Cards may seek another arm
By Joe Strauss
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/21/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals' signing of free-agent righthander Matt Clement to an incentive-laden, one-year contract last month was intended to address an innings shortage that torpedoed last season's starting rotation.
Now, with Clement's availability for opening day increasingly in question, the club may reconsider whether it needs to import another arm.
Insisting that the organization retain enough flexibility to pursue another pitcher if necessary, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has spoken with representatives for 2006 World Series hero Jeff Weaver and 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner Bartolo Colon.
Dyer Perspective:
Wheras Weaver is a complete dumb ass for leaving to begin with, I wouldn't mind seeing him again in Cardinal red. Perhaps he's learned his lesson?
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Pujols could get more rest this spring, and in season
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/21/2008
JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa left open the possibility of instituting some "Pujols Rules" to preserve and protect slugger Albert Pujols' vexing right elbow.
La Russa said Pujols will participate in a limited scope of throwing drills and that "he'll probably have less at-bats in spring when camps ends than in previous years."
Pujols repeatedly has said the sprained ligament in his elbow is not a problem, now. La Russa has said Pujols is "one tweak away" from trouble.
Dyer Perspective:
Hmmm, what did I just say about him getting to 300 HR this year?
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Politte pitches
By Derrick Goold
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/21/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cliff Politte, a candidate for the Cardinals' bullpen, returned to the mound Wednesday after a weeklong delay.
The righthander's progress had been slowed so the Cardinals could check the strength of his surgically repaired shoulder.
Politte, a Vianney High grad who was with the Cardinals in 1998, threw 40 pitches.
"We don't know yet how we're going to use him," pitching coach Dave Duncan said of the White Sox former setup reliever.
"We need to use him here to find out. He looked strong, and that's encouraging."
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A 43-year-old home run king is waiting for phone to ring
By Dan O'Neill
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/21/2008
Baseball's career home run leader is unemployed. He will work. You probably have to give him more than food, but he will work.
As Major League Baseball spreads its spring wings, Barry Bonds is on the outside looking in, unsigned but undaunted. His agent, Jeff Borris, told the San Jose Mercury News that Bonds is in game shape right now.
"The only thing he hasn't done is face live pitching," Borris said. "He's doing all the baseball drills he normally does as he works to get in shape for spring training. His legs are as solid as ever."
On the other hand, figuratively speaking, Bonds' career might be without legs. For one thing, he's facing a possible trial for his federal indictment on perjury and obstruction of justice charges.
Dyer Perspective:
Wonder if Mr. Big Head understands no one really does respect or like him yet?
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Tip of the cap
How have I gone a couple of posts without a nod to the Redbird legend Red Schoendienst? While we’re getting coated in a sheet of ice up here in STL, Red is down south enjoying his 65th spring training. For those of you keeping score at home, that means his first Spring Training came in the middle of WWII in the Spring of 1943. Wow, nice job Red!
