Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Albert to Get His Shot?

That's the first thing that popped into my mind when I heard that Barry might be gone for part or all of the upcoming season.

  • As has been pointed out over at Get Up, Baby (I originally said Curveblog but I mixed em up), these type of things need to be taken lightly.
  • However, if the aforementioned retirement/slow rehab takes place for the Giants' left-fielder, what does that mean as far as competition for Pujols?
  • Beltre has been reassigned to the Siberia.
  • Beltran will be readjusting, and last year fell short of Pujols in EVERY major category save BA and steals.
  • Helton can be dangerous every year at Coors, but it unlikely that we will see a surge strong enough to pass Pujols. I'm fairly confident that Helton's best years are (unfortunetly) behind him.
  • Abreu seems to be one of the biggest contenders for the NL MVP crown in 2005. With power, speed, and a great OBP he looks like one of the front runners. However, he will need more than HR's in the upper 20's and a higher BA to get the job done. A lot will have to do with the protection he recieves with Thome batting behind him. Look for the decline of Thome to be a slight decline for Bobby as well.
  • Edmonds will NOT have the year he had last year.
  • Rolen, if healthy, should have another great season. But he will need to boost his HR total to have a shot.
  • Dunn doesnt have the average or the OBP.
  • Is there anyone else that might pose a threat that I haven't listed? Please comment and let me know what you think.

Don: [playing kickball] Hey, Napoleon. Did you wet the bed last night?

Napoleon Dynamite: Hey, Don, did you take a dump in your bed last night?

Don: I could kick your butt, Napoleon, so I'd shut up.

Napoleon Dynamite: Why don't you go tell your mom to shut up?

Don: What did you say?

Napoleon Dynamite: Whatever I feel like I wanna say.

Don: Did you say something about my mom?

Napoleon Dynamite: Maybe I did, maybe I didn't.

Don: Do you wanna die, Napoleon?

Napoleon Dynamite: Yeah right. Who's the only one here who knows the illegal ninja moves from the government?

-I do. CJ.

Friday, March 18, 2005

Talkin' Turkey

I've been on this horse before, so I'll make it quick. $5 Million for Cedeno. Ouch.

$12.5 Million for Walker. Hopefully not too much Ouch. Depends on how much PT he gets. If he fails to get 130 games (which is LaRussa's "happy" goal) people will begin to stratch their heads.

Morris for dramatically cheaper is looking better and better with his quick return to health. Although he got hammered the other day I expect a much better season than compared to 2004.

The money not spent on the likes of Edgar could mean exciting new possiblities to shore up the bullpen. Long relief is looking more and more like the next pothole to clean-up.

Check out this great blog: Hardball Dollars, as it has UP TO DATE information!

"Well, I have all your equipment in my locker. You should probably come get it cause I can't fit my numchucks in there anymore. "

-CJ

Friday, March 11, 2005

Coming to a wavier wire near you...

...Rick Ankiel.

1. If you didn't know it already, Rick Ankiel has officially retired from pitching, and switched to outfield.

2. If you didn't know it already, Slippery Rick is out of options. i.e. Ricky has to clear waivers to be able to be sent back down.

3. If you didn't know it already, there is lots of talk about Rick being the answer to our "aging" outfield. Get over it. The kid hit well...in "A" ball. He's a great hitting pitcher, but not good enough to eat up a roster spot when he ain't pitching. I really like the guy, but I don't quite understand the facination with him--to the point where people think that he's going to make the team with his lumber.

4. This is a conversation between Ankielites and Cardinal's skipper Tony La Russa.
Tony: Ankiel has officially retired from pitching.
Ankielites: (Weeping and Gnashing of teeth)
Tony: But he's going try to be an outfielder.
Ankielites: (Hallelujah Chorus)
Tony: But the chances don't look good for him making the team.
Ankielites: Chances don't look good? Not good as in one in a hundred?"
Tony: More like one in a million.
Ankielites: So you're tellin' us there's a chance!!! Yesssss!

5. Apparently I have to say something. But is anyone out there about as sick and tired of Bernie Miklasz as I am? In a post in his column on Wed. Ole Weekend Bernie ripped the Cardinals for "babying" Ankiel. While this is true to a certain extent, does he honestly think that Ankiel will make the team? Maybe he missed La Russa's quote concerning the dramatic turn of events."La Russa conceded there will be few, if any, at-bats for Ankiel during the team's exhibition schedule. 'I can't give them to him because he's not going to make our team.'" La Russa said. (Courtesy of St. Louis Post-dispatch). Regardless, of whether he saw the quote or not, his ranting on the subject is too much. ("Don't read him then!" my wife says as I yell at the computer screen). Its as bad as another recent article of his on how "Injuries, or the lack thereof is the key, for the Cardinals." What team is this not true of? Seriously, name one? How about a post about something original/informational/factual! But I digress...

6. I started thinking that this might be a bluff on the part of the Cardinals in order to see if they could squeeze Ricky through waivers. I have heard a rumour about a team(s) that might call the bluff. That's all I can say on the matter. (I feel so important saying that!) I will not reveal "deep-throat." (all of a sudden I get lots of hits from porn junkies) Digressing again...but then I saw that Scott Boras, Rick's agent, was informing all the teams that RICK WILL NOT PITCH FOR ANYONE. Which gave credance to the idea that this was not some desperate attempt to keep the "golden project" just a little bit longer. OR it is an even more elaborate attempt to keep the birdies on his chest. (and there was great rejoicing from the Ankielites).

7. Looks like what this does do, here comes the silver lining....wait for it....a quality lefty minus the demons will get a better shot. Myers and Flores--among others.

8. Looks like Rick had a good outting in--batting practice on Thursday. I can see the Ankielites begin to salivate now.

9. In REAL news Walker should be back to start in a Spring game.

10. "Stay home and eat all the freakin' chips, Kip."

"Napoleon, don't be jealous that I've been chatting online with babes all day. Besides, we both know that I'm training to be a cage fighter. "

"Since when, Kip? You have the worst reflexes of all time."

-CJ