9:59pm: The Cardinals are working to get a deal done, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
9:10pm: The Cardinals appear to be seriously considering a deal with left-hander Kwang-hyun Kim. He’s currently in St. Louis to discuss a contract with the Cardinals and undergo a physical, Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News tweets. Teams have until Jan. 5 to sign Kim, who’d otherwise likely return to the Korea Baseball Organization for at least another year.
The 31-year-old Kim is coming off an outstanding run as a member of SK Wyverns of the KBO, where he recorded a 3.27 ERA with 7.8 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9 across 1,673 2/3 innings before the club posted him. The former Tommy John surgery patient is free to negotiate with all MLB teams over the next two-plus weeks. If Kim signs with a major league team by Jan. 5, the release fee the Wyverns would receive would hinge on the value of his contract.
Signing Kim would be the second prominent move this offseason in the Cardinals’ rotation. The reigning NL Central champions previously re-upped franchise icon Adam Wainwright to a one-year, $5MM guarantee. As things stand, Wainwright’s slated to rejoin Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas and Dakota Hudson as the top four in the Cardinals’ rotation. If Kim hops aboard as the fifth member of that group, it could have an effect on Carlos Martinez, who had typically been a starter during his career before working exclusively as a reliever last season. For now, it’s unclear which role Martinez will take on in 2020.
Ok. Let’s get a bat.
keep dreaming. I know I will. this dude will have a good year then get 3 years 40 mil and digress like a certain starting pitcher we signed from japan a couple years ago….
the Rangers can get Kluber for next to nothing and a team that traded Goldschmidt and Greinke in a rebuild, practically gets bumgardner…and STL is content with not getting better in areas that desperately need attention. Stl has one of the worst lineups in the league.
Kim is from Korea not Japan tho
Cleveland got fleeced from the current perspective, but Kluber has been injured and Texas is taking on his full salary; there is substantial risk for the Rangers in that deal.
True, and Kluber has history in the mlb. The Korean league is way below mlb standard.
No it’s not
Clase is going to be a stud. 21yrs old throws 102 mph cutter. A lot of comparison to Hicks. High ground ball percentage and very low walk rate. Needs to generate more K’s but again, he is 21. Kluber has diminished each year over the last 5 years and is coming of a broken forearm. Not paying a penny to Kluber other than half of the assignment option. Dumped salary, brought in exciting prospect and DeSheilds. Who could be good in there OF. I think they made a fantastic trade.
Only 8 million- a bargain. Clearance section shopping again by bow tie Mo.
A full season of Edman isn’t the answer? Someone posted on here a few weeks ago that he’s just as good as Mookie Betts.
Feels like an option for a swingman role. And I imagine they don’t see Webb having much success with the three-batter minimum.
Half way through the season I would have agreed. But Webb pitched well after the break, and especially well down the stretch. Surprised me, but his success came against eighties too. He deserves a shot.
bullpen move
he said he wouldn’t sign to a relief role.
Martinez has to be a starter.
No he doesn’t
Yeas he does.
No, he doesn’t. He doesn’t have the work ethic or mentality to be a starter
He doesn’t need to be a starter, he needs to be traded. He’s a head case that would be well served with a change of scenery. Addition by subtraction.
Agree with Binnington – as long as the return was good enough
Has track record of having 200+ innings with decent to ace level stats to go with it. Don’t understand why that means he doesn’t have the work ethic to be a starter. Only reason he was a reliever last year was to pitch less innings because of a surgery. If you have any real reasons why a unproven Japanese talent should take his spot then go for it.
You say that, yet ignore the seasons of solid production as a SP prove you wrong..
He’s lazy, a head case, and walks to many people – just my opinion
But he was a relief pitcher because he showed up to spring training out of shape while not doing any kind of a throwing program From the previous year .
Nothing about his stats tells me he shouldn’t be a starter.
I’m not disagreeing that he shouldn’t be a starter – he’s a much better starter than a bullpen guy —- but either way, I hope he’s pitching for someone else next year and we get a nice shiny new bat in return …
I agree with c1234. People can’t get past that Matinez hasn’t lived up to his projection of being an ace, and it makes them irrational about him excelling in a 3rd or 4th spot in Tom he rotation role. His stuff is excellent and being a 3rd starter in a rotation relieves the pressures of being an ace or the closer which are the roles he has taken so far in his career. If he is healthy he should in the middle of the rotation.
I wish he could keep his emotions more to himself. But as I watched him throughout the season he blows the close/late type games. He just doesn’t belong in the bullpen. Plus we are talking about him as a No. 3/4 starter which would be a luxury on most teams.
Again, not disagreeing that he should be a mid rotation starter .
I’m just saying the Cards chose Waino and this Korean guy over him.
So he’s either closing or getting traded
I agree with you. His stuff in the middle of the rotation puts us in position to have one of the best in baseball. Wouldn’t mind a lefty starter signing as well. Love and respect Waino but just wouldn’t count on a repeat of last year.
I’m just going to be honest one of Waino or Korean guy isn’t going to pan out. Martinez and the Cardinals have both expressed interest in him starting. So who knows, I just think it’s best for him to start.
How many years of 200+ innings you think he has?? Hmm, 1. And one year of 195. So, how is that a track record?
In a perfect world, call me crazy – but I would rather Martinez be the number 3 starter and Waino go to the bullpen —- I’ve said that since they resigned Waino … he could go out in the bullpen like he came into the league back in 06 .
No he doesn’t.
Love that idea!
As a Cubs fan, I think they should keep Martinez either have him start or close. Cardinals FO already screwed up by firing Matheny and letting Wacha sign with the Mets. Not cool!
Payne train racist much? Lazy? Lazy would be those who repeat stereotypes as well as how much activity do you do? Easy to criticize but you know it’s funny a lot of trolls can afford to cut back a few imos pizzas and t ravs short. Also it’s his shoulder, he’s not the only starting pitcher this is baseball, remember wacha and his arm? He just had a treatment. Also nothing is ever for sure in baseball.
Sorry cubs fan, no more free wins for you baby bears. Have fun trading your 3b
Racist? What are you talking about – you sound like an idiot
His shoulder was hurt – what’s that have to do with him not showing up to camp in shape ?
I don’t see any reason why Kim wouldn’t be able to be just as effective as some of the recent “returns to the MLB” type guys that have come over from the football KBO — he’s put up terrific numbers since his return from TJ surgery and if that’s any indication I could easily see him becoming a decent mid-to-back end of the rotation guy with a ceiling of a 3.50s ERA and a floor closer to like a 4.00-4.50 ERA — either way a valuable enough arm to consider for whomever winds up signing him.
Yes he does…your stuck paying him starter money. This is a storied franchise that acts like it’s 3rd class and cheap.
yet still as a 3rd class and cheap franchise one of the most successful franchises this decade, and all of MLB history. Guess the front office is doing something right…
Sounds interesting – I like it , then Maybe we can trade for a really good bat and maybe get a decent bullpen arm.
We shall see, but it’s intriguing
Still need to replace Ozuna’s bat, and then some … not trying to get stingy but it was a stale offense too often, even with Ozuna
Until the ink is dry I will not begin to think the Cardinals actually signed a FA in the offseason.
If they do get another arm to add to the rotation it would be a plus!! Better to have a fight for 5 than need 1 to fill if a SP goes down in ST.
Sounds like a low-risk, high-reward kind of deal. Not much to lose here
Mozeliak was on the radio today, said he likes the team as is. There will be no high dollar FA signed this off season.
If you listened to the same interview I did, that’s not at all what he said. He said they weren’t looking to make a quick move just to make a move, they are planning on being patient and seeing what is out there until they find a deal they like. Very different than saying we are all set, no more moves.
A Mozeliak interview is like listening to 10 minutes of continuous nails on a chalkboard.
Almost as bad as reading your comments about him. Have you ever made it past a cardinals article without bringing him up? I doubt it.
No, because everything is about him. Quit responding to me if you don’t like my comments. Or can YOU NOT HELP YOURSELF because deep down you know I’m right, and you’re too cowardly to admit it?
No, you make everything about him. Your obsession is unhealthy. And the only coward I see here is you. Unable to admit when you’re wrong about ANYTHING.
You’re pathetic at best.
I make things about Mozeliak BECAUSE HE’S THE GUY MAKING THE DECISIONS on this nonsense. If he left the team, I would never mention his name again. Pathetic is you not able to figure that out. You want me to make comments about the peanut vendor in Section 334? Hell, that might even be you. Who knows?
Adam Wainwright is not a prominent move. I think this move would be great for the Cardinals.
paindonthurt you are correct on Waino resigning.
Now sign Wieters and Cory Dickerson and the off-season will be a success. I have no idea what the Cards are going to do with all their outfielders, but I guess time will tell. And who knows about Reyes? Hicks back in late July. And Cabrera certainly has the stuff to contribute, Helsley too. Good thing rosters are expanding, too bad it isn’t increasing to 30.
how could you define getting dickerson a success?
our 3, 4, and 5 in the order is weak. Goldschmidt had an average year. very comparable to bryce harper. making an impact trade would be where its at but relying on players like dickerson, fowler, o’neil or any of our up and coming prospects (who are unproven) will not create a winning team. we need a bombshell transaction and we are certainly not getting it. Calhoun, or dickerson would never be a “success”
A success? Lol
he has to be joking. we stay on BS in stl.
I like Corey Dickerson – but eith Fowler, that wouldn’t work or make any financial sense
Actually I believe it will. Fowler/Bader platoon. Dickerson/Arozarena/O’Neill/Thomas. Carlson/Williams/Garcia/Edman. Carp/Edman platoon. The rest of the infield set. Wieters to spell Molina. Flaherty, Hudson, Mikolas,Kim,Waino with Reyes,Gant, Cabrera all rotation insurance. Martinez close until Hicks returns, then rotation if needed. Miller, Cabera, and. Webb from the left, Brebbia, Gant, Gallegos, Helsley, from the right. Ponce and Gomber more insurance. Fernandez and Siejas even more. With Ravelo, Sosa, and Knizner knocking down the door. I will need new high-powered shades, the future is so bright!
I’m not 100% sure, but I’m assuming your being Sarcastic ? lol
What a move for the Cards, I think you call it ‘check mate’.
Is the next move to trade CMART to Boston?
Boston is trying to cut money – not add money
Cmart would be someone that the twins, Padres, or someone like that would want/need
His contract is very reasonable.
i hope so. maybe for andrew benintendi. SOME kind of decent bat in the outfield.
A K/9 rate of less than 8 and a BB/9 rate over 3. This is what Mo is chasing along with signing Ozuna? Wow! I’m excited.
NOT!
He hasn’t had a walk rate over 3 since 2015…
He’s not a high K rate pitcher. His BB rate is average. All this in the Korean League, which is equivalent to AAA baseball at best. Good luck.
The Cards budget is pretty much maxed at this point. They are clearly hoping that Martinez can start, as they have stated that much. This would be a signing intended to give insurance in the likely event that Martinez or Waino can’t start regularly. One of the starting five will be hurt and it seems Mo and Co think this guy is a better bet than their AAA crew to soak up innings at 5th starter level. You can’t expect a stud to sign for that role or for the amount the Cards have in their budget.
It doesn’t take much insight to see all that.
CFAP —- Your going to complain about anything – until your wrong . Then you’ll use some excuse that “he got lucky” or some crap like that.
Everything you ever say on this forum is negative.
Your the true definition of a troll
Payne, YOU’RE the true definition of an illiterate.
Hun Jin Ryu had a 8.0 K/9 Rate last year. He was pretty good….
Also his last 2 years were at 8.6 and 8.5, which would be roughly 30th in MLB. Also the last 2 years his BB rate was 1.8 and 2.0. Which would roughly put him 13 in all of baseball last year. He had a few rough years early in his career that are skewing his averages. The last 3 years or so, he has been good if not great.
Ryu put his stats up in MLB not the KBO. HUUUUUUUGE difference.
I disagree. KBO is generally very offense heavy. The fact he has had as much success the last few years there is a positive. He had TJ surgery and his command is greatly improved. The Cardinals badly need a Leftie and possibly have someone who can pitch like a leftie miles mikolas. If he turns out like Miles from 2 years ago, then what a signing it could be.
The Korean guy will be a bum. Martinez would be a better starter by default of coming up in the US.
Why? The Redbirds have Reyes, Gomber, Helsley, Martinez, Ponce Dr Leon, Woodford and even Cabrera to make the 5th starter. If one of these can’t fill out the rotation may as well hang it up now!
Realistically, you likely need two of them to fill out the rotation at some point during the season. Right now you have a 38 yr old and a guy who hasn’t started regularly since the first half of 2018 in your starting five.
You just named a lot of relief pitchers, and the other half is coming off of injuries.
Every single one of those pitchers were relief pitchers only because there was no spot in the rotation and/or they were coming back from injury, not because they profile as relief pitchers long-term. Every one of them was brought up a starter and could potentially slot into a rotation.