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Cardinals
Questions about St. Louis baseball
Joe Ostermeier has covered the St. Louis Cardinals since 1985, including their three World Series visits since then, their seven trips to the playoffs from 1985-2005, and Mark McGwire's historic home run chase in 1998. He is a longstanding member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and a voter for the BBWAA's annual awards and the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Because of the large volume of e-mail, not every question can be answered.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 1 - 15 of 143 (Page 1 of 8)Submitted by jason from belleville
Q: who do u think the cardinals going sign just a guess
Answered 10/23/08 09:20:38 by Joe Ostermeier
A: I think they might explore what it would take to get Jake Peavy from the Padres, though I think the cost may be prohibitive -- the top two or three prospects in the Cards' minor-league system. There may be a few other starting candidates who are possibilities -- Orlando Hudson of the Diamondbacks is likely to leave them this winter as a free agent -- but Cards GM John Mozeliak has to first decide what the most pressing need would be. Is it a starting pitcher, if there's a chance Chris Carpenter can come back next spring? Or is it another bat in the lineup to protect Albert Pujols and Troy Glaus? Or is it a proven closer who will shore up the back of the bullpen? The Cards have so many needs, it's tough to say in which direction Mozeliak will go, but it clearly is the biggest challenge facing him in his first full off-season as GMSubmitted by Lee Sepulvado from Shreveport, LA
Q: Wikipedia says Tony LaRussa has Hispanic background and is fluent in the Spanish language. I must admit I would have bet money that LaRussa's background would be Italian. He even looks Italian to me. Which Latin group is LaRussa from
Answered 10/21/08 07:59:24 by Joe Ostermeier
A: Tony, a native of Tampa, has an Italian father and an Hispanic mother. He is in fact fluent in Spanish (and English, though it's hard to tell that sometimes from his terse retorts to the media after a tough loss -- just kidding, Skip), and his multilingual skills come in handy when he's on the mound talking to, say, Yadier Molina, Joel Pineiro, Albert Pujols and Cesar Izturis. It helps to be able to use their native language to communicate how to pitch to the batter, the bunt defense they'll use, and so on.Submitted by larry mcclintick from collinsville
Q: What happened to John Mabry?
Answered 08/20/08 13:59:21 by Joe Ostermeier
A: John retired during the 2007 season, when he hit just .118 in 28 games for Colorado -- the last of his eight major-legue teams. That career included three different stays in St. Louis, with whom he broke into the majors in 1994. He was a lifetime .263 hitter in 14 seasons in the big leagues, with 96 home runs and 446 RBIs in 1,321 games. His best season was 1996, when he hit .297 with 13 homers and 74 RBIs for the Cardinals -- where he played from 1994-98, in 2001, and from 2004-05. He also played for Seattle, Florida, Philadelphia, Oakland, the Chicago Cubs and Rockies.Submitted by tim from illinois
Q: Are the Cardinals going to get a closer at the trade deadline?
Answered 07/25/08 07:15:46 by Joe Ostermeier
A: I suppose they might, but in the wake of the Brewers series, I don't think that's their greatest need. Everyone has been up in arms about the bullpen's failure against the Brewers, allowing late-inning home runs in all four games. But the fact is, you can't blame the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen, when the offense has scored only three runs. Three times in the four games, the Cards scored three runs; the other time, they were shut out. That gives the pitching staff no room for error, and it was too much for this beleaguered pen to handle. This week, anyway, the onus lands on the Redbird lineup, which as our Cardinals reporter David Wilhelm noted, scored in only seven of the 37 innings played in the series; the Cards went down 1-2-3 16 times in the series, including the ninth inning the last three games. No, to my mind, the biggest challenge facing the Cards right now is their lack of offense, not a pitching staff and bullpen that would have had to limit the Brew Crew to two runs or fewer for the Cards to have won three of four in the series. Can the Cards get another power hitter? Time will tell; for now, this team is struggling at the plate and -- as a result of the lack of offense -- on the mound.Submitted by tim from illinois
Q: the brewers get cc sabathia the cubs get rich harden dont you think it is the cardinals turn.
Answered 07/14/08 06:21:05 by Joe Ostermeier
A: Clearly, the gauntlet has been thrown down in the National League Central, by the Cubs and Brewers, while the Cardinals have kept their hands in their pockets. Will the Cardinals make a move by the waiver trade deadline at the end of the month? Or will they stand pat with a team that doesn't appear to have the pitching (starting or relief) to measure up with their two chief rivals in the division? GM John Mozeliak could afford to adopt a wait-and-see attitude while the Cardinals hoped for a mid-season return by Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder. Now that we've seen how that has turned out -- Mulder may be done for his career, and Carpenter is still trying to return from his arm injury -- it's time for Mo to get as creative as his predecessor, Walt Jocketty, and give this team a shot in the arm for August and September. If he does, this club could be playing meaningful games late in the season; if he doesn't, the Cardinals have little chance to stay in the race with the bolstered Brewers and Cubs.Submitted by KathyB from Terre Haute IN
Q: Thanks for answering questions from those of us curious enough to ask! My husband and I are so happy that Ryan Ludwick is going to the All Star celebration because he's deserving. We were wondering how the transportation and lodging are handled for these events. Will the Cardinals organization spring for the airfare and hotel costs for Ludwick and his wife or is he responsible for part or all of the tab? Also, does he get any kind of a salary bonus for this achievement?
Answered 07/14/08 06:14:53 by Joe Ostermeier
A: Thanks for the question, Kathy: This really illustrates how well run major-league teams are, and how the clubs do everything they can to let the players concentrate on their duties on the field. Transportation and lodging issues for the All-Star Game are handled by a team official, called the traveling secretary; the club's equipment manager and his assistants, and major-league officials. Ludwick and the other All-Stars simply have to bring a packed suitcase for personal items and clothing to the ballpark, where a club official will take the bag (and his equipment bag -- bats, uniforms, gloves, hats, spikes, etc.) and get it shipped to New York for the game. That's basically how travel is handled for all the players all the time; the team's traveling secretary handles all the hotel arrangements, the bus travel from ballparks to airports and hotels, and other incidentals, while the equipment managers and other clubhouse attendants load all the players' suitcases and equipment bags on the bus and unload them at the hotel. (Each player gets an identical suitcase with a team logo on it, by the way). Players find their way to the bus, get shuttled to the plane on the airport runway, get on the plane, and get their luggage when they're checked into the hotels on the road. No lugging around bags for them; after all, who wants a player who's pulled a muscle or hurt an arm schlepping his own suitcase through the hotel lobby? Just more proof baseball players are just like you and me, except for all the ways they are different.Submitted by tim from illinois
Q: Are the Cardinals interested in anybody at this point right now or the trade deadline?
Answered 07/07/08 16:13:15 by Joe Ostermeier
A: I'm certain the Cardinals are looking to see if there's a way to bolster the starting pitching, with Wainwright out, Carpenter still on the mend, and Mulder having to go into the rotation -- perhaps before he is ready. The rotation has struggled in recent weeks, a problem that can have (and is having) a ripple effect on the rest of the team. Since the starters have pitched fewer innings recently, the bullpen has had to shoulder more of the burden -- with mixed results at best. If that doesn't get better, watch for the hitters to press more, knowing the team has to score more runs to remain competitive. That's the beauty of a team game like baseball: If one component of a club begins to break down, others are affected. That said, the Cardinals are unlikely to part with much (maybe, any) of their young talent for a veteran starter down the stretch. This time of year, by the way, was when ex-GM Walt Jocketty earned his money -- acquiring talent to help at the trading deadline. Will new GM John Mozeliak have the same magic touch? It will be interesting to watch the next few weeks unfold.Submitted by Tim from illinois
Q: why wont the cardinals open their wallet and get them some good players.
Answered 06/30/08 09:54:24 by Joe Ostermeier
A: Tim: While there may be some fans who think the Cards' wallet is open -- their payroll this year after all is at $99 million, the most in team history -- it will be interesting to see how the month of July unfolds. Remember, July 31 is the last day teams can make a trade without having to have players clear waivers, so it will be by the end of this month that we learn how serious new GM John Mozeliak is about improving this team. Will he go out and get a handful of players to help down the stretch, as old GM Walt Jocketty did in acquiring the likes of Will Clark in years past? Or will he sit tight, hoping the Cards stay close enough to the Cubs to make a run in September, thereby preserving their core of prospects for the years go come? It's an interesting question, with opportunities to argue both sides. I suspect the Cards won't do anything major unless they think it's a player that can be guaranteed to help them down the stretch. But the makeup of the club may preclude that -- the real issue for the team recently has been the bullpen, and it's always easy to identify players on other teams who can be a big help in that regard. It also wouldn't hurt to have more starting pitchers work deep into games, helping ease the strain on the pen, but starting pitching as always will be a premium commodity as the pennant races heat up.Submitted by Tim from illinois
Q: i was reading the mlb trade rumors and the cardinals are interested in cc sabathia and ray durham do you think that will happen.
Answered 06/26/08 15:04:15 by Joe Ostermeier
A: Based on their history, I find it hard to believe the Cardinals would trade for Sabathia, in the walk year of his contract making $11 million this season -- and sure to make more than that as one of the prized free-agent pitchers this winter. I don't see new GM John Mozeliak parting with young talent to get Sabathia for part of a season, then lose him altogether this winter. As for Durham, the word out of San Francisco is he's contemplating whether to retire at the end of the year. Safe to say, he'd be a stopgap for the Cards while they wait for Cesar Izturis to heal, and could play more down the stretch. But I think the Cards believe Aaron Miles can play there until Izturis returns. The bigger question is Sabathia's future, and I've heard the Angels are Cubs are his mostly likely suitors if he is traded by the end of next month. And word is the Yankees are very interested in signing him to a big-bucks, multiyear deal in the offseason. That is sure to scare off some teams hoping to acquire him for the balance of 2008 -- including the Cardinals, in my mind.Submitted by KathyB from Terre Haute IN
Q: Ryan Ludwick's stunning performance this season has been such a boost for the team that I hope he's rewarded when it comes time to negotiate a contract. When is he eligible for offers and do you think Cardinals management will be fair or will they lose him because they foolishly try to save a buck? I don't get the impression TLR is wild about Ludwick for whatever reason. He made the comment one night in a post-game news session that some players have earned his loyalty and protection and Ludwick didn't seem to be part of that group, I assume because he's so new to the team. I've also read that Mozeliak is the one who "discovered" Ludwick so I'm hoping his influence will swing a good deal for Ryan because he deserves it and so far has done so well. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Answered 06/19/08 14:04:45 by Joe Ostermeier
A: You don't have to worry about Ludwick going anywhere; with only 2 1/2 years of major-league service time under his belt, he can't go out on the free-agent market until after the 2012 season, when he'll have six years of service in the majors and can peddle his services elsewhere. Until then, the Cardinals control his contract, though he will be eligible for arbitration after this season. To avoid the annual arbitration debate, the Cards could offer him a multiyear deal this winter, or continue to pay him on a year-to-year basis until he qualifies for free agency. His terrific play this year might persuade the Cards to try to lock him up for a few years at least -- and he might take the security of a multiyear contract over the uncertainty of going year-to-year. As for La Russa's regard for Ludwick, I think you're reading too much into it -- the Cards's brass has been impressed by Ludwick's performance and work ethic the last two years, and La Russa often praises Ludwick in his pregame and postgame meetings with the press. I think he'll be with the Cardinals for years to come. By the way, Ludwick is making $411,000 this year, and is sure to get a hefty raise from that over the winter.Submitted by tim from illinois
Q: i just want to know how long are they going to put up with somebody like chris duncan
Answered 06/18/08 12:18:37 by Joe Ostermeier
A: It makes you wonder, watching him play, doesn't it? Dunc has had a tough season since spring training began, and it's amazing to watch a player look this confused this far into his major-league career. Unfortunately, the Cards don't have many alternatives right now, with Albert hurting. But you wonder if the Cards might do something more drastic with Duncan when Albert is ready to play again -- say, try seriously to ship Duncan elsewhere or return him to the minors. This is a touchy point for the Cards' brass, considering Daddy Dave, but it might come down to that kind of decision moving forward. The problem is, Lil Dunc's trade value has slipped considerably this year, for all his contributions the last two seasons. You'd rather not ship somebody when their value is low, but the Cards might have to contemplate that possibility.Submitted by tim from illinois
Q: what is the cardinals going to do with all the injuries
Answered 06/18/08 12:13:01 by Joe Ostermeier
A: They'll have to make do -- just like every team does every year. These things do seem to come in clumps -- Albert and Yaddy getting hurt within days of each other -- but that's baseball. And the true sign of a good team is how it responds to adversity and how well its bench players and top minor-leaguers step up. The tough part about baseball is how often teams play -- "This ain't football," Earl Weaver famously said, "we play every day." That's why an injury to a ballplayer can cause him to miss two weeks of games, where a similar injury in football might only cause someone to miss one game. That's not to say football players aren't tougher than baseball players -- maybe they are. But baseball requires a precision of movement to hit a ball or throw it, and sometimes injuries get in the way of that. All that said, the Cardinals find themselves in a crucial point in the season -- with Albert limping, Yaddy on the shelf, more questions about the availability of Carpenter, the missed start coming up for Wellemeyer and the wait for Izzy to get healthy. In the meantime, other players will have to continue to step up -- and aren't the Cards lucky that Ludwick and Skip and others have performed so well to this point? They'll have to keep on keeping on if the Cards are to remain in the race the rest of the way.Submitted by tim from pinckneyville, il
Q: i heard the cardinals are interested in jason bay is that true and do you think they will get him
Answered 06/02/08 15:27:42 by Joe Ostermeier
A: I'm not sure another outfielder is the most pressing need for the Cardinals right now, having just sent Chris Duncan to the minors and trying to find playing time for Skip Schumaker, Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, newcomer Joe Mather and Brian Barton. Who would Bay replace in the lineup? Not Ankiel, not Ludwick, maybe Schumaker -- but Skip has more speed and provides the Cards with the leadoff guy they need in that lineup. Sure, Bay has 13 homers this year and is a career .282 hitter, but I don't see the Cards taking on his contract when they've got a player they like in Duncan sitting in the minors. Seems to me there are other more pressing concerns for this team -- stability in the middle infield, for one, the questions about Jason Isringhausen's health, for two -- than finding another strong-hitting outfielder. Besides which, Bay has averaged a strikeout for every game played in his career, and I'm not sure having another whiff-prone hitter is the best thing for that lineup.Submitted by Rich from O Fallon, IL
Q: Joe; Why did the Cards sign the lite hitting Jason LaRue instead of Yadi's brother that signed with the Yanks? I think he would have been much better for the Cards than LaRue. Thanks Rich
Answered 05/27/08 13:38:05 by Joe Ostermeier
A: The Cardinals aren't necessarily looking for offense from their backup catcher -- but rather are hoping forfor a defensive-minded backup who calls a good game and will handle the pitching staff the way La Russa and Duncan want. LaRue, who was a regular with Cincinnati a few years ago, was a .250 hitter with the Reds then. He's had trouble hitting in recent years, but he is still strong defensively and was willing to accept a backup role with the Cardinals in an attempt to get his career turned around. The hitting hasn't come around yet, but the Cardinals -- like most teams -- think any hitting from their backstop is a plus, not a necessity. As for Jose Molina, he's not hitting much better than LaRue -- .212 to .146 at this writing -- so that's about a wash.Submitted by Rebecca from New Athens, IL
Q: When will Cardinals management finally see Izzy as Cardinal Nation does? He doesn't seem to be very reliable in the closer role, and his number are over inflated. Seems to me, Reyes or McClennen would be far better options.
Answered 05/07/08 10:09:36 by Joe Ostermeier
A: Here's how the Cardinals see Izzy (and how the fans ought to view him) -- as the team's career saves leader and a linchpin of much of the club's success this decade. Isringhausen's contributions to this team can't be overestimated, even if sometimes his inability to nail down a win can be frustrating. Fans have to realize, though, that no closer is perfect: Ask San Diego about Trevor Hoffman's issues, or the Yankees about Mariano Rivera. Like any team, the Cardinals live or die on the performance of their closer, and Isringhausen has been better than most closers in that regard. His hip injury caused him to blow 10 saves in 2006, but last year he had only two blown saves in 34 opportunities. This year, he's nailed down the win 11 times in 14 chances -- still a good percentage. And while it's hard to watch a win get away, it's not unusual for that to happen to the best teams and the best closers. The Cardinals and Izzy fit both those descriptions, and nobody is going to be perfect every time out. And I'll say this about Izzy: He's a standup guy who is there when people are there to criticize him. Case in point: Every time I can recall that he's blown a save in a Cardinal uniform, he is standing at his cubicle in the clubhouse ready to answer reporters' questions about it. But the night he tied Lee Smith for the most saves in a season by a Cardinal (47), Izzy was nowhere to be found. I think that says loads about the kind of guy he is.