He probably still has another year or two left in him as a DH. His OBP fell way down this year because he stopped taking walks, but he can still drive the ball: 20 HRs and 20 doubles in 425 PAs.Always a fan of Holliday. Hope he ends up in the AL on a contender
Nelson Cruz is still trying to track that ball.This is an excellent day in Cardinals history. Take your pick between winning the 2006 Series, or my selection, Game 6 of the 2011 Series.
This crowdsourced video of the late-inning heroics is awesome, but does have some NSFW audio
I'm sure there's a lot of Rangers fans still wondering how Cruz didn't catch it.Nelson Cruz is still trying to track that ball.
Thanks for posting this video. Brought back some great memories. The $300 i spent on my Game 6 ticket in 2011 will forever be some of the best money ever spent. I'm a pretty reserved dude, but it was an out-of-body experience... hugging strangers... high-fiving random people. What a great night.This is an excellent day in Cardinals history. Take your pick between winning the 2006 Series, or my selection, Game 6 of the 2011 Series.
This crowdsourced video of the late-inning heroics is awesome, but does have some NSFW audio
Glad you liked it. I'll admit it. I teared up watching it. Today.Thanks for posting this video. Brought back some great memories. The $300 i spent on my Game 6 ticket in 2011 will forever be some of the best money ever spent. I'm a pretty reserved dude, but it was an out-of-body experience... hugging strangers... high-fiving random people. What a great night.
While I see the glimpses of a .300 hitter and the long-term potential in Kolten Wong, I can't help but wonder if it should be the guy that turned in 30 dingers in 400 ABs and a .801 OPS getting the benefit of the doubt for a starting spot heading into the spring. After all, Wong's only 2 years younger than Jedd.Team has told Matt Carpenter they are moving him to 1B next season.
They want to start Carpenter at 1B, Wong at 2B, Diaz at SS, move Peralta to 3B, and have Gyorko be the UT.
Peralta's salary drops to $10MM next season, which actually opens up some trade possibilities if they want it move him and try Piscotty at 3B, his college position. But I suppose with Holliday gone a lot of corner OF playing time just opened up.
Grichuk moving to LF? He wasn't great in CF, but he wasn't bad enough out there to make it unthinkable of leaving him there.A new face in CF seems to be inevitable. If you look hard enough, you'll see the Cardinals linked to any and all available via free agency or trade.
Predictions?
I think that's the idea. A solid CF + Grichuk instead of Holliday/Moss in LF would serve as a significant defensive upgrade for a team that frankly wasn't very good defensively in 2016. As long as Grichuk can swing it enough to justify a corner OF spot, that is.Grichuk moving to LF? He wasn't great in CF, but he wasn't bad enough out there to make it unthinkable of leaving him there.
It's like Jedd played too well for the role M & M had in mind for him. This is not a team taking a lot of extra bases via shrewd baserunning so 30 HRs matter a great deal.RnR said:While I see the glimpses of a .300 hitter and the long-term potential in Kolten Wong, I can't help but wonder if it should be the guy that turned in 30 dingers in 400 ABs and a .801 OPS getting the benefit of the doubt for a starting spot heading into the spring. After all, Wong's only 2 years younger than Jedd.
I've been telling my friends that's who they should go after, but the Sox will almost inevitably insist upon Alex Reyes in the package. At that point, I think they're better off signing EE or Trumbo and hanging on to Reyes.I wouldn't be surprised to the the Cards go after Abreu
I felt this way about it initially, but Brian Kenny put Fowler through the "shredder" this afternoon and made me feel better about things.$82.5MM for Dexter Fowler seems like a lot. But as salaries continue to escalate that AAV will seem better over time. And CF was a big hole in a team that should be thinking postseason next year.
And now that the lock got shot off the wallet... Carpenter has been told it's no longer a sure thing he's moving to 1B next season. The team is looking into short-term deals for either Trumbo or Encarnacion, either of whom would have to play 1B in the NL.
Good points all. Also need to figure the cost per WAR is going up over time, revenues are still going up, and the organization had nobody ready to play MLB CF. Getting a player as good as Fowler without raiding the thinned-out prospect drawer is worth the money.RnR said:I felt this way about it initially, but Brian Kenny put Fowler through the "shredder" this afternoon and made me feel better about things.
In summary, he's the No. 1 guy in MLB in terms of not swinging at balls outside of the strike zone. And No. 4 in MLB in baserunning efficiency. Throw in a major comeback in defensive efficiency and a walk rate approaching double the MLB average, and he might just be an "underrated" ball player.
That being said, five years to a 31-year-old CF feels scary. Kinda feels like the 4-year deal they handed to Peralta as a 30-something SS.
It was a contract year last year and now he's got a ring - I watched him in Colorado for far too long and I think he reverts back to the norm. Playing well in spurts and striking out a lot at the wrong time (although he has picked up his walk rate). Getting hurt with little nagging injuries that keep him out of the lineup - look for around 130 games with about 25 or so on the in and out end of the injury where he is useless as well - so 110 really effective games.Good points all. Also need to figure the cost per WAR is going up over time, revenues are still going up, and the organization had nobody ready to play MLB CF. Getting a player as good as Fowler without raiding the thinned-out prospect drawer is worth the money.I felt this way about it initially, but Brian Kenny put Fowler through the "shredder" this afternoon and made me feel better about things.
In summary, he's the No. 1 guy in MLB in terms of not swinging at balls outside of the strike zone. And No. 4 in MLB in baserunning efficiency. Throw in a major comeback in defensive efficiency and a walk rate approaching double the MLB average, and he might just be an "underrated" ball player.
That being said, five years to a 31-year-old CF feels scary. Kinda feels like the 4-year deal they handed to Peralta as a 30-something SS.
Fowler in CF upgrades the entire outfield - his own contributions, Grichuk goes from average-at-best in CF to a plus defender in LF (certainly an upgrade over Holliday/Moss), and I'm long on Piscotty offensively and defensively in RF.
Fowler's hitting approach is on-brand with a contact-heavy organization like STL, and his plate discipline and patience will be a great add to the leadoff spot.
As a Cardinals superfan, I hope you're wrong.It was a contract year last year and now he's got a ring - I watched him in Colorado for far too long and I think he reverts back to the norm. Playing well in spurts and striking out a lot at the wrong time (although he has picked up his walk rate). Getting hurt with little nagging injuries that keep him out of the lineup - look for around 130 games with about 25 or so on the in and out end of the injury where he is useless as well - so 110 really effective games.
Not saying firing Matheny is why the team caught fire, but this run sure is fun to watch.Strange time to fire Matheny but I think it's time for a change.
A lot like 2015All five from the AAA starting rotation at the start of the season are in the show now.
Poncedeleon works a lot of deep counts, maybe too many to be a starter in MLB, but wow that changeup is filthy. And lets him get away with throwing only 92-93 upstairs.
I hope this is a fun pennant race. Could be anywhere from the top seed to missing the playoffs. We've got two 71-win teams, three with 70, two with 68, and a 67. Crazy.
This team looks much different since the Matheny firing.Man this team is fun to watch right now.
And I love Wong making his feelings known about a gold glove. Absolutely deserves it this year.
Yeah could we exchange this 4-gamer with the Dodgers for two against Miami and two against San Diego?Pretty brutal schedule from here on out. If they make it, they'll have earned it.