1 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:10,560 Speaker 1: Hello everybody, and welcome to another edition of Cardinal Territory. 2 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: I'm Jim Hayes and this is a media day. No 3 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:18,200 Speaker 1: professional former professional athletes of any sort. It's media and 4 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: we have two good ones. We have Jeff Jones of 5 00:00:20,840 --> 00:00:24,600 Speaker 1: the Belleville News Democrat, Lynn Worthy of the Post Dispatch, 6 00:00:24,760 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: and gentlemen, what we do on this show is we 7 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:32,800 Speaker 1: start by trying to sell something. So if you're watching 8 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: at home and you like Cardinal Territory, then go ahead 9 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:42,000 Speaker 1: and purchase something. We got the hoodies, we got t shirts, 10 00:00:42,040 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 1: we got hats, the whole walla wax. So if you 11 00:00:44,920 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: like this stuff, go ahead and buy something. You can 12 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:53,000 Speaker 1: do it at the Cardinal Territory shop dot com. That's 13 00:00:53,040 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: if you want to buy something. All right, gentlemen, opening 14 00:00:56,560 --> 00:01:01,280 Speaker 1: day is almost upon us. Right, you have read best 15 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: opening name in baseball. I really do believe that. But different. 16 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 2: Look. 17 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:08,560 Speaker 1: You can call it a reset, you can call it 18 00:01:08,600 --> 00:01:10,680 Speaker 1: a rebuild. You can call it a tear denim, which 19 00:01:10,720 --> 00:01:13,280 Speaker 1: is what lance Lynn likes to call it. The question 20 00:01:13,480 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 1: is what will we see this year? And Jeff, I 21 00:01:16,200 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: will start with you. 22 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 3: I think what you will see is a team that 23 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 3: is going to perform a little bit uneven. Right, you 24 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:23,959 Speaker 3: have a team that's got a lot of young guys 25 00:01:24,000 --> 00:01:26,280 Speaker 3: on it, a team that doesn't have a single player 26 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,600 Speaker 3: on the roster who's got a hundred career Big league homers, 27 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:31,720 Speaker 3: a rotation where you have some guys trying to establish 28 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,400 Speaker 3: themselves and some guys trying to re establish themselves. I 29 00:01:34,440 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 3: think you'll definitely see some high points, still have some 30 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:40,760 Speaker 3: stretches where they look like an exciting young team that 31 00:01:40,760 --> 00:01:43,120 Speaker 3: maybe can turn the corner a little bit. And then 32 00:01:43,160 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 3: we're going to see what happens when it gets into June, July, August, 33 00:01:45,680 --> 00:01:47,560 Speaker 3: and the season gets long and the injuries start to 34 00:01:47,600 --> 00:01:50,840 Speaker 3: pile up. There will definitely be things to see that 35 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:53,080 Speaker 3: will be exciting and that will be worth watching. And 36 00:01:53,160 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 3: there are also probably gonna be some moments that people 37 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:56,560 Speaker 3: are gonna have to grit their teeth and kind of 38 00:01:56,640 --> 00:01:59,800 Speaker 3: muscle through to enjoy everything else going on around it. 39 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: So then what does success success for the Cardinals look like? 40 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: Right they're developing. You want to see improvement, obviously, but 41 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:11,680 Speaker 1: you got to win some games in there to keep 42 00:02:11,720 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: the fans interested. I always say I think two words 43 00:02:16,040 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 1: described this year. Fans want to see energy and improvement. 44 00:02:19,720 --> 00:02:20,640 Speaker 1: How do you look at it? 45 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:24,799 Speaker 4: Yeah, energy improvement is definitely one thing that you'll look for. 46 00:02:24,919 --> 00:02:26,720 Speaker 4: I just don't know how much that's going to translate 47 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 4: into win total. And I'm I mean, for me, that's 48 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:31,919 Speaker 4: not really something I'm worried about. I mean, I think 49 00:02:32,320 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 4: success this season is going to be answering questions that 50 00:02:35,560 --> 00:02:37,639 Speaker 4: have been sort of lingering out there, or finding out 51 00:02:37,639 --> 00:02:41,160 Speaker 4: who you're going forward with. Success isn't finishing in a 52 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:44,119 Speaker 4: certain place in the division. Success is finding out if 53 00:02:44,240 --> 00:02:46,639 Speaker 4: you know, Nolan Gorman's a guy going forward, finding out 54 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 4: what you got with Jordan Walker, finding out you know, 55 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:53,079 Speaker 4: is JJ Weatherhole you know, maybe a potential leadoff guy 56 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 4: for you guys for the team going forward? Finding out 57 00:02:56,240 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 4: if you know the pitching that you brought in these 58 00:02:58,600 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 4: guys that you're going to have for next couple years 59 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:02,680 Speaker 4: and be starters, and do you just fill in that? So, 60 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 4: I mean, answering questions, can Evon Herrera be a catcher? 61 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 4: Is he going to be the hitter that you think 62 00:03:07,760 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 4: he can be? That's going to be success win total. 63 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:13,160 Speaker 4: I mean, it's I think that they've tried to tell 64 00:03:13,200 --> 00:03:15,959 Speaker 4: you without coming out and saying it that the wind 65 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:18,360 Speaker 4: total is not going to be what they're judging success 66 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:20,280 Speaker 4: on this season. I mean, yeah, they'll tell you that. 67 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:24,680 Speaker 4: You know, you're you're not conceding anything, but I don't 68 00:03:24,720 --> 00:03:25,160 Speaker 4: know about that. 69 00:03:26,360 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: Well, there's plenty of questions, so we understand that. So 70 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:32,239 Speaker 1: let's talk about the two biggest question marks. I think 71 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:36,119 Speaker 1: we would agree that it's Gorman and Walker. So let's 72 00:03:36,120 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 1: start with Walker had a pretty good spring, showed a 73 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,520 Speaker 1: little pop. Tell me he's a guy who is just 74 00:03:42,600 --> 00:03:45,640 Speaker 1: trying to follow the process, being more selective at what 75 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 1: he offers that. Jeff, your take on if Gorman will 76 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 1: get some traction this year and find it again because 77 00:03:52,360 --> 00:03:54,880 Speaker 1: we've seen him hit a lot of homers. 78 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:55,440 Speaker 2: In the past. 79 00:03:56,760 --> 00:03:58,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think with Gorman, the key is going to 80 00:03:58,800 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 3: be getting him to a point where where he sort 81 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 3: of shortened those intervals between hot streaks. 82 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:03,720 Speaker 2: Right. 83 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 3: You know, we know a lot about what he is 84 00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 3: in terms of a hit and profile is there's a 85 00:04:07,320 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 3: lot of power, there's a lot of swing and miss. 86 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 2: That's the guy that he is. 87 00:04:10,080 --> 00:04:11,600 Speaker 3: They can do a little bit to maybe kind of 88 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:13,880 Speaker 3: try to cut the bad rates there, but this is 89 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 3: the sort of player that he is, and so you know, 90 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 3: a guy like that will go and fits and starts, 91 00:04:18,200 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 3: and I think Nolan Gorman over his career has been 92 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 3: a guy who has been white hot for ten days, 93 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:26,640 Speaker 3: two weeks at the time, and then maybe disappears for 94 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 3: three weeks a month something like that. 95 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:29,479 Speaker 2: So if you're the. 96 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 3: Cardinals, the goal needs to be getting him to a 97 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,599 Speaker 3: place where those intervals get a little shorter between the 98 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 3: times when he's really producing, and also making sure that 99 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 3: he's in a place physically to stay on the field. 100 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 3: You know, he he did not play in the exhibition 101 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,160 Speaker 3: game in Springfield on Monday night, and after the game, 102 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:46,839 Speaker 3: Ali Marmle was you know, he was very clear that 103 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:49,400 Speaker 3: it was not a real concern, but all the same 104 00:04:49,520 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 3: said that Gorman had some tightness in his lower half. 105 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:54,280 Speaker 3: Was the phrasing that he used that kept them out 106 00:04:54,279 --> 00:04:56,159 Speaker 3: of that game. It was cool in Springfield on Monday night, 107 00:04:56,200 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 3: so they didn't want to take any chances. But that 108 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:01,559 Speaker 3: already being just even a little bit in the water 109 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:03,919 Speaker 3: before we even get to opening day. As a reminder 110 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:06,679 Speaker 3: that he has had some of these bumps and bruises 111 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 3: and knicks over the years that have made it hard 112 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:11,160 Speaker 3: for him to get to where he needs to go, 113 00:05:11,240 --> 00:05:12,480 Speaker 3: and that's worth keeping an eye. 114 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:16,960 Speaker 1: On to questions Lynn, right, can he not disappear for him? 115 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:21,239 Speaker 1: Jeff late out also the tightness, the back issues, whatever 116 00:05:21,880 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: he's had to deal with him. Can he take that 117 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: step forward and find some consistency? 118 00:05:27,279 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 5: I think so. 119 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 4: I mean, I think just hearing him talk about some 120 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 4: of the swing adjustments he's made, I think he really 121 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 4: feels confident about where he's. 122 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:36,919 Speaker 5: At with that. 123 00:05:37,880 --> 00:05:40,720 Speaker 4: It seems like he's he's got himself in a place 124 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:43,359 Speaker 4: where he's able to, you know, maybe limit some of 125 00:05:43,360 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 4: that swing and miss or at least have better swings 126 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,520 Speaker 4: more consistently. And if he's able to do that, then 127 00:05:48,600 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 4: you'd like to think that what follows from that is 128 00:05:50,720 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 4: he has more consistent than bats. He doesn't have his 129 00:05:53,360 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 4: made long stretches where you know, he has a month 130 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 4: where he looks hot, it has a month where it's like, oh, 131 00:05:57,400 --> 00:06:00,040 Speaker 4: I don't know if this is going to work. So 132 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 4: I think that he can iron that out. But we 133 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:05,880 Speaker 4: don't really know, And I mean, at least we know 134 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:08,400 Speaker 4: he's going to get the time to show that on 135 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:09,480 Speaker 4: a daily basis. 136 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,960 Speaker 1: Now I could take some of the stress of now, 137 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: Jordan Walker is another question. He finished up with a 138 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: good game. We've seen him do it at the major 139 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:23,080 Speaker 1: league level. To hear some guys tell the story, the 140 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:27,679 Speaker 1: league has adjusted to Jordan and he hasn't adjusted back. Certainly, 141 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:29,800 Speaker 1: he's working hard at it. Jeff, what do you think 142 00:06:29,839 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: the Cardinals can find in Jordan Walker and whether or 143 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:35,559 Speaker 1: not he can find what he wants. 144 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:41,120 Speaker 3: You know, it's so interesting because when you watch Jordan 145 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 3: kind of go through the process, and you watch all 146 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 3: the work he's putting in, and you watch all the 147 00:06:44,960 --> 00:06:48,840 Speaker 3: way they handled him, there's really nothing they haven't tried. Right, 148 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 3: They've tried kind of being publicly tough on him. They've 149 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 3: kind they've tried being very kind about it publicly. They've 150 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 3: tried taking him out of the lineup for a couple 151 00:06:56,480 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 3: of days and getting him back in the lab. 152 00:06:57,880 --> 00:06:59,960 Speaker 2: They've tried going up and down to the minors. 153 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:01,599 Speaker 3: You know, we had the thing last year where we 154 00:07:01,640 --> 00:07:04,599 Speaker 3: had the dubiously long rehab assignment where he was at 155 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,040 Speaker 3: Springfield working with Casey Chennawi, who, by the way, is 156 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,560 Speaker 3: now on the big league coaching staff in no small 157 00:07:10,600 --> 00:07:13,040 Speaker 3: part because he has had some success with working with 158 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 3: some of these guys, So at this point it's really 159 00:07:15,960 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 3: hard to say what else they can do more than 160 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,200 Speaker 3: they haven't already done it, already tried, and it's going 161 00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 3: to be incumbent Von Jordan to contribute and to figure 162 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,320 Speaker 3: it out and to look like, you know, if not 163 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:29,560 Speaker 3: look like the guy who was a top five prospect 164 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 3: in baseball or a top prospect in baseball, I guess 165 00:07:31,560 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 3: for a short period of time, to at least look 166 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:36,200 Speaker 3: like a guy who can be a productive big league 167 00:07:36,280 --> 00:07:37,760 Speaker 3: hit or a guy who can hit fifth or six 168 00:07:37,800 --> 00:07:39,440 Speaker 3: in a major league line up and not hurt you. 169 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 3: I think he has improved a little bit defensively, at 170 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 3: least enough to where he's not like, you're not cringing 171 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 3: every time a ball goes in his direction and right field, 172 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 3: you know, the arm is very strong. There are obviously 173 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,120 Speaker 3: parts about the game that are good. It's just the 174 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 3: swing decisions have to get better. For all the conversation 175 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 3: about the mechanics of the swing and what he needs 176 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:01,000 Speaker 3: to do to lift the ball and the work to 177 00:08:01,040 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 3: get over the winter at drive line, he's got to 178 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 3: swing at better pitches. Some of that is a little 179 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:07,160 Speaker 3: bit of a catch twenty two because He's not gonna 180 00:08:07,200 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 3: get better pitches until he refuses to swing at some 181 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:12,480 Speaker 3: of the bad ones. You know, is there a universe 182 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:15,360 Speaker 3: where maybe the ABS is good for Jordan Walker because 183 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 3: he doesn't feel like he has to be quite so 184 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 3: aggressive on that stuff on the outside corner. Maybe I 185 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:22,360 Speaker 3: guess that's a possible way that this could go. But 186 00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 3: it's gonna come down to Jordan and performance or not. 187 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:28,000 Speaker 3: It's been a couple of years now with process. Now 188 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 3: it's got to be performance now. 189 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 1: Maybe I'm on an island with this, Lynn, but I 190 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: recall last year after Jordan was at Double A working 191 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: with their hitting coach, Jeff points out now with the 192 00:08:39,040 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 1: major league staff, and Jordan went on a bit of 193 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: a hot streak after that and told me that what 194 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,320 Speaker 1: they worked on was just simplifying a swing. Get rid 195 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,439 Speaker 1: of the excess movement. Anything that's not moving his body 196 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: toward the ball is gone. And he had success and 197 00:08:56,679 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: it went away. 198 00:08:57,400 --> 00:08:58,040 Speaker 2: What happened? 199 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,160 Speaker 4: No, I think he's got a point out where confidence 200 00:09:02,280 --> 00:09:04,440 Speaker 4: is really huge for him. Like if when he goes 201 00:09:04,520 --> 00:09:06,840 Speaker 4: up there with the sort of confidence of a guy 202 00:09:06,880 --> 00:09:10,960 Speaker 4: who you know, who's had success, who's who's proven that 203 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,760 Speaker 4: he can compete at this level, then I think, you know, 204 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 4: he doesn't get caught in between. I think when he 205 00:09:16,200 --> 00:09:18,679 Speaker 4: gets caught in between, when when he's you know, when 206 00:09:18,720 --> 00:09:20,520 Speaker 4: he's looking for certain things, but he's just sort of 207 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:24,000 Speaker 4: not entirely invested in, you know, the decisions he's making 208 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,800 Speaker 4: at the plate, then it's just it's it's trouble. It's 209 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:28,880 Speaker 4: just trouble all around. I mean, you know, Jeff talked 210 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,240 Speaker 4: about the abs. It was it reminded me of that 211 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 4: last beat that we saw in Florida, or not the 212 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 4: last of bat, but the last day in Florida where 213 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 4: he had I believe it was a three to two 214 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:40,440 Speaker 4: pitch that was called a strike on the outside. He 215 00:09:40,559 --> 00:09:42,719 Speaker 4: challenges it, it was off the plate, and then the 216 00:09:42,760 --> 00:09:44,560 Speaker 4: guy has to come back in and then he hits 217 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:48,760 Speaker 4: that home run. And moments like that are small because 218 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:50,480 Speaker 4: of the spring training. It's one at bat, But if 219 00:09:50,480 --> 00:09:52,640 Speaker 4: it helps build that confidence where he goes up to 220 00:09:52,679 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 4: the plate and he's you know, he's sticking to his 221 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:57,880 Speaker 4: plan and he's convicted in it, I think that makes 222 00:09:57,880 --> 00:10:01,319 Speaker 4: a big difference for him. That and then just missing 223 00:10:01,400 --> 00:10:02,920 Speaker 4: the way he wants to miss that. I feel like 224 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,199 Speaker 4: if he's taken the types of swings that he wants, 225 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:07,240 Speaker 4: and you know, he's driving the ball the way that 226 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:09,760 Speaker 4: he wants and it's not a matter of just you know, 227 00:10:09,880 --> 00:10:13,200 Speaker 4: being in between, then I think we'll see a better 228 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:16,840 Speaker 4: version of him. But if he's sort of wishy washy, 229 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,680 Speaker 4: or he's not fully in it, or if he's questioning 230 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 4: mechanics or his approach or just not sure about himself, 231 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:26,360 Speaker 4: that it ain't gonna happen. 232 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 1: Another question about this ball club is the starting rotation, 233 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:35,199 Speaker 1: which looked very good during spring training, could be fools gold. 234 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,400 Speaker 1: We don't know yet, But Jeb, one of the things 235 00:10:37,440 --> 00:10:41,080 Speaker 1: about the rotation is that they have a bunch of 236 00:10:41,120 --> 00:10:45,120 Speaker 1: guys who haven't ambassed a lot of major league innings, right, 237 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:48,640 Speaker 1: and you talk about the dog days coming up, you know, 238 00:10:48,679 --> 00:10:52,200 Speaker 1: as they start playing a lot of games, this could 239 00:10:52,320 --> 00:10:53,800 Speaker 1: come back to bite him. How do you look at 240 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: the rotation because it looks good coming out of spring training. 241 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think the thing that we need to keep 242 00:11:00,440 --> 00:11:03,200 Speaker 3: in mind about the rotation is that they did not 243 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 3: have a single starting pitcher miss a start due to 244 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:09,520 Speaker 3: injury in all of twenty twenty five. Some of that, 245 00:11:09,600 --> 00:11:12,200 Speaker 3: for sure goes to credit with the coaching staff and 246 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:13,840 Speaker 3: the training staff and the work they did to get 247 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:16,440 Speaker 3: these guys on programs they keep them healthy. But a 248 00:11:16,440 --> 00:11:18,600 Speaker 3: big part of that, and they will and have said 249 00:11:18,640 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 3: this themselves, was just luck. 250 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 5: Right. 251 00:11:21,120 --> 00:11:23,120 Speaker 3: You just have to have remarkably good luck to get 252 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 3: through a season where that is the case, and they 253 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:28,480 Speaker 3: had it last season. So I think we should probably 254 00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 3: all kind of accept upfront that that's not going to 255 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,200 Speaker 3: be the same this year. There are gonna be guys 256 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:34,000 Speaker 3: who get hurt. They are going to have to dip 257 00:11:34,040 --> 00:11:35,800 Speaker 3: into their depth at some point and see what that 258 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:36,240 Speaker 3: looks like. 259 00:11:36,320 --> 00:11:36,600 Speaker 2: Now. 260 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 3: The good part about that is that they have much 261 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,000 Speaker 3: more depth this year that they have at least some 262 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:46,400 Speaker 3: confidence in than they did last year. You talk about 263 00:11:46,440 --> 00:11:49,040 Speaker 3: a guy like Richard Fitz who had a really strong 264 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:51,319 Speaker 3: start to his spring training, maybe the results flagged a 265 00:11:51,360 --> 00:11:53,360 Speaker 3: little bit in game action, at least down the stretch, 266 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 3: will be game ready, ready to go at Memphis when 267 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,880 Speaker 3: the Cardinalstena plugins starter Hunter Dobbins is going to be 268 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:02,520 Speaker 3: there on a rehab assignment. But Hunter Dobbins should be 269 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,040 Speaker 3: within the first couple of weeks, maybe a month of 270 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:07,480 Speaker 3: the season should be one hundred percent, you know, ready 271 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:09,319 Speaker 3: to go coming off of the acl repair that he 272 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:12,000 Speaker 3: had to do last summer. There's just there are more 273 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 3: guys down there, you know, Quinn Matthews looked a little 274 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:16,240 Speaker 3: bit like a bounce back in spring. There are more 275 00:12:16,240 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 3: guys down there who they can reach into. The one 276 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:20,640 Speaker 3: guy I think I would highlight coming out of spring 277 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:24,920 Speaker 3: is probably their most experienced starter, because I think Dustin 278 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:25,760 Speaker 3: May had. 279 00:12:25,559 --> 00:12:27,240 Speaker 2: A really strong spring training. 280 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,720 Speaker 3: I think that the stuff looked exactly the way that 281 00:12:29,760 --> 00:12:32,320 Speaker 3: you would want it to look. He was, you know, 282 00:12:32,360 --> 00:12:35,040 Speaker 3: pretty forthcoming over the last couple of days talking to 283 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,000 Speaker 3: folks about the way that they have worked with his 284 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 3: repertoire and the kind of the conversations he's had with 285 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 3: Dusty Blake about reintroducing the curveball into some of that. 286 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,480 Speaker 3: I think that Dustin May has looked about as good 287 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:46,800 Speaker 3: as you could hope that he would going into going 288 00:12:46,920 --> 00:12:48,959 Speaker 3: end of the season. So you know, you're right that 289 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 3: it's not an experienced rotation and that it's going to 290 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:53,120 Speaker 3: be a big ask for May to be the kind 291 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:55,480 Speaker 3: of like veteran tent pole in the middle of it. 292 00:12:55,559 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 3: But thus far, the very early returns are pretty strong 293 00:12:59,280 --> 00:12:59,880 Speaker 3: on that front. 294 00:13:00,720 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: He's had some injury problems obviously in his career. But yeah, 295 00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:06,960 Speaker 1: I would agree with that. They do have depth and 296 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,960 Speaker 1: they do have guys. If they run into injuries or 297 00:13:10,000 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 1: guys you know, suddenly fall victim to too many innings, 298 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:15,720 Speaker 1: then what's your take on the starting rotation. 299 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:20,160 Speaker 4: So I've heard people talk about how the rotation has 300 00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 4: to be better than it was last year, because obviously 301 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:25,320 Speaker 4: last year there was some stretches where it was just rough, 302 00:13:25,760 --> 00:13:29,080 Speaker 4: you know, whether it was Fetti or Michaelis, you know, 303 00:13:29,080 --> 00:13:32,880 Speaker 4: and Polante had some really rough stretches, And to me, like, 304 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:34,960 Speaker 4: I understand that, But at the same time, I'm not 305 00:13:35,000 --> 00:13:37,200 Speaker 4: taking it as a given that the rotation is guaranteed 306 00:13:37,240 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 4: to be better because you know, you talk about, Okay, 307 00:13:39,840 --> 00:13:43,360 Speaker 4: Michaelas is gone. Okay, so is Sonny Gray, who was 308 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 4: your best starter, who was the guy who gave you 309 00:13:44,960 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 4: the most consistent outings, very best chance to win on 310 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:50,520 Speaker 4: a consistent basis, you know, I mean, Liberatorre is back, 311 00:13:51,440 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 4: Polante is back. So there's two guys who were in 312 00:13:53,440 --> 00:13:55,720 Speaker 4: your rotation last year who are back again. So it's 313 00:13:55,720 --> 00:13:58,079 Speaker 4: not a completely different rotation. McGreevy was there for the 314 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 4: later part of last year. And you're hoping these guys 315 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 4: take steps forward, but again, none of that is a given. 316 00:14:03,520 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 4: You lost the best starter. You put may in there, 317 00:14:05,400 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 4: who again has had injury history. When it looks good, 318 00:14:07,920 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 4: it looks really good. I mean you think about I 319 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:12,200 Speaker 4: mean just seeing his starts in spring training like that 320 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 4: looks like a guy who can you know, create an 321 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 4: electric atmosphere on those days when he takes the ball 322 00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 4: just because of his stuff in the way the guys 323 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:20,280 Speaker 4: will play behind him. 324 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 5: But there's just a lot of question marks. 325 00:14:22,160 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 4: And Kyle Lahy, I mean, he has not started since 326 00:14:26,160 --> 00:14:29,240 Speaker 4: double A a couple of years ago, and the starts 327 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 4: weren't great then, so I mean, and he's a different 328 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 4: pitcher now, and so you have optimism that he can 329 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 4: be better, but again it's a question mark. So to 330 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:39,560 Speaker 4: say that you've got all these questions, like there's question 331 00:14:39,600 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 4: marks about just about all of the guys that are 332 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:43,640 Speaker 4: in the rotation right now, whether it's they haven't pitched 333 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,400 Speaker 4: a full season, you know, their success has been you know, 334 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:50,040 Speaker 4: fleeting been up and down, or just the fact that 335 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:51,600 Speaker 4: you know there's some guys who are doing this for 336 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 4: the first time. You know in la Hey, like there's 337 00:14:54,040 --> 00:14:56,280 Speaker 4: question marks about each of them, you know health as well, 338 00:14:56,360 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 4: So I think there is a real big upside there, 339 00:15:00,120 --> 00:15:02,800 Speaker 4: but I don't know that you can say for sure 340 00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:04,760 Speaker 4: that it's going to be a big step forward as 341 00:15:04,800 --> 00:15:05,120 Speaker 4: a group. 342 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:09,320 Speaker 1: Time for a quick break, You're watching Cardinal Territory on 343 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 1: the Foul Territory Network. 344 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 6: AJ Baseball season is finally here, and there's nothing like 345 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 6: listening to the sweet sounds of the game while you're 346 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 6: at home enjoying some home cooking, whipping up a beautiful 347 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:24,960 Speaker 6: meal with Hello Fresh. And there are many, many, many 348 00:15:25,160 --> 00:15:26,400 Speaker 6: recipes to choose from. 349 00:15:27,360 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 7: I love those big portions. Scott over one hundred mouth 350 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,600 Speaker 7: watering recipes each week, including cuisines from around the world, 351 00:15:33,640 --> 00:15:37,520 Speaker 7: like some of my faves curry chicken and roasted sweet potato, jumble, 352 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 7: smoky Chipotle, beef burrito bowls, and sweet tie chili salmon. 353 00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:45,600 Speaker 6: There's now three times the seafood for no up charts 354 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:49,080 Speaker 6: and press guests, or treat yourself with new grass fed 355 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:53,600 Speaker 6: steak ribis. So go to HelloFresh dot com slash ft 356 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:57,400 Speaker 6: one zero FM to get ten free meals plus a 357 00:15:57,480 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 6: free Zwilling knife one hundred and forty four ninety nine 358 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:04,080 Speaker 6: cent value on your third box offer valid while supplies 359 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 6: last free meals applied to discount on first box new 360 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,800 Speaker 6: subscribers only varies by plan Because when dinner tastes this good, 361 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:12,480 Speaker 6: nothing hits like home cooking. 362 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:13,080 Speaker 5: AJ. 363 00:16:13,400 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 6: This episode is brought to you by our friends at 364 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 6: Fox one. Fox one is where you can watch AJ 365 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 6: Pierzinski and I get this email every week. 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I wanted to give you a chance to 382 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 1: get a plug. 383 00:17:09,600 --> 00:17:11,880 Speaker 2: Plug away. Thank you the cat. 384 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I in just the last couple of days here 385 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:17,640 Speaker 3: have launched a blog that I'm calling Words about Birds, 386 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 3: which you know those things Ryan, and the domain was 387 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:24,760 Speaker 3: available to huge pluses in my favor. Looks as these 388 00:17:24,760 --> 00:17:27,840 Speaker 3: guys will tell you, I am rarely short of things 389 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 3: to yap about in the press box, but but have 390 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:32,600 Speaker 3: always sort of been looking for a little bit of 391 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:35,359 Speaker 3: a more outlet to drop those things out. So if 392 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 3: you've read my stuff for years in the bettle of 393 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,639 Speaker 3: News Democrat, please know none of that is changing. Nothing 394 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 3: changes for me other than what I'm calling the DVD 395 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 3: extras version of some blog type stuff that I've been 396 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 3: able to sort of accumulate and be eager to push 397 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,159 Speaker 3: out over the years. So that's Words about Birds dot com. 398 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:54,119 Speaker 3: Easy enough to find. Find the on ax it'll be 399 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 3: there too. 400 00:17:55,119 --> 00:17:56,960 Speaker 1: All right, we're home for a short plugging. You gave 401 00:17:57,040 --> 00:17:59,119 Speaker 1: us the long version, but that's fine, and that's a 402 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:02,640 Speaker 1: long version that's problem. So let me ask you about 403 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:07,080 Speaker 1: another positive positive. JJ weatherhol to me, I think he 404 00:18:07,119 --> 00:18:10,920 Speaker 1: wins nationally Rookie of the Year. Maybe I'm maybe I'm 405 00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:14,480 Speaker 1: wrong on this, but this kid just has excelled at 406 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 1: every level with all the pressure there because he's JJ 407 00:18:17,280 --> 00:18:20,920 Speaker 1: weatherhol Everyone knows, you know, that he's a top pick, 408 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: and he's a top prospect, and he just goes out 409 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:25,600 Speaker 1: and does it like a veteran I've talked to him. 410 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: Seems like a veteran guy. I think he's gonna be 411 00:18:28,600 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 1: really good. What are your thoughts? 412 00:18:29,960 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 2: Get Yeah, I think he is more than ready for 413 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 2: the moment. I think that. 414 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:38,520 Speaker 3: He is going to deliver a reasonable version of the 415 00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 3: high expectations that are placed on him. You know, I 416 00:18:40,680 --> 00:18:43,359 Speaker 3: know that there are definitely Cardinals fans who maybe had 417 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:45,760 Speaker 3: a little bit of hesitation about another top prospect sort 418 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,200 Speaker 3: of given the experiences here over the last couple of years. 419 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 3: The thing that I would remind people is that Weatherholt 420 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:56,200 Speaker 3: and Jordan Walker are basically the exact same age, which 421 00:18:56,240 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 3: is to say that JJ has had a much longer time, 422 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,440 Speaker 3: through playing college ball, through you know, through one season 423 00:19:00,440 --> 00:19:03,760 Speaker 3: in the minors to kind of develop into a more mature, 424 00:19:03,840 --> 00:19:06,800 Speaker 3: well rounded sort of version of himself than maybe Walker 425 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:08,639 Speaker 3: was when he first got to the big leagues. I 426 00:19:08,680 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 3: think that, you know, you should not be surprised. In fact, 427 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 3: I would be surprised if we didn't see JJ Weatherholt 428 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 3: leading off for the Cardinals on opening Day, I would 429 00:19:16,320 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 3: expect him to take the first at bat for the season. 430 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,359 Speaker 3: I think that's probably a lot of construction that the 431 00:19:20,359 --> 00:19:23,159 Speaker 3: Cardinals have been pretty excited about. So you're right that 432 00:19:23,200 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 3: there's going to be a lot on his shoulders and 433 00:19:24,600 --> 00:19:26,000 Speaker 3: he's going to be a guy with a lot of 434 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 3: eyeballs on him. But he also doesn't strike me as 435 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:31,280 Speaker 3: a guy who shies away from that or who is 436 00:19:31,320 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 3: going to be particularly affected by it. So I think 437 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:36,920 Speaker 3: giving him some time to find his game, to get 438 00:19:36,920 --> 00:19:39,680 Speaker 3: to a spot where he can be that consistently strong, 439 00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:42,360 Speaker 3: high average presence, high on base guy at the top 440 00:19:42,359 --> 00:19:44,639 Speaker 3: of the lineup who can really just sort of be 441 00:19:44,880 --> 00:19:47,280 Speaker 3: involved in the offense throughout games is going to be 442 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 3: pretty exciting to watch. 443 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 1: What about you, Lynn, what do you think the Cards 444 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:54,600 Speaker 1: happened this guy I'm talking about for the upcoming year? 445 00:19:55,720 --> 00:19:58,439 Speaker 4: You know, I think it's going to be he's going 446 00:19:58,480 --> 00:20:00,440 Speaker 4: to be a good player for them. I just hope 447 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 4: this year he you know, he gets enough of the 448 00:20:04,320 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 4: learning experiences like I mean, you know I'd written before 449 00:20:06,960 --> 00:20:09,400 Speaker 4: that you know, I want to see some failure for him, 450 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 4: not because I want to see him fail, but just 451 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:12,480 Speaker 4: because I want him to go through the things that 452 00:20:12,520 --> 00:20:14,639 Speaker 4: are gonna make him better for the long term. But 453 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:16,440 Speaker 4: as far as what he is right now, I think 454 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:18,120 Speaker 4: he's he's going to give you a good at bat. 455 00:20:18,119 --> 00:20:18,199 Speaker 6: Like. 456 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:19,439 Speaker 4: I don't think he's a guy who's going to be 457 00:20:19,440 --> 00:20:21,199 Speaker 4: a game changer with his power or anything like that. 458 00:20:21,200 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 4: But I think he's just going to be a good player, 459 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,240 Speaker 4: a good hitter, assaulid hitter. He's not going to try 460 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 4: and do more, hopefully than what he should do. I 461 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 4: think just being a line drive hitter, being a guy 462 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 4: who controls the strike zone, gets on base, takes his walks, 463 00:20:33,320 --> 00:20:35,880 Speaker 4: you know, that is what he should be And as 464 00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 4: long as he sticks with that, I think that's going 465 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:39,639 Speaker 4: to be a quality, you know, a piece to that 466 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 4: lineup for them. I think he's you know, maybe there'll 467 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:46,119 Speaker 4: be some learning experiences at second base just because the 468 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:47,640 Speaker 4: speed of the game, and we saw a little bit 469 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:49,640 Speaker 4: that early in spring training, but you know, I think 470 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 4: they're very happy about the way that he attacked. 471 00:20:51,680 --> 00:20:54,359 Speaker 5: That and went about that. So I mean, I think 472 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:55,200 Speaker 5: he's gonna be a good player. 473 00:20:55,200 --> 00:20:58,119 Speaker 4: I don't think he's necessarily a transcendent superstar player, but 474 00:20:58,119 --> 00:21:00,760 Speaker 4: I think he's a good everyday player. Could be one 475 00:21:00,800 --> 00:21:03,879 Speaker 4: of their better players by the end of the season, potentially, 476 00:21:04,760 --> 00:21:07,919 Speaker 4: but for sure going forward, you know, I hope that 477 00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 4: he's one of their better players in their lineup. 478 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 1: For the record, I want Mason Win to lead off. 479 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 1: I know that Allie wants to manage lefty right. Win 480 00:21:18,119 --> 00:21:20,479 Speaker 1: wants to lead off. He did last year, and I 481 00:21:20,520 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: think being a leadoff guy puts pressure on any hitter. 482 00:21:24,440 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 1: Take some of that off the new guy, JJ and 483 00:21:27,520 --> 00:21:29,440 Speaker 1: let Win do it. Just my thought there, all right, 484 00:21:29,760 --> 00:21:32,720 Speaker 1: I want to get surprises. Give me a guy, Jeff, 485 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 1: that you're high on and maybe isn't getting headlines that 486 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:39,240 Speaker 1: people aren't talking about enough. If you have one, throw 487 00:21:39,280 --> 00:21:39,840 Speaker 1: it out there. 488 00:21:40,680 --> 00:21:42,120 Speaker 2: So I'll give you two. 489 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:43,880 Speaker 3: I'll give you one guy who was on the roster, 490 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:47,359 Speaker 3: one guy who was not yet on the roster. Among 491 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:48,800 Speaker 3: the group of guys who are going to break camp 492 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:51,119 Speaker 3: with the team, I think that you should expect Nathan 493 00:21:51,200 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 3: Church to get a lot more exposure than maybe people 494 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:56,360 Speaker 3: were anticipating going into spring training. I would get I'd 495 00:21:56,359 --> 00:21:58,239 Speaker 3: be pretty surprised at Church was not starting in left 496 00:21:58,280 --> 00:22:00,280 Speaker 3: field and opening day just with the left right against 497 00:22:00,359 --> 00:22:02,359 Speaker 3: Drew Raspus and their pitching for the Rays. And this 498 00:22:02,400 --> 00:22:04,520 Speaker 3: is a guy who they definitely believe in. You know, 499 00:22:04,600 --> 00:22:07,359 Speaker 3: he's the guy who's got high motor, high speed, really 500 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:10,440 Speaker 3: strong glove, and I think they think has a much 501 00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:13,639 Speaker 3: better bat than he showed in the sort of you know, 502 00:22:13,800 --> 00:22:15,639 Speaker 3: the very small stretch he got last year. There was 503 00:22:15,680 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 3: definitely some acknowledgment that the game felt a little bit 504 00:22:18,240 --> 00:22:21,120 Speaker 3: fast for him, that maybe he wasn't able to slow 505 00:22:21,119 --> 00:22:22,960 Speaker 3: down the played appearances and that he didn't look like 506 00:22:22,960 --> 00:22:24,560 Speaker 3: the hit or to think that he is. All that 507 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,960 Speaker 3: being said, you know, he hit one seventy and turned 508 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,479 Speaker 3: in I think it was point four war in the 509 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 3: very short stretch he had last year, doesn't mean a 510 00:22:32,040 --> 00:22:34,040 Speaker 3: whole lot other than the glove. 511 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:35,440 Speaker 2: Is really outstanding in the outfield. 512 00:22:35,960 --> 00:22:37,480 Speaker 3: And for a team that's going to have you know, 513 00:22:37,840 --> 00:22:40,320 Speaker 3: Jordan Walker and right with all of the challenges that 514 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 3: sometimes come with the defense there, and is going to 515 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,679 Speaker 3: have maybe some combination of largely infielders and left I 516 00:22:46,720 --> 00:22:48,840 Speaker 3: think that the stability that comes out of Nathan Church's 517 00:22:48,880 --> 00:22:50,439 Speaker 3: glove is going to get him a lot of playing 518 00:22:50,440 --> 00:22:53,480 Speaker 3: time and he is going to show positively. The second guy, 519 00:22:53,560 --> 00:22:54,840 Speaker 3: the guy I would say who was not on the 520 00:22:54,920 --> 00:22:57,000 Speaker 3: roster yet, a name that you should get to know, 521 00:22:57,080 --> 00:22:59,359 Speaker 3: that you should learn to pronounce, is the Luis Gastalloom. 522 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 3: That is guy who made a lot of people look 523 00:23:02,119 --> 00:23:05,000 Speaker 3: silly throughout spring training and the WBC when he had 524 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 3: an opportunity to get into games. That change up is real. 525 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 3: That change up looks like the version of the Devin 526 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 3: Williams screwball pitch that ran through the NL Central for 527 00:23:14,880 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 3: a number of years. Now, what gas Loom doesn't quite 528 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:21,159 Speaker 3: have is quite the fastball that you would need to 529 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:23,639 Speaker 3: pair off that to really dominate in the big leagues 530 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 3: in the same way. But if he's healthy, he's gonna 531 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:28,879 Speaker 3: get a debut this season. He is gonna be some 532 00:23:29,320 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 3: gonna get some real opportunities to pitch. It's some highly 533 00:23:31,800 --> 00:23:34,360 Speaker 3: average spots. And that's the name that you're gonna want 534 00:23:34,359 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 3: to know for a fast rising reliever who's going to 535 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 3: show up in the big leagues this season. 536 00:23:39,240 --> 00:23:41,040 Speaker 1: That's a good one, no question, lend do you have 537 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: a surprise guy? Possibly? 538 00:23:44,160 --> 00:23:46,000 Speaker 4: Uh, you know, Church would have been one of the 539 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 4: names that came to mind. But the another one I 540 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,960 Speaker 4: would say, and it's not as big a surprise, I 541 00:23:51,960 --> 00:23:53,720 Speaker 4: don't think, at least not in my mind. 542 00:23:53,760 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 5: But I think just because he's sort. 543 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:59,200 Speaker 4: Of falling a fallen behind them in terms of our consciousness, 544 00:23:59,280 --> 00:24:02,399 Speaker 4: is just Thomas JC because I think, you know, I 545 00:24:02,400 --> 00:24:03,760 Speaker 4: wasn't sure he was going to make the team, just 546 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 4: because of the WBC and the fact that they didn't 547 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 4: get to really get a good look at him as 548 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:11,840 Speaker 4: an outfielder. But I think people also forget that when 549 00:24:11,880 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 4: they acquired him in the middle of that double A season, 550 00:24:14,960 --> 00:24:18,480 Speaker 4: when he was the MVP of his league and he 551 00:24:18,520 --> 00:24:21,680 Speaker 4: had twenty home runs and was hitting three hundred something. 552 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:24,840 Speaker 4: And now people sort of, you know, put him behind 553 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:26,880 Speaker 4: some other people because of weather Hold and everything else. 554 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:29,480 Speaker 4: But as a right handed hitter, a guy who does 555 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:32,720 Speaker 4: swing a lot but who you know has some pop, 556 00:24:32,800 --> 00:24:35,639 Speaker 4: can hit consistently, has shown the ability to be a 557 00:24:35,760 --> 00:24:39,280 Speaker 4: really productive right handed hitter. I think if he gets 558 00:24:39,280 --> 00:24:42,560 Speaker 4: some playing time, whether that means bouncing him around or 559 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:44,480 Speaker 4: getting him in the outfield, I think he could be 560 00:24:44,480 --> 00:24:46,560 Speaker 4: a surprise as far as just how much of a 561 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,879 Speaker 4: big piece he could be for that lineup where you 562 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 4: got a lot of question marks. 563 00:24:52,640 --> 00:24:57,679 Speaker 1: We'll let you guys go. So it's a rebuild, a reset, 564 00:24:58,119 --> 00:25:00,640 Speaker 1: tear down, whatever you want to call it. Cards are 565 00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:03,400 Speaker 1: doing a lot to try to improve the fan experience 566 00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:05,800 Speaker 1: and give them a lot of credit. There's deals on 567 00:25:05,920 --> 00:25:09,040 Speaker 1: food and stuff throughout the stadium. They're working hard at 568 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:12,400 Speaker 1: it because they understand they want fans to show up 569 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:16,359 Speaker 1: and spend their money. My question, Jeff, is will fans 570 00:25:16,359 --> 00:25:17,280 Speaker 1: show up this year? 571 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 3: I think that they will probably show up in similar 572 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:26,159 Speaker 3: numbers the last season. You could maybe make an argument 573 00:25:26,160 --> 00:25:27,520 Speaker 3: that there will be a little bit of a bump 574 00:25:27,520 --> 00:25:29,440 Speaker 3: maybe early in the season, people trying to figure out 575 00:25:29,480 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 3: what they got. Also, if the weather, frankly is going 576 00:25:31,840 --> 00:25:34,120 Speaker 3: to be gorgeous in the first couple weeks of April, 577 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:35,640 Speaker 3: that's going to help a lot too. That does drag 578 00:25:35,640 --> 00:25:38,520 Speaker 3: it down a little. Will they show up more than that? 579 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 2: I don't know. You know, we have really never lived 580 00:25:41,320 --> 00:25:42,240 Speaker 2: through in St. Louis. 581 00:25:42,240 --> 00:25:45,080 Speaker 3: Honestly, in the span of my lifetime, the kind of 582 00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 3: rebuild that they're going through now. They've been bad before, 583 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:51,400 Speaker 3: no question, but they have not been kind of intentionally 584 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:55,199 Speaker 3: stepping back and putting forward the kind of vision that 585 00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:56,400 Speaker 3: they're outlining right now. 586 00:25:56,520 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 2: So will people respond to that. 587 00:25:59,280 --> 00:26:03,239 Speaker 3: We'll see history throughout baseball tells us that not so 588 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:05,040 Speaker 3: much that if teams are losing, fans don't come, and 589 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:06,960 Speaker 3: they can say what they want about rebuilding. But that's 590 00:26:07,160 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 3: winning determined attendance, right Garbins Fans are very eager all 591 00:26:12,560 --> 00:26:14,760 Speaker 3: the time to tell you how special and different and 592 00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:17,440 Speaker 3: exciting they are, and so this will be their opportunity 593 00:26:17,480 --> 00:26:20,320 Speaker 3: to show it, to be at the ballpark to support 594 00:26:20,359 --> 00:26:23,480 Speaker 3: a team that is rebuilding. Obviously not judging anybody who 595 00:26:23,480 --> 00:26:26,119 Speaker 3: doesn't come to watch a team that could lose an 596 00:26:26,119 --> 00:26:29,280 Speaker 3: outside number of games, but we'll see, I guess is 597 00:26:29,320 --> 00:26:30,920 Speaker 3: the answer, and the Cardinals sure hope. 598 00:26:30,960 --> 00:26:35,320 Speaker 1: So energy and improvement, that's what I'm looking for. Lynn 599 00:26:35,560 --> 00:26:38,080 Speaker 1: last thing, will fans show up this seed? 600 00:26:39,000 --> 00:26:41,879 Speaker 4: Well, Jeff is not judging anybody who doesn't show up, 601 00:26:41,920 --> 00:26:44,600 Speaker 4: and I am judging them because I've heard a whole 602 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:46,880 Speaker 4: lot of people talk about, well, they should have done 603 00:26:46,920 --> 00:26:49,960 Speaker 4: this years ago, and if they get the young, exciting 604 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:52,000 Speaker 4: guys in there, then I'm going to start going to games, 605 00:26:52,160 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 4: and so now I want to see it. 606 00:26:53,400 --> 00:26:54,920 Speaker 5: I don't believe it's going to happen. 607 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:57,399 Speaker 4: I think that that's a lot that's something that you 608 00:26:57,480 --> 00:26:59,320 Speaker 4: say when you're just not happy with what the team 609 00:26:59,400 --> 00:27:01,359 Speaker 4: was doing in the past, and then when you actually 610 00:27:01,400 --> 00:27:04,320 Speaker 4: see it unfold and if they're you know, potentially on 611 00:27:04,359 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 4: a pace to lose ninety games, one hundred games, then 612 00:27:06,920 --> 00:27:08,439 Speaker 4: all of a sudden, that thing that you said you 613 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:10,520 Speaker 4: wanted to see doesn't look quite what you like what 614 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:13,520 Speaker 4: you thought. And you know, I invite people to prove 615 00:27:13,560 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 4: me wrong, to show up to the ballpark for this 616 00:27:16,359 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 4: rebuilding team and to watch these young players that are, 617 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:21,879 Speaker 4: you know, going through their growing pains, But I'm not 618 00:27:21,920 --> 00:27:23,440 Speaker 4: sure that I actually believe that. 619 00:27:25,119 --> 00:27:28,000 Speaker 1: Love it. I absolutely love it, gentlemen, job well done. 620 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:30,479 Speaker 1: We appreciate the time, and that's going to do it 621 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:34,440 Speaker 1: for this episode of Cardinal Territory. We'll see you next time. 622 00:27:34,480 --> 00:27:36,160 Speaker 1: Hopefully that episode won't suck.