Can Mike Matheny and John Mozeliak co-exist?

by Steve Dunford

The 2017 edition of the St. Louis Cardinals is more than a train wreck, it is a full fledged derailment.  I have had several conversations what are “we” referring to the Cardinals going to do.

I have heard professional athletes say that it is not rights for us the fans to call us “we”.  I take part ownership in you.  I pay around $20 extra a month to have Fox Sports Midwest.  I watch blaring loud commercials of Bommarito Cadillac, Sapaugh GM Country, On The Run, Slyman Brothers, Cordell and Cordell, and other St. Louis firms commercials to pay for your $1billion TV contract that goes into effect next year.

“We” are the ones that follow “you” 162 games a year in one form or another.

The stupid base running mistakes, and poorly executed defense has been aggravating to watch.   I witnessed something very disturbing last night, a team that did not show up to play.

I drew a deadline in the sand a couple weeks ago,  of the end of the Washington Nationals series to this upcoming weekend as a pivotal point of the season.  Against them and the Diamondbacks the Cardinals will be against the elite teams.  If the Cardinals go 4-2 or better during this stretch, I say we go all in.  If we go 3-3, evaluate things at the All-Star break.  If the Cards go 2-4 or worse, it is time for Mo to have some K-Mart blue light specials.

There is a huge problem I would like to address.  It is obvious that Manager Mike Matheny and General Manager John Mozelaik are not on the same page.  One has to go, or possibly both.  I would evaluate the situation.

I know I have referred to this reference point in the past, but I keep going back to the trade of Allen Craig and Joe Kelly to the Boston Red Sox for now Chicago Cub John Lackey in 2014.  Matheny made his displeasure of the deal quite known to sideline reporter Jim “The Cat” Hayes the day of the deal.

Matheny also grumbled to the St. Louis press about Mo picking up catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a dumpster dive for the Cardinals from the Red Sox, down the stretch for an injured Yadier Molina.   He was very serviceable in Yadi’s absence.

Ever since then there has been the “Mike Guy’s”.  If you aren’t a Mike Guy, a phrase coined in the St. Louis press by writer Bernie Miklasz in the St. Louis press, you don’t play.  This forces Mo’s hand on a lot of moves.

On the 2017 roster, Jhonny Peralta and Johnathan Broxton were definite Mike Guys.  Mo had to take them away, as well as send Randall Grichuk to the minors.  Sam Tulivalia and I would say Michael Mayers are not Mike Guys. Mayers should have worked an inning on Monday in the blowout.  John Gant and Chad Huffman were not Mike Guys when they were here.     John Brebbia has came into recent favor with Matheny.  It took him eight days to pitch after his call up.

Matt Carpenter is a definite Mike Guy who pouted until he worked his way in the leadoff spot.  Mo goes out this winter and pays big bucks for Dexter Fowler.  The flip flop of the two in the order worked until the new car smell wore off.  Carp is hitting in the .230’s again

Past Mike Guys were Randy Choate and Pete Kozma.  He ran Choate out there in key situations over and over to get rocked.  Kozma could not hit his way out of a wet paper bag.  He came up big as a September call up his rookie year though.

Mo has made his fair of blunders too.  Utility men Mark Ellis and Ty Wiggington were signed to huge contracts.  Ellis was awful.  Wigginton drew a fat paycheck, and showed up fat as well.

Signing Brandon Moss to a huge contract is another, when he could have resigned Mark Reynolds for much cheaper.  Moss is hitting a buck eighty for the Royals now.  Reynolds is a middle of the order bat for the Rockies.  He could really help the Birds now.

The verdict is out whether Aledmys Diaz was a Mike move or Mo move.  The verdict will be out whether Alex Mejia is a Mike or Mo guy if we see the struggling Greg Garcia in the lineup the next few days.  Both are out of options.  Garcia or Mejia are out of options.  When Kolten Wong comes back, one will be designated for assignment.

During this stretch I would like to see Luke Voit get a couple of starts, and Carp slide over to 2B.  I am not holding my breath.

For the Cardinals to get back to being the Cardinals, this white elephant in the room between Matheny and Mo to be addressed.  I have had a five minute conversation with the Cardinal skipper.  He is a class act.

Something has to give though.  It might take one of them or both of them to go back to being the Cardinals again.

I have been negative, but something positive, Waino is pitching a gem.  Lets hope they turn it around.

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