Double Chat Today At STLToday.com

John Mozeliak @ Noon:
http://www.stltoday.com/discussions/sports/cards-live/LD031008262/all

JSL @ 1pm:
http://www.stltoday.com/discussions/sports/joe-strauss-live/LD031108263

Todd Wellemeyer Distributes Tourist T-Shirts To Pitching Staff

After the Cardinals' 2-2 tie against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday afternoon, someone told manager Tony La Russa that in the last six years, spring training has been filled with major issues on the pitching staff. La Russa chuckled and asked, "Are you sure it isn't four?"

http://www.bnd.com/sports/cardinals/story/278769.html

Colby Rasmus Likely Headed To Memphis, Josh Kinney Update, More On Reassignments & Options

Rookie center fielder Colby Rasmus of the St. Louis Cardinals likely will be ticketed to open the season at Class AAA Memphis, but manager Tony La Russa wants a long look at the talented prospect before he leaves.

http://www.bnd.com/sports/cardinals/story/278749.html

Derrick Goold & Jayson Stark On The Morning After

Goold Summary:
Cardinals finally acknowledging pitching problems.
Kyle Lohse most interesting & talented.
Jeff Weaver a better fit for Cardinals, but Cardinals would rather have Kyle McCellan pitch.
No David Wells, cause team needs a pitcher for now & possibly the whole season.
Maybe a move in the next 24-48 hours.
Matt Clement throwing bullpen sessions at full speed, Dave Duncan still not convinced he's ready yet. Most likely a Minor League assignment come start of year.
Goold's predicted rotation right now: Adam Waiwright, Braden Looper, Todd Wellemeyer, Brad Thompson, Mike Parisi, & Kyle McClellan in bullpen.
Middle infield starting to pick up.
Still a chance Colby Rasmus can make team out of camp.
Joe Mather & Brian Barton pushing Juan Gonzalez out of the picture.

Stark Summary:
Dusty Baker's return with Reds.
Scott Boras & Kyle Lohse still wanting 2 years & $10 Million+.
Jeff Weaver will come cheaper.
David Wells will come cheap, but health concerns.
Cardinals pitching staff not looking too pretty, but Astros(Woody Williams #2 starter) could look worse.
Predicts(scouts agree) Cardinals could have a horrible first half & Albert Pujols could opt to have the surgery.
David Eckstein very much not happy with Cardinals.
People say Scott Rolen is as healthy as he has been in years, but it's just the beginning of season.

http://www.insidestl.com/morningafter/index.php?p=859

The Next PED: Myostatin

As professional athletes are finding testing for performance-enhancing substances becoming more and more sophisticated, those looking to gain an unfair advantage may look to new sources in an effort to beat the system.

http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1992&Itemid=49

Colby Rasmus Gives Cardinals High Hopes

The clock started ticking down to Colby Rasmus' arrival in St. Louis the minute Jim Edmonds was traded.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2008/03/12/a3c_cards_0312.html

Lineup For Cardinals Vs Marlins 3-12-08, Chris Duncan Or Rick Ankiel Cleanup

The lineup for the Cardinals (5-8-1), winless in four:

1. Aaron Miles, 2B
2. Brian Barton, RF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Chris Duncan, LF
5. Troy Glaus, 3B
6. Ryan Ludwick, CF
7. Jason LaRue, C
8. Anthony Reyes, RHP
9. Brendan Ryan, SS

Bullpen: Kyle McClellan, Ryan Franklin, Cliff Politte, Chris Perez, & Jason Motte

http://www.stltoday.com/blogzone/bird-land/bird-land/2008/03/lineup-312-glaus-at-5-lud-in-center/

Todd Wellemeyer 3rd Solid Start, Jason Isringhausen Throws Perfect Inning

Todd Wellemeyer, making his third start of the spring, turned in another solid effort, giving up two runs, (one earned) and five hits in four innings on Tuesday against Baltimore.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/mar/12/wellemeyer-on-target/

Ex-Cardinal Watch 3-11-08

Dan Haren(DiamondBacks):
Haren didn't look like he was able to get into a rhythm on the mound in his third outing of the spring. He walked back-to-back hitters in the fourth, an unusual occurrence for a pitcher that allowed just 55 free passes in 222 2/3 innings last year.
http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2419353&vkey=spt2008gamer&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

Mark Sweeney(Dodgers):
First baseman Mark Sweeney also dropped off the travel roster(China) on Monday with a sore left knee.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2418779&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

Matt Ginter(Indians):
But Elarton, who is competing with Tom Mastny and fellow invitees Jorge Julio, Rick Bauer and Matt Ginter for that last spot in the 'pen, is encouraged by what he sees this spring. And he has no qualms about injuries leading him to return to relief work, which he hasn't done at the big league level since 1999.
http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2419334&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle

Jeff Weaver(Free Agent):
The Nationals are still looking for starting pitching, and it was learned Tuesday that they have interest in free agent right-hander Jeff Weaver.
http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2420304&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

Jaime Moyer(Phillies):
Jamie Moyer and Brett Myers have been solid in their appearances -- they've pitched twice in Minor League games so the team can watch other young pitchers -- but Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton and the Durbins (Chad and J.D.) have a combined 12.19 ERA. This spring's collective ERA is 10.85.
http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2418681&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi

Sidney Ponson(Rangers):
At this rate, Sidney Ponson could be the Rangers Opening Day pitcher.

Ponson will also get to pitch in an "A" game on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. Jason Jennings is scheduled to start and go four innings. Ponson, who signed with the Rangers on Sunday and threw in the bullpen on Monday, will follow with two innings.
http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2419610&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

Coco Crisp(RedSox):
Crisp was still confined to indoor workouts.
http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2418929&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos

Kent Mercker(Reds):
Retirement? Reds reliever and comeback candidate Kent Mercker doesn't believe in it.
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2420333&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin

Mark Grudzielanek(Royals):
Mark Grudzielanek didn't make the long bus ride through the saguaro cactus and desert and mountains for Tuesday's game in Tucson, Ariz.
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2419241&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

Brett Tomko & Mike Maroth(Royals):
The Royals have set Gil Meche, Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke as the top three starters. But the scramble for the fourth and fifth spots includes Brett Tomko, John Bale, Jorge De La Rosa, Kyle Davies, Hideo Nomo and Hochevar. On the fringes are experienced non-roster pitchers Mike Maroth and Brian Lawrence.
http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2420419&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

Tomo Ohka(WhiteSox):
Cooper rattled off Mark Buehrle, Javier Vazquez, John Danks, Matt Thornton, Tomo Ohka, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel, Bobby Jenks and a handful of names who have a ticket to Chicago assured. They've done well.
http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080311&content_id=2419910&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws

Cardinals Interest In Kyle Lohse

Four days after Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak downplayed the club's search for additional starting pitching, the club reacted Tuesday to persistent questions about Joel Pineiro's right shoulder by inquiring about free agent Kyle Lohse.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/466A44C88D2D55798625740A001472BE?OpenDocument

Ryan Franklin's Pitches

Before he lets his throwing partner, Russ Springer, free to go about other business, Ryan Franklin has a ritual Springer could do without.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/214E7E790FA119F58625740A001472E7?OpenDocument

Colby Rasmus & Service Time, Chris Carpenter On The Mound, Adam Kennedy Hitting, Chris Duncan Back, Tyler Johnson To Be Evaluated, Reassignments

Manager Tony La Russa said Colby Rasmus' batting average is only a small — and misleading — part of the numbers the outfielder has produced. Just like his numbers are only part of the decision whether he'll make the team.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/685275601AA4A4A38625740A001472BA?OpenDocument

Ozzie Smith Charcoal Grilling With Chris Lilly & Kingsford Grilling

Video:
http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-us&brand=foxsports&vid=d04a238a-439a-4e11-a0c4-460a961eeb2a&playlist=&editor=&from=foxsports&rf=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/team?statsId=24

Kevin Wheeler Of KMOX: Episode 12 Aaron Miles

Kevin Wheeler's "Scouting the Cards" will appear exclusively on KMOX.com beginning Jan. 29, 2008 and going all the way up to Opening Day. "Scouting the Cards" will be an extensive preview of the 2008 St. Louis Cardinals team that begins with reports on individual players and what can be expected from them this season and it will culminate in a season-preview during the final week of Spring Training. Be sure to check back often - sometimes reports will come every day! Letter grades are the same as back in school, A+ is the best and F is the worst.

http://www.kmox.com/pages/1805143.php?

Minor League Spring Training Working Rosters

The St. Louis Cardinals have assigned 164 minor leaguers to their initial working spring rosters. We have them all!

http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/736693.html

More Roster Moves By Cardinals & Minor League Affiliates

The St. Louis Cardinals have sent two more players down to the minor leagues, two others plan to retire, one has been excused, while three others are home nursing injuries.

http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/736688.html

The Birdhouse: Cardinals Pitching News 3-11-08

St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan spoke with the press prior to Tuesday’s game. Bonus quotes from skipper Tony La Russa are included.

http://stlcardinals.scout.com/2/736571.html

Joe Buck On The Morning After

http://insidestl.com/morningafter/?p=854

Listen Here:
http://www.insidestl.com/morningafter/index.php?p=853

More Investigations Into Doctor Who Prescibed PED's To Troy Glaus & Others

Prosecutors at the United States attorney’s office for the Northern District of California are investigating a California doctor to determine whether he illegally wrote prescriptions for patients, including major league baseball players, according to three lawyers who have been briefed on the investigation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/sports/baseball/12scruggs.html?_r=1&ref=baseball&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin

Joe Sheehan Of Baseball Prospectus Chat Mar. 11, 2008

stevedevries (Boston, MA): I'm sure you're hearing this from everyone...but what are you seeing with Pujols' value in light of all the surgery talk? I'm in a 10-team 5x5 league that keeps 2 players per team, and I'm sure that Pujols won't be kept in that league. Given that, how far do you let him go before you give it a shot?

Joe Sheehan: Got into a good discussion about this with the Fantasy 411 guys and Will Carroll. I still see Pujols as a late-first, early-second pick. It really comes down to your risk tolerance.

The critical factor is the Cards' performance. They probably can't win anything this year, but you could make a case for 2009. So there's not much reason for Pujols to put that season at risk once we know 2008 is a dead issue.

So Pujols' playing time is as much tied to Chris Carpenter's comeback, and Rick Ankiel's development, and Colby Rasmus' playing time, as his own elbow.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=435