We are mere hours away from Opening Day for the St. Louis Cardinals and I'm happy dancing most of those hours away. The off season of 2016-2017 has felt at times to be about 579 days long. I'm ready to watch our Cards!!
Spring Training and the few months before have left us with some loose ends to tie up. Some aren't necessarily loose ends so much as head scratchers. I think you'll be able to tell. This is my list. Your list could be totally different. It's fairly safe to say if you glance at your TL, we all have varying opinions ;).
*Stephen Piscotty-his spring fell under the head scratching column. As 2016 progressed through the dog days of summer, Piscotty fatigued. Who can blame him? He put a lot of work in offensively on and off the field and this was his first full year in the bigs. It wasn't shocking to see him tired and his offense slipping a little. During the offseason, Mabry contacted him often with articles and thoughts directed towards a more academic approach to hitting. There's definitely a place for that in the game, but I wonder if they've taken it too seriously with Piscotty and gotten a little too far off the beaten path. Maybe it's time to be a little more ball player and a little less Stanford student. I could be completely off about this, but I find myself brainstorming to figure out where Piscotty has gone offensively. I hope it was all a matter of using the Spring Training for just that-training. Then when the season opens in a couple days, he figures out ways to get hits. For now, he has been hitting 6th or so in the lineup and while that's no direct indication of any intentions, it did make me take notice of Matheny possibly having concerns as well.
*Kolten Wong-will he or won't he? That's the question. Honestly, it shouldn't even be a question for my two cents. He was promised a stint and never really give one, and now while working on things during Spring Training as players tend to do, he is looking at a platoon situation at 2B with Jedd Gyorko. I understand his frustrations, handled however poorly in public, and I do get that results need to be there to help the team win. Bottom line in all of this for me: Kolten could make defensive plays that save runs for our ground ball inducing pitching staff and bat around .240 with a few home runs and maybe 50 or so RBIs batting 8th and I'd be perfectly fine with that. I do like Gyorko though....
*Jedd Gyorko-the guy who hit 30 home runs in a season while not playing every day doesn't have an every day position yet again. I'd love, instead of platooning with Kolten at 2B, for Jedd to start at 3B. I've felt since last season that Peralta should be the odd man out. Defensively he isn't outshining anyone at any position and offensively, no one can necessarily be sure 2015 first half Peralta is ever going to show up again. Give Jedd a shot and see what happens. Put Peralta in if Jedd struggles in every day play. I don't think he would though. I'd be ecstatic if Jedd was starting and being spelled by Peralta than the other way around.
*Matt Adams-I saved the best for last. Oh wait. No. This is the biggest head scratcher and I hope it's a loose end that's going to be tied up by Adams being a bench bat. I fear every time he has started in LF lately that Matheny's getting ideas I don't like...such as starting Adams in LF more often than the occasional off day for someone. Walk with me here...if Adams is a bench bat, he can't get hot handed enough for Matheny to play him at the expense of others. However, the whole idea of this experiment was to get his hot hand SPRING TRAINING bat more opportunities. We have a LF and his name is Randal Grichuk. Behind Grich and Piscotty should be our 4th OF, Jose Martinez. Adams should not get opportunities over either at this point in time, but Mo and Matheny have both mentioned getting his offense in. After all these years, they should know full well that they have no reason to know for a fact that this offense will continue against the starting pitching rotations of teams playing in games that matter. Gone are the days of pitchers with pitch count/innings limits and/or days for minor league pitchers to showcase what they can do (all working on things as well, so not necessarily pitching their best). I don't know how the FO made such leaps to Spring Training counting for so much, but they have some delusions of grandeur that they have to reign in a smidge.
That sums up all of my loose ends and head scratchers as we wind down the hours left until the 2017 Cardinals season opens. I'd love to hear yours!
Friday, March 31, 2017
Monday, March 27, 2017
Love Letter of Sorts
This past week, it was announced that Carlos Martinez will be our Opening Day starter. Adam Wainwright will be our #2 starter. The phrase "passing of the torch" was mentioned on a constant loop. My mind was perfectly accepting of this and not even surprised. My heart took a minute though. Or a few days. As I predicted, he handled the news with grace. He was proud of Carlos and he respects him. The feeling is mutual. It's obvious that Carlos respects and appreciates Adam.
For those who may not know, Adam Wainwright is the reason I'm writing this, the reason I'm on Twitter to find other people who love the Cardinals as much as I do and the reason I love the Cardinals at all. In 2006, as I watched him close the NLCS game 7, I fell in love with baseball, especially Cardinals baseball. The strikeout of Beltran was a completely magical moment for me. Everything about that last out was beautiful.
We are blessed beyond belief to have one of the very best leaders on our team that you could ever hope to have in Adam. He is all heart, the glue keeping them together. He is the constant cheerleader, the mentor, the dancer and the one with the greatest smile (although Carlos can give him a lot of competition). Adam puts his arm around Wacha when he's having a tough day on the mound. He brags about everyone on our team, especially Yadi and Carlos...so very proud of his teammates. Waino is unquestionably there for everyone. Even when you don't ask, he'll find a way...just ask Ryan Sheriff.
As Twitter discusses Yadi's contract negotiations, a few times it pops up from some that they're okay if Adam doesn't retire here. I hope with all of my heart, they both retire Cardinals. Adam has been saying for years that he never wants to play anywhere else. He loves the Cardinals and he loves us.
Career highlights: 3 time All Star
2 time Gold Glover
NL wins leader two years
Cy Young top 3 candidate 4 times
2014-first pitcher in MLB history to have 7 innings pitched w/no runs allowed in
9 of his first 18 starts (insanely fun year to watch)
3rd all time Cardinals in strikeouts, trailing only Gibby & Carp
Career ERA 3.17 with .638 win/loss %
I went back and forth on including his accomplishments. I ultimately decided to share a smidge as a little reminder to some who may have forgotten how good he's actually been.
It's difficult to mention Adam without thinking of his charitable work. Receiving the Clemente Award has always been the bigger honor and goal for him over the Cy Young. His work has changed lives and that is extraordinary. He has a very generous, caring spirit and you always have to hope that rubs off on everyone around him.
2017 will be a good year for Adam. Being strong, healthy, smart and hard working, he will figure everything out. My faith has always been there and always will be. Everyone has a guy on the team that is their favorite, the one they cheer for no matter what. Maybe it's a couple guys or even a few. It might change every year or every decade for some, but mine is constant. Adam Wainwright is the reason I love baseball...I owe him.
Along with "passing the torch" sometimes comes the phrase "closing the book" or "turning the page." As the torch was passed to Adam, I knew the day would come that he would pass the torch to someone else. And we can turn the page on last season's struggles. All I ask is that you don't close the book on Adam. He's still writing this book. He's still got a few chapters to go. It's already been a best seller for me.
For those who may not know, Adam Wainwright is the reason I'm writing this, the reason I'm on Twitter to find other people who love the Cardinals as much as I do and the reason I love the Cardinals at all. In 2006, as I watched him close the NLCS game 7, I fell in love with baseball, especially Cardinals baseball. The strikeout of Beltran was a completely magical moment for me. Everything about that last out was beautiful.
We are blessed beyond belief to have one of the very best leaders on our team that you could ever hope to have in Adam. He is all heart, the glue keeping them together. He is the constant cheerleader, the mentor, the dancer and the one with the greatest smile (although Carlos can give him a lot of competition). Adam puts his arm around Wacha when he's having a tough day on the mound. He brags about everyone on our team, especially Yadi and Carlos...so very proud of his teammates. Waino is unquestionably there for everyone. Even when you don't ask, he'll find a way...just ask Ryan Sheriff.
As Twitter discusses Yadi's contract negotiations, a few times it pops up from some that they're okay if Adam doesn't retire here. I hope with all of my heart, they both retire Cardinals. Adam has been saying for years that he never wants to play anywhere else. He loves the Cardinals and he loves us.
Career highlights: 3 time All Star
2 time Gold Glover
NL wins leader two years
Cy Young top 3 candidate 4 times
2014-first pitcher in MLB history to have 7 innings pitched w/no runs allowed in
9 of his first 18 starts (insanely fun year to watch)
3rd all time Cardinals in strikeouts, trailing only Gibby & Carp
Career ERA 3.17 with .638 win/loss %
I went back and forth on including his accomplishments. I ultimately decided to share a smidge as a little reminder to some who may have forgotten how good he's actually been.
It's difficult to mention Adam without thinking of his charitable work. Receiving the Clemente Award has always been the bigger honor and goal for him over the Cy Young. His work has changed lives and that is extraordinary. He has a very generous, caring spirit and you always have to hope that rubs off on everyone around him.
2017 will be a good year for Adam. Being strong, healthy, smart and hard working, he will figure everything out. My faith has always been there and always will be. Everyone has a guy on the team that is their favorite, the one they cheer for no matter what. Maybe it's a couple guys or even a few. It might change every year or every decade for some, but mine is constant. Adam Wainwright is the reason I love baseball...I owe him.
Along with "passing the torch" sometimes comes the phrase "closing the book" or "turning the page." As the torch was passed to Adam, I knew the day would come that he would pass the torch to someone else. And we can turn the page on last season's struggles. All I ask is that you don't close the book on Adam. He's still writing this book. He's still got a few chapters to go. It's already been a best seller for me.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
What Have You Done For Me Lately?
Time to go ahead and dive into the Kolten Wong conversation. I've been thinking about things to say about this long before the articles arrived in my Twitter timeline today. Kolten's situation has been boiling under the surface, and sometimes boiling over publicly, for what feels like 47 years. In reality, he's only been here since 2013. And even though it seems as though he's a veteran, he's only 26 years old.
Today Kolten expressed his frustration over yet again having the rug pulled out from under him. Again the promise of being the every day 2B was empty. Instead of being told (or better yet discussing it) in private, Matheny and Mozeliak both made public comments about how the start of the season would once again have a platoon set up at second base. Gyorko is the name most often mentioned, but Greg Garcia has gotten some recognition as well, based on his spring stats.
I mentioned the abysmal front office communication skills months ago when Grichuk wasn't told about left field and had to assume it was his position based on whatever was posted in the papers or social media. Unlike Matt Carpenter, Grichuk received no phone call, post card, email, text or carrier pigeon to notify him of his new position. Essentially, Dex introduced himself and Grich knew he wasn't the center fielder anymore. Now, Kolten is being told via social media and other news outlets that he is essentially in a timeshare with one or 2 or who knows how many players at the position that was supposed to be solely his from Opening Day on. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked to see Matt Adams there. Annnddd that's another story.
Wong is playing with a chip on his shoulder the size of Hawaii. He's embarrassed, frustrated and confused. Rightfully so. I felt for the guy in the interview. Kolten has always been a smidgen cocky in the public eye. It rubs some people the wrong way if you scroll through Twitter. Some feel the need to knock him down a few pegs. I think it's a bit of an act. He carries his offense to his defense and vice versa. 0-3, then comes an error. Bobbled play, here comes a strikeout. Kolten is a guy who can get very stuck in his own mind. He needs cheerleaders. And he won't find that here at the corner of Adversity Lane and We Love Platoons Drive. Matheny has a set of guys each year that he'll play till the sun doesn't shine and Wong isn't ever on that list. After being at this since 2013, he likely never will be.
I'll readily admit, his spring is out of whack and isn't doing him any favors. However, he is working on things, which is Spring Training's expressed purpose. Instead of viewing it as a time to work, Matheny has decided Wong has lost his every day playing ability. Kolten may never be a 280 average guy who hits a few homers and has 75 runs batted in to his credit. With his defense and batting 8th, I honestly question the need to have him be a great hitter.
If given the space to legitimately try--no platoons, no LHP vs RHP days, no 0-3 you're sitting days, no bus to Memphis gassed up in the parking lot--what could Kolten do? Do any of us even know that anymore? In 2015, he played the majority of games with a decent BA of 262. His OPS+ that year was 83. It was his best year so far. Offensively, Kolten may very well always be average. But his defense can shine and if batting 8th, I'm not asking for a power bat who's going to do damage. I'm thinking a fast guy who might hit a single can get advanced by the pitcher and brought home by someone else. I know, that's ideal and doesn't always work that way.
End of the day, the St. Louis Cardinals and the fans may never know Kolten's true potential. His career has been grossly mishandled by Matheny and Mo has played a role by not stepping in enough. And it's true Kolten may not be playing well enough to grab hold of the less than stellar opportunities given to him. Something has to change. And since we'redoomed blessed with Matheny due to his extension, it may be time for Kolten to try to shine with a valid, no holds barred opportunity on another team.
Today Kolten expressed his frustration over yet again having the rug pulled out from under him. Again the promise of being the every day 2B was empty. Instead of being told (or better yet discussing it) in private, Matheny and Mozeliak both made public comments about how the start of the season would once again have a platoon set up at second base. Gyorko is the name most often mentioned, but Greg Garcia has gotten some recognition as well, based on his spring stats.
I mentioned the abysmal front office communication skills months ago when Grichuk wasn't told about left field and had to assume it was his position based on whatever was posted in the papers or social media. Unlike Matt Carpenter, Grichuk received no phone call, post card, email, text or carrier pigeon to notify him of his new position. Essentially, Dex introduced himself and Grich knew he wasn't the center fielder anymore. Now, Kolten is being told via social media and other news outlets that he is essentially in a timeshare with one or 2 or who knows how many players at the position that was supposed to be solely his from Opening Day on. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked to see Matt Adams there. Annnddd that's another story.
Wong is playing with a chip on his shoulder the size of Hawaii. He's embarrassed, frustrated and confused. Rightfully so. I felt for the guy in the interview. Kolten has always been a smidgen cocky in the public eye. It rubs some people the wrong way if you scroll through Twitter. Some feel the need to knock him down a few pegs. I think it's a bit of an act. He carries his offense to his defense and vice versa. 0-3, then comes an error. Bobbled play, here comes a strikeout. Kolten is a guy who can get very stuck in his own mind. He needs cheerleaders. And he won't find that here at the corner of Adversity Lane and We Love Platoons Drive. Matheny has a set of guys each year that he'll play till the sun doesn't shine and Wong isn't ever on that list. After being at this since 2013, he likely never will be.
I'll readily admit, his spring is out of whack and isn't doing him any favors. However, he is working on things, which is Spring Training's expressed purpose. Instead of viewing it as a time to work, Matheny has decided Wong has lost his every day playing ability. Kolten may never be a 280 average guy who hits a few homers and has 75 runs batted in to his credit. With his defense and batting 8th, I honestly question the need to have him be a great hitter.
If given the space to legitimately try--no platoons, no LHP vs RHP days, no 0-3 you're sitting days, no bus to Memphis gassed up in the parking lot--what could Kolten do? Do any of us even know that anymore? In 2015, he played the majority of games with a decent BA of 262. His OPS+ that year was 83. It was his best year so far. Offensively, Kolten may very well always be average. But his defense can shine and if batting 8th, I'm not asking for a power bat who's going to do damage. I'm thinking a fast guy who might hit a single can get advanced by the pitcher and brought home by someone else. I know, that's ideal and doesn't always work that way.
End of the day, the St. Louis Cardinals and the fans may never know Kolten's true potential. His career has been grossly mishandled by Matheny and Mo has played a role by not stepping in enough. And it's true Kolten may not be playing well enough to grab hold of the less than stellar opportunities given to him. Something has to change. And since we're
Sunday, March 19, 2017
My Love Affair With Baseball
My baseball moment is Waino vs Beltran in 2006. Born in the 80s, I knew some about Ozzie and Willie and then knew a few guys in the 90s, but 2006 was when I fell in love. Wainwright closing that game was mesmerizing for me. I was pacing and crossing my fingers and closing my eyes in nervousness, only to open them and watch every pitch. My stomach was doing cartwheels. I knew I was in this for the long run. I jumped and yelled when the beautiful, wonderful, breathtaking curveball struck Beltran out. Amazing moment for me. I was in love with Cardinals baseball.
I cry when I watch Field of Dreams. Every time. The way it talks about baseball...it completely captures its beauty, innocence, wide eyed wonder, old fashioned greatness and most of all, its undeniable heart. Baseball has heart. Players giving their all to play the game they love. The sound of the bat hitting the ball, the curve of a pitch as it goes over the plate, a diving catch in the outfield...I love it all. 3 hours of baseball is a lovely thing we get to watch daily from late February through October. Extra innings are a bonus. Watching Cardinals baseball is a privilege.
I took a tour of Busch Stadium once. Being in the dugout and on the field felt a little like magic to me. I love these guys. I love watching them play. Cardinals fan for life.
As in any normal, healthy, long term relationship, I question some moves, believe some days could be better. Surely there have been tragedies to overcome. Through it all though, I'm in. And at the end of every day, I'm happy with my choice to have the St. Louis Cardinals as my team.
It's been a fun first year of interaction on Twitter, getting to know many of you fine Cards fans. Thanks for talking with me about our Cardinals! In my real life, an honest to goodness Cards fan is a rarity...makes having you all around all the better.
I cry when I watch Field of Dreams. Every time. The way it talks about baseball...it completely captures its beauty, innocence, wide eyed wonder, old fashioned greatness and most of all, its undeniable heart. Baseball has heart. Players giving their all to play the game they love. The sound of the bat hitting the ball, the curve of a pitch as it goes over the plate, a diving catch in the outfield...I love it all. 3 hours of baseball is a lovely thing we get to watch daily from late February through October. Extra innings are a bonus. Watching Cardinals baseball is a privilege.
I took a tour of Busch Stadium once. Being in the dugout and on the field felt a little like magic to me. I love these guys. I love watching them play. Cardinals fan for life.
As in any normal, healthy, long term relationship, I question some moves, believe some days could be better. Surely there have been tragedies to overcome. Through it all though, I'm in. And at the end of every day, I'm happy with my choice to have the St. Louis Cardinals as my team.
It's been a fun first year of interaction on Twitter, getting to know many of you fine Cards fans. Thanks for talking with me about our Cardinals! In my real life, an honest to goodness Cards fan is a rarity...makes having you all around all the better.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Matt Adams in Left Field is Out of Left Field
You may or may not know my feelings towards Matt Adams. I’ve been fairly vocal about said feelings and at 140 characters a tweet, it may seem as though I’m not fond of him. To be clear, I’ve heard great stories about Adams meeting with fans…kids I know love the guy. He seems nice. I do commend him, not sarcastically, for getting in shape every off season. Being in shape isn’t easy for everyone, so I don’t make fun of anyone for those efforts. My sentiments towards Adams have always been based on assessments made by watching him for the past several years, reading his stats and knowing the situation that surrounds him. Adams hasn’t had the fairest shake in St. Louis. He’s had injuries. He’s had competition. He’s been managed by Matheny. Mismanaged is more appropriate.
As it sits this season, Matt Carpenter is our left hand hitting every day first baseman. Matt Carpenter has at times been the MVP of our team. He has a high OBP, he hits any pitcher right or left handed and he has versatility with his positions. This off season, he was called and given first base. In all honesty, I feel for Matt Adams. Matheny had him like a puppet on a string, interchanging him with all kinds of competition at first base in 2016. That’s no way to gain footing and prove yourself. Before that, beyond injury, I don’t know the myriad of excuses for Matt Adams never seeming to grab hold of the first base job with an iron clad fist. It always seems like it’s not actually his position. Even when it was his position. That isn’t fair to him. I do genuinely feel for him.
However, facts as they are, we have a first baseman and his name is not Matt Adams. We have a great backup first baseman and his name is Matt Adams. He is very solid defensively at 1B and against right hand pitchers, he can pack a wallop. Matt Adams as a Cardinal is an excellent guy to have on the bench. The flip side to that has always been, for me, is he content with that? He isn’t even 30 years old yet and he is facing fairly significant time on the bench for at least a second consecutive season. I don’t honestly know if this makes him happy. He did get a raise, so that may help to cushion any negative feelings. A little anyways. But just think if he was able to be someone’s every day first baseman. He’d make more. And he’d playing every day. His off season get in shape news probably wouldn’t be necessary because he’d have a regular job and more play would keep him in better shape (in theory). I’m not against Matt Adams…I honestly feel for the guy.
However, I don’t feel for him enough to be our left fielder. First base is not left field, running down into a corner and then launching a ball back into the infield. This is an entirely new position for him and he has 2 weeks in spring training left to practice at it, somehow proving versatility. Wong in left field gave him a sore shoulder for a further 5 plus months after he fell on wet grass. It was the crazy idea heard around the nation. Mocked nationally. Again, decision making by Matheny is to blame, not Wong. Putting Adams in left field is Matheny’s machination in order to be able to play him more. If he gets injured, we lose our best back up first baseman (not saying it will, but it has and we shouldn’t pretend it hasn’t). More importantly, Adams loses more time. The guy needs more time. I get that. It’s not lost on me. I’ve said as much throughout this blurb.
The solution for Matt Adams is to be on a team where he can play first base more routinely, preferably every day. I don’t know if we’ll figure that solution out in 2017. The solution is not left field though. He’s got hurdles to climb in left field too. It’s not granting him more playing time. He still has to fight to play there too. This isn’t a solution to his playing time problem. Does it potentially give him another position to play? Sure. Won’t be his though. And no one with the talent and skill he does have should have to spend their careers waiting for injuries to happen. That’s a wrap for my Matt Adams spiel.
As it sits this season, Matt Carpenter is our left hand hitting every day first baseman. Matt Carpenter has at times been the MVP of our team. He has a high OBP, he hits any pitcher right or left handed and he has versatility with his positions. This off season, he was called and given first base. In all honesty, I feel for Matt Adams. Matheny had him like a puppet on a string, interchanging him with all kinds of competition at first base in 2016. That’s no way to gain footing and prove yourself. Before that, beyond injury, I don’t know the myriad of excuses for Matt Adams never seeming to grab hold of the first base job with an iron clad fist. It always seems like it’s not actually his position. Even when it was his position. That isn’t fair to him. I do genuinely feel for him.
However, facts as they are, we have a first baseman and his name is not Matt Adams. We have a great backup first baseman and his name is Matt Adams. He is very solid defensively at 1B and against right hand pitchers, he can pack a wallop. Matt Adams as a Cardinal is an excellent guy to have on the bench. The flip side to that has always been, for me, is he content with that? He isn’t even 30 years old yet and he is facing fairly significant time on the bench for at least a second consecutive season. I don’t honestly know if this makes him happy. He did get a raise, so that may help to cushion any negative feelings. A little anyways. But just think if he was able to be someone’s every day first baseman. He’d make more. And he’d playing every day. His off season get in shape news probably wouldn’t be necessary because he’d have a regular job and more play would keep him in better shape (in theory). I’m not against Matt Adams…I honestly feel for the guy.
However, I don’t feel for him enough to be our left fielder. First base is not left field, running down into a corner and then launching a ball back into the infield. This is an entirely new position for him and he has 2 weeks in spring training left to practice at it, somehow proving versatility. Wong in left field gave him a sore shoulder for a further 5 plus months after he fell on wet grass. It was the crazy idea heard around the nation. Mocked nationally. Again, decision making by Matheny is to blame, not Wong. Putting Adams in left field is Matheny’s machination in order to be able to play him more. If he gets injured, we lose our best back up first baseman (not saying it will, but it has and we shouldn’t pretend it hasn’t). More importantly, Adams loses more time. The guy needs more time. I get that. It’s not lost on me. I’ve said as much throughout this blurb.
The solution for Matt Adams is to be on a team where he can play first base more routinely, preferably every day. I don’t know if we’ll figure that solution out in 2017. The solution is not left field though. He’s got hurdles to climb in left field too. It’s not granting him more playing time. He still has to fight to play there too. This isn’t a solution to his playing time problem. Does it potentially give him another position to play? Sure. Won’t be his though. And no one with the talent and skill he does have should have to spend their careers waiting for injuries to happen. That’s a wrap for my Matt Adams spiel.
Tugging at The Heartstrings of Mo
Well aware that he may not have any, I’m referring to Mo’s heartstrings in the case of the one and only Yadier Molina. Mo is notoriously all business. Always has been. Even though clubhouse issues seem to be lifting in light of losing Holliday (another topic, another day), the way his last days as a Cardinal were handled felt…abrupt. I found myself feeling there should have been more. More time, more warning, more preparation. All of us- Holliday, the players, staff, fans- got 3 days to say goodbye. Holly was beloved by many, although possibly underappreciated, and he loved this community. Playing here from 2009-2016, he well outplayed his contract…he was a bargain. 3 days was not enough of a send off, even though those last at bats and that time alone out in left field were moments I’ll always remember as a Cards fan. Was the writing on the wall for Mo earlier than that week? Can we know that for sure? There’s not much doubt in my mind that Mo knew long before Holly asked him. More time would have been kinder to Holly, his family and his fans.
This isn’t about Holly though. That was a recent example of Mo being all business. I will tell you, even though you may already have surmised it, I’m not all business. Being professional is easy for me, but at the center of it, at the heart of it if you will, it’s personal. When I was a manager, the intangibles were as important as the skills required for the job. In baseball, who wouldn’t want a player with heart, soul, fire, passion, determination, competitive spirit, the ability to work well with others and a strong work ethic in addition to all the physical skills such as catching, throwing, hitting, defending, running etc.? Those personal qualities are all Yadier Molina and then he’s the greatest catcher in the game and our greatest catcher in franchise history on top of all of it. When it comes to a complete player, you don’t find many. We got ourselves a good one people.
https://youtu.be/5DN57r3-xzE --my feelings
https://youtu.be/wB8xPnhpzAM --Mo's feelings (although he's not nearly as charming as Mr. Hanks)
The very best managers know how to be professional and can still create a friendly, productive, engaging atmosphere where their players develop, work hard and feel appreciated.
A lot of hullabaloo has been made of Bengie Molina’s radio interview this past week in which he stated his feelings towards the contract extension negotiations between Yadi and the team. He later said those were not Yadi’s feelings, but his own. Many of us were concerned when Carlos was set to go to arbitration, fearing that being told all of his negative attributes in order to keep his salary low might backfire and cause resentment. This feels similar in that any form of non-negotiation or any supposed unwillingness to move further in talks or get the deal done might sour Yadi’s feelings towards the place he has played for his whole career. There is more love for Yadi than most players I can think of in recent history…people in the twitterverse are fired up about this. A picture of Yadi in a Cubs uniform was posted and good God, my heart sank right into my stomach. It was the worst picture. Ever. In the history of pictures.
As far as I’ve read or heard, numbers seem to be averaging in the 3-4 years for $50-$80M range. Personally, I’m fine with any of that. My hope is Yadi retires here and then chooses/is asked to stay on in some kind of coaching capacity, as his tutelage is unsurpassed. We’re not talking crazy money here or even crazy years. Even as he inevitably declines in years 3 & 4, what he teaches Kelly and every other catcher is invaluable. How he manages our pitchers is particularly invaluable. The trust is unshakeable. Smoltz said last night in the WBC broadcast that “the pitchers shouldn’t shake off Yadi and they shouldn’t worry about runners because he’ll call the right pitches and he’ll take care of the runners.” Pitchers not even on our staff know to trust him because he is the best.
Bottom line: it’s personal AND it’s business. He’s beloved AND he’s the best actual catcher who can help our team. We want him to stay, he wants to stay AND the finances are there. Make it happen, Mo. Draw the papers up, get everything signed, shake hands and celebrate knowing you handled BUSINESS well. We’ll all smile knowing you PERSONALLY made Yadi and all of us very happy.
This isn’t about Holly though. That was a recent example of Mo being all business. I will tell you, even though you may already have surmised it, I’m not all business. Being professional is easy for me, but at the center of it, at the heart of it if you will, it’s personal. When I was a manager, the intangibles were as important as the skills required for the job. In baseball, who wouldn’t want a player with heart, soul, fire, passion, determination, competitive spirit, the ability to work well with others and a strong work ethic in addition to all the physical skills such as catching, throwing, hitting, defending, running etc.? Those personal qualities are all Yadier Molina and then he’s the greatest catcher in the game and our greatest catcher in franchise history on top of all of it. When it comes to a complete player, you don’t find many. We got ourselves a good one people.
https://youtu.be/5DN57r3-xzE --my feelings
https://youtu.be/wB8xPnhpzAM --Mo's feelings (although he's not nearly as charming as Mr. Hanks)
The very best managers know how to be professional and can still create a friendly, productive, engaging atmosphere where their players develop, work hard and feel appreciated.
A lot of hullabaloo has been made of Bengie Molina’s radio interview this past week in which he stated his feelings towards the contract extension negotiations between Yadi and the team. He later said those were not Yadi’s feelings, but his own. Many of us were concerned when Carlos was set to go to arbitration, fearing that being told all of his negative attributes in order to keep his salary low might backfire and cause resentment. This feels similar in that any form of non-negotiation or any supposed unwillingness to move further in talks or get the deal done might sour Yadi’s feelings towards the place he has played for his whole career. There is more love for Yadi than most players I can think of in recent history…people in the twitterverse are fired up about this. A picture of Yadi in a Cubs uniform was posted and good God, my heart sank right into my stomach. It was the worst picture. Ever. In the history of pictures.
As far as I’ve read or heard, numbers seem to be averaging in the 3-4 years for $50-$80M range. Personally, I’m fine with any of that. My hope is Yadi retires here and then chooses/is asked to stay on in some kind of coaching capacity, as his tutelage is unsurpassed. We’re not talking crazy money here or even crazy years. Even as he inevitably declines in years 3 & 4, what he teaches Kelly and every other catcher is invaluable. How he manages our pitchers is particularly invaluable. The trust is unshakeable. Smoltz said last night in the WBC broadcast that “the pitchers shouldn’t shake off Yadi and they shouldn’t worry about runners because he’ll call the right pitches and he’ll take care of the runners.” Pitchers not even on our staff know to trust him because he is the best.
Bottom line: it’s personal AND it’s business. He’s beloved AND he’s the best actual catcher who can help our team. We want him to stay, he wants to stay AND the finances are there. Make it happen, Mo. Draw the papers up, get everything signed, shake hands and celebrate knowing you handled BUSINESS well. We’ll all smile knowing you PERSONALLY made Yadi and all of us very happy.
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