Time to get Oswalt - Too late, he's a Ranger (pg 7)

[Magneto2.0]

I guess I'm going to need some help understanding the sudden *need* for Oswalt, or that we made some major mistake by not signing him a few months ago.

Coming into the day, the Cardinals' pitching staff has a 3.19 ERA (115 ERA+), good for 2nd in the league. Obviously, Westbrook, Lohse, and Lynn aren't going to keep pitching as good as they have, but I think it is doubtful that Garcia and especially Wainwright continue to be as bad as they have been.

If Oswalt were to be brought in, who does he even replace right now? You aren't going to demote Westbrook, Lohse, or Lynn to the bullpen as well as they've pitched. You aren't going to demote Garcia or Wainwright, or DL Wainwright.

Quite simply, Oswalt would be a luxury for this team. I don't see the need. And if you really wanted to add depth just in case, Javier Vazquez would probably be half the price, and not much different of performer at this point.

They should demote Wainwright. Or Garcia. Either or. Or put one of them on the DL.

[Popeye_Card]

I guess I'm going to need some help understanding the sudden *need* for Oswalt, or that we made some major mistake by not signing him a few months ago.

Coming into the day, the Cardinals' pitching staff has a 3.19 ERA (115 ERA+), good for 2nd in the league. Obviously, Westbrook, Lohse, and Lynn aren't going to keep pitching as good as they have, but I think it is doubtful that Garcia and especially Wainwright continue to be as bad as they have been.

If Oswalt were to be brought in, who does he even replace right now? You aren't going to demote Westbrook, Lohse, or Lynn to the bullpen as well as they've pitched. You aren't going to demote Garcia or Wainwright, or DL Wainwright.

Quite simply, Oswalt would be a luxury for this team. I don't see the need. And if you really wanted to add depth just in case, Javier Vazquez would probably be half the price, and not much different of performer at this point.

They should demote Wainwright. Or Garcia. Either or. Or put one of them on the DL.

You really think that is better for them than working on their issues against MLB hitters, while our offense is busy giving them gobs of run support on most nights?

Agree to disagree.

[Magneto2.0]

I guess I'm going to need some help understanding the sudden *need* for Oswalt, or that we made some major mistake by not signing him a few months ago.

Coming into the day, the Cardinals' pitching staff has a 3.19 ERA (115 ERA+), good for 2nd in the league. Obviously, Westbrook, Lohse, and Lynn aren't going to keep pitching as good as they have, but I think it is doubtful that Garcia and especially Wainwright continue to be as bad as they have been.

If Oswalt were to be brought in, who does he even replace right now? You aren't going to demote Westbrook, Lohse, or Lynn to the bullpen as well as they've pitched. You aren't going to demote Garcia or Wainwright, or DL Wainwright.

Quite simply, Oswalt would be a luxury for this team. I don't see the need. And if you really wanted to add depth just in case, Javier Vazquez would probably be half the price, and not much different of performer at this point.

They should demote Wainwright. Or Garcia. Either or. Or put one of them on the DL.

You really think that is better for them than working on their issues against MLB hitters, while our offense is busy giving them gobs of run support on most nights?

Agree to disagree.

The Cardinals give Wainwright almost no run support this year, but I know what you mean.

And I'd rather have Oswalt pitching than Garcia or Wainwright until they figure themselves out. Which may be after they have a trip in Memphis. I don't necessarily disagree with what you're saying, though. I may be a little irrational just because I feel like we should be even better than 20-13. I don't want this early great start to be wasted.

[docellis]

can lance lynne be effective enough to last long enough for carp to come back and be effective?

how long will it take for AW to be effective? Can Loshe and Westbrook put up career years?

All of these things seem uncertain. I hope the FO is in contact with Oswalt's agent with a framework to sign him if needed.

[Popeye_Card]

But this all assumes that Oswalt just waltzes in and is the great pitcher he was for the majority of his career. He's likely not that guy anymore. If he was anything near a sure-thing, he'd be pitching right now. But last year he posted very average numbers (on par with Vazquez's season, who no one is clamoring to sign). He has a bad back--something that never really goes away when you're on the wrong side of 30.

If the idea is that he can be better than Garcia or Wainwright, I just don't follow that logic. No one would have thought coming into the season that he'd be better than either of those two. Since then AW and JG look worse because we have some performance to go off of. Meanwhile, Oswalt has sat at home and looks no worse. Had he been pitching, it is entirely possible he could be worse than AW or JG.

Wainwright will get back in gear. So will Garcia. Lohse won't be *this* good all year, but he's been pitching very well ever since he's been healthy--he led the Cards in wins and ERA last season. Westbrook is capable of being an above-average pitcher. This rotation will be fine, and it will eventually get Carpenter back for that inevitable rough spot to come.

[docellis]

This rotation will be fine, and it will eventually get Carpenter back for that inevitable rough spot to come.

this is the premise that we all want to be true, but are scared that it won't be true.

[Popeye_Card]

This rotation will be fine, and it will eventually get Carpenter back for that inevitable rough spot to come.

this is the premise that we all want to be true, but are scared that it won't be true.

I think it wouldn't be wise to spend the kind of money Oswalt will still command because of this fear though.

[docellis]

what was it - 10 mil? so half a season would be 5 mil or less?

[Felix The Cat]

Garcia is another big worry, in some ways I worry more about Garcia than Waino right now.

++

At least with Wainwright, we know he's coming off TJ surgery so you expect him to take a while to get his command back. WTF is up with Jaime? I hope there's it's not an injury issue lurking below the surface.

[docellis]

I think Duncan outted him as fragile so I never expect anything from him, so when he pitches well, it is just a bonus.