Unfortunate Injury or Poor Management?

The Cardinals and Rafael Furcal have announced that he will have surgery on his right elbow, to repair damaged ligaments. This is the same elbow he hurt last fall, but chose to "rehab" rather than get the surgery right away. The Cardinals organization chose not to pursue other shortstops in the off season, and simply hope that Furcal would be ready to play in 2013. He has not been able to throw all spring, and now he will have the operation he could, or should have had months ago, which will essentially end his season. I'm curious who Cards fans should hold accountable for this situation?

I understand that you cannot force a player to get an operation, even when they are under contract. I also understand that ligaments do not repair themselves, and I can't understand why the Cardinals didn't take some kind of action in the off season, when Furcal refused to get surgery. If a player will not do absolutely everything they need to do to get their body ready for the next season, what is their true commitment to the team, to their contract, and to the game? Do these players owe anything to the fans? What can management do now, with the season just 3 weeks away? Is Pete Kozma the answer at shortstop? Will they be able to sign or trade for a player at this juncture?

People have questioned the Cardinals medical team over the years. Do the Cards have a competent medical staff? Are they making decisions based on money, or based on what the athletes need to do, to be in the best possible condition to play? If a player like Furcal, can essentially hold the team hostage and keep them waiting on what might or might not happen, what does that say about the money these players are making? What does it say about their control over the organization? Are they worth the multiple millions their agents are demanding?

Bottom line, the Cardinals are in a bit of trouble up the middle right now, with unproven players at second base, and now at shortstop. In a system ripe with pitching that pitches to contact, how are the Cards going to make a playoff run this year, with a sub-par middle infield? I think St. Louis fans should be optimistic about the team, but concerned about their defense.







Rodney N Eldridge
The Sportz Yak