After a 6-0 run last week, this week’s 2-4 record has us reconsidering the potential for a Cardinals Wild Card run.
First off, we tackle the news that Kwang Hyun Kim has returned to the roster, but will be working out of the bullpen. We both see potential benefits from getting him back with the big club sooner, but wonder if Mike Shildt can be creative enough to capitalize. Then we talk about Shildt’s bullpen usage throughout the season. He’s slotted guys into defined roles and ground a few of his relievers into dust, much like his predecessor, but on the other hand… what alternatives did he have?
Next, we talk about the news that Yadi and the Cardinals are discussing a one-year deal around $9 million to bring him back next season. We put some numbers on just where Yadi sits among his fellow catchers in this late stage of his career.
Lastly, we answer a few more questions from listeners, these dealing with Miles Mikolas’s contract and what we expect from Lars Nootbaar.
Ben Humphrey recommends Joe Posnanski’s imagined rejected game story from August 24, 2011, titled: The Cardinals will win the World Series. It’s a great time to read that story, as today’s Cardinals look a ways out of the race… but not nearly so far out as that 2011 team was.
Ben Godar recommends Carlos Martinez’s Instagram account, one of the finest pieces of performance art from the last decade.
Episode 19: Are the Cardinals creative enough for Kim in the bullpen?