GatewayRedbirds.com

Popeye you nailed it w/ that viewpoint.

The Cards have lost several key faces over the last few years. While they are pushing to get younger, they don't want to upset a lot of their fans. They probably view it as a toss up between Taguchi and Skip talent wise, and the deciding factor being fans really enjoy So.

There is always more to player analysis than just pure numbers. Forums like these (although this is very balanced) often don't represent a lot of your old time fans, who like my father, enjoy what So represents.

Go_Crazy_Folks wrote:
There is always more to player analysis than just pure numbers. Forums like these (although this is very balanced) often don't represent a lot of your old time fans, who like my father, enjoy what So represents.

Yes, and even though we like to crunch numbers and figure out how to win more games by making this and that upgrade, there's something to be said for just keeping some guys because they're popular.

Not saying that Skip Scott wouldn't also be popular. But at the expense of just dropping So Taguchi as if he were Roger Cedeno (who nobody really cared for, even with his ownage of Clemens), I'd rather option down Schumaker for now when we need to open up a roster spot for Edmonds.

Plus, although Skip is cheaper, we're already committed to paying Taguchi anyway. So cost/value comparisions at this point are moot. Come next offseason, we can bring that discussion back up.

--P--

Does So have any options left?

Is Taguchi in danger?

It would appear to be the case.

RC21 wrote:

Is Taguchi in danger?

It would appear to be the case.

That is clearly a photoshopped picture.

--P--

Yeah, the halo around the dinosaur gives it away. I was in a rush.

Popeye_Card wrote:

Go_Crazy_Folks wrote:
There is always more to player analysis than just pure numbers. Forums like these (although this is very balanced) often don't represent a lot of your old time fans, who like my father, enjoy what So represents.

Yes, and even though we like to crunch numbers and figure out how to win more games by making this and that upgrade, there's something to be said for just keeping some guys because they're popular.

Beh, Bo Hart was popular and now he's something of a joke. Taguchi will be kept around as long as TLR think he's useful (Cedeno BTW was even worse than Rodriguez as a defender).

Taguchi spent enough time in the minors from 2002 to 2004 that he is out of options.

greenback44 wrote:

Popeye_Card wrote:

Go_Crazy_Folks wrote:
There is always more to player analysis than just pure numbers. Forums like these (although this is very balanced) often don't represent a lot of your old time fans, who like my father, enjoy what So represents.

Yes, and even though we like to crunch numbers and figure out how to win more games by making this and that upgrade, there's something to be said for just keeping some guys because they're popular.

Beh, Bo Hart was popular and now he's something of a joke. Taguchi will be kept around as long as TLR think he's useful (Cedeno BTW was even worse than Rodriguez as a defender).

Taguchi spent enough time in the minors from 2002 to 2004 that he is out of options.

Bo Hart was given another chance in 2004, and he proved that he wasn't MLB caliber. Plus he was in LaRussa's doghouse because while he hustled, he didn't do a lot of the little things right that LaRussa loves. Had he even been able to produce at Taguchi (or Miles) levels, he probably would have stuck around longer.

--P--

The thing that gets lost about So is that until last year, his career line was .289/ .329/ .422 (95 OPS+) and he provided top-notch baserunning and defense. That's really what you want out of a spare OFer, especially when it's a guy that can play all 3 spots instead of just the corners. Until 2006, So had been everything the fans could have wanted- even providing some unexpected pop.

But 2007 was so messy that his previous record is forgotten. And at 37 now, you've got to start wondering if it's going to get worse.

But LaRussa loves him to pieces so I'd bet that the Gooch has a job for as long as LaRussa's here.

RC21 wrote:

Is Taguchi in danger?

It would appear to be the case.

Stuff like this is why I get up in the morning.