Cardinals sign Dexter Fowler

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Breaking: Fowler put his arm around Matheny for the official picture.

Affliction T's?

[MrCrowesGarden]

Mo got the comfort zone question

[Radbird]

[go birds]

the more i look at it, the more i love the deal.

really would like to see them get another bat, whether it be turner or encarnacion (turner preferably because of defense).

Someone posted the projected 2017 lineup with fowler in it and it looks pretty good, but man it needs that big middle of the order bat.

[Radbird]

Fowler is first Cardinal to wear #25 since Big Mac.

[TGantz]

People that are calling for Turner or Encarnacion are going to be disappointed. Look at how much they are taking about how out of their comfort zone Fowler was. You think they're going to sign two top 5 FA in one off season? I would be super surprised.

I know everyone hates Peralta. Is Peralta really going to be that bad? He had nagging injuries last year. He's capable of being a productive player at the plate. In the field, other than last year, the thought always was, 'He gets everything to him, but has no range.' Sounds like consistently playing 3B may be good for him. Worst case scenario, Gyrko plays 3B.

[Fat Strat]

the more i look at it, the more i love the deal.

really would like to see them get another bat, whether it be turner or encarnacion (turner preferably because of defense).

Someone posted the projected 2017 lineup with fowler in it and it looks pretty good, but man it needs that big middle of the order bat.

Or it needs more of the same from Diaz and a step forward from Piscotty and Grichuk. I think all of that is possible, if not likely.

While I can make a strong statistical argument that Diaz wont be able to repeat what he did, he passes the eye test. Scout what you saw last year and you'll think that's what he is.

I think we saw Piscotty's ceiling for awhile last year and his floor for awhile. There's every reason to think he'll be a little better just based on age, experience, etc. Not a lot, but a small uptick in defense and offense and he's a 3 WAR player.

Grichuk was as bad as he could be for a month. The rest of the time, he was actually pretty good. The pretty good Grichuk could be a nice offensive player, for a 2nd tier hitter on this club. His lack of contact is negated some by Piscotty's high contact rate and the huge production we'll get with two near .400 OBP guys hitting in front of him.

[salukifan2]

People that are calling for Turner or Encarnacion are going to be disappointed. Look at how much they are taking about how out of their comfort zone Fowler was. You think they're going to sign two top 5 FA in one off season? I would be super surprised.

I know everyone hates Peralta. Is Peralta really going to be that bad? He had nagging injuries last year. He's capable of being a productive player at the plate. In the field, other than last year, the thought always was, 'He gets everything to him, but has no range.' Sounds like consistently playing 3B may be good for him. Worst case scenario, Gyrko plays 3B.

Jhonny was a -20.0 UZR at 3B last year. In 2009 when he got over 900 innings at 3B he was still a -1.5 UZR.

I'd rather have Gyorko at third. He had an 8.4 UZR there, though only 300 innnings.

I think Gyorko took a major step forward offensively last year. Improved his BB% by 3 points, lowered his K%, and his BABIP was 30-40 pts below what it normally would be. I think he's our guy at 3B.

[go birds]

the more i look at it, the more i love the deal.

really would like to see them get another bat, whether it be turner or encarnacion (turner preferably because of defense).

Someone posted the projected 2017 lineup with fowler in it and it looks pretty good, but man it needs that big middle of the order bat.

Or it needs more of the same from Diaz and a step forward from Piscotty and Grichuk. I think all of that is possible, if not likely.

While I can make a strong statistical argument that Diaz wont be able to repeat what he did, he passes the eye test. Scout what you saw last year and you'll think that's what he is.

I think we saw Piscotty's ceiling for awhile last year and his floor for awhile. There's every reason to think he'll be a little better just based on age, experience, etc. Not a lot, but a small uptick in defense and offense and he's a 3 WAR player.

Grichuk was as bad as he could be for a month. The rest of the time, he was actually pretty good. The pretty good Grichuk could be a nice offensive player, for a 2nd tier hitter on this club. His lack of contact is negated some by Piscotty's high contact rate and the huge production we'll get with two near .400 OBP guys hitting in front of him.

i dont disagree with any of this, but why not bolster the lineup?

Im a huge believer of Diaz' bat. He works counts, doesn't strike out alot and puts a good charge in the ball.

Piscotty--i wonder if he just got worn out down the stretch being his first full year in the league in all. I think he settles in at .270 20 homers. which is pretty good.

Assuming those two things, its a good lineup, but shoot, throw another big bat in there. All it costs is money.

I guess that's just one of my biggest issue with the organization. "contending" seems to be their goal. Which is fine, dont get me wrong. but we have an opportunity to put the lineup over the top.

[Jocephus]