Ankiel Powers Cards Past Dodgers
Written by Mike on March 15, 2008 – 12:58 am -
In the Cardinals’ final visit to legendary Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, the Redbirds rode Rick Ankiel’s two home runs and four RBIs to their second straight win. Ankiel improved his batting average to .368. The final go-ahead runs were actually scored on a wild pitch, but without the damage done by the Cardinal outfielder, the Dodgers win.
Lamping Resigns
Written by Mike on March 14, 2008 – 2:25 am -The news just keeps coming in, so here’s a second post for today. Cardinals’ team president Mark Lamping is resigning after 13 years with the club to become the CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Company, a company that will develop the stadium project that will house New York’s two NFL teams.
Cards Sign Lohse
Written by Mike on March 13, 2008 – 10:06 pm -
Yesterday, I lobbied for the club to add starting pitcher Kyle Lohse, and several others agreed (see Bernie Miklasz, Viva El Birdos, and Rockin’ the Red). Today, the Cardinals agreed to a one-year deal with the free agent, pending tomorrow’s physical. The contract is worth a guaranteed $4.25 million, with $100,000 in incentives for each of 160, 170, 180, and 200 innings. Joe Strauss has more on the story.
2008 Payroll
Written by Mike on January 9, 2008 – 2:35 am -In today’s Post Dispatch, there was a Derrick Goold article about the Cardinals and their arbitration eligible players, Yadier Molina, Todd Wellemeyer, and Rick Ankiel. In it, he explains the uniqueness of the Ankiel case, and reports that a long term contract for Molina may be in the works. View the article, in its entirety, here.
I decided to roughly estimate what those players’ salaries for ‘08 might be, and put them together with the rest of the ballclub to see approximately where the Cards currently stand with payroll. To start last season, it was around $90 million. Remember earlier in the offseason, Dewitt said they’d be willing to increase team payroll to somewhere between $110 and $115 million.
Currently, a starting rotation of Wainwright, Looper, Clement, Pineiro, and Reyes, would cost about $12.9 million. Add in the later additions of Mulder and Carpenter for $17 million, and Clement’s incentives ($5.25 million if he were to pitch 200 innings), and we have $35.15 million.
Next, a starting infield of Molina, Pujols, Kennedy, Izturis, and Rolen would cost around $35.55 million. Couple that with only $1.85 million for an outfield of Duncan, Schumaker, and Ankiel to get $37.4 million.
Then, figure about $5.5 million for a bench of Larue, Miles, Spiezio, Ludwick, and Barton.
Now, a possible bullpen of Isringhausen, Springer, Franklin, Flores, Johnson, Thompson, and Wellemeyer would cost close to $16.5 million.
Finally, add $6.5 million for Encarnacion, and leave out Ryan, Kinney, and other fringe players.
This puts the Cardinals payroll (by my estimates) at just over $101 million, which gives Dewitt some wiggle room for another acquisition or possibly to use in a trade near the deadline. So, even after getting out from under most of the Edmonds contract, there’s not a lot left to spend. Barring another deal sometime between now and the end of Spring Training, it looks like this might be the team we see on Opening Day. You can view each individual players’ salary here.
GM Speculation and Other Assorted Notes
Written by Mike on October 27, 2007 – 9:10 pm -Major League Baseball doesn’t allow major team announcements during the World Series. So, although the Cardinals say they are still considering a short list of potential general managers, they may have already decided.
Chris Antonetti, an executive from the Cleveland Indians’ organization, was in St. Louis on Friday for a meeting with Cardinals’ president Mark Lamping. He and his wife also took a tour of Busch Stadium, and drove through a few neighborhoods around the city. Antonetti is only 33 years old, and is widely recognized as a “moneyball” guy. He seems to fit the mold the Cards are looking for to transition the franchise for a turnaround in the draft and player development departments. Bill Dewitt has already guaranteed a job in the front office to interim GM, John Mozeliak, but it may end up being the job he already had under Walt Jocketty. I guess we’ll find out in a few days. The Post Dispatch has more on this story here.
Today is also the one year anniversary of the Cardinals winning their first World Championship in 24 years. If you’re having Redbird withdrawal like me, just pop in your ‘06 World Series DVD, and grab a couple of cold ones. If you don’t have the DVD, there’s a link at the end of this post.
Speaking of World Champions, the Cardinals still hold the title for at least a couple more days. I’m rooting for the Rockies, but it doesn’t look good for them, down two games to none. At least they’ll be playing in Colorado tonight.
Finally, pitcher Mike Maroth was released earlier this week. He was traded to the Cardinals mid-season, and after an impressive start against the Mets at Shea, never showed any signs of success the rest of the year. I’m happy with his dismissal, but unhappy that we gave up a former number one pick for him.
Minor Notes
Written by Mike on October 20, 2007 – 12:47 am -As we Cardinal fans keep playing the waiting game, likely without any news for another two weeks, other teams are proceeding with their agendas. It was announced today, that Jim Riggleman, the Cardinals minor league field coordinator, has accepted a bench coaching position with the Seattle Mariners. Riggleman had been considered an option for St. Louis, if La Russa was not returning.
“I would hope Mr. DeWitt and the new general manager would consider me a candidate if and when Tony leaves, but I can’t wait around for one position that I may or may not have a chance to get,” Riggleman said.
Joe Strauss has the full story here.
Elsewhere, unless you’ve been hiding in a cave, you’ve heard that Joe Torre has rejected the Yankees offer to return as manager. I applaud Torre for walking away. He has put up with George Stienbrenner’s unorthodox ways for a long time, while continuing to keep the Yankees playing baseball in October for twelve consecutive years. I’m not sure they’ll be as successful right away under the direction of a new skipper. Already, closer Mariano Rivera, and catcher Jorge Posada, have expressed their desire to leave town if Torre doesn’t return, and others may follow.
I’ve got one other thought. I’ll be watching game 6 of the ALCS very closely, hoping that Manny Ramirez gets beaned in every at-bat.
The Search Continues
Written by Mike on October 18, 2007 – 4:44 am -
The Cardinals are still looking for a general manager, even with interim John Mozeliak waiting in the wings, and calling the shots. The Post Dispatch is reporting that the timetable for finding a suitable replacement to Walt Jocketty has been extended. Originally projected to last 2 to 3 weeks, the decision now might not come until November 6, when the general manager’s meetings begin in Orlando. While the front office continues to hold interviews, the status of manager Tony La Russa remains unclear. He has said that he isn’t ready to commit, without first having a GM in place. Dewitt has, however, been keeping La Russa informed on a daily basis.
“I think the key is for Tony to make sure he’s 100 percent sure he’s coming back,” DeWitt said. “I think the contract, if that’s the case, will take care of itself.”
Bernie Miklasz is almost certain of a La Russa return, and says that Tony has approved the moves that Mozeliak has made so far. He also gives a good explanation as to why the Pineiro signing was justified. Read Bernie’s story here.
Executive Hierarchy
Written by Mike on October 14, 2007 – 9:35 pm -
There’s an excellent article in today’s Post Dispatch, written by Joe Strauss, covering some of the hardships that the new GM of the St. Louis Cardinals will face. It got me thinking whether or not the position really is “a premium job in baseball,” as Dewitt says it is. It raised a lot of questions.
First, what kind of control and authority will the new GM actually have, and for that matter, is it any different than what Walt Jocketty had this past season? It seems that the club’s scouting, drafting, and minor league farm system, will all be under the drection of Jeff Luhnow, the VP of player development, with little or no influence from the GM. Many general managers like to either oversee those departments themselves, or hire their own personnel to do so. Any candidate for the open position with the Cards, won’t be allowed to do that.
Secondly, we all know that Dewitt and company want Tony La Russa to return to manage the team. Tony will make a decision after a GM is in place. Assuming La Russa does return, with his preference for an experienced, veteran team, the new GM also won’t be able to hire his own manager, or control much of the roster.
Bernie Miklasz described it best:
“So: the new GM can’t be in charge of scouting and drafting and player development … and he can’t build the major-league team the way he’d like to. That doesn’t sound like a great situation to me.”
It sounds like a bad situation to me. Is it normal for clubs to have their general manager, or potential general manager, in this type of situation? From the quotes of some previous candidates in Strauss’ article, it doesn’t sound like it.
So, why are Dewitt and the Cardinals sticking with this model? Why the love affair with Luhnow? Although the resources for scouting and player development have increased, he has yet to put a player in the major leagues.
Strauss indicates that the new GM might never have run his own department before, and quite possibly could be younger than some of the veteran players on the roster. Hold on Cardinal fans. It could be a bumpy ride.
A Few Notes
Written by Mike on October 13, 2007 – 7:22 pm -First, the Cardinals’ search for a general manager continues as Chairman Bill Dewitt, and President Mark Lamping met with another candidate yesterday at Roger Dean Stadium, in Jupiter, Fla. The interview was with Rick Hahn, the Chicago White Sox assistant general manager. Dewitt has also spoken to Arizona Diamondbacks assistant GM Peter Woodfork, and Cleveland Indians assistant Chris Antonetti. Dewitt hopes to have a decision before the World Series begins on Oct. 24. Personally, I’d just assume they give the job to Mozeliak.
Also, former general manager, Walt Jocketty, has apparently been contacted by the Cincinnati Reds. They’d like Jocketty to assume either CEO or president.
Next, the return of Juan Encarnacion doesn’t appear to be anytime soon, if ever. Since the injury to his left eye, on August 31, he has regained only 20/400 vision. I feel bad for Juan. He hasn’t been one of the fans’ favorites these last two seasons. Maybe his style of play wasn’t what the Cardinal faithful were used to, but he consistently put up numbers very similar to his career averages, with no surprises, and did it for a reasonable price. I’ve always been a fan of Encarnacion’s, and felt comfortable when he was in the game. Now he may never play in a ballgame again.
Well, the mid-season trades by the Cardinals that involved “players to be named later”, have all been fulfilled. Right-handed pitcher, and former number one draft pick, Chris Lambert, was selected by Detroit as the PTBNL in the Mike Maroth deal. That one was a bust, although I was ecstatic after his first performance against the Mets. The Russel Branyan trade involved only cash considerations (thank goodness), and outfielder Sean Danielson was selected by Boston as the player in the Joel Pineiro deal.
Speaking of Pineiro, the club hopes to sign him to a multi-year deal before he files for free agency. Pineiro insists that he only wants to start, and won’t go to a team as a relief pitcher. I hope they’ll sign him for two years, but nothing more, and while I’m playing GM, let’s not extend it to more than $4 million a year.
The one year contract extension for pitcher Russ Springer is for $3.5 million.
And finally, Cardinals pitcher Braden Looper has undergone surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, and expects to be fully recovered by spring.
Read more about these stories, and more, from Joe Strauss, here.
Ticket Prices
Written by Mike on October 11, 2007 – 11:37 pm -
The St. Louis Cardinals have raised ticket prices 3 percent for the 2008 season. Team president Mark Lamping indicated today that season ticket holders will be notified of the 3 percent increase by mail and e-mail.
“We believe that Cardinals tickets will remain a great value,” Lamping said.
The price hike averages out to about $1.15 a ticket. View the full story, with more quotes from the club president here.
So, does this mean that Dewitt really does plan to raise the payroll into the $110 million range as he said? I’d like to think so, but we’ve all heard the “if the right player comes along” line far too many times. I think I’ll take a “wait and see” approach. Why do ticket prices have to go up? Was there not enough money generated by the new stadium? Wasn’t every game over the last two seasons a sellout? Didn’t the club record an all time attendance record in ‘07? Didn’t we buy everything from infield dirt to urinals from the old stadium? I guess that wasn’t enough for Mr. Dewitt to raise the payroll. Now he’d like those 3,552,180 fans to each give him another $1.15. I imagine that if “the right player” doesn’t come along, he’s going to have quite a few angry Cardinal fans to answer to.
