nothing much

I've got other things going on today so I don't have much time for writing, but luckily for me, there's not much going on anyway.

Yeah, I watched the WBC. I didn't concentrate on it real hard, though, so blame me for the loss if you need to. Seriously, though, it's probably not exaggerating to say that it was a miracle the US made it as far as they did. And judging by the RD flag(s) in the stands, I'd say los dominicanos agree with me. Korea and Japan in the finals? I'll take Korea.

No, I'm not watching NCAA BB. If you're following me on twitter, you know why.

Spring Training is going well for the Cardinals so far (knock on wood). No, it doesn't mean anything, but if they're clicking, they're clicking, and it makes me feel a lot better about the regular season possibilities. Khalil Greene has impressed me as much as anyone. He's obviously fielding well, but he's also looking good at the plate. (By that, I mean he's hitting the ball well. He still needs a haircut. Speaking of which, when did Joe Mather turn into a Malibu Ken doll? Wow.)

All right, so Curt Schilling is retiring. And he has a blog?! Why didn't anyone tell me?!

Fantasy alert: if you don't want to read about my team, turn back now.

I traded Penny for Pettitte (because I started worrying about the shoulder) and Giles for Scutaro (because I realized that I had drafted Brian Giles). I am officially happy with my roster.

¡Saludos!

checklist

I have every honest intention of running this into the ground. In that you can believe.

The Cardinals have needs, and they have only just begun to address them. By extending Lohse's contract, re-signing LaRue, and picking up Miller and Greene, Moze has renewed my faith. But he's got a lot more work to do. The winter meetings start Monday.

Bullpen
.. Left-handed relievers
..... Charlie Manning
..... Trever Miller
..... __________

One more lefty would do it. I'm thinking Oliver Perez. There's also Fuentes (not likely), Ohman, Beimel, Shouse....

Middle infield
.. Shortstop
..... Khalil Greene

.. Second base
..... __________

Adam Kennedy seems to be the elephant in the room lately. I hope Moze isn't reluctant to sign a second baseman because of the fear of paying Kennedy to sit on the bench for most of '09.

The only problem with re-signing Lopez is that he's not an ideal lead-off man or power bat. And considering the next two items on my checklist....

Power hitter
..... __________

Here's who I don't want: Dunn. Wow, that list was even shorter than I'd thought it would be. (Not that there's any real chance of that happening anyway.) Actually, if it were up to me (which it's not), I probably would put this at the very end of the list--kind of as an "if we've got money left over and just really want to spend it" item--and focus on the real deficiencies rather than the perceived ones.

Lead-off hitter
..... __________

It doesn't sound like anyone projects Greene to take over that spot, so who does that leave? We've got Schumaker....

This spot is generally reserved for a guy who's not so much about the long ball, but more about speed. The guy who can get on base and maybe steal. And since we're known for our unique lineup in which the pitcher hits eighth, we really need two lead-off hitters. Kennedy did not thrive in that role, and Izturis certainly did not impress anyone.

Fifth starter
..... __________

My greatest hopes lay on Carp's ability to return and pitch as brilliantly as we're accustomed (the Cardinals will find out today what the odds are), but reality keeps kicking me in the back of the head and reminding me that it never hurts to have a back-up plan. How about Penny? Penny. Penny. Penny.

greene-er pastures

Well, first of all, I feel terrible that I missed the show last night, but so you know, I'm listening to it as I type. Those guys do a super job.

Secondly, I'm not overly thrilled about the Greene trade, but barring news that we traded away somebody good to get him (knock on wood), I'm not overly disappointed either. It could very well turn out to be a good move. I tend to agree with those who have attributed his low numbers last year to (1) Petco Park and (2) playing for the Padres. An example of a player living up (or down, as it were) to the level of his cohorts and the expectations of the team would be none other than Felipe Lopez. He certainly came around when he found himself on a club with a winning attitude, and the same may well hold true for Greene. If we can just keep him from breaking any more bones the stupid way, I think he might just be okay. (And since Rentería was waaay out of our price range anyway....) The worst part of the whole thing may be that I can't ever seem to spell Kahlil Khlalil Klahill Khalil right the first time I try. What ethnicity is that, anyway?

Update: I just found this (please consider this post to be "in-progress") over on DG's blog...

Greene is a follower of the Baha’i faith, and it is reflected in his name: Khalil means 'friend of God' and his middle name, Thabit, means 'steadfast'.

Well, whatever his religious preference may be, his hair has got to go. Seriously. It's almost as bad as Arroyo's, and that is just unacceptable.

Speaking of Lopez, I'd still like to get him signed. If it takes a two-year deal, I'm truly okay with that. I doubt Moze would give him any more than that, though.

Lastly, in my opinion, Carpenter should either start or he should stop. No bullpen duties for the big guy. Please. That would just be tragic.

Oh, and what about Brad Penny? I'm still waiting to hear we're in talks with him.

Another update (I warned you): Mark Worrell and a player-to-be-named are the chips. How much of the $6.5 million Greene is owed next year we'll have to pay is yet to be determined/announced.