USA's lineup is awake. America wins. But Nootbaar homers.
He could be optioned, yes. But I don't think he will be. The Cardinals would really like him to snap out of this spring slumber and grab hold of the job they want him to take. He has the upper hand not because of his production -- Barrera has outplayed him this camp, Marmol admitted today -- but because he knows the pitchers, knows the way the Cardinals do things, etc. That's even more important when your starter is a newcomer (Willson Contreras) who does not know all of these things so well just yet. Knizner's knowledge and familiarity is a plus, one I don't think the team is ready to overlook out of camp. If he can't hit when games count, he's in trouble. He's already in jeopardy.
I wouldn't call Liberatore's spring an emergence. He has a lot to prove this season before he shapes any future pitching plans at the major league level.
Some, maybe, but I'll push back a little bit on the notion pitchers always know what is best, and that a catcher's opinion, especially one that has worked for a while with the pitcher, should not have a voice in pitch-calling. But we are talking about more than pitch-calling here. How the Cardinals prepare for a lineup, prep defense, etc. There's a way they want these things done. The only catcher, right now, in the room who has a sense of that from past experiences is Knizner. I think that gives him an edge, but it's not one he can't lose.
I'm trying to be a realist. It's happening. No point in delaying. So, what can be done to acknowledge that reality and also help combat the worst of the worst? Missouri is lagging other states when it comes to earmarking funds for support and rehabilitation of problem betting. If it's going to go all-in on sports betting, I hope the teams that advocate for it also push for a stronger safety net for those who will be harmed by it. It's not a perfect answer but it's better than ignoring the obvious.
Yeah, you can play them all. Everybody can play CF except Walker, who can (maybe) but they won't ask him to. DH reps can let guys cycle through their, too.
Could it be that Cardinals fans are getting excited?
There are not plans for that at this time.
No. Not since I've been coming down here. It's a special group, and this was also a unique spring -- lots of chances to impress due to WBC. And they took advantage.
He and Hudson were optioned to Memphis today. He will be awaiting his turn, trying to prove he's ready in Memphis.
Closing time coming here shortly, folks. Lots of questions left but I'll need to head back for interviews. Rapid-fire until 2 p.m. STL time.
No, my projected position list is down below and he's on it.
Not entirely. Those are high-intensity, playoff-atmosphere games played in a way spring training games are not. A pitch to the hand, sure, can happen anywhere, any time.
Sell. I'm not giving up on Hudson just yet. But he needs to respond to today's bad news.
They are a draft-and-develop team. They are always going to give more chances to their own guys than others, especially if they have made an early investment in that guy, like DeJong. Not saying it's right or wrong, just that it is. DeJong's trade value is shot at the moment. He proved nothing this spring, and now he's hurt. He's not blocking anyone on the injured list, which is where he's headed.
Perhaps. Probably not with Ohtani (sorry) but the Cardinals had great WBC representation, and guys like playing for the Cardinals. Guys talk about their teams and how they like them or don't. Can't hurt.
They should have added a lockdown starter this offseason. It was hollered about often by yours truly.
