Cards sign Kip Wells, Adam Kennedy, Eli Marerro, and resign Gary Bennett. Good moves?

Question

The Signing of Kennedy equals Ronnie Belliards way out of Baseball Country, STL. Kennedy and Eckstein have great chemistry, they'll work well as usual. Wells wont be a team changer, but hes a good #3 or #4 guy. Marerro (signed to a minor league contract) a fan fav in Baseball Country. All I remember Bennett for is getting punk'd out by the Greatest Baseball Player in the majors Albert Pujols when Bennett was a Padre.

Answer 1

It's hard to tell right now as the numbers, to my knowledge, have yet to be released.

No, eh, eh, and yes.

Kip Wells has pitched a total of 44.1 innings over the past two seasons. Cardinals fans better hope management has a contingency plan, and that he's not getting a big chunk of cash that could go toward paying the salary of another starting pitcher out there.

Adam Kennedy was asking 4 years and $20 million; no way to know yet if that's what the Cardinals gave him. Kennedy is overrated on defense and marginal offensively. But the alternatives just aren't appealing enough to offer protest. I would have recommended signing Ray Durham, even though he's asking for 2 years and is looking for more than Kennedy's $5 million per year. The pop he adds to a lineup is worth it. If I'm a Cards fan I'm happy the Marcus Giles trade talk came to naught, as his numbers have declined in each of the last three seasons. Ron Belliard is likely past his prime and getting fatter all the time. He's got more upside with the bat than Kennedy, but the possibility of his body and defense continuing to decline makes him a risk. He probably will get about $4 million a year from someone. In short, Kennedy's signing is okay, not great.

Marrero...I'm assuming they aren't going to pay him much. If that's the case, it's worth taking a flyer on him, as long as you aren't relying on him to produce. Put him in Memphis and give him the call if he's looking good and the need is there. Cardinals fans should hope management has plans to add a legit bat to a corner OF spot.

Bennett...he's a backup catcher, a veteran, had his moments with the bat. Assuming they aren't paying him more than an aging backup should make, its a nice move, though it won't make a lot of difference to the team's success.

Answer 2

I will start off by saying I am personally biased. I am a huge STL fan, my dad was born there and its been that ever since.

Kennedy will be a big pickup in my opinion. Belliard was a nice fill in while he lasted, but the doo rag and the fact that he wanted alot more money than he was worth was a big turnoff to me. Kennedy has also been teammates with Eckstien which should create some good double play turns.

Wells. Wells Wells... he is a puzzling person to me. In watching them play the cardinals, I watch every STL game on MLB Extra innings, he brings alot to the table. He has good offspeed and works very quick paced. He is more of an off or on guy, a good 3 or 4 as you said, he could also share time in a very good STL bullpen.

Marrero like you said is a big baseball guy. He probably wont see any time with the big show, but who knows. He can always help out in the farm system.

Bennett is actually a pretty good catcher. Yadi is a young guy and starting to get hot with the stick, but Bennett will see some playing time this year and hopefully be able to contribute off the bench.

hope this helps..

Answer 3

I think it is a good start. There is still some holes needed to be filled. As long as the Cards fill in the other 2 pitching slots with quality starters, they will be pretty good. I know they are still in talks with Suppan, Mulder, and Weaver. My guess is Suppan will not be back, but Weaver will and possibly Mulder. However, I don't know if you want to chance Mulder. These signings alone is not going to automatically make the Cardinals a much better team. They need another big bat and 2 more good pitchers. I would have to guess a trade would be the method on filling these holes.

Should also add that Wells will be the #4 or 5 in the rotation.

Answer 4

2 seconds seems about right. The WWE, obviously, gives Kennedy much more than he can handle (blown push after blown push). Kennedy's got the name recognition that could help TNA gain more viewers (still surprises me that Kennedy has so many fans). TNA has a proven track-record of taking WWE "rejects" and turning them into solid performers, if not main-eventers. Kennedy is not completely without some merit (no, I am not impressed with him) and TNA could probably make something out of him.

Answer 5

YES!! Those were great moves, and the Cardinals are now a stronger and better ball club. They will not suffer the collapse they did last year when they lost so many games in a row. They will repeat as division champions and possibly as World Series champs again.

Chow!!

Answer 6

Wells is another one of Jocketys pickups. He will be asking Duncan to work his magic again. It works most of the time, it worked with Waever but not with.
I think Wells will be a nice audition to the staff.
I have always liked Kennedy, he should fit in nice.
Marerro, who knows, he has talent, but has never lived up to his potential.
Bennett - nice backup - good fielder.

Answer 7

at least kennedy will be used to fielding some every-once-in-awhile errant or weak throws from eckstein to turn more double plays. i love david, but the guys arm is a little weak at times.