XIGT, Cardinals @ Mets 3/24/2012

[Ceetar]

Today's line-up vs. the Cards: Valdespin-4, Cedeno-6, Bay-7, Davis-3, Duda-9, Turner-5, den Dekker-8, Nickeas-2, Pelfrey-1

Lance Lynn for the Cardinals.

On TV, full slate. FS-M, MLBN (delay) WPIX

radio, KMOS 1120 (st Louis) and WFAN 660.

[Edgy MD]

Kinda was hoping to see Bay or Valdespin in center today.

[Ceetar]

Mets have lots of infield guys, maybe Jordanny moves out there late in the game.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think it's likely that den Dekker's presence indicates the Mets have seen all they need to see of the pretenders.

I realize he'll be way over his head offensively but he appears to be the best of the bunch with the glove and given how much else we're already giving away defensively, maybe they just can't risk it. I know I'd be very hesitant to.

[Edgy MD]

I get the idea that they fully expect Torres and/or Hairston ready for opening day, and den Dekker isn't really there as a tryout, but just to fill the position during spring games so their pitchers have some protection for a few innings here and there.

If it was a real tryout, they'd've brought back Nieuwenheis. But being as he's one step away, they'd rather him get regular time in minors camp than scraps in big league camp. So they brought back the guy who's two steps away instead.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: I get the idea that they fully expect Torres and/or Hairston ready for opening day, and den Dekker isn't really there as a tryout, but just to fill the position during spring games so their pitchers have some protection for a few innings here and there. If it was a real tryout, they'd've brought back Nieuwenheis. But being as he's one step away, they'd rather him get regular time in minors camp than scraps in big league camp. So they brought back the guy who's two steps away instead.

Nieuwenhuis isn't up to game speed yet anyway.

It's probably just to fill innings though. They can bring den Dekker in since it doesn't create any 40 man issues even in Spring (Isn't their some rule about recalling the other 40man'rs once they've been optioned back to the minors camp?) and just work in Baxter/Loewen/Valdespin to get some looks at them and their normal AB.

Valdespin in particular because they seem dedicated to getting a ton of looks at him. And I imagine they're both hoping Tejada and Murphy can work long term, or that Havens can, and it can't hurt to see Valdespin at a different position.

[ashie62]

Torres will be ready in time, maybe lol... Den Dekker?

These games will seem more real for me when David starts playing.

Beautiful spring day down here.

[Ceetar]

1-2-3 for Pelfrey, here come the Mets.

[ashie62]

Single for Jordanny..nice necklace...

[ashie62]

Ike!

KABOOM!

[Ceetar]

Keith just told an interesting story about a low time early in his career when he went 0-4 and Seaver struck him out with the bases loaded on a wicked curveball and he ended up crying about it after the game.

[Ceetar]

Meanwhile, error by Turner and a couple of singles by the Cardinals. Descalsco drives one to the wall for 2 runs.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Keith just told an interesting story about a low time early in his career when he went 0-4 and Seaver struck him out with the bases loaded on a wicked curveball and he ended up crying about it after the game.

Seaver gets you on the curve, you should cry. Seaver hated to throw it and if he got you on it, he totally had you set up. Sucker.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Superefficient inning from Parnell.

Bad mental mistakes from Rottino (picked off leaning the wrong way in the 7th) and Cedeno (an inexplicable attempt to barehand a ball in the hole).

Nice work from Rauch, working the corners to work out of an error-born man-on-third/one-out situation in the 8th.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

3 guys got picked off today! Razor Shines lives.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Francisco hands the lead away, on a hard-hit single in the RF gap and a double off the glove of Rottino, who must really like Buffalo or something.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

passed ball didn;t help neither.

Baxter's really having a great spring.