Illini,
Grudzalenez is a free agent. His performance this year may have priced him out of St. Louis as I think Cards are going to have money to spend and will go for long term solution and the value is with Furcal or Gonzalez. They will want to bring Grudz back as long as he is our utility player. That is how they envisioned him for this year but due to not signing Renteria or Cabrera, they had to change their plans. Cards will have new young power right fielder next year, move EcK to 2base, sign one of the two mentioned shortstops, probably resign Sanders and still platoon left field, and probably will add a power arm in bullpen preferably lh maybe Wagner or another power rh who can get out lh hitters and can fill in if Izzy fails. I think the interesting situation is with our sp. We will probably at some point sign Mulder long term as 06 is his final year on contract, and make a decision between Morris and Suppan. I still think there is a chance both could be back but doubt it with Reyes and Wainwright ready. I say they will let Morris walk and resign Suppan. Suppan and Sanders have already been quoted as saying they want to retire Cardinals. I am sure Morris does as well as he is only been with Cards but it will be incentive laden again and don't think he will do it again or NY teams will guarantee money to him. I am just wondering what is out their in terms of power hitting outfielders on free agent market or available in trade.
Grudzalenez is a free agent. His performance this year may have priced him out of St. Louis as I think Cards are going to have money to spend and will go for long term solution and the value is with Furcal or Gonzalez. They will want to bring Grudz back as long as he is our utility player. That is how they envisioned him for this year but due to not signing Renteria or Cabrera, they had to change their plans. Cards will have new young power right fielder next year, move EcK to 2base, sign one of the two mentioned shortstops, probably resign Sanders and still platoon left field, and probably will add a power arm in bullpen preferably lh maybe Wagner or another power rh who can get out lh hitters and can fill in if Izzy fails. I think the interesting situation is with our sp. We will probably at some point sign Mulder long term as 06 is his final year on contract, and make a decision between Morris and Suppan. I still think there is a chance both could be back but doubt it with Reyes and Wainwright ready. I say they will let Morris walk and resign Suppan. Suppan and Sanders have already been quoted as saying they want to retire Cardinals. I am sure Morris does as well as he is only been with Cards but it will be incentive laden again and don't think he will do it again or NY teams will guarantee money to him. I am just wondering what is out their in terms of power hitting outfielders on free agent market or available in trade.
Cost them last night and has cost them all year. Double plays turned are not a direct correlation to your shortstops arm strenght. 2nd basemans arm strength a much better indicator and Grudzelanek has a very good throwing arm. I suppose you need me to explain this to you also Viking? Pretty novice stuff and you still cannot seem to understand it. Even your homer pal Kojak understands there is a problem and you still cannot? Says a lot about your knowledge of the sport.
royalfan,
I think what Viking is looking at is Eck was the All Star Shortstop for NL this year. Which is a great feat in itself. But realistically long term, he is a second basemen. He was a short term fix for this year but I think there is a greater than 50% chance he is our 2nd baseman next year with Furcal or Gonzalez at shortstop. This is what I am guessing.
I think what Viking is looking at is Eck was the All Star Shortstop for NL this year. Which is a great feat in itself. But realistically long term, he is a second basemen. He was a short term fix for this year but I think there is a greater than 50% chance he is our 2nd baseman next year with Furcal or Gonzalez at shortstop. This is what I am guessing.
Kojak said:
Cubbies should be able to control the free agent market as they will have close to 30 million to spend. I know Furcal will be on their radar as he would fill 2 glaring needs: a shortstop and a leadoff hitter.
Cubs also have plenty of other needs, so if they think the money would be better spent elsewhere, they could start Ronnie Cedeno at short. However, If the Cards were in line to land Furcal, I would think the Cubs would intervene and outbid. Just my opinion.
blue edwards said:
I actually dont mind Nomar at all. When healthy he is still a very solid hitter. Still hit well over .300 after his long stint on the DL with the torn groin. He is by no means a superstar anymore though, but better than a role player. Makes alot of contact and doesnt K a whole lot, which is better than can be said for most of the Cubs this past year. He has said he really wants to remain a Cub next year, even if it means changing positions. Wouldnt be suprised to see the Nomar in a Cubs uni next year playing LF or 2nd with a small base salary that is heavily incentive based.
