Over the weekend, the Cardinals welcomed to Busch Stadium the only team in the majors with a lower batting average, a lower on-base percentage, and a lower slugging percentage, and also, arguably, the most pleasant houseguest the American League has to offer.
The Chicago White Sox had won only one road in the previous month.
They won two over the weekend.
The Cardinals stalled with the bases loaded Saturday — and had to sit on that miss for hours during a rain delay until it was official, as Post-Dispatch baseball writer Lynn Worthy wrote — and followed that whiff by generating no pressure on the Sox on Sunday. Ben Frederickson wrote that the Cardinals had a chance to thunder back after the rainstorm, take the series, and instead, in front of the home crowd, flunked the test. "Big, fat F," he writes.
People are also reading…
No, not the Guns N' Roses ballad.
My colleagues had it covered while I tended to a commitment over the weekend. I had the chance to catch up on all of their work and dig in this morning to some addition information and details all to get up to speed for the weekly Cardinals chat here at .
Buckle up. There's bound to be turbulence.
Angst abounds. Criticism crackles. As it all should.
Submit your questions in the window below. The questions and answers will appear there as the live chat unfolds. A real-time transcript that may be easier to read on your mobile, desktop, or table will be available below that window.Â
Keep the questions polite, but pointed. Sharp, direct, blunt, but not toxic.
Questions are not edited for spelling or grammar. Let's all hope the answers don't need to be later.
And. Here. We. Go.
SaintGiff: Curious... what would happen to the upper management at STLToday if you, Ben, Lynne, the other Ben, and Daniel suddenly just stopped stringing together words into coherent sentences? Like, would the ownership group just be like "Oh well, those guys failed to meet our projections" or would maybe there be changes to the writing team, the leadership of that writing team, and the leadership of that leadership?
DG: The writers, the ones putting fingers to keyboards and those words into sentences, would be held accountable. Not the leaders. Not the editors. The writers We are accountable for our words. My typos are my typos. My poor headlines are my poor headlines. My poor answers in the chat are mine and mine alone, not someone else's. The writers are responsible for writing.
Petebuddy: What is Jeff Luhnow up to these days?
DG: Running a soccer team in Spain.
jackjmn: When with Jeff Albert be held "accountable"??!! ;-). but seriously this offense, is painful to watch. Do you know what the process is to help players who are struggling at the plate? I imagine it's different for each person and each organization, but in general how do players go about the process of getting out of funks?
DG: It's a great and fair question. Sorry that it took me too long to get a good answer. A lot of it comes down to what the players feel they need and then what the coaches can do to provide it or think of different ways to offer suggestions. That is what is happening in the cages, ahead of games. There's reviews of swings. There's a lot of talk about pitch selection. And, as you'd expect no doubt, the scouting reports and preparation for that day's starter and the opposing team's relievers. Those scouting reports and discussions are there for all hitters, and from there it's individualized. There are hitters who prefer to do everything indoors and in the cage. There are hitters who like to use VR. There are hitters who want all of the tech set up and early work on the field -- Arenado does this as an example. Goldschmidt, too. There are other things that teams do -- give hitters a day or so away from the lineup. You'll hear these called "work" days. They could also be reset days. A work day can involve more swings -- which is the purpose of not being in the lineup, so that the physical demands of all those swings isn't then followed by, hey, play a game. Again, a lot of what seems to be the discussion within the Cardinals is pitch recognition, and that goes back to the beginning of this answer ...
It's about what the player needs to sharpen that, work through that, improve that, get out of the in-between and into synch, and then the preparation coaches provide to help that and scout the opponents for the pitches they'll face.
Apologies for the delay in responding to questions. Was getting some additional background on the past weekend and also catching up on some of the pacing here so that we can really take off. That's on me to pick it up.
Welcome to the Heath Barn: How much longer before people start losing their jobs? Who do you think is in the most jeopardy?
DG: At least you cut to the chase -- and didn't use any euphemisms. If you've been a reader of the chat for a long time, you know I appreciate that. No reason to hide behind the word "accountable" when you should say what you mean -- you'd want the same, I imagine, if someone was calling for you to be fired. The Cardinals have, if anything, been resolute in their commitment to the group they have. Ownership has said as much multiple times. This past weekend, when asked by my colleague Ben Frederickson about getting new "voices" for the hitters, the manager gave a strong support of his current hitting coaches, by name. There comes a point, honestly, when that kind of move is cosmetic. It doesn't change who is in the box. How does it improve the hitters? Does it shed the weight of responsibility they feel from their shoulders so they can swing the bat a little quicker? Firings happen when the message is ignored, the emphasis is on the wrong things, and the play is ragged as a result of it. I see fans looking back to the quotes from 2018 about a .500 team, and that's entirely fair. But do not dismiss how sloppy at times that team looked with elements of the game that should not slump ...
Jojo Disco:
DG: Both poetic and meta. A question that contains no words but multitudes of meanings.
john clark: When you look at the other clubs in the Central division and their farm systems, does a cardinal FO insistence that they can come back from a second year in last place and compete seem like wishful thinking?
DG: Yes. They will need to do something more dramatic than just count on what they have if they remain rooted in last this season. The other teams aren't waiting on the Cardinals. And the Cardinals will need to do more than just draft seventh overall for the first time in a few generations.
Bryan C: Look what happened after last year. No one lost their jobs. No one new was acquired for the starting 9. Same infield we finished the year with. Same outfield except for Walker who is at Memphis. And lets not forget O'Neill. I am sorry but I do not think Carlson or Nootbaar will hit over .240 for the season. Will Burleson still play almost everyday with Carlson and Noot off the DL?
DG: No one lost their job. But there were several new jobs created to expand the coaching staff and also create more coaches/advisors for the minor-league system. You don't need to apologize for a prediction unless it's rude. And suggesting players will hit .240 may not be rude at all if they're reaching base at .340 and slugging greater than .440. Either way, what the Cardinals need from the outfield is more -- and there's certainly playing time for Burleson when he's providing it.
Not that you ask, but here's my two cents on the 2023 and 2024 Cardinals and how one finished in last place and the other has remained there now for about a month. The 2023 Cardinals fell apart because of a weakness that everyone paying attention saw developing in spring training, if not before -- they were relying too much on starters who could also provide too few innings. What happened? Exactly what they avoided the previous two seasons and thought they could again. So they addressed that with moves ahead of 2024 and addressed an obvious weakness only to have -- and this is key -- what should be a strength fail them. The lineup should be much better. Seriously, much better. This should not be an average lineup, let a lone one of the league's worst. This should be a leading lineup, and what should be a strength has become an anchor.
Schlay: DG. Love the chats even if you stick to just the facts.. :) I liked how the Blues brought in a new set of eyes to help with the powerplay. It was a situation where nobody had to be fired to get the fresh perspective. Has the current régime every done this to your knowledge. Bring Matt Holliday in for a month.
DG: Actually, yes, though not as headline-grabbing as perhaps Holliday would be. They did something like this just this past season with Dean Kiekhefer. So he came from his role in the minors to spend some time with the big-league club to see how he would fit and what role he could help cover with the big-league staff. That eventually became the role they hired him to provide this season. But it all started with, hey, spend some time up here, look at what the Cardinals are doing, make some suggestions, and then see where it goes. Chris Carpenter's role with the Cardinals was something like this too before he left for the Angels. He could come in, spend a week or so with the pitchers, offer some thoughts, make himself available, just talk pitching to bring in a new perspective. The Cardinals did this more subtly for this season by signing and planting Matt Carpenter on the bench. He's been a part of that process with hitters, too, and he's been with the team here on recent road trips. I like the comparison you made -- and while there is not a straight-line comparable move, bringing in a "specialist" to address a "specific area," there has been examples of a similar moves recently done by the Cardinals. I asked last year if they thought about putting Jordan Walker together with Matt Holliday, even just on the phone -- because Holliday moved from 3B to OF as a hitting prospect, and maybe had some thoughts on doing that Walker was experiencing. Just a thought from a writer.
STCBluesFan: BoBo...I heard that Walker did not play the first 3 games upon his arrival in Memphis. Was there more to his demotion than was reported?
DG: Bobo? Huh. That's a new one. You're welcome to explain that.
Why Jordan Walker did not play in Memphis upon immediately reporting there was precisely as reported by my colleague Daniel Guerrero.
He .
jm: or they could bring Jimmy Baseball in to advise because he knows what everyone is doing wrong per his commentary on Bally
DG: Cardinals have previously talked to Jim Edmonds about a role on the coaching staff, and he has preferred the flexible schedule that TV allows and hasn't wanted to commit that everyday, long hours of a coaching role. Plus, he would face scrutiny for his explanations as a coach that he does not as a broadcaster. That's just the nature of the roles.
Sam: Is there a specific plan in place in regards to how long Walker stays in the minors? Such as are they looking for improvements on flight path, are they looking for consistent results, or are they making sure he's back in time for his bobblehead?
DG: There is not. There is not a number he has to hit, a slugging percentage he must reach, a line-drive rate or exit velocity he must meet. There is only the factors that usually lead to a player's promotion -- his performance and the big-league team's need. They want his performance at the minor-league level to suggest that it will continue at the major-league level, so yes groundball rate and damage will be part of that. It won't just be the baseball card stats, in other words. It will be things he's doing even on the outs. Look at it this way: It's how louds he's hitting that will be the factor. Right now, the team needs offense. It needs damage. So, if he can provide it, they'll give him the call. Besides, his bobblehead day already happened, no?
TomBruno23 : Oh, if only the Cardinals, like the Rockies, had given Walker a full off-season between High A ball seasons to move from 3B to the OF. Sliding Doors...
DG: Fair point. If only he had a full season at Class AAA to make these swing adjustments outside the glare of the major-league machine that includes coaches and analysts paid thousands and pitchers paid millions for the specific purpose of dominating against the hitter. But he hit his way into the lineup just as fans really seemed to want and even doubted that the Cardinals would. He leapfrogged Class AAA entirely. And he did so at an age when most hitters like him are still in college, learning this swing with an aluminum bat and against college pitchers. If wishes were horses ...
Ty: Let me try that again, if the Cardinals end up sellers, obvious candidates would be Goldy, Lynn, Gibson…. But the returns for those guys would be similar to the return for Flaherty or Hicks… But if the Cardinals were to put Gray, Arenado, Contreras and Helsley on the block, the returns for one or two of those players should net some potentially impactful players, could you see one or more of those players moved?
DG: Sure. Mentioned this morning on MLB Network that the Cardinals quietly have positioned their roster to be quick sellers if they wish to be, and one of the biggest moves they could make is dealing Ryan Helsley. It would be similar to what the Yankees did in 2016 to be sellers and get a quick reset without taking several steps back for a year or more. Of course, it's not like the Yankees have won a World Series since then ...
If the Cardinals want to pivot quickly away from this roster and into a new-look, even fast-forward rebuild they would look at all of the options. Dramatic changes would be considered, for sure, and I think it's not being talked about enough how they've set up the roster for that possibility.
TomBruno23: He has another one coming up for Star Wars Night June 6...
DG: Oh. That's a theme night. Special ticket. No guarantees.
Jojo Disco: Does a decision to fast forward a rebuild accelerate Mo’s exit? Why would you usher in a new era with a POBO who will be gone in a year and have no ownership over the decisions made?
DG: This shouldn't come as a surprise because a) it's been consistent in the chats, b) it's been consistent in the coverage, and c) it's even been consistent in the Cardinals comments when asked about this. The Cardinals ownership expects a turnaround this season. They've said that. DeWitt even said a "deep" drive into October. They have not hid from what's at stake this season, and it's a lot, and that does mean what direction the team goes from here and who directs it. They have all said as much. Mozeliak has another year remaining on his contract beyond this one. He has said he expects it to be his last and he'll move into another spot or on from the Cardinals. The pressure is one this year. That hasn't changed from last November to this moment right now in May, and you won't see that description change in the coverage or in the chats.
Evil Calvin: Curious......does the team have an optometrist? I'm thinking they need contacts, as they are flat out missing making any contact. Either that or they are guessing pitches
DG: Yes. Several. Access whenever needed.
kyle in houston: One more thing, does the PD have a chat archive? I really appreciated the thoughtful response you wrote a couple weeks ago...something about enjoying the possibilities that the game of baseball presents us on a regular basis. I guess I could use a bump of optimism after this dismal weekend and wanted to re-read it. Thanks for the chat!
DG: Thanks for asking. All of the chats are still available here at StlToday and available via search, either by keywords or byline. If you recall the host of the chat, it should appear under that writer's byline search, for example. You can click on the byline to do that sort.
Something quick to watch for today:
One reliever at Memphis to keep an eye is Chris Roycroft. The 6-foot-8 RHP was signed almost two years ago, and this year he has a 1.38 ERA through 11 games and 13 innings. He's struck out 9, walked 6. #stlcards were discussing relief options after a bullpen game Sunday.
He touched 99 mph in a recent appearance for Class AAA Memphis, and he is being considered for a promotion to the majors as the Cardinals add to the bullpen.
Following Sunday's bullpen start game.
john clark: Do you get the sense that the FO like last season appears stunned and can not figure a way to turn around the losing?
DG: That does not feel the same as last year. No. It doesn't feel right now like the Cardinals are a team that hasn't lost in a long time and does not know how to stop losing. That was last year. Random roster moves. Uncharacteristic roster management. And constantly chasing innings, just constantly, and never gaining any ground with it ... No, this has a different feel. And they don't seem at all like their grasping for whatever can provide. The timing of Dylan Carlson's return and how he plays and recovers at the same time, is worth noting.
Picasso’s Guernica: Well this season is awful. Let’s look at the the prospects! They haven’t failed us yet! Chen Wei Lin and Quinn Matthews are dominating low A. When do you think they’ll get promoted? Could Matthews make it to AA and AAA by end of the season?
DG: Don't have any precise details on their promotions or timing of them. That will be partially based on needs above them and the shifting of rosters. Midseason tends to be the movement time for prospects who have performed well, unless an injury or promotion opens up something higher. Yes, Matthews could zip up. That's the view of outside evaluators. He could move up to meet the level of his success and if he stays ahead of the level, he'll move up again. They will be cautious with his workload, obviously. And it would not be a surprise if at some there's consideration of adjusting his innings to make an Arizona Fall League invitation and appearance possible. He has the look of a prospect that would be considered and also benefit from that opportunity. Given his age now (23), the Cardinals will let him move up, and rapidly if he does meet and surpass the level.
Jim1528: I think you said some tima ago that one sign that a hitting coach is not doing his job is when players turn to others (college coaches, mentors, other players, etc. ) for help in hitting. Any signs of that going on ?
DG: I don't believe I said that at all, no. If I did, please provide the link so that I can check the context in which I said that. If anything, I've said the opposite. It's not unusual at all for hitters to seek input from anyone and everyone. That's the nature of being a hitter. Who knows what phrase will unlock the swing, what statement or tip from someone who knows them best might get them going. If anything, hitting coaches should be open to all input and just help the player enact it, or filter it, or augment it ...
Ryan: What would it take, besides effort and want to trade for Schumaker before he hits the open market? Luken Baker and international slot money ( cause we know this FO isn't going to use it).
DG: The Cardinals would have to make a trade, yes, if that's what they want to do. I don't know what the deal would be, haven't even had it come up in any of the conversations I've had, not even that it would be explored. Randy Winn, who was later an outfielder for the Cardinals, was part of a trade for a manager once, if that helps you with context for a deal like that.
JW Help: It does seem like the front office is shocked by what is happening on the field. But let’s face it not much can be done. It is mind boggling that so manyhitters can be struggling.
DG: Yes, the whole team is shocked, stunned, floored, gobsmacked by the lack of offense. On the list of things that the Cardinals though could go wrong with this season, could go sideways from the start, the offense was not going to rank high if they took a poll at the beginning of the season and the clubhouse, coaches, and front office all answered honestly. It would not have ranked high. Age would have been one of the concerns they had, specifically age in the starting pitchers. They saw that as a vulnerability. They did not expect the lineup to struggle so mightily to be mighty. So, yeah, they're surprised. They're not alone in that.
Scott G.: How do you catch up from being away for a series? Do you watch replays of the game? Still keep score to fill out the Gould scorebook?
DG: Yes. And make phone calls, yep. Report what you miss. Watch, score, all of it. I will be honest: I did not have a chance to complete watching Friday's game. Sonny Gray was good and then finished even better. I did get that.
Billiken: Derrick
DG: Billiken
Billiken: What is the purpose of a baseball manager? I believe the manager sets the tone in the clubhouse.
DG: Put the players in their best position to perform, and that does include, yes, setting a tone for the clubhouse, setting standards that are expected from work ethic and style of play, and also providing the tools/drills/data to make that possible. A manager, like coaches, is heavily involved in preparing the players to perform their best, their sharpest, and -- I choose this word carefully -- their soundest once they cross a chalk line. The manager has to read the people as well as the analytics and find the places where those meet. That is a huge part of the modern manager's job.
And then we can get to the voice of the franchise stuff -- as the member of the team who speaks most often to the media, sometimes three, four times a day the manager is the representative of the team to the fans.
Alright, I've got to relocate to the ballpark. There is some reporting to do be done and then there will be a strong kick to the finish here at the chat. Keep the questions coming. There are definitely too many for me to keep up, but I'll do my best ...
Alright, at the ballpark. Let's sprint to the finish.
Jack: Did the Cards not get any quality pitching in return for parting ways with Montgomery, Flaherty, and Hicks? How else to explain the bullpen game yesterday?
DG: Sem Robberse has had an exceptional start to the Class AAA season. He stands out from this group so far for his performance. Why is he not in the majors? Well, it's going to be discussed at some point on where he can contribute this season and if that need is in the rotation. Drew Rom is injured, so he hasn't been able to build on what was a steady debut as a new Cardinal last season. Tekoah Roby is a standout prospect. Impressed in spring. He has the potential to be the prize get of the trade deadline, and he came from Texas in the same trade that brought Thomas Saggese to the Cardinals organization and John King, who has already contributed in the majors. That trade could produce three members of the same roster at some point in 2025.
Tbird728: This team is unbearable to watch ... almost the same thing every game ... very little offense. As a writer, do you get tired of watching the same thing and reporting the same thing every day?
DG: It is on me to find new stories then. That's the challenge of the gig. Up to readers and editors to decide if I do that well enough, but that is a challenge that I enjoy. Win or lose. Whichever. Finding the story that isn't repetitious is the goal. Repetitious stories are not revealing stories.
Redfred: Derrick since it appears this season is going down the tubes, any new good baseball books to read?
DG: Eager to read Andy McCullough's book about Clayton Kershaw. It's scheduled to drop tomorrow. Will be getting a copy and cracking the cover of it probably after filing my final story tomorrow night. The name of the book is The Last of his Kind.
12fan: Would a wake up call help the Cardinals? Staying the course and hoping for better results is getting harder and harder to stomach.
DG: We will find out. Losing two of the three to the White Sox at home should be a wakeup call. Nolan Arenado's comments should be a wakeup call. Not winning Saturday's game should be a wakeup call and then coming out with the game like Sunday's should be a wakeup call. They've had so many wakeup calls in the past 48 hours, this is will be the start of answering your question.
NachoMuriel: how much responsability of the early strugle of the offense can be reffered to the hitting coach?
DG: Putting it all on one person when a) it's struggles throughout a team and b) that one person is not in the batter's box seems odd to me unless it can be proven that the hitters are not prepared to face that day's pitcher or at not getting the attention they request in the batting cage. I look at it this way: If the lineup was going strong, how much credit would the hitting coach get vs. how much the players get? So, if the lineup isn't going strong why is the coach singled out the players get a pass? That suggests that the players are being held back by a coach when they don't perform and never amplified by a coach when they do perform. Consider the current trajectories of Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker. Both were trying to get more power in their game, more hard contact and driving balls. One has done that better -- so where does the coaching factor into that? Or is it all Burleson? And coaches only impede? That, to me, seems inconsistent, even contradictory. One person is not at fault for the struggles. All are responsible for improving them.
Kevin in DC: Someone needs to be fired to send a message. And not a low level person. Sorry something needs to be done to light a fire under these guys.
DG: So cavalier with someone else's job. Whether it's firing or DFA'ing. That's very interesting. As if those are the only two options.
Kevin in DC: Two questions on Marmol: Why does he keep Goldy at 3 when he is clearly struggling? He seemed to do a bit better at 5. And IMO he should have pulled Gallegos after he gave up that bomb yesterday instead of letting them score again and set the table. These are decisions that make a difference in the outcome of a game.
DG: Today it has to do with facing a lefty, just as it has to do with most days he's there recently. It's about maximizing the at-bats for the bats that do well against the handedness of that pitcher or specifically the pitches that pitcher throws. So, he's there today. That's also why Jose Fermin is leadoff today. Marmol wants to get him as many at-bats as possible against the lefty.
I didn't see a second question in there.
Dave L.: When a bloop hit over the infield is all it takes why are they swinging for the fences?
DG: Because they aren't playing pool and cannot finesse a ball where they want, otherwise they would all be placing hits like golf shots. The ball moves. The pitcher has angry intentions. And, as Matt Holliday liked to say, hitters are "producers not directors." They cannot tell the ball where to go anymore than they can tell the pitcher where to throw it.
If hitters could chose to go for a bloop infield single then there would be a lot more .400-.500 hitters in the game. Since they cannot, damage still rules, so they go for that. Damage also gets paid. If you want to change that, change the games economy.
Paul Turner: Robberse is on the 40.
DG: You are correct. I made a mistake. He is on the 40-player roster. He and Kloffenstein were both added. I made an error and will own it.
Thank you for the back check.
Fumblinbumblin: Am I getting this old saying right..." if you want to be the worst, you have lose to the worst."
DG: Not sure that would sell on a T-shirt or a coffee mug.
Jackie: You did not answer his question, Derrick. He is using an analogy, something I am sure you learned in school, and as a very accomplished journalist are very familiar. I as well, as many other paid subscribers, have noticed your increasingly snarky and non-relevant responses to many paid subscriber questions. Why continue to engage in these "chats" if you are going to ridicule the way non-journalist fans pose questions like last week, not even answer straight forward questions which you chose to post, or fail to even take questions from paid subscribers you have blacklisted for personal reasons. If you are so above all of this, then stop doing it because it has become very apparent that any question you do not like you either respond totally off topic, says that the subscriber has his mind made up, or do not take the relevant question all together. Perhaps it is time to move on to another "softer" market than STL if you can find one:-)))
DG: At least there isn't a euphemism here. I honestly try to get to as many questions as a I can and don't really read the names beyond making sure there isn't a foul word or phrase hidden in them. There is no list of names I won't answer. The chat moves to fast for such things when I really get a chance to dig in and find some pace. Vetting takes too much time. I enjoy the chats. They keep me on my toes. They make me answer to things I report. They give me a chance to defend the coverage.
If you come to the chat for information on your opinion, I will aim to provide it. If you come to the chat for validation on your opinion, I cannot promise you that. If that's snarky to you, so be it. Sometimes it is. Sometimes that can be entertaining reading.
I will say this, you have nailed two things:
I did go to school.
There are "softer" markets that are easy to find, especially if you go by what the fans say on Xwitter. Goodness, they're all that way.
And thanks for calling me "very accomplished."
Jock Ewing: Derrick - If Mikolas continues to be grossly ineffective, will the Cardinals continue to give him starts considering past performance and current contract?
DG: He's been better in recent starts. They haven't worked out all that well for the team, but he's done his part and made strides that were important in the most recent road trip. Until they have a better option he'll get those starts, and based on recent trends, he'll be one of the better options if they continue. He has the track record, as they say, and in recent starts he's been closer to it.
Bruce51: Managers, coaches and FO personnel get fired all the time in baseball. So why are you aghast regarding the comment that someone needs to be fired?
DG: Yes, it happens all the time. And there are times when it makes complete sense and there was nothing else for the team to do. In almost 30 years of covering sports and most of that covering professional sports, I find three elements of this interesting. 1) The lust for by some fans as if they want the stockades and someone to hurt for the team not performing well, and like the craving of a punitive DFA so it really stings. 2) That sometimes that lust comes in the euphemism "accountability," as if using that terms avoids the barb, the bluntness of "fired" or "released;" even DFA is a euphemism at this point -- why not just release the player? 3) That it's the only solution, or even the best solution. It may be. But let's talk through the other potential ones before we get there, no? Can we have that discussion? Or does that not satisfy the sweet tooth for "accountability"?
Stroehms: Cards are dead last in pulled flyballs after finishing first in 2022. They talk about utilizing Busch but routinely fly out to the deepest part of the park. Philosophy's gotta change
DG: There's a lot of truth in what you write. Well done. The manager spoke on the same topic today with the reporters. Damage. Pull side. On pitches meant to do damage on. They're not doing it.
CardsfanintheOzarks: After yesterday, does Libby earn another look in the rotation, or best served in the pen?
DG: They are actively discussing that as I type this. The options for the next start appear to be Liberatore or Thompson, and at some point there will be a discussion on if Andre Pallante is in the mix. The question Marmol posed about starting Thompson was whether that's good for his "longterm" development or would it be a disruption of what he's working on to possibly be yo-yoing between the majors and Class AAA.
Kevin in DC: Was Liberatore on a pitch count yesterday? He was pitching well. I know you have a script with these bullpen games but he could have gone another inning.
DG: He was. Hard cap, yep. They were around 50 pitches for him.
Paul Turner: Oh golly! Let me say here, Derrick is one of the best in the business, highly regarded among writers, and we are lucky to have him participate in this chat. Not buttering up, just responding to those who are on the attack. Sometimes a little snark is necessary, and if one thinks Derrick gets that way, I shudder to think how one could handle the late Joe Strauss and his tsunami chats. Batten down the hatches!
DG: Thanks for the kind words. And, absolutely, there is only one Cardinals chat that has ever been compared to a force of nature. Rightly so.
Ed from Jersey: Late to the chat, let this one go if already answered. Why in the world would Ollie bring in Gallegos in the 7th in a tie game. His recent performance shouts out that he should only be used, until he finds himself again, in games with big leads either way.
DG: Fair question. And entirely well-stated from the fact that you would have asked before the result -- this is not a hindsight question, but a as-it-happens because even if it went well, I trust that you would have the same question. I was not at the game, so I did not get to ask or be there for the question. I know going into the series, Marmol said he had to get Gallegos back in the game, that the way for the right-hander to get out of the funk was to pitch his way out, and that meant getting innings, getting appearances, not getting away from him in games. It does appear the previous two games also contributed to who was available at that moment, thrusting Gallegos into that moment as well. Let's be candid, shall we? It would have been Liberatore in that spot, except ... you know ... Liberatore was chosen to start ...
pugger: Hey Derrick!! Good afternoon... I'd like to see some sort of article on young players in MLB and how they may be different/similar to players from other 'generations.' I think it would be a fascinating dive. I think we are dealing with a population that has to a great extent a different mindset than in players past. Is there a 'fragileness' to their psyche you think? Can they learn from losing/challenging stretches and become better players for it? I don't know, I'm beginning to think this is a generational thing.. Younger players, if things don't all come together as expected, they struggle with adversity. You can see it in like 5+ different young Cardinals players.. It would be interesting to get the perspective from them on what it's like to be in, and trying to thrive in, MLB...
DG: I wish I had a better answer for you, other than I do try to keep in mind that when it comes to baseball it is rare the player who has made it to the majors without a lot of failure first. They're great players, to be sure, and they are often the best players on their teams -- until they are suddenly not. Consider the best player the Cardinals have had in the past 30 years and the failure Albert Pujols had before reaching the majors, or look at the story of Chris Roycroft, who was promoted to the majors today. He had to come from the independent ball route -- low wages, small crowds, and then prove himself and work his way up. Hardly a bullet train to the majors. And you can see that again and again. Jordan Walker, a first-round talent and the best hitter on every team he's ever played on, until he wasn't, and now he's going through that failure -- and you'll see first hand if he comes out a better, strong player for it. Perhaps that is your answer. Generations might be similar because the game is and the game is still a lot of failure, especially for hitters.Â
DG: It is no longer too early for this to be dismissed. It is a trend. And there should be concern. And there should be discussion and disclosure of a solution, and if there isn't a genuine plan for a solution, then it makes sense to take more dramatic action. The Cardinals have talked about what's stake for this season. That suggests some urgency must take hold. That doesn't have to be dismissals. But it does have to be action -- and they would benefit from being open and detailed about that, not just "trust us" and "effort is there." Details. That's why we'll keep asking for them.
Bret German: The reason for not bringing in established veteran hitters is often cited as it would impede the “development†of the Cards young hitters. Is their attempt to simultaneously develop so many hitters at the Major League level vs. in the minors a failed approach?
DG: It has not worked as well as intended, and it is a major part of the current era, for sure. The number of young position players they had at once and were relying on to contributor is noteworthy. But it almost has to be judged on an individual bases. Nolan Gorman is struggling now, but he also benefited last year from adjustments and lessons he learned on the job. We're watching Masyn Winn develop on the job, and he has superb defense to rely on as he's in the lineup everyday. I want to tread carefully here, but a defense-first player who is learning to hit while providing defense in the majors is somewhat akin to Yadier Molina almost 20 years ago. Alec Burleson is clearly benefiting from developing at this level. Others haven't. You have hit on a defining part of this era, and it has not gone as swimmingly as the Cardinals wanted, or as they felt Jeff Albert helped put them in position to do better. It's a long way from John Galt. And not as close as they hoped to Allen Craig.
Baldy Moore: Did Ollie explain why he replaced Leahy after 2+ flawless innings and only 29 pitches Sunday? He seems to have a habit of yanking effective pitchers until he can find one who messes up.
DG: Pitch limit. Availability. All of that. He got more outs and more "ups" in that appearance than he had in any previous appearance this season for Class AAA Memphis.
Jr. Bill: I am in shock, too, about how poor the offense is. If we are down by 3, I doubt we will come back. My question is this. Has there been serious talk about more bunting?
DG: Not really. Not beyond the players who do it well. Winn -- it's been discussed, for sure. He's talked about that. Siani does it well and it's part of his game.
Simple.10: If he were still interested, would any team have the courage to select Carlos Beltran as their manager?
DG: A team should.
Redbird: Thanks as always for the chats, DG. You are correct when you say this should be a leading lineup. They obviously are not. Add to that the number of players who leave and become better versions of themselves as players once they leave the organization and it is fair to ask if the message has become stale. And I don't mean from this group of coaches. I mean throughout the organization. I really think it is time for a reset with more people (coaches, front office staff, etc.) from outside the organization. To me this looks like what happens when you hire from within for so long (nearly 20 years) that you have no way of seeing how things should be done different because it's all you have ever known.
DG: To me, it definitely has to be part of the discussion. Not too long ago, when the Cardinals announced extensions for some members of the front office, I asked DeWitt if he had any concern that the continuity he prized would ever turn into a staleness without outside input, outside challenges, heck, outside ideas from somewhere outside that was also having success. To me, it was interesting what Schumaker could bring to the Cardinals -- awareness of their strengths, but also sharpened or challenged by what he saw with the Reds, Dodgers, and Padres. Descalso brings that same background, and he's been with the Rockies and Diamondbacks. It is entirely possible that a player or exec comes from the Cardinals system, leaves, and returns having only affirmed that the Cardinals are doing things well. But isn't that better than just assuming without a control group? I ask this question a lot of players -- most recently of Lance Lynn -- and I've asked it of execs too. And it was recently that ownership said, yes, an outside voice would be valuable to where they head or how they get back on track.
And they talked to several candidates.
And they hired Chaim Bloom.
Big Dog from SEMO: Are the Cardinals are becoming "irrelevant" in the ST. Louis sports scene? They are to me. I ahvn't went to a game in 5 years and don't even remember when I watched a game on TV. They are DULL!!!
DG: They are not. If anything, their struggles and their losing record is relevant because of the angst it stirs up. Would an irrelevant team spur hundreds of questions, nearly 7 hours of a chat, and still dozens and dozens of questions yet to go. Doesn't seem irrelevant to me. Frustration spurs interest, after all. Apathy -- now what's when Cardinals have an issue.
Tim: According to my memory, the best Cardinals hitting of the last decade seemed to be when Mark Budaska was with the big club (and previously helped players sent to AAA). Is that anecdotal and only my memory, or is that true? And if so...I don't suppose there's any chance for a Budaska consulting visit?
DG: Mark McGwire was also quite good as a hitting coach. John Mabry connected with players well too -- look back at what Jason Heyward did with the time he spent with Mabry. Budaska had a strong track record of developing bats, and he had that streak of young hitters graduating to the majors and making an impact, such as Craig and Freese. Wong spent some time with Budaska and returned to the majors in a far better offensive spot. Don't overlook McGwire, though, just because he's more famous for his hits, not necessarily his time as hitting coach. Cardinals had a strong run of leading the league or being near the lead in OBP during his time.
Jack: DG. Thanks for the chat. Great insights. Were these offensive woes showing in Spring Training, and did the Cardinals staff do enough to address them then? (Or did they believe rust would shake off in regular season?) In retrospect, it seems some of the woeful offense was showing back then.
DG: They were indeed. That is part of why it's been tricky to just dismiss it as a first-month trend. Some of it traces back to how they ended last year, thought that is admittedly a difficult thing to judge because they unplugged the season at the trade deadline, so what do you do with those numbers? Spring showed some concerns that have spent the first month manifesting and can not be so easily dismissed as April ...
Matt: What do you think of the new Superman suit? Missouri's own James Gunn directing!
DG: Intrigued. If he can do for DC what he did for Guardians .. well, it would be a little bit of history repeating itself. The Marvel'ing of the DC universe was a good thing for the comics. Will be good for the movies, too? But ... one note of caution ... it's OK for Superman to be a bright movie. Bright and bold and colorful. It doesn't have to be Batman and brooding. It can be technicolor not Snyderscale.
Brian: Hi Derrick, thanks for the chats. Has Marmol given consideration moving Nootbaar to 1 or 2 in the lineup? His strong underlying stats aside, and admitting his poor slash lines to date, his ability to draw walks seems to fit better up there than in the bottom half of the lineup. Small sample hitting 3rd, but he struck out far more there than normal -- perhaps a sign he was changing his approach to try to drive in runs?
DG: It has been kicked around for sure. There's been discussion of Nootbaar at leadoff. One of the things Marmol clearly wants to avoid is inviting a lefty specialist, the best lefty specialist, into the game to face the "lane" of Donovan and Nootbaar at the top of the lineup ahead of the Contreras, Arenado, Goldschmidt group. The lineup would look a lot different if everyone was going well, or even if a handful were going well. But, yes, it's been discussed on where Nootbaar would fit, and if Donovan's OBP doesn't start climbing -- somewhat a product of how he's been pitching -- well, the possibility is there vs. righties, for sure. Going to see a lot of the vs. lefty lineup this week, though.
Baldy Moore: It wasn't so long ago that the team had only one hitting coach and the philosophy was "See the ball, hit the ball." Now there are assistants for the assistants, plus analysts, strategists, computer geeks and others trying to justify their existence. Too much information? So many voices in a hitter's ear that he no longer relies on eyes and instinct?
DG: I recall one hitting coach. I don't recall that ever being the philosophy. I can only pull from my 20 years of covering the team and another decade or so of being around it, or researching it. I just don't recall that ever being a phrase that was said other to completely and utterly simplify things for a struggling hitter. But it was usually followed by a scouting report on exactly what kind of balls that pitcher is throwing today because it sure helps to see the ball and hit the ball if you know Sandy Koufax is going to go with his breaking ball in this count or Bob Gibson is going to come with a slider at this point or, heck, Greg Maddux has gotten this hitter out with this pitch 7 consecutive times so maybe even if you do see that ball, don't try to hit that ball, OK?
Sure, there is something to too much information. But that's in the presentation, not in the existence. You know who is really good at synthesizing a lot of information and passing it along in digestible morsels. The people you dismiss as "computer geeks." The war is over. Analytics won. It was predictable. They had numbers on their side.
Love that this questions comes rolling in after I answer one about Superman.
Chef's kiss.
Poetic ending to the chat.
Alright the game is starting up here. There's a scorebook to start and a game story to begin work on. Thanks for the chat and the chance to -- well, I guess I didn't really ease back into the beat today. Not with the tone of these questions. I hope we covered a lot of ground. There were a lot of great topics brought up -- and hopefully some helpful information shared in there. Got some news tipped to you, and then it happened. And we'll try to do it all again a week from today.
The weather is great.
The Mets are in town.
The Cardinals need a spark.
Because if not now, when?
Aloha.
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