Former Cardinals Watch

[wart57]

It's almost as if "the Cardinal Way" approach to hitting is not working, and maybe they need to start looking to change that approach.

[ghostrunner]

I've mostly been skeptical of this whole thing. It doesn't make much sense to me to think that whatever the Cardinals might be doing is actively and systemically suppressing production. Most of these guys train elsewhere in the offseason and even have their own coaches on the side, no? So what's the idea - Carlson has his swing or his own approach, and the Cardinals staff is saying "don't do that or else"? Are they saying that to veterans like Arenado and Goldy too? Why doesn't it seem to affect Burleson? Is the idea that it affects only certain kinds of players?

But also (and it is a small sample and the month isn't over) so far this is Carlson's best month ever.

[CardsofSTL]

I think in the case of Carlson a lot of it was mental; and maybe pressure he placed on himself (or even by the team, telling them they need him to step up) and after the trade that was lifted. There was a lot of talk about how they told Winn we don't care if you go 0 for the season, you are the starting SS and how that took the pressure off and he was able to just turn in to the hitter we are seeing this season. If there is anything to that; which probably is different from player to player as some people thrive under pressure; it could be that Carlson was the prototype change of scenery player. Some of the other misses...hard to say. O'Neill showed flashes when he was here but was often not healthy. Garcia and Randy were just young and getting moved might have motivated them a little. I don't know if there is one answer that fits every situation.

[Fat_Bulldog]

I think in the case of Carlson a lot of it was mental; and maybe pressure he placed on himself (or even by the team, telling them they need him to step up) and after the trade that was lifted. There was a lot of talk about how they told Winn we don't care if you go 0 for the season, you are the starting SS and how that took the pressure off and he was able to just turn in to the hitter we are seeing this season. If there is anything to that; which probably is different from player to player as some people thrive under pressure; it could be that Carlson was the prototype change of scenery player. Some of the other misses...hard to say. O'Neill showed flashes when he was here but was often not healthy. Garcia and Randy were just young and getting moved might have motivated them a little. I don't know if there is one answer that fits every situation.

There is a common denominator here though for all of those players...

[TGantz]

I think it's less about specific instruction and more about consistent opportunity. Arozarena and Garcia never got an opportunity to stick with the club. Carlson and O'Neill could never get into a rhythm with injuries and the outfielders and batting order constantly changing. This organization values versatility but I think it's a double edge sword. It saves money and you can ensure there are MLB quality players out there even with injuries, but it makes it hard to give players the space they need to fail while developing. It's the same issue with the Cardinals always being mediocre to good. They always have a chance to go to playoffs, so it's harder to justify costing a game by giving long leashes.

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Marcell Ozuna has a legit chance of winning the triple crown. Leads the league in BA and RBI. 2nd in HR.

[cardsfantx]

Still tied in wife beatings though

[JoeMcKim]

They always have a chance to go to playoffs, so it's harder to justify costing a game by giving long leashes.

Realistically down the stretch once its clear that the Cardinals aren't going to make the playoffs which is now but when its 100 percent obvious then Luken Baker should be getting a lot of playing time at 1B. We need to know for next year if he can figure out hitting at the MLB level as if we should play him at all at 1B next year.

[TGantz]

They always have a chance to go to playoffs, so it's harder to justify costing a game by giving long leashes.

Realistically down the stretch once its clear that the Cardinals aren't going to make the playoffs which is now but when its 100 percent obvious then Luken Baker should be getting a lot of playing time at 1B. We need to know for next year if he can figure out hitting at the MLB level as if we should play him at all at 1B next year.

Agreed. Same with Saggese and Prieto. Gorman can chill out in AAA and regroup. Let's see who can cover the bench next year so we don't waste two [expletive] bench spots all year.

[sighyoung]

They always have a chance to go to playoffs, so it's harder to justify costing a game by giving long leashes.

Realistically down the stretch once its clear that the Cardinals aren't going to make the playoffs which is now but when its 100 percent obvious then Luken Baker should be getting a lot of playing time at 1B. We need to know for next year if he can figure out hitting at the MLB level as if we should play him at all at 1B next year.

Agreed. Same with Saggese and Prieto. Gorman can chill out in AAA and regroup. Let's see who can cover the bench next year so we don't waste two [expletive] bench spots all year.

But we need grizzled sea salts who can tell yarns about the days of yore hunting the leviathans of the deep and singing many a sea shanty.