St. Louis Cardinals 2022

Rick Hummel
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol made it clear, pungently so, that he wasn’t on board with the strike zone of young home-plate umpire Ryan Additon Friday night. Marmol, who spent the last three innings of the Cardinals’ 9-5 loss to Cincinnati in his office, or at least not on the bench, after his second ejection of the season, said that some of the calls starter Adam Wainwright didn’t get had a definite effect on what happened.
“It’s tough to evaluate that start for ‘Waino,’ because of (the umpiring),” said Marmol. “I think that game’s different with some of those calls made.
“It was frustrating. But, at some point, enough’s enough. The guy wasn’t good tonight,” said Marmol.

“I don’t mind getting beat — by the other team.”
Wainwright seemed unusually perturbed at points during the game but was as diplomatic as one could be after yet another whipping by the Reds, who are 17-10 against him for his career while Wainwright is 180-96 against the other 28 opponents. He is 7-9 here and 3-8 at Busch Stadium but seems to have had more trouble here.
“I don’t how to answer this question,” said Wainwright (6-8 for 2022). He said he didn’t want to be “an excuse maker and put the blame somewhere else. I walked three guys tonight and they all scored. I gave up two homers.
“So, just keep it at that.

The more I sleep on this Soto deal, I don't know if I would give the top 4 prospects and eat most of Corbin's salary. Jon Heyman seemed to think that is the ask. I'd love to have Soto, but man I get so scared of losing our what if prospects that are in hand. I'd tend to agree with him and think that is the ask. Someone said thr Nats want to compete sooner than later, and I agree with that. They wouldn't have offered Soto if they didn't. Is Gorman still considered a prospect? Either way, I will be happy to root for any player in the Birds uni.

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — The Cardinals might have a significant reinforcement or two on hand in Toronto on Tuesday night when they make their second stop on a three-city trip.
Gold Glove center fielder Harrison Bader, who has been on the 10-day injured list because of plantar fasciitis, began a minor-league rehabilitation option at Class AAA Memphis on Friday night. He probably wouldn’t need more than two or three games there before rejoining the big club. On Friday he was 0 for three at designated hitter and is set to play in center field on Saturday before a re-evaluation on Sunday.
“We’ll go from there,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “But if all goes well there’s definitely a possibility of Toronto.”

There will be some job openings there.
Sources say that the Cardinals have three or four players who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and can’t cross into Canada. It appears none of them are starting pitchers. So that narrows it to position players and relievers. It is suspected that one or two of the unvaccinated players are prominent regulars.
With that in mind, Juan Yepez, who has a right forearm strain, theoretically could come off the IL in Toronto, too, at least as a designated hitter. But that does not seem likely.
“In theory, yes,” said Marmol to the DH possibility. “But that’s fairly limiting. I’d like for him to feel good throwing before we (activate Yepez).”

the national said:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1550637756107325441

This is crazy

Click to expand...

The batter didn’t start running immediately either.

BillyBob1 said:

The batter didn’t start running immediately either.

Click to expand...

Which makes sense at first in that he may have thought it was just going to be a flyout.

I thought there had been another inside the park grand slam a few years ago. I didn't realize the Jays had another at Fenway.

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — Tony La Russa used to say that “you never have a perfect game” as a manager. By that, the Hall of Famer meant that in any victory, there is a downside.
So it was for left-hander Steven Matz, who scored his first win Saturday night for the Cardinals since May 2 in his first game for the club since May 22 when he suffered a shoulder impingement. Reaching 96.5 miles an hour with his sinker, Matz struck out seven, including his final five outs, and gave up just three hits and one walk in working 5 1/3 innings, 90 pitches’ worth, of the Cardinals’ 6-3 triumph over Cincinnati.
But the flip side to this is that Matz is hurt again. Trying to pick up Joey Votto’s tapper down the first-base line in the sixth, Matz fumbled the ball, lost his balance as he desperately tried to recapture it and, in the process, suffered a left knee strain.

He will undergo an MRI here Sunday morning and while manager Oliver Marmol is ever hopeful Matz won’t be sidelined for a second long period of time, a strain means something is torn.
Marmol and pitching coach Mike Maddux had crafted a five-man rotation which was to include Matz and also right-hander Dakota Hudson (stiff neck), who is making a rehab start on Sunday at Memphis and is targeted to pitch next weekend in Washington. That rotation already has taken on a different look.

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — The Cardinals probably will not have center fielder Harrison Bader in their lineup in Toronto on Tuesday night, as they had hoped. Bader, who served as the designated hitter on Friday night for Memphis, reportedly felt some discomfort in his heel while running and wasn’t in center field on Saturday night for Memphis, as had been expected.
“I’m still awaiting a full report on it,” said manager Oliver Marmol before Saturday night’s game here with Cincinnati.
This would delay until at least Sunday Bader’s first appearance in the field since June 26.
“If he’s unable to play today because of the discomfort, that (Toronto) trip is in jeopardy, for sure,” Marmol said.

Bader had felt “a ton better,” said Marmol before the rehab assignment. “But there’s some discomfort there.”
Bader likely would have to be here Sunday to travel to Toronto with the Cardinals after the game. Marmol said any replacements for non-vaccinated players also would have to be on hand for the flight.

Apparently Arenado and Goldy are out for the Toronto series, as they are unvaccinated, as is Austin Romine. Oveido is out because he couldn't get his passport renewed in time.

Rick Hummel
CINCINNATI — A doctor’s exam conducted by Dr. George Paletta in St. Louis Monday will clarify left-hander Steven Matz’s condition a bit more. But it doesn’t seem as if a whole lot of good will come out of that.
Matz, who was pitching strongly into the sixth inning here Saturday night, fanning five in succession late in his outing, injured his left knee when his right foot slipped as he tried to pick up Joey Votto’s roller down the first-base line. An MRI taken here Sunday revealed a torn medial collateral ligament. Surgery is a possibility. A considerable rest period to heal it could be another option.
But Matz, having conquered a shoulder impingement to make his first Cardinals start Saturday in more than two months, doesn’t look forward to taking another month or more off.

“It’s frustrating,” he said Sunday. “It’s pretty sore today so I knew something really wasn’t right. But definitely a frustrating thing.

Jeff Gordon
Back in 2019 the Washington Nationals proved that anything is possible in Our National Pastime once a team reaches the playoff bracket.
They beat the Brewers in the wild card game. They stunned the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, then rode that momentum to victories over the Cardinals in the NL Championship Series and the Houston Astros in the World Series.
That was a run for the ages.
Ah, but look at the Nationals now. They are buried in the NL East cellar, just like the previous two seasons. They are waving the white flag from the top deck of Nationals Park.
The Lerner family is looking to sell the franchise and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo is holding still another bailout sale.

Cardinal fans complain that their team hasn't been a serious postseason threat in recent years, but the Nationals remind them how the other half lives in baseball.

------------------------------------------------

5 reporters weigh in on our national pastime at the end of the article....................

pruman91 said:

Tipsheet: Nationals quickly plunged to oblivion after epic World Series run

The Washington Nationals delivered one of the most inspiring postseason runs in modern times before crumbling due to free agent exits and bailout trades.

www.stltoday.com

Jeff Gordon
Back in 2019 the Washington Nationals proved that anything is possible in Our National Pastime once a team reaches the playoff bracket.
They beat the Brewers in the wild card game. They stunned the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, then rode that momentum to victories over the Cardinals in the NL Championship Series and the Houston Astros in the World Series.
That was a run for the ages.
Ah, but look at the Nationals now. They are buried in the NL East cellar, just like the previous two seasons. They are waving the white flag from the top deck of Nationals Park.
The Lerner family is looking to sell the franchise and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo is holding still another bailout sale.

Cardinal fans complain that their team hasn't been a serious postseason threat in recent years, but the Nationals remind them how the other half lives in baseball.

------------------------------------------------

5 reporters weigh in on our national pastime at the end of the article....................

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing pru. Want to make sure I'm clear the following rant is directed at the cozy relationship between some STL sports writers and team ownership/management, and not you.

Gotta love it when STL sports columnists use their platform to defend ownership so they can stay in their good graces. What is the point of choosing a struggling organization to write about just to make the Cardinals look better? Gordon could just as easily write about the Atlanta Braves, who've had an impressive run of success, won last year's World Series, rank behind us on the Forbes list of most valuable franchises and average attendance, yet spend about $30 million more than us on player salaries. Cardinal fan complaints are valid.

the juiceman cometh said:

Thanks for sharing pru. Want to make sure I'm clear the following rant is directed at the cozy relationship between some STL sports writers and team ownership/management, and not you.

Gotta love it when STL sports columnists use their platform to defend ownership so they can stay in their good graces. What is the point of choosing a struggling organization to write about just to make the Cardinals look better? Gordon could just as easily write about the Atlanta Braves, who've had an impressive run of success, won last year's World Series, rank behind us on the Forbes list of most valuable franchises and average attendance, yet spend about $30 million more than us on player salaries. Cardinal fan complaints are valid.

Click to expand...

I agree. The media does not question the team enough. They have no edge. It is all @$$ kissing and not much else. They promote the front office brand/idea and that is pretty much it. It is extremely frustrating.

I think I would prefer lesser prospects to the A's for Murphy, Montas and mayber Trevino. Plus another smaller deal for Thor.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/juan-soto-trade-whos-in-best-position-to-land-star-ranking-seven-interested-teams-including-yankees-mets/



To Mo/DeWitt "Dodgers X-factor: Andrew Friedman helped usher in the Cult of Efficiency, but a difference between him and some of his peers is that he seems to still prioritize World Series titles above all."

1. St. Louis Cardinals

Top prospects: The Cardinals have two of the most promising position prospects in the minors, in third baseman Jordan Walker and shortstop Masyn Winn. Walker has elite raw power and he's crushing the ball in Double-A as a 20-year-old. If and when he begins to lift the ball more frequently, he's going to solidify himself as one of the top middle-of-the-order prospects in the game. Winn, also 20, is holding his own in Double-A. He could be an above-average hitter and fielder at maturation. The Cardinals could also submit lefty Matthew Liberatore, outfielder Alec Burleson, and catcher Ivan Herrera to the Nationals. Each is either big-league ready or has already made their big-league debut. (Though Herrera, like the other catching prospects mentioned throughout the article, would likely have less appeal to the Nationals.)

Relevant MLB youngsters: The Cardinals have several young players on their MLB roster who could appeal to the Nationals as well. Second baseman Nolan Gorman has near-elite raw power and has made a successful transition from the hot corner to the keystone. Outfielders Harrison Bader (a defensive demon in center), Tyler O'Neill (a two-time Gold Glove Award winner who received Most Valuable Player Award consideration last fall), and Dylan Carlson would all make some sense. To think, that's without even pondering if the Cardinals would move either member of their current double-play combination, Tommy Edman and Brendan Donovan.

Payroll situation: The Cardinals have more than $50 million in breathing room between themselves and the tax line. Their Opening Day payroll was also $9 million lower than it was last season, suggesting it's reasonable to project them to add salary. It's reasonable to wonder how much they could upscale, but bear in mind that Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina are both expected to retire this winter, freeing nearly $30 million that's been earmarked for them in the process.

X-factor: There's no perfect parallel for the Soto situation, but the Cardinals have waded into the deep waters in the past to land Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. (Goldschmidt's contract, by the way, expires the same winter that Soto becomes a free agent, meaning the Cardinals will have additional flexibility at the perfect time.) The Cardinals can offer the Nationals a compelling combination of top-end prospects and established MLB players, and they should have the means of absorbing a bad contract if that's what it takes to get a deal done.

IlliniFan85 said:

I agree. The media does not question the team enough. They have no edge. It is all @$$ kissing and not much else. They promote the front office brand/idea and that is pretty much it. It is extremely frustrating.

Click to expand...

You expect something different from the St. Louis market? Heck look at how much the Green Bay media still kisses up to Rodgers' backside after all the stuff that happened last season.

jmwillini said:

I think I would prefer lesser prospects to the A's for Murphy, Montas and mayber Trevino. Plus another smaller deal for Thor.

https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/juan-soto-trade-whos-in-best-position-to-land-star-ranking-seven-interested-teams-including-yankees-mets/

Click to expand...

The problem with Montas is you won't get him for lesser prospects. Fewer prospects, yes, but the A's still want a couple top prospects for him and I'd expect they'd insist on at least one of Walker or Winn, if not both. For Murphy to be added in the deal, almost certainly they'd want both (is the Trivino add to drive down cost? Because he's been atrocious).

And the other big issue with Montas is he's a half season rental. So does the addition of Montas get us to the World Series this year? I think it's pretty unlikely. At least Soto would be here for two seasons after this one. I'd be willing to trade top prospects for that, but not sure I'm willing to bet the farm on this season alone though.

Any thoughts on the Cards picking up Tarik Skubal? Last year wasn't very impressive. It looks like he took a step this year but I am always a little skeptical about players with only 1 year (or less) track record.
Clearly they need pitching.
Soto and Skubal? That would signal the FO means business. So I just can't see it happening.

wpr said:

Any thoughts on the Cards picking up Tarik Skubal? Last year wasn't very impressive. It looks like he took a step this year but I am always a little skeptical about players with only 1 year (or less) track record.
Clearly they need pitching.
Soto and Skubal? That would signal the FO means business. So I just can't see it happening.

Click to expand...

Indi... I mean Guardians say they might sell some pitchers too.

I'm not against Skubal tho.

wpr said:

Any thoughts on the Cards picking up Tarik Skubal? Last year wasn't very impressive. It looks like he took a step this year but I am always a little skeptical about players with only 1 year (or less) track record.
Clearly they need pitching.
Soto and Skubal? That would signal the FO means business. So I just can't see it happening.

Click to expand...

I'd take Skubal over Montas. Skubal has actually been very good this season. His FIP is 2.92 and his BABIP is pretty high at .310 which to me indicates his already sub 4.00 era is inflated by bad defense. Fangraphs has him at 2.7 WAR this season, which would make him our top starter (Waino - 1.2 fWAR; Mikolas - 1.8 fWAR). He's a lefty, 25 and most importantly has I believe 4.5 years of team control. This is important to me because I am skeptical we should go all in on this season.

the juiceman cometh said:

I'd take Skubal over Montas. Skubal has actually been very good this season. His FIP is 2.92 and his BABIP is pretty high at .310 which to me indicates his already sub 4.00 era is inflated by bad defense. Fangraphs has him at 2.7 WAR this season, which would make him our top starter (Waino - 1.2 fWAR; Mikolas - 1.8 fWAR). He's a lefty, 25 and most importantly has I believe 4.5 years of team control. This is important to me because I am skeptical we should go all in on this season.

Click to expand...

Stats aside, does it bother you that this is his only outstanding season? And that is only 1/2 of a year? It does me. I simply do not know if it is sustainable or if the hitters will catch up with him the next time they face him.

wpr said:

Stats aside, does it bother you that this is his only outstanding season? And that is only 1/2 of a year? It does me. I simply do not know if it is sustainable or if the hitters will catch up with him the next time they face him.

Click to expand...

I guess it depends on the cost. I wouldn't pay a premium in prospects for him, but I wouldn't do that for a rental like Montas either. The thing about Skubal is he only pitched 32 innings in 2020 and last year (2021) is considered his rookie season. It wasn't a bad season by any means for a rookie (much better than the rookie season Liberatore is having). It's possible this season is a fluke, or it's possible this season is progression in his game. Even if he goes back to last season he's a valuable end of rotation guy. Certainly more value than Montas will have for us in 2023 and beyond, when he's pitching for someone else.

the juiceman cometh said:

I guess it depends on the cost. I wouldn't pay a premium in prospects for him, but I wouldn't do that for a rental like Montas either. The thing about Skubal is he only pitched 32 innings in 2020 and last year (2021) is considered his rookie season. It wasn't a bad season by any means for a rookie (much better than the rookie season Liberatore is having). It's possible this season is a fluke, or it's possible this season is progression in his game. Even if he goes back to last season he's a valuable end of rotation guy. Certainly more value than Montas will have for us in 2023 and beyond, when he's pitching for someone else.

Click to expand...

I am not trying to argue. Just asking for opinions. I appreciate it.
I definitely ignore 2020 as just a cup of coffee look see.
I would make a horrible GM. I would be skeptical of every player and concerned they may regress. I'm sure that's where analytics come in. Perhaps his minor league stats show that this year is a part of his evolution/maturation as a player.

wpr said:

I am not trying to argue. Just asking for opinions. I appreciate it.
I definitely ignore 2020 as just a cup of coffee look see.
I would make a horrible GM. I would be skeptical of every player and concerned they may regress. I'm sure that's where analytics come in. Perhaps his minor league stats show that this year is a part of his evolution/maturation as a player.

Click to expand...

No worries, this is all my (very) amateur opinion as well, so I could be very wrong!

It's the Albert Show tonight............................