Do you really know what that means? I am not sure I do. But we do wait. We wait to see what kind of performance we will get from Chris Carpenter on Wednesday.

Remember, we are Cardinals fans and we just did this waitng with Mark Mulder and to some extent, Matt Clement. Both failed.

We have seen Izzy return and see dull results (no flashes of brilliance). We watched players return last year like Rolen and we didn’t see good things.

BUT THIS WILL BE DIFFERENT! We are going to see a good 5 solid innings from our former ace and future #1 pitcher of the staff. Carpenter will do the job. I have high hopes.

Just Git R Done.

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Dave Duncan coached teams have never been high strikeout teams. He believes in the pitch to contact. Not everybody can pitch that way. Some people have those awesome sinkers or splitters .

Reyes had a medical history and that was something Duncan thought would help him.

But after a while, you’ve got to not worry about the risk of injury and simply let the guy go out and do what he does best. If he gets hurt today or three years from now is insignificant as long as he was effective while he was healthy.

Reyes can be very good in Cleveland but watch out as he can also land on the DL.

Perdomo on the other hand was 2-0 and had a 3.52 ERA. He had one save and Class AA.

Reyes should have been traded a long time ago. He just wasnt going to succeed in St Louis with Duncan and LaRussa as his bosses.

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Took my first trip to New York City to take in my Cardinals in the Big Apple. Oh my!

We look horrible. Even in the win we couldn’t do many things right. We are in complete dissaray right now. No leadership or something. We lead the league in home run that mean nothing. I am discouraged.

Did someone tell Mitchell Boggs he was a major league pitcher? He can’t put one by the good players like Reyes, Wright and Delgado. HE looked lost and appeared to be a sacrificial lamb on the Cardinals part. On Friday Albert looked bad.

Not sure what to make of this season. It has been above expectations but now we are faltering and it makes me wonder if we ought oto be sellers and see what we can get to stock up for the coming years. I don’t think we are better than the Cubs or Brewers but part of me doesn’t want to give up, yet. I am hoping to at least get the Wild Card.

Future posts will give my thoughts on Shea Stadium and the new stadium, CitiField with pictures and then later my thoughts on Yankee Stadium and some construction pics of that one.

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Fun to watch. Fun to follow.

I feel sorry for some people on forums that just look for a way to gripe about things. Miles and his OBP, TLR and his tendencies, Duncan and his slump. Sure my team is not perfect but I am a fan and NOT an owner of the team. Forum bashers feel entitlement. Where do they get that idea? Is is from buying merchandise or attending a game in one of the luxury boxes?

Can we just have FUN? We can express disappointment but to out and out just rip people and to wish them bad things is just plain wrong.

Enjoy this team even if they don’t make the playoffs.

It’s a great time to be a Cardinals fan!

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Short post.

So why was Garcia scheduled to pitch Sunday? So that he is in the same rotation spot as Carpenter is in his rehab starts. Whether one, two or three starts, it is easy to slide Carpenter into that spot.

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Forum frequenters seem to always gripe when someone like Ludwick or Glaus or Ankiel are not in the line-up. Is it a good thing to do or should they suck it up cause they get so much money that BY golly they need to play?

One thing TLR has always done is have fresher player when September/October get here due to his affinity to getting everyone in many times throughout the season and regulars getting plenty of days off.

My take: I don’t mind players getting a day off from game time at least once a week besides their no game days. No need to wear them out.

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Let’s look at what is perceived to be the National League teams that are buyers or sellers before the deadline.

D-Backs- Buyers – they actually kicked the tires on Bonds, didn’t they?

Braves- Bubble team. They may unload Teixiera or Ohman is they sell. They are only six games out.

Cubs- Buyers- Might upgrade the bullpen. This team is clearly shown to be the best so far.

Reds- Sellers- Dunn and Griffey are the chips Jocketty may try to move. Griffey has a no trade clause.

Rockies- Sellers- Look for Taveras, Fuentes and Torrealba to be the ones most sought.

Marlins- Bubble- Rather young rotation may take them either way.

Astros- Sellers- Time to try something. Lee and Berkman are machines but need help for coming years.

Dodgers- Buyers- Probably looking for a Furcal replacement.

Brewers- Buy- Better do it now while you have Sabathia. Bullpen help needed.

Mets- Buyers- They are looking for an outfielder to replace injured Church and Alou. 9 game win streak.

Philles- Buyers- another starter makes them a serious contender.

Pirates- Sellers- Nady, Bay, Grabow and Marte are looked at. Players are begging to stay. Sorry won’t happen.

Cardinals- Bubble- Depends on whether you ask LaRussa or Mozeliak- I look for them to stay put.

Padres- Sellers- Need upgrades all over. Maddux and Wolf may be out of town. Look for Wolf to re-sign in the off-season.

Giants- Sellers- Winn, Durham, Aurilia and Roberts are what some may need.

Nationals- Sellers- Jon Rauch is their premier chip at this time. Bullpen are needing upgrades all over the league.

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Padres

@

Cardinals

Date: Thu, 7/17/08, 7:10pm

Let the second half begin. Whether you are slurping the kool-aid or slobbering the vinegar about this team, you have to be impressed with what they have done.

I am not convinced any “major” help is needed to at least get to the wild card. The next 2 weeks shall answer that.

Go Cardinals!

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This CardinalsGM writer and his wife and 2 adult children are heading to Gotham next week. It is in our plans to see the Yankees/Twins game on wednesday afternoon and Mets/Cards on Friday night. Since this is the last year for the stadiums we are excited about attending.

Outside of baseball does anyone have any advice as to other things that are “shouldn’t miss” while there? We plan to see “Jersey Boys” on Broadway. We have tickets the “Who wants to be a Millionaire” and are looking for other things to release some of our money on.

Restaurants are a mystery to me but am sure it will all come together. We plan a meal at ESPNZone at least once.

We are staying at Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station. Any thoughts or bits of wisdom?

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With this the All Star break, let’s take a look at what is available as free agents for 2009.

Which ones interest you for the Cardinals?

Catchers
Rod Barajas (33)
Michael Barrett (32)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Jason Kendall (35) – club option for ’09; vests with 110 games played in ’08
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) – $2.7MM club option for ’09 with a $0.1MM buyout
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38)

First basemen
Ben Broussard (32)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) – $16MM mutual option for ’09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) – $22MM club option for ’09 with a $5MM buyout
Scott Hatteberg (39)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)

Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Mark Ellis (32)
Marcus Giles (31)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Aaron Miles (32)
Jose Valentin (39)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (34)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Cristian Guzman (31)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33) – $11MM club option for ’09 with a $3MM buyout
Juan Uribe (30)
Omar Vizquel (42) – $5.2MM club option for ’09 with a $0.3MM buyout

Third basemen
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) – $6.2MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Joe Crede (31)
Morgan Ensberg (33)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Wes Helms (33) – $3.75MM club option for ’09
Chipper Jones (37) – $8-11MM vesting option for ’09
Dallas McPherson (27)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) – $14MM club option for ’09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) – $2.75MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Jacque Jones (34)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) – $2.6MM club option for ’09
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) – $5MM club option or $2MM player option for ’09
Manny Ramirez (37) – $20MM club option for ’09
Juan Rivera (30)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Mike Cameron (36) – $10MM club option for ’09 with a $750K buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jacque Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Milton Bradley (31)
Cliff Floyd (36) – $2.75MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Brian Giles (38) – $9MM club option for ’09 with a $3MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) – $16.5MM club option for ’09 with a $4MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) – $15MM club option for ’09 with a $3MM buyout
Jacque Jones (34)
Bobby Kielty (32)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) – $2.75MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Jason Giambi (38) – $22MM club option for ’09 with $5MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) – $15MM club option for ’09 with a $3MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37) – $20MM club option for ’09
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41) – $10MM option for ’09; vests with 376 PAs in ’08
Jim Thome (38) – $13MM club option for ’09 with $3MM buyout
Jose Vidro (34) – vesting option for ’09

Starting pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Tony Armas Jr. (31)
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) – can opt out after ’08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33) – $8.75MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (32)
Chad Durbin (31)
Josh Fogg (32)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) – $9MM club option for ’09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Esteban Loaiza (37) – $7.5MM club option for ’09 with a $0.375MM buyout
Braden Looper (34)
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) – $11MM club option for ’09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) – $13MM club option for ’09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) – $8.75MM club option for ’09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42) – $12MM club option for ’09
Brett Tomko (36)
Josh Towers (32)
Steve Trachsel (38)
Tim Wakefield (42) – perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Woody Williams (42)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Joe Borowski (38)
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Kerry Wood (32)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Doug Brocail (42) – club option for ’09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (28)
Alan Embree (39) – $3MM club option for ’09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Keith Foulke (35)
Aaron Fultz (35)
Tom Gordon (41) – $4.5MM club option for ’09 with a $1MM buyout
Eddie Guardado (38)
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Matt Herges (39) – club option for ’09
Bob Howry (35)
Steve Kline (36)
Damaso Marte (34) – $6MM club option for ’09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) – $2MM club option for ’09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Juan Rincon (30)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Stanton (42)
Mike Timlin (43)
Salomon Torres (37) – $3.75MM club option for ’09 with a $0.3MM buyout
David Weathers (39)
Dan Wheeler (31)
Matt Wise (33)

5 Comments »