Welcome to jockr’s 2009 Team Sales Report, where we will offer fans consultative outreach and analysis of the comprehensive, results-based solutions they can expect from each franchise this upcoming quarter. Today’s entry focuses on the St. Louis Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals
2008 year-end market position: 86-76 4th place, NL Central
New Hires: LHP Charlie Manning (waiver claim from Nationals), LHP Trever Miller (free agent from Rays), LHP Royce Ring (free agent from Braves), SS Khalil Greene (trade with Padres), LHP Dennys Reyes (free agent from Twins)
Layoffs: RHP Jason Isringhausen (free agent, signed minor league deal with Rays), RHP Braden Looper (free agent, signed with Brewers), LHP Mark Mulder (free agent, unsigned), LHP Ron Villone (free agent, unsigned), LHP Randy Flores (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Rockies), RHP Matt Clement (free agent, signed with Blue Jays), LHP Tyler Johnson (non-tendered, signed minor league deal with Mariners), RHP Mark Worrell (traded to Padres), INF Aaron Miles (non-tendered, signed with Cubs), OF Juan Encarnacion (free agent, unsigned), SS Cesar Izturis (free agent, signed with Orioles), OF Josh Phelps (free agent, signed minor league deal with Giants), RHP Russ Springer (free agent, signed with A’s), RHP Kelvin Jimenez (claimed by Blue Jays, then claimed by White Sox), INF Felipe Lopez (free agent, signed with Diamondbacks), 2B Adam Kennedy (released, signed minor league deal with Rays)
Best Practices: The Cardinals have a lot of pop, that’s for sure. On one hand, they have my best friend, Albert Pujols, and on the other they have some dude that shockingly had an amazing season last year in Ryan Ludwick. After five mediocre seasons over the past six years–he wasn’t in the majors in 2006, I guess–had relegated him to a part time player, Ludwick broke out for 37 home runs, 113 RBI, and an OPS over .950. How did this happen? Is it a fluke? In short, yes. Through Sunday, the Mighty Ludwick was hitting 5-for-31 this spring with only two extra-base hits. I know what you’re saying, 31 at bats is quite a small sample size, wouldn’t his 538 at bats from last season be a better indicator? Shut up! It’s just not possible. It’s just not. Ryan Ludwick can’t be a good bet. Bust bust bust! Sell sell sell! My best friend, Pujols, should continue to be awesome, however. Dude did win his second MVP last year, hitting .357/.462/.653 with a Ludwick-ian 37 homers and 116 RBI. He also walked 104 times and struck out just 54 times in 524 at bats. Enough said. That’s why he’s the latest savior for the game, at least until he’s busted for steroids. Knock on wood, Albert! Knock on wood! You’re my best friend!
Pain Points: Well, there’s a lot wrong with the Cardinals, so I don’t really know where to begin. You can take my word on it that they don’t have a second baseman and they kind of have a logjam in the outfield (who will play center? Skip Schumaker or Colby Rasmus?!? Schumaker is a sure bet to give you ho-hum production! Rasmus is the top prospect in the game named after a type of cheese, but he was extremely disappointing (.251 BA, wtf, Colby?) in AAA last year! Stay tuned!). The real problem is in the rotation and the bullpen. Adam Wainwright is pretty good, but he only made 20 starts a year ago. Kyle Lohse won 15 games and threw 200 innings, causing me to rub my eyes and stare agape at his stat sheet. I think the league will catch up to him this year. That leaves Joel Pineiro and Todd Wellemeyer, who are terrible, and Chris Carpenter, who at this point is held together by wood glue and some assorted dowels. The bullpen is even worse. After mercifully sending Jason Isringhausen out to pasture, the Cardinals now turn the closer role over to some dude, Chris Perez. He picked up 7 saves and had 42 strikeouts in 42 innings as a rookie, so that makes him the best candidate. Steroid scapegoat Ryan Franklin leads the rest of a rather unspectacular bullpen. Denny Reyes is a portly fellow, though. It’s important to have a jolly chubby guy in the bullpen so you can stick bubblegum on his hat while he snoozes. Ahhh, the boys of summer!
Key Thought Leader: My best friend, of course. Pujols has been remarkably consistent his entire career and has been in the Top 3 of NL MVP voting in 6 of the last 7 years and has never finished outside the Top 10 in his entire 8-year career. There will obviously be a debate as to whether or not he’s clean, but I don’t really care. Pujols is the best player in baseball and the fact that he jumped to the majors from Single-A as a fully formed Hall-of-Famer is stuff legends are made of. He’s also the only good thing going for the Cardinals. I think it’ll be a frustrating season for our hero as he toils in obscurity. Yes, I’d walk him to face Ludwick, in case you were wondering.
Enterprise Outlook: Well, they can’t catch the Cubs, and that’s all that matters in St. Louis. 3rd place, NL Central
Tomorrow’s Target: Houston Astros
