Hopefully the live blogging feature can become something that our growing contributor list can utilize when they actively get out to the ballpark.  It’s always good to let people know the more descriptive details of a play that might not show in the boxscore.

The site hopes not only to become more informative over the next calendar year but also more interactive.

On to the DFR….

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We are going to test this bad boy out, I’m going to try to live blog the Muckdogs game tonight from inside the stadium.
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Story

Having read some of the comments in the other thread, I think everyone is WAY off base here. I’m not a fan of Pedro Feliz but David Carpenter was not a top 5 relief prospect and probably not a top 30 prospect. We traded a non-prospect for a really bad player.  It’s perhaps the least consequential move possible but no one should be disappointed about losing Carpenter.  If you want to call this a bad trade, focus on the acquisition of Feliz not the departure of Carpenter.

For David, he’s likely in a better place now. He’s got legitimate relief arm but he’s more of a fringe setup type than a closer (and that’s  a pretty rosy assessment). The Astros system is barren as opposed to the Cardinals relief system that has guys like Adam Reifer, Eduardo Sanchez, Casey Mulligan, Blake King, Francisco Samuel, etc. in front of him.

Good luck, David.

[Update: Hardcore Legend]

The Cardinals acquired Pedro Feliz’s glove and some cash in exchange for David Carpenter’s arm.

While Feliz has been one of the worst hitters in baseball for quite a while, his defense will most certainly be better than that of Felipe Lopez. The offense has been stagnant of late (other than El Hombre) but it shouldn’t go without notice that at least one game this week was lost because Felipe has trouble with the catching and throwing aspect of the game.
As for David, he was a bit old for the level he was pitching at but as the closer he racked up 20 saves while posting a 8.4 k/9 rate this season. Carpenter picked up that 20th save last night while striking out 2 in the 9th. Since the end of May, David had pitched 31 IP while only giving up 4 ER and striking out 26.

“Everybody gets into rough spots, but you have to overcome it somehow,”  – Pete Kozma

With the draft class being finalized a few short days ago, it is interesting to look at what our top pick from 2007 is doing. We all know about the errors and the inconsistency at the plate. He’s been dubbed a slap hitting infielder with doubles power. Perhaps, though, he may be finally developing into a potential MLB player. Apparently Pop Warner told the young short-fielder to relax his approach and stay confident in his abilities.

Since that speech, he’s hit at a .438 clip with 5 2Bs and 5 HRs. For the month of August, he looks like a real prospect with a slash line of .318/.357/.652.

I don’t particularly believe that Pete has turned the corner or this is anything more than a hot streak that just happened to coincide with Pop’s words of encouragement. However, it would be a welcome addition to have the former 1st round pick round into an above average MLB player. Or, atleast, be better than Aaron Miles.

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I didn’t quite make it through my Springfield notes last night. As an apology, please accept these pictures.

Only two games tonight and they weren’t good ones. The rain and the All-star games are easy on a DFRer.

BJ Rains of Fox Sports Midwest reported that our favorite non-US visa’ed future redbird Carlos Matias has been shut down for the year due to innings, not injury. However, Luhnow also says they are confident he will be in the states “in the near future.”

Also, in other Twitter news, Twitter’s favorite future redbird CJ Beatty got promoted to Palm Beach.

Come leap with me into the DFR!

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It’s signing day, hit the other posts for that intel, but congrats to new Future Redbirds Zach Cox and Matt Swagerty. In other news:

Tommy Pham has hit the DL. Pham had a red hot preseason and began to finally hit the ball better in Springfield after being promoted from Palm Beach. He OPS’ed .966 in Springfield but that was supported by a .422 BABIP. I would love to see Pham come back strong for the last week of the season, but so far this season has been a excellent step forward.

Trey Hearne and his 6.72 FIP in Springfield this year have been moved to the bullpen. Scott McGregor takes his place in the rotation.

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I’m having trouble with the CoverItLive software and the WordPress software so I’ll just force you to Click Here for the live chat.

I’ve got some big news coming re: the site but I realized that if I posted it today, it would undoubtedly be overshadowed by someone signing or not signing.

Zach Cox, Austin Wilson and Jordan Swaggerty conversations can go here. One note: I’ve mistakenly thought that Swaggerty was a senior.  He’s a draft eligible sophomore — same as Cox.  I still expect him to sign but given that today is the deadline that might be less of a sure proposition. Sounds like he’s looking for overslot bonus money.

Zach Cox Signed (Credit to Kendall Rogers again.)

Austin Wilson Did Not Sign (Per Keith Law.)

Jordan Swagerty Signed (Looks like the credit goes here.)

Update: Matthew Leach confirms in blog post.