# Monday Afternoon GM: A Little Behind

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-a-little-behind/
- Published: 2022-06-27T15:27:43-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

So I missed last week, so here is 2 weeks worth of stories, news, and numbers.

I’ll make it quick; 4 games against the Pirates, 3 at the Red Sox, 4 at the Brewers,
and 3 games against the Cubs over the last 2 weeks. They walked out with a 7-7 record:
3-1 against the Pirates, 1-2 against the Red Sox, 2-2 against the Brewers, and 1-
2 against the Cubs. Pretty much breaks down to a good series, an OK series, and 
2 bad series.

The run differential for these 14 games was +15; they had some big score wins and
lost all of the games by 3 runs or less. In the 7 wins, they averaged 6.57 runs 
per game; in the losses they averaged 3.14 runs. They averaged 3 extra runs plus
per game in their wins. Over the full 14 games, they averaged 3.78 runs allowed 
per game.

The biggest note of the 2 weeks was [Miles Mikolas](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mikolmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and his 8.2 innings of no hit ball; unfortunately, he couldn’t get the last out.
More on this later in the column.

**Up NextIt’s a big NL East Week with 3 games against the Marlins and 3 at the Phillies.
The Cardinals are 2-1 against Miami this year and haven’t faced the Phillies.

**NL Central Standings**

|  | W | L | Pct | GB | Last 10 | Streak | 
| Milwaukee Brewers | 42 | 33 | .560 | — | 7-3 | W2 | 
| St. Louis Cardinals | 41 | 34 | .547 | 1.0 | 4-6 | L1 | 
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 29 | 43 | .403 | 11.5 | 4-6 | L3 | 
| Chicago Cubs | 28 | 45 | .384 | 13.0 | 5-5 | W1 | 
| Cincinnati Reds | 25 | 47 | .347 | 15.5 | 2-8 | W1 |

The Brewers started to heat up while the Cardinals cooled off; it’s amazing it’s
only a game between the 2 teams. The split with them looks a lot better then it 
did at the time.

The Cardinals are on pace for a 89-73 record; this might be the lowest point they’ve
been at for potential year end record.

**Run DifferentialThe Cards have scored 356 runs while allowing 296, good for a 
+60 run differential; that equates to 44 wins and 31 losses this season. They would
be on pace for a 95-67 record for the season. At this point, the team is starting
to really underperform.

[[

They got a big jump in run differential against the Pirates and Red Sox (+16) from
2 large victories and all 3 losses being within 2 runs. They were pretty static 
since then.

The run differential is pretty important to look at; the Cardinals are 4th in the
NL and 7th in the Majors. The Brewers are +18 and the rest of the division is negative.
The Brewers are overperforming right now and are winning a lot more close games 
then the Cardinals are.

**Cardinal News[Yadier Molina](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
became the all time leader of catcher putouts on June 14th; he caught a pop out 
for putout 14,865 of his career, passing [Ivan Rodriguez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodriiv01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
on the catching list. This is quite a feat for a couple of reasons. Catchers don’t
typically have long careers because of the stress on their bodies; for Yadi to play
for 18 plus seasons and as many games as he has, it’s truely amazing. Secondly, 
any record that helps his Hall of Fame case is welcomed; since he passed Pudge for
the record, HOF voters have been reminded of how good Yadi is defensively.

To celebrate the milestone, Yadi went on the IL with knee soreness. The team said
he’s been experiencing the soreness all year and he’ll get a few weeks off. [Ivan Herrera](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/herreiv01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
was recalled to take his spot. I think the team wants to see what they have with
Herrera, so we might see more of him over the next few weeks then [Andrew Knizner](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kniznan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
Molina won’t be back any time soon; he’s in Puerto Rico rehabbing the knee. There’s
not much else other then the fact he’s not close to returning yet.

While Yadi goes out, [Jack Flaherty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/flaheja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
is back; the pitcher was activate from the 60-day IL. The team options [Packy Naughton](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naughpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
who comes back up…see a few points below) to Memphis and designated [Ali Sanchez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sanchal04.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster. Flaherty’s time on the roster
could be short lived; he left Sunday’s game with dead arm, specifically in his shoulder(
the same shoulder he missed most of the season with). The team said his removal 
was a precaution, but they’ve a long history of underestimating injuries. ([He was added to the IL for his shoulder while I was finishing this up](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/06/cardinals-announce-series-of-roster-moves-bader-flaherty-naile-capel/))

Sanchez didn’t make it through waivers; the [Detroit Tigers claimed him](https://twitter.com/DetroitTigersPR/status/1538220047805579267)
and assigned him to Triple A. He wasn’t viewed as a long-term option with the team
and was roster depth; he was nothing more then a backup to Herrera at Memphis.

To replace Sanchez and Herrera at Memphis, they signed [Austin Romine](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rominau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
The catcher saw little action with the Angels this season (3 games), but has been
in the majors for 11 seasons. He’s probably better insurance for long-term catcher
issues then Sanchez was.

[Matthew Liberatore](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/liberma01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
was called up as the 27th man in the double header against the Pirates; then sent
back down the next day. His options for this season are running out, so the Cardinals
will have a decision to make on whether he’s completely ready to stay up, or if 
he needs regular pitching in Memphis. Same thing is going to happen with [Jake Walsh](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/walshja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Kodi Whitley](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/whitlko01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
and Naughton; [after being optioned 5 times in a season, the player will have to be passed through waivers](https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/minor-league-options).

[John Mozeliak addressed](https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cardinals-notebook-former-regular-shortstop-dejong-has-been-wally-pipped/article_991ac008-7d06-50da-8d65-d537c8b2a76d.html)
[Paul DeJong](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dejonpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
last week, stating the shortstop will need to hit to get back on the roster. While
he’s hit for power in Memphis, he’s only slashing .230/.276/.500 with an RC+ of 
95 (5% below average). The team also has been getting good production from [Tommy Edman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/edmanto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Nolan Gorman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gormano01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
and [Brendan Donovan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/donovbr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).

[Steven Matz](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
threw a successful bullpen session last week and is on track for a rehab start on
Tuesday. With Flaherty now a question mark, we might see Matz rushed back; granted
he’s only been out a few weeks and might only need 1 rehab appearance.

Finally, there were a bunch of other transactions: [Genesis Cabrera](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabrege01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
to IL for an undisclosed reason (believed to be Covid); [](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/woodfja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
[Jake Wood](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=woodja01,wood--002jak&search=Jake+Wood&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
ford is up…[T.J. McFarland](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcfartj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
joins the IL for an undisclosed reason; [Junior Fernandez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fernaju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
is brought back…[Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=oneilty01,oneill001tyl&search=Tyler+O'Neill&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
goes down with a hamstring strain; [Lars Nootbaar](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nootbla01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
rejoins the team…[Drew VerHagen](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/verhadr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
has a shoulder impingement; Naughton comes back up…

**Cardinal RumorsThe Brewers released outfielder [Lorenzo Cain](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cainlo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
prior to the series with the Cardinals and the fans instantly jumped at the prospect
of the Cardinals signing him. While he’s an upgrade over Nootbaar and [Corey Dickerson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dickeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
he’s probably not over anyone on the active roster; he’d take playing time from 
the current outfielders, along with [Juan Yepez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/y/yepezju01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and Donovan as fill ins. Defensively, he’s better then Yepez (probably Donovan too),
but he’s struggled to hit this season. And while he could be a “change of scenery”
guy, I don’t think adding another outfielder will help clear up anything with this
team. The upside is he’d cost the major league minimum.

**The SystemHere’s a quick rundown of the system.

 * Memphis Redbirds: 41-31
    - Up Next: vs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (38-34)
    - [Pedro Pages](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=pages-002ped,pagespe01&search=Pedro+Pages&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C), [Delvin Perez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=perez-003del&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      SS), [Roberto Baldoquin](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=baldoq000rob&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF), [Freddy Pacheco](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pachec000fre&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP) up from Springfield
    - Jake Walsh (RHP), [Irving Lopez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lopez-000irv&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF) to IL
 * Springfield Cardinals: 31-38
    - Up Next: vs Wichita Storm Surge (35-33)
    - [Aaron Antonini](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=antoni000aar&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C), [Michael YaSenka](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yasenk000mic&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP) up from Peoria
 * Peoria Chiefs: 28-41
    - Up Next: @ Quad Cities River Bandits (26-43)
    - [Edgar Manzo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=manzo-000edg&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Osvaldo Tovalin](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tovali000osv&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      3B), [Wade Stauss](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stauss000wad&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C) up from Palm Beach
    - [Jacob Buchberger](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=buchbe000jac&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF), [Colin Schmid](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=schmid000col&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Mack Chambers](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chambe002mac&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      SS), [Thomas Francisco](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=franci004tho&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      1B), Nick Trogric-Iverson (RHP) to IL
 * Palm Beach Cardinals: 33-34
    - Up Next: vs Daytona Tortugas (30-38)
    - [Jesus Orecchia](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=orecch001jes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      1B), [Jake Burns](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=burns-000jak&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C), [](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=holba-000chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
      [Chris Ho](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ho----000chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
      lba (RHP) up from Complex
    - [[[Chris Ge](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ge----000chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)rard (RHP)
      move to Inactive List
 * Florida Complex League
    - [Johan Quezada](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quezajo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP) down from Springfield

**Rehab Notes**

 * Corey Dickerson (Memphis): 1 G, 3 AB, 1 H, 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBIs, 0 BB, 0 K
    - This game was on 6/16 and he hasn’t played since. [Derrick Goold reported](https://twitter.com/dgoold/status/1538720200488534020?t=0O364pO8ovR-9LGEpYp9fg&s=03)
      that there has been some renewed soreness in his left quad.
 * [Jordan Hicks](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hicksjo03.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   Memphis): 2 G, 1 GS, 0-0, 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

**Former Cardinals**

 * [Daniel Castano](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/castada01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   LHP, Marlins) [recalled from Triple A](https://twitter.com/J_McPherson1126/status/1537109083345633280)
 * [Joe Kelly](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=kellyjo05,kellyjo04,kellyjo03&search=Joe+Kelly&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   RHP, White Sox) reinstated from IL
 * [Oscar Mercado](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mercaos01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   OF, Guardians) [was designated for assignment](https://twitter.com/MandyBell02/status/1539342487889788933).
   The Cardinals traded Mercado to the Indians for [Conner Capel](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=capel-000con&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   and [Jhon Torres](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres002jho&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   in 2018 to clear out a 40-man spot. He made his debut the following year and 
   hit really well; so well it was one of those “Why did the Cardinals trades this
   guy for nothing” deals. Unfortunately, his numbers took a quick dive and he’s
   struggled ever since.
 * [Yairo Munoz](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munozya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   IF, Phillies) had his contract purchased by Philadelphia.
 * [John Nogowski](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nogowjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   1B, Free Agent) signed a minor league deal with the Nationals; he’s been assigned
   to Double A. Nogowski has been with the Braves Triple A franchise this season.
 * Mike Shildt (Coach, Padres) [told the Post Dispatch](https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/mike-shildt-says-hes-ready-to-manage-again/article_1f493fa1-85c4-59d7-979d-ae8e40ce318f.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_stltoday)
   that he was ready to start managing again. It’s a good article about his future,
   since he wants to leave the past behind him. It’s a good mindset.
 * [Donovan Solano](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/solando01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   IF, Reds) was activated from the 60-day IL

**Miles Mikolas and the Final Out**

Mikolas pitched a gem against Pittsburgh Pirates on June 14th; 8.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R,
1 BB, 6 K. He was an out away from a no-hitter; rookie Cal Mitchell hit a double
over the head of [Harrison Bader](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/baderha01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
He was then pulled from the game. Fans have questioned both Bader’s positioning 
and Mikolas getting pulled after the double.

The Bader thing was normal baseball positioning in similar situations. Mitchell 
has limited power and the team didn’t want a bloop hit to drop in to end the no 
hitter. Bader has the speed to go back on a ball without an issue. If you look up
the hit with Statcast, Bader had 20% of getting that ball; making a catch like that
is considered 5-stars, and since they started tracking it in 2016, Bader has 10 
5-star catches, good for 11th in baseball. It was a chance they were willing to 
take on the play, and unfortunately they got burned on it.

As far as Mikolas getting pulled, manager [Oliver Marmol](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marmool99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
wanted the fans to be able to recognize Mikolas for the game he pitched, along with
the career high pitch count of 129 (which is also the highest for a game in the 
2022 season). Mikolas got an amazing ovation from the fans as he walked off the 
field, which would not have happened if he faced the final batter of the game.

Plus the pitch count was concerning for arguably the best pitcher in your rotation
right now; a pitcher that also have a spotty injury history. Previously, his highest
pitch count was 115 and that was also this season.

There was no way that Mikolas and the Cardinals were losing their 9-1 lead, even
handing the ball over to the shaky bullpen.

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