Cards Live with Mozeliak
Stltoday.com
3/12/08
A few decent questions from yesterday’s chat on stltoday.com:
Jeremy Landreth: I was really surprised when Larussa decided to sign another contract with us. The Cardinal's brass appear committed to developing players from within the organization. Larussa has always preferred veteran players. How were the two sides able to reconcile on these obvious differences in philosophy?
John Mozeliak: Tony is a HOF manager, but he does understand the direction we are going. You can become younger and still win, and I assure that's our goal to win. Honestly, Tony has been great to work with this off-season and I believe he is excited about our young players coming.
Brian B: With the shortage of reliable pitching available early, why the hesitation to sign someone like Kyle Lohse? I understand we are relying on Carpenter, Mulder, Clement, and now Piniero to get healthy. But wouldn't it be beneficial, as a team "in transition," to bulk up in this area and then trade for prospects with this surplus? And Aaron Miles? Really? Otherwise, I think everyone respects what you have done so far and everyone wishes you the best.
John Mozeliak: I feel everyone missed on the pitching market this year, as of today the only multi-year deal for a starter was Silva. The market was fluid and never reached what many believed would happen. As we sit here today teams are now looking to move their access pitching and there are still a few pitchers out there of interest. I will continue to explore both markets, based on the last few days we need to add depth.
With regard to Miles, he is well respected on this team and gives us great protection at SS/2B. He does have value!
B: Do you seriously think we can get to the playoffs this year with this rotation? Absolutely ridiculous....your the GM for the St. Louis Cardinals not the Kansas City Royals. Make something happen...ask DeWitt for more money. My summer is gonna be ruined.
John Mozeliak: Your summer will not be ruined, look at this way you get a chance to watch a rotation truly evolve. Consider the following addition each month. Clement, Mulder, and then finally Carpenter. But I get your point and will continue to look for ways to save your summer.
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Will Izturis (or anybody) be the answer for the Cards?
By Jeff Gordon
03/13/2008
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is encouraged by the progress Kennedy is making at the plate. And he remains a big Izturis fan, based largely on what he saw earlier in Cesar’s career.
So La Russa isn’t sweating Izturis’ poor offensive and defensive start this spring. “You just watch, he’s a real good looking fielder,” La Russa said. “He has great, quiet hands. He has an accurate arm. He’s very quick. Picks a ball up like it’s nothing. Very impressive.
“I liked him from the first time I saw him with the Dodgers. He is really fun to watch catch the ball. Offensively, he hasn’t had a big hitting spurt or anything like that, but he’s putting the ball in play. He’s working. He’s also shown, by the way, good legs. That’s an important part of the game.
My take: Well, well, well, I stand corrected. It appears that besides Adam, TLR loves Cesar. Zapple, not so sure about that All Star appearance though.
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Cards Notes: Pujols excels with extra rest
By Derrick Goold
03/13/2008
JUPITER, FLA. — As planned, Albert Pujols has seen fewer at-bats in games this spring, but that hasn't slowed how he prepares his swing for the season.
Pujols is a believer that rest will tame the injury, which has been the same since 2003 but caused him discomfort late last season. "This is something that I will play by ear, and so far it's good," said Pujols, whose slugging percentage spiked to .926 after Wednesday's game. "I want to play the next 10, 15 years (without) needing surgery. I'm paid to play. If I can walk, I can run, and I'm going to go out there and play."
My take: Thanks Pujo, good to know that if you rest, you play better... I hear if you match Lotto numbers you win cash.
KINNEY'S ANNIVERSARY
Today is the one-year anniversary of Josh Kinney's elbow surgery, and he continues to grind steadily toward a return to games. Kinney threw 50 pitches from the mound Wednesday and said he "mixed in some breaking stuff. (But) didn't really let one loose." The standard recovery from Tommy John surgery like the procedure Kinney had is a year, but Kinney busted his elbow during rehab, setting him back a few months. He expects to throw a simulated game and face hitters before camp breaks.
"My arm feels good, strong," Kinney said. "There's still room to throw harder, but I don't feel like I'm throwing salad up there. For now, I'm where I want to be. A month from now, I hope to be better."
EXTRA BASES
Chris Carpenter continued progressing in his rehab from Tommy John surgery with a second light throwing session on the mound Wednesday. He said everything continues to "progress nicely" — his mantra this spring. … Clayton Mortensen, a 2007 draft pick, is confirmed as the starter for Friday's game against the LA Dodgers.
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La Russa puts Jimenez on notice
By Derrick Goold
03/13/2008
JUPITER, Fla. -- Cardinals infielder D'Angelo Jimenez muffed a grounder and ended Wednesday's game by taking three strikes with runners on base.
He also drew the ire of Tony La Russa, who wants more from the veteran and nonroster infielder.
Jimenez, once a big-league starting shortstop, is hitting .077.
"He's a savvy player, but he needs to demonstrate it all the time, especially when he's trying to make an impression on an organization," the Cardinals' manager said.
"He has flashes of being a legitimate major leaguer and he shows flashes when he's struggling his (tail) off."
My take: He's still on the roster?!
