The Cardinals 40-man roster currently stands at 42 including 60-Day DL residents Eduardo Sanchez and Adam Wainwright. (Aside: Nervous that there hasn’t been more news on Sanchez? Me too.) With September looming, the Cardinals will have active rosters expanding and the ability to move beyond the current 25-man constraints.
Memphis isn’t completely out of the post-season hunt yet (4 games back of first place w/ 7 left to play) but there season is rapidly closing and the Cardinals will have the chance to call up some players. The candidates are almost certainly going to be players already on the 40-man roster as September would be an unusual time of the year to try and clear someone on waivers.
Who is likely to get a callup?
Pitchers
Maikel Cleto, Brandon Dickson, Adam Reifer, Francisco Samuel
Brandon Dickson’s callup and start is imminent (Thursday). Maikel Cleto, who has already seen time in the majors earlier this year in relief also seems like a safe bet for a callup depending on how many bullpen innings the team is projecting. Tony has a long standing desire to not have too many pitchers for too few innings, which leads to concerns of rustiness. A spot start for Dickson and time in the pen for Cleto hardly seems to fit that bill though.
Infielders
Tony Cruz, Matt Carpenter, Zach Cox, Tyler Greene, Mark Hamilton, Pete Kozma
The Cardinals skipper loves his spare catchers and Cruz seemed to enjoy positive reviews from his work in the majors earlier this year. Tyler Greene, whom John Mozeliak recently referenced in an article by Rick Hummel, will get another shot at showing he can be a regular shortstop in the majors. Calling up Pete Kozma makes little if any sense given his performance to date and Greene’s need for regular innings. Zach Cox is in AA and also an unlikely candidate with Matt Carpenter in Memphis. Whether the Cardinals will actually be able to find playing time for Carpenter with Daniel Descalso and David Freese on the active roster is questionable. Carpenter should get a courtesy callup if nothing else but he may spend most of his days on the bench. Mark Hamilton is also likely to get a courtesy callup though his release seems all but assured at the end of this season.
Outfielders
Andrew Brown, Adron Chambers
It would be nice to see what Chambers could do with some time and opportunities in centerfield. I’m not personally sold on him as a big league player but he’s the next centerfielder on the depth chart after Jay in 2012. Andrew Brown’s chances likely hinge on Lance Berkman’s potential trade to the Texas’ Rangers, which may just be idle internet chatter.
My Guess: Cleto, Dickson, Greene, Cruz, Hamilton and possibly Carpenter
Entries (RSS)
>>Whether the Cardinals will actually be able to find playing time for Carpenter with Daniel Descalso and David Freese on the active roster is questionable.<<
That is, of course, true in the Cardinal universe of Tony LaRussa but the rational and sane move is to bench both Theriot and Furcal for the remainder of the season thereby finding playing time for Descalso, Greene and MCarp. The team gains substantial benefit getting a looking at these three, especially T. Greene. He should start at SS every game from Sept 1 until the end of the season to be allowed to make the case that the job is his (or demonstrate otherwise). But that will never happen in Tony's universe and it is a shame. Likewise, Patterson should be shown a seat on the bench on Sept 1 to allow Adron Chambers a few starts / pinch hit appearances. He figures to be vying for a bench outfield spot next spring.
Agree. Unless they are serious about Furcal next year, which I doubt, there is no reason they should not give a bulk of the time to Greene.
Patterson should not be on the bench at all. He’s had his shot and came up wanting. Let the poor fellow go.
Agree about MCarp. I would think he’d be the priority callup to find time for. They have to start making choices regarding the three young third basemen and the most likely scenario is to use CArp in a trade (though that would hurt me) and have Freese man 3b until Cox is ready. A good stint with the varsity could elevate his value.
I don’t really believe in Chambers either but they’re going to need someone to play OF if Berkman is traded.
Re: Hamilton, if they’re going to give at bats to a 1b other than Albert I’d rather they’d put Freese there and give his spot to Carpenter.
Find a way to get Robinson on the 40 man. Maybe release Patterson, then platoon him with Jay.
Yes, rj, we need to get Shane into the mix.
I thnought Sanchez was throwing and they were just going to call it a year instead of rushing him back.
I thought I’d read assurances that he would pitch in September.
Mo said three days ago that he still expects Sanchez back in September. He’s been throwing pain-free.
Hamilton to be released this Winter – I’ll take that bet. He still has an option left. Even if we sign Pujols, what if he goes down in Spring training? No Hamilton will be around until Adams is deemed ready unless we get some value for him.
Btw, I’ll take this post to acknowledge that Az won our last unofficial bet where I said Jenkins would see QC this year and Az said he wouldn’t. :(
Add me to the group who predicted Shane Robinson would get a look. I also chose Carpenter, Greene, Cruz, Dickson, Shelby Miller and Stavi (as a reward for his org leading season), but that was more a wish then a factual prediction. This was before Sept. 1 so I also suggested we ship off Laird to a contender and bring up Bryan Anderson. Obviously that won’t happen. I see Cleto’s been brought up for lack of anything better, however, effective Sept 6th I fully expect to see Matt, Tyler, Tony and Shelby on the Cardinal bench.