DewittDaman11 wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 21:55 pm
What Siani does allow the Cardinals is a great defensive outfield by substituting Siani for Walker late in games with the lead, and having an outfield of VS II, Siani and Nootbaar. Donovan would be at 2B for best defensive infield. If we're not going to score a lot of runs, and we may not, we're going to have to hold on to the lead when we get it.
True.
Kop was the better choice, IMO.
He could actually take AB's too for bad matchups, platoons,
a dinged-up player or a PH opportunity.
Anybody actually, Fermin. Why a third CFer.
three 1B and one SS.
Strummer Jones wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 14:54 pm
Not sure I like Libby in the rotation. He just can't seem to maintain there. But he's better for shorter spurts. Who knows--maybe some of the tech that they've already brought it is showing what he can do to stay stronger for longer. Either way, I hope it's his last shot at it...meaning it's a success, and he's just one of our guys now, or he can't do it and it's not a thing ever again.
agree
if he thrives...great
if he doesn't...McGreevy
Worth noting the D' Backs sent Montgomery, who will make $22.5M this year, to the bullpen upon making a purely baseball-based decision that he is not one of the 5 best choices for their rotation.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals, even with a 6-man rotation planned, elected to keep BOTH Mikolas (16M) and Matz (12M) in the rotation, despite McGreevy being far more deserving based on both 2024 and ST of 2025.
That type of thinking, folks, is the reason AZ won 29 more games than STL over the past 2 years.
The TOXIC CULTURE in STL continues.....
Monty had a 6.23 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP in 2024.
Far worse than Mikolas.
He followed a full season of dismal with a 15.0 ERA and a 2.66 WHIP. I think that the move had little to do with
being some exceptional culture.
The Cardinals put a ERA of 2.29 and a WHIP of 0.966 in the BP to make way for Libs who hasn't been
successful as of yet in the rotation.
Mikolas has had a decent spring. Moreso than Gray, Pallante, and even Fedde.
McGreevy will get his shot in 30 days here without any harm done.
Solid culture but only if we want to see it. Standing behind players who have done in the past, while moving a
moderately paid SP to the pen who had a productive spring in favor of a player who might have a
future in St. Louis. I have doubt AZ moves Monty to the BP having a ST like Matz.
Point is, Montgomery was not one of the top 5 starters available for AZ - and so they sent him to the BP despite his paycheck.
McGreevy was better than both Mikolas and Matz in 2024 and again in ST - yet he is headed to Memphis while STL made room for the other 2 by going to a 6 man rotation, thereby keeping their paychecks assigned to starting duties.
That type of decision making crushes organizations long term because everyone in it sees the priorities are in many other areas rather than winning.
Thanks for the reply.
I doubt McGreevy is crushed. When handled correctly, the jury is still out, it can also be seen as a positive.
McGreevy sees Libs getting a shot. He sees that the work done by Libs is getting him a shot. He sees the organization
standing behind its veterans who all have earned it in the past. He is currently the first guy up.
Doubtful this group stays healthy, IMO. He's got the next ticket up, even at the DMV, that not bad.
Now if he continues to perform and then gets passed over then maybe he sees the organizations priorities as skewed.
Or as other prospects that I've known they commit to the process that he will get his shot as long as he stays ready.
I completley agree McGreevy will get his shot at some point.
But he also knows he earned a spot right now - and was denied due to contract considerations.
That is the sort of thing that destroys an expectation of winning throughout entire organizations.
Which is exactly what the team has experienced the past 2 seasons.
The issue of McGreevy being denied starts (perhaps 10, perhaps 20, perhaps fewer) is relatively small.
The issue of the team protecting and bubble wrapping anointed veterans based on non-baseball related considerations is huge and the team will never thrive as long as it continues.
I'm sure McGreevy will have to deal with his feelings.
I'm also good with the Liberatore/Matz move, as the Cardinals will need 4 new starting pitchers after the 2025 season, with only Gray under contract after this year. They will need one more SP the next season of unless they sign Grays extension for 2027, so, they need to find out what they have with Liberatore. I still am of the mindset that Hence, Herpes and Roby to a lesser degree, will end up in the bullpen. Hopefully, at least one of those three pans out as a starter, but, if not, they will head one hell of a bullpen.
Manager Oliver Marmol confirmed to reporters (including The Athletic’s Katie Woo) today that the Cardinals will indeed use six starters during a busy stretch of the schedule that will see St. Louis play 26 games over 27 days from April 11 through May 7.
Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Masyn Winn will be the only true lineup regulars for St. Louis, and Brendon Donovan is also expected to play every day but at multiple positions. Moving Arenado would’ve helped open up third base and a lineup position to get more players onto the field, yet Marmol said he is confident of the team’s plans to rotate players around without necessarily adhering to strict platoons.
“I’m going to do my absolute best to get everybody the necessary amount of at-bats for us to know what we have at the end of the year….We’ll see what this looks like in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. But we’ll have a [lineup] rotation that while we’re all healthy, still gets guys at-bats,” Marmol said.
wkycards wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 22:36 pm
Manager Oliver Marmol confirmed to reporters (including The Athletic’s Katie Woo) today that the Cardinals will indeed use six starters during a busy stretch of the schedule that will see St. Louis play 26 games over 27 days from April 11 through May 7.
Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Masyn Winn will be the only true lineup regulars for St. Louis, and Brendon Donovan is also expected to play every day but at multiple positions. Moving Arenado would’ve helped open up third base and a lineup position to get more players onto the field, yet Marmol said he is confident of the team’s plans to rotate players around without necessarily adhering to strict platoons.
“I’m going to do my absolute best to get everybody the necessary amount of at-bats for us to know what we have at the end of the year….We’ll see what this looks like in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. But we’ll have a [lineup] rotation that while we’re all healthy, still gets guys at-bats,” Marmol said.
wkycards wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 22:36 pm
Manager Oliver Marmol confirmed to reporters (including The Athletic’s Katie Woo) today that the Cardinals will indeed use six starters during a busy stretch of the schedule that will see St. Louis play 26 games over 27 days from April 11 through May 7.
Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Masyn Winn will be the only true lineup regulars for St. Louis, and Brendon Donovan is also expected to play every day but at multiple positions. Moving Arenado would’ve helped open up third base and a lineup position to get more players onto the field, yet Marmol said he is confident of the team’s plans to rotate players around without necessarily adhering to strict platoons.
“I’m going to do my absolute best to get everybody the necessary amount of at-bats for us to know what we have at the end of the year….We’ll see what this looks like in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. But we’ll have a [lineup] rotation that while we’re all healthy, still gets guys at-bats,” Marmol said.
wkycards wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 22:36 pm
Manager Oliver Marmol confirmed to reporters (including The Athletic’s Katie Woo) today that the Cardinals will indeed use six starters during a busy stretch of the schedule that will see St. Louis play 26 games over 27 days from April 11 through May 7.
Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Masyn Winn will be the only true lineup regulars for St. Louis, and Brendon Donovan is also expected to play every day but at multiple positions. Moving Arenado would’ve helped open up third base and a lineup position to get more players onto the field, yet Marmol said he is confident of the team’s plans to rotate players around without necessarily adhering to strict platoons.
“I’m going to do my absolute best to get everybody the necessary amount of at-bats for us to know what we have at the end of the year….We’ll see what this looks like in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days. But we’ll have a [lineup] rotation that while we’re all healthy, still gets guys at-bats,” Marmol said.
“Michael Siani has also made the club. José Fermín, despite being told earlier in the week he would be on the roster, was the final cut. Michael McGreevy starts in Memphis. #STLCards”
“Michael Siani has also made the club. José Fermín, despite being told earlier in the week he would be on the roster, was the final cut. Michael McGreevy starts in Memphis. #STLCards”
How do you do that?
I'd say Scott's HR off Framber Valdez changed their mind.
Cold move to do to Fermin.
“Michael Siani has also made the club. José Fermín, despite being told earlier in the week he would be on the roster, was the final cut. Michael McGreevy starts in Memphis. #STLCards”
How do you do that?
I'd say Scott's HR off Framber Valdez changed their mind.
Cold move to do to Fermin.
Fermin as an extra IF makes a whole lot more sense than Siani. Fermin is a RH hitter, too. Siani can't hit. Who else keeps a 4th or 5th OF who is glove only? And Noot can back up in CF.
“Michael Siani has also made the club. José Fermín, despite being told earlier in the week he would be on the roster, was the final cut. Michael McGreevy starts in Memphis. #STLCards”
How do you do that?
I'd say Scott's HR off Framber Valdez changed their mind.
Cold move to do to Fermin.
Fermin as an extra IF makes a whole lot more sense than Siani. Fermin is a RH hitter, too. Siani can't hit. Who else keeps a 4th or 5th OF who is glove only? And Noot can back up in CF.
There's as many players that can play CF on the 26 than can play 2B and SS combined.
Now is that better than having as many 1B that can play 2B and SS combined?
rockondlouie wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 10:38 am
Holly c r a p
They got one right (VSII) but then can't help but screw up (AGAIN!) putting Libby in the SR instead of MCG!
And Siani on the team?
Agree it’s a no brainer to make Scott II starting CF’er. Siani isn’t a formidable decision. He’s a fabulous defender who Helsley might appreciate having in lieu of Walker in the 9th inning. He’s interchangeable any time the Cards want to bring up Koperniak or McGreevy. Let them take regular starts in Memphis rather than warm the bench.
I'd have dealt S. Matz, who's having a really solid spring, kept Libby in the pen' and given that #5 slot to MCG.
And I said weeks ago I'd keep Kop over Siani any day too.
“Michael Siani has also made the club. José Fermín, despite being told earlier in the week he would be on the roster, was the final cut. Michael McGreevy starts in Memphis. #STLCards”
How do you do that?
I'd say Scott's HR off Framber Valdez changed their mind.
Cold move to do to Fermin.
Fermin as an extra IF makes a whole lot more sense than Siani. Fermin is a RH hitter, too. Siani can't hit. Who else keeps a 4th or 5th OF who is glove only? And Noot can back up in CF.
Just my speculation but I think when all the FO staff ( who ever all the voices are besides Oli , Mo, etc. ) got together someone argued .. "look Winn played in 150 of our 162 games last year. When he does need a day off once or twice per month, Donnie can fill in at SS for that game . Fermin (or Barrero ) would just be taking up bench space most of the time. If Winn goes out for injury, we can bring up Barrero/Fermin at that time. Until then, let them play at Memphis. Siani can be more useful as def. replacement with his stellar defense in CF. '
Just saying what may have been the argumet to keep Siani on roster over extra SS.
Whatashame wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 10:37 am
Sorry Crav. Just posted something similar in another post. My question? Who is the backup SS. Are they looking outside the organization for that.
Probably Donny at this point.
Donny would be backup, and Barrero or Saggese would be replacement if Winn missed time.
This is idiotic IMO - last year Marmol couldn’t let 5 or 6 games go by without giving Winn an off day.
Now there’s no legit SS backup.
Maybe, maybe, MAYBE the fact that McG hasn't thrown more than 153 IP/season in the minors means they know they'll need him all season and would like to protect his longevity for the year.
That's pure speculation based on the pipedream of thinking this org has a clue but hey, crazier things have happened.
Whatashame wrote: ↑23 Mar 2025 10:37 am
Sorry Crav. Just posted something similar in another post. My question? Who is the backup SS. Are they looking outside the organization for that.
Probably Donny at this point.
Donny would be backup, and Barrero or Saggese would be replacement if Winn missed time.
This is idiotic IMO - last year Marmol couldn’t let 5 or 6 games go by without giving Winn an off day.
Now there’s no legit SS backup.
I hear Brandon Crawford and Taylor Motter are available.
