Buster Olney's NL Central comments

[mikechamp]

From an ESPN chat:

Mandatory Linkage: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=15298
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How bout that Salomon Torres? Ever since he got the job I knew he'd do a tremendous job. Are you impressed with him so far, and do you think he'll continue this tear?

BUSTER OLNEY
Yep, he's a pro's pro. Takes the ball, throws strikes, gives himself and his defense a chance.
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What have you thought of the Reds so far? Can they contend?

BUSTER OLNEY
Absolutely they can contend. I don't think any team in that division is capable of running away, and all of them have flaws, all of them have some strengths. The Cincy bullpen has been very good so far.
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I am not a believe in Duncan but Friday night he had a homer and two doubles against lefties...Is he just a mistake hitter or is he learning to be an actual hitter?

BUSTER OLNEY
I like Duncan a lot as a hitter, and if Edmonds doesn't come around, I don't think the Cardinals will have any choice other than to keep Duncan in the lineup every day; they need a bopper behind Rolen.
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Is Carpenter's injury really serious?

BUSTER OLNEY
We don't know yet. But when you see fluid filling his elbow, that's a really ominous situation -- it usually means there is some kind of tearing involved, whether it's a bone spur or bone chip or something else. The Cardinals should find out today how serious this is, but obviously, it would be very, very, very hard for the Cards to contend without Carpenter.
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Hey Buster, you touched on the Torres, but how about the rest of the Buccos? Now that they finally added the lefty power bat, if Duke and Snell can stay somewhat consistant, can they compete? Let's not start talking playoffs, but maybe over .500?

BUSTER OLNEY
I spoke with Jack Wilson the other day and he said that he thinks the Pirates really gleaned some confidence from playing well against good teams down the stretch last year. He said that last week, he was sitting in the dugout and looking at the scoreboard when the Pirates were behind in the late innings, and thinking, 'Hey, we can win this.' And that is a change, he said.
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No love for the Cubs? Starting pitching has been solid other than Miller, and the bats are coming around...thoughts?

BUSTER OLNEY
It's huge that Derrek Lee is off to such a great start. Some guys who have injuries like that either don't rebound at all, or take a couple of years. Pitching results are good, for sure, with Rich Hill showing a lot the other day.
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When do you see Roger Clemens making up his mind? Where do you see him going to?

BUSTER OLNEY
E-mailed his agent, Randy Hendricks, this morning, and Randy says that no decisions will be made until next month. Stay tuned.
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What is the latest on Wood and Prior?

BUSTER OLNEY
I haven't heard about Wood specifically, and the word on Prior is that it's going to take a long time for him to build back up. In other words: No point in counting on them for anything this year, and if they give the Cubs something, you can be pleasantly surprised.
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Buster, are you trying to duck the Brad Lidge questions today? Everyone wants to know if you agree with us that he's finished...

BUSTER OLNEY
Nope, don't think he's done. But if you were the Astros, you'd have to be concerned. He needed a good start.
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Any early predicitions on the NL Central?

BUSTER OLNEY
I picked the Cardinals, which was a gutless respect-their-record selection, rather than a strong feeling that they'd win this year. I toyed with the idea of picking the Brewers, but think their defense could become a serious issue. The Cubs, too, might have OF defense issues, but that really hasn't been a big deal so far. The Reds don't seem to have a lot of depth in the rotation... that's what's so much fun about the NL Central. You could make a case for every single team, and make a case against every single team.
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[omaha_red]

Is Carpenter's injury really serious?

BUSTER OLNEY
We don't know yet. But when you see fluid filling his elbow, that's a really ominous situation -- it usually means there is some kind of tearing involved, whether it's a bone spur or bone chip or something else. The Cardinals should find out today how serious this is, but obviously, it would be very, very, very hard for the Cards to contend without Carpenter.

wow.. this is sounding more and more serious..
is there a change he's done for the year?

[ToughGuy_BlueShirt]

Does anyone know what time he was supposed to get the MRI? Because if he was supposed to have it already, kind of weird that no one has said anything. I'm getting scared. We pretty much find out if the Cards will have a chance to get in the playoffs today or whenever they mention it.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Surprisingly lucid comments from Olney. Probably because he was mostly positive in those answers, instead of going on a limb with "Player X" sucks.

[DynamicDynamite]

on the game they were talking about hopefully he can just go a few weeks after the MRI and take a wait and see approach to see how his elbow and arm look..

but of course when we hear about the MRI(my guess is sometime around 5pm or so the news will break), that we then will have an idea of just what it is that will go on..

best case I would put Carp on the 15 day DL and hope he is back sometime in the middle of May first part of June... worst case is that he is done for the year and hopefully back next spring...but lets not think worst case.

Lets think best case and that it is just swelling and they shut him down for a few weeks and bring him back so he can be lights out when we start getting to the warmer months and going against the American League clubs.