1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,800 Speaker 1: Cardinals fans. Hi, Hello, it's been a minute, but I 2 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:10,760 Speaker 1: am glad to be back with you all on this 3 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:14,320 Speaker 1: Friday morning slash afternoon. Life comes at you fast during 4 00:00:14,320 --> 00:00:16,279 Speaker 1: the final week of spring training, as I seem to 5 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: forget every year. But the good news is that in 6 00:00:19,680 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: six short days the twenty twenty five season will officially 7 00:00:22,720 --> 00:00:25,920 Speaker 1: be underway, and I for one, am pretty excited about that. 8 00:00:26,520 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: Cardinals Opening Day Thursday, March twenty seventh, at Bush Stadium 9 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: against the Minnesota Twins. Sunny Gray was named the Cards 10 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,800 Speaker 1: opening day starter earlier in the week, No surprise there, 11 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:38,440 Speaker 1: and he'll take on his former team and former teammate 12 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:42,360 Speaker 1: Pablo Lopez, the Twins opening day starter three fifteen Central 13 00:00:42,360 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 1: time start. See you there. So disclaimer, this is a 14 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:49,879 Speaker 1: boring beat writer episode, but only because I think the 15 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:53,360 Speaker 1: looming decisions for Saint Louis they're pretty interesting and they're 16 00:00:53,479 --> 00:00:55,720 Speaker 1: most likely going to be finalized over the next couple 17 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:59,040 Speaker 1: of days. Slowly but surely, the Cardinals opening day roster 18 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: is taking shape, and we have a pretty solid idea 19 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: of what the core of position players will look like. 20 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 1: We also have a pretty solid idea of what the 21 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 1: bullpen will look like and we mostly, you know, the bench, 22 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:13,839 Speaker 1: which does project to be somewhat fluid. First, a little 23 00:01:13,840 --> 00:01:17,880 Speaker 1: bit of some news this morning. I feel a little 24 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: pretentious plugging my stuff. I don't know if I love this, 25 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: but whatever. Jose Forman has made the Saint Louis Cardinals 26 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:26,920 Speaker 1: opening day roster. Per sources, He'll serve as the backup 27 00:01:27,040 --> 00:01:30,039 Speaker 1: utility role contact bat off the bench, so he's beat 28 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,640 Speaker 1: out non roster invite Jose Barrero for that spot. Cardinals 29 00:01:33,720 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 1: hope to finalize their twenty six man roster before they 30 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 1: break camp on Sunday. Yes, they have that exhibition game 31 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:41,759 Speaker 1: in Memphis on Monday, but Ali Marmal has said throughout 32 00:01:41,760 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: the week he hopes to have his squad ready to go. 33 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: The Cardinals will leave Jupiter Monday the twenty fourth, fly 34 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:50,680 Speaker 1: into Memphis, play a quick game, and then fly that 35 00:01:50,880 --> 00:01:54,480 Speaker 1: night to Saint Louis. Off day on Tuesday, workout on Wednesday, 36 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:57,320 Speaker 1: and then we're going to hit the ground running. So yeah, 37 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: all right, why why for me? Well, he's really taken 38 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,080 Speaker 1: some great bats over the last week. He's played virtually 39 00:02:06,080 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 1: all around the diamond, and he's just had a really 40 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:09,919 Speaker 1: solid camp. And while I think him and Barrero came 41 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:13,839 Speaker 1: in pretty evenly matched for me and has I think 42 00:02:14,040 --> 00:02:16,919 Speaker 1: earned it for what this roster is looking for. Burrow 43 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,080 Speaker 1: has done well and he's certainly jumped on the radar 44 00:02:19,120 --> 00:02:21,079 Speaker 1: of the staff, and for a while I had him 45 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: making the roster over for Mean Again, Barrero is a 46 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:26,639 Speaker 1: non roster invite, and you know it's going to cost 47 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 1: a forty man spot to add him there. Obviously, could 48 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,079 Speaker 1: the Cardinals have sixty days Zach Thompson to make room. 49 00:02:32,120 --> 00:02:34,519 Speaker 1: That was certainly a possibility, but ultimately not a decision 50 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:36,839 Speaker 1: they felt like they needed to make. Why for Mean, 51 00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:39,959 Speaker 1: I think the skill set again compliments this bench a 52 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: little bit more, you know what for me and that 53 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: you're going to get league average defense and you're going 54 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:46,799 Speaker 1: to get contact in your in bats based on how 55 00:02:46,840 --> 00:02:48,960 Speaker 1: the Cardinals bench is stacking up Luke and Baker from 56 00:02:49,000 --> 00:02:52,239 Speaker 1: the right side, a combination of Alec Burlison and Nolan Gorman, 57 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:55,400 Speaker 1: depending who's starting from the left, and of course whichever 58 00:02:55,440 --> 00:02:57,680 Speaker 1: of Ivon Herrera and Pedro paj Has is not starting 59 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 1: that day. Going with contact and defense here makes sense, 60 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 1: especially with the Cardinals prioritizing offense. They feel like they 61 00:03:04,639 --> 00:03:08,280 Speaker 1: have their their power bats, especially with Baker for me 62 00:03:08,360 --> 00:03:10,079 Speaker 1: and can play around the diamond. You don't need him 63 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:12,360 Speaker 1: to be a gold glove shortstop behind Mason when you 64 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 1: just need serviceable defense and he can get you that. 65 00:03:14,880 --> 00:03:16,519 Speaker 1: So he will be on the roster of the club. 66 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: Has not announced that officially, but they should ideally soon. 67 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 1: All right, two big questions over the weekend with three 68 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 1: technically four four games left, oh five because of the 69 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: Memphis game. The two big questions that the Cardinals need 70 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 1: to answer. Who's making the rotation and who's the centerfielder. 71 00:03:36,840 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: We're recording this ahead of friday'split squad games. Sunny Gray 72 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,600 Speaker 1: takes on the Astros here in Jupiter in a minute, 73 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,000 Speaker 1: while Mike McGreevey gets to start in Port Saint Lucie 74 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:46,520 Speaker 1: against the Mets. Victor Scott has the home game, Michael 75 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 1: Siani has the road start. My friends, the centerfield competition 76 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 1: is as tight as advertised. Yeah, let's dive into here 77 00:03:54,680 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 1: from what we're seeing from Victor Scott. So first, this 78 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:01,640 Speaker 1: is not like a bold statement by any means, but 79 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:05,480 Speaker 1: what a great camp Victor Scott has had so far. 80 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:08,600 Speaker 1: And this is the question that we've been asking pretty 81 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:10,000 Speaker 1: much since the start of spring, is he going to 82 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: make the roster? And maybe because I've covered the Cardinals 83 00:04:14,920 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 1: for about five years now, and there always seems to 84 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: be a scenario where there's a clear answer that makes 85 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: a lot of sense, and then there's an answer that 86 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: doesn't really make a lot of sense. And ninety nine 87 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:27,719 Speaker 1: percent of the time this organization does the option that 88 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 1: doesn't make a lot of sense. So I don't know 89 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:32,880 Speaker 1: if we're like trauma bonded or if we're just used 90 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 1: to kind of having to look at things the other way, 91 00:04:35,800 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: then I think we normally should. So for a while 92 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,839 Speaker 1: I was convinced that Victor Scott would not make this roster, 93 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: and we talked about this on the Athletic. It just 94 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,840 Speaker 1: came down to how the Cardinals are looking at viewing 95 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:54,480 Speaker 1: their lineup and their position players. So for Victor Scott, 96 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: who again has had a great spring, the way what 97 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 1: the organization was laying here was what was more important 98 00:05:00,440 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 1: his long term development or short term goals. The Cardinals 99 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:06,440 Speaker 1: are looking at center or platoon, center field. We know this. 100 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 1: We know Lars new Bar is going to see some 101 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 1: reps there. We know that the organization has promised continuous 102 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,880 Speaker 1: at bats. To take your pick, Jordan Walker, Nolan Gorman, 103 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:16,760 Speaker 1: Alec Burlison, Brendan Donnovan, Mason Winn. Go down the list. 104 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:19,080 Speaker 1: Those guys are going to play every day. Obviously, your 105 00:05:19,120 --> 00:05:22,320 Speaker 1: corner guys contraras Arnatto, they're going to stay there too. 106 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,800 Speaker 1: So in order to ensure the maximum number of adbats, 107 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 1: especially for the lefty, So you're thinking, Donnie Gorman and Burlison, 108 00:05:29,920 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 1: you have to put new Bar in center for you know, 109 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:35,120 Speaker 1: I don't want to say the majority of time, because 110 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 1: the Cardinals have not said that, nor do I think 111 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:38,720 Speaker 1: that's their plan. But a good amount of time you'll 112 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 1: see new Bar in center. So does that make sense 113 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:44,400 Speaker 1: for even if it's a seventy five to twenty five platoon, 114 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 1: does it make sense for Victor Scott to ride the 115 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:48,760 Speaker 1: bench for some of those games where he could be 116 00:05:48,800 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 1: playing every day in Memphis? I guess his play this 117 00:05:54,880 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 1: spring has ultimately forced that question to be answered, because 118 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:02,080 Speaker 1: I no longer think that that's gonna be the issue. 119 00:06:02,080 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 1: I think Victor Scott has played his way and deserves 120 00:06:04,720 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 1: to be on the opening day roster. The Cardinals have 121 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,720 Speaker 1: not made a decision over Himmer Sianni yet, but I'm 122 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: sensing a vibe change, and my last roster projection for 123 00:06:13,880 --> 00:06:16,160 Speaker 1: the Athletic I wrote Scott would not make the roster 124 00:06:16,240 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 1: and Sianni would. I'm changing my mind. If I had 125 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: to write another roster projection today, I would put Sianni 126 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:25,360 Speaker 1: in triple A and Victor Scott on the roster. But again, 127 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,520 Speaker 1: this is a conversation that the Cardinals are continuing to 128 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:30,560 Speaker 1: have and will probably not be finalized until Sunday. But 129 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:32,839 Speaker 1: let's look at how this would work if Victor Scott, 130 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 1: the second is on the roster. I think should the 131 00:06:36,600 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: Cardinals line up the way that I think that they 132 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:42,279 Speaker 1: do against Pablo Lopez on Thursday. You're gonna have Mason 133 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:46,000 Speaker 1: Wynne leading off shortstop. Then I'm not quite sure where 134 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: they're gonna slot the lefties, but my gut feeling tells 135 00:06:48,560 --> 00:06:51,280 Speaker 1: me Lars Nwfarr will hit second, He'll play left. Then 136 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:55,599 Speaker 1: you got Contraras's at first, Ronado at third. I would 137 00:06:55,760 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 1: I like Herrera in the five hole, but with the 138 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 1: lefty righty split, I can see Donnie going there, then 139 00:07:02,279 --> 00:07:05,039 Speaker 1: Herrera six, Donovan's at second base. By the way, this 140 00:07:05,120 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 1: is my prediction Herrera catching Gorman the DH walker eighth 141 00:07:10,160 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: right field, and then Victor Scott the second batting ninth 142 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:17,600 Speaker 1: playing center field. Obviously, Sonny Gray takes the hill. That's 143 00:07:17,600 --> 00:07:20,800 Speaker 1: my prediction, and that's why I think the Cardinals' most 144 00:07:21,120 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 1: frequent lineup will be to start the season. We talked 145 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 1: to Allie marmal a lot this week about how he 146 00:07:27,320 --> 00:07:30,480 Speaker 1: envisions running the lineup, whether he's will see a platoon 147 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:33,080 Speaker 1: with the catchers, how he's going to mix in at bats, 148 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: and I asked him, you know, in years prior, you 149 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:37,880 Speaker 1: were not afraid to shake up the everyday lineup. There 150 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:41,520 Speaker 1: was a pretty heavy lefty rity platoon. There was, you know, 151 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: a clear lineup you could expect against lefty starters and 152 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:46,040 Speaker 1: righty starters. But there was also, like we saw in 153 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three, too much mixing and matching did not 154 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 1: vote well for consistent success. So how is he going 155 00:07:51,240 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 1: to balance that along with ensuring all the advats that 156 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: he promised to others? He said, there are benefits to 157 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 1: guys showing up and knowing where they're playing and hitting 158 00:07:59,400 --> 00:08:03,080 Speaker 1: in the lineup every day, but there are also advantages 159 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:05,559 Speaker 1: to platooning and mixing and matching to optimize your lineup 160 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:07,560 Speaker 1: based on who you're facing. I don't think you have 161 00:08:07,600 --> 00:08:10,600 Speaker 1: to fully commit to one or the other, so and 162 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: I don't think the Cardinals are going to fully commit 163 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,240 Speaker 1: to one or the other. When it comes to the 164 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:16,280 Speaker 1: catching situation, I think you're going to see a pretty 165 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,680 Speaker 1: heavy mix of Herrera and Pedro Bajaz. But I do 166 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:22,080 Speaker 1: think that to start, Herrera is going to get the 167 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: nod because of the big emphasis on offense. So if 168 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 1: you're going to emphasize offense in most of the positions, 169 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: Victor Scott will be just fine. If he hits the 170 00:08:31,520 --> 00:08:34,200 Speaker 1: ball like he did this spring. I think his averages 171 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:36,199 Speaker 1: up to three seventy three. He has an ops over 172 00:08:36,280 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 1: eleven hundred, slugged two homers, one on Monday, one on Wednesday. 173 00:08:41,120 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: If again, I think I've said this before, if this 174 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 1: was a performance based camp, we wouldn't be talking about it. 175 00:08:46,200 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: The way of the way of the development for him 176 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: is still a key here. But personally, I don't know 177 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:54,319 Speaker 1: how the Cardinals cannot take him after the spring. I 178 00:08:54,360 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: don't know what kind of message that would be sending 179 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:58,760 Speaker 1: to him. He has been working out in Jupiter since 180 00:08:58,840 --> 00:09:02,000 Speaker 1: November came down, has been with John Jay every single day. 181 00:09:03,720 --> 00:09:08,120 Speaker 1: I'm going right here Friday, May March twenty First, I 182 00:09:08,200 --> 00:09:11,720 Speaker 1: think Victor Scott makes the roster, so we'll see lots 183 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 1: of other roster things to discuss over the week. It's 184 00:09:13,880 --> 00:09:15,959 Speaker 1: kind of been a little crazy back and forth week, 185 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: such as the nature when the big final decisions come. 186 00:09:19,280 --> 00:09:22,440 Speaker 1: So we'll get into that. But first let me actually 187 00:09:22,440 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: make sure I read the sponsor. Right here is a 188 00:09:24,640 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 1: message from Arena Club ft FAM. 189 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:30,240 Speaker 2: Arena Club is the modern way to collect cards or 190 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:33,199 Speaker 2: buy or sell or trade or even grade. And we're 191 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:35,560 Speaker 2: highlighting slab packs because this is the new way to 192 00:09:35,679 --> 00:09:38,400 Speaker 2: rip open a pack get a really good card. AJ 193 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 2: But also if you're not into the card, like I 194 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,080 Speaker 2: know you pulled a Bob Gibson card recently, you can 195 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,839 Speaker 2: get an offer of ninety percent of the estimated value 196 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 2: and just accept it on the spot and give it 197 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 2: right back and maybe try again with another slab pack. 198 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:53,480 Speaker 3: I ain't getting rid of my Bob Gibson autographed card, 199 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:55,800 Speaker 3: Bob Gibson a card signing cards anytime soon, so I'm 200 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 3: keeping this one. It gets graded for you. There's no mess. 201 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 3: The only thing I wish they had. Can they virtually 202 00:10:01,880 --> 00:10:04,440 Speaker 3: send me some bubble gums? Cut? Other than that, it's awesome. 203 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,600 Speaker 3: You can buy sell cards, They great them instantly for you, 204 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:09,719 Speaker 3: and physically you can also get the cards if you 205 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 3: want them. So I'm all for this. This is one 206 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 3: of the coolest things I've ever seen. 207 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, those cards are in your showroom in the app, 208 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:17,400 Speaker 2: and then of course you can get the card physically 209 00:10:17,440 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 2: sent to you. So right now you can get twenty 210 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 2: percent off your first slab pack or card purchase by 211 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:25,400 Speaker 2: going to Arena club dot com slash foul. That's Arena 212 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,880 Speaker 2: club dot com slash foul code foul for twenty percent 213 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 2: off your first purchase. 214 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:35,880 Speaker 1: Okay, so more froster decisions. The most pressing question outside 215 00:10:35,880 --> 00:10:39,440 Speaker 1: of centerfield is if the Cardinals will utilize a six 216 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:41,680 Speaker 1: man rotation to enter the year. This was floated to 217 00:10:41,800 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: us by Ali on Monday. Still kind of no clarity 218 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:48,920 Speaker 1: on what that looks like. As much I'm a Mike 219 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:52,079 Speaker 1: mcgreeby truther as we know, there are many players that 220 00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:55,319 Speaker 1: I'm in on. Jordan Walker, Mike McGreevey's on there, and 221 00:10:55,520 --> 00:10:57,559 Speaker 1: if again, if this is a club based on performance, 222 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:00,160 Speaker 1: he should be in the starting rotation. This is the 223 00:11:00,200 --> 00:11:03,439 Speaker 1: situations though, where I think, even more so than the 224 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:07,360 Speaker 1: Victor Scott situation, outside circumstances are really gonna matter in 225 00:11:07,360 --> 00:11:10,280 Speaker 1: the decision here. So the Cardinals six man rotation, let's 226 00:11:10,280 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: go with the ones that we know are going to 227 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 1: be in there. Sonny Gray, Eric Fetti, Miles, Michael List. 228 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:18,080 Speaker 1: Those are probably your three starters against the Twins next week, which, 229 00:11:18,120 --> 00:11:19,840 Speaker 1: you know what, it's so fun to like talk about 230 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:21,800 Speaker 1: series that are gonna matter. This is I just get 231 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:24,680 Speaker 1: excited thinking about it. If the pitching schedule stays on track, 232 00:11:24,679 --> 00:11:27,320 Speaker 1: which looks like it will, those three will be in there. 233 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,520 Speaker 1: Andre Pilante has not shown are not pitched in a 234 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 1: Great Fruit League game in about a week or so, 235 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: but he's been working on the backfield staying on track. 236 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: It's a weird kind of schedule for the back end guys. 237 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: I expect him to be in the rotation. No decisions 238 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,920 Speaker 1: haven't made there yet. I think what the Cardinals are 239 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:48,880 Speaker 1: weighing here is how best to use Matthew Libertor, and 240 00:11:49,320 --> 00:11:50,840 Speaker 1: that kind of hinges on if they're going to use 241 00:11:50,840 --> 00:11:52,360 Speaker 1: a six man rotation to start the year or not. 242 00:11:53,000 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 1: Matthew Libertor, I think has been the most impressive pitcher 243 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 1: across the board in Cardinals camp this year. He has 244 00:11:57,480 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 1: looked nasty. They brought him up as a starter or 245 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:03,680 Speaker 1: stretch him out as a starter, because one, it's much 246 00:12:03,720 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: easier to cut innings down than ramp them up, obviously, 247 00:12:07,280 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 1: but two they realized last spring, and this is something 248 00:12:10,120 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 1: Livy realized as well. When he stretches out as a starter, 249 00:12:13,480 --> 00:12:16,760 Speaker 1: he just gets better, command better, feel, better reps and obviously, 250 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:18,360 Speaker 1: think about how many Indians you're thrown as a starter 251 00:12:18,360 --> 00:12:20,480 Speaker 1: compared to a reliever. He felt, even if he was 252 00:12:20,520 --> 00:12:22,720 Speaker 1: coming in as a reliever as a multi inning guy, 253 00:12:22,920 --> 00:12:24,800 Speaker 1: that coming out as a starter allowed him to get 254 00:12:24,840 --> 00:12:28,319 Speaker 1: his stuff right quicker and more effectively. And we're certainly 255 00:12:28,320 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: seeing that it's been a great camp for Libby. What 256 00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:33,440 Speaker 1: the Cardinals are weighing here is has he best served 257 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 1: as a starter or can he repeat that success? And 258 00:12:37,440 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: he looked really good in the second half of last 259 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 1: year as that longman swingman in relief kind of situation. 260 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,360 Speaker 1: Steven Mattz has had a really good spring as well. 261 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 1: How ironic that him and Miles Michaelis have by far 262 00:12:49,120 --> 00:12:51,920 Speaker 1: been the best looking starters in the Grapefruit League for 263 00:12:51,960 --> 00:12:54,559 Speaker 1: the Cardinals, and I think if Matt's was faltering a 264 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:56,400 Speaker 1: little bit or didn't look as strong or as healthy 265 00:12:56,440 --> 00:12:58,320 Speaker 1: as he does, that there would maybe be more of 266 00:12:58,360 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: a conversation internally of flipping Libby and Matt. So Matt 267 00:13:02,240 --> 00:13:04,720 Speaker 1: wuld being the bullpen Libby to start, But because Matts 268 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:07,559 Speaker 1: has looked so effective, it's really kind of thrown a 269 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:10,079 Speaker 1: wrench in what is best to do for this rotation. 270 00:13:10,559 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 1: Here's why I'm not super into a six man rotation, 271 00:13:12,440 --> 00:13:14,640 Speaker 1: and I promise I'm gonna get into y McGreevy factors 272 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 1: in here. Just it's a long winded explanation. This is 273 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:18,839 Speaker 1: where my mind is at. I think I've lived, like 274 00:13:18,960 --> 00:13:21,080 Speaker 1: the last fifty days it felt exactly the same, So 275 00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:27,200 Speaker 1: bear with me. So now I already lost my train 276 00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: of thought. What were we talking about Libby? Okay, With 277 00:13:30,720 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 1: the Cardinals specifically, they opened the season with three off 278 00:13:34,840 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: days in their first fifteen games, so it doesn't really 279 00:13:37,320 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: necessarily bode well for a six man rotation schedule. I mean, 280 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,560 Speaker 1: there were times, I think two seasons ago where the 281 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:45,320 Speaker 1: Saint Louis opened up with like four consecutive road trips 282 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: on the West Coast and everyone was exhausted. That would 283 00:13:47,920 --> 00:13:49,680 Speaker 1: have made sense for a six man rotation to start 284 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:51,520 Speaker 1: the year. I'm not sure if that makes a lot 285 00:13:51,559 --> 00:13:53,000 Speaker 1: of sense in terms of making sure guys are on 286 00:13:53,000 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 1: their regular schedule, getting enough reps. Sure, a little bit 287 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:58,200 Speaker 1: of extra rest in April early or yeah, early April 288 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: was probably a good thing, but I'm not sure if 289 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:03,760 Speaker 1: it's the best, if it's set up the best to 290 00:14:03,840 --> 00:14:06,960 Speaker 1: utilize the six man rotation. I also think that no 291 00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 1: matter which six pitchers are going to be in there, 292 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:11,400 Speaker 1: Michael McGreevy is unfortunately going to be the odd man out. 293 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:13,760 Speaker 1: You look at the pitching depth in Memphis, and this 294 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:16,920 Speaker 1: is also kind of what's factoring into with Libby. There 295 00:14:16,920 --> 00:14:19,640 Speaker 1: are not a lot of options. When Drew Rohm went 296 00:14:19,680 --> 00:14:21,640 Speaker 1: down in the beginning of spring, he was not on 297 00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 1: the roster, but he was certainly being or on the 298 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 1: forty man I should say he was certainly being looked 299 00:14:25,280 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 1: like as a depth option, though didn't chance same thing 300 00:14:29,840 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 1: with Zach Thompson. A couple weeks later he went down 301 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 1: with the latch strain, and no, he was not really 302 00:14:34,040 --> 00:14:36,360 Speaker 1: necessarily competing for a spot on the opening day roster, 303 00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,000 Speaker 1: but he was supposed to pack some depth that the 304 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:41,680 Speaker 1: Cardinals were counting on if needed in triple A. With 305 00:14:41,800 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 1: those two down, making sure that you have ample starting 306 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 1: pitching stretched out in Memphis matters the most here, and 307 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 1: without someone like Michael McGreevey interriple a, the second starter 308 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:54,800 Speaker 1: gets hurt. Who do you have down there right now? 309 00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:57,920 Speaker 1: If you're Saint Louis that you feel comfortable ready to go? 310 00:14:57,920 --> 00:15:00,840 Speaker 1: Gordon Gricepa was optioned last week stretched back out as 311 00:15:00,840 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 1: a starter, But that's going to take some time to 312 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,520 Speaker 1: ramp back up because he's only been pitching in you know, 313 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 1: two consecutive innings, hasn't really gotten to three yet. It's 314 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:11,440 Speaker 1: going to take some time. Semmer Versa's there if you 315 00:15:11,560 --> 00:15:14,960 Speaker 1: need it, but there's no like. The Cardinals an't going 316 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 1: to rush up Quin Matthews if he's not ready. There's 317 00:15:16,840 --> 00:15:18,520 Speaker 1: no there's no reason to do that. They're not going 318 00:15:18,560 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 1: to rush up tank. Hence, Takoa Robi has looked great 319 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 1: this spring. He's someone I'm keeping an eye on, but 320 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: he hasn't pitched more than forty Indians in two years, 321 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: so they're certainly not going to rush him up either 322 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:31,440 Speaker 1: McGreevey has performed well enough to break camp. He is 323 00:15:31,480 --> 00:15:34,440 Speaker 1: a twenty twenty one first round draft pick out of college. 324 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 1: Rarely do you see first round draft picks out of 325 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: college take four years to get to the majors. If 326 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 1: you're basing off what he's done this spring in last year, again, 327 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:47,000 Speaker 1: he deserves it. But the depth of the organization is 328 00:15:47,040 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 1: going to matter more here than I think performance. So 329 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: I think mcgreevy's out of that six man look, and 330 00:15:52,000 --> 00:15:54,520 Speaker 1: the Cardinals will continue to contemplate what that means for 331 00:15:54,560 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: the six pitchers we already talked about. On the other 332 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 1: side of the pitching picture, the bullten seems to be 333 00:16:00,880 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: pretty set. Let's just go off the top of the 334 00:16:04,360 --> 00:16:06,720 Speaker 1: head the obvious ones that we know. Ryan Helsley, he's 335 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,840 Speaker 1: back to close, Phil Mayton shook and should get into 336 00:16:09,880 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 1: a great prood League game in the next couple of days. 337 00:16:12,000 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 1: He's gown on the backfields. He looks fine. The Cardinals 338 00:16:14,600 --> 00:16:17,280 Speaker 1: were not necessarily worried about him ramping up. Neither was 339 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 1: he He's been in the league for about nine years. 340 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 1: I think you trust him and take his word on 341 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 1: if he's going to be ready, and it certainly looks 342 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:24,600 Speaker 1: like it. Mayton's gonna have a little bit of a 343 00:16:24,640 --> 00:16:27,640 Speaker 1: versatile role here. I think he's best suited as the 344 00:16:27,680 --> 00:16:30,520 Speaker 1: setup man behind Ryan Helsley from the right side, but 345 00:16:30,560 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: he also has an ability to go multiples. He can 346 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:35,800 Speaker 1: pitch back to backs, he can pretty much do everything. 347 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: It's four consecutive years where he has appeared in at 348 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:41,360 Speaker 1: least sixty five games, and that was a trait The 349 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:45,840 Speaker 1: Cardinals really coveted that veteran experience and durability, John, have 350 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:49,160 Speaker 1: you heard those phrases before with this organization. From the 351 00:16:49,200 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: left side, Jojo Romeril, He's looked dominant the spring, same Jojo. 352 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:55,800 Speaker 1: The key for Jojo will be staying consistent. He was 353 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:58,400 Speaker 1: stellar in the first half, haven't had a sub three 354 00:16:58,440 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 1: ERA or less than fifty games, and the second half 355 00:17:01,720 --> 00:17:03,760 Speaker 1: it looked like he had run out of steam. His 356 00:17:03,840 --> 00:17:06,320 Speaker 1: ERA balloon in the second half to over five and 357 00:17:06,400 --> 00:17:08,840 Speaker 1: only appeared in twenty two games there. So that will 358 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:10,720 Speaker 1: be the key for Jojo this year is just making 359 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:13,760 Speaker 1: sure he can remain consistent and if he can, Cardinals 360 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:16,680 Speaker 1: will be fine. Ryan Fernandez is also an option from 361 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: the right side as well. John King same one was 362 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:25,679 Speaker 1: last year. And then I think it's going to come 363 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: down to Kyle lay and Chris Roycroft both making the 364 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,240 Speaker 1: opening day roster for the first time, and those guys, 365 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:34,439 Speaker 1: Chris Roycroft has looked like a completely different pitcher. He 366 00:17:34,480 --> 00:17:37,000 Speaker 1: looks confident, he looks effective. I mean we were joking 367 00:17:37,040 --> 00:17:39,800 Speaker 1: around like, Okay, he needs to let someone on or 368 00:17:39,840 --> 00:17:41,880 Speaker 1: walk a batter or something so we can see how 369 00:17:41,920 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 1: he can pitch himself out of traffic, because he really 370 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:47,160 Speaker 1: hasn't had to do that yet. And then Kyle Layy 371 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:50,400 Speaker 1: has really impressed the pitching staff this spring. It's because 372 00:17:50,440 --> 00:17:52,919 Speaker 1: he can do so many things. He is not Overlea 373 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,000 Speaker 1: Sploody can he has a pitch for rieties, he's a 374 00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:57,200 Speaker 1: pitch for lefties, he can pitch multiples, he can pitch 375 00:17:57,240 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 1: back to back. So you have another less experienced for 376 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:02,360 Speaker 1: of a film maton. But certainly someone of the Cardinals 377 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:05,240 Speaker 1: want to see more of. This goes into the youth 378 00:18:05,280 --> 00:18:07,160 Speaker 1: movement thing, if you will, which I'm still not sure 379 00:18:07,200 --> 00:18:10,480 Speaker 1: is an actual thing, but we'll find out. And that bullpen, 380 00:18:10,560 --> 00:18:14,760 Speaker 1: given how good it was last year, it really matters 381 00:18:14,800 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: that it can repeat that same success, and I think 382 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 1: that it will. I The one area of the Cardinals 383 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:23,919 Speaker 1: roster that I don't have a ton of concerns about 384 00:18:24,119 --> 00:18:26,520 Speaker 1: is the bullpen. So in about a month when the 385 00:18:26,560 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: bullpen's terrible, come back to this episode and tell me 386 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:30,399 Speaker 1: that I don't know what I'm talking about, because that 387 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 1: will probably happen. Last thing, bench rolls, who does what? 388 00:18:34,800 --> 00:18:36,000 Speaker 1: I got to wrap this up because we've got a 389 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 1: game to get to the bench is going to be fluid. 390 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,520 Speaker 1: We know this. I say Alec Burlison as the left 391 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:44,520 Speaker 1: handed bench off the bat, knowing that he's still going 392 00:18:44,520 --> 00:18:46,199 Speaker 1: to get consistent in bats. But for the sake of 393 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:48,080 Speaker 1: like how the opening day lineup is going to look, 394 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:52,440 Speaker 1: We'll slot Burlsson in there as the lefty bench bat, 395 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:55,119 Speaker 1: but he's going to play almost every day. Luke and 396 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,200 Speaker 1: Baker has all but insured himself a spot on the roster. 397 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: Fantastic spring. The Cardinals to not have a right handed 398 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,240 Speaker 1: bat pretty much off the bench all of last season, 399 00:19:03,240 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 1: and it really plagued them, made it so easy for 400 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 1: opposing managers to game plan against Ali Marmal really put 401 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: him in an unfair position, if I'm being honest. So 402 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 1: Luke and Baker's got that power that slug from the 403 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:15,160 Speaker 1: right handed side. That's cool to see we've talked about 404 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:18,480 Speaker 1: for me. And then of course whatever the bench looks 405 00:19:18,520 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: like with the catcher, I mean, I think that's going 406 00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:25,120 Speaker 1: to vary depending on matchup. I don't see even though 407 00:19:25,119 --> 00:19:27,400 Speaker 1: this is probably the best overall lineup, I don't see 408 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,439 Speaker 1: in everyday lineup where Herrera and Pahz are both in 409 00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:31,600 Speaker 1: there at the same time. It's just too hard to 410 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:34,399 Speaker 1: switch out. And if you have a catcher get hurt, 411 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: God forbid, then what does that bench look like. It's 412 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:38,879 Speaker 1: really slim. Brendan Donovan can do it all, but I 413 00:19:38,880 --> 00:19:40,720 Speaker 1: don't think the Cardinals want him back there as an 414 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 1: emergency catcher. And yeah, sure they have Wilson Cturist, that's 415 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:47,919 Speaker 1: not something that they want to do. So guys, we're 416 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 1: getting close. We're getting closer and closer to seeing how 417 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: this roster is going to look. I know what I'll 418 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:56,200 Speaker 1: be watching. It will be the six man rotation discussion 419 00:19:56,280 --> 00:20:01,200 Speaker 1: and it will be the center field battle. But yeah, well, 420 00:20:01,240 --> 00:20:03,160 Speaker 1: we should have some clarity over the next couple of days. 421 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,160 Speaker 1: We should also have some more news with this podcast 422 00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:10,520 Speaker 1: here at Cardinal Territory. Some we're doing like a rebrand 423 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:12,640 Speaker 1: of sorts, and it sounds garay, but it's actually gonna 424 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 1: be really fun. So I'm looking forward to having more 425 00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 1: fun announcements about the cadence of the show, a special 426 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,120 Speaker 1: guest we're gonna get on, and just kind of the rebrand. 427 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 1: Before the regular season, we knew this was a trial 428 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 1: and error podcast, but I think now that this is 429 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,600 Speaker 1: our twenty fifth episode, I think we are figuring things out. 430 00:20:28,800 --> 00:20:31,040 Speaker 1: So yes, short, but it's sweet today. We're gonna have 431 00:20:31,080 --> 00:20:32,480 Speaker 1: a lot to talk about over the next few days, 432 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:33,920 Speaker 1: and then before you know it, we're gonna be talking 433 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:37,119 Speaker 1: about baseball that matters. So fire me up. We'll be 434 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:40,040 Speaker 1: back probably before we break camp one more time to 435 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:44,240 Speaker 1: talk about those pending roster decisions. Until then, I'm Katie Wu. 436 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,240 Speaker 1: Thanks for tuning in. We will talk soon.