Matt Morris

The Associated Press is reporting that last night the Pittsburgh Pirates released former Cardinals pitcher Matt Morris. The article can be found on stltoday.com

Here is a ink to that article:

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/E48B8F535DFDA1F
786257438006264B8?OpenDocument

In this article, AP says that Morris' career is likely over. Huh? I don't think so. Matt has a current record of 0-4 with a 9.67 ERA. But that's with a team that doesn't have a very good infield, let alone a very good pitching coach. You add Morris to any contending team and you can cut at least 50% off of his swolen ERA. Matt to me is still a good competitive pitcher. I know that he doesn't have much if any upside but any contending team would still benefit having him in the 4 or 5 spot in the rotation. The one thing Matt can do is when he's on he can eat innings. And to add, Matt is only 33.

Any thoughts?

GO CARDS!!!!      68

Morris was a great player when he was here. But that was a long time ago. Plus we are going to be real crowded soon anyways. He is a good player still though, and i think it is just that the Pirates are going younger. He will probably end up a Yankee. Cubs and Cardinals this week I can't wait.Go Cards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

j-birds,

Morris was indeed some kind of special with us. IF we had enough room for Matty Mo it would be good to see him back in Cardinal Red. But we don't and besides I do like what we will eventually have. Yes, he's still a good guy to have on your pitching staff. It's just a matter of time and somebody will sign him. He can really help out going down the stretch.

Yep, my friend, I can't wait either for the Cubs to come into town. I hope we sweep'em. That would be soooooo sweet!

GO CARDS!!!!     68

I think this would be a good pick up for the Cardinals.  Matt Morris pitched pretty well when he was here before.  Plus, he would be a good stop-gap until Mulder and Carpenter come off the DL.  We should be able to pick him up pretty cheap since the Pirates just "released" him.  I say go for it.  Dave Duncan can work his magic on just about anybody.  Go Cards! 

Nice to see Glaus finally go yard!

Agreed Matty Moris was a solid SP with the birds back in the day, and yes I think he can still pitch effectively to get the outs. But the Cardinals have absolutely no room for him know, so no it would  be a terrible pickup. We have plenty enough "stopgaps" as you called them. Need I list them? Plus Mulder will return within probably three week or less. But it is also true that Duncan can work majic with his pitchers

Can't wait for da Cubbies. Hope we sweep, and Milwakee sweeps them to before us.

BigCountry#11,

I am going to be straightforward and honest with you. I respectfuly disagree with you. No, it would not be a good pick up for the Cards to sign Matty Mo. Our pitching is very deep and we already have enough stopgaps. We would not have anywhere to put Matt. When Mark Mulder returns in about 3 weeks, the Cards brass is gonna have a tough decision to make as to who goes and where and if we were to sign Matty Mo now it would only make an already tough decision that much tougher to make.

Here is a list of NL teams I think will most likely pursue Matt Morris around midseason:

• Atlanta Braves
• New York Mets
• Colorado Rockies
• Cincinnati Reds
• Houston Astros
• Los Angeles Dodgers

Next is my list of AL teams:

• New York Yankees
• Boston Red Sox
• Chicago White Sox
• Detriot Tigers
• Los Angeles Angels

Last, here is my prediction as to who will sign him:

• Detroit Tigers

GO CARDS!!!!     68

He's only 33, but it doesn't look good for Matt.  Without doubt, his best year was 2001 when he won 22 games for us.  His 2nd best year was the following year.  So you can see how far from his prime he is removed.  6 or 7 years!!

His last decent year was with the Cards in 2005.  He is at the stage of his career where he is unlikely to get a lot better, unless he could master some new pitch.  Duncan already worked his magic with Morris, so it will probably take a new pitching coach coming from a new perspective to turn things around for him, if can even be done.

Too bad Matt wasn't with us for the 2006 championship, but he wanted too much money for 4th starter pay.  Now he's more like a 5th starter.  We already have a lot of that class of starter: Wellemeyer, Looper, Thompson, Reyes.

I wish him well, though. pipe

I agree, I'd like to see him back but it would be too crowded when our guys get off the DL.  Plus, how does it work with his 10Million dollar salary?  Since the Bucs released him do they still have to pay him?  (I don't know if it's like football (Not guaranteed) or basketball (guaranteed)) 

I know the Cards won't take him for anywhere NEAR that price.

Can someone explain the money situation with Morris?

Speaking of money - has anyone else noticed that other than Pujols, all of the guys winning it for us are the guys making like the league minimum?  Awesome :)

These guys only play at the big league level an average of five years, although there exceptions, obviously.  They want to make the big money, since it could vanish in a heartbeat, or the next season. 

Still, I thought Matt was a bit greedy to want out of St. Louis.  He was obviously on the down side of his career after the 2005 season, yet he wanted number two starter pay for number three or four starter work.  I'm kind of shocked a small market club like Pittsburgh would take such a reckless chance on a guy like Morris, after the stint he had in S.F.

Greed is pretty much accepted by the fans at this point.  Not much we can do about it except refuse to pay at the gate and the hat shop. pipe