Mark Mulder Deal Good?

[Edmonds15]

Mulder?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll let Mulder's spring training start versus the Mets go but I still find myself wondering whether or not the Cards really got the best end of that deal, don't get me wrong, Mulder is a solid pitcher, with neither lefties nor righties having an advantage against him and his career ERA is nothing short of spectacular....BUT.... Kiko Calero and Dan Haren are two capable relievers and we shouldn't forget, especially when looking at how low the win totals were for the rotation last year that it was the relievers who saw a lot of work. Work they carried out exceptionally well I should add. Haren, despite a shaky 2003, had a promising '04 season and his loss may be worse than predicted, especially combined with that of Calero and worse still, Steve Kline (Career ERA of 3.30 and 1.72 last season!). Another worry is that they said last year that the rotation would be shaky with Carpenter and Marquis still rather unknown and Suppan with an average reputation. Well, they proved everyone wrong and showed that with the right offense behind them, they could win, and they did, 105 times. This raises the question to whether or not huge names are necessary for success (look for example at Kevin Brown and the Yankees!) So, sure, Mulder is a big name but, do we need him and the strain on a payroll already fit to burst?

[ORANGEnation]

The Cards did a great job last year, but when it came to the Series everyone knew that they would lose because their starters didn't match up. For years the A's have been forced to hold pat and settle for getting to the playoffs, hoping that just once all the planets would align and they'd be lucky enough to win the World Series.

You can't do this. You have to constantly look to improve your team. The deal worked well for both organizations. The A's get to start over, with a quick turnaround estimate. Meanwhile the Cards get the type of pitcher who can lead a staff and is capable of bumping everyone else in the rotation down a spot. Both for the regular season and postseason. You had no chance otherwise.

[Edmonds15]

Perhaps, but I disagree that people knew STL were going to lose. the starters were more of a match at first glance, granted it didn't turn ut that way but at face value the numbers were similar. Carpenter was a loss and we knew that his absence would sting but I think its hard to say that STL had lost from the beginning.
I would say it was more the offence that had been so relentless all year collapsing in the WS that hurt. 9 in game 1 and through games 2 - 4 the runs scored by STL didn't even total that. Aside from Matt Morris, the STL starters held BOS to minimal runs, that and when i watch a world series game, unless its Johnson Vs Schilling (I know they're same league but sheerly for examples sake) I expect both sides to get maybe 3 runs per game. After all, they are in the WS for a reason.
As regards leading a staff, Matt Morris is capable and I still see no reason why he can't return to the 22 win caliber we saw in 2001.