The Cardinals have announced that they are cutting ties with Dr. George Paletta, an orthopedic surgeon who had served as the club's medical director since 1998, in favor of a relationship with Mercy Sports Medicine, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. GM John Mozeliak made it clear that the team expects to reap dividends from the move. "The Mercy Sports Medicine model allows us to improve the level of innovative care available to our team by tapping into a remarkable team of physicians who are leaders in sports medicine," explained Mozeliak. "The biggest change I see with the approach is that it is truly a team model — a model that leverages the strengths of multiple physicians within the Mercy Sports Medicine group. This is a strategic plan that will handle our short-term needs, but also focus on long-term goals." As Strauss notes, St. Louis has undergone a series of changes in its medical and training departments.
- One notable injury situation for the Cards is that of starter Jaime Garcia. As Strauss reports, Garcia says he has "never" been able to pitch with complete freedom due to ongoing elbow and then shoulder issues, but is ready to move forward as best he is able. "What I have to learn now is that fine line where you can go out and compete and the point where you can't," said the 27-year-old. "It's not about feeling 100 percent. It's not about feeling great. That's not the case. It never will be. It's a matter of finding something that allows you go compete."
- We learned earlier today that the Pirates could be looking to deal outfielder Jose Tabata and are willing to listen on reliever Vin Mazzaro. Also potentially available is outfielder Travis Snider, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review further reports. Though Biertempfel says that the willingness to deal Snider is somewhat surprising since he has looked good, dropped some weight, and brings some upside to the table, he notes that those factors also potentially increase his trade value. While clearing out corner outfield inventory would ultimately make way for the call-up of top prospect Gregory Polanco, Biertempfel says that the team is still likely to let Polanco spend some time at Triple-A and avoid starting his service clock soon enough for him to become a Super Two.
Tabata for Darin Ruf
Mazzaro for Juan Francisco
Snider for John Jaso
Phillies get RH OF bat they want, Brewers get solid bullpen piece and clear up space for Overbay/Reynolds platoon, and Jaso is replaced at DH by Snider, who has the higher upside offensively.
Pirates get Ruf for RF until Polanco comes up, then Ruf goes to the bench. Francisco and Gaby platoon until and upgrade can be found. Jaso backs up Martin in place of Stewart while Sanchez gets more time in the minors.
its a pipe dream that the brewers and pirates would look to help each other out. Brewers feel they could compete for a wild card spot, and the Pirates do to
They did it a few years ago (Veras for McGehee), and i think they’d both do it considering its a pretty fair trade and fits both of the teams needs.
Pirates were not in contention at that time
I could see it for some middling prospect, but I don’t see a need for Mazzaro.
In a trade of that magnitude (long man for a platoon corner INF), I don’t think teams worry about helping each other out as much as you might think.
filling a platoon hole for the pirates? There biggest need, actually might carry more magnitude then you think
Sadly, it looks like Jaso is a better option at DH than Snider.
Agreed, but Snider has a higher potential and as we know the A’s are good at getting the most out of minimal players.. And turning them into stars.
I saw Snider at Rogers and then in Portland Maine at a Seadogs game AA ball in the same season a couple years back. I feel bad for the guy, but I don’t think he’s got much potential.
I think Tabata for Ruf is pretty fair value wise, but I think Mazzaro is worth more than Francisco, and I especially think Jaso is worth more than Snider at this point. The A’s just dealt Krol, Cole, and Treinen for him last winter.
Pretty much what I was thinking.. I think the Mazzaro trade could happen.. Not sure how much more you could get for a reliever that’s not a closer. Agree about the Snider trade though.. Snider needs to go and the Pirates need a backup, I guess it’s just not a good match..
It’s not a big gap by any means between Mazzaro and Francisco, but Mazzaro provides value as a 5th-7th inning guy who can pitch multiple innings in mostly lower leverage situations. As far as I’m concerned, Francisco is very much a replacement level player and a potential DFA candidate. Decent power numbers, but that’s about it.
Honestly don’t think Mazzaro is any good, just lightening in a bottle. I like Francisco a lot. Not in a starting gig but possibly in a bench role providing LH pop off the bench.
I think Francisco could be a starter. I can see why people say he won’t based on his stats so far. Based on the tv guys chatter and Melvin’s comments, it sounds like he’s going somewhere and I can’t see the price being much. Overbay looks like he’s done and Reynolds isn’t much better and I’ll bet that’s what they go with – veteran presence…
like to keep snider left handed option, good pinch hitting record too
If Snider does start hitting this year, wonder if they could move him to 1B to be the platoon partner for Gaby, with Polanco in RF.
been saying that all offseason!
its a pipe dream that the brewers and pirates would look to help each other out.
It might need a few extra pieces to make it work, but Tabata to Seattle, Lavarnway to Pittsburgh, and Franklin to Boston makes a certain amount of sense.
Yeah, Seattle would need more coming back. Boston would have to give more. It’s fair in the sense of Tabata/Lavarnway for the Pirates though, I’d say.
I don’t think our starting RF for a catcher who may start at AAA would be very fair to the Pirates at all. We would certainly need more, probably Carp.
I think that’d be quite a steal for the Pirates to get Carp AND Lavarnway for Tabata.
ZiPS projects a .247/.313/.381, 1.2 WAR campaign for Lavarnway in 2014, while projecting a .265/.329/.381, 1.5 WAR campaign for Tabata in 2014 in a less in-demand position.
WAR takes into account positional value
Why would Boston want Franklin? Trade Boston to Detroit and Lavarnaway to McCann and a mid level prospect.
I thought about Seattle in that they have too many bats who should be at 1B or DH so… Tabata to play LF in SEA for Smoak to platoon at 1B in PGH which allows Mariners to move Corey Hart to 1B. Everyone gets upgraded.
I feel like the Mariners would want a pitching prospect and the Pirates would want Carp so the Sox would add Carp to Pirates and Pirates could send a pitching prospect to the Mariners. Interesting deal since Franklin gives Boston better infield depth and Carp and Lavarnway are extra pieces to an extent right now.
Huge Pirates fan, and I’d go so far as saying Tabata is my 3rd or 4th favorite player. A trade makes sense, but I’d be extremely sad to see him go.
if they trade off snider and tabata that leaves them with Decker and Lambo to hold the 3rd OF spot unless they bring up Polanco early and assuming they don’t get another in trade.
Pirates really don’t need another catcher, right now they can either try to extend Martin another year or two or keep going with Sanchez to hold out for McGuire and hope he can stay at catcher.
VIn was pretty awesome last year, he may not be as good this year but as long as he doesn’t bomb he would be a decent addition to most bull pens.
Unless you can get a middle of the rotation guy pitching his not a high priority, especially if they keep gomez, cumpton and/or loche who can all start if needed and do it fairly well. (baring injury of course)
I don’t get the impression that they are looking to move both Snider and Tabata – just either one of the two. Whichever one doesn’t get traded will stick as the starting RF and then 4th OF when Polanco gets called up.
I’m not totally sure about all the rules regarding grievances, but in theory couldn’t Polanco file one against the Pirates if he believes the reason he’s not being called up is to prevent his service clock from beginning? I think a similar situation happened recently between the Mets and Ruben Tejada.
While the Pirates clearly want to delay his arbitration clock another year, Polanco has only played 2 games at the AAA level, so it’s not outrageous for him to start the season there.
Big difference between 1 day and 3 months
Tigers could pursue backup shortstop Clint Barmes, Snider, Mazzaro, and Tabata from the Pirates for prospects Devon Travis and Domingo Leyba. It clears up the outfield for the Pirates as well as the out-of-options players and provides a starting SS as well as left field and backup solution for the Tigers. The Pirates get a few unproven prospects in the areas that they are lacking in the minors.
Pirates then get a bit of room to add Santos to the roster in place of Stewart, Dickerson, and test drive McGuiness or Lambo at first. Then again, I wonder why they never gave Snider or Dickerson a chance at 1B.
I have heard a whisper that the Yankees have made an offer for Mazzaro….stay tuned to see if I’m spot on..