Join columnist Ben Frederickson for a live STL sports chat at 11 a.m. Tuesday
Ben Frederickson answers your Cardinals, Blues, St. Louis City, Mizzou and SLU questions in Tuesday's 11 a.m. live chat.
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Ben it looks to me like Mo is done. They are not going to sign a 30 mil pitcher.That would be like Martins landing.. Thats not going to happen. I can't figure out if they will do anything more. They have 60 outfielders and a quantity of pitchers [ not quality]. Whats next ? -
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Both Maddux and Albert leaving at the same time feels significant. The reasons for both have been reported. But is there any reason to have concern that there is a connection to a young managers first year? Is that a fair concern or an overreaction to palace intrique where none exists?
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I don't see any signs pointing toward the manager, specifically. The Cardinals are going to ramp up the modernization of their pitching. I imagine that was part of Mad Dog's decision, though not the only part. He could have played that game and spoken that language. I think he really was ready to change gears until Texas became an opportunity too good to pass up with Bochy. The more I hear about Jeff Albert, the more I'm convinced the Cardinals will be better off without him moving forward. I think he helped them modernize in some areas, but his insecurities about his perception were not the kind of thing that were going to age well in a dugout role like he had. The Cardinals should have moved him into a different role but for whatever reason didn't. Shildt was close to forcing a change there but never followed through. He would have done things differently if given the chance over again, I imagine.
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Do you think Mo telegraphing our need for a catcher caused him to lose leverage in the trade market? Couldn’t he have said something like, “ We like who we have, but we are always looking to upgrade?” I mean, people can figure it out, but when you are playing poker sometimes it’s good to bluff.
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Hi, Ben. Thoughts and prayers to coach Leach's family. I saw a story recently where the University of Texas-San Antonio quarterback is returning for a SEVENTH season because of the NIL deal he will receive. In other words, he'll likely make more money playing college football this upcoming season than in a job outside the university. And, the recently fired Naval Academy FB coach said one of their biggest recruiting obstacles is that they could not offer NIL deals. The sham of "student athletes" surely is over now. It's becoming a question not of which schools recruit the best, but which have the boosters which contribute the most. Do you agree? Thanks.
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Is it possible the Braves paid less because the market was different after the Cardinals signed Contreras. We also don't know how Oakland rated certain players. They clearly wanted the Milwaukee outfielder. Contreras is fine. People whine so much -- it's the internet. When I go to a game, it's a lot more fun if they win or at least have a chance. I recall years in the 70s and early 90s when the Cards were not more likely than not to win. Since 2000, they have been. Good enough for me. It's hard to win the World Series. Ask the Dodgers. Before their recent victory, it was 1988.
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When a team that stated catcher as its top need takes the best free agent option off the table, the market changes, yes.Also: The A's are . . . not good at this.We can admit that, too.It's entirely possible they over-asked from the Cardinals then made a bad second move.
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Why would anyone be bad at framing? You just move the glove quickly into the zone, right? Maybe I don’t fully understand what framing means and what it takes to be good at it. Could you explain what makes someone better at it? The number of strike calls he gets on borderline pitches?
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It's an art. Knowing which pitches to attempt to frame for strikes. Knowing which ones to bail on, because attempting on a beyond borderline pitch is more likely to do more damage than good with an umpire. Subtle movements, not stabbing or boxing. And never, ever taking a strike away from the zone. The number of borderline strikes and close-call balls that go a catcher's way is the best way to grade it, and there are metrics for it, as there are for everything these days.
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In short, because he can be. He's entering the final season of his current contract. He and DeWitt will discuss what comes next, what that looks like, and how things could change -- or not. This isn't your typical work relationship. DeWitt and Mozeliak, like it or not, are very close and Mozeliak will have a lot of say in whatever comes next, depending on what his plans and wishes are.
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I'm scratching my head on why the Cards didn't resign Quintana. Our game 1 starter in the playoffs, pitched a great game, was a stud for the cardinals down the stretch, wouldn't have cost much, they need pitching, and they don't resign him. And yet, it seems I'm the only one that feels that way and no big deal that they didn't ... yet there continues to be chatter of we need more pitching. What am I missing? Gordo's take is we don't need a 6th starter. 6th starter? He was top 2 or 3 for us!
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If you get a better starter than him, all good.If you don't, fair question.He had his career-best season during a bet-on-himself season at age 33.That's not the safest thing to bet multiple years on.If Quintana does what he did in 2022 again in 2023, the Cardinals could regret letting him go.But the chances he regresses are relatively high.His 2022 season was his best ever, and the only one that really comes close is when he was an All-Star in 2016. He had an adjusted ERA of 137 last season and it was 197 with the Cards. League average is 100. His career adjusted ERA is 110.Not the best guy to bet on (or age) for multiple seasons.I thought the Cardinals could do better. If they don't? Probably should have brought him back.
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Time to jet, folks. THANK YOU for the discussion and debate. Same time and place next week. Please do me a solid and sign up for the newsletter. I'll recap the topics here and add some additional research and fresh perspective. Into your inbox every Wednesday morning. Just once a week. I won't spam you beyond that. Promise. For those interested, link below. Thanks!
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