OT: St. Louis Cardinals

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

So Cardinal fans, in which direction do you think they're headed? I was hoping they would have either received Inciarte or Mallex Smith from the Braves in the Garcia trade to shore up CF defense. I like Grickuk but don't think he's an everyday CF. Don't really want Fowler because I don't think he's that much of a defensive upgrade and will cost a 1st round pick. I can live with Cain but really like Pollock, or especially Kiermaier. Pollock is cost controlled for 2 more years and Kiermaier for 4. Asking price might be steep. If they don't address CF, I wouldn't mind trying to pry Simmons from the Angels at SS. Pitching should be solid. I can live with Leake at the #5, assuming Wainwright bounces back to his usual form. Bullpen is solid.

I think they need to go with Wong at 2nd everyday since Carp is sliding over to 1st.

Any thoughts out there?

 

[missouridawg]

I kind of wish they would leave Carp at 3B and go after Trumbo.

 

[snoopdog]

Here are my thoughts...

So Cardinal fans, in which direction do you think they're headed? I was hoping they would have either received Inciarte or Mallex Smith from the Braves in the Garcia trade to shore up CF defense. I like Grickuk but don't think he's an everyday CF. Don't really want Fowler because I don't think he's that much of a defensive upgrade and will cost a 1st round pick. I can live with Cain but really like Pollock, or especially Kiermaier. Pollock is cost controlled for 2 more years and Kiermaier for 4. Asking price might be steep. If they don't address CF, I wouldn't mind trying to pry Simmons from the Angels at SS. Pitching should be solid. I can live with Leake at the #5, assuming Wainwright bounces back to his usual form. Bullpen is solid.

I think they need to go with Wong at 2nd everyday since Carp is sliding over to 1st.

Any thoughts out there?

In general, they need to get busy or the same thing that happened last winter will happen again. sometimes Mo is too damn methodical...
1)Fowler and Eaton would be my choice for CF, but agree, got to get that done. My guess is they prefer to trade for Eaton.
2)Now that his market has tanked, I personally would love for them to go after Encarnacion for 3 yr, $60 mil and play him at first or third. Move Wong or Peralta on whichever they decide EE to play, and have Carp at the other position. This won't happen, because I read today they are going with speed and defense. But even tough we hit a lot of homers last year, we never had a strong cleanup hitter. I am suggesting this simply because he can rake and market has tanked for him.
3)Another option I would love for them to pursue would be to try to trade for Dozier, and give Wong and whatever in return. He would provide what they need, and his contract is 4 yr-$20 mil. I think he is probably going to LA though. Again, he gives you offense and as a former SS, should be pretty good defensively at 2nd. Plus he is a fan favorite in MN and would be so for The Cards.

All these are just fun wish lists for me as a fan. In reality, it will be a ho hum CF trade and a few more ho hum signings and we'll still be 15-20 games behind The Cubs. We had the second highest attendance in the entire MLB last season behind The Dodgers, but we won't spend the necessary money. Here is a typical response from the GM..."We will evaluate the fluid situation and determine if our current pay structure will incorporate moving towards a less than maximum market shift in player payroll versus our current needs, based on our evaluation of financial variables." Translation to all of this BS, we ain't spending money and will continue to try to squeeze blood from a turnip as long as the fans continue to show up in droves.

CF Eaton
3B Carp
2B Dozier
1B Encarnacion
RF Piscotty
LF Grichuk
SS Diaz
C Molina

 

[Todd4State]

What direction are they headed in? South. I think they will try to get Eaton to play CF based on what I read. Maybe Blackmon from the Rockies if they can't get Eaton. That's probably the only move that they will make based on what I have heard. I'd like to at a minimum get rid of Wong and Grichuck. Eventually Harrison Bader probably replaced
Grichuck when he is ready. There is conflict between the front office and the field staff on Wong. I can't see that ending well.

 

[snoopdog]

What direction are they headed in? South. I think they will try to get Eaton to play CF based on what I read. Maybe Blackmon from the Rockies if they can't get Eaton. That's probably the only move that they will make based on what I have heard. I'd like to at a minimum get rid of Wong and Grichuck. Eventually Harrison Bader probably replaced
Grichuck when he is ready. There is conflict between the front office and the field staff on Wong. I can't see that ending well.

they are definitely headed South right now. Unless they get serious, they will be second, at best, to the Cubs for the next several seasons. It all began last winter when they whiffed and went into the season with a hodge podge of parts

 

[SanfordRJones]

If you think Garcia could have gotten Ender Inciarte, you're out of your mind. The return for Garcia was a 5th starter at best, a middle reliever at best, and a position player who will never play in the MLB, and that was a pretty fair haul.

 

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

If you think Garcia could have gotten Ender Inciarte, you're out of your mind. The return for Garcia was a 5th starter at best, a middle reliever at best, and a position player who will never play in the MLB, and that was a pretty fair haul.

No. I knew Garcia alone wouldn't do it in addition to him being in his walk year. But the Braves are hungry for MLB ready pitching and I think we could have packaged Garcia with Wacha and a ML to get a quality CF.

 

[SanfordRJones]

That still wouldn't have been enough for Ender. The Braves FO didn't want to include him in talks for Sale, Archer, and Gray. His stock is as high as it's ever been because of the offensive numbers he put up in the 2nd half. Wacha's is as low as it's ever been. I could see Mallex for Wacha if the Braves didn't think Mallex fit into their plans and they felt good about Wacha regaining his old form.

 

[Todd4State]

It sounds like Eaton is going to the Nationals and the Sox are getting Lucas Giiloto and Dane Dunning. I don't think the Cardinals could have matched that unless they gave up Reyes and at least two other high end prospects.

 

[olblue.sixpack]

they are definitely headed South right now. Unless they get serious, they will be second, at best, to the Cubs for the next several seasons. It all began last winter when they whiffed and went into the season with a hodge lodge of parts

It's a credit to the Cubs' front office to how far and how fast they have blown past the Cardinals. You could argue that the Cubs are better (way better at most) at every position except RF and C. Their top 3 starters are better than anyone in the Cardinals rotation and I think they actually strengthened their bullpen with the acquisition of Davis.

And while I'm not a big Joe Maddon fan, don't get me started on how much better he is than Matheny.

i see another Cubs runaway in the Central. Of course the playoffs are random so anything can happen there, but the Cubs are built to last over a 162 game season.

 

[snoopdog]

Looks like The Cards got their CF...

Apparently they have signed Fowler. Not sure of the terms.

 

[Dog of Tillo]

Apparently they have signed Fowler. Not sure of the terms.

5 years, 80-90 million dollars

 

[snoopdog]

I watched the press conference...

Fowler is very likable and talked about being a leader in the clubhouse and having fun. I am excited they got him. He said he taught himself how to switch hit after he got into pro ball. That's impressive. Apparently Cardinals say there will be no more big signings. I was hoping for a power bat (Encarnacion).

 

[missouridawg]

Fowler is very likable and talked about being a leader in the clubhouse and having fun. I am excited they got him. He said he taught himself how to switch hit after he got into pro ball. That's impressive. Apparently Cardinals say there will be no more big signings. I was hoping for a power bat (Encarnacion).

If he keeps up the above average defense and can carry an OBP greater than .375.... this will be a good signing. I just get worried that this bar might be too high to continually jump over.

 

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

Fowler is very likable and talked about being a leader in the clubhouse and having fun. I am excited they got him. He said he taught himself how to switch hit after he got into pro ball. That's impressive. Apparently Cardinals say there will be no more big signings. I was hoping for a power bat (Encarnacion).

I want a power bat but not Encarnacion. He'll struggle with NL pitching. Cards still don't have a legitimate clean-up hitter, so I guess Piscotty will have to do. I'm uncomfortable with the left side of the infield heading into ST. Diaz's fielding got better as the year progressed, but he doesn't have the range I'd like to see at SS. Couple that with Peralta's limited range at 3rd, I'm a little worried. I thought they might make a play for Simmons, but the front office must like what they see from Delvin Perez so far. Hopefully, he'll be in the bigs at the end of 2019.

 

[Todd4State]

I'm happy with adding Fowler and Cecil given the market.

 

[Todd4State]

I agree with you about the defense. They're too hung up on Kolten Wong and his defense to the point where it appears as if they are OK with not maximizing the more premium position of shortstop. Most teams would rather have an elite defender at shortstop that hits .240 than an elite one at second base that hits .240.

Delvin Perez is going to be a very good player for the Cardinals whenever he is ready and whatever position he plays. I loved what the Cardinals did in the first 2-3 rounds of the draft this year.