Over at BP, Bryan Smith looks at the “Cardinal Crisis”
In compiling this list, I stumbled onto something pretty strange—perhaps no organization will be more invested in evaluating their own players for 40-man roster spots than the Cardinals. While the team sent pretty good prospects such as Mitch Boggs and Mark Hamilton to the Mesa Solar Sox, the rest of the Cardinals players on the team are being evaluated, likely against each other. The Cardinals currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster, and while free agencies will shrink that number in November, there might only be two spots for the following four players:
He looks at Joe Mather, Jarrett Hoffpauir, Kyle McClellan and Jason Motte. He likes Hoff and Motte to make the 40 man while thinks McClellan and Mather could get scooped by Rule 5. I love Smith’s writing. He and Goldstein alone make BP worth subscribing to. But I don’t think he knows that if Mather isn’t added to the 40 man, he’s not available for Rule 5, he’s a free agent. Is there room for all 4? Looking at the current 40 man, I think there could be.
Branyan is gone. Stinnett is gone. Cairo is gone. With Dove’s shoulder issues, he may be off safely, because I don’t think he find many takers with his injury woes. Falkenborg, Cavazos, Jimenez have not really done anything special and could be DFA’d. The idea of competition isn’t a bad idea, pretty La Russian. I think they can find room for them all, if they want.
No reaction for Andy Samberg, eh?
- Mitch Boggs started the game. It took him 48 pitches to get through three innings. He allowed no runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, striking out 2.
- Kyle McClellan was not so hot. He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks over 1 inning.
- Hamilton went 1 for 3 with a walk.
Filed under: Daily Farm Reports
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This was a great article and provides a little hope. If the Cards add a SS, Miles becomes a DFA option as well w/ Kennedy, SS, Ryan, and Hoffpauir + Barden. Or maybe Barden is released. But Mather needs to stay in the organization and be given a shot to make the club at some point in ‘08.
How serious is Dove’s problem?
I could see Hoff taking Eck’s leadoff spot. You need OBP and he may be able to provide that. I would like to have seen him play here this year but we had to wait a little longer. I also suspect how the GM/Mgt issues play out will determine a lot of this, sadly.
I just want to say I really love that punched skit. I laughed my butt off. I honestly haven’t laughed like that in awhile. Thanks.
I hope they make room for all those guys. We’ll see.
Hamilton also got a hit in that game. I think they will find room for all 4 of them if they don’t trade one before the Rule 5 or free agency periods begin.
Typical uuninformed outside observer. As stated above Mather will be a minor league FA if not put on the 40 man roster. What is really amazing is that he leaves off the guy who I think is most auditioning in Arizona for a 40 man spot - Pomeranz. To make the 40 man roster he needs to show that he;s healthy and that he get upper level players out. If there is any competition I’d say it is between him and McClellen for the last spot (though both may make it).
sorry for the samberg silence. it was a wonderfully woven in counterpoint to the DPR yesterday … and i watched it about 7 times.
“But I don’t think he knows that if Mather isn’t added to the 40 man, he’s not available for Rule 5, he’s a free agent”
However, if Mather is signed by the Cards (and that’s a strong possibility) and not added to the 40 man roster that WOULD expose him to the Rule V draft.
Why doesn’t anyone ever mention jose martinez as being the shortstop next season? From his numbers and his age it seems like he can only get better.
bleacher is right. every year there are some players signed by clubs as minor league free agents that are lost to the rule V draft. even if the cardinals don’t sign him, if he is signed to a minor league contract by anyone he will be eligible for the rule V draft.
However, if Mather is signed by the Cards (and that’s a strong possibility) and not added to the 40 man roster that WOULD expose him to the Rule V draft.
what if he’s signed to a major league contract?
“what if he’s signed to a major league contract?”
If he’s signed to a major league contract, then he’ll have to be added to the 40 man roster. Thus, he’ll then be protected from the Rule V draft.