Brian Walton
January 14, 2005
Ankiel: Coddling, Negotiating or BAU?
By Brian Walton
Anxious Cardinals fans have at least three recent factors by which to establish their impressions of Rick Ankiel’s readiness to pitch. Those include his recent elbow discomfort, his assigned role on the team and his recovery time.
Some wonder whether the team is coddling the pitcher, given his surgery was 18 months ago. Others fear a conspiracy, questioning whether the Cardinals are creating doubt about his role and/or his health to try to maintain contract negotiating leverage with Ankiel and his agent Scott Boras. Others assume this is just business as usual (BAU). Count me among the BAU camp.
Still, since not everyone in the Cardinal Nation agrees, let’s look at each factor in more detail.
1) Elbow twinge or pinch.
Fact: Near the end of his winter ball campaign in Puerto Rico, Ankiel experienced pain in his reconstructed elbow. He was sent home early as a precautionary measure, though he has since been cleared to resume throwing.
Fear: Was this a legitimate act to protect Ankiel or was it overreaction, designed to create FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt)? Ankiel is bound to the team, but has accrued enough major league service time to be eligible for arbitration. He is currently unsigned for 2005.
2) Role on the team.
Fact: Because of Matt Morris’ recovery time from shoulder surgery and the lack of another viable starter, recent comments from the front office have changed. Current indications are that Ankiel may be asked to start games in April. Previously, he was assigned to the bullpen.
Fear: Is the team downplaying this role change for salary reasons? After all, starters make considerably more money than long relievers, don’t they?
3) Recovery time.
Fact: Ankiel’s reconstructive elbow surgery, aka ligament transplant surgery, aka Tommy John surgery was on July 16, 2003, 18 months ago. That surgery involves taking a tendon from the wrist or hamstring and grafting it into the elbow. Listed recovery time for this surgery is 12-18 months, but for pitchers to return to full effectiveness, up to 24 months was sometimes quoted in the past.
Fear: Is the team protecting Ankiel or themselves or both? After all, “maybe well” pitchers make less than “completely well” pitchers. Why aren’t they cutting him loose?
While average recovery time from this surgery has been improving over the years, nothing is guaranteed. Of the recent prominent TJ pitchers, Florida Marlin A.J. Burnett had one of the more aggressive return schedules. Following his April, 2003 surgery, Burnett was activated and pitched four innings on June 3, 2004. However, the aftermath of those 14 months was extended when Burnett missed time in September due to inflammation in his repaired elbow.
Another situation more familiar to Cardinals fans is that of Matt Morris. Famous surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe repaired Morris’ torn elbow ligament with a tendon from his right hand on April 13, 1999. Morris came back in 2000, but was limited to 31 relief appearances. He progressed as the season went on and appeared in four postseason games.
Back in the starting rotation in 2001, Morris had a career year, winning 22 games in 34 starts. No Cardinal starter has had more victories in a season since Bob Gibson won 23 games in 1970. Morris’ 3.16 ERA was the sixth-best in the National League.
So, why can’t Ankiel be fully ready this spring, too? Note Morris’ surgery was in April, while Ankiel went under the knife in July. Those three months may be the difference in the team’s comfort zone between the two pitchers, where one was cleared to start the season, while the other is seemingly being treated more cautiously. After all, remember that Ankiel hasn’t yet made those 35 post-surgery appearances like Morris did.
By this July, two full years will have transpired since Ankiel’s surgery. We’ll probably know long before then whether his comeback will be complete.
Bottom line. The Cardinals would be fools if they didn’t want more negotiating power. After all, against Scott Boras, one needs all the ammunition they can get. But, Ankiel is not in line for a big payday yet, anyway. Yes, they are being cautious with Ankiel, but not overly so. I simply call it BAU – business as usual.
