Hangin' Around

Note to readers: For various reasons (primarily the Stanley Cup playoffs, which are now over), I've developed a time management problem recently, and it's hindered some of my writing for this site. The primary brunt of this has been felt in this Cardinals report, as "The Hook" continues to be the only thing that I've put up every week. I ask that you please bear with me until I get some of these issues solved, and I hope to resume getting a Cardinals report up every week. For now, this is the first report in a month and a half, and there's a lot to cover.

Hangin' Around

The Cardinals entered the week at just 35-32 (now 36-33) and have been playing inconsistent ball for the past month. The starting pitching has tailed off in the past few weeks, with even Matt Morris and Woody Williams struggling, and the team desperately needs a legitimate third starter to help the two along. Brett Tomko has proven to be one of the bigger busts that Walt Jocketty has acquired in recent years, and has allowed nine runs in three of his appearances this season, including his last two. Jason Simontacchi and Garrett Stephenson continue to mix in the occasional great start in between handfuls of disappointing ones.

What's worse, all of the above starters are continuously being asked to pitch deeper and deeper into games because the bullpen continues to be awful. Many figured that the bullpen would improve upon Jason Isringhausen's return to the squad, as pitchers such as Steve Kline, Jeff Fassero, and Cal Eldred could probably fall back into their typical, defined roles. This hasn't been the case, though. Eldred has blown two saves in his last two outings, and has allowed seven runs in less than an inning in that span. Kline has no command of the strike zone right now, and walked three in an inning in his last appearance, allowing all three of those walks to score. The pen has been overworked due to the recent poor play of the starting pitchers, and it's starting to show more and more in their performance.

While Big Al continues to tear the cover off the ball and Edgar Renteria and Jim Edmonds are still looking like bigtime forces at the plate, the offense seems to be reliant on one other player stepping up per night. Sometimes it's J.D. Drew, sometimes it's Rolen, and sometimes (well... if they're in Yankee Stadium) it's Tino Martinez. If any one of those three players could put it together for a long stretch, this offense could give the pitching the five plus runs a game that it's needed in recent days.

With all of this poor play going on, though, there is really only one key to what's going on surrounding the Cardinals. They somehow remain just two games out of first place in the National League Central, and all it will take right now to get the Cardinals into playoff position is a nice two-week hot stretch.

Getting Healthy

You heard right. Jason Isringhausen is back to anchor the bullpen, although he still probably won't be ready to pitch on consecutive nights until late July. In the coming weeks, look for this to settle down a bullpen that has been the worst in the majors so far this season. As the team's confidence grows in Izzy, the starters should allow themselves to relax a little more on the hill, knowing that they have a true closer ready to take the ball in the ninth. Also look for Steve Kline and Cal Eldred to assert themselves as the primary left-handed and right-handed setup men, respectively. Jeff Fassero should return to his role as a lefty specialist, while Esteban Yan shouldn't pitch unless a game is completely out of hand.

On another front, J.D. Drew is finally ready to play every day. With replacement Eli Marrero still resting up after the infamous "game that wasn't" in Wrigley Field, this club needs Drew more than ever. He continues to crush the ball when he's in the lineup (.325-9-22 in 126 ABs) and is the only real option for a strong top of the order threat before Pujols, Edmonds, and Rolen come up in the heart of the order. Ideally, if his knees are close to 100%, Drew would lead off, with Edgar Renteria moving up to the #2 hole, but don't bet on that happenning anytime soon. Miguel Cairo will continue to lead off in Fernando Vina's absence.

Struggling Starters

The American League East wasn't kind to either Matt Morris or Woody Williams, and those are really the only starters that have been dependable for the Redbirds so far this season. Morris was lit up for 15 runs in 12.2 innings against Toronto, Baltimore, and New York his last three times out, and has been hampered by a knot below his shoulderblade. Against the Yankees, he lasted just two thirds of an inning before the rains came, and allowed four runs before being taken out after an hour long delay. The righthander, still just four years removed from Tommy John surgery, continues to hover near the top of the leaderboard in innings, and currently ranks third behind Ben Sheets and Hideo Nomo. All of those pitches seem to be catching up with him.

Woody Williams was brilliant in his first outing against the AL East, throwing eight innings of one-hit shutout ball against the top offense in the majors, the Toronto Blue Jays. He did not fare quite as well on the road against the Red Sox and Yankees though. Williams, who is tied for fourth in the National League in ERA, has allowed ten earned runs in his last two starts (five each against the Sox and Yanks), going 0-1 over that span. A return to Busch Stadium for his next start against Kansas City will be a welcome sign for Woody. He's been brilliant at home so far this season, with a 1.80 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP.

Tomko's struggles were documented in our lead-in, and his last appearance actually came in relief of Morris in New York. For Brett Tomko's two fantasy owners, don't worry... this does not mean that he's lost his spot in the rotation. He remains on target to start tomorrow night in Milwaukee, but he doesn't come recommended in that start. After allowing 23 runs in his last 12.2 innings, he would seem to be a bad bet in a hitter's park. Tomko allowed five runs in five and a third in his only appearance at Miller Park this season, but he did garner the win in that start.

Garrett Stephenson has been a pleasant surprise for the 'Birds this season, but how long it will continue is anyone's guess. The former seventeen-game-winner has actually been phenomenal his last two times out, but has just a 1-0 record to show for it. He dominated Boston hitters in Fenway (despite walking six), throwing seven shutout innings in an 8-7 victory. Oh yeah... the bullpen got a chance to pitch that night! Cal Eldred blew a save in the ninth, Fassero blew a save in the tenth, and Esteban Yan tried [i]really[/i] hard to blow another save, but held on for an 8-7 victory. The offense left the bullpen plenty of margin for error last night, as they plastered Brewers pitching for twelve runs in a 12-3 win. Stephenson gave up just two runs in his seven innings, and more importantly, his command was on, as he handed out just one free pass.

Jason Simontacchi just can't find the magic that he had over the first half of last season, and has watched his ERA balloon to 6.65. A two-category pitcher when he's on, Simontacchi shouldn't be near any fantasy roster.

There may be hope, though. Kiko Calero, who had never pitched in relief prior to this season, made his first start of the year on Monday, throwing five brilliant innings against the Brewers, only to see Eldred and Kline fall apart. The rookie right-hander, who has arguably been the Cardinals most dependable arm out of the 'pen, allowed just one run and three hits, walking two and striking out nine! Calero is expected to get another shot at cracking the rotation, and would most likely replace Simontacchi, although Tomko's job isn't safe right now either.

Trade Winds Blowing?

Around this time every year, the trade talks start to heat up, and this season is no different. Much like last season, the Cardinals seem to be a couple of arms away from having a realistic shot at the playoffs. Ideally, the Redbirds seem to be looking for one starter and one reliever.

The primary target that seems to have been mentioned dominated the Cardinals in a recent trip to Busch Stadium. The Baltimore Orioles are said to be shopping Sidney Ponson because he will become a free agent at season's end, and he could become one of the hottest names on the market. Ponson has always had a reputation as a guy with loads of potential, and is finally putting it together this season, with a 9-3 record and a 3.64 ERA. He fits the profile perfectly of what the Cardinals are looking for, as he's a workhorse who has gone seven or more innings in eight of his thirteen starts, including two complete games. In short, he'd give the bullpen an opportunity to rest.

It's time for Walt Jocketty to swallow his pride and deal J.D. Drew, as he could probably get Ponson, as well as a decent reliever, in a deal with Baltimore provided that Drew was a part of the deal. Orlando Palmeiro and Kerry Robinson certainly don't impose the same threat that Drew does in a batting order, but they're more prototypical leadoff hitters. Drew's value is suddenly high again, and the Cardinals need to take advantage of it before he starts complaining about his nagging injuries again.

Other names that have surfaced include: Chuck Finley, Armando Benitez, Ugueth Urbina

Tino Returns

Cardinals first baseman Tino Martinez returned to New York last week, and finally showed the Redbirds part of the reason that they got him in the first place. Martinez, who has been rather disappointing since the Cardinals signed him before the 2002 season, went 3-10 with 2 homers and 5 RBI in the series in Yankee Stadium, and was rewarded with a standing ovation nearly every time that he came to the plate in front of his old fans. He had a hit in each of his first two games against the Brewers this week, and one can only hope that the return home lit a spark under him that may carry back over into National League play.

Another former Yankee returned on the road trip, as Joe Girardi made a few badly needed starts behind the plate. It was speculated earlier this season that Girardi's troubles which stemmed from a herniated disc may force the 38-year-old into retirement, but he returned to the big leagues and played three games on the road trip, one in Boston and two in New York. Girardi's return should help the club immensely, as they now have another solid defensive catcher that can spell starter Mike Matheny from time to time.

The Walking Wounded

Fernando Vina still seems to possibly be lost for the year. The Cardinals scrappy leadoff hitter is still recovering from a torn right hamstring that he sufferred when trying to beat out a grounder. Miguel Cairo continues to start at second base in his absence, but the key to this injury is that Vina, once rumored to be on the block, has lost all trade value that he had.

Jason Isringhausen has returned to the club after offseason shoulder surgery. He hasn't yet faced a save situation, but should resume closing duties within the next week. Unfortunately, Izzy won't be able to pitch on back to back days for a while.

J.D. Drew finally seems just about ready to play every day, rather than the every other day status that he's been on since his return in early May.

Albert Pujols is still not 100% in the field, and spent much of the American League road trip as the designated hitter. He will continue to play left field in the National League parks, and there shouldn't be a problem the rest of the way.

Matt Morris is battling a knot underneath his right (pitching) shoulderblade, and may miss a start in the near future to rest up. Morris was bumped back a spot in the rotation during the trip to Yankee Stadium, and didn't look good in his start the next day.

Quick View

Add/Acquire

Jason Isringhausen - Izzy should be fine, and he should be closing soon. Most managers who have had him are wondering why he hasn't gotten a shot to close yet, and may be getting antsy.

Scott Rolen - Rolen has run hot and cold so far, and has just one homer since May 26. He's one of the top three third baseman in the majors, and the time to get him may be now.

Miguel Cairo - Though he's really just a one category player (runs), he should have a solid year at the top of the Cardinal lineup. At a thin position, he could be worth a flyer in deep leagues.

Hold

Albert Pujols
Edgar Renteria
Jim Edmonds
Matt Morris
Woody Williams

Dump/Deal

Cal Eldred - If you haven't already done so, it's too late to trade him. He has no place on a fantasy roster now that Isringhausen has returned.

Mike Matheny - Sure... he started the year out scorching behind the plate, and any catcher who can hit that well for a month is a good call in a fantasy league. Don't be fooled by his 4 for 4 day against the Brewers a few nights ago, though. Matheny has watched that tremendous first month disappear, and his average has sunk to .277. The worst part? His career average is [b]a lot[/b] lower than that, at .238.

Brett Tomko - Yuck!

Garrett Stephenson - He's having a nice run lately, but don't bank on him keeping his numbers at their current level. Deal him while he's hot, but he's good enough to hold onto if you can't get good value for him.