View Single Post
Old 06-03-2013, 05:18 PM   #1216
BigRedChief BigRedChief is online now
Has a particular set of skills
 
BigRedChief's Avatar
 

Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: On the water
Casino cash: $3399627
VARSITY
Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut View Post
I feel like they always have been.

He's a guy with arthritic ankles and a history of alcoholism - does it really make any sense to lock him up long-term when you have him under team control for 3 more seasons?

I'd ride David Freese through 2015 then let him walk as a FA. He'd be approaching his age 33 season at that point and likely won't get too terribly much on the open market.

At that point you re-assess. If Wisdom or Kelly come along as you've hoped, Freese won't be needed. If Wong or Garcia have forced your hand at 2b, you can always slide Carpenter back over to 3b (though I hate doing that; why move a guy to 3b that can give you that kind of offense and plus defense at 2b, a much hard position to fill?).

The Cardinals would have plenty of options.

Freese hasn't ever been a candidate for a long-term extension, IMO. He's played overaged for most of his career and just doesn't appear to be a wise gamble for a smart ballclub. Extract as much value from him as you can from his team controlled years and then let him walk as he enters his decline years. It's the only way a mid-market payroll can keep it's best young players in the organization.

I don't think refusing to sign him to an extension means they won't have him back.
What you are saying makes sense. I understand the financials of baseball dictate to just let Freese play out through arbitration to age 33.

But as we have just been discussing, Freese's 6th game performance will be one of our best memories evah as a Cardinals fan. I don't want him treated unfairly or have him leave the Cardinals under negative circumstances.

I know I'm thinking with my heart not my head. Same thing happened with Pujols. He was my favorite Cardinal since the Gibson/Brock era. I got over that, I guess I'll get over Freese leaving badly, if that happens.
__________________
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.
-YODA
Posts: 78,775
BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.BigRedChief is obviously part of the inner Circle.