The Cardinals' trade deadline shopping list probably includes a starting pitcher and a middle infielder, but GM John Mozeliak indicated that he would also like to add some personality to the team's clubhouse according to Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
"When you think about our clubhouse personality, you think 'businesslike.' I would use the word 'professional.' I think we could use a true ice-breaker at times," said Mozeliak. "I think sometimes a level of tension develops. You play 162 games with the same group of guys from February to hopefully late October, sometimes you have to be able to take a step back."
Mozeliak made it clear that he was not talking about a team's clubhouse chemistry in a negative way, he just wants to see a more energetic vibe. He mentioned Mark DeRosa, who was limited on the field after being acquired at the trade deadline last season but remained valuable to the team through his intangibles.
Manager Tony LaRussa acknowledged the positive effect that adding some more personality could have, but he emphasized that the priority should be on-field production. He went deeper into the memory bank than Mozeliak, saying that Will Clark was the perfect kind of on the field production, off the field intangibles pick up. St Louis acquired Clark at the 2000 trade deadline.
The Cardinals recently added some bullpen help on minor league deals in the form of Renyel Pinto and Mike MacDougal, and the team also dipped their toe into the Cliff Lee pool. They are also known to covet former Cardinal Dan Haren. It's hard enough to find someone that will be productive when his name is penciled into the lineup, let alone when he's in the clubhouse.
Elijah Dukes has personality.
Kevin Millar. Done.
I thought Millar as well. He pretty much adds a new definition to “personality”. Too bad, you know, he’s not very good.
I’d take a shot at Blalock.
Jeff Francoeur has personality and they could have him for the low price of Colby Rasmus.
your joking right icedrake ? I live in NY , I would not give anything for Francouer, other then some 1 AA kid and pick up his contract. Colby is the future and possible JJ as well in right.
Of course I’m joking. Francoeur is awful and I’ve hated that trade ever since it happened.
I thought so, just had to be sure
I thought so, just had to be sure
Go take a look at what Ryan Church is doing and tell me if you still hate the trade.
What are the braves paying him again? Nevermind…
your joking right icedrake ? I live in NY , I would not give anything for Francouer, other then some 1 AA kid and pick up his contract. Colby is the future and possible JJ as well in right.
Milton Bradley comments go here
“It’s hard enough to find someone that will productive when his name is penciled into the lineup” Anyone see something wrong with this sentence?
Yea. Ambiguous pronoun. “His” could refer to “someone”, though I assume it is meant to refer to Dan Haren. If this article were up for workshop, one of the first things I’d do is circle that sentence.
Not exactly what i was going for but okay…
Not exactly what i was going for but okay…
Yea. Ambiguous pronoun. “His” could refer to “someone”, though I assume it is meant to refer to Dan Haren. If this article were up for workshop, one of the first things I’d do is circle that sentence.
It should be “someone who” rather than “someone that.”
It should be “someone who” rather than “someone that.”
francouer?…
They have personality. It’s that of their manager, which is not a good personality. No smiles, no laughs, no talking, no lightheartedness, all wound tight. That team creeps me out. Dull, lifeless. The team and their fans consider themselves the arbiter on the “right way to play the game.” If you want to lull everyone to sleep that is. Ha, they probably win it all, with a permanent scowl etched in their faces. Fun times!
The Tom Landry of MLB, just missing the trench coat…
Ummm….doesnt Brendan Ryan have enough personality??
Twitch! Errr… Boog!
Twitch! Errr… Boog!
Oh, if only they’d never released Stubby Clapp. What could have been…
Oh, if only they’d never released Stubby Clapp. What could have been…
Mike Lowell. Done. The guy is still actually relatively productive and 1B/3B/DH are the only positions on the Red Sox that are staying miraculously healthy. When Lowell is healthy, you can play him for some decent production at 3B and shuffle around the rest of the infield (minus 1B, for obvious reasons). When he’s on the DL, BAM- 100% clubhouse presence.
Mike Lowell. Done. The guy is still actually relatively productive and 1B/3B/DH are the only positions on the Red Sox that are staying miraculously healthy. When Lowell is healthy, you can play him for some decent production at 3B and shuffle around the rest of the infield (minus 1B, for obvious reasons). When he’s on the DL, BAM- 100% clubhouse presence.
I like Lowell as well, especially now that Freese’s “wont be out long” has changed to we dont know when he will be back. Lowell, Lopez, Skip, solid IF.
I like Lowell as well, especially now that Freese’s “wont be out long” has changed to we dont know when he will be back. Lowell, Lopez, Skip, solid IF.
I actually thought they should have gone for Lowell at the start of the season untill he got hurt and Freese showed he was solid.. Now Lowell looks good again
I actually thought they should have gone for Lowell at the start of the season untill he got hurt and Freese showed he was solid.. Now Lowell looks good again
Agreed. I’m sure he could be had for a relatively low price.
Jeff Francoeur for a bag of balls! Do it.
Jeff Francoeur for a bag of balls! Do it.
What about Bruce Chen? He is having a solid year with the Royals and is known as a great clubhouse funny man and he would be available for a middle level prospect.
Chen is worth a mid-level prospect now? I didn’t realize he was worth a mid-level prospect 2 or 3 years ago… Don’t get me wrong, the guy’s pitching like he ain’t cooked yet- but a pair of low level prospects might be more realistic (i.e. organizational depth or longshots).
You are completely right…I should have said low level and not middle. Chen could be a good “innings eater” especially in the NL. I guess he wouldn’t be worth much 2 years ago while he was having Tommy John’s surgery, but he has a new arm angle and his velocity has improved. I am not saying he is the right move, but not a bad one for the cards with little to lose by way of a prospect.
I’ve got to say I am surprised that Bruce Chen has been useful to any baseball team this year. Same for the former Baltimore stalwart Rodrigo Lopez now with the D’Backs.
Having said that, I’m glad they both made it back from TJ surgery in their late thirties, and are having modest success filling a spot in the back end of the rotation.
What about Bruce Chen? He is having a solid year with the Royals and is known as a great clubhouse funny man and he would be available for a middle level prospect.
If they want a personality added to the lineup, what’s the point of Winn? If he can’t offer that, he shouldn’t be on the team
If they want a personality added to the lineup, what’s the point of Winn? If he can’t offer that, he shouldn’t be on the team
Chan-Ho Park should try out his Diarrhea bit in St. Louis
Chan-Ho Park should try out his Diarrhea bit in St. Louis
penny and lohse aren’t coming back. we need rotation help now. dave duncan is one of the best pitching coaches in baseball known for turning pitchers around. we don’t have much money. we don’t have many trade chips. they want clubhouse presence? to me this all points to one guy…..Dontrelle Willis
You’re crazy!
You’re crazy!
I actually thought the same thing. Only problem is that Dave Duncan is good at picking up mechanical flaws, Dontrell Willis is not your traditional pitcher, his delivery is not something that can be fixed by a little “tweak” I don’t know what DD could do with that D-Train Wreck, pardon my pun.
I actually thought the same thing. Only problem is that Dave Duncan is good at picking up mechanical flaws, Dontrell Willis is not your traditional pitcher, his delivery is not something that can be fixed by a little “tweak” I don’t know what DD could do with that D-Train Wreck, pardon my pun.
penny and lohse aren’t coming back. we need rotation help now. dave duncan is one of the best pitching coaches in baseball known for turning pitchers around. we don’t have much money. we don’t have many trade chips. they want clubhouse presence? to me this all points to one guy…..Dontrelle Willis
kevin milliar all the way
kevin milliar all the way
Mike Lowell would be an excellent pickup if Tony and Mo decide they actually don’t want to play defense at 3rd base.