Happy Monday

It is Monday.  Usually that is all you have to say to ruin someone's day.  I cannot think of too many fans of Monday.  What is to like?  Another start to the work or school week?  Not too many people would agree with that.  The crazy high gas prices that will only keep going up?  Unless you are in the oil business, I doubt anyone is loving the pump prices right now.  And there is still no end in sight to the MLB strike.  The players made an offer over the weekend that the owners said was worse than the previous one.  It is really starting to look like we will not see MLB games until May.   

There is a little small bright spot though for baseball fans, at least those of the Cardinals.  Minor league spring training opened up today.  It was awesome searching twitter to find pictures of actual players in Jupiter going through workouts before the rain hit.  From what I read, fans are allowed to watch the workouts and practice games.  It may not be major league quality, but it is better than nothing.  

I wish I had some new minor league cards to show off, but you will have to settle for a trade package from TCDB member Lumpy1977 that arrived late last week containing guys who are not playing right now.

Carlson is not playing because of the strike.  Adams is not playing because his better days are behind him.  He did get into some games for the Rockies last year, but was released at the end of July.  Maybe with the addition of the DH in the National League he will catch on somewhere.  I still enjoy going after his cards like this great looking 2016 Opening Day blue foil parallel.  

Much like Adams, Shelby Miller's best days are in the rear view mirror.  He pitched a few games for the Pirates last year before becoming a free agent.  Carlos Martinez is also a free agent.  Someone will surely take a chance on him once the strike is over.  A 30 year old 2 time All Star with a career ERA under 4 should be able to find work somewhere.  Rondon falls under the category of an unlucky young player who is not playing because he is on the 40 man roster.  He only pitched 2 innings for the Cardinals last year and could use more time in Triple A, but that will not happen right now.  

I have a ton of these Fleer stickers floating around in one of my boxes.  Although this was not part of the trade, Lumpy used it as packing matter to fill the pwe.  Great way to send a little something extra to team collectors like myself.