7Mo

I think you're correct. I watched a roundtable discussion a couple of years ago of about 6 active GM's and they all talked about the constant texts exploring deals. I think it's SOP in today's market.

They were teammates with the Padres in 2007.

Jon Heyman says 3/75.

It makes sense. He pitched at Univ of Missouri, he lives just outside St Louis and his wife is a Mizzou grad and from the St Louis area.

I agree that those guys could be weapons in the pen but previous Elias moves make me guess they'll be given every opportunity to start.

192 innings certainly has value. But that's spending roughly $10M to tell Irvin, Wells and DL Hall that they're likely in the bullpen, where they don't want to be. I think they bring in a guy for significantly less than $10M who they think they can fix who could start, but without the commitment so there's a fair competition between that signee and the 3 above.

It was the prepared game plan. That's what was set up as their way of approaching the Rangers who are one of the best off-speed hitting teams in the majors, if not the best. That's not on Adley.

First batter of the game, Semien, stuck his bat out and singled to left on a 1-2 count. If that's "evident after the first batter", that's some next level evaluation. I've heard a 100 times "you better get him early before he settles in". Guess that isn't possible with our guys.

You said it was evident from the first batter. This guy was one of the best starters in baseball after the ASB. I don't think it's unreasonable to give a young guy, in his first MLB playoff game into the second inning to calm down and find it. Obviously it didn't work out. But I don't think many, if any, MLB managers would have pulled a guy in the first inning there.

Time for you to say Tuesday's game is a must win.

He (Kershaw) just needs more experience.

When would you have taken him out?

Interesting to me and maybe no one else but it certainly appeared that once upon a time, Bill DeWitt felt like he had to make a choice between 2 highly thought of executives, one being John Mozeliak and the other being Jeff Luhnow. It appeared that the easier choice was Mozeliak because Luhnow may have been more difficult to get along with (i.e., control) so Luhnow, Elias and Mejdal left St Louis for Houston. Meanwhile, Mozeliak has made one poor decision after another leading the Cards from an extremely well run team to it's current trainwreck status.

I agree. I think Santander is traded along with one of Urias or Mateo. I'd guess Urias has the far higher trade value over Mateo and they'll keep Mateo as insurance (although dubious) for Ortiz being added to the lineup. Doubt both Hays and Santander are traded UNLESS Elias and co have their eyes on an outfielder they can bring in as a waiver claim or very low cost pickup that they feel very good about turning around. Counting on both Kjerstad and Cowser to establish themselves at the same time seems like more risk than Elias would want. I'm sure Elias is mindful of "sure thing" Kyle Tucker taking a few years to establish himself. I was really hoping the trade deadline netted us Dylan Carlson who seems far more talented than he's played to date. I'd bet our development team could unlock some stuff with him. And that would give Elias his switch hitting outfielder who could play center in a pinch.

This is exactly correct. Kevin would likely prevail in court (or more likely arbitration) over enforcement but it's probably a safer and less costly approach to simply let his contract expire (like others, I'd be shocked if it's not a one year deal) and move on then. That would take away any risk.

Do you believe a lot of agents other than Boras look for less than full market value? Boras is the best and loudest at what he does but there's not an agent interested in agreeing to anything less than full market value. And, it's still up to the player. Believe it or not, it's still the player saying yes or no.

I think this is a safe bet.

Sure hope you know something.

I'm a big fan of Westburg but I'd do that without hesitation.

I think Elias is chasing Gilbert, Bryce Miller and or Mitch Keller. It seems more likely we wind up with one of Matz or Flaherty. I'd feel better about Lorenzen plus Alex Lange.

I'd guess Carlson and Matz.

Hope that means Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller or Mitch Keller.

That's what I think they would do but I also still believe we'll get a good starter tomorrow.

Texas gave their 5 and 17 and a NR from Fangraphs for Montgomery AND Stratton.

Lorenzen would work too.