First off, a round of internet applause for Matt Baker who so capably took over some big shoes of Kary Booher (now at Baseball America) writing about the Springfield Cardinals.  Matt is headed for sandier pastures (Oklahoma) and FR wishes him nothing but the best.  Thanks for all the insights into our AA prospects this year Matt!

The QC Times has a video interview with Jermaine Curtis.

Clayton Mortensen and Brett Wallace on their return to Memphis.  Wallace in particular seems happy to be back West.  I think it’s a good situation for both of their careers in the near term.

David Freese has had some extended DL time dating back to May 15th.  He’s healthy now so we’ll see where this goes.  I’ve never been a Freese supporter based on what I’ve seen out of him but there certainly appears to be an opening at 3B in the Cardinals future.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal details some of the changes the new Memphis GM is thinking about.  This caught my eye though:

Upon taking over, Global Spectrum told team president Dave Chase he could remain as a consultant for 60 days.In addition, Global Spectrum let go senior vice president of sales Pete Rizzo and president of baseball operations Bill Harter.

On Monday, five other employees were let go, including vice president of community relations Reggie Williams. Global Spectrum has reduced payroll by more than $500,000, based on a study of the foundation’s IRS filings.

Oy Vey! $500K by releasing or replacing 7 employees in a AAA front office.  I’m sure there’s a lot of work that goes on in a front office that I’m not aware of but that seems like some cushy salaries based on those numbers.

HOT TOPIC OF AUGUST 17TH: Matthew Leach on the Shelby Miller situation.  Money quote:

“[We are aware] of the industry and what’s trying to be accomplished,” Mozeliak said on Saturday. “But I think you have to do what’s best for the organization.”

Translation: We realize the Commissioner is trying to suppress salaries but everyone else has given him the middle finger and we’re not missing the boat this time around.

BJ Rains spent a couple days down in Springfield and brings us back several writeups.

Sanchez and Samuel. Quoting Pop Warner:

“They are both little fireballers, and if they can command the strike zone like they should, they will help us out in St. Louis.”

I look forward to Warner saying those things as the StL manager someday.

Pete Kozma.

The extra pressure got to Kozma, who struggled to avoid thinking about the high expectations placed on him after being a team’s top pick.

“I did at first, right after I got drafted,” Kozma said. “But now it’s definitely worn off. I just go out there and play like all of these other guys. I try not to worry about that.”

I’ve just been trying to do my part to lower the Kozmanaut expectations and take a little pressure off the kid.  I’m not negative; I’m a team player.

Lance Lynn.

“I feel like as a pitcher, you have to rise to the challenges and rise to the occasions, and that’s one of the challenges you face,” Lynn said. “You are going to get in tough jams and if you’re the guy who is able to step up and do what he needs to do to get out of them, it makes you competitive and makes you a better pitcher.

“That’s one of the things that was instilled in me when I was a young kid by my father. It’s stuck with me. That’s just the way I play the game, very aggressively. I pitch very aggressively. You don’t see that much with starters — you find them here and there — but that’s just what I’ve always done and it’s a big reason that I am who I am.”

“Fire Buring, Fire Buring on the pitcher’s mound” just doesn’t have the same ring to it . . .

DJ Tools. On the Futures Game:

“That game was important to me,” Jones said, all but admitting that he played the game at less than full health. “I really wanted to play in it. It was unfortunate to hurt my leg, but I don’t regret it. It was a fun game, and now all I can do is sit back and get healthy.

“You don’t want to miss time, but the experience, I don’t regret the experience. I will just have to make up for lost time when I get back.”

That has to be a hard decision.  It’s such a huge opportunity for a young player especially when the game is held in the parent club’s park.  I continue to hold out hope that the Cardinals will institute a StL Futures Game or simply bring the S-Cardinals and the Memphis Redbirds in for an exhibition match.

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