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3rd & 7 37yd

The Cardinals won a World Championship with Anthony Reyes and Jeff Weaver. So who knows?

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:00:56 PM
One thought about the senior trio after opening day: while they are all in their last season you get the feeling that Waino will have a way different impact than the other two - and they are being compensated accordingly. But what if Yadi can’t hit?

by South City Steve 4/8/2022 7:01:08 PM
If Molina finally hits the wall and quits hitting, he will have to play fewer games and hit down in the order when he does play. He would be just one of the many light-hitting catchers in the game. Right now there isn't a compelling Plan B to cover that possibility.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:03:25 PM
I enjoy Roy Hobbs. He's thinking is only a smidge more extreme than mine. And the guy has some personality. Thanks for sharing his statements and not posting too many.

I do agree, as much as I think Lindgren was a flash in the pan, the Blues must play Binnington soon to see if he can be trusted as someone who can play respectable goal in the playoffs in case the starter is out multiple games. I love Binner, I'm rooting for the dude, but if he's toast this year, they need to get Chucky ready.

by Brian 4/8/2022 7:04:11 PM
He has had a chance to stay ready, sort of. Remember when Mike Keenan kept Jon Casey at Peoria all season to see action while Grant Fuhr played game after game after game for the Blues? Casey had to step up in the playoffs when Fuhr went down and the outcome was not good.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:06:53 PM
Your P-D partner in crime, BenFred, stated that the 5-6-7 hitters will determine how far this offense can go. Yesterday they were 0-12 while the rest of the offense feasted. It’s one game but it also starts to erode the “Pujols will get up at Busch” theory. How much higher can he get than yesterday and what will that look like in mid-July?

by South City Steve 4/8/2022 7:07:13 PM
The batting order is top heavy. And bottom heavy. Once the analytics start driving the batting order construction, I bet it will have a different look than what we saw on Opening Day. I can't imagine that configuration working.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:09:58 PM
Jeff, how do you see Yuri Collins's future? I think he is too small for the NBA and he needs a better outside shot. I hope his evaluation goes well but I see him having more success overseas, not in the NBA.

If we're voting (and I know we're not), at least for the moment, my favorite Aussie is Margot Robbie.

I appreciate your time, Jeff.

by Roy Earl 4/8/2022 7:10:16 PM
The size and athleticism in the NBA is crazy. Collins is an old school point guard who can really run an offense, but I don't see how he could hold up at that level. But he could make a nice living playing the spot, because he can run the show.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:11:53 PM
I am a strong critic of the FO but I do have to say that while they seem eager to repeat last year’s mistake with the starting pitching they did act immediately with the Dickerson/Pujols signings when it was clear the young guys’ super winter ball numbers weren’t transferring

by South City Steve 4/8/2022 7:12:19 PM
The abbreviation of spring training did young hitters no favors. Neither Yepez no Gorman showed well in Jupiter, then they suffered cold starts for Memphis as well.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:13:09 PM
It's early but the Cards and Marmol look confident and in sync. Will this put the Shildt story to rest unless the team goes into a sharp decline? Won't this former black eye induce management be more aggressive to address any shortcomings (especially pitching) this season?

by Paul J 4/8/2022 7:13:33 PM
As I noted earlier, dismissing a highly successful manager without regard to wins and losses but the baseball operation on notice. Lots of folks in the industry scratched their head on that. So, sure, there could be more urgency because of that as well as the Pujols/Molina farewell.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:15:20 PM
You guys can blame Albert for leaving all your want, but one fact you sportswriters never mention is - THE CARDINALS CONTRACT TO ALBERT HAD AN ESCAPE CLAUSE FOR THE CARDINALS AFTER 5 YEARS. Albert was only getting 100 million guaranteed. Don't believe me, look back at the article SI did back when Albert signed with the Angels. It wasn't that the Cardinals were outbid by ONE team, it was they were outbid by the Angels, Marlins and Team X. No one is passing up 3 BETTER offers. The entity that lost out in the most dollars, wasn't Albert, it was the Cardinals. All the jerseys, all the memorabilia giveways celebrating 500hr, 600 HR, 661 and 3,000 hits. They make a ton every year on the accomplishments of former players. Just look at the excitement Albert brings at 42. The owner hosed the fans because he was chicken and didn't have the guts to sign the man.

by Brian 4/8/2022 7:16:19 PM
The Cardinals ultimately offered Albert $210 million for 10 years, with $30 million deferred. Earlier the team offered a five-year deal for $130 million to give him a higher annual value and that's what set Deidre off like a car bomb.
The Angels didn't have deferred money in their offer, but it was backloaded. The personal services add-on is pretty empty, since Albert could do much better in the STL in his post-playing days.
The Cardinals have had a history of sticking with name players, to a fault, so he wasn't going anywhere had he stayed. Playing time might have become more limited, as it was for Matt Carpenter, at the end of that deal. Albert became a drag on the Angels at the end, even with the DH, so that could have been difficult here.
Albert made a mistake by leaving. This was his comfort zone. His eagerness to return here proved that.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:27:01 PM
Has there been any update on Jack Flaherty?

by WP 4/8/2022 7:27:05 PM
No. Once he resumes throwing for real, the team will have a better idea on his return. Earlier this month he started his pre-throwing exercise routine.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:28:46 PM
Hello Jeff. How can Kansas fight the infractions? It's been proven that they worked with Adidas to get shoe deals with their players. Two were proven to get $20,000 and another $90,000. How can they defend against the facts? Other than lessen the penalties, they really have no leg to stand on.

by Evil Calvin 4/8/2022 7:28:55 PM
Kansas is threatening litigation that would drag things out and challenge the NCAA's ability to enforce rules. Basketball is what that athletic department has, so boosters want a fight to the death on this.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:30:06 PM
I'm surprised Anthony Reyes and Jeff Weaver aren't in the Cards HOF. I'm a rabid fan but they'll have to build an addition to the hall.

by Ed 4/8/2022 7:30:49 PM
Neither gets a red jacket here, but both will live forever as "you never know" examples of success.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:31:22 PM
There's already local MVP talk for Tyler O'Neill. But couldn't this realistically be another magical MV3 run w Areanado and Goldschmidt? Won't the addition of the DH adding more runners at 8/9 give them the opportunity to put up massive numbers and could they top the season that Pujols/Edmond/Rolen had in 2004?

by Paul J 4/8/2022 7:32:00 PM
I don't see this trio rising to MV3 level. Goldschmidt is reaching the twilight and Arenado still have to prove he can get his OPS back closer to previous levels. But having a third 30-homer guy with O'Neill is a big deal for the group.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:33:24 PM
The Cards were correct in letting AP go and the Braves in letting Freddie Freeman go. Wins on the fields should count more than Jersey sales.

by Ed 4/8/2022 7:33:48 PM
Again, the Cardinals didn't consciously let Albert go. The front office underestimated his willingness to chase top dollar. They overestimated his attachment to the franchise.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:35:12 PM
Oh, Rainvold being Rainvold. Just enjoy it man!

by Evil Calvin 4/8/2022 7:36:17 PM
Is DeJong the key to the middle of the lineup being the bridge to 7/8/9? Do you see Carlson ending up batting 5th w Edman/Bader taking most of the lead off AB's to protect Areanado and in that way lengthen the lineup?

by Paul J 4/8/2022 7:37:20 PM
I expect Oliver Marmol to shuffle the order regularly. If he is truly relying on the analytics, that commitment will require constant change. I could see Bader leading off against lefties and allowing Carlson to add more depth. And I definitely see Marmol hoping that DeJong provide middle-order heft after the franchise passed on all those those shortstops.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:38:57 PM
Oh yeah, Cardinals haven't won since he left. That first year, they made the World Series, but they had an Albert size hole in the lineup. Just saying, he brings a lot more than just numbers guys. You might need to open up your mouths and eat some crow. I remember when I'd wear an Albert jersey to the games and for Cardinal Days at work, the scorn I got from you haters. And now you phonies are all happy he's back. Can't have it both ways. I know you people in this country think you can, but you can't.

by Brian 4/8/2022 7:46:59 PM
Nothing about the second half of Albert's career suggests he was capable of carrying the Cardinals to championships. He was still a good player for much of his time in Anaheim, but his days of domination passed.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:48:57 PM
“Oh, Rainvold being Rainvold. Just enjoy it man!”

BFIBs are losers. While I was born a Cardinal fan and want them to win, I also enjoy seeing people like you, whose personal identity is tied to the perception of the fan base, face identity crises when the franchise missteps or fails. BFiBs have to perform intricate mental gymnastics to justify their love for McRoid. He disgraced the franchise.

by Jon Rainvold 4/8/2022 7:49:33 PM
That was an unhappy period for baseball in general. Some guys, McGwire included, clearly got carried away. But the overwrought response to PEDs in baseball -- HOW COULD THEY!!!! -- has always puzzled me. Steroid abuse was long a thing in football and many Olympic sports and life somehow went on. Somehow baseball was supposed to remain pure when it was never pure.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:51:46 PM
Jeff, do you think with Tony's comments about toxicity within the Cards organization last year may mean an end to him coming back for future opening days? Or reunions?

by Evil Calvin 4/8/2022 7:52:05 PM
If ever issued a scathing, detailed takedown of the franchise, then that would be a problem. A passing remark in defense of a fellow manager shouldn't be any big deal.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:53:00 PM
Jeff, do you think Pujols would have made a difference in the 2013 World Series? He hadn't yet achieved decrepitude. Combine his presence and NOT pitching to Ortiz and maybe the Cardinals have twelve World Series Championships? Thanks again.

by Roy Earl 4/8/2022 7:53:52 PM
Could Albert have made the difference in all the years the Cardinals fell short in postseason play during his time here? Sure. But he didn't. He's just one great hitter that teams could pitch around, if need be. He's not some mythical creature. In 2005 he "broke Brad Lidge" with that monstrous homer . . . and the Cardinals still lost that series to Houston.
Had the Cardinals won 11 World Championships on his watch and he was MVP each time, then you might be on to something.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 7:58:01 PM
How stunning is it that a soon to be 30 Aaron Judge turned down a 7/210M+ offer from the Yankees and appears to want 10/360M. Over the next 7 years, who puts up a better WAR, Judge or O'Neil? I am going with O'Neil. What do you think it takes for the Cards to extend O'Neil at this point?

by ICCFIM 4/8/2022 7:58:39 PM
Well, he's not getting $360 million. If O'Neill is really this good, then he could become a $30 million-per-year player at some point. It will be interesting to see how much of his potential free agency he is willing to sell off in a long-term contract, if any, and how much frontloaded money the Cardinals might offer to entice him. The Cardinals don't have much track record to refer to while making this guess. Since Albert, they haven't developed much high-end hitting. Now the marketplace for such hitting is high. The industry is flush with cash.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 8:03:51 PM
No, baseball couldn’t remain pure. That said, the blatant abusers could have been banished for good. To see a franchise (and fanbase) that holds itself up as the moral standard for the league openly embrace McRoid and his ilk is an absolute joke.

by Jon Rainvold 4/8/2022 8:04:05 PM
Do the Cardinals spend much time preaching to the rest of the sport about athletic purity? I don't think so. This team had juicers in the steroid era and cocaine abusers in the disco era, just like most other teams. The Cardinals got caught in hacking scandal during the technology era.
A fair number of on-field rivalries got heated over the years. Fistfights ensued. Tony La Russa managed this team with a rough edge forever.
The franchise has employed its share of players with questionable personal character over the years.
Maybe some fans see this franchise as a bastion of All That Is Good, but I don't believe this franchise has tried to trademark that.

by Jeff Gordon 4/8/2022 8:14:21 PM
Good afternoon BoBo! I'm gonna give Mo a free pass this year coming out of COVID because I thought he should of acquired a big bat but seeing Albert in a Cardinals uniform again is worth missing the playoffs if that's what happens.
Do you think Dewitt will increase his self imposed salary cap next year?
Also do you think Albert will get a phat legacy contract for all the revenue he going to generate this year?

by Jimmy 4/8/2022 8:14:48 PM