Play the GM (for the Cards)

by N Oakley on Mar 7, 2008 4:32 PM CST

Pujols and his agent and doctor confirm he has a "high grade" ligament tear in the elbow and he will probably need reconstructive elbow surgery in time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3280426

With Carpenter and Mulder being question marks this year, and an infield of retreads, why wouldn't the Cards want him to get this over with and show up to ST next healthy and rehabbed?

Pujols says: "If it blows out it's going to blow out," "You can't control that." He said he didn't want to just have the arthroscopic surgery.

"It didn't make sense having the surgery and just clean it up, when cleaning it up it wasn't going to make it good," Pujols said. "I had to do something in the ligament."

If I was a Cardinal fan, and the guy (who is) in the office next to me agrees, why not just do it this year to make certain the franchise player is healthy when the team is re-tooled and the fan base has high expectations?

Thoughts from you other armchair GM's on the current biggest Cub killer out there?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I absolutely agree

actually at another site weeks ago I suggested they just end his season already long before it starts. then again, Pujols is on his way to the HOF so what he decides is probably best for him.

If he was a Cub and the Cubs were looking bad, Id sit him

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 7, 2008 4:31 PM CST reply actions

That's what I would do.

The Cardinals aren't going anywhere this year. Why not just get it done?

In the meantime, why not see if the Cardinals want Micah Hoffpauir?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 7, 2008 4:42 PM CST reply actions

I initially thought if there was anyone we

would want to pawn off, but they have the Adam Dunn twin in left in Duncan. He plays a good first base and subbed really well for Pujols two years ago when he was called up.

I would guess they would trot out a LF from the minors somewhere.

by N Oakley on Mar 7, 2008 4:47 PM CST up reply actions

Matt Murton!

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 7, 2008 4:50 PM CST up reply actions

Brandon Inge!

n/t

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 7, 2008 4:54 PM CST up reply actions

Sammy Sosa!

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 7, 2008 4:59 PM CST up reply actions

more info on the surgery

after the surgery, according to ESPN, you only need about 3-4 months of rehab. so, in theory, if the Cards season does tank... like most of us think it likely will... he can have the surgery in August or September and still be ready for spring training on next year.

With the new stadium and the depature of fan favorites such as Rolen and Edmonds, I think the Cards are thinking they need to at least make an effort to compete this year, and putting Pujols under the knife before it even starts is a proverbial white flag. as long as the doctors sign off on it and Pujols is willing to play through the pain, well, I kind of applaud the Cardinals for at least trying to give something back to their fans.

by petrie on Mar 7, 2008 4:59 PM CST reply actions

re: "I applaud the cardinals"

I view that gesture much differently from you. They aren't "trying to give something back to their fans"...they're starting Pujols to sell tickets this year, and may end up screwing the fans in the long run.

This is basically what the White Sox have done: by trading their two best pitching prospects and failing to restock the system by trading old veterans, they have assured themselves of prolongued mediocrity.

by Thelonious on Mar 8, 2008 12:16 AM CST up reply actions

stupid grammar

I view that gesture much differently THAN you.

by Thelonious on Mar 8, 2008 12:19 AM CST up reply actions

you'd be okay with the Cubs tanking in ST?

n/t

by petrie on Mar 8, 2008 1:40 AM CST up reply actions

That kind of surgery

on a 1st baseman, who seldom has to throw, should be done in the offseason. He will have plenty of time to recover enough to play the next opening day. If I were paying his contract, he would play until it becomes mandatory the surgery gets done, and hope he can last the full year.

by 100 Years is Nothing on Mar 7, 2008 5:32 PM CST reply actions

Chances are...

...he'll never be able to live a full, happy, productive life, so perhaps the most humane thing they could for him is to put him to sleep. Or they could just retire him and put him out to stud.

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Mar 7, 2008 6:21 PM CST reply actions

now that opens up a whole new possibility...

studding rights clause in contracts... imagine what the rights to A-Rod's kids would be worth...

by petrie on Mar 7, 2008 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

As a Cubs fan I agree....

but I also agree with the above comment that if I was actually paying him out of my own pocket, I would want him out there, even if he was less than 100 percent. Pujols at 75% is better than most guys at 100 percent.

And BTW, Pujols is not the biggest Cub-killer out there. I give that nod to probably Prince Fielder. As great as Pujols is, the Cubs usually manage to keep him at least somewhat in check....most of the time.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Mar 8, 2008 11:04 AM CST reply actions

I think the Biggest Cub killer

is Carlos Lee ... or stephen drew(in the playoffs at least)

by soriano12 on Mar 8, 2008 11:21 AM CST reply actions

Cardinals, Astros are awful

Both these teams are going to be real bad in 2008. I'm not sure what St. Louis is doing at all. Owner DeWitt refuses to invest and is rapidly becoming public enemy #1 in St. Louis. Troy Glaus and Cesar Izturis were terrible additions. The outfield is a God-forsaken mess. The pitching staff is littered with question marks. Yuck, yuck, yuck.

The Astros are in worse shape. Ed Wade as GM?? What, Ed Lynch wasn't available? Literally no pitching once you get past Roy Oswalt. Closer Jose Valverde will prove a one year wonder. Hunter Pence is the only bright spot.

by MDBNIU on Mar 8, 2008 12:19 PM CST reply actions

Even so....

I will stick to my own personal policy regarding the Cardinals and Astros, but the Cardinals especially: when they are mathematically eliminated in September, I will look past them. Not a day sooner.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Mar 8, 2008 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

Tommy John surgery...........

.........for a position player is an off-season procedure. Pujols can play in 2008, get surgery in November and still be ready for camp in 2009.

As for the Cards throwing in the towel, there are some who believe current ownership is trying to get through the All Star game next year before dumping the team. They've made a bundle of $$$ since purchasing the club, and they are trying to scrimp along until they can exit with very fat wallets.

by tville on Mar 8, 2008 4:00 PM CST reply actions