Cornerstones

[Kelledr]

We all know our bullpen stinks, but I am starting to doubt our two cornerstones. Walker had 19 HR at game 81. We were all looking forward to a 40 HR man. He has hit 3 Hr in the last 30 games. At this rate he won’t even hit 30. He is again swinging at the outside slider and his average is about to drop into the .270’s. Is he a great hitter who had a couple of bad yrs or a bad hitter who had one good half ??? JJ does nothing but pull the ball mostly on the ground. All the teams put the SS almost behind 2nd base and the 3rd baseman close to normal short leaving virtually the whole left side open. Does he go that way, never on purpose, has he bunted there ever this year? He will never hit above .250 unless he can spray the ball around. Both are very disappointing in the second half.

[Colotiger]

I’ve wondered if the announcement of JJ’s contract has had a negative impact on Walker, Winn and even JJ himself.

[JuanAgosto]

I’ve wondered if the announcement of JJ’s contract has had a negative impact on Walker, Winn and even JJ himself.

Jealousy at play?

[Jobu's Rum]

I’ve wondered if the announcement of JJ’s contract has had a negative impact on Walker, Winn and even JJ himself.

I mean Walker had a good overall rookie year, no contract. Great year so far this year, no contract

JJ has 3 good months in his rookie year...contract


That would make me a bit salty too, and make me wonder about other things as well...

[CCard]

We all know our bullpen stinks, but I am starting to doubt our two cornerstones. Walker had 19 HR at game 81. We were all looking forward to a 40 HR man. He has hit 3 Hr in the last 30 games. At this rate he won’t even hit 30. He is again swinging at the outside slider and his average is about to drop into the .270’s. Is he a great hitter who had a couple of bad yrs or a bad hitter who had one good half ??? JJ does nothing but pull the ball mostly on the ground. All the teams put the SS almost behind 2nd base and the 3rd baseman close to normal short leaving virtually the whole left side open. Does he go that way, never on purpose, has he bunted there ever this year? He will never hit above .250 unless he can spray the ball around. Both are very disappointing in the second half.

Like it or not Walker is a cornerstone of the club. If he fails there is no backup plan. Maybe they should sign him long term and ease the burden of worrying about a contract. They've basically made JJ a cornerstone. Hopefully he continues to improve. They've got real problems in Left, 3rd, Center and Catcher. Their pitching is a festering black hole.

[StlMike1969]

I’ve wondered if the announcement of JJ’s contract has had a negative impact on Walker, Winn and even JJ himself.

I mean Walker had a good overall rookie year, no contract. Great year so far this year, no contract

JJ has 3 good months in his rookie year...contract


That would make me a bit salty too, and make me wonder about other things as well...

It is this line of thinking that presents the biggest challenge. I can read between the lines to understand what you are insinuating. Can it not just be about results and attitude and not what you are pressing about? This is so crazy that our world has evolved to a place that if someone does not get exactly what someone else does it has to be because of underlying agendas. Anyone looking at JJ, Walker and Winn can see where each has excelled and where each lacks. What JJ has that both the other players are not showing is a consistent personality and confidence to excel each day even during the hard times. He has a track record of success through every level of his career and shows you he will be a great team mate. He took lesser money now to have the issue behind him and to concentrate on ball. The other two players I do not imagine are going to be as generous. The team needs to be careful on how they handle them and what they offer them. If not acceptable to the masses and they are traded I am sure the first line of thought will be what you are insinuating and that is frustrating to me as a fan.

[RamFan08NY]

I would have to imagine that they've been in talks with an extension.

I could see him being very upset thst they took a bargaining tool away ftom him when they took him out of a big RBI spot in the lineup. Shoot, im upset about it. JW has to be even more upset.

JJW gets set for life JW gets punished.

[RunSup]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

[C-Unit]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

We forget that every MLB player is streaky.

Good teams have enough good players such that there is always a player or two hot enough to carry the team.

It'll be nice when you have this group of JJ, Walker, Burleson, and then Baez, Rodriguez, Cho, Condon etc. come along as well.

[82birds]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

all ^ well said

[scoutyjones2]

I’ve wondered if the announcement of JJ’s contract has had a negative impact on Walker, Winn and even JJ himself.

I doubt it. And if true, that's pathetic.

[scoutyjones2]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

We forget that every MLB player is streaky.

Good teams have enough good players such that there is always a player or two hot enough to carry the team.

It'll be nice when you have this group of JJ, Walker, Burleson, and then Baez, Rodriguez, Cho, Condon etc. come along as well.

Maybe, maybe not. Prospects are all suspects till they prove otherwise

[2ninr]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

We forget that every MLB player is streaky.

Good teams have enough good players such that there is always a player or two hot enough to carry the team.

It'll be nice when you have this group of JJ, Walker, Burleson, and then Baez, Rodriguez, Cho, Condon etc. come along as well.

Maybe, maybe not. Prospects are all suspects till they prove otherwise

Notoriously so. That's why you need too many of them.

[scoutyjones2]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

We forget that every MLB player is streaky.

Good teams have enough good players such that there is always a player or two hot enough to carry the team.

It'll be nice when you have this group of JJ, Walker, Burleson, and then Baez, Rodriguez, Cho, Condon etc. come along as well.

Maybe, maybe not. Prospects are all suspects till they prove otherwise

Notoriously so. That's why you need too many of them.

Yes. Only like 10%, on the high side, will ever play a single, MLB game

[2ninr]

It's just about lengthening the lineup. How about a "cornerstone" bat at 3B and LF. A better CF. Then minor slumps by JJW and JW don't kill your offense and get psychoanalyzed to death.

This lineup can get really good if they find a way to add on. That's why the trading deadline now and off season are important. The draft also. But adding key prospects and developing is the slow and steady way to build.

At some point they'll sign the last pieces from FA. But today is not that day and this year is not that year.

We forget that every MLB player is streaky.

Good teams have enough good players such that there is always a player or two hot enough to carry the team.

It'll be nice when you have this group of JJ, Walker, Burleson, and then Baez, Rodriguez, Cho, Condon etc. come along as well.

Maybe, maybe not. Prospects are all suspects till they prove otherwise

Notoriously so. That's why you need too many of them.

Yes. Only like 10%, on the high side, will ever play a single, MLB game

I was just sure with my elite evaluation skills that Dylan Carlson would be the next Carlos Beltran. I learned my lesson. The real experts don't know. They're all suspects until the lights come on in the major leagues.

[rightthinker4]

I’ve wondered if the announcement of JJ’s contract has had a negative impact on Walker, Winn and even JJ himself.

I doubt it. And if true, that's pathetic.

Goold dismissed the jealousy angle as well.