2011 Cubs

[Dan Michler]

Hey Doug, your team has the same October plans as the Cubs.  Enjoy!  Way to waste a fantastic season by Lance Berkman.  Unlikely he'll be resigned by the Cardinals next year since they'll have to commit most of their payroll to signing Pujols.

LOL.  Berkman is resigned thru 2012.  wrong again!   

Aren't you a little worried about why they decided to dish out money to extend Berkman, who is a better fit as a 1B than on OF at this point in his career?  It sounds like insurance for Pujols deciding to leave St.Louis. 

Unless the Cardinals ownership is deciding to make a significant increase to the payroll for a team whose attendance dropped by 7% this year, something has got to give.  You've got Pujols looking for a massive increase in pay.  You've got Chris Carpenter with a club option for $15M next year, then he's a free agent.  You've got Wainwright coming off surgery, after next year he'll be entering the final year of his contract, a club option for $12M.

This is the heart of the team and I don't see how the Cards can keep them all, along with Matt Holliday who is signed through 2017 making over $17M per year.  Most likely you are going to have to say goodbye to Chris Carpenter, either by way of a trade this offseason or to free agency the next offseason.  Assuming Wainwright is healthy next year, they've got to extend his contract with some big bucks.  The question is, can they pay Pujols $25M per year on top of all that and still afford to keep the team competitive?  I'm sure there are a few teams out there that will hit Pujols with some big offers.

[stpitner]

Which would wind up more epic?  LeBron to anywhere except Cleveland or Pujols to the Cubs?

The Cubs answer to third base worries me more than what they are going to do at first base.  I'm sure they could resign Pena if they needed to.

[pdga#7648]

No, I am not worried by the Berkman extension. Pujols will be back. He already said he wasn't wanting 30M per year, thats the media being idiots as usuall. He wants to end his career a Redbird and that he will do. He will get the George Brett offer= finish his career there, then part ownership after retirering.

They will be able to keep them all by paying the Delscalso's, Jay, Craig, Schumacher, and all the bullpen duds the minimum salary.   You act like the Cardinals ownership is like the Cubs and White Sox, which is not even comparable. The Cards know what it takes to win, and they will resign the BEST EVER!

[pdga#7648]

Which would wind up more epic?  LeBron to anywhere except Cleveland or Pujols to the Cubs?

The Cubs answer to third base worries me more than what they are going to do at first base.  I'm sure they could resign Pena if they needed to.

The Cubs will have a new 1st baseman next year. But it will be the fat dude in Milwaukee, Prince Fielder!

[pdga#7648]

And here is my thoughts on Berkmans extension. Paying him 12MIL next year.
I think its a great signing at whatever the cost.  Also, Its a great move getting as many guys locked up as possible, and it is certainly not a detriment to the Pujols negotiations.  Its actually a really good move for both sides.  Once the lineup is mostly secured for next season, Moz will know for certain exactly how much money he can offer Albert.  Albert reportedly turned down $19MIL a year for 9 years in the off season, so now Moz (Who I am not a fan of) is trying to lock up his team early so that he has a good idea of what he can spend. Trust me, if they can afford what Albert wants, they will give it to him.  They know that for the last 10 years they have had him at a BARGAIN. And when you do the comps to other players who are being paid 23-25MIL a year, there is no comparison.  The Cardinals would stand to lose WAY more money if Albert leaves, than they would spend on a huge contract to keep him.  Think about ticket sales, merchandise, advertising, fan draw...it all adds up when those people are coming to the ballpark to see their star player play ball.
Probably going to have to wait until after October is over now, but you guys will see the Cardinals organization is not a bunch of fools!

[pdga#7648]

Hey Doug, your team has the same October plans as the Cubs.  Enjoy!  Way to waste a fantastic season by Lance Berkman.  Unlikely he'll be resigned by the Cardinals next year since they'll have to commit most of their payroll to signing Pujols.

LOL.  Berkman is resigned thru 2012.  wrong again!   

Aren't you a little worried about why they decided to dish out money to extend Berkman, who is a better fit as a 1B than on OF at this point in his career?  It sounds like insurance for Pujols deciding to leave St.Louis. 

Unless the Cardinals ownership is deciding to make a significant increase to the payroll for a team whose attendance dropped by 7% this year, something has got to give.  You've got Pujols looking for a massive increase in pay.  You've got Chris Carpenter with a club option for $15M next year, then he's a free agent.  You've got Wainwright coming off surgery, after next year he'll be entering the final year of his contract, a club option for $12M.

This is the heart of the team and I don't see how the Cards can keep them all, along with Matt Holliday who is signed through 2017 making over $17M per year.  Most likely you are going to have to say goodbye to Chris Carpenter, either by way of a trade this offseason or to free agency the next offseason.  Assuming Wainwright is healthy next year, they've got to extend his contract with some big bucks.  The question is, can they pay Pujols $25M per year on top of all that and still afford to keep the team competitive?  I'm sure there are a few teams out there that will hit Pujols with some big offers.

and you must not read any sports other than Chicago's?


Declaring his desire to finish his career with the organization, Chris Carpenter joined general manager John Mozeliak at a news conference at PNC Park on Tuesday afternoon to announce that he has signed a new two-year deal to remain a Cardinal.

The deal, worth $21 million, supersedes the $15 million option that the club had held on Carpenter for 2012 and guarantees he will be with St. Louis through the '13 season. Aside from the bonus clauses in Carpenter's current deal, the new contract includes no incentive clauses and does not have a player or club option beyond the two-year duration.

21M over 2 years is 10.5 MIL instead of the 15MIL.  Things just keep getting better!

[Dan Michler]

Did things keep getting better when the Cards blew the lead by giving up 6 in the 9th today?

[stpitner]

Did things keep getting better when the Cards blew the lead by giving up 6 in the 9th today?

Where's the like button when you need one

[pdga#7648]

Did things keep getting better when the Cards blew the lead by giving up 6 in the 9th today?

still 6 huge games to play. and I think the pressure is on the struggling Braves, not the surging Cardinals. Although, that might have taken away all the momentum they had going. Will have to see what happens? still like the chances of sneaking in. A chance Chicago let go in June. 

[stpitner]

If they are both sitting on the couch watching the playoffs on TV in October, it doesn't matter if it was lost in June or September.

[pdga#7648]

Looks like the Cardinals had some of Cubs luck today. Take away 20 wins from an 86 win team and it's not looking good. Cubs add Pujols in 2012 and it's really starting to look brutal. Maybe Ken Williams needs to shut his pie hole because Pujols stock just went up if Wainwright needs Tommy John surgery. Hopefully Carpenter goes down and the Cardinals can feel Cubs fans pain from Wood/Prior. Welcome to our world Cardinals. It's starting to crumble all around you.

go look at Cardinals wins. Wainwright being gone, didn't really hurt the regular season.  No crumbling in the Lou!

[pdga#7648]

If they are both sitting on the couch watching the playoffs on TV in October, it doesn't matter if it was lost in June or September.

and I beg to differ Scott.  go back to page 1 or 2 of this thread and look how excited fans were for the Cubs, and that great Pena signing, and that great starting rotation!  LMAO    All the excitement was gone before the All-Star break. The Cardinals still have a great chance of making the playoffs. and we all know what happened in 2006 when the Cards got the wildcard!

[CEValkyrie]

Looks like the Cardinals had some of Cubs luck today. Take away 20 wins from an 86 win team and it's not looking good. Cubs add Pujols in 2012 and it's really starting to look brutal. Maybe Ken Williams needs to shut his pie hole because Pujols stock just went up if Wainwright needs Tommy John surgery. Hopefully Carpenter goes down and the Cardinals can feel Cubs fans pain from Wood/Prior. Welcome to our world Cardinals. It's starting to crumble all around you.

go look at Cardinals wins. Wainwright being gone, didn't really hurt the regular season.  No crumbling in the Lou!

I would disagree with that. This team is going to miss the playoffs 2 years in a row. This division is absoluetely terrible. with 3 of the worst team in the league in it.  You haven't resigned the best player in baseball and I think he's going to sign elsewhere. The manager is on the hot seat. There is no way Berkman comes back next year and puts up the same numbers he did this year. I don't think it's looking good down there. Lebron James 2 is coming to ST. LOU!

[pdga#7648]

no more needs to be said to that last response, than LMMFAO!!!

[pdga#7648]

Looks like the Cardinals had some of Cubs luck today. Take away 20 wins from an 86 win team and it's not looking good. Cubs add Pujols in 2012 and it's really starting to look brutal. Maybe Ken Williams needs to shut his pie hole because Pujols stock just went up if Wainwright needs Tommy John surgery. Hopefully Carpenter goes down and the Cardinals can feel Cubs fans pain from Wood/Prior. Welcome to our world Cardinals. It's starting to crumble all around you.

go look at Cardinals wins. Wainwright being gone, didn't really hurt the regular season.  No crumbling in the Lou!

I would disagree with that. This team is going to miss the playoffs 2 years in a row. This division is absoluetely terrible. with 3 of the worst team in the league in it.  You haven't resigned the best player in baseball and I think he's going to sign elsewhere. The manager is on the hot seat. There is no way Berkman comes back next year and puts up the same numbers he did this year. I don't think it's looking good down there. Lebron James 2 is coming to ST. LOU!

just like everyone said Berkman was done before the season started?? I'm telling you, St. Louis rejuvinates alot of players careers, cause the best fans in baseball will do that for players! Berkman is proof yet again!

[Dan Michler]

Believing that the cheering of St.Louis fans has a an ability to suddenly improve a player's performance because the cheering of the Astros fan's wasn't good enough....is ridiculous to say the least Doug.  Honestly that wouldn't be saying much for Lance as a professional if it were true.

Good talent evaluation, coaching and player development, and possibly getting back into a winning environment are more realistic reasons why St.Louis may have been historically successful with veteran free agent signings like Berkman, Holliday, and Edmonds....or maybe its cuz them saint louis fans just cheer so darn hard.

[Dan Michler]

If they are both sitting on the couch watching the playoffs on TV in October, it doesn't matter if it was lost in June or September.

Scott I can't possibly disagree any more with this statement.  I would gladly take 3 more months of competitive baseball that ends without a playoff berth rather than a .440 team that was double digit games out before the All-Star break.  I enjoy watching baseball in general, but its alot more exciting when you have a dog in the fight.  At least Doug does get to have the hope that his team can still do something this year for the next few days, even if those hopes are about to be squashed miserably.

[pdga#7648]

Believing that the cheering of St.Louis fans has a an ability to suddenly improve a player's performance because the cheering of the Astros fan's wasn't good enough....is ridiculous to say the least Doug.  Honestly that wouldn't be saying much for Lance as a professional if it were true.

Good talent evaluation, coaching and player development, and possibly getting back into a winning environment are more realistic reasons why St.Louis may have been historically successful with veteran free agent signings like Berkman, Holliday, and Edmonds....or maybe its cuz them saint louis fans just cheer so darn hard.

didn't Berkman play for the Yankees last year?  isnt that a winning environment?
The St.Louis fans cheer whether you are 4-4 or 0-5. Can you Cub fans say the same about if your players go 0-5? didn't think so. Huge boost of confidence knowing the 50,000 fans have your back regardless. Takes the pressure away. Just my opinion. maybe not correct, but numbers don't lie.

[stpitner]

If they are both sitting on the couch watching the playoffs on TV in October, it doesn't matter if it was lost in June or September.

Scott I can't possibly disagree any more with this statement.  I would gladly take 3 more months of competitive baseball that ends without a playoff berth rather than a .440 team that was double digit games out before the All-Star break.  I enjoy watching baseball in general, but its alot more exciting when you have a dog in the fight.  At least Doug does get to have the hope that his team can still do something this year for the next few days, even if those hopes are about to be squashed miserably.

I'm just at the point where if I can spend my time enjoying doing other things other than watching a team lose their chance to get into the playoffs during the final week, I enjoy taking advantage of that time.  To me it feels worse to get all the way to the end and then get knocked out instead of knowing that it's not worth bothering for the rest of the year.  Now if they were going to be fighting and actually make it INTO the playoffs, then sweet!  I'm all in.  Even when they got swept those 2 years in the playoffs I was still happy because they at least made it to the playoffs and weren't watching from the sidelines (yet again).

[Dan Michler]

3 run jack Soriano!  Feels so good!