Buster Olney's NL Central "comments"

Discuss all things Cardinals Baseball
Post Reply
User avatar
mikechamp
Hall Of Famer
Posts: 10132
Joined: April 17 06, 5:05 pm
Location: Southwestern Illinois

Buster Olney's NL Central "comments"

Post by mikechamp »

From an ESPN chat.

Mandatory Linkage:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=20393
===============

Someone asked for Buster's projection for Cameron's 2008 season.

.270 avg., 22-25 HRs, 90 runs.
----------------------

A fan cited the Dayton Daily News report about Krivsky's signing of Patterson. (See Neyer thread for exact quote.) This person felt Hendry was put in the same situation with Neifi, and wonders if GMs are put in this position often or if it's a Dusty thing.

Buster says this kind of stuff happens more than the fans realize. Owners, or owners' kids or powerful managers can dictate certain moves. Buster doesn't think CIN would have paid more than $500k or $1 mil for Corey "unless Krivsky has been under orders".
----------------------

A fan asked for a date prediction of Griffey's 600th HR.

Olney thinks within 3 weeks, then he'll get traded to Seattle.
----------------------

A Cards fan wanted to know who STL might target in a trade, given their OF and soon-to-be SP surplus.

Buster says there aren't many available players, as it's too early. He names Livan Hernandez and Kevin Millwood. He adds that Harden or Blanton might be available at some point, but OAK is not going to conduct a firesale yet.
----------------------

Someone asked what TB is going to do with potentially 8 legit SPs.

Olney mentioned, amongst other things, that they might want to contact STL because the Rays have been searching for OF upgrades lately.
----------------------

A fan asked if Olney was serious or joking about his Griffey-to-SEA comment.

Buster said he doesn't think that will happen and was "pure speculation". However, the basis of a trade make sense: Jr. wouldn't mind going back, SEA needs a LH-hitting RF.
----------------------

Someone wondered how bad the Morris trade looks for PIT now.

Olney recalled that the day it happened, he, Steve Phillips, Kruk, Ravech and Gammons couldn't understand the rationale behind the trade. SF didn't send any money in the deal, and PIT was clearly out of the race. "Mind-boggling" all the way around. SF might have made the worst FA signing in Zito, but a top 5 trade of this decade.
----------------------

A fan asked if Chipper Jones is the best pure hitter in the NL.

Buster said that title belongs to Albert Pujols.
----------------------

Olney thinks Pujols is undoubtedly one of the best hitters in MLB history.
----------------------

Buster was aked for his opinion of Edinson Volquez, and while he understands the comparisons to Pedro, scouts have criticized his lack of desire to pitch late into the game. While it might not be justified, it is one of the reasons the Rangers traded him.
----------------------

User avatar
obucard
Perennial All-Star
Posts: 8055
Joined: April 18 06, 11:04 pm
Location: Central AR

Re: Buster Olney's NL Central "comments"

Post by obucard »

mikechamp wrote:From an ESPN chat.

Mandatory Linkage:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=20393
===============


A Cards fan wanted to know who STL might target in a trade, given their OF and soon-to-be SP surplus.

Buster says there aren't many available players, as it's too early. He names Livan Hernandez and Kevin Millwood. He adds that Harden or Blanton might be available at some point, but OAK is not going to conduct a firesale yet.
If we have a SP surplus, why would we target SPs in a trade?

User avatar
Phyrkrakr
All-Star
Posts: 1516
Joined: January 15 07, 2:51 pm
Location: St. Louis

Re: Buster Olney's NL Central "comments"

Post by Phyrkrakr »

obucard wrote:If we have a SP surplus, why would we target SPs in a trade?
Well, only Carpenter, Wainwright, and Pineiro are locked up for next year right now, besides the arbitration eligible guys like Reyes, Thompson and maybe Wellemeyer. We also hold options on Mulder and Clement, but Looper and Lohse are free agents.

Maybe Buster thinks we'll move some outfielders while they're high, and that starters are always good to have. I would think we'd rather go after a shortstop, maybe a AA type who's blocked somewhere else.

Post Reply