2018 St. Louis Cardinals
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Just imagine if fowler got it going, along with the bullpen 
the national
- the Front Range
Boy, Matt had himself a day today! Home runs abound
What's everyone's take on Mozeliak's comments regarding Fowler?
They were stupid to say publicly, especially since the guy was just about to leave on paternity. He was likely just frustrated with the overall offensive under performance and just happened to zone in on the guy who's under performing the most and who maaaaybe doesn't optically put in the most time at the park as some of the other players (not that that really matters).
But Fowler's play has been indefensible at times this year, and Bader is basically aesthetically the complete opposite player as him and he's the one taking his at-bats. People would call out Carlos Beltran for not hustling to balls just because he was so smooth, but he would make the plays. Fowler was a -5 run defender in CF last year, and has been a -5 defender in the easier RF this year, there's no reason he should be worse in RF than CF outside injury, old age, or maybe the motivation is gone.
Moz has walked back those statements. And his track record of doing the right thing by players is long enough that this won't really effect his stature as one of the better GMs in the game.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Probably not a great idea to say them publicly. Dex seems like a great guy, but there is no denying something is not right. I have seem him dog some balls out in the field allowing singles to turn into doubles and the approach at the plate is down right miserable. I think Dex was not a great fit from the jump. To me, it got too tit for tat with the Cubs in those couple of free agent classes with JHey and Dex the following year. We saw the Cubs, their boon of talent and ability to sign guys and we panicked. Our front office got away from doing what we have done for years, we groom and promote from with in and really only sign free agents or trade for guys who are major impact ie:Holliday and Beltran come to mind the quickest. There is absolutely no question in my mind that with the passing of Oscar really threw everything off kilter. There were a few players out there that year that may have done better with guys like Desmond, Reddick, and Cespedes(I know he is injured a ton).
As it sits right now, we are not out of it. There should be a couple trades that need to happen that do not involve Machado(I love Manny, but too risky). While I like Jose Martinez, it is probably time for him to move to the AL so he can DH and spot start at first. He is the worst 1b defensively in the league. Move Carp back to first and now our infield is not so much square pegs into round holes. I would like to see a move for bull pen arm, but definitely do not want to give too much for one as pen arms come and go like crazy are relatively easy to develop, see Jordan Hicks. That kid will be lights out in a year or two. The move might just be to move Jose Martinez for a bull pen arm and go from there. I don’t want to sound like I don’t value the pen, because it is a bull pen game now and great arms aren’t just falling off trees, but I think it is easier to develop them rather than trade 3 prospects for one shut down guy whose arm could blow on any pitch.
I’m no Mo fan but I think it was fine. When you call out the high paid Fowler with honest analysis, it puts everyone on notice.
I’m so tired of hearing the other crap from Mo and Marheny where they say we will be fine when we put it all together. It’s July.
This roster lacks All Stars and has utility guys playing different infield positions day to day. That’s on Mo but the lackluster play is on Matheny and players. To bad Mo has to motivate them.
How would you feel about a Moustakas for Jose Martinez trade? I know there were some reports within the past couple weeks about the Cardinals considering that. Obviously you'd have to add a couple pieces in to make it work.
Ryllini
- Lombard
I like Moustakas, but it puts you in a bind again with fits. We have DeJong back, Jed, Wong, Carpenter, Munoz that all play on the infield. I love flexibility, but we have a lot of talent along the infield, just many times players aren’t playing the right position...aside from Wong.
Pretty obvious last night that we don't have a reliable lefty specialist in the bullpen
orangeroses07
- Centralia, IL
This team has more holes than any one trade can fill.
orangeroses07
- Centralia, IL
Anybody happen to be going to either game on the South Side this week? I recently moved to Chicago and ticket's are relatively affordable, hitting up both games.
Wouldn't be surprised if there was quite a bit of Cardinal red up there this week.
One shame about these Cardinals-White Sox series is that they're mid-week series. Me and one of my roommates/best friends from college is a big White Sox fan (actually lives in Calumet City) and we'd prefer to go games that were on weekends, no matter which town it was in.
orangeroses07
- Centralia, IL
I could not agree more, especially with these two teams not playing each other every year. I remember the Cardinals playing a 3 game series on a weekend in at the Cell in 2006, both teams coming off of an amazing 2005 campaign and it was epic.
the national
- the Front Range
MCarp is currently sitting in 5th in voting for the last spot. Not sure he is going to make it to the ASG. The fact that he is even being considered is a testament to his effort the last month or so.
Best hitter in the national league for about the last month, but his start was so unlucky his numbers still aren't up to All Star quality.
orangeroses07
- Centralia, IL
Good to see Fowler take one deep last night!
Jeez, can we just get rid of Matheny already?: https://deadspin.com/extremely-cardinals-report-mike-matheny-respects-bud-n-1827528307
the national
- the Front Range
Ugh, it’s not a good look for sure. It seems like a petty, immature way to manage a ball club. Sort of passive aggressive, and lacks leadership in my opinion. Matheny, as a ball player, was someone I respected. However the game has changed a lot and I don’t think he’s the right guy to lead our team
I'm ready to make that change at the helm and also ready to be a seller. Dang problem is we are only a few games back of the wild card leaders. Without our dominance of the Reds, we are a .500 club or worse. I don't expect that to change.
I'd trade Martinez to AL team. I'd look to move Carpenter while he's still hot. Someone would take Fowler but we will eat money. I want to see Bader play anyway so I'm good with that.
You hear no rumors of these moves. Only Machado. We don't need that.
dgcrow
- Kelso, WA
It seems more and more apparent, at least to me, that the first move the Cardinals must make is to change managers. Enough is enough.
orangeroses07
- Centralia, IL
Is there one thing Matheny does well to make up for all of the negative? Enough is enough.
Peoria Illini
- Peoria, IL
Agreed. Matheny needs to go.
I didn't have a problem with sending Hicks to Minor league camp in spring training due to chronic lateness. You still need to follow the rules.
But the snitching and the old school "hazing" or riding is stupid.
Not only do they have a lack of leadership in the manager's position, it seems they have a lack of leadership in the clubhouse. If your "leader" is a crap reliever in Norris, then you're in trouble.
Exactly. Bud Norris, notorious jerk, a veteran making $3MM/yr. and who has made many millions over his career, is tasked with ratting out/ fining the guys making their first major league paychecks and who have toiled in the minors for years making minimum wage?? And he happened to have singled out the guy who's gunning for his closer role? And Matheny just laughs it off?
Matheny should have been kicked to the curb the minute he brought in Wacha after not pitching for a month in the deciding inning of the 2014 NLCS. That was peak Matheny, and he hasn't done anything since then to even remotely display he knows how baseball teams work (not that he did much before that, either).
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