Cardinals Rumors: Smoltz, Carpenter, Lyon

Forgot where I read it, but I saw a piece today saying the LaRussa was considering Chris Carpenter to fill the role.

Oh god. TLR, I have great loads of respect for you, but please STFU.

Rotation: Waino-Wellemeyer-Lohse-Piniero-Carp/Thompson. NEEDS HELP.

1. Joel Pineiro in the rotation is a liability. He needs to be moved to the pen ASAP. Not as closer, but out of the rotation, where he strains the pen and gives up plenty of runs. That being said, there are TWO wildcard spots in the Cardinals rotation, even if Piniero stays in it. If one of Waino, Wellemeyer, or Lohse gets hurt or struggles, the Cards are screwed.

Ben Sheets or Braden Looper being signed AND KEPT IN THE ROTATION is the ideal idea. Or go all out and spend on Derek Lowe.

2. Chris Perez and Jason Motte dominated AAA. They don't need to stay there more. They need big league experience IN HIGH LEVERAGE SITUATIONS.

I want to use the stage analogy here; VERY few people have naturally good stage presence/stamina regardless of talent. You have to perform in front of large crowds in order to get the knack for performing in front of these crowds and handling the pressure. The same applies for pressure pitching in high leverage situations. Motte/Perez have the stuff, they just need to gain that knack.

I don't think the small injury prone signings have hurt the Cardinals. Matt Clement didn't hurt the team much.

It's the BIG trades/signings, like the Mulder trade and extension, and the 60++MM extension to Carpenter which have hurt the team.

The reason the cards did so much more than they were expected in 08 was attitude. Told by the press that they weren't a good team, they played their buts off. But now it seems the management is doing all it can to destroy any chemistry that existed. I'm losing respect for the front office and now also for TLR.

Because he could do more damage to his arm warming up a couple times a week.

I agree with Tom. In the event that Carp can't go a full 7 (0r 9), why not have him close until he is ready to work up his pitch count? The guy has been out for almost 2 years, and why rush him into it if he isn't ready? Insert Perez into that role when Carp is ready to return to the rotation. TLR gets a lot of flak, but he is a very intelligent man, just look at his record. If I were a Cards fan (I used to be), I would be behind this cat 100%.

Does anybody know the best way to get the Front Office to pay attention? Who do you email to have the best opportunity to get yourself heard? These are potentially crucial things to know. If any front office needed an intervention from its fans, it belongs to the St. Louis Cardinals. Is there somebody on staff that is paid to read the truth directly from its fans or are all comments on sites like these doomed from the start?

What im saying is, short of not showing up to the games (which cardinal nation will never do) how can we show our disapproval realistically?

The cardinals' situation is very unique whereas the fans' loyalty is actually hurting the organization.

Maybe Im on my own on this, but it is just so rediculous the way they run this thing.

Whats the best way to be heard?

"The Cardinals have inquired about free agent John Smoltz, who is expected to re-sign with the Atlanta Braves."

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/CC7EB2010EC340738625753600154342?OpenDocument

I think that the closer rule will be good with Perez, Motte, or Carpenter. The front office needs to get another starter and we will be ok. We will have to see what happen.

Hey Mozeliak, lay off Smoltzie! :|

I think taking a chance on the nats chad cordero could be a potentially interesting move with a high ceiling for success...if it doesn't work I don't think the loss would be too drastic

I agree with Waynestorie, a now days closers seem to be born in the bigs every season. that may be a roll that could fill its self, but John Smoltz would be a big inspiration for the team (and fans) So John mozeliak if your two boys are reading this, SIGN JOHN SMOLTZ ITS A GOOD IDEA!!, and Kenshin Kawakami would be nice. then your done for awhile, everyones happy, see?

(i love my redbirds) i need help.

Ryan. BJ Ryan! Take him for god sakes! Fuentes cost the Angels a high draft pick, so give the Jays a solid player, such as Perez and TLR will have his proven closer. And he is left-handed to boot. He has dominated the AL East in the past, he'll do just fine in the NL Central. Take him!

Ben,
La Russa did NOT say that Izzy was probably not going to return. Here is what La Russa ACTUALLY said.

"We talked about that some," La Russa said. "I don't know how well [Isringhausen] fits. For one thing, I don't know how interested he is in coming back."

You are making an incorrect interpretation and stating a conclusion where there is no basis for one. If you need further proof, please look at this December 4th article from STL Today about an interview with Dave Duncan:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/jeffgordon/story/5B9C6BEAA6E76AE186257514007DE124?OpenDocument

Here's the article's quote about Dave Duncan (the Cardinals pitching coach) regarding Izzy:
"The Cards must add an established closer. If Mozeliak can’t land one, Duncan would be open to giving Jason Isringhausen another look in that role in the spring.

“'If he does everything he has to do to recover from the injuries he had and he wants to give it a shot, I’d vote 'yes' to giving him a shot,” Duncan said. “I know he’s interested in trying to continue pitching.'”

There is no basis to say that Izzy "will probably not return to the Cardinals." On the contrary, no one has ruled it out and he actually has one huge supporter, the Cardinals pitching coach who the manager of the Cardinals defers to alot in who the manager should advocate signing. I apologize for this long post but please Ben, edit and correct your post to delete this conclusive statement. Thank you.

The Cards may be able to shake Thornton out of the White Sox. He's a great pitcher and may be ready to become a closer.

"Dude, for the record I hate the way tony does things. He's one of the problems. By young bullpen other than motte and perez you mean, Franklin, Miller, Villone, Izzy?

If I had my say so, I think either perez or motte can close if you would just put some faith into them and get over your young player phobia.
I think their a great 8-9 combo."

First off Villone and Izzy are gone. McClellan and Kinney are in. That right there takes away a TON of age out of the bullpen. Next, why are you acting as if I'm opposed to the kids? That is my whole point! I'd rather have the two nasty boys in the 8th and 9th over anyone else. And I'm glad Miles is gone...Brian Barden has more versatility and a better glove at a fraction of the cost.

To the Rasmus for Jenks comment from someone...the Cardinals would hang up first. Rasmus is untouchable.

Definitely untouchable

actually i want to change my post.

NO player is untouchable (unless they have some absolute, non-waiveable no trace clause of course)

with some the price may be ridiculous, but a price exists.

every player..every prospect...is touchable.

I wouldnt mind carp moving to the bullpen.. but is Larussa serious? or is this just another shot at Mozeliak... last season people were saying playing infielders(ex.kennedy) in the outfield and putting out ridiculous lineups was Tony's way of getting back at Mozeliak for not making a big move at the deadline... just speculation... I want Trevor Hoffman, Tony loves veteran pitching and could give Perez and Motte a little more time to develop

Ryan Ludwick for Manny Delcarmen and Chris Carter.

Red Sox need a RHH outfielder and Manny has the stuff to close.

The Cardinals will likely be hesitant to give out any long-term contracts to a pitcher as they are likely preparing for Pujols' record-breaking contract.

So, Carter is slow, doesn't have a good glove or arm, and primary position is first? I don't think the Cards could really use a guy like that, imo.

It's really hard to say and of course has the risk of regression. He was a highly touted prospect that was derailed by numerous injuries and bounced around in the minors, so I would tend to think that 2008 was not an aberration and was his true talent. He has almost exactly the same HR/AB as Pat Burrell throughout their careers, although in 1/4 the ab's. Hard to say, but if he stays healthy, he can be a major league middle of th elineup contributer.