Oh, uhh...4/14 Post Game

jagtrader · Post by **jagtrader** » April 15 07, 7:48 am

Phyrkrakr wrote:
greenback44 wrote:Skip got the "Spring Training Does Too Matter" roster spot this year. How long does that last usually? Looks like Pulsipher made it all the way to May.
Well, last year, Skip got the same spot, and it lasted for about three weeks. I'm imagining a roster move next week.

That's the annoying part. We went through this last year. La Russa didn't learn from his mistake. The offense was just as inept last April, partly because Schumaker was given 54 at-bats. The difference was Pujols carried everyone.

greenback44 · Post by **greenback44** » April 15 07, 8:18 am

jagtrader wrote:
Phyrkrakr wrote:
greenback44 wrote:Skip got the "Spring Training Does Too Matter" roster spot this year. How long does that last usually? Looks like Pulsipher made it all the way to May.
Well, last year, Skip got the same spot, and it lasted for about three weeks. I'm imagining a roster move next week.
That's the annoying part. We went through this last year. La Russa didn't learn from his mistake. The offense was just as inept last April, partly because Schumaker was given 54 at-bats. The difference was Pujols carried everyone.

I'd guess that rather than seeing it as a mistake, TLR sees this as the price he's gotta pay to make everyone take spring training seriously.

Schumaker wasn't as indefensible a year ago as he is now. The leading alternatives were John Gall and a coming-off-an-825-OPS-in-the-PCL Chris Duncan.

jagtrader · Post by **jagtrader** » April 15 07, 8:30 am

Yes, but Rodriguez had a great spring training as well. I think it's more about ridiculously over-valuing replacement outfield defense -- especially at the corners -- because Duncan has struggled there.

I can see not keeping Rodriguez if Encarnacion is around. Then you have Spiezio on the bench. That's not the case, of course.

greenback44 · Post by **greenback44** » April 15 07, 8:46 am

jagtrader wrote:Yes, but Rodriguez had a great spring training as well. I think it's more about ridiculously over-valuing replacement outfield defense -- especially at the corners -- because Duncan has struggled there.

Rodriguez only hit .263 this spring. Not that I disagree over the overvaluing of defense or the perceived need for a Duncan caddy. I don't know which came first, but the Cardinals were looking for excuses to put Schumaker on the roster and they found them easily enough.

I can see not keeping Rodriguez if Encarnacion is around. Then you have Spiezio on the bench. That's not the case, of course.

I wonder if one concern TLR had was that at the start of May Rodriguez would be hitting .350 -- or some similarly unsustainable number -- with decent defense when Encarnacion came off the DL. TLR does worry about the political stuff, and the fans all hate Encarnacion as it is, so it only would get worse if there was a clear alternative.

bluedevil99 · Post by **bluedevil99** » April 15 07, 10:18 am

Skip is up because he's the only guy on the bench other than So that can play CF. This is really important with Jimmy's health a serious quesion mark. When Juan E comes back, Skip goes bye bye.

That said, given that our 3-5 hitters have a combined OPS south of 600 with a combined 6 unintentional walks to 94 total ABs, I do not think replacing Skip Schumaker with John Rodriguez is going to help our offense much.

Popeye_Card · Post by **Popeye_Card** » April 15 07, 10:30 am

Skip vs. J-Rod--whatever. J-Rod is probably the preffered player right now for that spot.

The offense will "work" once the bats start doing what they're supposed to do. What they've always done. Look at that haltz list again. Most of those guys in the sub-100 class are going to be up at 90+ by the end of the season. Pujols will probably add 100 points before the end of the season.

All that is good, because I don't think the pitching is going to stay this solid all season. But our time will come when we're consistently putting up 4-5 runs per game again.

--P--

greenback44 · Post by **greenback44** » April 15 07, 10:39 am

bluedevil99 wrote:Skip is up because he's the only guy on the bench other than So that can play CF.

This is like carrying a third fire extinguisher on a life boat instead of an extra basket of rations. I suppose there is a theoretical need for an extra defensive outfielder. As has been stated and to the surprise of few, that need hasn't arisen in real games.

Popeye_Card wrote:Skip vs. J-Rod--whatever.

In the greater scheme of things, yeah, it probably doesn't matter that much. It does give some insight into LaRussa's thinking though, which I find worthwhile. If Joe Strauss and Buzz Bissinger weren't such hacks, I wouldn't bother.

BW23 · Post by **BW23** » April 15 07, 11:24 am

St. Louis is now tied for last in runs scored this year in all of MLB. SF is right with them. So is Seattle, but they've played 3 fewer games.

I'm guessing that StL is dead last in opposing starting pitcher ERA which is likely still well under 2. I may be wrong, but I think Wandy is the only SP that's given up more than 2 runs. He gave up 3.

jagtrader · Post by **jagtrader** » April 15 07, 11:26 am

Popeye_Card wrote:Skip vs. J-Rod--whatever. J-Rod is probably the preffered player right now for that spot.

Preston Wilson is starting against Ben Sheets today. Anyone think maybe Rodriguez would be a preferrable choice? This is another example of why keeping Schumaker on the roster is stupid.

skmsw · Post by **skmsw** » April 15 07, 12:16 pm

But our time will come when we're consistently putting up 4-5 runs per game again.

Exactly. If you mean 4.5 runs over 162 games.

But therein lies the problem.

We're aspiring -- hoping to scratch our way back to -- expecting hat when AP hits we'll return to the form of -- being an offense that scores 725 runs a year.