After the Jump, a Conversation between two GMs and an interested 3rd party. Oh, and the DFR!
In the lobby of the Adams Mark Hotel, some point during the All-Star Break of 2009
John Mozeliak: “You know, Dayton, I don’t envy you. You’ve taken over a team with one of the best young pitchers in baseball, one of the best young closers in baseball, a bunch of middling prospects who should be coming into their own and some free agent signings that have been great bargains.”
Dayton Moore: “I’m sorry, John? What don’t you envy? I know you envy my silverstreak that all the ladies love. Plus, we’ve got a remodeled ballpark.”
John Mozeliak: “I don’t envy the fact that your only 9 games out of 1st place in your division and you could really use a big bat in your lineup to pick up your offense that is nearly as pathetic as ours. Yet, you don’t have the financial resources to get it done.”
Dayton Moore: “What’s your point, John?”
John Mozeliak: “Nothing. I don’t know. I’ve just been under a lot of pressure lately. We’re in first place thanks to Chris Carpenter returning on a pegacorn, the hormones found in whatever that substance is that Ryan Franklin uses in his beard and Albert Pujols ability to sneak out of team meetings 10 minutes early and changing in his car to avoid Paletta’s requests to spend a few moments to check on his elbow. But I don’t know how much longer Albert can skip batting practice and eat his team meals in the ground keepers office.”
Dayton Moore: “Is that true?”
John Mozeliak: “Yeah, I think Ryan gets his stuff from Honduras. So, now I’ve got THAT to worry about. The offense is pretty bad and we’ve received an official grievance from the MLBPA that Jose Oquendo is no longer allowed to hurl affronts at Joel Pineiro from the dugout during his starts. I just feel like it’s all going to fall apart any moment. I tried getting Mark DeRosa and before I could get him out of town, Paletta got to him. I’m just glad the man’s still got both arms. Chris Perez is trying to kill people in Cleveland and don’t let the Faberge Egg guys know yet, but we’re going to lose Shelby Miller in that deal, too. How was I supposed to know we might actually sign him? I used him as filler on the list!”
Dayton Moore: “You really need to relax, man. You’re in first place and you’ve got the best player in baseball AND the rookie of the year. Here, let’s order some drinks.”
John Mozeliak: “You don’t get it, man! I’ve got to make a deal for an impact bat, whatever that means. Tony’s breathing down my neck every single day. Last year, he actually played Adam Kennedy and Felipe Lopez in the outfield in the same game…as starters! He told me if I don’t do something soon, he’s going to start Adam Wainwright in LF and let Joe Thurston pitch. I don’t even remember signing Joe Thurston and I swear I’ve designated him for assignment 11 times but I don’t think any of my outgoing mail goes out and I think all emails are caught by a filter. He actually setup a trade with Colorado in the off-season of Matt Holliday for Ryan Ludwick while I was under general anesthesia for a root canal. I had to tell the Rockies that Ludwick had Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconioses before they would void the deal. Ryan found out about THAT last week and if not for some quick fists by Fredbird, I would have been the one with the black eye.”
Dayton Moore: “Your mascot? Isn’t that some unpaid intern?”
< Cue Million Dollar Man Music> Money, money, money, moneeeey. Everybody’s got a price! Everybody’s gonna pay…
Billy Beane: “Hello Boys! Did I hear someone say Matt Holliday?”
John Mozeliak: “Oh lord…”
Billy Beane: “That’s nice of you John, but really, no one calls me that anymore. As it so happens, I’ve been making my way around the festivities this week trying to drum up interest in my future hall-of-fame leftfielder and soon to be lights-out-closer.”
John Mozeliak: “Who is the closer?”
Billy Beane: “Oh, no no no Johnny. They are one in the same. Matt Holliday can cure all of what ailes ya!”
John Mozeliak: “Ok, firstly that’s ludicrous. And second I’ve got a closer, a pretty darn good one.”
Billy Beane: “That’s not what Tony told me over at the ARF “Get off the lawns” dog walking initiative.”
John Mozeliak: “Listen Billy, Tony really has no authority to…”
Billy Beane: “Let me stop you right there. I’m going to just lay it out there for you, John. Matt Holliday is already yours. I want you to take Matt, Matt wants you to take Matt, you WANT to take Matt.”
John Mozeliak : “Please stop saying Matt. I’m sure there is a catch. Remember, we don’t own the deed to Autozone Park.”
Billy Beane: “It’s nothing, really. You can even keep Colby Rasmus.”
John Mozeliak: “I’m listening…”
Billy Beane: “I’m not an unreasonable man, Johnny. Whatever Walter told you, I’m sure it was exaggerated. I think a package involving a third base prospect, a starting pitcher, an outfielder and a few middle relievers could get this done.”
John Mozeliak: “That’s a lot of players but we do have a bit of a surplus. Go on.”
Billy Beane: “See, I knew we could work something out as two reasonable men. A simple transaction of Brett Wallace, Adam Wainwright, Daryl Jones, Jess Todd along with Adam Reifer and Matt stays here with you in St. Louis. He’s up in the room right now, I’ll have someone send for him…”
John Mozeliak: “Are you out of your mind?!? You want to trade 2 months of an average Major League outfielder who hasn’t shown any signs of being above average since leaving the zero gravity facility in Colorado for arguably the ace of our staff, a grade A OF prospect, two minor league closers and potentially our starting 3B next season?”
Billy Beane: “Did you know he trains with Mark McGwire? Ok, ok. Perhaps I’ve been unfair. Forget Wainwright. I can understand why you all would be gunshy about dealing a starting pitcher. Let’s try this again. Brett Wallace, Daryl Jones, Lance Lynn, Pete Parise and you pick between Todd or Reifer.”
John Mozeliak: <beat> “No.”
Billy Beane: “You drive a hard bargain, Mozeliak. You are a worth adversary. Last offer. Brett Wallace, Evan MacLane and any player on Batavia.”
John Mozeliak: “Our drinks are here, goodbye Billy.”
Billy Beane: “Curse you Mozeliak! We had a deal! Wallace will be MINE! MINE I TELL YOU.”
Dayton Moore: “Seriously, John. You should come with me to work some day. We literally spend most days playing table tennis with the guys down in marketing. It’s pretty relaxing.”
Scene.
___________________________________________________________
On to the DFR!
Memphis 7, Must have taken a wrong turn at Albuquerque 11
- Jon Jay was 3-for-6 with a double and 3 RBI. He stole a base.
- Our long national nightmare is over. Tyler Greene finally got a hit and a walk. He also struck out, stole a base and made an error.
- Allen Craig, the forgotten Redbird, went 2-for-6 with 2 RBI.
- Brett Wallace, living out of a suitcase waiting to see if he is going to Oakland or Toronto, hit a HR and made an error.
- Matt Pagnozzi continues to move himself into the backup role for the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals with a 2-for-3 night, along with 2 walks.
- Evan MacLane keeps that strikeout total high with 6, but was a little rougher tonight in other areas. Going 5 innings, he allowed 8 hits and 3 ERs while walking 1.
- Oneli Perez kept the Redbirds in line for victory with 2 scoreless innings, striking out 2.
- Then, the wheels came off.
- Matthew Scherer gave up 4 runs on 3 hits (one of which was a HR). I know that 3 of his runs were unearned but if you give up 3 hits in an inning and one such is a HR, you probably deserve atleast half runs on those.
- Memphis fought back and tied it in the bottom of the 8th, only to have Pete Parise of recent international fame and fortune give back 4 more runs in the 10th. It was his second inning of work, so don’t be too hard on him. He gave up 3 hits, 4 runs (3 ER) and walked a batter for the loss.
- Adron Chambers went 3-for-4 with 3 runs scored.
- Andrew Brown hit a double.
- The Flying Dutchman Curt Smith went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, just for me.
- Aaron Luna was 1-for-5 with a homerun.
- Matt Arburr was 1-for-5 with a homerun.
- Charles Cutler was 1-for-5…with a double.
- Domnit Bolivar was 1-for-5…with a double.
- Nick Additon had a mess of a game. He went 4 innings, giving up 6 hits and 5 runs (4 ER). He walked 3 and struck out 4.
- Blake King was effectively wild, again. 3 walks and 3 strikeouts in 2 innings. He gave up a run.
- Jason Buursma coughed up the lead in the 8th giving up 2 ERs but the Cardinals would get it back in the 9th until…
- With 1 out in the 9th, Adam Reifer gave up the game winning run. He gave up a hit, a walk and struck out a batter.
- Luis Mateo was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and 2 runs scored.
- Matthew Adams and Raniel Rosario were both 2-for-5. Rosario had a double and 2 RBI.
- Don’t Call Me Yunier Castillo was 2-for-4 with a triple.
- Robert Stock had a passed ball.
- Reyneir Gonzalez struck out 4 in 5 innings. He gave up 2 hits, 2 runs (1 ER) and walked 1.
- Andrew Moss took the Cardinals through the 9th by pitching 3 innings of 1 run ball. He struck out 4 and gave up a HR.
- Then it all went to pot. In the 9th inning, JC gave up 5 runs in a game they lead 6-3 with 3 outs to play.
- David Kington was hit twice and walked 1 before being pulled.
- Jason Novak then came in to give up all 3 of those inherited runners and 2 of his own. He struck out 1, walked 1 and gave up 2 hits.
- Devin Goodwin was 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
- Alan Ahmady and Beau Riportella both went 2-for-4.
- Niko Vasquez, the prodigal son. 3-for-4, 3 RBI and a double. We’ll pretend you didn’t have that fielding error.
- Eric Fornataro started and went 5 strong giving up only 2 hits and walking 1. 13 groundouts. Eek!
- Scott Schneider was scoreless as well in his 2.2 innings. He walked 3 and struckout 3, giving up 2 hits.
- Jason Kelly gave up 2 hits, 2 runs and a walk in 0.1 innings.
- LaCurtis Mayes came in to LaClose it down with a save. He walked 1 and struckout 1.
Entries (RSS)
Pardon me for a moment while I stand and applaud.
Nice work, HL!
I don’t know what is up with the formatting. Apparently the software can’t handle a hard return.
So, I really like the weird photo indentations. . .
thought they were on purpose
They look brilliant like that, as if Moz is being gobbled up by The Beaney One.
Did Niko play in the field or just DH? Maybe they are DHing him to help him focus on trying to find his swing?
He did not DH. He had an error.
Just saw that after I submitted……..Nice to see that hes starting to hit the ball in the last half a week or so.
Good stuff, HL. Wallace has a HR tonight, so that’s good news.
What is the deal with First Basemen in this organization? Earlier this year, they had Andrew Brown, Matt Arburr, Curt Smith, Mark Hamilton and possibly Buckman all in Springfield. Now Brown is rehabbing in PB, Arburr has apparently been demoted to PB, Curt Smith has been back in PB for awhile, Buckman was released, and Hamilton was promoted to Memphis. So who’s playing 1B for Springfield now?
Is it me, or does Blake King pitch every day?
Niko’s had 5 decent games in a row, can he keep it up?
Epic.
I’m trying to find the rec button and it’s nowhere to be seen.
Shaneo – Off the top of my head, Buckman, Brown, Hamilton, Curt Smith, Arburr, Tony Cruz, Steven Hill and Shane Peterson have all played 1B for Springfield. Arburr’s been sick, and Brown is supposed to be back in Springfield soon. Wouldn’t be surprised if Curt Smith is back here soon, too.
With Arburr sick and the others gone, Hill, Cruz and Peterson all played some 1B. Peterson hadn’t played there much in Palm Beach but did some in college.
With respect to the other regular posters of the DFR.
GREATEST DFR I’VE EVER READ.
Yea, that’s true.
cant wait for the second episode lol
Can we get a “what if Jocketty was still the GM?” version of that conversation? Would Walt be bidding against himself trying to give away more than Beane asked for? Would there be a little LaRussa sitting on his shoulder whispering which young players he plans on jerking around so they might as well trade them now?
Not only was it Parisi’s 2nd inning but it was the second day in a row he had gone more than 1 inning and the first time this year ( i believe) he had gone on back to back days.
I hope Future Redbirds Theatre makes a return soon. Somebody get HL a photo of Dr. Death, Paletta. Kudos.
The Paletta references were priceless!!
Great. Now I’m going to have that money song stuck in my head all day.
This Curt Smith-HL business is getting out of hand. I’m starting to think there must be some kind of under-the-table deal between Legend and opposing pitchers.
Will part 2 include JP Riccardi?
Mitchell Boggs starts tonight for Memphis. Hopefully he figures out whatever it is that is wrong with him and gives the Cards serious pause on replacing Todd Wellemeyer with Brad Thompson.
Scott Gorgen up to AA? He’s the third guy from last year’s draft to make it there right?
Gorgen is the 3rd pitcher and 4th overall to Springfield from the 2008 draft. Wallace, Krulik, Lynn, and now Gorgen.
Actually that would be 6 overall if you add in Sedbrook and Peterson.
Pegacorn? I like it. Is that like a leprataur?
If the mythology theme is a possibility here, I’d like to propose the next installment be called “Johnny and the Golden Fleece.” In it, Mozeliak the Valiant travels by canoe and raft to all the MLB cities with ports (sorry, Texas) in search of an LHSP, finally going ashore in Oakland. Once there, he challenges Billy the Merciless to a fielding competition, during which Billy slips and impales himself on a bat shard. Johnny and Albert Pujols then wrestle Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez, and Dana Eveland (and Trevor Cahill, for good measure) into the raft and are greeted at the Arch by a thousand score adoring Missourians.
Just a suggestion.
Shaneo: FYI… there have been 76 games and Blake King has been in 30…there are several relievers out and they pitch when they are called upon.
Actually Grogen is the 6th overall as I forgot Peterson and Sedbrook!
Whoever runs this site and Daily Farm Report. I just found this site today. I intern here for the Cards in Johnson City so if you need any information or need stats the end of each night anything like that I keep score and pitch count for us and visiting team so email me if youd like to talk or need anything. I didnt see any other way to get in touch with the Moderator or whomever is in charge. Thanks
erik is the man you are looking for.
Wow you’re right. For some reason only Wallace and Lynn were the others I could remember. This already has the makings of a very successful draft.
Actually I was wrong again. I also forgot Freeman (making Gorgen the 4th pitcher) and Smith who was up earlier making Gorgen the 8th overall. Really an amazing number when you think about it and none of them has tanked. The fact that our 40th (Smith), 32nd (Freeman) and our 22nd (Sedbrook) – none of which dropped for huge signability issues – is really amazing. Luna might have a shot this year also.
Awesome
@shawn … not a moderator, but would love to hear (or read) some of your first hand accounts on some of our current JC’ers.
HL, i must say that was very entertaining..always enjoy the FDR’s, but especially this one..continue on in another one!