Live Chats

Join Hall of Fame baseball writer Rick Hummel for his live Cardinals chat at noon Monday

Bring your Cards questions and comments to a live chat at noon Monday.

3rd & 7 37yd

I suspect the Cardinals looked at Kelly. Maybe he wanted to play for La Russa or he got a better offer from Chicago.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:32:10 PM
Do you think the players would welcome Pujols? Or would he be too much of a distraction?

by Birdsonbat 3/14/2022 6:32:16 PM
The players would love to play with Albert. Who wouldn't? But, at this stage of his career, he doesn't seem to be what the club needs the most.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:33:21 PM
Does this chat give you the sense there’s less interest in baseball?

by Birdsonbat 3/14/2022 6:33:25 PM
I've been surprised by the interest shown lately, since the lockout ended, by people who had only a modest interest in baseball. We'll see what the attendance turns out to be this season, with full capacities available everywhere.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:34:56 PM
You think CMart can revive his career by the Golden Gate? It’s a big park so that might help.

by Stan the Fan 3/14/2022 6:35:01 PM
That should be a great park for Martinez in San Francisco if he makes the Giants' team. And if he can stay healthy.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:35:37 PM
Is it plausible that Reyes’ shoulder has been bothering him for awhile, but he couldn’t tell the Cardinals because of the lockout? I’ve never understood pitchers reporting to spring training with a sore arm. Did it just start hurting?

by Stantheman 3/14/2022 6:35:59 PM
I don't know the particulars yet. Perhaps more info available later this afternoon or early tomorrow. But it potentially is another step back for a pitcher who has tried so hard to move forward.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:37:24 PM
Whom do you think will be the biggest surprise in camp?

by Joliet Dave 3/14/2022 6:38:11 PM
I would be surprised if both Miles Mikolas and Dakota Hudson can return to their pre-injury form.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:38:53 PM
With most teams, when the general manager is promoted to president, the new GM does the talking with the media. Why is that not the case with the Cardinals?

by Stantheman 3/14/2022 6:39:01 PM
Because that's the way John Mozeliak wants it.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:39:28 PM
What do you think of Mo’s bottom basement reliever signings? It will come back to bite them. You get what you pay for.

by Stan the Fan 3/14/2022 6:40:01 PM
They seem like bargain basement signs, on first glance. It is interesting to note, though, that Wittgren was pretty good for five seasons until he had an awful year in 2021.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:41:16 PM
Any contact with Matt Carp, about his plans, etc?

by Joliet Dave 3/14/2022 6:41:26 PM
No contact lately. I'm sure he wants to play, perhaps looking for a major league deal. He might not want an NRI.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:42:35 PM
Commish: Now that the CBA is done, how do you assess it? I still feel like the owners won big. Sure, $50 million in bonuses for young players is a victory, but that's a fixed limit that is just a fraction of what young, productive players should be earning in the aggregate. No reduction in time to get to arbitration, still the longest time to get to a major contract opportunity, still the lowest minimum salary of the three richest sports (NBA, NFL, MLB), all despite record revenues.

by DCG 3/14/2022 6:43:09 PM
This is the best deal the players have made in their labor contracts. They weren't that far off from everything they asked for and they didn't have to cave for a 14-team playoff to get some of them.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:44:17 PM
Hi Rick,
Great chat as always. With the new limit on the number of times a player can be optioned, how many additional "major league ready" pitchers do you think clubs need to have?

by CACardFan 3/14/2022 6:44:33 PM
Thanks very much. Clubs need eight or nine starters at the ready and a pool of about 18 to 20 pitchers in their system.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:45:59 PM
When Mo signs tertiary relievers I just nod because he has all my trust. When he tells us that they like what they saw from hitters in the Arizona Fall League, the credibility just isn't there for me. Why can't this team ever come into a season with "too much" instead of the fingers-crossed method?

by South City Steve 3/14/2022 6:49:49 PM
I'd like to think the Cardinals are not done transacting yet.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:50:35 PM
Mr. Hummel, how soon will you start noticing managing style from Ollie? Is the spring training too jumbled up to get a real line of sight to it? Wondering if he will have to evolve a bit given first part of season will be condensed around getting pitchers time and keeping them healthy?

by Jp in TN 3/14/2022 6:52:58 PM
It will take several weeks of regular season play for us to discern a managerial style. I'm sure Oli has one but a lot depends on which players he has available on a certain day.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:54:08 PM
Thank you for making the point that Story is not that much of an upgrade from DeJong. I feel if the Cardinals signed him to play shortstop - it wouldn't be long before the fans would likely turn on Story because he isn't the 'second coming.' I know its not going to happen - but I'd love to see Correa playing short. The two platinum glove winners holding down the left side of the infield.

Have you heard anything on any interest in Andrew Chafin?

And sure - sign Pujols if you're interested in the nostalgia/entertainment factor. I'm more interested in the 'winning' factor.

by Dave in Wilmington, NC 3/14/2022 6:55:07 PM
I've heard nothing about Andrew Chafin. But I would be interested.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:55:37 PM
I may be wrong, but I believe there are 13 Cardinals pitchers who can’t be sent to the minors, and that excludes Helsley, Hicks and Whitley! Hicks may be sent out to build up innings, but the other two are among the best 13. This is also before Tepera (hopefully). Depth is great, but if you have to DFA one for every one you add you’re not really increasing depth, are you?

by TennCardFan 3/14/2022 6:58:06 PM
I don't worry too much about this aspect because I'm sure there will be pitching injuries on every team this spring.

by rhummel 3/14/2022 6:59:19 PM
Thanks for all your interest, questions and comments. I have to go out to the Back 40 now and see what's going on.
See you soon,
Commish

by rhummel 3/14/2022 7:00:23 PM