Exactly what I was thinking the whole time I heard him speak. It was a blast hearing him talk about baseball he truly has a great mind for it
St. Louis Cardinals 2015 Season
Exactly what I was thinking the whole time I heard him speak. It was a blast hearing him talk about baseball he truly has a great mind for it
I Hate Lemonier
I
Guest
Rizzo guarantees Cubs will win the Central.
http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/anthony-rizzo-sends-message-cubs-were-going-win-nl-central
Good for him, you should expect to win every time you hit the field. Even if odds are similar to the Illini winning the conference in football next year.
http://www.csnchicago.com/cubs/anthony-rizzo-sends-message-cubs-were-going-win-nl-central
Good for him, you should expect to win every time you hit the field. Even if odds are similar to the Illini winning the conference in football next year.
Cole Hamels or bust?
SalukiIllini
- Evansville, IN
Shields may becoming an option.
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
not sure where he got it but i know this one place that speculates Cardinals might be in on shields.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24988827/mystery-market-nine-plus-guesses-as-to-where-shields-market-may-go
Deleted member 3875
D
Guest
Get Shields....the shaky health of the rotation scares me.
SalukiIllini
- Evansville, IN
There's several places out there rumbling of STL getting him. MLBTradeRumors has mentioned it as well.
IlliniFan85
- Colorado Springs, CO
You guys know why we haven't been in on Yoan Macado? Seems like a player we should go after. Especially since Diaz isn't ready yet and it's possible he may never be. I'd like that insurance.
SalukiIllini
- Evansville, IN
Diaz was injured last year which really set him back.
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
He is being labeled as a 2B right now, or the last time I saw he was. I would take a gamble cause he is a big bat, and has the potential.
Yep. Diaz is a good player, and I think he a little like Peralta. Both have the same both type, not the best laterally, but both have some pop. I think Diaz will be ready by end of the year.
Bump to keep us from falling too far down the page 
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
Pretty good article on Marp and his pitch selection. He has one of the best eyes in baseball, it's truly amazing.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/matt-carpenter-even-selective-when-he-chases/
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/matt-carpenter-even-selective-when-he-chases/
I like the 5 worst swing gifs... unreal. He's the man. I've been high on him since 2012, and it's been nice to see my man crush on him validated the past 2 seasons, lol. Also, his birthday is my anniversary, which was purely coincidental.
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
orangeroses07
- Centralia, IL
Pitchers and Catchers officially report TODAY! Lets get this thing started Cardinals fans!
Ryllini
- Lombard
Well, I for one am extremely excited today. This should be another good year for our guys and with the depth of the Central it should just add to the race all year. I don't know if anyone hits 90 wins from this division, because all of the teams will beat on each other, but I still believe we would be the team to achieve that.
I think we have great depth in the starting rotation and wouldn't mind seeing some games where Waino and perhaps Wacha are skipped in the rotation; say games against Philly, Arizona, Atlanta. I know you definitely want to put your best foot forward every game, but Waino can't continue to pitch 240+ innings and then hit the post season, it is not human.
I like the offense, and will be curious to see where Heyward sits in the order. I love Carpenter at the top, because the dude grinds and he will let everyone see the opposing pitchers pitches, but Heyward gives us something there we haven't had in a while; speed with nice knack to steal bases. I am really going to keep an eye on Grichuk this season, I love his tools and would love to see him take another step. He has tremendous athletic ability and if he can bring that bat even further, we may have something there. Reynolds gives us some pop off the bench, we wont(hopefully, barring injuries) have to deal with 200 K's from him with him spot starting and providing the big bat off the bench. I envision an order something like this to start the season:
Carpenter
Heyard
Holliday
Adams
Peralta
Molina
Jay
Wong
*I like this lineup primarily against right handers. When a Lefty is on the mound, I am stuck. Based on career averages, Jay would be your man to lead off, but I just don't see that happening, as I believe he has never been that good in that spot. Heyward disappears against lefties and that would leave Carp for me to lead off again. I think Carp will have a better batting average this year, heck he will have to if he is to lead off again this year.
*way to early, but I do believe pitching, starters and relief, we will be fine and the offense should be better than last year(water finds it's level). Be prepared for Heyward to get off to a sluggish start and that will lead to a lot of people getting on him, but he does usually heat up in the second half and that is when we will need him the most. I actually do think Mabry might be the best for him. I don't know the situation in Atlanta, but I would be will to bet they wanted him to blast 30 jacks every year, but he probably more suited to spray the ball with line drives and some will find their way over.
I see 91 wins from this team on the first day of spring training.
I think we have great depth in the starting rotation and wouldn't mind seeing some games where Waino and perhaps Wacha are skipped in the rotation; say games against Philly, Arizona, Atlanta. I know you definitely want to put your best foot forward every game, but Waino can't continue to pitch 240+ innings and then hit the post season, it is not human.
I like the offense, and will be curious to see where Heyward sits in the order. I love Carpenter at the top, because the dude grinds and he will let everyone see the opposing pitchers pitches, but Heyward gives us something there we haven't had in a while; speed with nice knack to steal bases. I am really going to keep an eye on Grichuk this season, I love his tools and would love to see him take another step. He has tremendous athletic ability and if he can bring that bat even further, we may have something there. Reynolds gives us some pop off the bench, we wont(hopefully, barring injuries) have to deal with 200 K's from him with him spot starting and providing the big bat off the bench. I envision an order something like this to start the season:
Carpenter
Heyard
Holliday
Adams
Peralta
Molina
Jay
Wong
*I like this lineup primarily against right handers. When a Lefty is on the mound, I am stuck. Based on career averages, Jay would be your man to lead off, but I just don't see that happening, as I believe he has never been that good in that spot. Heyward disappears against lefties and that would leave Carp for me to lead off again. I think Carp will have a better batting average this year, heck he will have to if he is to lead off again this year.
*way to early, but I do believe pitching, starters and relief, we will be fine and the offense should be better than last year(water finds it's level). Be prepared for Heyward to get off to a sluggish start and that will lead to a lot of people getting on him, but he does usually heat up in the second half and that is when we will need him the most. I actually do think Mabry might be the best for him. I don't know the situation in Atlanta, but I would be will to bet they wanted him to blast 30 jacks every year, but he probably more suited to spray the ball with line drives and some will find their way over.
I see 91 wins from this team on the first day of spring training.
Who does everyone think will win/want to win that 5th spot?
Waino
Lackey
Lynn
Wacha
Martinez/Gonzales/Garcia
Tough call. I really want to see Martinez take command and not let go of that 5th spot. He has such good stuff, but on the other hand, Marco was good in limited innings last year and is also a lefty. That would allow Carlos to pitch in a set up role where he was really good last year. I just don't know, but i suppose it's a.good problem to have.
As for Jaime, I just hope he shows out enough in spring that he becomes trade bait for some prospects. I was high as anyone on him early, but after the past few seasons I'm ready to move on.
Waino
Lackey
Lynn
Wacha
Martinez/Gonzales/Garcia
Tough call. I really want to see Martinez take command and not let go of that 5th spot. He has such good stuff, but on the other hand, Marco was good in limited innings last year and is also a lefty. That would allow Carlos to pitch in a set up role where he was really good last year. I just don't know, but i suppose it's a.good problem to have.
As for Jaime, I just hope he shows out enough in spring that he becomes trade bait for some prospects. I was high as anyone on him early, but after the past few seasons I'm ready to move on.
Ryllini
- Lombard
Yea, it is a great problem to have. I would love for Carlos to take a spot, but I really like him in the 7th and 8th inning. I would like to have the lefty in Marco in there and hopefully Martinez can wait it out one more year to take Lackey's spot. We have some great depth here, so we should be able to get some pitchers some rest if they need it and be able to cover injuries.
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
Heyward will hit for power this year. He won't be in the leadoff spot, and he will be anywhere from 4-6 in the order. I can see possibly second, but think that will go to Jay or Wong.
Before being asked to move to leadoff, Heyward's slugging was a .441, had 59 HR, 77 doubles, and 13 triples. He was then asked to leadoff, and his numbers dropped, but his K totals dropped. Before-373 K's After-171. Granted it was only 2 seasons, but he knows how to adapt to where he is in the order.
My prediction is that Heyward hits anywhere between .265-.280, .450-.500 SLG, .350-.400 OBP, .800-.900 OPS, 20-28 HR, 25-35 Doubles, 3-6 triples, 15-25 SB's, and 80-95 RBI's. I say he has career highs in doubles and RBI's, and the Cardinals will sign him to a 10-year 200+ million dollar contract, but after year 5 he can opt out. I say this because he is just getting into his prime years, and prime strength years. Big seasons ahead of J-Hey.
Before being asked to move to leadoff, Heyward's slugging was a .441, had 59 HR, 77 doubles, and 13 triples. He was then asked to leadoff, and his numbers dropped, but his K totals dropped. Before-373 K's After-171. Granted it was only 2 seasons, but he knows how to adapt to where he is in the order.
My prediction is that Heyward hits anywhere between .265-.280, .450-.500 SLG, .350-.400 OBP, .800-.900 OPS, 20-28 HR, 25-35 Doubles, 3-6 triples, 15-25 SB's, and 80-95 RBI's. I say he has career highs in doubles and RBI's, and the Cardinals will sign him to a 10-year 200+ million dollar contract, but after year 5 he can opt out. I say this because he is just getting into his prime years, and prime strength years. Big seasons ahead of J-Hey.
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
Matheny is pissing in my Cheerios already.
http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseba...5dfb-a047-8f646921f4d0.html?mobile_touch=true
http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseba...5dfb-a047-8f646921f4d0.html?mobile_touch=true
CardsIllinifan8
C
Guest
Waino has an ab strain. Hopefully it's just that and nothing more. We know the history with our medical staff; they aren't the most reliant.
Wants him to bunt for hits??? What's that man smoking??
CardsIllinifan8
C