Cards sacrifice defense for offense, toughness
BY JEFF GORDON
http://www.STLtoday.com | (44) Comments | Posted: Sunday, December 5, 2010 10:05 am
Can Lance Berkman turn back the clock and hold up as an everyday outfielder? We’ll see.
But this much is certain: The “Big Puma” adds sorely needed presence to the Cardinals' batting order and clubhouse.
The move, following the addition of gung-ho shortstop Ryan Theriot, alters the team chemistry. Berkman plays to win, as the Yankees discovered after adding him to their supporting cast last season.
He was willing to turn down multi-year opportunities for a shot at postseason play in 2011. That speaks volumes about how this guy handles himself.
Check out this endorsement from Houston Chronicle columnist Richard Justice, who felt the pain of Astros fans upon learning of Berkman’s move:
Baseball players love playing for the Cardinals. It's like Boston in that the baseball team is No. 1 in the hearts and minds of fans. It's also a first-class franchise.
Lance never wanted to leave the Astros, but now he'll find out what it's like to play for a franchise that has everything—fans, tradition, brains and a real good team.
If you know Lance Berkman, if you know that he's one of the best people on earth and a joy to be around, you're thrilled that he got this opportunity. But you're also a little sad.
Cards fans, conversely, should be thrilled. Last year’s team missed the playoffs became they couldn’t beat the bad teams.
The team remained oddly unfocused for much of the season, beating themselves with sloppy fielding, baserunning gaffes and bad at-bats against no-name pitchers.
A shake-up was needed. General manager John Mozeliak accomplished that, giving manager Tony La Russa a mentally tougher group to take to spring training.
Mozeliak made the needed adjustments without sacrificing young players or making long-range commitments that could hinder the Albert Pujols Negotiations.
Questions remain, of course. These moves clearly diminish the team’s defensive potential for 2011.
Theriot is a defensive downgrade from Brendan Ryan. "The Riot" is a steady fielder, but he lacks Ryan’s range and hit-robbing ability.
Nagging knee problems forced Berkman, 34, to play first base for the Astros and designated hitter for the Yankees. He is whipping himself into better shape this offseason, but it’ll be interesting to see how his legs bear up in left field.
Will he be able to make the routine plays? Will he stay healthy while doing all that extra running? Will that challenge sap his offensive ability?
Berkman’s arrival will move Matt Holliday to right field, where he won’t measure up to ’10 regulars Ryan Ludwick and Jon Jay. Ludwick played at a Gold Glove level before departing for San Diego and Jay offered nice range.
Holliday will play hard and make the routine plays, but that’s it. He won’t take away hits and runs by reaching balls in the gap or down the line.
The $8 million investment in Berkman makes it highly unlikely the Cards will add an impact second baseman. So converted outfielder Skip Schumaker will take another stab at it.
The hard-working Schumaker will dedicate himself to improving offensive and defensively, but can he get it done?
With the budget spent, the Cards also can’t afford significant third base insurance either. So Allen Craig, a subpar defender, will spend a lot of time on the hot corner this spring while David Freese attempts to come back from multiple ankle injuries.
The cumulative loss of defensive range is staggering. Purveyors of defensive metrics will project disaster for the Cards.
Pitching coach Dave Duncan encourages his pitchers to pitch aggressively to the edges of the strike zone and rely on their fielders. The projected 2011 starting lineup would allow more balls get through the infield and fall into the outfield.
But La Russa is willing to trade defensive potential for offensive muscle and a tougher attitude. Last year’s team spent a lot of time daydreaming.
That won't be a problem next summer with Berkman and Theriot playing big roles.
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