Is Hitting In The Cards?

The St. Louis Cardinals offense has been absolutely dreadful this year, averaging a mere 4.4 runs a game. Luckily they still find themselves just a half game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the National League Central lead, mainly due to a pitching staff that gives up only 4.2 runs a game. They have become a team with a super star Albert Pujols and a bunch of guys who have not lived up to past standards (Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick and Chris Duncan). So are the reinforcements on the way?

“There are possibilities here and there, but nothing compelling,” team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr said regarding a middling pool of available trade possibilities. “There remain some clubs that now perceive themselves in the race that may fall out and move talent. But you can’t be certain of the market.”

So yea, it looks like Cardinals fans are stuck with what they’ve got right now. Which offensively isn’t too appealing. Yesterday for instance the Cards beat the Cleveland Indians 3-1 thanks to two Pujols homeruns and a strong start by Brad Thompson. Unfortunately this is how the team is going to have to win games.

DeWitt suggests that the teams output has been because of injuries, citing specifically the long term absence of Troy Glaus and personal issues of Khalil Greene. “We really haven’t been at full strength all year,” DeWitt said. “Hopefully, in time, we will be.”

This could be true? But can those two really make such a difference.

In my opinion, not likely. Greene is highly over-rated, I know I drafted him for years to my fantasy baseball squad only to cut him by mid-season a couple of times. This year he’s batting the mendoza line .200 with 2 homers and 14 rbis over 105 at-bats. Over the course of his career he’s only hit for a .246 average so it’s not like he’s been having a huge slump. Just worse then usual.

Glaus could be a big boost but how much I’m not sure. The Cards have struggled to find a cleanup hitter all season and Glaus could fill that role. The issue with him is when he’ll be able to return. No one’s sure exactly when that will happen as he hasn’t even begun to swung a bat yet.

Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak said, “He’s getting his strength back. He’s been cleared to start his throwing program, which will progress into a hitting program probably in the next week or so. The timetable is still quite unknown. It’s probably going to be somewhere between the All-Star Game and August 1 if he were to return.”

That’s not a good sign at all. If he were to return? That’s never a good sign. Basically with this time frame the Cardinals have to move forward like he’s not going to. DeWitt needs to realize that. Yes, your team is in the divisional race despite their struggles but you can’t expect that to continue. By the time Glaus returns they could of played themselves out of the race, by waiting.

There’s always an underlying reason, a reason that goes beyond the players and that’s money. The Cardinals reduced payroll this season by $8 million and are reluctant to add more. By trying to ride things out and wait for Glaus, he could lower the dollar price on any player he adds.

Take for instance Miguel Tejada. The Cardinals have had interest in him since last year but it hasn’t yet happened. Partly because of Astros owner Drayton McLane reluctance to trade as the team is still in the playoff race themselves. And partly because of Tejada’s cost, his contract for this is $13 million. If they wait till the All-Star break he’d only have half of that salary remaining and then become very affordable. The Astros are struggling financially and by then may realize they have to cut salary despite their position.

There are some other options who’d become very affordable around the All-Star break.

Seattle Mariners’ Adrian Beltre will have about $6 mil remaining and Cleveland Indians Mark DeRosa will be down to $2.75 million.

All would be salaries the Cardinals could and still be below last years payroll. DeRosa or Tejada would also serve another purpose. They are multi-position players that can help the Cardinals with that versatility.

Unfortunately just like all things in life, this is going to come down to money. The Cardinals need fans in the stands to be able to meet and possibly exceed payroll. They’ve sold their 3 millionth ticket this month but need more.

“Three million is always our goal — that and to be in the race to the end,” DeWitt said. “We’ve done better than (3 million) in recent years. I’d still say we’re having a good season in that respect, though some of the other revenue categories are down. That’s a function of the economy. But it’s important because nobody knew which way the economy was going. It hasn’t played out yet. We’re still not certain of how revenues will be across the board but we’re encouraged by attendance and what that means.”

The Cards can use some help offensively but unfortunately it won’t be for a while. In the meantime, they should take a look at what the Chicago Cubs have done with the firing of hitting coach Gerald Perry. Maybe they should take a look in that direction. Hal McRae has done a good job with the youngsters, but the veterans have clearly digressed.

What are your thoughts Cards fans?

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Tags: MLB, St Louis Cardinals