Hoops McCann

In terms of why Miller didnt pitch in the post-season (save the appearance against Pitt). From what I've read here and listened to, it seems the issue was two-fold. He essentially hit his innings limit in end-September and he was wearing down as was seen by his stats/performance. I think the team was being safe with him and his arm. Secondly, the team didnt like the match-ups for him against the Pirates and by the time the NLDS rolled around, he hadnt pitched in weeks, so they may have been wary about that. On top of that, Wacha seemed a man on fire and that likely had a lot to do with it as well. Again, I dont want to seem degrading here, but there is zero chance Miller is moved for Aybar. I think the team would rather either pursue Tulo/Profar or Drew/Peralta in the FA market given various options.

I think Angel Oracle hit it on the head. I dont understand the move, even if it was just a one-year stop gap, or even to get the pick. Nothing was gained by not giving him the QO.

Having watched every start for Lynn this year. There are games where he can be utterly dominant. That means, his tailing 2-seamer is low in the zone and he's hitting his spots and his off-speed pitches are good. The past two years the first half of the season, he has been dominant but seems to fall off the cliff after the ASB and until September. Another trend is he will be cruising along in a game and have one inning where BABIP gods have their way and he loses it. If he could somehow minimize the damage in those innings, he could certainly be a #2 type pitcher.

Yeah, I tend to agree. I dont think he gets moved, but if he were, I think the Cards would be among the only team with enought prospects or young talent to do so. Now, personally, I'd rather have Nolan Arenado, but I have a feeling the front office thinks as highly of him as Tulo and rightly so.

If Wacha is spelled Lynn, then yeah, possible.

given the questions of the starting staff, I dont see how the Angels dont give him a QO. Although, given the market, he may decline anyway and try to get a multi-year deal with better AAV. We should know in a day.

Wilson would be an excellent pick-up for the Angels. He looked phenomenal late in the season and in the NLCS. Seems he's recovered and back to throwing heat. Hope this match can be made.

Do you guys really think that the Cards would take Aybar for Miller straight-up? Not a chance... He's about as valuable a trade commodity as currently exists in baseball. Top of the rotation stuff, controllable with a ton of upside. From what I've been hearing, Miller/Adams + prospect for Tulo or Profar. I honestly dont see anything of value the Angels could offer that would entice the Cards. Now, if you want Lance Lynn/Freeman for Aybar...that may be plausable. http://www.stlcardinalbaseball.com/more-light-on-the-shelby-miller-situation

I truly believe that Lance Lynn will be moved in the off-season. Given the sheer depth of the Cards pitching, he may eventually be the odd-man out. If it isnt him, it may be Joe Kelly. Jaime Garcia is coming back and he's a solid #3 type but most people forget about him as he's been hurt most of the year. What the Cards need is a CF or SS. Question is...is Bourjous someone the Cards would be interested in and would they do a Lynn for Bourjous swap. I think it's actually doable.

Better option than Hughes would be Arroyo. Hughes looked to have the talent but never put it together. Gives up a ton of hits/BB and his WHIP is frigtening. I think there may be better options out there than Hughes. The Yankees are equally as desperate for pitching and they dont even want him anymore.

Here's an interesting idea...instead of going after Phillips, Angels pursue Arroyo. He eats innings, more often than not gives the team a chance to win and wont cost a fortune. He's be a very competent #4/#5 pitcher on the Angels and the Angels needs are pitching, both starting and relief.

Great pitcher but a lot of miles on his young arm. Giving long deals like this to any player, but especially a pitcher is usually not a good idea; however, if there is one pitcher in the game that is likely worth it, he would seem to be it.

He was a 21st rounder as he was playing at a small junior college and was originally a short stop. Funny thing was, he had some heat on his pitches and the next thing you know, he was turned into a pitcher. Actually, he has a few other very good pitches besides the 99mph 4-seamer although he doesnt often use those. He has excellent control and was originally slated to be a starter. And, Motte, who also throws 98+mph was hurt this season and I assume will take over the closing duties next season when he's back. I would like to see if that is at all possible as he would be much more valuable as a starter, however, the Cards are pretty stacked with starters: Wainwright Wacha Miller Lynn Kelly Garcia (who had shoulder surgery but is a quality pitchers as well) This doesnt include who I think could be as good as Wacha or Miller and that is Carlos Martinez. He's been groomed as a starter and in AA and AAA was a starter. He's the set-up guy now, but I am sure he will be a starter down the road. That's a lot of quality arms, but given the issues the team has at SS and CF (assuming Oscar Taveras cant play CF), I would assume a few of those could be moved in the right deal.

Things are afoot here in St. Louis. Attended the games at Busch and got to see the Cards put a shellacking on Kershaw. I was expecting a tight game, thinking it would be a one run game, but the entire game turned on the best AB (next to David Freese's triple in Game 6 2011) I've ever seen live. The more pitches he fouled off, the more the crowd roared. The entire stadium knew he was going to get a hit, but a double was the unexpected suprise. After that battle, Kerhsaw was on fumes. I was surprised Donny Baseball trotted him out in the 4th and he was pretty tired in the 5th and it showed. On to Fenway. Should be a great WS as I think the two team are pretty evenly matched, although I am a big subscriber to the theory pitching wins in October and I think the Cards starters are better (albeit not by a lot) than Boston's. As I know everyone here is a fan of baseball, I just hope that the Cards-Sox can give fans everywhere a memorable series, but I do truly hope that it is culminated in my teams 12th WS title.

Probably let Beltran walk and move Craig back to the OF and Matt Adams become the starting 1B.

Should be a great series...was a pretty even series in the regular season. I believe home field advantage tips in the Cards favor and the Cards will only see Liriano once. Cards in 5.

Why would Trout want to sign a LT contract now? What benefit is there to him in doing that? Unless his arb years are locked up at a good amount of money and his first few years of FA included. Other than that, I think Trout tests free agency. He is likely to maximize his salary by doing so and given the state of some FA deals the past few years, there isnt a doubt in my mind he and his agent will do so. Luckily, at least, his agent isnt Scott Boras. If he was, there is a 99.99% chance he tests free agency.

Team meeting. What did they need to discuss...what to have as the after game buffet, Chinese or pizza? When a team is out of it as this team clearly is, what is the point of a team meeting? To discuss what utter disappointments they have been, or to just single out Hamilton (or Blanton or Pujols or almost everyone except Weaver and Trout).

Taillon for Trumbo. The Angels should make this trade every day and twice on Sunday. Chuck really doesnt seem to like young, stud pitching prospects.

That's a good return for Callaspo. Surprised Beane would pull the trigger as I would have thought he could have gotten a 3B better than Callaspo.

Chuck - they have the potential to miss bats. Remember, they are young and will mature and season in a few years. Martinez certainly has top of the rotation potential and can miss bats. Just needs more experience. What makes you assume he isnt a K pitcher? He throws high 90s, like 95+ and has an awesome change and good curve. I think you are totally wrong on your assessment. Nothing I've seen, read or heard has ever alluded to him not being a strike out pitcher. Wacha will also be a very good ML pitcher, he just needs to work on his secondary pitches a bit more and he'll be ready to go. I think he has the potential to be a very good starter, say a solid #2 type. Honestly, the Angels would be fortunate to get either of these guys (along with the ever elusive PTBNL) for Aybar. However, I am certain it isnt going to happen. I dont see the Cards giving up either of these for Aybar. If it was Joe Kelly and Ryan Jackson for Aybar, then there might be a deal. But, one of these two isnt happening.

Trumbo would be a better fit with the Pirates, who also have some pretty good prospects in their system. Not sure about this proposed trade and since it isnt happening, I wont weigh in on it. But, there are a lot of other teams with a better fit with the Angels for Trumbo.

Downs was good albeit a specialist. He was also 38 and an impending FA. Not a whole lot of teams are going to give up a whole lot for that. I think the Angels did about as well as they could have given the realities.

Light the Failo?

if that's a dream, it is an awfully wet one.