St. Louis Cardinals 2022

#2,126      
Wilson was the best FA catcher available. Mo has shown a reluctance to go after FAs with the QO tag. Now that the draft penalty is the 2nd round pick instead of the 1st round pick, they might show more interest in the future.

With the signing of Willson for the 2023 season it's probably time to open a new thread.
 
#2,127      

Dee_4_Three_83

Mahomet, IL
I understand why there may be some hesitancy on this Contreras deal, but I trust that this was the best option for the organization. The reality is that no one could replace what Yadi was in our hearts and what Yadi meant to a pitching staff and defensively. But, we all saw that he was a shell of his former self offensively in '22.

In terms of future moves, even though we are probably close to done, I could see a trade to upgrade pitching. I think the rotation is close to set, but I could see them adding a relief pitcher or two. I think they saw what the Astros did with their amazing bullpen and would like to have a deep pen to make it through the October gauntlet. A healthy Helsley, Hicks, and Gallegos is great. But, I think we need one more great bridge guy to get us to the end.
 
#2,128      
I don't think we were seriously in it unless that $180MM wasn't accurate. Agreed this is more an area of need and we filled it, and Contreras will help this lineup, which is big.

Think our biggest need now is starting pitcher. Beyond the obvious reliability issues, the only starting pitchers we have signed beyond 2023 are Matz and Hudson (not counting guys who are likely to start the season out in the minors).
I won't be surprised if Mo picks up Kodai Senga, starting pitcher (30)
Here’s your best source of intrigue on the pitching front if your team isn’t going after one of the aces. A dominant right-hander in Japan’s NPB, Senga has long sought to test his mettle in MLB. He will bring upper-90s fastball velocity and a strikeout pitch with an incredible name, the “Ghost Fork,” stateside for 2023.
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I'm sure they are interested in Carlos Rodon but they have a way of pinching pennies and Rodon is probably asking for more than they are willing to give.
 
#2,129      
I won't be surprised if Mo picks up Kodai Senga, starting pitcher (30)

Yahoo Sports
I'm sure they are interested in Carlos Rodon but they have a way of pinching pennies and Rodon is probably asking for more than they are willing to give.
Not to burst your bubble, but Senga has already gotten 5 and 6 year offers. We won't match that. Heck we wouldn't give Quintana $13/yr for 2 years and he was our game 1 starter in the playoffs.
 
#2,130      
Solid pickup for the Cards! They had to add talent around Goldschmidt and Arenado in the prime years.

Cardinals are probably working on a small trade or two behind the scenes. There are some quality shortstops still on the market with a number likely out of the range they want to spend. Not sure if any contact with Jose Iglesias but he would be a solid addition at SS that would not break the bank.
 
#2,131      
Not to burst your bubble, but Senga has already gotten 5 and 6 year offers. We won't match that. Heck we wouldn't give Quintana $13/yr for 2 years and he was our game 1 starter in the playoffs.
No bubble to burst. I didn't look that deep into what is happening. Thanks for the update.
 
#2,132      
Solid pickup for the Cards! They had to add talent around Goldschmidt and Arenado in the prime years.

Cardinals are probably working on a small trade or two behind the scenes. There are some quality shortstops still on the market with a number likely out of the range they want to spend. Not sure if any contact with Jose Iglesias but he would be a solid addition at SS that would not break the bank.
It would be such a Cardinals move to sign a 32-year-old, career 88 OPS+ guy after the fanbase has spent months fantasizing about Turner, Correa, etc.

Not saying it'd be a bad signing, certianly an upgrade from DeJong, and would bolster infield depth.
 
#2,133      
I thought Contreras was going to get about the same contract that Grandal got with the Sox. Their careers leading into free agency were pretty similar. Contreras ended up getting about the same AAV, but with an extra year.

I think he’s a great fit for the Cardinals. I think the Cubs wanted a better game caller because they have so much young pitching. Not as big an issue with the Cards. Contreras’ primary defensive deficiency - framing - will evaporate the minute the league goes to robo umps, likely in 2024.
 
#2,134      
It would be such a Cardinals move to sign a 32-year-old, career 88 OPS+ guy after the fanbase has spent months fantasizing about Turner, Correa, etc.

Not saying it'd be a bad signing, certianly an upgrade from DeJong, and would bolster infield depth.
Exactly! Cardinals definitely need an upgrade at SS but they also have a farm system. I don't see the Cardinals paying $15M, $20M+ a year for a SS unless it is a one or two year deal which is unlikely. The Cardinals have no problem paying market value or more on shorter deals. Best case scenario is we get an upgrade for few seasons over DeJong and able to bring up Masyn Winn. Winn is 20 and will be 21 in March. Young man is raw but super talented and needs to play everyday in the minors for a year or two.
 
#2,135      
Exactly! Cardinals definitely need an upgrade at SS but they also have a farm system. I don't see the Cardinals paying $15M, $20M+ a year for a SS unless it is a one or two year deal which is unlikely. The Cardinals have no problem paying market value or more on shorter deals. Best case scenario is we get an upgrade for few seasons over DeJong and able to bring up Masyn Winn. Winn is 20 and will be 21 in March. Young man is raw but super talented and needs to play everyday in the minors for a year or two.
Yeah I agree with all of that but still think they should've swung big this offseason and added a shortstop (and a pitcher). The thing is, if Winn lives up to the hype he's not going to be blocked. By the time he's ready someone like Bogaerts, Correa or Turner could easily be moved to 2B, 3B, or OF depending on where there's an opening. If and when Winn (and Walker) reaches full impact level it's going to fall outside the Goldy/Nado contention window.

When you look at the teams that are active in the market, they don't get as hung up on positions, because it's becoming way more common for players to move around. Imagine if the Cardinals had not traded for Scott Rolen because they really liked their ROY 3B who debuted the prior year (Pujols)?
 
#2,136      
Yeah I agree with all of that but still think they should've swung big this offseason and added a shortstop (and a pitcher). The thing is, if Winn lives up to the hype he's not going to be blocked. By the time he's ready someone like Bogaerts, Correa or Turner could easily be moved to 2B, 3B, or OF depending on where there's an opening. If and when Winn (and Walker) reaches full impact level it's going to fall outside the Goldy/Nado contention window.

When you look at the teams that are active in the market, they don't get as hung up on positions, because it's becoming way more common for players to move around. Imagine if the Cardinals had not traded for Scott Rolen because they really liked their ROY 3B who debuted the prior year (Pujols)?
That is not how the Cardinals operate and you know it ;)

The Cardinals aren't afraid to throw around money....unfortunately not all the transactions work out to plan or at least at the time. Big year to see if Steve Matz can be productive after being injured, see what they do with DeJong, etc.

Cardinals always have a plan and it can change. Still have FA and trades available for awhile. Cardinals are not afraid to start the season with what they have and make trades accordingly as well. We definitely needed an established catcher in place before SS. Hopefully Gorman/Donovan have been practicing more reps in the infield. Hoping not for a platoon game again but if no moves they ride DeJong/Edman at SS and 2B Edman/Donovan/Gormon. Yepez can platoon at corners/DH.
 
#2,137      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I'm getting a feeling that the FO is banking heavily on a TON return to his 34 HR's season production , which COULD happen if he can stay healthy......

The FO having any hope's of PDJ returning to his All Star season production is a pipe dream and I bet MO is doing anything to improve his trade value....Problem is giving PDJ another chance is probably going to DEVALUE what little value he has now , if any at all.......Worst production I can remember by ANY MLB player in ages..............

The Quintana contract was over the top and even though i wanted him to resign with us , that # was out of the question to me ............Where the FO goes as far as starting pitching is anybodies guess .....It wouldn't surprise me to see Alex Reyes to go to another team and become a star again......Seems like the Cardinals luck lately.....

Please install Walker as an everyday outfielder and let him play his way in or out of the lineup...........Seems we need a big bat in the OF and some protection for Goldie and Nado even with the Contreras signing .............I think there will be many more roster moves before the start of the next season that will have all of us scratching our heads......
 
#2,138      
The Quintana contract was over the top and even though i wanted him to resign with us , that # was out of the question to me ............
I'm interested to know why you think that. Waino got $17.5MM. Taijuan Walker got $71MM/4 ($17.75MM/yr). Tallion got $68MM/4 ($17MM/yr). Zach Eflin got $40/3 ($13.33MM/yr). Those guys were all worse than Q this past season. Quintana has honestly been the steal of FA so far, at least as far as pitching goes.
 
#2,139      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
I'm interested to know why you think that. Waino got $17.5MM. Taijuan Walker got $71MM/4 ($17.75MM/yr). Tallion got $68MM/4 ($17MM/yr). Zach Eflin got $40/3 ($13.33MM/yr). Those guys were all worse than Q this past season. Quintana has honestly been the steal of FA so far, at least as far as pitching goes.
I was speaking as far as how high the Cardinals would go to resign him .......I would have done the deal myself if I had any imput .....if you remember any of my previous posts , I always said signing Q was priority # 1 as far as I was concerned.........

Sorry if i wasn't clear enough for you ........carry on................
 
#2,140      
I was speaking as far as how high the Cardinals would go to resign him .......I would have done the deal myself if I had any imput .....if you remember any of my previous posts , I always said signing Q was priority # 1 as far as I was concerned.........

Sorry if i wasn't clear enough for you ........carry on................
That makes sense. I wanted us to go get Rodon but that's a lost cause. Seeing as we couldn't bring ourselves to shell out a modest amount for Quintana I think any starting pitchers we acquire this offseason will be via trade.
 
#2,141      
They could make a signing tomorrow no one knows but I could see them starting Edman at SS and Donovan at 2B to start the season if nothing else. DeJong is making $9M this season either way. Worst case scenario is the Cards will buy him out after this season for a few million with the club option instead of paying him $12.5M in 2024 and $15M in 2025.

Starting pitching is way overpaid. Quintana deal was decent if you compare it to other deals. Cards weren't going to pay him with already having lefties Montgomery and Matz under contract.
 
#2,142      
Starting pitching is way overpaid. Quintana deal was decent if you compare it to other deals. Cards weren't going to pay him with already having lefties Montgomery and Matz under contract.
Whether they like it or not the FO is going to have to pony up the market rate for some pitching next offseason if they don't this season. 4 starting pitchers are retiring or FA after this season (Waino, Mikolas, Flaherty, Monty) leaving just Matz and Hudson. Can't fill all those spots internally and stay competitive. Salaries only go one direction from season to season, and it's not down.
 
#2,143      
I doubt the Cardinals let all of them go without extending unless the performance isn't up to par. You are thinking way into this...of course they will have to pay for pitching. I will say we don't know what will transform over a year or two time. We picked up a few pitchers last year during the season and it worked out. There are ways to bring veterans in on contracts or through trades without breaking the bank. Montgomery and Quintana last year alone are proof of that.

Matz is under contract and Hudson arbitration after this season. See what happens but the Cardinals also have young gun lefty Matthew Liberatore and righty Gordon Graceffo. Not sure how it translates to the MLB level but pretty sure Graceffo is ranked higher than Liberatore now in some publications. If Liberatore isn't starting in 2024 than he likely got traded.
 
#2,144      
Does anyone think Flaherty will ever get back to being a lights out ace or at least a solid #2? I love Waino, but at this point we really don't have an ace.
 
#2,145      
Does anyone think Flaherty will ever get back to being a lights out ace or at least a solid #2? I love Waino, but at this point we really don't have an ace.
If healthy and has his control....he is a solid 2. Random thought was if he starts the season at the 4th spot and ease him back. Wainwright, Mikolas, Montgomery, Flaherty and Matz. Throw a righty between the two lefties and tinker with rotation during the season.

Audition year for FA for Flaherty. Not sure if he would take it but I would look for the Cardinals to offer him an extension early if he is healthy.
 
#2,146      
If healthy and has his control....he is a solid 2. Random thought was if he starts the season at the 4th spot and ease him back. Wainwright, Mikolas, Montgomery, Flaherty and Matz. Throw a righty between the two lefties and tinker with rotation during the season.

Audition year for FA for Flaherty. Not sure if he would take it but I would look for the Cardinals to offer him an extension early if he is healthy.
I always thought it was interesting that Bob Gibson was mentoring him. It would have been nice if he had the drive of Gibson or at least somewhat close to Carpenter or Waino. He just never seemed to have the tenacity to be in the same conversations with those guys. But then again, most pitchers don't. lol
 
#2,147      

pruman91

Paducah, Ky
Jmho , but I believe Flaherty will bolt at his earliest chance in free agency.....He has bumped heads with the FO ( not saying right or wrong to either party )
for the last 2-3 years and I have always thought his desire is to pitch for the Dodgers or at least a west coast team;........

He has had numerous injuries and who is to say that he ever reaches the level of a # 1 or even a # 2 SP..........he is prone to giving up the long ball and his mound presence needs some maturity to it.........;.

Did the Cardinals lose anyone to the Rule 5 draft ?? ....I have had a lot of pain the last couple days with the rain here in Paducah and may have missed some info.......
 
#2,148      
His stats are impressive when healthy. Flaherty is solid just can't control injuries. Jack just turned 27 and low risk offer for the Cardinals would be offering him a 2-3 year deal before the season started with a club option for an extra year. If he performs he will get a longer deal still in his prime with us/another team. He doesn't have the tenacity of Gibson or Wainwright but pitchers can be fickle in approaches and be successful.
 
#2,150      
Not to burst your bubble, but Senga has already gotten 5 and 6 year offers. We won't match that. Heck we wouldn't give Quintana $13/yr for 2 years and he was our game 1 starter in the playoffs.

I had a little time so I looked to see the teams that are interested in Senga. According to a Boston website 8 teams. And yes there are offers for 6 years.

The Red Sox reportedly have been in contact with Senga's representatives in free agency, but they're far from alone. The New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers all have interest in Senga as well, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Tuesday.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi identified the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels as suitors for Senga on Monday, so Boston has plenty of competition for the 29-year-old right-hander. Senga also has visited the Giants, Mets, Rangers and Padres but had yet to meet with the Red Sox as of Monday, per The Boston Globe's Alex Speier.