St. Louis Cardinals 2015 Season

[the national]

I agree that I would prefer to keep Wacha as stated in a few posts before, but one of Wacha and Lynn need to go. I know Wacha can mix in some other stuff, but he hasn't found the confidence yet to do it. My point is, as of right now, they are extreme fastball pitchers right now without the secondary pitches to back it up. Wacha was effective a couple years ago in the postseason, because no team had much to go on and he was sent down earlier to go get a little curve and change, those pitches have since disappeared.

I love young Wacha, but right now those are two pitchers that a team like the Cubs who this season slugged the second highest against fastballs that hit 95mph +. My bottom line is get some effective secondary pitches are they are in trouble.

Totally agree. I would pick Wacha over Lynn on attitude alone. When he melted down on the umpire in the Chicago game before the playoffs, I lost all confidence in him.

 

[hermie1985]

I think DeWitt/Mo will QO JHey, then go hard after him. Something like 8/180. If the bidding gets too rich they will walk away and take the draft choice. I think they will approach Lackey with maybe a 2 yr deal, and if someone offers 3 or 4 they will walk from that as well.

Garcia staying/going will depend on what Lackey does.

I seriously doubt we get into any FA pitching negotiations.

Bourjos and Kozma appear to be gone, thankfully. We really need a solid backup at the MI positions. Some one who can play 4,5,6 reasonably well on D and hit well enough to be a rotation guy at those positions to keep guys from wearing down. Maybe that's Diaz, maybe we go outside for that guy.

I don't see Moss or Reynolds being back. Mo seems to be really stuck on wanting to see what Adams can do, and I see him in a platoon role with Piscotty at 1b, at least for the first half next year.

We need a legit LHP in the pen that can get Lefties out. Another RHP for the 7th/8th to go with Walden.

I see JJ and Pham as 4th and 5th OF's, at least until they see how JJ recovers with the wrist. If he can't hit then they will make a move of some kind in July.

My 2 cents.

This is exactly how Mo operates. Fill internally or trade for a position of need. He doesn't trade beyond a rental in hopes they will take less to stay in StL. Mo likes to make qualifying offers to guys others want but he won't pay. He's in love with draft picks and bringing people up cheap.

It's worked really well for us. I'm a little concerned the guy responsible for the past success with player evaluations and development went to Houston. I'm also concerned Theo and the Cubs will be just as good at that and still willing to go after top FA.

I don't expect us to make even a small splash in free agency when we need upgrades. I do expect Theo to upgrade his staff. This combo spells trouble.

 

[DeadPanic]

KMOXSports ‏@KMOXSports 4h4 hours ago
Mozeliak on @KMOX on 1st base position: We've got to find ways to get more production out of certain areas. We need to ramp it up. #STLCards

KMOXSports ‏@KMOXSports 4h4 hours ago
Mozeliak on @KMOX: We haven't had a big play in free agency in past. With increase in payroll, it could change how we attack that. #STLCards

 

[the national]

Is there any news out there on J-Hey? I keep checking the cards homepage looking for good news but have been disappointed. On ESPN, I heard that the cubs are the team to beat for him, which I find hard to believe.

 

[Illwinsagain]

Is there any news out there on J-Hey? I keep checking the cards homepage looking for good news but have been disappointed. On ESPN, I heard that the cubs are the team to beat for him, which I find hard to believe.

I would also find it difficult to believe, they have too many bats in the outfield, considering that they have some super prospect CF that they say is a year away. Wouldn't make sense to do a 7 - 10 year deal with Heyward at the number it would take. All of their internal options are cheap.

Cubs historically don't focus on defense, another reason I don't think that it makes sense for them.

 

[jrichisamazing]

I would also find it difficult to believe, they have too many bats in the outfield, considering that they have some super prospect CF that they say is a year away. Wouldn't make sense to do a 7 - 10 year deal with Heyward at the number it would take. All of their internal options are cheap.

Cubs historically don't focus on defense, another reason I don't think that it makes sense for them.

They have the money to do it. Heyward in CF with Schwarber and Soler in LF and RF. Once Alcantara comes up, move Schwarber to C or make a trade for a position of need/get more prospects. And I don't know what history has to do with it. This is Epstein's team now and it's the first time he has the flexibility to spend money with an immediate goal of winning the World Series. Plus, if nothing else they can at least try and drive Heyward's price up.

 

[IAmChrisFarley]

This is not Cardinal related, but Derek Jeter got engaged to Hannah Davis the supermodel. Lucky dog.

Now, let's take a look at his starting. I'm envious of his life9

 

[Illwinsagain]

They have the money to do it. Heyward in CF with Schwarber and Soler in LF and RF. Once Alcantara comes up, move Schwarber to C or make a trade for a position of need/get more prospects. And I don't know what history has to do with it. This is Epstein's team now and it's the first time he has the flexibility to spend money with an immediate goal of winning the World Series. Plus, if nothing else they can at least try and drive Heyward's price up.

I agree that they have the money, from what I am hearing on Chicago radio, sounds like they are trying to be smart with it. Big contracts, buying someone else's free agent, usually leads to regret.

Here is a list of the biggest contracts, 23/25 are baseball. How many of the top 10 contracts would you say have been worth it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_sports_contracts

 

[618MattD]

I agree that they have the money, from what I am hearing on Chicago radio, sounds like they are trying to be smart with it. Big contracts, buying someone else's free agent, usually leads to regret.

Here is a list of the biggest contracts, 23/25 are baseball. How many of the top 10 contracts would you say have been worth it?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_sports_contracts

I'd say that Cabera has been worth it. It is too early to tell for Stanton and Kershaw. And even Scherzer as well

 

[Illwinsagain]

I'd say that Cabera has been worth it. It is too early to tell for Stanton and Kershaw. And even Scherzer as well

If looking at buying someone else's free agent, we have 1 maybe in Scherzer. The others were staying put. If you are willing to pay more for a player than the team he is currently on, generally a problem. Sometimes teams just can't afford the player, however, those teams generally trade the player then prior to FA. Unless, they are in the playoff race.

 

[hermie1985]

If looking at buying someone else's free agent, we have 1 maybe in Scherzer. The others were staying put. If you are willing to pay more for a player than the team he is currently on, generally a problem. Sometimes teams just can't afford the player, however, those teams generally trade the player then prior to FA. Unless, they are in the playoff race.

I agree with you to a degree. You are missing on the guys a club hopes to sign but ultimately doesn't. One or two each year plus the free agents coming out of play off runs. Adds up to several players each year. We typically don't show much interest. Heck Mo is usually a late arrival to winter meetings.

 

[ChicagoChief]

They have the money to do it. Heyward in CF with Schwarber and Soler in LF and RF. Once Alcantara comes up, move Schwarber to C or make a trade for a position of need/get more prospects. And I don't know what history has to do with it. This is Epstein's team now and it's the first time he has the flexibility to spend money with an immediate goal of winning the World Series. Plus, if nothing else they can at least try and drive Heyward's price up.

Alcantara isn't really a thing anymore. I don't know who the "stud CF prospect" is he's referring to. There isn't one.

Maybe Albert Almora? He's not really a thing either. He's a superior defender in CF but he doesn't get on base. Think like a current Starlin Castro, but those numbers in AA not MLB.

 

[Ryllini]

Alcantara isn't really a thing anymore. I don't know who the "stud CF prospect" is he's referring to. There isn't one.

Maybe Albert Almora? He's not really a thing either. He's a superior defender in CF but he doesn't get on base. Think like a current Starlin Castro, but those numbers in AA not MLB.

I think it is Billy Mckinney that is their next rising outfielder.

 

[TeBee5]

Read that Garcia's option will be picked up for 2016. Thoughts? All I want is JHayward in the OF for the foreseeable future. lol

 

[Ryllini]

Read that Garcia's option will be picked up for 2016. Thoughts? All I want is JHayward in the OF for the foreseeable future. lol

I love keeping Garcia. When healthy his stuff is down right nasty. He is very Johan Santana like and every at bat against him is uncomfortable. I wont blame the game 2 loss on his sickness, but i will say if he was right and his head was there, we very could've been looking at a 2-0 series lead after that one.

J-Hey will be very interesting. He would and is very valuable and would fit in perfectly with the "core" that we like to talk about.

 

[Illwinsagain]

Read that Garcia's option will be picked up for 2016. Thoughts? All I want is JHayward in the OF for the foreseeable future. lol

Garcia is a good bet. Anyone that they would get to replace him would cost more and/or not be as effective. Of course, now he has to stay healthy.

Hayward will get paid a lot, but I think in this case the Cards need to go hard for him. Continue to recruit him, and pay lots and lots. There is a point where it will not make sense, I have no idea what that point is. Holliday's contract is only 1 more year plus a buyout and new money is on the horizon. Almost the entire team is cost controlled at this point.

 

[ChicagoChief]

I think it is Billy Mckinney that is their next rising outfielder.

He's a good prospect but not someone Cardinal fans should be concerned with. He's most likely trade bait.

 

[Deleted member 3875]

Moz - Bring J-Hey into 'The Core'.

 

[illini8507]

I see that skip is a FA. I know he doesn't really fit any of our needs, but I would really like to see him finish out his career as a cardinal. Plus he's a great clubhouse guy and already well respected by the the more seasoned guys on our roster. Don't see it happening, but a guy can wish.

 

[hermie1985]

Sounds like Boras will ask a lot for his client, Heyward. Namely a ten year deal with a player option out after three seasons. If things go well, Heyward bolts. If not, Cards are stuck with a long term deal.

I like Heyward but can live with Holliday, Piscotty and Grichuk in the outfield. Have Pham and Jay too.

I'd rather spend the money on a bat at first. I've read plenty that believe Piscotty is the answer at first. I guess it depends on who we might be able to get at first.

 

[jrichisamazing]

Saw a tweet earlier today that said Price will likely choose between Cubs, Cards, Dodgers, and another team I forget. And then the next tweet by the same guy said Price's first choice would be St. Louis. I would link but I can't find it right now.

 

[Illwinsagain]

Saw a tweet earlier today that said Price will likely choose between Cubs, Cards, Dodgers, and another team I forget. And then the next tweet by the same guy said Price's first choice would be St. Louis. I would link but I can't find it right now.

Let's say you can only sign one Big Dollar FA, Price, Heyward, Ptbnl (such as 1st baseman). Where do you go?

I go J-Hey, Price would be a fun addition though. As they say, you can never have too much pitching.

 

[217sports]

Let's say you can only sign one Big Dollar FA, Price, Heyward, Ptbnl (such as 1st baseman). Where do you go?

I go J-Hey, Price would be a fun addition though. As they say, you can never have too much pitching.

Heyward, grienke, then price

 

[illini8507]

Saw a tweet earlier today that said Price will likely choose between Cubs, Cards, Dodgers, and another team I forget. And then the next tweet by the same guy said Price's first choice would be St. Louis. I would link but I can't find it right now.

You happen to have a link to those tweets? Just curious

 

[BillyBob1]

Heyward, grienke, then price

Can't see Grienke ever becoming a Cardinal after the comments he made about them when he was with the Brewers.