The Hawaiian Winter League started last night, with a couple of Cardinals participating. Before I get into the boxscore, Kevin Goldstein ranked the players at each position. Tyler Herron was ranked the 4th best starting pitching prospect, and Blake King was ranked the 2nd best relief prospect.
The club named their minor league player and pitcher of the year. Baseball America named that player of the year David Freese, but the Cardinals gave the honor to Daryl Jones. There is an argument for both, but I think the Birds got the right guy. Jess Todd was named the pitcher of the year.
Strauss reports he “trade embargo” on prospects could be lifted this winter, and some see it as a test of the true worth of the minor league system.
“When you look at how we fill our needs this offseason, are those areas we can address via trade?” he said. “We don’t know those answers but it’s something we’re looking at seriously because we don’t think we can get them all in the free agent market.”
When I read Strauss, I can’t help to think that he doesn’t think much of the farm system or Jeff Luhnow.
- Podsednik clone Jim Rapoport doubled and struck out walked twice.
- Wild King struck out two and walked two over two no hit innings. He also threw a wild pitch.
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rapoport walked twice not struck out twice ;)
>>When I read Strauss, I can’t help to think that he doesn’t think much of the farm system or Jeff Luhnow.<<
Or he is carrying water for TLR … which is my preferred interpretation. There is a price for a reporter to gain access into the inner sanctum. Strauss has anted up.
Strauss reminds me of a shock-jock on the radio. He is our Howard Stern, willing to say anything for a reaction. Sometimes he says interesting things, but honestly, I am more confused than anything after looking at his stories.
I wouldn’t call him shock-jock, he’s pretty professional I believe for the most part. Shock jock would be more like Bernie. I mostly enjoy his chats on wednesdays, and he’s a pretty good beat writer, albeit I prefer Goold. While I’m not sure that he’s carrying water for TLR, that is good analysis of how in step with LaRussa’s view on the the farm system it comes across, at least to me.
Good point erik. I didn’t think of Bernie, since I don’t really follow him anymore. I also fall in line with DG since I prefer his style. Maybe I get the feeling that Strauss wants to win now at any costs, and the farm system be damned.
If LaRussa is done after 09, Strauss would be better served to reach out to Luhnow IMHO. That way he could better follow how much better the players in the minors are compared to when Tony and Walt took over. True that some of those players make for better trade options, but when was the last time we COULD say that?
I, for one, like the talk of extending Lohse because that cuts down on the need to trade for an ‘established’ starter this winter. Don’t get me wrong, though, I would kill for a Cain/Linecum deal at almost any cost. There is a huge difference in established starters about to enter FA and ones that are under team control for many years.
No matter with method you prefer, this will definitely be an awesome winter for baseball!
When I read Strauss, I can’t help but think the only person he does think much of is himself.
Regarding Strauss, I want to like him. I think he is a solid reporter. Fair, honest, and up to date. However, when you read his chats he comes off as someone who regards fans poorly. He seems to anger easily when readers show loyalty to the Cardinals and takes pleasure in pointing out the bias. Also, it doesn’t appear he likes his job. I think he regards the role of Cardinals beat writer as an underpaid duty, while fans see it as a pretty sweet gig.