Some Interesting Things

The big news of the day surrounds the uncertainty of St. Louis Cardinals Adam Wainwright. Apparently, Wainwright suffered a ligament injury during a bullpen session on Monday. He’s been sent back to St. Louis for further examination.

So what’s this mean for the Reds?

It means that the Cards are now without 17-20 wins for 2011. It means that the Cards have another breech in the armor. But does it mean that the Cards won’t be as competitive? Is the NL Central now a race between the Brewers and the Reds with the Cubs now creeping that much closer? Have the Cubs now passed the Cards?

I’m not saying the Cards won’t find a way to “recapture” a few of those wins. Jaime Garcia will slot up to #2, Jake Westbrook to #3. The Cards will now be leaning on Kyle Lohse as the potential #4. But what’s after that? Non-roster invitees Miguel Batista and Ian Snell now have an opportunity in front of them. It might have been an opportunity they didn’t think they could get. One of those two could snag the #5 spot in the Cards rotation.

Don’t rule out anything though. While Reds fans do not have a liking for Tony LaRussa, he can find ways around this situation. Do not rule the Redbirds out yet. While this is bad news for the Cards, I look at it as bad news all around. Wainwright has been nothing short of spectacular over the last two seasons and he has been a great compliment to Chris Carpenter.

Speaking of the Brewers, something that was touched upon during our review of the Brewers has manifested once again. The subject of Zack Greinke.

One of the comments left there pointed out that Greinke admitted to “saving himself” when he was a member of the Kansas City Royals last season. Also, it has been said the Greinke prefers not to associate with his teammates. It takes energy. The latter is directly a result of his anxiety disorder. The former? No answer except that Greinke felt he was being done no favors.

All of this (and even a little more) was further revealed in Greinke’s first interview with the Brewers media mass and Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel has the revelation.

"“When the games started, I pitched 100% every time,” he [Greinke] said. “But in the second half, I just did what was asked.”“Close to the trade deadline and I was doing all this stuff, the organization wasn’t really doing the same effort. They were doing the same effort the long run but not for that season or the next season. It’s not easy to play 162 games and be focused the whole time. It takes a lot out of you.”"

OK. Now that’s out in the open.

I’ve made it known on my opinion of Greinke. Despite his obvious talent, I don’t believe he’s all that. I know he’s got the numbers from pitching on a bad team, but to outwardly admit you dogged it for your former team shouldn’t place you on a pedestal the way some baseball people have.

In fact, until I read these comments, I really held nothing against him. Now, I do. I have company on this as well. Check this out from Evan Brunell on CBS Sports.

"And what happens if Milwaukee fails after the year? They gave up major pieces of their future to get Greinke, expecting him to pitch at the top of his level for at least the two years he is under contract. But this is a team going for it this year, with Prince Fielder as a free agent. Although Grienke says he expects the Brewers to win beyond 2011, Fielder or not… what happens if they don’t win? Does Greinke check out?"

Brunell’s last question is one that demands asking.

And the answer is yet to be determined.