Two years and counting…when will an impact move come?
Faberge Egg - Time to Deal
Watching Cardinals baseball this weekend was simply hard to do. The starters seemed to hang in there until they realized the team’s offense wasn’t going to get it done, and then, well, yikes. The only signs of life with the bats came from Pujols and Rasmus. I think I saw flashes of the old Ludwick and Ankiel, but I’m not sure yet. This team simply can’t get away with the current offensive production of it’s outfield coupled with average infield production – and I’m being generous here – from third, short and second.
Tony’s been trying to play the match ups based on who’s been successful with who in the past with his outfielders, but I think we’re past that now. Ludwick should be in right field everyday, with Rasmus in center and Ankiel in left. If Duncan isn’t hitting for power, he shouldn’t be in the lineup on close to an everyday basis until he finds his power stroke. And no, I’m not a Duncan hater, it just is what it is right now. Rasmus is starting to heat up and you can just tell there’s something special there. He’s reading the breaking pitches better, smoking the ball and just looks plain comfortable playing this game as a 22 year old. He’s been a traditional slow starter in the minors, so let’s see where this goes.
Fans, media, players and even the front office know what needs to be done. Bernie wrote a great article this morning – Cardinals’ morale is at risk – that dives into the team’s current offensive woes and what it could mean to team morale if something isn’t done to right the ship.
He made some fair points that Mo and ownership couldn’t have predicted the outfield production and the Glaus injury, but for me, I just don’t care anymore. Personally, I’ve been waiting for a move two years and counting. I’ve been told an impact arm and bat will come. I give credit for Lohse, but the bat hasn’t shown up yet. I’ve obsessed around the past two trade deadlines, reading rumor after rumor waiting for something to happen, even if it’s a Will Clark type move, and yet nothing happens.
So while everyone knows what needs to be done – deal a Faberge Egg (Bernie-M-ism) or two to get help – I’m not going to do it this year. I’m not chasing the rumors, not getting excited about the what might be. Because I’ve heard it all before and I’m tired of the let down. Bernie ends his article saying Mo needs to make a move or risk losing the clubhouse. It’s not just the clubhouse Bernie, it’s the fan base as well.
Clark
About the Author: I'm a life long Cardinal fan who sometimes takes fantasy baseball a little too seriously. I'm proud to have been there for number 62 and was able to see the 2006 series winner in person. I currently direct the online search engine marketing and PR SEO strategy execution for an Interactive public affairs firm.
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Chris after reading this article I believe you are a poor excuse of a Cardinals fan. You are the type of “fan” who constantly asks the question, “What have you done for me lately?”
They gave you and possibly your children a world series title 3 short seasons ago. And though they have not made it to the post season the last two, they have remained competitive throughout the entire season. I know that even though the media, AKA ESPN, constantly says the Cardinals won’t have what it takes every season, I know my Cardinals will give it their best shot and provide me great entertainment even if it is for only 6 and not 7 months.
It is no surprise to me that you source Mo because you guys have the same attitude towards the Cardinals. Would you still be threatening that St. Louis will lose fans if they don’t make an “impact” deal if they hadn’t just lost 3 bad games to the Rockies? And if you still would answer this. Would you say it with the same “this is to good to be true and this won’t last forever unless the Cardinals change” attitude that Mo writes with in all of his articles? I think you would based off of this article.
I’m sorry but I would hate to see a Brendan Ryan or any young guy go for an “impact” player that may or may not help us win the division or World Series. You say that not doing a deal is hurting clubhouse moral. Do you really think that all those young guys are in the clubhouse thinking, “man we need to get someone who can hit because we can’t do it ourselves.” Just look at the Yankees. For this whole decade money has not been an object for them. They have the “best” player in the MLB. There whole team is filled with “impact” players. And where have they been since the 90’s?
Just please do not lower your self to the point where it looks like you know nothing about baseball or what it means to be a fan. You have to know it is a long season and there will be MANY more losing streaks. Do not feed off of everyones current emotions to persuade them that we need to pick someone up. So instead of worrying about that appreciate it when a young outfielder makes a move to the middle infield because his team needs him to. Or when a young center fielder makes a play in the outfield reminding you of Jim Edmonds. Or appreciate the fact that the team your rooting for has a very real chance of winning a World Series this year, much more than 3/4 of the league can say. But above all appreciate the fact that you are a fan of one of the most storied franchises in sports history.
Sean, so because the team won it all 3 years ago, they now get a pass? They dont have to try and win anymore since they wont it 3 years ago? How long does that go on?
You would hate to see Brendan Ryan go for an impact player? Really? Brendan Ryan for say Matt Holiday? Really?
Since the 90s the Yankees have averaged about 100 wins and made the playoffs every season except last season. They may not have won in the playoffs, but making the playoffs is what comes first.
Im all for the ra-ra stuff of appreciating the game and the franchise and this and that, but at some point that stuff takes a back seat to winning. The Cardinals franchise is only great because of winning. And you really honestly believe this years team has a “very real chance of winning a World Series”? If so, you are fooling yourself. This recent 3 game slide as you call it is just the peak of what has been going on for a few weeks now. This team hasnt been hitting for a while, and theyve been lucky enough the pitching has been able to fight them through for some wins.
At the end of the day, if no move is made with this current team, the only thing that will be left to play for come September is all of that pride and nostalgia bologna you keep talking about.
Sean,
Thank you for the comment, it’s by far my favorite to date. I’ll skip over the poor excuse for a fan note for a moment and help you rephrase the question “what have you done for me lately?” More accurately, my question is “when are you going to do something?” I ask this question based on what I’ve been told through the media and the team’s current state. And make no mistake, I ask this question not just for me, but a majority of the fan base, save for the hard core “I don’t care how the team plays” camp that you seem to reside in.
The team has publicly stated they need to address the hot corner and that they need an “impact” bat to protect Pujols. They’ve been stating this for two years. The team has also publicly stated the money and resources are there to make a deal. To date, nothing has happened. Everyone that knows the game of baseball knows what this team needs to do and again, even the team acknowledges moves need to be made. So again, I ask, when is something going to be done?
The Cardinals don’t owe me a thing and overall, I appreciate what ownership has done for this team. I also very much appreciated that world series win as I was there to see the Cardinals win the last game – one of the great sports memories of my life. I didn’t have a child at the time, but now I’m blessed with a son and am enjoying teaching him the game. We’ve watched that clinching game together (I have it on DVD) and I can’t wait until he’s old enough to really get what it means to be a Cardinal fan.
And what exactly does it mean to be a Cardinal fan? You say it’s simply enjoying the “entertainment” of the season for six or seven months and then, darn, too bad, there’s next year. My Cardinals did their best. Maybe that’s your definition. My definition of being a Cardinals fan begins with passion. Did you watch the games over the weekend? That’s wasn’t entertainment, that was embarrasing. It was cool to see the debuts of Todd and Hawksworth and watch the young Colby continue to find his groove, but that’s about it. Make NO mistake, I watch this team – strike that – I have watched this team through thick and thin and will continue to do so for as long as I live. But I expect this team to compete, I expect this ownership group to compete and will make no apologies for that. Baseball means more to me than entertainment, baseball is something that’s in my blood, something I share with my family, a passion I hope to pass to my son. If you want entertainment, good for you, but don’t judge me because I don’t fit your definition of what a Cardinals fan should be. That’s the great thing about America, we all get an opinion.
I’m happy to hear you think I share Bernie’s (it’s not Mo dude) opinion on the Cardinals. I don’t agree with him on everything, but for the most part, he’s fair and gets it right. Would I still be threatening fan loss if we hadn’t have been stomped by Colorado? First, don’t put words in my mouth. I stated the team could start losing parts of it’s fan base through inaction based on past promises. I’m not threatening anything, it’s a fact. Second, yes, I wrote a post two weeks ago stating the need for upgrades were obvious. I will continue to call for action until it’s made OR the trade deadline (that includes the waiver period) ends. And yes, regardless, I will watch this team but I will not watch my expectations.
You would hate to see Brendan Ryan or another young player go if it meant protecting Pujols or upgrading the team? Look, I like Ryan, but he’s going to be a borderline regular at this level and you can only play so many hitters with his offensive production before the team can’t compete. The reason trading was invented is to help team’s deal from strengths to improve weaknesses – see our bevy of young players. And yes, I do think there are some sitting in the club house thinking don’t change a thing, we can do this. But I also think there are just as many thinking they want to see a commitement from management to improve the team. What do you think they’re going to say publically? I’m not talking about spending money the way the Yankees do, don’t confuse the issues here. I’m talking about improving the team from within without giving away the candy store. If that means a Ryan gets traded, so be it.
If taking a step back, looking at this teams problems logically, then deducing what needs to be done (opinions shared by the team itself based on comments from Mo) lowers me to a level that makes it look like I don’t know anything about baseball or what it is to be a Cardinals fan, so be it. There are a lot of people down here with me hanging out, having a good time waiting for something to happen. From where I’m sitting, those who blindly follow the team just hoping for a little “entertainment” do it more harm than good. Do you really think the current players just go to the ballpark day after day to provide you with entertainment, not caring whether or not they win or lose? If you really cared, wouldn’t you want this team to take the necessary steps to compete and carry on the storied tradition? A tradition, that I might add, they earned by winning.
Clark
Fred,
Amen brother!
Clark
It’s reminds me of questioning one’s patriotism if that person questions the government.
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