Recently in Juan Gonzalez Category

A Storm Brewing?

John Mozeliak was hired to be the peacemaker.  He was supposed to bring together the factions of scouting and stats.  While he may be doing that in the front office, I'm not sure he's doing it in with the dugout.  And I've got no problems with that.

Today's big story is the Reyes situation.  Here's what Larry at VEB has to say:

i would no longer characterize this as merely a proxy debate; it really is about the future of the organization --- about whether or not personnel decisions will be guided by any semblance of a long-range strategic vision; about stats vs scouting; about how to get maximum yield from the organization’s assets; ultimately, about who's in charge.

As usual, he's hit the nail on the head.  When Mozeliak was hired, I was afraid this was another TLR yes-man and lamented the hiring as a missed opportunity.  Not surprisingly, I was a little off there, it appears.

Look, I've said before that I'm a Tony LaRussa fan.  That said, his view of the game is a short-term one.  He wants to win now and wants the tools to do that.  In his mind, that means proven players that you have statistical data and tendencies on.  You know what they are going to do.  (And, apparently, gets soft spots for, if you read this story (scroll down) about Aaron Miles.)

Mozeliak has to look long-term.  There has to come a time where players are developed, not only for cost purposes but for trade options.  And there comes a time where the players have to prove what they can do on the major league squad.  Reyes has reached that point and, finally, Mo has put his foot down.

However, I found this just a little ominous:

"The decision of who gets in uniform is ultimately placed with the front office and/or ownership. I just appreciate the coaches and I having input in that. I also understand that at some point the decision is theirs. But once you get them, the decision how to play them is mine and the coaches'. ... That's how it works."

Could we see LaRussa let his wounded pride get in the way and only see Reyes pitch once a week or so in blowouts?  Something in that doesn't sit right with me, though hopefully TLR's need to win would override any hurts he may have from the front office directive.

Also, Juan Gonzalez is now on the temporarily inactive list.  I didn't even know there was such a thing.  I don't think we'll see too much more of Juan Gone, unless the outfield just falls to pieces.   I guess it could make for some summer intrigue if he's in shape and the Cards need to make a trade.

Great game for the Cardinals yesterday.  They battled back from a 2-0 deficit to win 8-2.  I've heard before just to pay attention to the last two weeks of ST.  That's when the regulars start playing more, pitchers go longer into the game, etc.  Starting last Monday (3/17), the Cards are 8-0-1, getting good pitching and strong offense.  The average score in that time is 7-3, with two double-digit scores put up by the Cards in that span.

Of course, last year the pitching staff put up a 2.00 ERA or so in spring and then, well, we know what happened there.........

Today's lineup for the last game that counts in ST.  Friday and Saturday the Cards are in Springfield, MO to take on the AA team.

1. Skip Schumaker, RF
2. Chris Duncan, LF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Rick Ankiel, CF
5. Troy Glaus, 3B
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Adam Kennedy, 2B
8. Kyle Lohse, RHP
9. Cesar Izturis, SS

The bench is standard, with the addition of INF Rico Washington and OF Amaury Marti, of note. The bullpen features: LHP Randy Flores, LHP Ron Villone, RHP Ryan Franklin, newly-minted rookie RHP Kyle McClellan, RHP Russ Springer and, making that last push, RHP Kelvin Jimenez.

We'll see if Lohse can build on his good first outing.  The game is on the Cardinal Radio Network and also on XM 176.

Good First Step

First off, let me wish you the best for your Leap Day. I guarantee it'll be the best one you've had since at least 2004.

The Cards played a major league team yesterday, taking on the Mets in their Grapefruit League opener.  If yesterday is any indication (and it probably isn't), this year may not be so bad.  (BTW, pictures from the game are here.)

The biggest news, in my book, was the performance of Anthony Reyes.  He really surpassed what I was hoping to see from him.  To throw three scoreless, not walking anyone, was a great way to get back on the radar.  The obvious caveats apply, especially the fact that Cardinal starting pitching was dominant in spring last year before slacking off in the regular season.  Still, the Mets had most of their starting lineup out there and Reyes wasn't beaten around.  It makes you think there is something to the press he's been getting this spring, and if there is..........

It appears that, at least so far, the reports of Juan Gonzalez's demise were a bit premature.  He went 2 for 3 with an RBI.  The offense as a whole was pretty strong and Colby Rasmus still is batting 1.000.  If this keeps up, it's going to be tough to send him back to AAA.

Interesting the reports of Mark Mulder's rehab.  Apparently the players are the ones singing the praises of the pitcher.   I'm not sure if that means any more or not, but it seems to be I'd rather hear that than the front office types saying that he's on schedule.

Today the Cardinals get to be in the eye of a media storm as they face Johan Santana in his Mets debut.  Today's lineup, via Bird Land:

1. Brian Barton, CF
2. Chris Duncan, LF
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Troy Glaus, 3B
5. Juan Gonzalez, DH
6. Ryan Ludwick, RF
7. Yadier Molina, C
8. Aaron Miles, 2B
9. Brendan Ryan, SS

Starting pitcher: RHP Adam Wainwright. Others traveling: LHP Ron Flores, LHP Jaime Garcia, LHP Tyler Johnson, RHP Ryan Franklin, RHP Mike Parisi, RHP Tyler Herron and RHP Kyle McClellan.

A Shout And A Song

"I'm going to go to spring training with a shout and a song, singing merrily as I go along."--Fay Vincent, 1990

While Commissioner Vincent was probably happier that year than most that spring training had started, due to the delay caused by a lockout, the sentiment is one that lingers with baseball fans across the country and, indeed, around the globe today.  For it's finally that day of days, the beginning of spring, when we hear that wonderful phrase:  Pitchers and catchers report.

It's kind of an artificial deadline, to be sure.  The Cardinals have had most of their pitchers already in camp and going through throwing programs.  The catchers have arrived as well, with Yadier Molina making it in yesterday according to the indispensable Bird Land.  But it's still a day we can circle on our calendars and know that, for whatever the weather outside, winter's reign is doomed.  The sunny pictures and highlights from one camera stationed way up in the stands whet our appetite, giving us just enough to get by while leaving us wanting more.

It's a time for our renewal.  You can decide if it's coincidental that the renewal of the game comes as Easter looms, that the case could be made spring training is the Lent of baseball, helping us to prepare ourselves for what is to come.  Hey, they both last about six weeks--proof enough for me that baseball is Heaven-sent.

The pop of the mitt.  The smell of the grass.  Baseball is back!  And, just think, there's only two weeks until the first games are played!

On a more prosaic note, the above Bird Land link makes reference again to Juan Gonzalez, who Yadier is raving about.  It's spring, so you have to be optimistic, and you have players like Molina and Pujols being very excited about the shape he's in, but until Gonzalez gets to camp and gets some at-bats, there are going to be a lot of naysayers, and while I'm not one of them, I'm not terribly excited about his chances either.

Going Gonzo

First off, if you've not seen it, Redbirds Fun has gotten up their UCB All-Star team posting.  This is the last UCB project until mid-March, when we do our predictions around the majors in a week-long extravaganza.  So be on the lookout for that when the time comes.

The big news in Cardinal Nation is the signing of Juan Gonzalez.  When the rumors of this first broke, there were some people that really went overboard criticizing it.  It seems to be that it's one of the classic moves of the Cardinals the last couple of years.  Low risk, high reward.

I mean, it's a minor league invite.  It's possible the team will spend more in gas for the bus in spring training than they will paying Juan Gone.  And he easily could be this season's version of Greg Vaughn, who has nothing left in the tank and retires during spring training.

But what if it isn't?  What if it's closer to 2007 Sammy Sosa?  You won't see MVP-level offense from him, that's obvious.  But a guy that could hit 15-20?  For the league minimum?  If nothing else, he could really help out the bench.

I think the most telling thing is who is recommending him.  It's not a sight-unseen, "let's bring in a name" type of signing.  You have numerous people, probably most importantly including Albert Pujols, who are impressed with his workouts.  It's not a front office thing, it's not a player thing, it seems to have support from both levels, which gives this a better chance, in my mind, of being a success.

Besides, the Cardinals really need that right-handed bat in the outfield.  The question becomes, who gets squeezed if Gonzalez is back to form?

We'll start finding out soon.  Pitchers and catchers in just over a week.

Also on the Network: √ Yanks Beat A Lefty? [Depressed Fan] √ Yanks Start Second Half With "W" [Green Pinstripes] √ All-Star Breather: The Giants Catchers [El Lefty Malo] √ Rock Is Dead; Shea Stadium July 18, 2008 [Loge 13] √ Citi Field Revealed (FYI: No Loge Here) [Loge 13] √ My Rifle, My Pony and Me [Beantown West] √ Quick Chicago roundup [Tremendous Upside Potential] √ Giants Reveal New Stadium Ticket Plans [Loge 13]