Thank God.

Hating on the local kid?

f'n sweet

Why?

First, look at his Memphis performance; in 2008 he made the leap from high A to AAA and actually improved offensively despite skipping AA altogether - that's no small feat. I honestly consider the jump to AA to be the hardest one to make and he took a bigger step than that without skipping a beat. Last year he started out hurt and awful, only to rebound very strongly as the year progressed.

Second, look at his swing. He's a big kid and has a nice even swing. He keeps his hands in well and takes a pretty direct route to the ball. He's not a slugger, but will get into some line drives that clear the fence. I don't think he'll peak this season by any means; a rookie learning curve is to be expected. At the same time, he's going to continue getting better as he's done at every stop through out his career.

Finally - he wan't just hitting grocery baggers. His two doubles I saw in the first game came off Matusz (best pitching prospect in the AL, likely #2 starter for Baltimore) and Mike Gonzalez (nasty left closer for Baltimore). In the Nats game he scalded the ball twice off Lannan and Bergman (Lannan is a good pitcher, Bergman's a legit ML reliever) and was robbed of extra bases twice, only to get a lucky single later. He put in a solid single against Hensley, who's had a strange career but is an unquestioned ML pitcher (180 innings in 2006 before some injuries; he looked pretty good locking up Albert for 3 ABs in the same game).

If we stick with him, we'll have a very nice player on our hands.

I'm not questioning his ability to be a solid everyday player, I'm saying it would be stunning if this happened, especially if he developed 25-30 HR power. It would be the theft of all thefts, given that we got him from SD for Edmonds, who they cut 40 games into the year.

WooWoo

In a move that was roughly as surprising as Ricky Martin saying he was gay, Freese was announced as the starting 3b yesterday.

Lugo traded to the Orioles:
http://interact.stltoday.com/blogzon...als-deal-lugo/

JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals have traded infielder Julio Lugo to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named, pending approval by the Commissioner’s Office.

Manager Tony La Russa and Lugo confirmed the deal. La Russa felt confident enough about it to have already notified outfield candidates Joe Mather, Allen Craig and Nick Stavinoha that they all have made the Cardinals’ season-opening roster.

Lugo hugged first baseman Albert Pujols and remained in street clothes while his former teammates dressed for their Grapefruit League finale against the Florida Marlins. Lugo then left camp to join the Orioles in Sarasota. The Orioles had scouted for middle infield insurance ever since second baseman Brian Roberts suffered recurring back problems this spring.

Lugo voiced satisfaction with the move but insisted he did not request it. However, Lugo’s role on the team appeared to become complicated once the Cardinals signed free agent utility player Felipe Lopez in late February. At the time Lugo said he adopted the attitude that he was playing for all 30 teams.

“I have a lot of respect for those guys. I loved it here,” said Lugo, acquired last July 22 from the Boston Red Sox. “I wish I could come back. I really liked it here. It’s one of the best places I’ve been.”

The Commissioner’s Office must give its approval to deals that include more than $1 million in cash considerations. An industry source indicated the Orioles will assume only the Cardinals’ $400,000 obligation to Lugo for this season. The Red Sox remain on the hook for the balance of Lugo’s $9 million salary.

Lugo refused to draw a connection between Lopez’ addition and his trade but La Russa acknowledged meeting with Lugo more than once about his role on the club.

Lugo had made clear he wanted an opportunity to start, something the Cardinals could not provide. Signing Lopez only exacerbated the issue.
“We were going to ask him to be something he doesn’t want to be,” La Russa said. “In his career he’s been an everyday player… He acknowledged he wanted to play a prominent role. It was going to be one of those cases where it was going to be utility. I used Aaron Miles, Miguel Cairo and Eduardo Perez as examples. Those guys could get three hits and the next day they don’t play. That’s a tough adjustment for most guys.”
“I don’t think one player changes a situation. You’ve just got to play good. That’s it,” Lugo said. “I did my best. I played good. It’s just a matter of choices.”

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak notified Lugo of a potential deal after Wednesday’s exhibition loss to the Washington Nationals. Lugo this morning learned a deal was done pending league approval.
It is unclear how much time the Orioles will afford Lugo. Roberts has played in the Orioles’ last three games. Shortstop Cesar Izturis has labored offensively this spring and may be vulnerable to a timeshare. Utility player Robert Andino has done little to secure his standing this spring.

The deal creates an avenue for the Cardinals to retain all three contenders for what was previously believed to be two outfield spots. Craig and Mather have experience at third base while Lopez is considered an option at second base, third and shortstop. Lopez’ deal includes a $1 million base but also provides $1.2 million in incentives based on plate appearances. Today’s move clears the way for him to achieve more of those incentives.

The club continues to mull whether to place reliever Blake Hawksworth on the disabled list to open the season. Hawksworth is scheduled to throw a side session this morning, his first test since being shut down after last Saturday with a right groin strain.

Can't decide if I was happier when we traded Duncan for Lugo or when we traded Lugo for nothing...

Eh, it's a push.

But if we could get a reliever to bump Hawksworth from the roster in the deal, that'd be great. Starting him on the DL won't do any good; he just doesn't have much to offer out there. Very marginal stuff and doesn't hide it well. Not a fan.

Roster is set.

<TABLE class=shsTable cellSpacing=1><TBODY><TR class=shsTableTtlRow><TD colSpan=10>St. Louis Cardinals: Roster 2010</TD></TR><TR class=shsColTtlRow style="TEXT-ALIGN: right"><TD class=shsNamD width="4%">No.</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="21%">Name</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="5%">Pos</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="6%">B/T</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="5%">Status</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="5%">Ht</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="5%">Wt</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="12%">Born</TD><TD class=shsNamD width="30%">Birthplace</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>41</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Mitchell Boggs</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-4</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>215</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>2/15/1984 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Dalton, GA</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>29</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Chris Carpenter</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-6</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>230</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>4/27/1975 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Exeter, NH</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>66</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Allen Craig</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>LF</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>210</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>7/18/1984 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Mission Viejo, CA</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>31</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Ryan Franklin</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-3</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>190</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>3/5/1973 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Fort Smith, AR</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>23</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>David Freese</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>3B</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>220</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>4/28/1983 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Corpus Christi, TX</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>54</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Jaime Garcia</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>L/L </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>215</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>7/8/1986 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Reynosa, Mexico</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>53</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Blake Hawksworth</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-3</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>195</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>3/1/1983 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>North Vancouver, Canada</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>7</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Matt Holliday</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>LF</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-4</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>235</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>1/15/1980 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Stillwater, OK</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>21</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Jason LaRue</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>C</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5-11</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>210</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>3/19/1974 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Houston, TX</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>26</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Kyle Lohse</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>210</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>10/4/1978 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Chico, CA</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>8</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Felipe Lopez</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>2B</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>S/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-1</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>203</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5/12/1980 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Bayamon, Puerto Rico</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>47</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Ryan Ludwick</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>RF</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/L </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-3</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>218</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>7/13/1978 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Satellite Beach, FL</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>22</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Joe Mather</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>RF</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-4</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>215</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>7/23/1982 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Sand Point, ID</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>46</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Kyle McClellan</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>215</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6/12/1984 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Florissant, MO</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>43</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Trever Miller</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/L </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-3</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>185</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5/29/1973 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Louisville, KY</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>4</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Yadier Molina</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>C</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5-11</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>230</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>7/13/1982 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Bayamon, Puerto Rico</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>60</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Jason Motte</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-0</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>200</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6/22/1982 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Port Huron, MI</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>33</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Brad Penny</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-4</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>230</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5/24/1978 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Blackwell, OK</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Albert Pujols</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>1B</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-3</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>230</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>1/16/1980 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Santo Domingo, DR</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>28</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Colby Rasmus</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>CF</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>L/L </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>200</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>8/11/1986 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Columbus, GA</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>36</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Dennys Reyes</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/L </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-3</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>250</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>4/19/1977 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Higuera de Zaragoza, Mexico</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>13</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Brendan Ryan</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>SS</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>195</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>3/26/1982 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Los Angeles, CA</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>55</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Skip Schumaker</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>2B</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>L/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5-10</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>195</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>2/3/1980 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Torrance, CA</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow1Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>34</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Nick Stavinoha</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>RF</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-2</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>240</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>5/3/1982 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Houston, TX</TD></TR><TR class=shsRow0Row><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>50</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Adam Wainwright</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>P</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>R/R </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Active</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>6-7</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>228</TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>8/30/1981 </TD><TD class=shsNamD noWrap>Brunswick, GA</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

I'm okay with batting Ryan 2nd as long as he doesn't hit .250. Hitting Colby there takes away his speed if he's on first. He can't steal. Even if he steals the base they just walk Pujols. Taking the bat out of Pujols hand for any reason is bad baseball. I'm sure Tony's reason for Rasmus 5th is to break up the 3 RH power hitters in a row. guess that makes sense.


La Russa revealed his probable lineup for today’s 12:10 p.m. game at Great American Ball Park:

1. Skip Schumaker, 2B
2. Brendan Ryan, SS
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Matt Holliday, LF
5. Colby Rasmus, CF
6. Ryan Ludwick, RF
7. Yadier Molina, C
8. David Freese, 3B
9. Chris Carpenter, RHP

Wow, that's showing a lot of faith in Colby Rasmus.

Ludwick looked good this spring, I think I'd flip him and Rasmus. I'd also put Freese ahead of Molina due to the fact that Freese will have more power and Molina is glacially slow.

Eh, at least the pitcher isn't batting 8th.

Rasmus has been tearing it up during spring training. But, Ludwick hasn't been too shabby himself. I could see trying to break up the 3 RH in a row and get some speed in there. But, if Colby doesn't produce Tony had better make the change.

I thought I had read somewhere that Tony felt he had more weapons now so he didn't see the dire need to get Pujols those 50 more at bats in a season so that the team could have more offense?

If the veterans just have their normal years and Colby and Freese step up this will be a "Yankees" type of hitters line up.

I hope he isn't rushing Molina back too soon. I'd hate for the injury to become nagging.

And that's exactly what an Oblique could become.

This isn't a bruise or a break; this is a muscle pull. It's fairly stupid rushing him out there already, IMO. Both Pagnozzi and Anderson would be capable fill-ins. I've seen enough of these oblique strains to know that they can really hang around awhile, especially for catchers and pitchers.

If I'm the Reds, I'd run just to force Yadi to throw. The long term benefits of taxing a key weapon for a division rival more than outweight any outs they may make on the basepaths.

The Reds will be in it all season, IMO. They'd be wise to make things as difficult for us as they can going forward.