News
Inbox: Franklin's late woes a concern?
Cards beat reporter Matthew Leach fields fans' questions
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
11/23/09 6:15 PM EST
Welcome to the Thanksgiving-week Inbox. As always, if you have a question, use the link below to submit it -- and please be sure to include your first name, last initial and hometown. If you send a regular e-mail, rather than using the form, be certain to use the word "mailbag" in the subject header -- otherwise your mail may be directed to the spam folder or possibly be ignored in an unbecoming manner. Also, please understand that literally hundreds of e-mails arrive every week, so they can't all be used in the mailbag or receive personal responses.
How much of a concern are Ryan Franklin's late-season and playoff struggles heading into the 2010 season? Do you see a possible closer upgrade and slotting Franklin in a setup role?
-- Bob K., Chicago
It's happened enough times that it's certainly something to be aware of. Franklin seems to wear down a bit as the year goes on, and has consistently done so as a reliever with the Cardinals. I don't believe it means he got "figured out" or anything like that this year. I think he just faded a bit, as seems to be a pattern.
As a result, the Cardinals will not be pursuing a closer this offseason. They may upgrade the right side of the bullpen, though. And if they do, having a pitcher who could slot into the ninth in an emergency -- or in case of injury -- would be a nice luxury.
Still, the bullpen is definitely not a priority this offseason. It ranks behind bolstering the offense and filling out the starting rotation.
Since it looks like they'll lose both Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa, would it make sense for the Cardinals to pursue re-signing Troy Glaus?
-- Hugh A., New Haven, Conn.
First, don't necessarily assume that both of those guys are gone. But even if they are, Glaus just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. There's a real worry about how he can hold up physically playing third base for a full year. It seems he's bound for a team where he can be the first baseman or designated hitter, or at least where he's not expected to play 130-plus games at third. I won't be surprised if he has a very nice year offensively, though.
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What are the chances of Tony La Russa staying after the 2010 season? Would them winning the World Series affect his chances of staying? Will Bobby Cox's
retirement affect Tony's chances of staying?
-- Parker C., Woody, Calif.
To answer the last question first: I don't think Cox's situation affects La Russa's at all. I take him at his word when he says he has a list of factors he assesses, including his own desire to keep going and whether his message still resonates with the players.
To answer the heart of the question: It's clear that there are only so many more years that La Russa wants to keep up with the grind. I won't be shocked if he calls it quits after '10.
The results will affect that though, and maybe not in the way you might think. A good season -- even a World Series title -- would likely increase his chances of staying. As long as it's that much fun, he'll probably keep going. The closest I've seen him to hanging it up have been after grinding, frustrating years.
If Holliday does in fact leave to go elsewhere, what would the chances be to move Skip Schumaker back to left field and make Julio Lugo the primary second baseman? Do you think this would be effective?
-- Brian A., St. Louis
It's a very slim chance, and in my opinion rightly so. Schumaker's bat plays very well at second base, much less so at a corner-outfield spot. The Brendan Ryan-Schumaker-Lugo combination in the middle infield was a good mix, and I expect it to be so again in 2010.
Matthew Leach is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
