Results tagged ‘ Cardinals ’
HENDRY, PUJOLS AND MY CUB/CARDINAL RIVALRY
POWER OUTAGE!!!!
Okay, the Cubs faced Chris Carpenter and the St. Louis Cardinals last night. We pounded out 13 hit against the Cardinal ace. That sounds pretty good, right? Well, all of those 13 hits were singles. Not a single extra base hit. That’s not a good thing.
SPRING TRAINING STORY
I have to share a story with everyone that happened back in March. A friend of mine, a Cubs fan, decided to take his son, a Cardinals fan, to Florida to watch the Redbirds play in spring training. After arriving in Florida and taking in the first game of the week my friend and his son went out to eat dinner that night after the game. It just so happens, that they were seated by one of the Cardinals players. My friend thought it was Jason Motte, but wasn’t for certain so he asked his son who also thought that it was him. My friend asked him, “Aren’t you one of the Cardinal ballplayers?” and Motte confirmed he was and from there a conversation began. It was not your typical conversation with a fan pestering a player and asking for autographs and pictures. Instead, it was something different. The conversation included how good the food was, little league and high school baseball, family, what it’s like to face a 90+MPH fastball and more. Before Motte left the restaurant, he asked my friend if they were coming to the game the next day. He confirmed that he and his son would be there and Motte told him to find him once they got there. So, the next day, they arrived early to the game. As they were walking in, Motte saw my friend’s son and motioned for them to come his way. He then proceeded to introduce them to other players and my friend’s son was able to get several autographs and pictures of the players. Guys like Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook to name a couple. These players went out of their way to do this. My friend was able to shake some of the players hands and thank them for their generosity they displayed to his son.
CHANGE
All my life I have been pestered by Cardinal fans attempting to get me to switch my allegiance from the Cubs to the redbirds. Well, I’ve finally seen the light! I am going to root for the Cards all season long and hope and pray that Albert resigns with “us”.
READ ABOUT ME
I have changed the “Read About Me” section on this blog a few times. However, I wanted to update it again and share the new update as a post as well.
I guess you could say I am addicted to baseball. To begin with, I was born the day Willie Mays retired from baseball. I grew up playing some form of baseball almost everyday. Wiffleball, little league, hot box and strat-o-matic were the most common ways I was able to get my baseball “fix”. I was fortunate to have two uncle, Jonathan and David, to play with and to learn the game from. They always made the game fun for me.
I loved to watch the Cubs on WGN too. Sometimes I would go to my great-grandparents house and watch the games with them. My great-grandmother loved Ryne Sandberg while my great-grandfather was a big fan of Lee Smith, Jody Davis and later, Andre Dawson. The game of baseball and the Cubs provided me with a special connection with my great-grandparents. They also had a decent size back yard that we often turned into a wiffleball field. They would sit in a swing and watch my uncles, cousins, friends and myself play until dark had to call the game. Those were great times.
I consider myself a baseball purist to some extent. I love day games, grass fields, and don’t care too much for the DH. I’m happy watching a 1-0 shutout or an 8-7 slugfest. I like players that stay on one team their entire career. I believe it is okay to boo a player when you expect more out of them. I wish MLB scheduled more double headers. I’ve been to spring training in Florida multiple times but not Arizona…..yet. All in all, baseball is my favorite game and the Cubs are my favorite team.
I am Cub fan living in deep southern Illinois which is dominated by Cardinal fans. Just to give you an idea of how far south I live I can be in Kentucky in less than an hour. It would take me close to six hours to get to Wrigley Fields and two hours to get to Busch Stadium.
In addition to baseball and the Cubs, I enjoy basketball and football too. I root for the Chicago Bulls, North Carolina Tar Heels, Eastern Illinois Panters and Dallas Cowboys. For the record, Michael Jordan is the greatest player to ever play basketball in my opinion. It doesn’t hurt that MJ and Ryno each wore 23. What a great number if you are a Bulls and Cubs fan!
Today, I am married to a beautiful woman who happens to be a Yankees fan. Since our marriage we both have grown fond of each other’s team. I have two children with one more on the way and I love teaching my kids about baseball and watching Cub games with them. My kids know how to sing the Take Me Out to the Ballgame and Go Cubs Go. I am truly blessed and thank the Lord for all that I have.
MY THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
This Albert Pujols deal is getting interesting. I was listening to talk sports radio this morning and they were focusing on the idea that the Cards trade Pujols. I don’t see that happening. I believe the Cards will be able to sign him after the season if they are willing to meet most of his demands. If for some reason he does not sign with the Cards then I see him signing with a National League. I cannot imagine Albert going to the AL and having to be a DH even in the later stages of his career. He’s too competitive and wants to be on the field at all times.
The Cubs’ Marlon Byrd is working with Victor Conte. Remember him? The guy from Balco labs that did jail time. Byrd said he is not doing anything illegal and I believe him, but couldn’t he have found someone else?!?! Sorry Marlon, but Conte isn’t someone I would want to be associated with.
Jeff Samardzija is going to be a reliever this season. No question about it. The Cubs have enough guys competing for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation so Jeff will pitch out of the pen. At least he knows what his role will be this season. He’s out of options so if he doesn’t pitch well he may not stay with the Cubs.
The Cubs traded minor league infielder, Tony Thomas, for 26 year old Robert Coello. The former Red Sox minor league will probably start the year in Iowa and be called up in case of injury. I believe he will be used as a starter in Iowa to start the season, but is also capable of coming out of the pen. Personally, I didn’t care for this trade.
Josh Vitters needs to have a breakout season in 2011 or I fear he may become the next Ryan Harvey. I will be keeping an eye on him and I really hope he stays healthy and hits like he’s capable of.
Finally, Keith Moreland will be taking the place of Ron Santo in the radio booth. I am happy for Keith and believe he will do a great job.
ALBERT PUJOLS
I know everyone in the world has an opinion on Albert Pujols and his contract situation with the Cardinals. Will he sign with the Cards, how much money and how many years seem to dominate the baseball news everyday. I have no problem with that because I want to know too. So, I have a couple of scenarios regarding Albert and his next contract. Hope you enjoy.
Scenario 1
Albert signs with St. Louis and Red Bird nation breathes a huge sigh of relief. He gets 7 years guaranteed at $28 million per year with a player option for an 8th year and a club option for a 9th year. This allows the Cards to be the favorite in the NL Central for another few years. However, the Cards may face some problems long term with this contract. The Cards already signed Matt Holliday for $17 million a year through 2016 and a team option for 2017 at the same price . Adam Wainwright has a $9 million team option for 2012 and $12 million team option for 2013. Wainwright will be a free agent after the 2013 season unless things change between now and then. Chris Carpenter has a $15 million team option for 2012 and will be a free agent after that season. Fortunately, they have young players in Colby Rasmus, Jaime Garcia and David Freese that will help offset the salaries of the Cards’ “Big 4″. At least until 2015. That’s the earliest year that Rasmus and Garcia can become free agents. So, I think the Cards will do great in the first few years of Albert’s contract, but it may hamper them financially in 2015 and beyond. I know resigning Wainwright won’t be cheap. He’s a great pitcher and a legitimate ace. If Rasmus, Garcia and Freese all continue to improve they should get substantial raises through arbitration or contract extensions. However, the Cards suffer more, in my opinion, by not signing Albert.
Scenario 2
The Cards don’t get a deal done with Albert this spring. He hits the free agent market and the bidding goes crazy! Eventually, he agrees to sign with the Cards for $30 million a year for 10 years. The Cards try to defer some of the contract, but it’s such a large deal that it still hampers them finacially beyond 2015 . I don’t see the Cardinals brass caving in to 10 years and $30 million.
Scenario 3
Pujols decides to give the Cardinals a break and sign for 7 years at $27.5 million a year. This is the best case scenario for the Cards. I can see this happening if the Cards work out some sort of vesting options for an additional 3 years potentially making it a 10 year contract. I can see something like Pujols having to play in a minumum number of games each year or driving in a certain number runs in order to guarantee years 8-10. If the Cards pull this off I think they will benefit greatly!
Scenario 4
The Cub scenario! The Cubs sign him for 10 years at $30 million a year. The ONLY way this would work for the Cubs, in my opinion, is to front load the deal. Ramirez, Silva, Fukudome and Pena are all free agents after this season (Ramirez and Silva each have options for next year with buyouts). That would free up around $40 million dollars for next season. That’s a lot of money to be used on Pujols. Soriano will become a free agent in 2015 clearing up another $18 million a year. Carlos Zambrano will become a free agent in 2013 or 2014. He has a vesting option for 2014 at $19.25 million. So between Soriano and Zambrano the Cubs have over $35 million coming off the books soon. I think the Cubs could make this work financially if we spend our money wisely. We have one of the largest payrolls in baseball and I know we could afford Pujols. The real question is, Do we want to? Do we really want to spend that type of money on the best hitter in the game who will be aging for the majority of his contract? Do we want to risk another Soriano type of contract? Do we want to add fuel to the fire in the Cubs/Cards rivalry? I don’t know! I do know this. I would like to see what Albert could do offensively playing 81 home games at Wrigley Field. But I don’t know if I would be willing to pay the price.
I know there will be a lot of teams willing to make an offer to Albert if he doesn’t sign with the Cards. The Angels, Cubs, Rangers and Nationals are the teams I have as frontrunners, outside of the Cardinals, to make a serious run at Pujols if he does become a free agent. Yet, I consider myself a baseball purist. And as a baseball purist I want to see Albert play his entire career in St. Louis. I also want the Cubs to beat the Cards with Albert still wearing a Cardinals jersey. That would be just fine with me.
MORE RAMBLINGS
The fact that Michael Young wants to be traded is no surprise to me. He’s been a good team player in Texas, but I think he’s finally decided that enough is enough. With the signing of Beltre he’s now requested a trade. I would love to have him on the Cubs to play 2B this year, but I know it’s probably not going to happen. Instead, I’ve read that the Rangers have been talking with the Rockies about a trade. I also read that there are 8 teams Young would consider being traded to. One of those teams is the Cards. That would be a huge move for the Cardinals and really strengthen their lineup even more. I hope they are too focused on Pujol’s deal to make such a trade.
Cubs are supposedly still working on a long term deal with Carlos Marmol. I hope they get it done soon. From my understanding, he will have to have a physical before reaching a deal with the Cubs. Remember, Marmol started his career as a catcher and has only been pitching professionally since 2003. That leads me to believe that he will continue to get better.
Yahoo fantasy baseball is suppose to open some time today. I’m looking forward to it. It’s another indicator that spring is almost here.
With pitchers and catchers reporting soon it means the Cubs competition for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation will truly begin. The contenders will be Carlos Silva, Randy Wells, Andrew Cashner, Jeff Samardzija, Casey Coleman and James Russell. Russell is the only left hander in this group and that could give him an extra edge. However, I see Russell having more of a role similar to what Sean Marshall had in 2008 and 2009. I think Wells and Silva will get first shots being veterans. Cashner, Samardzija and Coleman will have to pitch really well in the spring to win a spot in the rotation. If they don’t, I would like to see them sent to triple A as starters rather than trying to convert them into relievers.
Finally, I walked into the local Target store over the weekend. They had a whole aisle dedicated to the St. Louis Cardinals. Hats, jerseys, shirts, shorts, baby clothes, sports bottles and much, much more. Unfortunately, they did not have one Cub item. That’s okay though. I have plenty of Cub gear to wear.
CUBS UPDATES AND OTHER STUFF
Well, the offseason is almost over. Several teams are still trying to finalize their 40 man roster and non-roster invitees to spring training. There’s also been some trades going down. That’s what I love about the offseason…..the level of activity.
Let me start with Mike Napoli first. The Angels traded him in a deal to get Vernon Wells. I think I am in the minority, but I like this deal for both teams involved. Then the Blue Jays trade him to the Rangers. I like this move for the Rangers a lot. Napoli has good power and should produce offensively in Texas if given the playing time.
Rickie Weeks and Albert Pujols have not signed contract extensions yet. I think both players would look good in a Cub uniform in 2012. Before my Cardinal friends start hating on me for saying that about Pujols, remember, I love the guy and who wouldn’t want him on their team. But I still believe he will be a lifelong Cardinal and he will sign a deal soon. Weeks on the other hand, I’m not certain the Brewers will keep him.
The Cubs signed two Cuban players this past week. I don’t know too much about either of them, but one player, Ruby Silva signed for $1.2 million. I would think by the amount of money he’s getting that he has some talent. He’s an outfielder capable of playing middle infield while the other player, Yanel Cabezas is a catcher and signed for $500K.
The Cubs, like other teams, have signed some guys to bring in to spring training. They include Braden Looper, Augie Ojeda and Luis Montanez. I don’t expect much from this group. Montanez and Ojeda have played in the Cubs system in the past, but I don’t think either will make the team and I’m not sure any of the three I just mentioned will even be on one of our minor league affiliates.
It’s almost February and we all know what that means!!!!!!!!!!
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