March 13, 2004
More from TLR
By Brian Walton
One of the good things about an away game is that there seems to be more free time and fewer places for the manager, coaches and players to disperse to than at home. As a result, on Saturday, Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa spent some more time answering questions about the 2004 Cardinals during batting practice. Here is some what Tony had to say. As you put the pieces together, some signals about the roster are being given. But, it is still early.
Woody Williams. On how Woody responded to Friday’s workout: “I saw him this morning and I think he came out of it good. We’ll see how he does next game, whether an “A” game or another game on Wednesday. He will either throw against the Dodgers at 1:00 or that morning in a game-type situation.” On how many pitches Woody will throw: “That’s the good thing about giving him that control. He can quit when he wants to. He can throw as hard as he wants to. He can keep throwing breaking balls until he feels good. But, if he wants a game, I’ll put him out there. He’s a smart guy and knows better than anybody. He and Duncan will talk it over and they’ll go from there.”
Danny Haren. La Russa is thinking of giving him a start in Kissimmee (the 18th). In answering a question, La Russa said that Haren is exclusively a starter and that is the way he has to make the team. He is not being considered as a reliever, but will come north if “he can pitch his way into the best five”. “He’s either going to start here or at Memphis.” “He’s throwing as good as anybody in camp is throwing.”
Jason Simontacchi. On whether La Russa was happy with Simo’s Friday performance: “You saw what he can do. He’s a good pitcher. He pitches different speeds and moves the ball around. I like him.”
Alan Benes. La Russa doesn’t think Benes will be able to make his next turn, so Simo will likely throw that day, as previously expected. Benes is expected to be out a “week to ten days”.
Cody McKay. On his shot at making the team: “The fact that he can play third and first and hits from the left side is good. Still, I didn’t tell him to go get an apartment or anything.” McKay also is a former shortstop, though La Russa did not see him as an option there. He also catches and did so part of the time Saturday. “He’s gone a nice job. He’s caught well. He’s thrown well. He’s thought well. It’s tough playing third base. We’ll see. They all could work in his favor and he still could go down.” On whether it’s strange playing with his father there: “It’s more strange like thrilling. He’s a terrific young player. He didn’t say anything and he knows we’re going to say what we think as to whether he’s good enough to make the club.”
Doug Creek. La Russa said the left handed reliever has been looking good in practice and Saturday was “his day”. “He has big league experience. We know him since he has been here before. He’s a solid guy. He’s thrown well in the drills, so we’ll see what he looks like at one o’clock.” On whether Creek has a chance to make the team as the third lefty out of the pen: “He has a shot.”
Ray Lankford. “Yesterday he was impressive with two strikes against Beckett. The base he stole, he had a lot of life. He’s shown well. We’ve still got 20 games to go.” “Ray’s got good legs. When I first got here, after watching him for a couple of months, he’s a five tool guy. When he’s right. . .”
On Being an Underdog. “It’s a different situation to be in. The answer is always that you try to win as many games as possible. You don’t do anything different with your program. You just alert your players that they’re going to ask different questions. I don’t think it’s going to be any easier for our club this year, because we think we have a chance to win. So, we’re putting pressure on ourselves.”
Jason Isringhausen. In response as to whether the bullpen is better this year: “I’ll give you the easy answer. Even last year, Izzy was never Izzy, normal 100%.” In response to whether Izzy will ever pitch before the ninth: “The eighth.” La Russa did go on to acknowledge that pitching his closer earlier meant he would be more likely to go up against the top opposing hitters. “The last day of the season, he may pitch the seventh.”
Bullpen depth. “There’s been a couple of times this spring that I have been concerned. I definitely think we are in a lot better position than we were in last year. But, we’re trying to compare ourselves against a championship bullpen. You get a little better this year compared to last year, that doesn’t have a lot of meaning. We’re trying to compare ourselves to championship standards. There were a couple of times that I’ve been concerned, but we’ll see.”
Mike Lincoln. As to whether Lincoln was as good as expected: “We have a real good scout in Pittsburgh.” (referring to spring training instructor Jim Leyland, who lives in Pittsburgh and attends every game there scouting for the Cardinals.)
Julian Tavarez. “I’ve been really happy with Tavarez. He knows what he is doing out there.”
Cal Eldred. “He’s building up his arm strength.” La Russa not as concerned about results with him at this point.
Jim Edmonds. La Russa couldn’t figure out where a March 24th return date had come from. He doesn’t think starting the last week of Spring Training gives Edmonds enough time to be ready. Since Edmonds says he is feeling pretty good, La Russa instead may play Edmonds as soon as next week to ensure his legs are ready for the regular season. He wants to pace Edmonds properly rather than give him 30 at-bats at best to prepare.
Left field. On whether he will have enough time to judge all the candidates: “All these guys will have 15 or 20 at-bats. If you’re in that position, as I have been in my career, that’s not a bad look. Sometimes, you have to make decisions based on less than that.”
Starters. “I think that basically we’re going to have a chance when we play with that starter every day.” “I think if you compare to a championship rotation, I think we’re going to have a chance.”
Luis Martinez. Regarding Friday’s performance: “He pitched a couple of funny looking highballs and then found the strike zone.”
Evan Rust. Also in reference to Friday: “That was the best he’s looked all spring.”
Stolen bases. On whether having had two stolen bases Friday is the start of a trend: “No, I put guys on their own and they’re taking advantage of it. If they’ve got good judgment, then . . . On whether getting the green light to steal is a player by player decision: “You start with a guy in spring training and if he shows good judgment, then you keep it during the year. And if they blow it, you can at least say that “I gave you a shot”. And then you run on signs.”
