Comments on: A couple of Saturday morning rumors

By: TEO

TEO — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:52:54 +0000

ROBERTO PINA IS MY NEPHEW,WE’RE VERY HAPPY,THAT HIS A CARDINALS. BECAUSE WE LOVE,ALBERT PUJOLS. YEEEEAAAA BABEEEE

By: Bird Land » Blog Archive » Cards Boost Bonuses in Latin America

Bird Land » Blog Archive » Cards Boost Bonuses in Latin America — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:39:01 +0000

[...] a bat as polished as his is is pretty exciting,” Luhnow said. Future Redbirds, naturally, mentioned De La Cruz/Pina before and made the comparison between this signing and the Cardinals recent first-round pick writing: [...]

By: Sunday Spitballs - 06.29.08 | Pitchers Hit Eighth

Sunday Spitballs - 06.29.08 | Pitchers Hit Eighth — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 03:18:29 +0000

[...] Rumor has it that first round draft pick Brett Wallace has signed with the Cardinals and his signing will be announced on Monday. I would expect (hope?) that they will put on a similar show at Busch as they did with second-round pick Lance Lynn. Perhaps suit Wallace up and let him take BP swings alongside Pujols? [...]

By: Bob

Bob — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:46:16 +0000

I agree with Erik about accumulating hitters, Bill. If you look at the Brewers right now, they have a terrific trade chip in Matt LaPorta, because the guy is killing the ball (Mat Gamel, too). Heck, there are even rumors they may swap Prince Fielder–what would a team give for *him*?–since LaPorta could take his place. I’d say that you can never have too many outstanding hitters in your organization, regardless of position.

One thought: all these 16-year-olds who’ll be signed next week, they’re the equivalent of high school sophomores. Which makes them a very volatile commodity, very difficult to project. Therefore, if the Cards’ budget for signings is, say, $3MM, I’d rather they pay $100-200K apiece for 15-20 very good players than sink $1-2MM each into 2 young kids.

That way you spread the risk and still allow yourself the chance at signing a future star or two (what’d we pay Richard Castillo or Gerardo Mannbel?). Again, you’re signing HS sophomores–there’s really no telling what the upside could be with these players in their mid-teens. Although it would admittedly be exhilarating to ink some high-profile kid to a 7-figure bonus, that would be similar to a large, intoxicating free agent signing…and those frequently backfire.

By: erik

erik — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 20:52:59 +0000

I really don’t mind, get as many bats as you can. I’m sure they will get some up the middle players and lefties too, but one thing I’ve noticed is the lack of an advanced bat amongst their latin american prospects. I’d be happy with El Macho Morsa.

By: Pitchers Hit Eighth

Pitchers Hit Eighth — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:38:40 +0000

Will they just start Wallace in St Louis and get rid of Duncan?

Please?

By: picklefork

picklefork — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:38:20 +0000

I am always a fan of SS’s and LHP’s

That is where I would spend my budget.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:34:50 +0000

I don’t get it. If Pina is going to inherit the nickname “El Morsa,” why chase him as well as Wallace? (Yeah, I know, mixed genders, but ignore that.) An organization can’t have too many power pitchers, but it can very easily have too many big-bottomed-first-basemen-waiting-to-happen. Is this particular skill set really one where the Latin American scouting program should be looking for people?

By: lassie01

lassie01 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:53:58 +0000

Thanks,

Yeah, I would like at least one of the higher profile guys but guys like Tejada, Cueto, Reyes, Carlos Gomez, etc weren’t really one of these guys so as long as they’re involved and are signing more players I’m happy.

I’m really anxious to see if the two scouts who signed Reyes and Gomez for the Mets who now work for the Cards have any influence on the players signed and see how those players progress if they do.

By: picklefork

picklefork — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:23:29 +0000

Great news if true, Erik.

Lassie…I am guessing the Pina news is coming from an informed poster at saberscouting, who seems to know the Latin players real well.

Could be wrong….seems like alot of the top Latin kids already have a verbal agreement…unfortunately it seems Yorman is one of the…he is linked to the Reds.

Cards are again..not in on any of the 1M+ guys….I can understand..but when you see the Reds, A’s, Brewers and Indians paying big money…its not about market size.

Its about the allotment of budget…Cards still need to open up the purse strings a bit.

But hey..anything can happen…Reds got Johnny Cueto for $2,500