2011 Payroll Breakdown and Discussion

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Have Palletta perform some dumb procedure on him, then he'll be done for sure.

Didn't he try to turn him into a European motocross rider with a forearm surgery this spring?

[mcgee51taguchi99]

You can't sign Westbrook. He's a nice luxury to have because you know the production you'll get from him, but this team can't afford to put those kinds of resources into a rotation that already has Carp, Wainwright and Garcia. Spending too much on starting pitching is how they got in this mess in the first place.

Not that I disagree with you re: Westbrook, but I think assuming comparable production in 2011 out of Wainwright, Carpenter, and Garcia would be a mistake.

Completely agree here. A guy like Westbrook isn't exactly an insurance policy if one or more of those guys aren't 100% healthy, but having him around will soften the blow.

[cards2468]

You can't sign Westbrook. He's a nice luxury to have because you know the production you'll get from him, but this team can't afford to put those kinds of resources into a rotation that already has Carp, Wainwright and Garcia. Spending too much on starting pitching is how they got in this mess in the first place.

I think having PJ Walters, Blake Hawksworth and Jeff Suppan as our 4-5 starters for a good chunk of the season is the reason we're here. I'm willing to spend on the back end of the rotation if it means keeping those guys out of the rotation.

[Fat Strat]

OK, I've thought about it over lunch -- Qdoba queso steak burrito will brighten anyone's mood -- and I'm sticking with Westbrook.

The main reason is that I want to see Lohse in a competition, probably with Lynn and McClellan. I also am having trouble seeing the point of someone like Orlando Hudson taking up half of your offseason budget when you have Greene in house. Hudson, to me, is a huge decline risk. He's the wrong kind of player to put money into right now. With Skip's salary and Hudson, we would be dropping $7.5-$10 million in the hopes that we can get league average production and acceptable defense out of 2nd base.

Am I that crazy for believing that some combination of Greene and Skip can't come close to that? Of course, I'm putting a lot of faith in Greene (both that he'll perform and that our manager will play him) because we know we're not getting average defense out of Skip.

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Skip Schumaker should not play at 2nd base at all unless it's a 13+ inning game and we're out of position players. There is absolutely no reason or excuse for him playing there.

[vinsanity]

Am I that crazy for believing that some combination of Greene and Skip can't come close to that? Of course, I'm putting a lot of faith in Greene (both that he'll perform and that our manager will play him) because we know we're not getting average defense out of Skip.

I think you are crazy for accepting Freese/Ryan/Greene in the IF with Skip/Miles being the backups.

But I don't think Greene/Skip is a bad option at 2B.

[Fat Strat]

Skip Schumaker should not play at 2nd base at all unless it's a 13+ inning game and we're out of position players. There is absolutely no reason or excuse for him playing there.

Yet, he will. I don't disagree with your assessment of Skip, but I think it's a waste of time to suspend the reality of our situation.


I can't say what will happen if TLR leaves -- though I think it helps our chances of seeing someone like Greene in the lineup more and Skip less. But, if TLR stays, and we have to consider that the most likely scenario, Skip will play 2nd base at least most of the time.

[TimeForGuinness]

why not move skip to RF to split time with Jay? Still cheaper than Luddy, and opens up 2B for an upgrade?

[go birds]

Anyone who is a fan of the Cards going back to playing sound, fundamental baseball should not include Skip at 2nd in that plan.

[Fat Strat]

Am I that crazy for believing that some combination of Greene and Skip can't come close to that? Of course, I'm putting a lot of faith in Greene (both that he'll perform and that our manager will play him) because we know we're not getting average defense out of Skip.

I think you are crazy for accepting Freese/Ryan/Greene in the IF with Skip/Miles being the backups.

But I don't think Greene/Skip is a bad option at 2B.

Alternatives that fit within our budget? Because even having Miles in there puts us over $100 million with Westbrook and a FA LHRP -- which almost has to be an FA; we have no internal options.