Since I know this will infuriate Cardinal Fan

by slickwdb on Mar 22, 2006 1:20 PM EST Comment 12 comments

It was just announced that Sidney Ponson has won the 5th spot in the rotation and that Anthony Reyes will begin the season in AAA.

I remember a few threads discussing the foolish move by the Cardinals bringing Ponson in when it only would screw up Reyes and his chances.

I have a few thoughts on this and hope to see some good debate. As a 5th starter - Reyes does not have a guarantee of regular work in a starting role as there may be times when his start is skipped or whatever. To me, until Reyes is going to be a top 4 starter - his time is better spent getting innings at the AAA level.

Ponson has a lot of experience and with the right manager (Larussa), I believe he could be a great 5th starter and long reliever for the Cardinals. Ponson is going to be able to eat innings and knows his role while I think Reyes will benefit better from coming up when he knows he will start every 5 days when someone gets hurts, etc.

What is the communities thoughts?

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Fat Tub of Lard

Sidney Ponson is a fat tub of lard with no, and I mean no, cojones.

by DrBGiantsfan on Mar 22, 2006 1:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

tell me how you really feel...don't hold back

by slickwdb on Mar 22, 2006 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

5th starter

I would think that the assumed reduction of innings for a 5th starter wouldnt necessarily be a bad thing for a young pitcher with an injury history.

by Thompson on Mar 22, 2006 2:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Toting around a 7.00 ERA

like he did last year won't lead to much innings eating. Of course, it's possible Sir Sidney was already stuffed.

by Roger on Mar 22, 2006 2:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Turnover next year?

Don't the Cards have a bunch of starters approaching free agency? I think it would make more sense to let Reyes work in the lower-pressure 5th spot this year, so that he is able to shoulder a heavier load next year.

Policeman: Sir, are you classified as human? Korben Dallas: Ah, negative. I am a meat popsicle.

by finman on Mar 22, 2006 2:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

agree

I think Mulder, Carpenter & Suppan are all free agents. Marquis will be a little more expensive next year due to arbitration.

Wainwright is being given a shot at a bullpen job this year. Not sure if his days as a starter are over but either way, the cards are in trouble in 07.

by colinadam on Mar 22, 2006 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cards shafted Reyes

The Cardinals never wanted Reyes to make the team.

Why did they take a guy who dominated AAA, a guy who was with them all of last September, and suddenly tell him in spring training to develop a new pitch, which is supposedly "crucial" to his success?

If this new pitch was really that crucial, why wasn't it noticed until this year? His failure in spring training was entirely predictable. Not too many guys can take a new pitch and run with it immediately.

by BaseballBrain on Mar 22, 2006 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seems reasonable to me.

They don't need Reyes as long as Ponson isn't pushing around a 6.00 ERA.

Better to let him hone his stuff this year in AAA, not accrue any service time and start in the number 3 or 4 position next year.

What's the big deal?

by Klostrophobic on Mar 22, 2006 4:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

reyes didn't read footnote on the 994th

page of the cardinal handbook.

++sinker required*

*applies to screw rooks out of service time in favor of a big fat tub of lard

by dryice on Mar 22, 2006 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think

that Ponsons' special skill is eating innings. I think it is eating burgers. And drinking beers. And punching Judges. etc.

by pedrophile on Mar 22, 2006 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i agree with you

Better to keep Reyes on regular work until the schedule settles down. I could see bringing him up in a couple months when the rainouts have eased up and injuries may have created an opening.

I live in D.C., where Sir Sidney is a joke and will be forever.

by whichthat on Mar 23, 2006 12:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Reyes' development?

I've been thinking about this situation since seeing Reyes' debut last year in Milwaukee. I have been trying to recall other young pitchers who have come up under LaRussa/Duncan over the years who have developed into quality (or star) major leaguers. I haven't really come up with any. I think the most talented one was Ankiel, and at least according to LaRussa's book, he partially blames himself for what happened to Ankiel.

Meanwhile, injury rehabs (Carpenter, etc.) and grocery baggers (Dave Stewart), and all other sorts of retreads have been revived and turned into ace pitchers under the dynamic duo. I root against the Cardinals, and so it's with some anxiety that I saw them sign Ponson... I'm afraid that he is exactly the sort of pitcher who could be winning 20 games for the 2007 Cards after having a reasonably good 2006.

by BobbyMac on Mar 24, 2006 1:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs