GatewayRedbirds.com

obucard wrote: I never thought I'd say this. I miss Joe Strauss.

Tim wrote:

obucard wrote: I never thought I'd say this. I miss Joe Strauss.

Same. #developing

As early as last week, though, whispers of a roadblock to a potential deal began cropping up in local media. “There are rumors,” said Frank Cusumano on his radio show, “that Dexter Fowler does not want to play for Mike Matheny.” Bernie Miklasz expressed a similar thought. Derrick Goold and Ben Hochman spent a good chunk of the latest Best Podcast in Baseball seeming to acknowledge the “grumblings” and things “in the wind” with regard to Fowler and alluding to unspecified “aspects” of the Cardinals “culture” that might not be a fit for certain players. Cusumano implied again this morning that Fowler is reluctant to sign with the Cardinals, albeit this time without mentioning Matheny.

Yes, these are just rumors, but I’m inclined to think there’s some truth to them. Goold, Miklasz, and Cusumano are pros, and while they’re naturally being careful about what they say, clearly they’ve heard something. Frankly, the mere fact that St. Louis’ habitually cozy and compliant sports media is relaying a rumor that’s unflattering to the Cardinals suggests that that something is pretty serious—as does the fact that Fowler has every incentive not to signal an aversion to a team that is actively bidding for him on the open market. That’s an awful lot of smoke—in an environment in which there should be no smoke at all—for there not to be a fire.

Fat Strat wrote:I still find this hard to believe. Unless Fowler just wants to play for Maddon, which doesn't seem like an option at this point.

Matheny isn't that hard nosed. He's more of a player's manager than a disciplinarian. If he has a fault with his handling of players its that he is too loyal to them. He respects vets. He's a strong Christian, but so is Fowler. His teams consistently win, so it's not like Fowler would fear coming here and playing for a sure loser. Some of the most respected players in the game (Holliday, Wainwright, Molina, and others) rave about Matheny.

Despite the smoke, it just doesn't add up. There's probably something there, but I sure can't put my finger on what it could be.

Fat Strat wrote:I still find this hard to believe. Unless Fowler just wants to play for Maddon, which doesn't seem like an option at this point.

Matheny isn't that hard nosed. He's more of a player's manager than a disciplinarian. If he has a fault with his handling of players its that he is too loyal to them. He respects vets. He's a strong Christian, but so is Fowler. His teams consistently win, so it's not like Fowler would fear coming here and playing for a sure loser. Some of the most respected players in the game (Holliday, Wainwright, Molina, and others) rave about Matheny.

Despite the smoke, it just doesn't add up. There's probably something there, but I sure can't put my finger on what it could be.

go birds wrote:lol i dont see why it's such a wild idea that people dont want to play for matheny.

Tim wrote:Maybe players just don't think he is a good manager. Maybe players see how he handled Oscar, Grichuk and Wong, and think "thanks, but no thanks."