Saturday, February 26, 2011

It is what it is

Not much to report, as you know Adam Wainwright went down this week and for those that have asked, Dave has no chance of getting into the rotation. He has not done his stint in AAA yet and he is still in rehab phase of throwing due to his surgery last fall. Depending upon the season, I expect and would hope a call up when rosters expand in September.

There are some good points and bad points about being placed upon the 40 man roster. The good points are a bit larger salary one can bank on and service time has begun for arbitration, however, what can happen is that he uses up options before that time and put out in the cold. That's what happens, this is never a guaranteed thing (getting to ML field) even for the very talented.

It's tough for pitchers, as I am seeing a lot of them going down before they even get started, lots, another first rounder in son's organization having issues. Unfortunetly, since his future is in question, he was taken off the 40 man roster last fall to make room for those that needed to be placed on. This is the second first rounder (college pitcher) drafted by the Cardinals who may never get in real time in ML .


So as good as things seem to appear at times, it also can go in the opposite direction, and that is one of the reasons why we try real hard to keep it all in perspective.

Dave's expression, "it is what it is", you just need to learn to live by that and try to enjoy the ride on a daily basis, that is all you can do!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The 40 man roster and major league spring training

The first right of passage on the 40 man for son was a trip to STL in January for the Cardinals Winter Warm Up big fund raising weekend event (held in different cities as well) for their charity.

David's signing time was in conjunction with Albert's and TLR so it was jammed the 2 hours he was to sign. He didn't talk much about the trip other than it was cold. He's gotten like that, I do beleive he is excited about this stuff but keeps it low key. Most of this is from my perspective.

There were a few letters of significance that have came this off season, of course they are of my opinion to be significant! One was the letter informing him that his milb contract had been purchased by the STL Cardinals, the second was the letter from the team Manager about the 2011 season, team goals, etc. He didn't say anything about them, they were left on his desk, but we thought those letters were cool! The other was his letter about report to spring training. Now, for all the expense money they don't give to milb players, they give to ml players. It's about 700-1k a week depending on if you are a rostered player or a non rostered invite and whether you live in or out of a hotel. Dave decided to get an apartment as he would be there until April and really didn't want to live in a hotel for almost 2 months. He's got a place up the street from the beach, living in FL he really doesn't do the beach that much, but has been there already a few times this week.

There is no set rules to follow in ML camp. You just better make sure that you get there before the guy does who has the highest kharma points at your position. Anyone after his arrival is considered late. I don't think they work as hard either. From some pics taken, I see a lot of hanging out.

Of course it has been hectic, the press waiting for Albert to arrive, lots of distractions the first week but as a Cardinal you get used to it. You hear often the team consists of Albert and the other 39 guys or 24 guys.
Albert's set of wheels and his son seemed to have gotten a lot of attention this week. So I understand that statement.

BTW, this spring he gets to wear his pants down. :)

Welcome Back!

Well, lots of things have happened since my last entry here.

David ended having surgery after the season, Doc in NY moved his ulnar nerve. Prognosis was 95-100%, so he figured why not get it done and over with, which he did in October.

Of course that meant back in rehab for the off season, again. He has the TJ zipper scar but the recovery (before he could begin throwing) was 12 weeks. Some begin sooner, but his doctor and the team trainer agreed on 12. He has done well and just threw 2nd pen from the mound the other day. Living close to the trainer has been helpful, he did spend his off season here and driving up when he had to.

Chris Carpenter exchanged stories with him about his nerve transposition surgery the other day, for pitchers it's sometimes about exchanging rehab stories. :)

Dave was protected this fall, he is now a member of the 40 man. This means ML spring training and a raise this season. It doesn't necessarily mean he will see STL, but hopefully if all goes well he will be called up and get to do something in september. In a few weeks I am sure he will be optioned back to milb, hopefully Memphis. Right now in spring training, with those from last year and those signed in the off season, pitching is stacked in either direction, up and down. Appears that they have their 5 man rotation in order, with the sixth in question.

In other words, there is a jam.