Cardinals GM John Mozeliak spoke about several notable topics impacting the team in an interview with 101sports.com. You can find audio of the full chat at the link, but here are some of the highlights:
Generally, Mozeliak said that he is “still sort of reflecting on our past year,” which just ended a hair shy of qualifying for a sixth-straight postseason. That means that he doesn’t quite yet have a clear picture of how the club will tackle the winter to come. “I’m still sort of reflecting on our past year and I haven’t necessarily set out our offseason strategy,” says Mozeliak.
That being said, the veteran executive obviously has a good idea of where the needs will be. The rotation, in particular, suffered a significant fall-off in 2016. Mozeliak suggests that he sees room for more from veterans Adam Wainwright and Mike Leake, though he notes that’s hardly a sure thing. Michael Wacha remains a bit of a wild card, too, while the club sees reason for optimism in Carlos Martinez and Alex Reyes. With Lance Lynn returning to join a list of possibilities that also includes Luke Weaver, Marco Gonzales (if he makes it back), Tim Cooney and others, Mozeliak says he hopes to “have the depth we thought we were going to have a year ago,” though he notes “that just means maybe something else is going to go wrong.”
Notably absent from that list of hurlers? Lefty Jaime Garcia. The club is reportedly still weighing whether to pick up his option, though Mozeliak’s comments seemed to throw some doubt on the idea that he’d be with the organization in 2017.
“What we’ll do is spend the next two to three weeks sorting through our roster and getting a feel for what we think makes the most sense for us,” Mozeliak said when asked about Garcia. “I just went through our rotation and I didn’t mention Jaime because I think, given how he finished, it’s going to be tough for him to fit in there. But I also would say last year when we were sitting here talking, I thought we were going to have Lance Lynn and then two weeks later he ends up having Tommy John. So you just never know.”Â
Of course, even if Garcia doesn’t end up with the Redbirds, he could have his option exercised and then be traded. Mozeliak also says he won’t hesitate to trade young players to drive improvement, though he suggests that he won’t overreact after just missing the playoffs.
“You can’t always react to just today’s needs,” says Mozeliak. “When you’re looking to build long term success you damn well better be keeping some assets in your system. I think, historically, we’ve proven right on that with that strategy. We’re not going to deviate.”
Otherwise, the organization has already stated an intention to improve defensively, and Mozeliak adds that he’d like to see the team become “a little bit more aggressive on the basepaths.” For the former, he notes that getting Kolten Wong more time at second base and “trying to find a consistent position for Matt Carpenter” would help with the infield, while the team has to figure out a center field solution.
Reading between the lines a bit, since Jedd Gyorko and Aledmys Diaz seem all but certain to command significant playing time, it’s fair to wonder where this assessment leaves Jhonny Peralta. He could conceivably share time at first or end up on the trade block. It also certainly seems as if the center field spot could be filled from the outside, with Randal Grichuk sliding over to a corner role. Perhaps there’s also a way the club can address the baserunning issue through a new up-the-middle performer; Mozeliak notes that he’s interested in “trying to get a little smaller on the basepaths, trying to add a little speed to this team,” and this may be the spot to target to find such a skillset.
Certainly, speed and defense are not the calling cards of slugger Brandon Moss, though defensive metrics rated him surprisingly well in the outfield in limited time there this season. Mozeliak says that the overall results from Moss were good, and praised his work in the clubhouse, but added that it was tough to deal with his lengthy slumps. Ultimately, there’s interest in bringing him back, says Mozelik, “but it’s going to be at what price?”
Wainofan
Pillar, kiermaier, pollock, marte, etc. in cf, votto, freeman, arenado, turner or similar as corner IF, with carpenter playing third or first depending. Lineup of Carp 3b, Diaz ss, Votto 1b, piscotty rf, grichuk lf, yadi c, kiermaier cf, Wong/gyorko 2b competes with Cubs next year
McGlynnandjuice
I don’t think the cards have the prospects to acquire both Votto and Kiermaier.
Cardinals17
If you are looking for a center fielder, shoot high for the absolute best first, then drop to the second best and so on. It doesn’t hurt to see what it’d take to get Trout. I know, I know! Don’t sell the whole farm on one player. But, Many have said that the Angeles are dangling him for trade. From the Cardinals: Gyroko or Wong, Jamie Garcia, Luke Weaver, Tommy Pham, Matt Adams.
Cardinals17
And—-whatever else it takes.
tim815
For Trout?
Start with Aledmys,, Martinez or Reyes, Weaver, and Magneuris Sierra.
Dookie Howser, MD
We need to make sure “many have said” does not become the basis that any argument is even close to fact. Lets try to find three (a very liberal use of “many”) sources – even anonymous ones reported on by real reporters – that say the Angels are dangling Trout as trade bait.
redbirds22
Protected yadi, waino, Martinez, Carpenter, Oh
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Wong? Garcia? Pham? Adams? The angels have no need for them. I’m sorry, but that’s not going to even get the Angels to take the call. You’re talking about just starting with Martinez, Diaz, and Reyes. It’s just not happening!
stlouiskid1
This is what I love about cardinal fans, they live in their own little fantasy bubble. Gyrko Garcia and Luke Weaver for the best player in baseball. Because we are the Cardinals. You can’t make this stuff up.
cardfan2011
Cardinals could offer Reyes Weaver Flaherty Sierra Diaz and Wong and the Angels would still hang up. They don’t have the prospects to acquire Trout, and if anything I’d see if Blackmon is available
Triteon
Memphis would do it.
stl_cards16 2
You obviously haven’t been here long, every fan base has these guys.
connorreed
I’ve seen A LOT of awful trade proposals on this site, but this one might take the cake. That package would hardly be enough to get Nick Markakis. And you think it’s enough to get a 25 year old who’s locked up for four more seasons and who just joined Babe Ruth as the only player EVER to lead the league in WAR for five consecutive seasons? Let me guess, do you want Los Angeles to cover his salary, too?
KOLTEN WONG – a career .248/.309/.370 second baseman owed $24.5 million over the next four seasons.
JAMIE GARCIA – a 30 yeard old pitcher who the Cardinals might not even want to keep
LUKE WEAVER – an injury prone pitcher who posted a 5.70 ERA and 1.596 WHIP in 36.1 IP this season (re: future reliever)
TOMMY PHAM – a 29 year old who’s a replacement level player
MATT ADAMS – a 28 year old first baseman who’s hit .246/.298/.436 with below average defense the past two seasons
Cardinals17
MLB
Cardinals17
Neither do we!!! Ha!
guinnesspelican
Spot on!
Statistics really shine light on how disposable players really stink.
chesteraarthur
There is just no way that they acquire those players you mention while keeping everyone in your potential lineup
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
On the Trout end, the only way they think about trading Trout is for an earth shattering return. So all suggestions are rather light which is why it won’t happen. Further complicating the matter is getting Trout to waive his no trade clause.
seamaholic 2
There are maybe — MAYBE — two or three teams with the depth to create a package that would get the Angels to think about it. And the Cards are not one of them. For a guy like that, you aren’t talking just prospects, you’re talking young cheap major leaguers with lots of control. Red Sox and Cubs could pull it off (and basically destroy their teams). Maybe the Dodgers. Ain’t happening.
RedFeather
I would say trade Adams, Gonzalez, and Jamie Garcia (after option is picked up) for Charlie Blockmon. Go out and sign Ian Desmond to a 6 year 102 million deal. He can play SS and Outfield. Trade Peralta for a prospect or anything they can get. Rotation: Wainwright, Martinez, Lynn, Leak, Reyes – Wacha in bullpen – Weaver 6 starter
1.Carpenter 1B
2.Desmond SS
3.Blockman CF
4.Piscotty LF
5.Diaz SS
6.Gyrko 2B
7.Molina C
8.Grichuk RF
9.Pitcher
RedFeather
Cant have two SS lol:
1.Carpenter 1B
2.Desmond SS
3.Blockman CF
4.Piscotty LF
5.Diaz 3B
6.Gyrko 2B
7.Molina C
8.Grichuk RF
9.Pitcher
connorreed
No way that will get Blackmon.
Jamie Garcia has almost no value. The Cardinals are debating whether his option is even worth picking up. The only way he has any value is if they cover most of his salary, and even then, it’s not much.
Gonzales wasn’t anything special in his debut last year (4.75 FIP, 1.529 WHIP, 1.5 K/BB in 34.2 IP). He then returned to AAA this season and posted the worst numbers of his career (5.45 ERA, 1.66 WHIP in 69.1 IP), and was absolutely dreadful in 2.2 major league innings.
Matt Adams is entering his age 28 season and is an overweight first baseman who can rarely stay healthy. Even when he’s on the field, he’s slashed .246/.298/.436 with below average defense over the past two seasons.
So how exactly is that package worth a .center fielder who’s coming off a 324/.381/.552 season with 111 runs, 29 home runs, 82 RBI’s, and 17 stolen bases?
RedFeather
1st off Jamie Garcia does have value. a 12 million southpaw that has shown dominance in the game.
2nd. Obviously I am playing armchair GM. I know that trade wouldnt work out for Colorado. That being said. Im sure they would trade Blockmon for Weaver, Rosenthal, and Adams/Wong. I know the Rockies #1 priority is finding hard throwing pitchers. Throw in a firstman/Bench hitter who is capable of hitting a 500 foot homerun in Coors Field, you might have a deal.
connorreed
The Cardinals shopped Garcia during the season. Nobody wanted him. If he clearly had value, they would exercise his option and shop him in the historically weak pitching market this offseason. The fact that they’re considering buying out of it makes it pretty obvious that there’s not much value there.
Rockies have Arenado, Story, and LeMahieu in the infield, with Rodgers, Wall, and McMahon in the minors. Why would they want Wong?
Blackmon had the highest slugging among qualified center fielders in all of baseball this season. His OPS was second to Mike Trout. Among NL center fielders, he posted the highest WAR.
Maybe a better proposal would target CarGo. A player of Blackmon’s age and quality isn’t moving unless it’s a significant package – and Adams, Rosenthal, and Weaver is nowhere near that type of package.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Here’s how that would go
Bridich: hey how you doing Mo
Mo: Good, so what would it take for Blackman?
Mo: Adams, Gonzalez, and Garcia
Bridich: start with Reyes
Mo: you know we can’t…. hello hello Jeff? Jeff?
The Rockies have no need for any of those players point blank.
carlsoce
No way we get Votto, if he is traded it’s outside the division.
guinnesspelican
Jocketty will have nothing to do with deals to the Cardinals.
Ever.
RedFeather
Yet he will sign any former Cardinal who is way past their prime and on the verge of retirement.. Holiday will prob be a Red next year.
guinnesspelican
Absolutely.
EndinStealth
And Votto’s contract is to long. It’s a bad long term deal.
relic
It would mean giving up Piscotty and Reyes/Weaver to get Votto. Ain’t gonna happen.
I predict Adams and Peralta will be traded and a CF – perhaps Dexter Fowler – brought in.
Line-up would be: Fowler (cf), Diaz (ss), Carpenter (1B), Piscotty (rf), Molina (C), Gyroko (3b), Grichuk (lf), Wong (2b).
As for the rotation, I don’t think Garcia will be brought back, simply because that would mean that Reyes would not be in the rotation, and the kid deserves to be there, even as the expense of having an all-righty rotation.. Any new additions to the pitching staff will be with the bullpen.
My 2017 rotation prediction is: Wainwright, Martinez, Lynn, Leake and Reyes.
Wacha will be pushed back to the bullpen. Weaver will be the 6th starter.
tim815
I’d be intrigued to see who you would project as the 40 Man roster heading into the Rule 5 Draft.
higuys
I agree with your rotation, however I believe they would push Lynn to the 5th starter and ease him in to the majors after TJ. Maybe skip a couple starts and have Wacha/Weaver fill in.
bravesiowafan
Dexter Fowler fits the build for this team in the offseason if you ask me.
stl_cards16 2
If he doesn’t get a QO, I believe he will be a target. If he does, can’t see Mozeliak giving up a pick.
RedFeather
Ian Desmond is a better option
stl_cards16 2
I’m fine with having a laid back off-season. Unless someone like Freeman or Goldschmidt becomes available, or possibly a good CF…
No reason to get stuck in a big contract with what’s available in free agency. The team can be competitive as it is. Keep building and supplement the team with free agents over the next couple years.
guinnesspelican
Great comment. The Cardinals did finish only one game away from playoff baseball this year.
Wainofan
Agree with not needing to necessarily spend big. Although they will in extending Carlos. Trade wise what could we get for package like Adams, gyorko or Wong, weaver, wacha or Garcia, plus maybe a sierra, Sosa or flaherty as prospect? Again needs are CF and corner IF. Myself I don’t see a guy like fowler coming over. I’d rather have Pham or Moss in of unless we trade for gold glove type CF or all star caliber corner IF
RoadRunner1938
If it was going to be someone already in the team it would be J. Martinez! Moss will be gone!
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
I think you’re severely overvaluing players on your current roster. You’re not getting players you want or suggested without giving up superior young arms especially since most you suggested are unavailable. If you’re trading players to a rebuilding team players with big contracts/ those with little service time are not going to happen. So your Garcia, Adams, Peraltas, Gyrokos are useless. Even Wong presents a non offensive upgrade. Add on to the major injury concerns over Wacha. So unless they want to part with Reyes, Weaver, etc don’t expect much. How do they fix the problem? Spend on the mid market for a def cf who can get on base or trade for a 2nd tier cf. it’s not rocket science. They don’t need a tear down. They just need to fill around. They do need to pitch and play d though.
Bluesman
The Cards need to get Dexter Fowler (if he hits the FA market) to play CF the next few years. That would kill two birds with one stone: it would b a big defensive upgrade in CF, AND it would hurt the Cubs defensively!
armsiderun14
I don’t think Fowler’s defense is anything to write home about.. I think he’s been decent out there with the Cubs, but looking at his career metrics, he has not been a great defensive player.
seamaholic 2
Fowlers’s an awful defensive CF. His metrics this year were decent, but that’s a total fluke (you don’t suddenly become a good outfielder when you’re 30).
redbirds22
Has Tulos value gone down where cards could get for decent price?
Jaime Garcia 1 year option deal
RoadRunner1938
Dont need a SS
redbirds22
I’m totally ok w going into season with Diaz as our SS. Let him work this off season w Ozzie
guinnesspelican
Maybe Ozzie can show him that flip thing when taking the field?
baseball10
Ender Inciarte would be a perfect fit for this team. Grichuk may have finished too strong for the Cards to be interested in a straight swap so im not sure what the Braves would want back
Dookie Howser, MD
Are you saying that the Cardinals would turn down a straight Inciarte for Grichuk trade?
Dookie Howser, MD
Even during Grichuk’s “too hot to trade finish” time frame, Inciarte’s numbers hold up. Since Grichuk’s Aug 11 call up:
Inciarte: 332/400/449
Grichuk: 275/303/579
Plenty of power there, sure for Grichuk, but not so much to eclipse what Ender did in the same time period. Plus Inciarte (who is less than a year older than Grichuk) has two solid, productive seasons in the MLB under his belt. Overall for 2016, Inciarte is clearly the better player right now:
Inciarte: 291/351/381
Grichuk: 240/289/480
Plenty of upside for both young players, but with a lot of power around the league right now (1500 more HRs this year than 2014), it kind of waters down the value of the long ball. Plenty of GMs would take Inciarte for Grichuk in a heartbeat
baseball10
The power outweighs Inciarte’s average in today’s game. Would be an interesting trade. I’m a Braves fan and would probably take the deal with Mallex taking over CF
RoadRunner1938
Grichuk isnt going anywhere that would be stupid! his numbers next year will be great while starting next year full time!
Dookie Howser, MD
Many people are saying Grichuk’s numbers are going to be huge. He will make the Cardinals great again!
guinnesspelican
If half of his year isn’t spent in AAA.
EndinStealth
That’s the same thing people said last off season.
felixjose
Great? That sounds like a fanboy talking. he’s a sold player, but I don’t think he has much of a ceiling. his power is there, but the average/obp/strikeouts leave a lot to be desired.
cardfan2011
I’d say trade Jaime, but since they tried before the deadline, I don’t know that any teams would want him. Even though his defense is bad and his bat is in decline, I wish they’d keep Holliday, who knows? Sadly the Leake deal is looking to be a bad one, unless he turns it around over the next few years. But overall I still trust Mo more than my own judgement, and whatever he sees that will work he’ll pursue
Dookie Howser, MD
Holliday isn’t gone for sure – he’s just not going to make $17million next year.
RoadRunner1938
Hes gone cardinals would be stupid to bring him back, he doesn’t fit here anymore
seamaholic 2
Holiday’s going back to the Rockies as their 1B. I have some beers on this and think it makes a ton of sense.
EndinStealth
I see him in Toronto. He’d slide in as DH and sometimes OF.
RoadRunner1938
I listened to the interview yesterday its better if you listen to it not read about it! Cardinals wont trade a lot of there prospects and they shouldn’t! Cardinals have speed in Grichuk, Wong, Hazelbaker, J. Martinez but Matheny cant manage so he doesn’t use it! Cardinals will pick up Jaime option to just trade him more value there! Cardinals will makes runs at Cespedes and or Fowler they make the most sense, if they cant get them then they will try trading from the minors but thats the last option! Don’t look for them to trade any of the infield pieces cause they have depth and dont want to lose it!
Dookie Howser, MD
This guy is keeping the exclamation mark in business
guinnesspelican
The Cardinals showed their hand to teams in their desire to move Garcia during the season. His value will have dropped to nothing when they do move him.
Pay him the buyout and move on.
Wainofan
True but if they can package enough together to get top flite corner IF, in my proposed trade possibles, they upgrade without losing depth. They had depth this year but not enough “stars”. They’re missing one or two all star caliber players from being at top again. Not crazy about what fowler or cespedes would do for us. Need defense like pollock, pillar, marte, billy Hamilton, kiermaier, type players. True CF with good gloves. Or freeman, arenado, votto, etc. Pitching is good and deep next year, especially if Lynn, Lyons, Cooney and Gonzales are healthy. The. Trade from depth and jaime Garcia, weaver, gyorko, peralta, Adams, Wong, Pham and most of our minor leagues should be packaged in some way
relic
This isn’t a rebuild from the ground up. Cards finished nearly 10 games over .500. No need to blow out the minor leagues on a $350 million guy that will only add 5 wins to the team’s total next year. The Cards just need to make some tweaks, with some added speed and up-the-middle defense, primarily at 2b and CF. I think an infield of Wong/Diaz is fine for the latter. We need better defense in CF, which is why Grichuk moves to LF to replace Holliday. Every other position on the field is more-than-adequate. The rest of the offseason can be spent building up a so-so bullpen and restocking the bench headlined by Brandon Moss.
RoadRunner1938
Like everything you said all but the pen! The pen is pretty much set and as long as cardinals keep Rosenthal and healthy hes a great set up man/strike out guy! Matheny is horrible at managing a pen, Rosenthal was hurt and Matheny kept running him out there! The pen problems was clearly on Matheny only using 4 mainly all year causing them to wear out!
RoadRunner1938
Moss wont be back he doesn’t fit the mold like Hollidays doesnt any more! would rather have Holliday back than Moss! But neither are a fit!
RoadRunner1938
Cespedes brings alot on both sides of the ball with Great offense & Great Arm in CF/LF! Fowler brings a lot on both sides of the ball as well with a good bat, speed on the bases and in CF! Just dont see the Cardinals being able to trade for any of those guys all of those teams are going to want Martinez or Reyes along with alot more!
relic
With Holliday and (my prediction) Adams gone in the offseason, then keeping Moss makes sense, backing up RF/LF and 1B – doing what he was supposed to do before he was forced to become a starter. I’m okay with him heading a bench with Greg Garcia, Tommy Pham and Brayan Pena.
I love the idea of Cespedes or Fowler as the CF – that would shore up that middle defense I was talking about earlier. And I’d rather go free agent route than a trade. Fowler could be in the No. 1 hole while Cespedes gives us an impact middle-of-the-order bat, which would allow Carpenter to bat lead-off and Diaz to stay at No. 2.
As for the bullpen, we need innings, I’d love to have one more impact righty FA to go along with Bowman, Rosenthal and Oh from the right side. From the left side, we have Duke and Seigrist and, hopefully, a healthy Tyler Lyons – we are great from the left side. And if rumors are correct and Wacha is bumped down to the ‘pen, his live arm and heat could translate very well into a late inning role. But with Wacha’s injury history, and Matheny’s reluctance to give Socolovich or Tuivailala any meaningful innings, I’d like to see a proven righty veteran brought in to replace the innings being lost by Jonathan Broxton and by Seth Maness being on the DL for all of 2017.
guinnesspelican
Arenado would be my pick. I give up Carpenter and Martinez to get him.
Toksoon
I think they need to break back into the astros computers
Dookie Howser, MD
Too late, Luhnow changed his password, it is no longer “password”
guinnesspelican
It’s now “I hate passwords”.
Wainofan
Cards should sign Turner to play 3b at about 5-$75 million, trade a package for gold glove CF like kiermaier. Carp at first, Wong/ gyorko at 2b, Diaz at ss, turner at 3B. I feel like they can put the pitchers or prospects together to get kiermaier or similar. Weaver, flaherty, sierra and peralta/Adams should do it. Sign gurriell for 2018 and slide turner/Diaz/gurriell to 2b with carp at 1b. Now that’s a hell a IF!
connorreed
If you want a 26 year old centerfielder who’s posting 6.0+ WAR’s a season, it’s going to start with Alex Reyes. And nobody wants to pay an aging, overweight infielder millions to have a below replacement player season.
And I doubt Turner levels LA. If he does, it’ll be with a qualifying offer attached, and I doubt even more the Cardinals give up a pick for him.
Wainofan
Also cards should give QO to moss. one year 16 mil worth it for depth and bench bat, he can get 400 plus abs without any injuries due to his flexibility. If he rejects it, even better, then we get draft pick.
connorreed
I know every team has these fans, but I’m mind blown at how badly Cardinal fans are overvaluing their players on this forum.
It seems that you guys think you can get Trout, Arenado, and Votto without giving up any pieces of your starting rotation. I think I saw one guy even suggest they could get Marte, as if the Pirates signed him to a cheap as dirt eight year extension in 2014 so they could trade him.
I hate to break it to you, but the Cardinals don’t have the players to get ONE of those guys, let alone all of them.
In reality, Wong, Garcia, Adams, Pham, Peralta, and Gonzales essentially have no trade value at all. Weaver and Gyorko have very little.
So even if you forget about Trout, and want to go out and get a Kevin Pillar or Billy Hamilton or Ryan Braun type player, you’re going to need to part with at least one of the following: Randal Grichuk, Alex Reyes, Stephen Piscotty, Harrison Bader, Aldemys Diaz.
cardfan2011
To be fair not all Cardinal fans are like that. I for one know they don’t have the prospects to acquire Trout, Arenado, etc. And the ones they do have make up their current team, so I don’t see how any trade could be made realistically.
guinnesspelican
Carpenter and Martinez for Arenado?
EndinStealth
Not a chance.
guinnesspelican
From the Rockies or the Cardinals side? I’m a Cardinals fan, so I wonder if I value 2 MVP caliber type players (as far as ceilings go) for 1? Am i overvaluing the cardinals here?
felixjose
as a cards fan, I agree with you. we have a very average roster and not a lot of trade value. homer fanboys love guys like Wong , Grichuk, Adams, etc. but rival GMs know they aren’t as good as fans tend to believe. especially Wong. he is atrocious.
Wainofan
Yeah definitely not going to get trout or arenado but never took bader off possible lists. Would weaver, gyorko, bader, flaherty, Sierra and Sosa not get one of those guys(Hamilton, kiermaier, pillar, etc)? Yes I know it’s not likely, but I’m not auditioning for GM. Just fun to talk about.
connorreed
Yeah, I doubt the Cardinals pursue it, but I could easily see them putting together a package for a player like Pillar or Hamilton without taking a major hit from their big league roster. I think Kiermaier is a step above both of those guys – his defense makes him one of the most valuable outfielders in baseball, despite his poor offensive numbers. Plus, the Rays aren’t looking to rebuild like the Reds are. And with the current Blue Jays roster, I don’t see them dealing Pillar with the lack of depth they have in the outfield, especially with Saunders and Bautista set to hit the market this offseason.
If you take out Reyes, the Cards don’t really have any star prospects. And without those star prospects, you won’t get a guy like Trout. But they could put together enough very good prospects to get a more mid-level guy like Hamilton.
Something like Bader, Weaver, Fernandez, and Perez would likely get the Reds to part with Hamilton. But it would also be a huge blow to the farm system for St. Louis.
makaio6
Wow. A lot of unrealistic proposals here. I’m a Cards fan, but a legit baseball fan. Their best trade package would be start, yes only start, with Reyes, Diaz and Martinez.
Not happening!!!
My take, get a legit CF. Blackmon, Fowler or even Desmond probably the best and realistic options, if the first two end up being available that is. Grichuk to LF: I’ve seen enough signs of his production to give him another year to see what happens. Unlike Wong who I said before the season that this was his make or break year… then they sign him to $25m extension… and he goes out and has his worst year. If they can, I’d trade him, but the production and money don’t line up which will make it difficult. Thankfully you have flexibility in positions with like Carp and Gyorko, and maybe Peralta, that you could find something at no particular position and move those guys around to fit. I’d like Holliday back, but he’ll probably be able to find more playing time elsewhere. Here’s my starters for now:
C Yadi
1B Carpenter
2B Gyorko
3B Peralta
SS Diaz
LF Grichuk
CF ???
RF Piscotty
Rotation
Wainwright
Martinez
Lynn
Leake
Reyes
And honestly I’m not sold on moving Wacha to the ‘pen. Injuries could’ve factored in this year. So for me, the rotation’s still fluid. I just can’t see them picking up Garcia’s option. No need to keep him and not likely to trade him at that price tag.
cardfan2011
Even though a lot of people may disagree with me, id actually consider trading Wacha
guinnesspelican
Wacha should be wondering if he will be on the 25 man in 2017. Where does he fit?
felixjose
your comment makes the most sense on this message board. although I’d probably retain Garcia on a 1 year option just for the depth. Wainwright and Lynn are question marks. And Wacha, Leake, and Weaver are no sure bets either.
RoadRunner1938
Matheny is to blame for Wong not hitting he benched him when he was hitting, hes not a Matheny boy so he gets screwed!
Wainofan
What about signing gurriell then flipping him? What would gurriell, weaver, bader, gyorko, sierra, flaherty bring us? I’d have to think a lot. That would be a haul
Cardinals17
The Post-Dispatch in St. Louis just graded the owner, GM, Manager, and Coaching staff. Owner-B , GM-C, Manager-D, Coaching Staff-D. Maybe before starting looking at the players, Moz better look in the mirror at himself and determine if he’s got the right Manager
guinnesspelican
I think he answered that in exploring the extension with Matheny?
Unless the extension talk is just buying time?
DyBu17
They will likely go out and get a guy like Jarrod Dyson or Juan Lagares. I’d love to get Blackman but don’t want to dig deep into the farm.