Viva El Birdos Podcast

Viva El Birdos editor-in-chief Ben Humphrey and Editor Nick Lampe discuss the St. Louis Cardinals' offseason trade of Shelby Miller (and Tyrell Jenkins) for Jason Heyward (and Jordan Walden), the July 2014 deadline deal that sent Allen Craig and Joe Kelly to Boston for John Lackey, Jaime Garcia's 2015 debut, what Marco Gonzales's nagging shoulder injury means, and whether a base-runner impacts the pitcher to the benefit of the hitter.

Viva El Birdos site manager Ben Humphrey is joined by Future Redbirds editor Eric Johnson to discuss St. Louis Cardinals prospects, including: Magneuris Sierra, David Poncedeleon, Rob Kaminsky, Alex Reyes, Aledmys Diaz, Stephen Piscotty, and more.

VEB Site Manager Ben Humphrey is joined by VEB Editor and Fangraphs writer Craig Edwards to discuss: Carlos Martinez's struggles of late; Tyler Lyons, Marco Gonzales, Jaime Garcia, & the rotation; Matheny's bullpen usage pace; and Matt Carpenter's health.

Ben Humphrey and Aaron Schafer discuss Yadier Molina's poor hitting, Tim Cooney's call-up and bad start, Tyler Lyons's prospects as the latest Waino replacement, Marco Gonzales's health, and bullpen roles and composition in the wake of the Jordan Walden injury.

Ben Humphrey and Ben Godar discuss the impact of Adam Wainwright's injury on the St. Louis Cardinals, how a more aggressive approach has worked for Jason Heyward and Matt Carpenter so far this season, and Fernando Tatis's historic grand slams.

Ben Humphrey and Scooter Simon of Viva El Birdos discuss Michael Wacha's odd peripherals through two starts, Adam Wainwright's rustiness, the timetable for a Jason Heyward extension, skinny Yadier Molina, and Trevor Rosenthal getting the day off.

In celebration of opening day down in the minors, Viva El Birdos site manager Ben Humphrey discussed St. Louis Cardinals prospects with Future Redbirds editor Eric Johnson, VEB Editor Joe Schwarz, and VEB Editor Aaron Schafer. The discussion focused on prospects to watch in 2015, including those on and below the radar.

As opening day approaches, Viva El Birdos' site manager Ben Humphrey talks with VEB editor and fangraphs writer Craig Edwards about the Cardinals' bench, now officially including Randal Grichuk and Pete Kozma, what they expect of newly minted 5th starter Carlos Martinez (Viva El Gallo!), and how things look for the arch-rival Cubs.

in which Ben Humphrey and Aaron Schafer (the red baron) of vivaelbirdos.com talk about Jaime Garcia's latest health setback and what it means for the Cardinals' 5th starter battle. They also discuss recent issues with secondary pitch development in the system and consider whether it reflects organizational philosophy. Brief analysis of Sam Freeman's departure ends this episode.

Ben Humphrey, site manager of Vivaelbirdos.com, talks with Eric Johnson of Future Redbirds, VEB's minor league wing, about the recently demoted Sam Tuivailala and Tim Cooney. They also discuss the Cardinals' and Cubs' contrasting strategies of talent acquisition and how prospect evaluation has changed in a shifting atmosphere of major league power. They wrap up with some general observations about the quality of competition spring training, Randal Grichuk, and why Pete Kozma will be in the major leagues come opening day.

Ben Humphrey and Aaron Schafer (the red baron) of vivaelbirdos.com discuss spring training developments after a week of play, Jaime Garcia's good start, the fifth starter competition and what should happen with Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales if Jaime starts the year in the rotation, how the nature and structure of the MLB playoffs affects organizational thinking, and miscellany.

Ben Humphrey and Aaron Finkel of vivaelbirdos.com discuss Jason Heyward''s most recent comments on a possible extension with the Cardinals, whether Mark Reynolds might win a share of playing time at first base, if Pete Kozma might make the big league roster, and answer reader questions about WAR, Randal Grichuk's role, and if Matt Holliday could move to first.

Ben Humphrey and Joe Schwarz of vivaelbirdos.com discuss Adam Wainwright's health in light of his recent abdominal strain, the not currently happening John Lackey extension, Yadier Molina's weight loss, high minors prospect Jonathan Rodriguez, and make their prediction for the Cardinals 2015 position player WAR leaders.

Ben Humphrey, site manager at Vivaelbirdos.com talks to Craig Edwards of Viva El Birdos and now fangraphs.com about the recent Cole Hamels trade rumors, especially as they pertain to the Cardinals and Carlos Martinez. They also make their picks for spring training surprises, discuss Michael Wacha's situation, the bench infielder spring competition, analyze the Birds' 2015 batting order options, and talk about Craig's new gig writing for fangraphs.com

In this extended episode, Ben Humphrey and Aaron Schafer of vivaelbirdos.com talk about new Cardinal Carlos Villanueva, the 2015 bullpen construction, Marco Gonzales and Carlos Martinez, Jon Jay's new contract, Matt Adams, and what competing in the new look NL Central will require, as well as answer listener questions about Adam Wainwright's elbow and Trevor Rosenthal's job. Miscellany such as minor league ballpark architecture, the awful process of baseball arbitration, the sailed ships Lester and Scherzer, and vintage Redbird logos are also pondered.

Ben Humphrey and Aaron Finkel of vivaelbirdos.com discuss the shifting pitching market, news from the Cardinals' winter warm-ups, getting to know Jason Heyward, Lance Lynn's extension, and Jaime Garcia's possible availability.

Ben Humphrey and Joe Schwarz of Vivalebirdos.com celebrate the winter holiday known as "Cardinals ZiPS release day" by discussing pitcher inning expectations and making over/under calls for each Redbird position player's projected WAR. The last spots in the bullpen and bench are also considered.

in which Ben Humphrey and Aaron Schafer (the red baron) of vivaelbirdos.com do a position by position breakdown to answer a listener email asking if the Cardinals are better heading into 2015 than they were heading into 2014. The Jordan Walden extension and John Mozeliak's bullpen philosophy are also discussed.

Ben Humphrey and Aaron Schafer (the red baron) of vivaelbirdos.com discuss the winners of the Cardinals' organizational minor league player of the year awards, the future roles of Carlos Martinez and Marco Gonzales, the Reds and advanced Jocketty theory, the Cardinals bench, and Mike Matheny's platoon perspective.

Ben Humphrey and Craig Edwards of vivaelbirdos.com discuss the winter meetings, the new-look Cubs, Max Scherzer's free agency, the Cardinals' pitching depth, a potential extension for Lance Lynn, and the Mark Reynolds signing.