It’s been a busy off-season for both the Cardinals, and former Cardinals. The team has brought in (or brought back) 30 players along with 11 international players, while sending out 37 players.
Added:
The pitching additions are the big thing, as last season’s pitching staff was very questionable. Gray is a definite upgrade at the front of the rotation. While Lynn and Gibson aren’t upgrades (and no better than Miles Mikolas or Steven Matz), they do eat innings which is something the team needed.
There are still questions on whether the team will bring back Jordan Montgomery; going into the off-season, the pitcher said he’d like to return to a team he’s played for. The Cardinals showed some interested even after signing their new trio, but once TV concerns started to pop up they started to back off adding additional, significant payroll. Now that camps have opened and Monty remains unsigned, the possibility is starting to re-present itself.
The bullpen has an upgrade in Kittredge and Middleton, but there is little else as far as dominant relievers being added; James is a potential option if he can prove healthy and consistent. Guys like Fernandez, O’Brien, and Robertson could develop into something, but they shouldn’t be relied on at the beginning of the season.
Adding Carpenter was a head-scratcher, until the team revealed the clubhouse issues last year and needing a player like him to keep everything in line. Other than a few waivers claims, there was little else added to the hitters.
Every year there are a few MiLB signings I really like, but this year’s crop is pretty weak. Bringing back Rodriguez could be a solid move, if he’s healthy.
Subtracted:
There was a lot of minor league turnover, along with a few role guys from the MLB roster. The biggest name going out is O’Neill, who is a change of scenery candidate now with the Red Sox; he’s shown his flashes in the past, but he wasn’t a “personality” fit with Oli Marmol.
The trade that upset fans was Palacios; he won over a segment of the fanbase in a limited role. Some feel he could be the next Randy Arozarena, but he’s a 4th outfielder on his best day and minor league depth in most organizations. Remember, the Cardinals got him from the Indians for cash; normally players in those types of deals don’t become superstars.
NRIs:
There are a couple of interesting names listed here, like former first rounders Hence, Hjerpe and McGreevy. Gomez was added to the list after losing his 40-man spot to Middleton, but he probably won’t see much playing time in camp.
Former Cardinals Update…here’s a list of former Cardinals and farmhands playing for other teams.
Angels
Added: Luis Garcia, RHP (1 yr, $4.25M); Guillermo Zuniga, RHP (Trade)
Already Had: None
Astros
Added: None
Already Had: None
Athletics
Added: Aaron Brooks, RHP (MiLB); Stephen Piscotty, OF (MiLB)
Already Had: Aledmys Diaz, IF
Blue Jays
Added: None
Already Had: Genesis Cabrera, LHP
Braves
Added: Jake Walsh, RHP (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: Marcell Ozuna, OF
Brewers
Added: None
Already Had: None
Cubs
Added: Joe Hudson, C (MiLB)
Already Had: Patrick Wisdom, 3B
Diamondbacks
Added: Randal Grichuk, OF (1 yr, $2.0M w/ option);
Already Had: Zac Gallen, RHP
Dodgers
Added: Nabil Crismatt, RHP (MiLB); T.J. McFarland, LHP (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: Jason Heyward, OF (Re-signed 1 yr, $9.0M); Joe Kelly, RHP (Re-signed 1 yr, $8.0M)
Giants
Added: Jose Cruz, RHP (MiLB); Jordan Hicks, RHP (4 yr, $44M to start); Chase Pinder, OF (MiLB)
Already Had: None
Guardians
Added: None
Already Had: None
Mariners
Added: Casey Lawrence, RHP (MiLB – NRI); Rangel Ravelo, 1B (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: None
Marlins
Added: None
Already Had: Sandy Alcantara, RHP
Mets
Added: Austin Allen, C (MiLB – NRI); Harrison Bader, OF (1 yr, $10.0M); Jose Rondon, UT (MiLB); Luke Voit, 1B (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: Mateo Gil, IF; Adam Ottavino, RHP (Re-signed 1-yr, $4.5M); Jose Quintana, LHP
Nationals
Added: Jacob Barnes, RHP (MiLB – NRI); Luis Perdomo, RHP (MiLB – NRI); Juan Yepez, OF/1B (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: Lane Thomas, OF; Ildemaro Vargas, IF
Orioles
Added: Errol Robinson, SS (MiLB); Andrew Suarez, LHP (MiLB)
Already Had: Ramon Urias, IF
Padres
Added: Oscar Mercado, OF (MiLB)
Already Had: None
Phillies
Added: None
Already Had: Edmundo Sosa, SS
Pirates
Added: Marco Gonzales, LHP (Trade); Ali Sanchez, C (1 yr, TBD)
Already Had: Malcom Nunez, IF; Johan Oviedo, RHP
Rangers
Added: Jose Godoy, C (MiLB – NRI); Andrew Knizner, C (1 yr, $1.83M); Chasen Shreve, LHP (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: Adolis Garcia, OF
Rays
Added: Richie Palacios, OF (Trade)
Already Had: Randy Arozarena, OF
Red Sox
Added: Tyler Heineman, C (Trade); Tyler O’Neill, OF (Trade)
Already Had: None
Reds
Added: Conner Capel, OF (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: Nick Martini, OF
Rockies
Added: Dakota Hudson, RHP (1 yr, $1.5M)
Already Had: Daniel Bard, RHP; Austin Gomber, LHP; Elehuris Montero, 3B
Royals
Added: Chris Stratton, RHP (2 yr, $8.0M); Michael Wacha, RHP (2 yr, $32.0M)
Already Had: Evan Sisk, LHP
Tigers
Added: Jack Flaherty, RHP (1 yr, $14.0M); Shelby Miller, RHP (1 yr, $3.25M w/ option); Freddy Pacheco, RHP (MiLB)
Already Had: Carson Kelly, C (Option Exercised); Julio E Rodriguez, C (MiLB)
Twins
Added: Matt Bowman, RHP (MiLB – NRI); Brian O’Keefe, C (MiLB – NRI)
Already Had: None
White Sox
Added: John Brebbia, RHP (1 yr, $5.5M w/ option); Paul DeJong, SS (1 yr, $1.75M); Dominic Leone, RHP (MiLB – NRI); Rafael Ortega, OF (MiLB – NRI); Jake Woodford, RHP (MiLB)
Already Had: None
Yankees
Added: Anthony Misiewicz, LHP (Re-signed MiLB); Luke Weaver, RHP (1 yr, $2.0M w/ option)
Already Had: None
Chiba Lotte Marines (NPB)
Added: Junior Fernandez, RHP;
Kia Tigers (KBO)
Added: James Naile, RHP (1 yr, $550k)
Retired: Adam Wainwright, RHP
Free Agent:
Of the free agents, I expect Montgomery, Pham, and Solano to sign before the season; guys like Wong, Hill, and Miller will probably all get shots somewhere.
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