Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Tony LaRussa Problem
I was once a fan of Tony LaRussa. Admittedly, my love affair with the polarizing manager of the Cardinals was a brief one; it ended about a week before the start of the 1996 season. That was, of course, when Ozzie Smith was outdueling Royce Clayton for shortstop in spring training and LaRussa STILL refused to give Ozzie the job. Like most fans, I was left muttering, “Who does this frowning, hunched-over, kitten-petting idiot think he is, anyway?”
Recent Questions About The 2011 Season For The Cardinals
Looking ahead to the 2011 season, I wanted to run down some of the topics that have been discussed lately. For starters, I wanted to give my opinions on the Cardinals defense being better in 2011. The first thing I thought when I saw the headline was no way. How could it? The Cardinals are replacing Brendan Ryan with Ryan Theriot and the combination of Jon Jay and Ryan Ludwick with Lance Berkman.
Rangers Sign 16-Year Old Venezuelan Shortstop Rougned Odor
Venezuelan shortstop Rougned Odor has agreed to terms with the Rangers for $425,000.
Cardinals Winter League Notebook 1-1-11
Amaury Cazana 3rd in 2B, t-6th in 3B, 1st in Ks; ex-MiLBs Emil Brown t-8th in HRs, 2nd in Ks; Iker Franco t-8th in RBI; Alberto Castillo 1st in wins, 10th in ERA, 8th in IP, t-6th in K's, 9th in WHIP; and Dan Serafini 8th in ERA, 2nd in IP, 3rd in K's all in the LMP. Renyel Pinto t-8th in saves in LVBP; Tyler Greene taken in Round Robin draft. Former MiLB Chad Gabriel drives in two in the ABL.
In Memory Of Former Cardinals: 2010
Our annual feature remembering a dozen former St. Louis Cardinals who passed away during 2010, including the oldest then-living ex-Cardinal.
Will The Padres Back End Of The Bullpen Stay Intact?
For now, yes. It appears the Padres will open the 2011 season with Luke Gregerson, Mike Adams and two-time All-Star closer Heath Bell at the back of their bullpen. The bullpen, of course, was one of the Padres' biggest strengths in 2010 and it had the lowest ERA among relief corps (2.78). Hoyer received plenty of hits on all three this winter, though he resisted in moving them. If the Padres ever opt to trade Bell, Adams looks like a fit to close.
What Impact Will New Hitting Coach Carney Lansford Have?
To stimulate the lineup, the Rockies replaced Don Baylor with Lansford, who worked with many of the current Rockies in '07 when he was hitting coach at Triple-A Colorado Springs. His key projects are Iannetta, Helton and third baseman Ian Stewart, who is capable of impressive stretches of power but conversely can have runs of unproductive at-bats. Lansford has already made personal visits with Stewart, Iannetta and outfielder Seth Smith, so he's certainly not holding back in his efforts to make a mark.
How Much Of A Difference Will Clint Hurdle Make?
None of the Pirates' previous five managers led the club to a winning season, but Hurdle announced that he is ready for the challenge. Hurdle takes over after Russell's clubs lost 299 games over a three-year period. While Russell was often criticized for being too passive and even-keel, Hurdle's booming introduction at his November press conference has already won him over plenty of fans. It took some time, but Hurdle turned around the Rockies with a young core that he sees as similar to the one he is inheriting in Pittsburgh.
Who Will Open The Season At First Base, Will Brett Wallace Live Up To Expectations?
Wallace will apparently be given every chance to win the job. Wallace, acquired in the Roy Oswalt trade, struggled for most of his rookie campaign, but he has a track record of hitting. Lee saw plenty of time at first late in the season and could wind up there on Opening Day, but the Astros are committed to see what Wallace can do before they move Lee to first base on a full-time basis.
Can Scott Rolen Stay Healthy & Productive The Whole Season?
In the first half of 2010, Rolen was keeping up with Votto's MVP pace while batting .290 with 17 homers and 57 RBIs. He earned a deserved invitation to the All-Star Game. In the second half, the 35-year-old started becoming dinged up with injuries to his hamstring, back and neck and slowed down. Rolen had three homers and 26 RBIs in the second half and was running on fumes in the playoffs (1-for-11 with eight strikeouts). His veteran presence is already huge and a strong full season from the cleanup spot is essential.
Who Will Be The Nationals Opening Day Left Fielder?
The battle will be between Ankiel and Roger Bernadina. Bernadina ended the season in a hitting slump, while Ankiel had a season he would like to forget. Whomever wins the job will be in a platoon situation with Mike Morse, who had the best season of his career.
Can It Help That Ned Yost, For The First Time, Will Be In Charge From Spring Training On?
Absolutely and, most importantly, Yost emphatically believes it will be a big benefit. When he replaced Trey Hillman last May 14, the club was playing poorly enough to get a manager fired, an unsettling experience for most players. It took a while for them to get used to Yost's more old-school approach. This February, Yost can set his own style in camp, do things the way he wants them done and utilize his own philosophy. Remember this: He was quite successful in turning the Milwaukee club from a chronic loser into a winner. So he has a history of doing things right.
Will Jim Leyland's Expiring Contract Be An Issue?
It shouldn't be, but the reality might depend on how the Tigers perform in April. Leyland went into 2009 without an extension, the casualty of the mess of a season in '08, but Detroit's fast start earned Leyland a two-year deal in early June. The tricky part now is that it's difficult for Dombrowski to sign him to an extension when Dombrowski, too, isn't under contract past this season. That's why they have to win now, and why their fates look a lot like a package deal at this point.
Will The Bullpen Serve As A Strength For The Indians?
Cleveland thought its bullpen would be a source of stability heading into last season, but the group faltered early on. When it was all said and done, though, a relief corps anchored by closer Chris Perez ended the year on an extremely high note. The Tribe's bullpen posted a 2.95 ERA in the season's second half, providing hope for the campaign ahead. Like the rotation, the bullpen will be young, so there are sure to be bumps along the way. That said, the Indians are hopeful that the 'pen will be solid.
Is This Mark Buehrle's Last Year In Major League Baseball?
The more obvious question would be: Is this Buehrle's last year with the White Sox, being the 2010 season marks the fourth and final one of his present $56 million deal? But the ace left-hander, who has worked at least 200 innings, made at least 30 starts and won in double-digits during all 10 seasons as a starter, has hinted over the last three or four years how the end of his contract might be the end of his big league career. Although Buehrle doesn't want to miss important family time with his wife and two kids, the guess here is that 2011 will not be the end for a valuable commodity such as Buehrle and might not even be the end for him with the White Sox.
Was J.D. Drew Dropoff A Fluke?
Right fielder J.D. Drew never seemed like himself in 2010. His hot streaks were shorter and his slumps were longer, and he didn't seem to be moving around in the outfield quite the same as in the past. Drew was candid that he was affected by what he interpreted was a wider strike zone last year. He will try to adapt to that this year and resume being the on-base machine Boston had come to expect the previous couple of years. This is the last year of Drew's much-scrutinized $70 million contract. He has stated in the past that this could be his final year in the Majors.
Albert Pujols Future Biggest Question For Cardinals 2011
As a sometimes tumultuous 2010 comes to an end for the Cardinals, it's time to begin looking ahead to 2011. The Winter Warm-Up is coming soon, and after that it's only a few weeks until Spring Training.
The Cardinal Nation Blog Top Stories Of 2010 #3: The Big Trade (Jake Westbrook & Nick Greenwood For Ryan Ludwick)
The Ryan Ludwick for Jake Westbrook trade was one of the biggest and arguably the most surprising story of the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2010 season.
Hall Of Fame Vote A 'Roid Raging Debate
With each passing year, more players appear on baseball's Hall of Fame ballot who have either been linked to performance- enhancing drugs or played during the era, which, sadly enough, has become a form of scrutiny in itself.
Kalamazoo Baseball Great Neal 'Moose' Webster Dies In Florida
Baseball fans didn't have far to go to watch an exciting game in the 1940s and '50s, with several high-caliber players representing various company teams around town.
The Cardinal Nation 2011 Prospect # 14: Fernando Salas
The reliever wore out the road between St. Louis and Memphis in 2010. Will he stick in 2011? Today’s article is FREE! Happy New Year!
Here's Hoping Albert Pujols Goes The Way Of Cliff Lee
Recently, something happened that kind of surprised the baseball world: The New York Yankees offered ace pitcher Cliff Lee $150 million to join the team with far and away the most World Series wins in the MLB. And he didn’t take it. Instead, he chose to go back to the Philadelphia Phillies for $30 million less.
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