If you don’t mind, I’d like to take just a second to vent: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok. I’m done. The St. Louis Cardinals were embarrassed (to put it lightly) by the Los Angeles Dodgers and swept 3-0 in the NLDS. Now that the season is over, I have a few items on my wishlist I’d like to ask for:
1. Re-sign Matt Holliday. I know he didn’t perform well in the playoffs, but the guy is an all-star. There’s no telling what kind of numbers he could put up in the NL in a full season. This is where it starts. Cards can’t pay like the Yankees or Red Sox, but hopefully Holliday will compare his NL to AL records and remember the 47,000 forgiving fans and take smaller pay to be a Card. Remember Holliday, Scott Boras works for you!
2. Sign Albert Pujols to a long-term deal. This should probably be #1 on the list, but it won’t happen immediately unless Holliday returns to the team. Pujols wants to make sure the team is committed to winning. This man is the face of the organization and arguably the greatest right-handed batter to ever play the game. He made us forget about McGwire and Tino Martinez (ugh!). Do not let him walk away!
3. Let Ankiel and Glaus go! I know loyalty is a big thing in the Cards organization, but there’s no reason for these guys to be on the team next year. They were high cost, low production. Their time is done in St. Louis. Sorry guys.
4. Find a way to keep Mark DeRosa. This is a tough one! David Freese is ready to take over 3rd base. Where does DeRosa go? There’s several possibilities. If Holliday doesn’t re-sign, DeRosa can play OF. Or, move Skip back out to the OF and put DeRosa at 2B. The guy is a hard-nosed, give-it-your-all, player. He’s exactly what Cardinals’ fans love. I would love to see him wear the birds on the bat for a few more years.
5. Use Rasmus! He is the up and coming superstar on the team. He struggled against left-handed pitching this season (.160 average) but showed in the playoffs that he’s learning. In fact, he was probably the best hitter in the playoffs. It’s time for Colby to be the every day CF and time to shine.
6. Utilize our young pitches in an appropriate way. I understand that Duncan likes renovating veteran guys. I also understand he’s struggled with some young guys (Reyes, Marquis, etc.). However, it’s time to give some of the young guys a chance. I want to see what Jaime Garcia, Blake Hawsworth, and Mitchell Boggs can do. They’ve earned an opportunity to compete for the 4th and 5th spots in the rotation.
7. Bring back John Smoltz. He struggled at times, but showed flashes of greatness at times. I think he can still be a major contributor, whether out of the bullpen or as the 5th man in the rotation. He still has something left in that arm.
8. Fortify the bullpen. It’s pretty solid as is, especially with Miller against lefties. I still believe Franklin can be an effective closer. However, I would love to see the Cards adopt the Dodgers philosophy of having a 7th, 8th, and 9th man. I think Motte could fit one of those positions. Possibly Smoltz as well. Nonetheless, I like what I see in the pen.
9. Bring back La Russa and Duncan. I know some are ready to see them go. They might not even return. However, they can’t go out like this. I still believe they are the right 2 people for the job.
P.S. Not letting Todd Wellemeyer pitch should be a given.
Tags: DeRosa, Duncan, Holliday, La Russa, Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
October 12th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
10. Do whatever you can to bring back So Taguchi. If for nothing else, team morale
October 12th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Well done.
I know it’s crazy, but I have mixed feelings about Holliday now. It’s not because he dropped the ball–that could happen to anyone. It’s that he let Torre get away with walking Pujols at will. Can’t let that happen. In my opinion, Holiday’s first at-bat was the turning point of the series–bases loaded after an intentional walk to Pujols, nobody out, and he takes strike three. Make them pay right there and it’s a different series.
Also, I wouldn’t move Schumaker back to the OF even to keep DeRosa. Putting him at 2B was LaRussa’s best move of the season.
Other than that, I pretty much agree with everything you said (and I still think they should sign Holliday).
I would add that Brendan Ryan and Ryan Ludwick have earned everyday spots.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Kevin, I agree. I think that was the turning point. Not sure how he left the bat on his shoulder that whole time. Honestly, I think moving to Oakland and changing his swing really messed him up. I think a full season in the NL with his old swing (which he has gone back to) will make a huge difference. I see him batting .317 with 30 HRS and 110 RBIs.
The Skip move made La Russa look like a genius. He’ll only get better. His batting numbers make him look like a 2B over an OF.
Agree on the last point too. Ryan IS an everyday SS and potential future Gold Glove winner. Ludwick put up great numbers and didn’t even play everyday. Time to let him play 150 games again.