Anyone have any information on time and date? Can't find anything anywhere... I remember Rev posting some pics from previous years... also unable to find that story anywhere on the site

Thanks in advance

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Back in January, I posted some thoughts about the future of the franchise, specifically Albert Pujols' future with our beloved Cardinals.

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2009/1/20/729175/something-to-thin-about

Today on Deadspin, fellow fan Will Leitch has picked up the ball and shares my concern (and articulates it much better than I did)

http://deadspin.com/5291272/how-the-cardinals-could-lose-albert-pujols?skyline=true&s=x

So, what to do? Stay patient and hope the offense turns it around? Will management go out and make a move to try and help convince Albert that they're still willing to pay to improve the team and are committed to winning?

This is by no means a knee-jerk reaction to the play of late... this was a concern months ago and it continues to grow. I just hope ownership and the front office realize it before it's too late.

On top of whatever general discord is afflicting us a fanbase for the upcoming 2009 season, I was thinking about something that doesn't need to be addressed quite yet but will creep up on us soon enough.

El Hombre's contract is guaranteed through 2010 with a $16 million club option for 2011. If the club picks that option up, I can only imagine how unhappy Albert might be... which brings me to this question:

How much money will it take to lock up Albert when his contract comes up? His current deal was made when the market was decidedly less expensive. I would assume that the Teixeira contract might be used as just a starting point. Are we talking ARod-type numbers? 10 years, $275 million?

Personally, I think the Cards should do whatever it takes to make sure he is a Cardinal for life. What say you?

Poll

What should the Cardinals do with Albert Pujols?

81%

Give him whatever he wants

126 votes

12%

Pick up the 2011 option and take their chances after that

20 votes

5%

Do the unthinkable (trade him, let him walk, etc.)

9 votes

155 votes | Poll has closed

So... being a Cowboys fan in Southern California, I'm not able to hear a lot of what's been going on since the unpleasantness on Sunday. The overriding question I have is this: How can Jerry Jones justify keeping Wade Phillips?

Does anyone envision any scenario in which Phillips makes it to the 2009 season opener as the Cowboys head coach?

Clearly Bill Parcells was instrumental in the rebuilding of the franchise but he grew tired of having to deal with Jerry... or something along those lines. But he had us on the right track. Last year's 13-3 season was much like Switzer coming in and winning the Super Bowl with Jimmy's players (except there was a colossal pooping of the bed against the Giants in the playoffs).

So, if Jerry can't deal with a Parcells-type and Wade's soft approach is just killing any chances of serious championship contention, who is out there that can provide a happy medium and get the job done?

Obviously some tinkering has to be done with the roster since chemistry is the biggest issue... that can be dealt with later. A fish rots from the head... which coach is the answer that the Cowboys need?

Poll

Who should be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys?

4%

Brian Billick

2 votes

34%

Bill Cowher

14 votes

7%

Mike Holmgren

3 votes

0%

Marty Schottenheimer

0 votes

19%

Mike Shanahan

8 votes

34%

Other

14 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

From rotoworld:

 

Cards GM John Mozeliak said talks with the Rockies regarding Matt Holliday are dead.

Mozeliak admitted that serious discussions took place, but he said all conversations have ceased and "nothing is imminent. That one’s not happening — at all." FOXSports.com reported that the two teams had discussed a deal that would have sent Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker and Mitchell Boggs to Colorado for Holliday. Nov. 10 - 1:20 am et

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

 

So.... that's a bummer. I had serious doubts about Holliday concerning his home/road hitting splits, but I thought this would have been a good deal to sell high with Ludwick.

 

So, what's next? Do they still shop Ludwick and/or Schumaker and try to become major players for Jake Peavy?

From rotoworld.com:

Cardinals agreed to terms with RHP Kyle Lohse on a four-year, $41 million contract.

Lohse will receive a $1.25 million signing bonus, $7,125,000 in 2009, $8,875,000 in 2010 and $11,875,000 in each of the final two seasons. He also gets a full no-trade clause. This all for a pitcher who signed a one-year, $4.25 million last March. Lohse's strikeout rate was as mediocre as ever this season. He has improved his command and he's always had pretty good stuff, but he could just as easily be a fourth starter as a No. 3 going forward. Durability is the biggest thing he has working in his favor. Still, we wouldn't want to take our chances on him being worth more than $23 million in 2011 and '12.

=======================

He was a pleasant surpirse this year and our best pitcher from Game 1 thru Game 162. I like that we locked him up but I'm not too thrilled that he'll be getting paid almost $12 million per in 2011 & 2012. Thoughts?

FWST saying that Lions WR Roy Williams reportedly "wants to play in Dallas". I think they should make it happen and dealing away the 28th pick should be more than enough.

Chad Johnson could potentially be too much of a headache and the Bengals seem ready to take a hardline stance with him so it appears unlikely he'll be leaving Cincinnati.

"The Legend" is from Texas so I'm sure he would be welcomed home with open arms. I would LOVE to see this happen.

http://www.star-telegram.com/332/sto...

Poll

Would the 28th overall pick be enough to acquire Lion's WR Roy Williams?

66%

Yes

95 votes

33%

No

47 votes

142 votes | Poll has closed

Does anyone really want Skip Schumaker as the starting right fielder on opening day?

Mr. Barton has been tearing it up and there may not be a player that I'm more excited to see play every day once the season starts (only because of Albert's injury).

Here's hoping that Barton's knee continues to hold up and Bravo to the personnel department for snagging him in the Rule 5 Draft.

 

Poll

Who would you like to see in right field on Opening Day?

80%

A. Brian Barton

303 votes

19%

B. Skip Schumaker

74 votes

377 votes | Poll has closed

Just want to get some opinions out there... if Jason Heyward had been a part of the loaded 2005 high school outfielder draft class, where would he have ranked heading into that draft?

The 1st round that year yielded Justin Upton (1st overall pick) Cameron Maybin (10th), Andrew McCutchen (11th), Jay Bruce (12th) and Colby Rasmus (28th).

Heyward seems to be getting a lot of run as the next high school outfielder to be a big-time prospect, along the lines of the guys mentioned above.

Wow. I didn't see this coming. Not too often that we see an almost guarantedd Top Ten pick bypass the draft for an extra season. Hope it doesn't come back and bite him in the ass.

I'm sure New England would've loved to snag him with the 7th pick. Guess they'll have to look elsewhere now. What does this do to the overall strength of the class of linebackers coming out this season?

NFL Network saying that Mr. Larry Allen is set to retire.

I must say... Larry Allen is one of my favorite players. The best non-Jimmy Johnson draft pick that Jerry ever made, I honestly think Allen is one of the best offensive lineman of all-time. The man made seamless transitions from guard to tackle and back to guard, all the while continuing to perform at an All-Pro level and racking up Pro Bowl appearances.

Too bad he couldn't play his entire career in Dallas, but one of the all-time greats all the same.

I'm a Cowboy fan who lives in Southern California... but I still see every Cowboy game... not living in or near Dallas I would say that my finger may not be firmly on the pulse of the team and community... but $20.5 million for Jay Ratliff? Really? Can someone please enlighten me. Is he that good of a nose tackle that they had to lock him up now?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/121507dnspocowbriefs.1701b975.html

I know that Albert Haynesworth is a bastard, but he's a free agent next year and he's playing out of his mind. Would he have been a bad fit in this D?

New York Post reporting that Dodgers are negotiating a buyout of Grady Little's contract... and will bring in Joe Torre.

I don't know about all of you, but I think if Torre becomes the next Dodgers skipper, that makes those bastards in blue the overwhelming favorites to land ARod.

Here's the link:

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10292007/sports/yankees/joe_hollywood.htm

I work at a local LA TV station (will stay anonymous... sorry) and got a release from the Angels saying they will make a major announcement tomorrow

Angels PR not saying much... My assumption is that they will be naming a new GM since Stoneman's contract is up... he'll probably take the front-office job

Tony Reagins the new GM? Am I missing any other names?

Living in California and being so far removed from St. Louis... what's the consensus out there about who should replace La Russa if he decides to leave?

Am I being naive in thinking that getting Joe Torre back wouldn't be such a bad idea? Would a younger manager be a better fit with the team the way it's currently composed?

Wow. What can you say? Tony Romo reminds everyone that he was only making his 15th career start but the best Cowboys kicker since Rafael Septien bails out the 'Boys...

Richie Cunningham was nice for two years... then flamed out in year three.
Tim Seder was barely competent... then lost his nerve.
Jon Hilbert... yuck.
Billy Cundiff... bad first season... solid in the second season... yet in the end, he was in over his head
Then Jose "Captain Hook" Cortez, Shaun Suisham, the Mike Vanderjagt experiment and "The Great Kazoo" Martin Gramatica...

Here's to Nick Folk staying the course...

Why does he seem to go under the radar? No one has mentioned Brett Anderson (Arizona). He has been absolutely lights out so far this year and he's just 19 years old. I know Kershaw has better stuff... but numbers wise... Anderson is right there if not better right now. Kershaw has 31 BB in 55 IP... look at Anderson's numbers.

6-3
2.07 ERA
0.96 WHIP
68 K
7 BB
65.1 IP

I recently traded Tim Lincecum in my NL-Only Keeper league for Chase Utley because I needed the offense. Was this a major mistake? I'm kinda panicking right now, thinking I've erred greatly.

To keep in mind, I have a chance to retain Utley for the 2008 season as well. All input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

The St. Louis Cardinals are the defending World Series Champions. This is a fact. Despite the team's mediocre 83-79 record, our beloved Red Birds caught fire at the absolute right time and delivered when it counted.

Now, coming into 2007, I was never under the pretense that this season would bring the same kind of success that we enjoyed last fall.

However, the one thing I have looked forward to and could count on year in and year out was the performance of one man.... Albert Pujols. Now, in a few weeks, this could look very stupid, but I just wanted to share with you a breakdown of the first 36 games from every season of his career:

        2B  HR  RBI  BB  SO  AVG  OBP  SLG
2001  8   13    42   16  23  .370  .443  .733
2002 12    5    21   26  16  .280  .396  .485
2003  8     9    26   15   9   .325  .400  .624
2004 11    9    23   22   8   .277  .377  .555
2005 11    9    29   18  14  .327  .408  .585
2006  6   19    47   32  11  .341  .478  .854
2007  5     6    19   18  16  .239  .335  .410

Now, I'm not some stupid, irrational fan who expects results like 2006 every year... but this is by FAR the worst start of Albert's career.

Like I said, in a few weeks, this could all look very stupid and I will openly welcome the ridicule... but Albert... please start hitting like we all know you can!

Well... with the Cardinals as reigning World Champions... some might say that we don't have a right to complain for a while... but this absolutely sucks:

An already difficult season for the Cardinals grew tougher on Saturday, when the team announced that right-hander Chris Carpenter will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow.

The 2005 Cy Young Award winner, who hasn't pitched since Opening Night, is expected to be sidelined for at least three more months.

Carp's out for 3 months, Wells and Wainwright struggling, Albert off to the 1st slow start of his career...not to mention the Josh Hancock (may he rest in peace) situation.

After the euphoria of last fall... could the outlook for the rest of this season be any worse?

Update [2007-5-5 16:31:20 by lboros]: the official site says brad thompson may be the leading candidate to take carpenter's spot in the rotation. i think that's a great idea --- the only logical one in what is quickly devolving into a development / rebuilding year. give thompson 25 starts and see what he can do. if he establishes any value at all, it could help heading into the off-season --- or even at the trade deadline this year.

Just wanted to get some opinions. I'm in a DEEP NL-Only Keeper league. We have 17 spots on our reserve. I have 11 guys so far. Besides the obvious... just wondering which, if any, of the following guys that you would throw back. Thanks.

GREG MILLER        Dodgers
PHILLIP HUMBER        Mets
CHRIS VOLSTAD        Marlins
MARK PAWELEK        Cubs
CARLOS GONZALEZ        D'Backs
ANDREW MCCUTCHEN    Pirates
COLBY RASMUS        Cardinals
ELVIS ANDRUS        Braves
CHRIS NELSON        Rockies
MIGUEL MONTERO        D'Backs
ERIC PATTERSON        Cubs