Get him healthy. Get his talent out from under the shroud of injury. Let it shine.
We do, yes. We have to be prepared to get the same answer.
This has been explored more times in this chat than I can count. I do find it interesting that a majority of people are siding with Edman at 3B when his OBP is lower than Carpenter's this season, and when his OPS+ is 90 to Carpenter's 81. Both below average. All I can figure is this is recency bias or that Edman hasn't failed in the majors yet and therefor highlights galore have filled the unknown, while Carpenter is dogged by his failures because he's had them.
It's not a decision Shildt is making alone, that's for sure. But it's one that he has the majority of the say in. Again, I think the question about playing Carpenter reveals more about the alternatives the Cardinals have on the roster than the commas he has on his paycheck, though I'm not dismissing that as part of the discussion. Every team but maybe three or so would include it in the discussion.
Thanks for the kind words. Asked a lot about this recently -- and it was asked about again today at the ballpark. Shildt's answer was, effectively, don't fiddle with what's working when it comes to Wong. He likes how Wong lengthens the lineup, adds a lefthanded factor there, and has proven productive there. Jen Langosch, of MLB.com, asked whether it made sense to get that production more opportunity game in and game out by batting higher in the order, and Shildt said that was a fair question -- and it's a fair criticism of the lineup choices. He said Wong has "a good thing going" where he is and not to upset it. That was the answer. That has been the answer for a few weeks now.
No. That was his game when he won a Gold Glove.
Several years, when it comes to them together.
Ponce de Leon. Woodford. Cabrera. Helsley. Pray for rain.
Very little, or maybe with a laugh. Seemed to be a blip 'round the team today.
Yes. They will get compensated by MLB for this move. Plus, in 2020 they had the extra game against the Cubs on the schedule, so they see it as giving up only one game. Additionally, the Cardinals want weekend home series in the summer against the Cubs. Those are huge draws, and what do they have? A weekend series against the Cubs at home immediately after the All-Star Game in the same home stand that they also have a weekend series against the Yankees. That's a strong revenue schedule right there. And the Cardinals are likely to get those home weekend series vs. Cubs in 2021, too.
He should in 2020. When depends on moves made this winter and what he does with his opportunity in spring. A fair question is whether he could be an option in center -- or at least compete to be part of the equation there.
"His numbers are better overall." They aren't. You had a good argument going until that point. They just aren't. I guess, they are if you're including his Class AAA work this season. OK, then. I can't compete with that. Neither can the Cardinals.
Amen. I hope they get both, and they become a baseball capital.
He'd be ... wait for it ... an All-Star.
Exactly. And they're weighing that possibility against the alternative. Which tells you as much about what they hope happens with Carpenter as what they feel will happen with the alternative. And that's where actions reveal the truth.
He told Rick Hummel that he is in enough Halls of Fame and does not need to be in anymore. I would also like to add that he's become an intensely private guy, and does not want to feel obligated to make what would be a difficult trip for him from his home.
Nothing. You've got the paradox nailed.
