Redbird Rundown X

[McKdaddy]

New year of spring training is here, so too shall be a new Rundown of the Redbirds.

http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-spring-focus-work-smart-work-hard-have-fun/article_113031e8-e5db-5028-bdb4-caec0c3be921.html?mobile_touch=true

[jrulz83]

Looking forward to an interesting season.

[jbell96]

As an STL area resident, I am more than ready for afternoons & evenings at Busch this year!

[McKdaddy]

http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/media-views-edmonds-to-join-cardinals-tv-booth/article_56addcca-497c-54cd-b6bf-ca8ea9b7eeab.html?mobile_touch=true

[McKdaddy]

As an STL area resident, I am more than ready for afternoons & evenings at Busch this year!

#jealous

[clutch]

As an STL area resident, I am more than ready for afternoons & evenings at Busch this year!

Living in STL in the summer would be nice

[pigture perfect]

Looks like I'm being transferred to Springfield maybe as early as the fall. That should get me to a few more games, and a lot more minor league Cards.

[McKdaddy]

http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/wainwright-is-happy-to-be-back/article_43ca2d34-bf68-56fa-82c4-04ae7f084384.html?mobile_touch=true

[McKdaddy]

http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/peralta-returns-stronger-lighter-and-ready-to-work/article_b78cdd0c-ce2b-59b2-b8ed-0ea8b5f4b070.html?mobile_touch=true

[jrulz83]

http://m.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/peralta-returns-stronger-lighter-and-ready-to-work/article_b78cdd0c-ce2b-59b2-b8ed-0ea8b5f4b070.html?mobile_touch=true

Hopefully Peralta being in good shape, Matheny using the roster more intelligently, and better overall team health will allow Peralta to avoid the second half crater he suffered last season.

[jbell96]

Hopefully Peralta being in good shape, Matheny using the roster more intelligently, and better overall team health will allow Peralta to avoid the second half crater he suffered last season.

Having a serviceable backup will go a long way in keeping him & Wong fresh in the 2nd half of the season.

[jrulz83]

Having a serviceable backup will go a long way in keeping him & Wong fresh in the 2nd half of the season.

Definitely, it will be interesting to see if Matheny uses Gyorko as much as he should. I think that a big part of the reason Peralta had to play so much last season was because they absolutely had to have his bat in there due to the injuries to Holliday and Adams. Let's face it, Peralta isn't a cleanup hitter but he was forced to hit there much of last season. There simply wasn't another bat to put there.

[pigture perfect]

I curious to see how this pitching staff turns out. We gain Waino and Leake after losing Lynn and Lackey. We just might be stifling again. I'm hoping Lackey returns to his form that he had the last 2 years of his Red Sox stint, and our bats be un expectantly potent.

[McKdaddy]

I curious to see how this pitching staff turns out. We gain Waino and Leake after losing Lynn and Lackey. We just might be stifling again. I'm hoping Lackey returns to his form that he had the last 2 years of his Red Sox stint, and our bats be un expectantly potent.

Forgot about Lynn's TJS.

[jrulz83]

I curious to see how this pitching staff turns out. We gain Waino and Leake after losing Lynn and Lackey. We just might be stifling again. I'm hoping Lackey returns to his form that he had the last 2 years of his Red Sox stint, and our bats be un expectantly potent.

I'm a little concerned about depth in the rotation for the Cardinals. Wainwright should be good to go, I'm expecting a big season from him. Losing Lynn is a big blow. The guy pitched a great year with a blown out elbow, 3.03 era with 167 SO, pretty good season. Losing him is tough to bear. Garcia is always an injury concern for me. Theoretically Leake will be fine, but his innings count has been consistently high and while that's a good thing to have, what does his elbow and shoulder look like, are they good or is there a possible injury lurking with that high innings count? What about Martinez and his shoulder? Is he ready for the full grind of a season? If they falter it falls to Cooney, Lyons, and Gonzalez, they all have experience, but remain unproven.

Not really anything that is red flag, fallout shelter concerning, but some things to be cognizant of over the grind of the season.

[pigture perfect]

I'm thinking that a big mid-season trade or signing will happen and help out.

[McKdaddy]

I'm thinking that a big mid-season trade or signing will happen and help out.

I won't hold my breath.

[jrulz83]

I'm thinking that a big mid-season trade or signing will happen and help out.

Maybe Alex Reyes is the answer for help by then, but I doubt it, he needs time in the minors. I really do like the look of the bullpen though, I think it's going to take some pressure off the starters. You just can't ever have too much pitching. I say it every year, pitching is like firewood; look at your pile, imagine it three times bigger, and that might be enough to last until midnight. 

[McKdaddy]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/carpenter-adamant-about-leading-off-for-cardinals/article_c6ae1262-29d3-582b-973c-487a66701338.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

[McKdaddy]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/columns/benjamin-hochman/hochman-wong-s-desire-to-be-a-cardinal-is-good/article_514fede8-f1ce-5e3a-bbcc-6e2b801da9ee.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

[clutch]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/carpenter-adamant-about-leading-off-for-cardinals/article_c6ae1262-29d3-582b-973c-487a66701338.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

Isn't Wong wanting the same? Someone is going to be unhappy.

[jbell96]

Not sure if any of you have heard, but Peralta injured his thumb on Saturday. Mo said it is similar to what Yadi had last year, and is likely going to miss 10-12 weeks.

[pigture perfect]

Yeah, just saw the Peralta update. That sux. We need a solid bat in our lineup.

[popcornhog]

I a very much ready for baseball season to start.

I started a new job last September and I'm in St Louis 2-3 times per month for work now. So I should get to go to a ton of games this year.

Taking clients to the afternoon Cubs game on April 20th -- should be a regular occurrence!

Re: Jhonny -- hopefully the reduced mileage this season will be a good thing. That's how I'm choosing to spin the injury.

[jrulz83]

We all know that a trade is unlikely, I'm betting we'll find out what we got in Jedd Gyorko and probably Aledmys Diaz as well. Hopefully they can tread water with the rest of the NL Central and Peralta comes back gangbusters for the real push.

[pigture perfect]

Hurry up April 1.

[McKdaddy]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/leake-looks-for-fit-looks-to-flourish-with-cardinals/article_b66f968c-f7e3-5841-8314-2682167e28a5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

[McKdaddy]

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/dewitt-era-with-cards-is-years-old-and-going-strong/article_76650e49-4993-50f2-a32a-d54121588897.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=user-share

[DeltaBoy]

Go RED BIRDS!

[McKdaddy]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_yearofthecubs

[jrulz83]

How much time will Holliday see at 1B this season?

I've long doubted his viability at the position, but it sure is sounding like they may be willing to give him some playing time there during the regular season. His Spring Training stats at the position look good, but we know how misleading 28 innings worth of stats can be. I haven't been able to catch any of the Spring Training games to see him play the position; has anybody seen him play there this spring?

[pigture perfect]

Looked pretty good against the Metropolitans today.

[jrulz83]

Looked pretty good against the Metropolitans today.

Good deal, I'm finally catching a ST game today. Looks like he's starting at 1B. Purely out of curiosity, I'll be watching closely. It's not like I can really judge what a viable MLB first baseman looks like from a tv or from anywhere else for that matter. I'm just looking to see if he looks like he's less than awkward there.

[jrulz83]

That was an ugly game today. I think Holliday was the only starting infielder without an error if that proves anything. Holliday looked comfortable at 1B, he had a nice looking stretch on a couple plays. Leake looked impressive at times, I think it will be fun to watch him and Molina keep hitters crossed up all season. The offense hit the ball hard, but right at people. I'm not crazy about Grichuk batting fourth, but I'm not really sure who else should bat cleanup.

[clutch]

That was an ugly game today. I think Holliday was the only starting infielder without an error if that proves anything. Holliday looked comfortable at 1B, he had a nice looking stretch on a couple plays. Leake looked impressive at times, I think it will be fun to watch him and Molina keep hitters crossed up all season. The offense hit the ball hard, but right at people. I'm not crazy about Grichuk batting fourth, but I'm not really sure who else should bat cleanup.

Holliday at 1B has been surprisingly good this spring. A lot better than a lot of people figured he'd be I think. I'm pulling for him. I'd have no problem with him playing first over Adams. I'm about done with the Adams experiment. Play Holliday there for a couple years, replace his outfield spot with a good bat, and hope they can find a good power hitting first baseman in a couple years.

I don't have a problem with Grichuk at cleanup. I'm pretty high on Grichuk. I think he's got a lot of potential.

[jrulz83]

Holliday at 1B has been surprisingly good this spring. A lot better than a lot of people figured he'd be I think. I'm pulling for him. I'd have no problem with him playing first over Adams. I'm about done with the Adams experiment. Play Holliday there for a couple years, replace his outfield spot with a good bat, and hope they can find a good power hitting first baseman in a couple years.

I don't have a problem with Grichuk at cleanup. I'm pretty high on Grichuk. I think he's got a lot of potential.

Oh there's definite potential with Grichuk, I'm bullish on him. I hope to see a full (injury free) season of him. In a perfect world I'd like a bit more experience in that spot, but it's far from an end of the world scenario to see him hitting there.

As always, the offense appears to be the weakness on this team. Swapping Peralta's bat for Ruben Tejada's isn't likely to help either. Although, given the circumstances, I think that was a good pickup for this team. I guess his signing lets us know how the team views Greg Garcia.

Maybe Gyorko spelling Wong from time to time will provide some help for the offense. Hopefully Moss really has fully recovered from his hip surgery and that was his problem last year. If that's true he and Grichuk could be the power jolt that this team was sorely lacking. Piscotty is another question mark for me, did we see normal from him or was he playing out of his mind?

I too am pulling for Holliday at 1B to be a success. Hoping he proves me wrong, but if he doesn't have a big season I think Adams' time with the Cardinal is drawing to a close.

[pigture perfect]

I would rather keep Adams than Moss.

[DeltaBoy]

Lets go Cards!!

[jrulz83]

Walden still fighting shoulder discomfort; will not be on the 25 man roster come Sunday:

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/renewed-discomfort-means-walden-won-t-make-cardinals-roster/article_f6813f8c-2c33-5bb0-94ae-e82775aee5a5.html

I caught the tail end of the game today and just happened to see him pitch. It's a shame he's not healthy because what I saw from him today was filthy, dang near untouchable. I guess the hop thing he does is just too stressful on his shoulder. 

[pigture perfect]

2 days away!!!!!

[clutch]

With opening day approaching, I was just curious. Do you think we will get those Cardinals updates on the JumboTron at Hogs games yet? I don't know what they are waiting on. I mean, we are Cardinals fans. We deserve this.   

[jrulz83]

With opening day approaching, I was just curious. Do you think we will get those Cardinals updates on the JumboTron at Hogs games yet? I don't know what they are waiting on. I mean, we are Cardinals fans. We deserve this.   

They should show all Cardinals games in their entirety on the jumbotron. The Uof A owes it to us. There's nothing but Cardinals fans in the stands anyway.

[clutch]

They should show all Cardinals games in their entirety on the jumbotron. The Uof A owes it to us. There's nothing but Cardinals fans in the stands anyway.

That was what they put the jumbotron in the stadium for wasn't it? I just always assumed that's why it was there.

[jrulz83]

That was what they put the jumbotron in the stadium for wasn't it? I just always assumed that's why it was there.

Well yeah, nobody cares about football. Just show the Cards.

[jrulz83]

I'm hearing that Carlos Martinez is toying with a more upright delivery. He apparently used it in his last start with great success (6 IP one hit I think). I'll be interested in how it looks, and of course, if the success with it translates to the regular season.

[hogcard1964]

Walden still fighting shoulder discomfort; will not be on the 25 man roster come Sunday:

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/renewed-discomfort-means-walden-won-t-make-cardinals-roster/article_f6813f8c-2c33-5bb0-94ae-e82775aee5a5.html

I caught the tail end of the game today and just happened to see him pitch. It's a shame he's not healthy because what I saw from him today was filthy, dang near untouchable. I guess the hop thing he does is just too stressful on his shoulder.

+1000

Horrible delivery

That trade looms bad.

[clutch]

I'm hearing that Carlos Martinez is toying with a more upright delivery. He apparently used it in his last start with great success (6 IP one hit I think). I'll be interested in how it looks, and of course, if the success with it translates to the regular season.

I'd like to see him finish more towards the plate. He falls away towards first base pretty bad on his follow through. I think if he can straighten that up a little he'd be even better.

[jrulz83]

I'd like to see him finish more towards the plate. He falls away towards first base pretty bad on his follow through. I think if he can straighten that up a little he'd be even better.

I couldn't disagree. I think that's the impetus behind straightening him up. He has terrific stuff, if he can learn to better command it; watch out. I'm a believer, I'm picking him as my dark horse Cy Young candidate.

[jrulz83]

Ruben Tejada, the guy the Cardinals signed to cover for Peralta's absence, now has a quad strain; wonderful news. 



http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/another-cardinals-shortstop-down-tejada-leaves-game-with-quad-strain/article_daab2cdd-468b-5be0-8bbd-c15db3318779.html

[clutch]

Ruben Tejada, the guy the Cardinals signed to cover for Peralta's absence, now has a quad strain; wonderful news. 



http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/another-cardinals-shortstop-down-tejada-leaves-game-with-quad-strain/article_daab2cdd-468b-5be0-8bbd-c15db3318779.html

Just heard about this. I was told it was a groin. Not sure which is worse. I've done both. I think the quad actually took longer to heal. Groin hurt worse though.

I guess that means Gyorko is the opening day SS?