Shota sure would have looked good in the Cards rotation...

[CCard]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

[Futuregm2]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

[CCard]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

He came to St.Louis first, I seem to recall. And of course they decided on the cheaper options. I really shocked he didn't wind up on the coast somewhere. Tell me he would be our number 1 pitcher right now.

[scoutyjones2]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

No...players never have a say in where they sign, some CT players think
It doesn't take two to agree. It's a grocery store and you pull one off the shelf and pay for it at checkout.

[Futuregm2]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

He came to St.Louis first, I seem to recall. And of course they decided on the cheaper options. I really shocked he didn't wind up on the coast somewhere. Tell me he would be our number 1 pitcher right now.

Uhhhh what?

[rockondlouie]

He was my guy while others pined for Yamamoto (pipe dream).

[CCard]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

He came to St.Louis first, I seem to recall. And of course they decided on the cheaper options. I really shocked he didn't wind up on the coast somewhere. Tell me he would be our number 1 pitcher right now.

Uhhhh what?

I believe he had a demonstration with the Cards and then left town to visit the Cubs. Cards could have ponied up and made him an great offer and he likely would have signed. But no, they let him leave town without even an offer, I believe.

[WLTFE]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Be careful, you'll be called a spoiled fan!

[JDW]

He was my guy while others pined for Yamamoto (pipe dream).

Yep, I remember, and jumped on your bandwagon. Would the Cards/Cubs current positions be flipped if that would have happened?

[CCard]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Be careful, you'll be called a spoiled fan!

LOL...I've been called way worse, believe me.

[rockondlouie]

He was my guy while others pined for Yamamoto (pipe dream).

Yep, I remember, and jumped on your bandwagon. Would the Cards/Cubs current positions be flipped if that would have happened?

I think so (re: the Bernie article I posted about how scrubs have played 10 more games vs the weakest teams than the Cards have and both have an .800 winning % vs those team).

[desertrat23]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

No...players never have a say in where they sign, some CT players think
It doesn't take two to agree. It's a grocery store and you pull one off the shelf and pay for it at checkout.

Well, it’s a lot easier to get a player to agree if you pay them the market rate.

[scoutyjones2]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

No...players never have a say in where they sign, some CT players think
It doesn't take two to agree. It's a grocery store and you pull one off the shelf and pay for it at checkout.

Well, it’s a lot easier to get a player to agree if you pay them the market rate.

Not if the players wife says god told them to sign with the Angels. Or your team/city aren't seen as Asian centric/favorable as others

[WLTFE]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

No...players never have a say in where they sign, some CT players think
It doesn't take two to agree. It's a grocery store and you pull one off the shelf and pay for it at checkout.

Well, it’s a lot easier to get a player to agree if you pay them the market rate.

Not if the players wife says god told them to sign with the Angels. Or your team/city aren't seen as Asian centric/favorable as others

+1...

[Honky Tonk Man]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

That could not be we have Lars Nootbaar he almost got the cards Ohtani

[Wattage]

But the penny pinching owners were happy with Fedde, Pallante and hope of a young guy pitching like a top tier starter. This is what penny pinching by the billionaire owners looks like. The Cubs are clearly a better team. They were lucky a split happened. If the Cubs had a little more starting pitching they would actually be a threat to the Dodgers.

Maybe a Japanese pitcher wasn’t as interested in St. Louis as Chicago?

He came to St.Louis first, I seem to recall. And of course they decided on the cheaper options. I really shocked he didn't wind up on the coast somewhere. Tell me he would be our number 1 pitcher right now.

Uhhhh what?

I believe he had a demonstration with the Cards and then left town to visit the Cubs. Cards could have ponied up and made him an great offer and he likely would have signed. But no, they let him leave town without even an offer, I believe.

1. This never happened
2. Even if it did (which it didnt)why would he sign immediately i stead of exploring other offers- you think he doesnt know he will get other offers? Any agent would tell him to explore and not just sign first offer given to him.
3. St louis just isnt a desirable city for foreigners.