Redbird Droppings: Winter Meetings Day 1 Early Rumors

Redbird Droppings examines the Tyler O’Neill trade possibilities, what pitchers are still in play, and some former Cardinal news

We’ve learned a little in the first few hours of the Winter Meetings. Tyler O’Neill is officially available while other outfielders are getting attention. The Cardinals may still look at starters. And the Marlins learned nothing from the Cardinals.

Tyler O’Neill, Trade Bait

It’s rare that John Mozeliak publicly plays his hand, but this is one of those rare times. Mo, talking on MLB Network Radio, specifically said that Tyler O’Neill is on the trade market.

“In the outfield, right now, if we were to play tomorrow it’d likely be Nootbaar, Tommy Edman and Walker,” said Mozeliak. “Our fourth outfielder would be Dylan Carlson. … Tyler O’Neill is somebody that we are listening to on trades.”

It sounds like he’s pretty set on the position players, although that could change pending a trade for one of the big pitchers (which we’ll get to later). It’s pretty telling though that he’s moving on from O’Neill and they’ve given up on Carlson as the centerfielder of the future (which I’ve not); neither of these 2 would appear to have much value after their struggles last season, but teams are apparently asking. The team also has a glut of outfielders in Alec Burleson, Moises Gomez (who I believe they’ve also given up on), Richie Palacios, Michael Siani, and Victor Scott II; it’s almost a given that some of these guys will probably be moved as well. In fact, Derrick Goold is reporting teams are asking about Carlson and Burleson.

More Pitching?

Mozeliak also spoke on the pitching situation, noting that they were happy with what they’ve done. He wouldn’t commit to adding to the rotation, “but you never say never because something may pop up”; that something would be trading Steven Matz to free up some additional payroll. The team is more focused on relievers right now, although a lot of starters are still tied to the team. Here’s the pitchers that keep coming up:

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto is meeting with teams in the next week and a lot of teams are interested. Whoever does sign Yamamoto will also have to pay a large posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes. The Cardinals are constantly named as a suitor thanks to Nootbaar. Other involved include the Giants, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Tigers.
• A reunion with Jordan Montgomery is still possible, especially if they move Matz. The good news is they won’t lose an additional draft pick (like when they signed Sonny Gray) and he’d like to sign in a city where he’s played; the bad news is his expected payday shot up when he led the Rangers to the World Series and the amount of teams interested: the Mets, Yankees, Rangers.
• Dylan Cease might be the top trade target for the Cards, but they might have to wait to make the deal; the White Sox are holding on to him until the top names like Yamamoto and Blake Snell are off market. The Braves are very interested; the Mets are not.
• The Rays have stated they are cutting payroll, so it’s natural that Tyler Glasnow is getting interest; the Cardinals are interested and have matched up with the Rays in the past. The problem is the $25M pay tag for next season and free agency after 2024. Both the Cubs and Mets are tied to Glasnow.
• Shane Bieber is most-likely available and open to an extension after a potential trade; he could also sign an extension to stay with the Indians if they cut payroll elsewhere. The extension thing is a big selling point for the Cardinals, along with the ability to potentially get a reliever too (see later in the article). The Mets, again, are interested.

The Cards Aren’t In On Ohtani, but…

While I would love Shohei Ohtani in a Cardinal uniform, it won’t happen because they won’t pay north of $600M for him, and he won’t help the rotation in 2024. But his signing could impact the Cardinals; the Cubs are said to be one of the most interested suitors for the slugger/ace. He’s going to make an immediate impact in the lineup for wherever he signs and I’d hate to see it be the Cubs. It’s noted that the Mets, Rangers, and Red Sox are all out, while Dodgers, Angels, and Blue Jays join the Cubs as interested parties; the Giants are a maybe.

Posted Players

Yamamoto isn’t the only foreign player to be posted. Today, OF Jung Hoo Lee and RP Woo Suk Go were posted by their respective teams in the KBO, meaning they can start talking with teams tomorrow. The Mets, Yankees, Giants, and Padres are all tied to Lee, the top foreign fielder available. Go could be an option for the Cardinals if the price were right.

Shota Imanaga, the second best Japanese pitcher, was posted by the Yokohama Baystars a few days ago; he’s can already talk with MLB teams. Sports Info Solutions posted an interesting look at the pitcher; he’s considered mid-rotation, so I don’t think the Cardinals would be interested. Surprise, surprise, the Mets are interested.

More Indians Pitchers Available

To go with Bieber, the Indians might be making closer Emmanuel Clase available; if so, the Cardinals should see if they are interested in an outfield upgrade along with some prospects along with the contract of Matz and some cash. Clase would instantly be the close, as the Cardinals don’t seem committed to Ryan Helsley as the long-term closer. Having Helsley and Giovanny Gallegos as set up guys makes the team better, and Clase, while he did blow 12 saves last year, would be around until 2027.

Former Cardinals

Here’s a look at former Cardinals:

• The Pirates are interested in Jack Flaherty on a short-term deal; it’s a nice fallback, low stress option if Flaherty struggles to find a long-term contract. The team already signed catcher Ali Sanchez earlier this week, so a mini-reunion could be in the works for Flaherty.
• There has been talk of a reunion with Jordan Hicks, but there will be competition. The Orioles have thrown their hat in the ring for the reliever. It’s funny; Cardinals fans complained about Hicks until he was traded, then they were quick to want him back.
• The Mariners traded Marco Gonzales over the weekend, and it’s expect he’ll be traded again. The Braves took on the salary of Gonzales (and Evan White) to acquire Jarred Kelenic for prospects, and they want to off-load that salary in the next few days.
• Joe Kelly re-signed with Dodgers; I would have liked to have seen a reunion.
• If the Rays don’t trade Glasnow, Randy Arozarena could be available; he’s not making as much as the pitcher is, but he’s a highly coveted player by many teams looking for outfield help, specifically the Mariners after trading Kelenic.
• I guess the Marlins and Skip Schumaker didn’t see the Cardinals offense during the Mike Matheny reign; they’ve promoted John Mabry to hitting coach and hired Billy Mueller as his assistant. The Cardinals offense was horrible during his their time coaching in St. Louis.

Don’t forget to check out the Cardinals Salary Tracker, updated now with Sonny Gray and Kyle Gibson.