Ryan Franklin anyone???

[TGantz]

Why isn't he getting a shot? I was under the impression that he signed with us for less money because he thought he would be the favorite to be the #5 starter.

I'm not saying that Looper isn't doing well or anything, and I think he'd probably be alright as a #5 starter. But why isn't Franklin getting a chance?

Why not keep the guy who has made a career out of relieving (Looper) in the bullpen, and let the guy who signed to be a starter (Franklin) get a chance at starting?

[Brodie]

I think he was inline if Looper didn't do well in starting...Much to our surprise, the Loop is doing pretty well

-Brodie

[stlmark]

I don't think Looper will be our 5th starter. I think they will eventually give it to Franklin and I realize Looper is doing well. Just my opinion.

[Richie Allen]

Why not keep the guy who has made a career out of relieving (Looper) in the bullpen...

He's also made a career of disappointing hometown fans. Even when he was saving 29 games a year in New York, they couldn't wait for the day he left.

But we owe him a bunch of money and are in need of someone to give us 6 innings for 12 to 15 games and figure he may be the best option. So far, he's looking ok but I don't think the decision is yet set in stone. And they can always change the plan at any point during the year if it's not working out.

If Franklin is good enough, he'll get his chance.

[Brodie]

I still think Thompson should get the spot, he has been lights out and very effective/quick to get outs this spring

-Brodie

[valley_card22]

Its hard for me to judge until pitchers start working 5 or 6 innnings in the spring. I want to see how a guy handles a lineup 2 or 3 times through. I want to see what he can do in the 6th as opposed to the 1st or 2nd. I will wait and pass judgement then.

[JL21]

How do we know he's not being given a shot? Just because a guy isn't starting in spring training games doesn't mean he's not being given a shot.

[Dwtlr]

Why not keep the guy who has made a career out of relieving (Looper) in the bullpen...

He's also made a career of disappointing hometown fans. Even when he was saving 29 games a year in New York, they couldn't wait for the day he left.

But we owe him a bunch of money and are in need of someone to give us 6 innings for 12 to 15 games and figure he may be the best option. So far, he's looking ok but I don't think the decision is yet set in stone. And they can always change the plan at any point during the year if it's not working out.

If Franklin is good enough, he'll get his chance.

Hey Richie..what was that quote about you not playing on Astroturf..?

[TGantz]

How do we know he's not being given a shot? Just because a guy isn't starting in spring training games doesn't mean he's not being given a shot.

Well, I think we all know that nothing in ST with the Cardinals is done by accident. I don't think they're seriously considering him if he isn't grouped with Looper and all of the other starters. I read in an early ST blog by Goold that Franklin was mainly with the bullpen pitchers.

I don't know if Franklin would do better, but I'm just wondering why he hasn't started a game yet.

[Jmodene]

Mainly because the five we've been using have all been doing so well.

BTW, the Richie Allen quote was "If a horse can't eat it, I'm not playing on it." Considering that nowadays Astroturf is blamed for everything up to and including the national deficit, maybe Allen was ahead of the times.