard about his bat. I have not heard anything on DeLuzio and am intrigued with his speed and more playing time? Will we see more of him? Also I wonder if sometimes the pre hype gives more value to a player for trade purposes to a more established proven Major League player???

by Mookie 9/19/2022 7:39:25 PM
The GMs who make these trades generally don't any attention to the hype surrounding players. You will see more of DeLuzio in hte next couple of weeks, notably later in games.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:40:57 PM
Thanks for the chat, you old ink-stained wretch!
I think some folks may be getting ahead of themselves re Masyn Winn, good scribe. Masyn is a 20-year-old who just hit .258 in Double-A. There's really no reason to think he's nearly ready for the majors. Good chance to be a star in 4 or 5 years, decent chance to be a solid regular by late 2024 or 2025. But not neeearly ready right now.

My question: What's your favorite baseball movie? Mine is Long Gone with William Peterson & Virginia Madsen.

by Dr. Ifo Suspense 9/19/2022 7:41:16 PM
Bang the Drum Slowly.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:41:26 PM
I have a label that I think is rampant in the MLB and it's called a Change of Scenery player. Sometimes a player is talented but for whatever reason they need a different voice - a different mind set. Matt Carpenter was so good for us ... until the end ... and it was rough to watch. His change of scenery really benefitted him, The Yankees and also us as fans who like him. Montgomery might have needed a change of scenery ... I sadly wonder if that is the same for Paul Dejong. Great guy, great glove, massive proof of power and hitting to different fields but in a two year funk. Is there someone out there on another team that is comparable as a change of scenery player?

by Mookie 9/19/2022 7:42:40 PM
There isn't one that comes to mind but DeJong clearly needs to go where he can start over.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:43:10 PM
Based on what you see right now assuming O'Neil is healthy who is in our playoff lineup? or perhaps easier what names are left off?

by Mookie 9/19/2022 7:43:45 PM
There will be some platooning in those playoff lineups although most of the opposing starting pitchers in the early rounds are likely to be right-handed pitchers. So Corey Dickerson would be in left O'Neill, Carlson, Nootbaar and perhaps Donovan would be the candidates for the other two outfield spots. It could be even be Nootbaar in center and Donovan in right.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:46:39 PM
Assuming Albert gets to 700 HRs, if the Cards get bounced in the Wild Card how would you grade their season?

by Tackleberry 9/19/2022 7:46:44 PM
B plus

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:46:59 PM
Who takes the trip to London next year? You or Goold? Or does the PD send both of you?

by Andy 9/19/2022 7:47:09 PM
Mr. Goold will be all over that one.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:48:04 PM
Which is most certain: Taxes, death, or Packers humiliate Bears on national television? But seriously, Commish, what do you think are the chances of the Cards making a big blockbuster deal this winter for Sandy Alcantara? Say, three or four top-100 type prospects (excluding Walker & Winn), plus Hudson and/or Woodford? Is that enough trade ammo?

Thanks for the chat, sir!

by Bob Caruthers 9/19/2022 7:49:39 PM
Alcantara is signed for four more years at $6 million, $9 million, $17 million and $17 million, so that price would be right.
The prospect haul would be the issue.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:52:02 PM
Burleson hasn't been crushing the ball like he did in AAA. I know hitting a baseball is hard. But what do you see in his at-bats?

by Andy 9/19/2022 7:52:06 PM
He hasn't made any outrageous contact but he also isn't striking out. I want to watch some more at-bats before forming any kind of substantive opinion.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:53:00 PM
Does Matt Carpenter seem like somebody who might have another solid year or two in the majors, especially with the shift limits coming?

by Adam 9/19/2022 7:53:09 PM
I would think the Yankees would love to have Carpenter back in that ball park. And, without the shift, he might be as good as he was this year before he got hurt.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:54:05 PM
Re Gorman, Donovan, and DeLuzio. Gorman was 21 years old on Opening Day this year. Donovan was 25 and DeLuzio was 27. Their ages have a LOT to do with their eventual upside, if not their current contributions. DeLuzio could be another Shane Robinson, Donovan could be Matt Carpenter with less power, and Gorman could be Jeff Kent Redux. But it'll take a little time.

My query, Commish: do you see the Birds giving Tommy Edman a 5-6 year deal this winter? Seems like a guy to lock up through his early 30's. Highly durable, helps in a lot of ways, won't cost a ton because so much of his value comes from defense/baserunning. Thanks for the chat!

by Bob Caruthers 9/19/2022 7:54:25 PM
Edman just is heading to arbitration for the first time after this season. But, in the next year or so, I would try to lock him down for a long-term deal.
And, you're welcome.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:56:16 PM
Given that the Cards won't catch the Mets or Braves, would you want to see the Cards piggyback their pitchers to keep all somewhat rested yet sharp for the Wild Card round? With Flaherty, Waino, Mikolas, Montgomery, Quintana, Woodford, Matz and Palante, it would be nice to see most stretched out enough for a long stint, yet not overtired from long IPs in meaningless games.

by CluesBlues 9/19/2022 7:56:42 PM
We'll have a better read after the Cardinals will have clinched and they can see how far behind they are, in reference to the Eastern Division leaders. Remember, the Cardinals lost the season series to both the Braves and Mets, so they would have to finish a game ahead of either.

by rhummel 9/19/2022 7:58:58 PM
If Bader starts for the Yankees tomorrow does that remove the unidentified substitute player option for the trade?

by Chuck 9/19/2022 7:59:45 PM
I'm guessing that it would.
Thanks very much for all your questions and comments. We'll do it again next Monday, if that's all right with you.
Commish

by rhummel 9/19/2022 8:00:47 PM