Yadier Molina is at the plate at the moment and I have a sudden urge to be speaking Spanish, but instead of that I’ll pass off this week’s Lucky Seven from Matthew Leach.
1. Are the Cardinals contenders for the 2007 postseason?
At this rate, I’m going to have to vote no. It’s not that irreparable damage has been done, it’s that this team lacks the pieces to get back on track for a surge — namely legitimate starting pitching, consistent offense, and strong defense. Right now, we’ve got Albert having a mortal year, a bullpen, a bunch of walking wounded, and… that’s pretty much it.
2. With that in mind, how should they approach the deadline? Blow the whole thing up? Be buyers, but only buyers to strengthen the 2008 team? Buyers in the short term, say with a boost to this year’s rotation or offense? Stand pat?
My vote goes for only trades that will wind up helping in 2008. I seriously doubt Walt will be able to trade for enough of the pieces of what we are missing. Everybody needs starting pitching this year and virtually nobody has it to spare. Also, I think our chances are better for the future if we hang onto some of the good pieces we have now instead of rebuilding from the ground up.
3. Do you have any concerns about how the Carpenter situation was handled? If so, what?
Yes. H-E-doublehockeysticks yes. I don’t think I have enough information to call any nameless team physicians incompetent, but I can see a very troublesome philosophy in action on behalf of at least one party. Bernie discussed this today, but I have to reiterate that it concerns me when three high profile cases (Mulder, Rolen, and Carp) are mishandled by the medical staff/club.
I have medical knowledge (I’m not an MD, but I’m not limited to information from Grey’s Anatomy/ER/House) and I totally understand the decision to allow a trial rehab to see if the problem can be successfully managed nonsurgically as well as to see what information the rehab yields before electing for an invasive surgery. That said, I think it’s very imprudent to go through a full rehab and potentially worsen the problem before finally conceding surgery will be needed.
Just because sports injuries aren’t a life or death situation (generally) does not mean that it is warranted to allow the problem to become so incredibly severe and disabling before administering appropriate treatment. [And if you'll excuse me for a moment, this goes for all you parents out there who have kids with speech/language difficulties or potential hearing loss!]
I kid you not, when Carp came down with the elbow trouble back in April I was willing to bet he would need the bone spur removal as well as ligament replacement. From the symptoms that were relayed to me, from the sources that I have, and from the patterns that I’ve seen in other players, it was the conclusion I reached. Anytime that a layperson can successfully predict 1) what treatment will be needed, 2) when given limited information, and 3) far in advance of the actual treatment, I think there’s a problem with the medical system.
4. Aside from big league ballparks, what’s your favorite venue in sports?
Other sports? I’m confuzzled. If you’ll remember, I’m a baseball kind of girl, but I am really looking forward to the different atmosphere of minor league ball when I visit Springfield in a couple weeks. I suppose I did enjoy my few minutes of watching cricket over the fence in Bath, but I’m not prepared to say it’s my favorite.
5. What’s your favorite movie of the summer thus far? What movie still to come are you most looking forward to?
I am such a kid: Ratatouille. I’d also like to see I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, but my big highlight was probably the release of the final Harry Potter book this weekend.
6. What’s your song of the summer so far this year?
I don’t believe it’s new this summer, but Feels Like Today from Rascal Flatts has been playing on my iTunes a lot lately.
7. What’s the perfect summer food?
My real vote goes for homemade ice cream, but in lieu of that so far this summer I think I’ll have to vote for any fruit soaked in alcohol and pina colada sno-cones.
