The Cardinals have spent big this offseason, but they have one bullet left. Team officials hope to see David Freese, Brendan Ryan and Tyler Greene take over on the left side of the infield, though they haven’t ruled out free agent additions. As GM John Mozeliak tells Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, free agent position players want to sign soon, so interested teams have limited time.
“When you look at it in the terms of looking outside the organization the clock is definitely ticking on the free agent market,” Mozeliak said. “But there is a name or two there that could still fit the bill should we need to go down that path."
Felipe Lopez qualifies. The free agent infielder is coming off a strong season and the Cardinals are interested along with the Padres and two other teams, according to FOX Sports. Mozeliak and other unnamed team officials say the Cards would like to see what Greene can do as Ryan recovers fully from his recent wrist surgery.
Given the market, and demand, that Lopez is dealing with, you’d have to expect a 1 year deal for minimal money. I could see a deal similar to what Alex Cora got (go ahead, laugh at the Mets). Any team that can offer Lopez a solid chance at a starting gig should do what they can to sign him. If they decide to go another route, there are plenty of other roles that Lopez can fill. It really blows my mind that in this era, which puts an emphasis on defense and versatility, a guy as talented and proven as Felipe Lopez is fighting for a job somewhere. Just absurd.
It really blows my mind that…Felipe Lopez is fighting for a job somewhere.
I know what you mean about López but it hasn’t exactly been a typical offseason, what with the economy and a pretty thin FA market to begin with. I mean, today pitchers & catchers report, and who’d have guessed Johnny Damon would still be unemployed? Strange times.
Wait – did I just say, “Pitchers & catchers report?!!”
WOOOOO-HOOOOO!!
LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!
(soon anyway!)
Lopez is coming off a great year, but he doesn’t have the best track record. After putting up some solid numbers with the Reds, he fell off considerably. He picked up his game again recently, so maybe some decent numbers can be expected, but you can’t be sure… With Tejada, Ocab, Hudson and others, you know you’re going to get similar numbers as last year (with a little recession due to aging).
That’s a fair point about his checkered performance, but I still think that at this point in the offseason a team in need should take the gamble on him – for the right price, of course. As for the “other” knock on him – quitting on his team – maybe this long siege out in the cold has taught him a hard lesson, but unfortunately only time will tell.
Oh yeah: PLAY BALL!!
I believe that this is a fair statement regarding his consistency. However, we must keep in mind what kind of wonder boy first round draft pick prospect he was. I am not saying that his previous accolades as a minor league prospect can predict his track record, but remember the tremendous amounts of talent that Lopez has always had. We of course expect some regression, due to his crazy BABIP of .360, but one cannot have a 4.6 WAR season purely by accident/luck.
I think he might be closer to a 3.0 WAR player. Which, of course, is nothing to be scoffed at and would be a welcome addition to any team. The guy’s got talent, no denying that. What’s the Cards’ greatest need? We’ll find out in ST.
I think he might be closer to a 3.0 WAR player. Which, of course, is nothing to be scoffed at and would be a welcome addition to any team. The guy’s got talent, no denying that. What’s the Cards’ greatest need? We’ll find out in ST.
“Lopez is coming off a great year, but he doesn’t have the best track record. After putting up some solid numbers with the Reds, he fell off considerably.”
I think it is important to note that his fall is generally isolated to his time in Washington on a team that inexplicably decided they wanted Lopez, Ronnie Belliard, Cristian Guzman, D’Angelo Jimenez, Tony Batista and Josh Wilson all vying for playing time between the middle infield and back-up to Zimmerman at 3B spot in 2007 before Lopez, Guzman, Belliard, Bonifacio, Anderson Hernandez, Willie Harris, Aaron Boone, Pete Orr and Alberto Gonzalez were told to duke it out for the same spots in 2008.
Lopez ended up having issues with the organization and is said to have dogged it in an attempt to free himself from their grasp when they wouldnt let him go. When looking at the mess they had created, I can understand that if true – and I wouldnt hold it against him at all.
I suppose I can understand that, but you also expect a manner of professionalism no? I mean, if I don’t like my job, I can’t ‘dog’ it. Even if there’s a line of people wanting to take my place. EDIT: Of course I’m no ballplayer.
Also, he had Scott Boras for an agent. Agents don’t just help in the FA market, there’s a job for them in season as well. Maybe Boras didn’t do right by Felipe and that way why he was let go.
I suppose I can understand that, but you also expect a manner of professionalism no? I mean, if I don’t like my job, I can’t ‘dog’ it. Even if there’s a line of people wanting to take my place. EDIT: Of course I’m no ballplayer.
Also, he had Scott Boras for an agent. Agents don’t just help in the FA market, there’s a job for them in season as well. Maybe Boras didn’t do right by Felipe and that way why he was let go.
That’s the crux of the matter – Lopez didn’t want to have to compete for a job. Bringing people into camp to compete for jobs is what un-established teams like the Nats should be doing – and a guy with Lopez’ talent shouldn’t have to worry about beating Josh Wilson and D’Angelo Jimenez for job.
But instead, Lopez was moody. Moped around and frequently didn’t hustle and in general, didn’t seem to have his heart in the game. I’d bet that a lot of GMs would be afraid of Lopez giving only a half effort if the team was out of the pennant race.
He had the nickname FLOP during his time here in DC, and he earned it.
That’s the crux of the matter – Lopez didn’t want to have to compete for a job. Bringing people into camp to compete for jobs is what un-established teams like the Nats should be doing – and a guy with Lopez’ talent shouldn’t have to worry about beating Josh Wilson and D’Angelo Jimenez for job.
But instead, Lopez was moody. Moped around and frequently didn’t hustle and in general, didn’t seem to have his heart in the game. I’d bet that a lot of GMs would be afraid of Lopez giving only a half effort if the team was out of the pennant race.
He had the nickname FLOP during his time here in DC, and he earned it.
If I may represent the overlying sentiment of Cardinal Nation, Lopez makes almost too much sense for the Cards, and thats even before the Brendan Ryan injury. The management, as always, is putting up a series of smoke screens (i.e. all of our coin is going towards the offense, post-Holliday signing, we are set going into spring training, etc.). Mo, please, Lopez and Calero/Smoltz, please?
If I may represent another overlying sentiment of Cardinal Nation, let’s see what we’ve got first. Greene and Freese will probably work out and Ryan’s should be healthy, so there’s no reason to spend extra cash yet. Wait til the need presents itself before addressing it. Maybe that 7 million will be needed to pick up someone if, heaven forbid, Albert’s elbow isn’t quite right (Russel Branyan type).
If Greene and Freese flop and Ryan isn’t ready by April, then take a look at Lopez. Also, sign up Smoltz mid-June so he doesn’t burn out early (if Garcia doesn’t turn into a Randy Wolf type, Duncan can’t fix Hill, and Boggs/McClellan/Hawksworthy don’t work out). A handful of ‘ifs’, I know, but we need to spend money if we have it right? Otherwise what’s it for? There’s no such thing as a rainy day in StL…
You’re going about things just fine, Mo. PLAY BALL!
I am usually on board with “letting the kids play”. However, i see no qualms about Freese, Ryan, and Lopez on the roster. If Ryan is ready, then great – he is undoubtedly the starting ss. If Freese makes the most out of the 3rd base situation, great – he is our starting 3b. Even in the forementioned best case scenario, a great bench bat and an offensively capable backup for the infield and (abeit terribly) the outfield corners on TLR’s team is still going to get 400+ abs (remember Aaron Miles NOT only playing 3rd, but ss AND cf? Shudder……..I am saying that Lopez is not replacing any of our starters, but only taking a roster spot from perhaps Greene. As for the worst case scenario? Thank God that we have a starter on the team that is a switch hitter and can display that beautiful 380+ obp in front of Albert……The way I see it is that the only hang up is the money, and day by day that seems to be coming down.
I don’t think anyone denies that Lopez can offer a lot to the team, although I think most will be surprised if he repeats his 2009 stat line (See “checkered past” comment below along with your cited .360 BABIP).
I don’t think I properly explained the ‘save for a rainy day’ idea. Either that or I misunderstood your ‘worst case scenario’ relevance as it pertains to my previous comment (if that was the intention).
I think you’re spot on about the money. If the fruit comes down low enough, the Cards would be silly not to pick it (same could be said of a handful of guys).
I don’t think anyone denies that Lopez can offer a lot to the team, although I think most will be surprised if he repeats his 2009 stat line (See “checkered past” comment below along with your cited .360 BABIP).
I don’t think I properly explained the ‘save for a rainy day’ idea. Either that or I misunderstood your ‘worst case scenario’ relevance as it pertains to my previous comment (if that was the intention).
I think you’re spot on about the money. If the fruit comes down low enough, the Cards would be silly not to pick it (same could be said of a handful of guys).
I too will chime in from Cardinal Nation with what is an unpopular opinion here in STL — Brendan Ryan is overrated. Sure, he plays hard , has heart and hustles on every play, but he is barely an upgrade over, say, David Eckstein. I think Ryan is a questionable talent when healthy and would love to see Lopez challenge him for the starting job.
No offense meant, but I really don’t think you’re opinion is necessarily popular opinion in St. Louis.
You’re right but that’s he said he was doing – chiming in with an “unpopular opinion.”
You’re right. My apologies to Triteon. I even read that thing 3 times to understand it.
Ha ha ha…well it is morning! You’re “allowed.” I don’t seem to make a coherent sentence myself before 10:30 or so.
Ha ha ha…well it is morning! You’re “allowed.” I don’t seem to make a coherent sentence myself before 10:30 or so.
Hey, I’m not offended! I’ve said these things about Ryan for some time and my friends look at me like I’ve lost my mind. (As many in this thread seem to think.) I didn’t particularly care for Eckstein, but considering he was the last regular Cardinals SS the comparison seemed apt.
For the record, Eck’s last season in STL he was .309/.356/.382, though his UZR/150 was -12. Ryan has youth in his corner and certainly more upside than a 2007 Eckstein, plus several more years to convince me that I’m wrong!
Hey, I’m not offended! I’ve said these things about Ryan for some time and my friends look at me like I’ve lost my mind. (As many in this thread seem to think.) I didn’t particularly care for Eckstein, but considering he was the last regular Cardinals SS the comparison seemed apt.
For the record, Eck’s last season in STL he was .309/.356/.382, though his UZR/150 was -12. Ryan has youth in his corner and certainly more upside than a 2007 Eckstein, plus several more years to convince me that I’m wrong!
Indeed, that is an unpopular opinion – because it is wrong. Ryan 2009: .292/.340/.400, uzr/150 13.8; Eckstein 2009: .260/.323/.334, uzr/150 -6.3. I suppose you could argue that 2009 is an outlier year for Ryan, but, unfortunately, Eckstein’s recent years suggest he is in decline such that 2009 is definitely not an outlier for him.
Even if Ryan’s batting drops to Eckstein’s level in 2010, Ryan’s glove is so good he still is a huge upgrade over Eckstein. Ryan turns double plays Eckstein would have no chance of even attempting.
By the way, I love Eckstein as much as the next guy, but Ryan is unquestionably superior.
Purely by definition — opinions cannot be wrong.
I know what you — and several others — are saying, but when I watch Ryan play (as I did with Eck) I still cringe. Except for Game 6 when Eck took Lidge up the middle, but that’s an anomaly!
Purely by definition — opinions cannot be wrong.
I know what you — and several others — are saying, but when I watch Ryan play (as I did with Eck) I still cringe. Except for Game 6 when Eck took Lidge up the middle, but that’s an anomaly!
Indeed, that is an unpopular opinion – because it is wrong. Ryan 2009: .292/.340/.400, uzr/150 13.8; Eckstein 2009: .260/.323/.334, uzr/150 -6.3. I suppose you could argue that 2009 is an outlier year for Ryan, but, unfortunately, Eckstein’s recent years suggest he is in decline such that 2009 is definitely not an outlier for him.
Even if Ryan’s batting drops to Eckstein’s level in 2010, Ryan’s glove is so good he still is a huge upgrade over Eckstein. Ryan turns double plays Eckstein would have no chance of even attempting.
By the way, I love Eckstein as much as the next guy, but Ryan is unquestionably superior.