# Monday Afternoon GM: Deadline Edition

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-deadline-edition/
- Published: 2022-08-01T15:49:19-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

It’s hard to remember that the Cardinals played last week, since the only topic 
of discussion was [Juan Soto](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=sotoju01,soto--004jua&search=Juan+Soto&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral);
but they did play last week and there were 2 disappointing games to go with 3 wins.

The Cardinals were 1-1 in Toronto without [Paul Goldschmidt](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Nolan Arenado](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arenano01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
and [Austin Romine](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rominau01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
all on the restricted list for lack of vaccination); considering 2 of the 3 are 
a considerable part of the offense, a split really isn’t that bad. They got smoked
in game 1, where the offense and the pitching struggled; [Andre Pallante](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pallaan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
came out flat and the bullpen didn’t help him. It shows how bad things were when
[T.J. McFarland](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mcfartj01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
was the teams best pitcher on the day. Game 2 was much better with [Adam Wainwright](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wainwad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
pitching a great game and the offense showing up.

The Nationals series was better, but there were still issues. Game 1 on Friday night
was a strong performance from [Miles Mikolas](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mikolmi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and the offense looked like the one from Wainwrights game. Game 2, [Oliver Marmol](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/marmool99.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
pulled [Dakota Hudson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/hudsoda02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
in the 5th inning to see the bullpen blow the game; the team made a late run, but
they came up a run short. I put the loss squarely on Marmol; Hudson looked pretty
good, even with 2 runners on base and only 80 something pitches. The team was able
to forget the loss and get 8 great, shutout innings from Pallante.

**Up NextWith an off day today, the Cardinals have 3 against the Cubs and 3 against
the Yankees. The Cardinals are 4-4 against the Cubs; the Cardinals haven’t faced
the Yankees this season.

**NL Central**

|  | W | L | Pct | GB | Last 10 | Streak | 
| Milwaukee Brewers | 57 | 45 | .559 | — | 7-3 | L1 | 
| St. Louis Cardinals | 54 | 48 | .529 | 3.0 | 6-4 | W1 | 
| Chicago Cubs | 41 | 60 | .406 | 15.5 | 7-3 | L2 | 
| Cincinnati Reds | 40 | 61 | .396 | 16.5 | 6-4 | W2 | 
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 40 | 62 | .392 | 17.0 | 2-8 | L7 |

The Brewers picked up 1/2 game last week since they played an extra game over the
Cardinals. It’s going to be a tight race down the stretch, but the Cardinals do 
have the easier schedule (and the [Brewers’ bullpen took a hi](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/brewers-trade-josh-hader-padres.html)
t by trading [Josh Hader](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/haderjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
for [Taylor Rogers](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rogerta01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral);
[Dinelson Lamet](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lametdi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
is a nice piece, but he won’t make up the different between the closers and the 
prospects they received won’t help this year).

The Cardinals are on pace for a 86-76 record, which probably won’t get them a title
but might be enough for a wild card.

**NL Wild Card**

| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | 
| Atlanta Braves | 62 | 41 | 0.602 | — | 
| San Diego Padres | 57 | 46 | 0.553 | — | 
| Philadelphia Phillies | 55 | 47 | 0.539 | — | 
| St. Louis Cardinals | 54 | 48 | 0.529 | 1.0 | 
| San Francisco Giants | 51 | 51 | 0.500 | 4.0 |

The Cardinals dropped out of the last wild card spot last week, but managed to create
space between them and the Giants. This is going to be as tight as the division 
race, especially with the Padres ramping up their roster.

**Run DifferentialThe Cardinals have scored 471 runs and allowed 404, for a run 
differential of +67. That should put there record at 58-44, or 4 wins better then
they are playing; they should finish the season with a 92-70 record.

[[

The run differential is good for 4th in the NL and 6th in the MLB.

**Cardinal News**

[The Cardinals traded](https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/1553436166824894465)
[Edmundo Sosa](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sosaed01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
to the Phillies for lefty reliever [JoJo Romero](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/romerjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
Sosa was out of options and not playing as well as he had in the past. I think the
real motivator for making the deal was getting [Paul DeJong](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dejonpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
up with the Major League Club. Romero struggles with command and probably won’t 
see much time with the Cardinals; he does have an option year remaining, so the 
Cardinals don’t have to be in a hurry to decide on his future. He was assigned to
Memphis.

As mentioned earlier, Goldschmidt, Arenado, and Romine were all placed on the restricted
list for the Toronto series and activated when the team arrived in DC; [Ivan Herrera](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/herreiv01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Conner Capel](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/capelco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
and [Cory Spangenberg](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/spangco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
were added to the roster and sent right back down after the 2 games. The Cardinals
also activated Hudson off the IL and sent down [James Naile](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/naileja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
in DC.

The Cardinals pretty much completed their draft signings last week. Only 20th round
pick Gavin Van Kempen has not signed, and he has informed the team he will be headed
to West Virginia for college. [Here’s the complete draft tracker](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/07/2022-cardinals-draft-tracker/).

**Cardinal Rumors**

On Friday, I wrote the Cardinals had a deal in place with the Nats for Juan Soto;
from what I’ve been told, the Nats wanted to wait until Monday because they wanted
to offer Soto one more extension over and they didn’t want to trade him to the Cardinals
when they were playing each other. Saturday night, the Padres upped their offer 
and looked to be the favorites. The Cardinals countered on Sunday and look to be
back in the lead. **The players are unknown at this time**, but rumor had it [Jordan Walker](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=walker000jor&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
is back in the deal along with [Dylan Carlson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carlsdy01,carlso001dyl&search=Dylan+Carlson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and [Masyn Winn](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=winn--000mas&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).

The pitching front is quiet because the prospects in play for Soto are also wanted
by other teams; specifically the A’s, Reds, and Angels all have interest in [Nolan Gorman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gormano01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
along with [just about every other team](https://redbirdrants.com/2022/07/29/cardinals-rumors-st-louis-receiving-calls-nolan-gorman/).
At this point, the Cardinals are tied to ~[Frankie Montas](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/montafr02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
~ ([traded to the Yankees](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/yankees-to-acquire-frankie-montas-lou-trivino.html)),
[Pablo Lopez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lopezpa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Tyler Mahle](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mahlety01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Noah Syndergaard](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/syndeno01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Jose Quintana](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Jake Odorizzi](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/odorija01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
and [Nathan Eovaldi](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eovalna01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).

Montas will cost the most, as he’s still have a year of control before hitting the
free agent market. Katie Woo was reporting prior to the [Luis Castillo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=castilu02,castilu01,castil025lui,castil020lui,castil014lui,castil023lui,castil019lui,castil018lui&search=Luis+Castillo&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
trade that Montas would cost at least 2 top prospects and an MLB ready player; that
price has probably gone up since Castillo netted 3 top prospects (the Mariners #
1, 3, 5, along with a mid-level prospect)

Many are mentioning the Cardinals and [Shohei Ohtani](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ohtansh01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
but that’s coming from people saying the Cardinals have the pieces to acquire Ohtani.
There has been no rumors that the Cardinals have talked to the Angels on the 2-way
player; they have talked to them about Syndergaard. I’d rather get Ohtani then Soto
because we get a hitter and pitcher; the need for pitching is greater then the need
of hitting. It doesn’t matter anyways since the [Angels have pulled Ohtani’s name off the market](https://nypost.com/2022/08/01/yankees-made-serious-trade-offer-for-shohei-ohtani/).

[Carlos Rodon](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodonca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
is another name that’s out there that the Cardinals haven’t been linked to yet, 
but I would imagine they’d ask. Since he’s triggered his potential opt out clause,
the Cardinals could get him a little cheaper then some of the other better pitchers;
at the very least, the could negotiate with him about not opting out.

**Minor Leagues**

 * Memphis Redbirds: 54-44, 3rd Place
    - Up Next: @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (54-45)
    - [Matt Koperniak](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=kopern000mat&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF), [Roberto Baldoquin](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=baldoq000rob&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF), [Dalton Roach](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=roach-000dal&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP) promoted from Springfield.
    - [Aaron Brooks](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=brookaa01,brooks002aar&search=Aaron+Brooks&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP) to IL.
 * Springfield Cardinals: 46-50, 2nd Place (2nd Half)
    - Up Next: @ Corpus Christi Hooks (43-53)
 * Peoria Chiefs: 41-55, 5th Place (2nd Half)
    - Up Next: @ Dayton Dragons (48-46)
    - [Jack Ralston](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ralsto000jac&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Inohan Paniagua](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=paniag000ino&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Patrick Romeri](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=romeri000pat&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF), [Aaron McKeithan](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mckeit000aar&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C) promoted from Peoria.
    - [Colin Schmid](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=schmid000col&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      LHP), [Enmanuel Solano](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=solano000enm&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Carlos Soto](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=soto--003car,soto--004car&search=Carlos+Soto&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C) released.
 * Palm Beach Cardinals: 47-47, 1st Place (2nd Half)
    - Up Next: vs Jupiter Hammerheads (50-43)
    - [Hancel Rincon](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rincon000han&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Yonael Dominguez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=doming000yon&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Diorys Guerrero](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=guerre002dio&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      LHP) promoted from FCL Cardinals.
    - Heyes Heinecke (LHP) off IL.
    - [Alex Cornwell](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=cornwe002ale&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      LHP), [Bryan Pope](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=pope--000bry&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Roy Garcia](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=garcia000roy&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      RHP), [Jhon Torres](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=torres002jho&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF) to IL.
    - [[[Chris Ho](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=ho----000chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)lba (RHP),[
      Matt Chamberlain](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=chambe003mat&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) (OF), [
      Jesus Orecchia](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=orecch001jes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral) (C/1B) 
      released.
    - Draftees [Nathan Church](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=church001nat,church000nat&search=Nathan+Church&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF), [Jimmy Crooks](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=crooks000jim&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      C), [Michael Curialle](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=curial000mic&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF), [Brody Moore](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=moore-000bro&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF), [Victor Scott](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=scott-003vic&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF), [Alex Iadisernia](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=iadise000ale&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF), [Chris Rotondo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=rotond000chr&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      OF) assigned to Palm Beach.
    - Non-drafteed free agent [R.J. Yeager](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=yeager000rj-&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
      IF) signed and assigned to Palm Beach.
 * FCL Cardinals: 15-21, 5th Place
 * DSL Cardinals: 23-18, 6th Place

**Rehab Assignments**

 * [Harrison Bader](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/baderha01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)–
   Bader was pulled from his rehab assignment; his plantar fasciitis has flared 
   back up and the team is planning next steps. At this point, it could be a while
   before he’s back with the Cardinals, if at all this season.
 * [Yadier Molina](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   Memphis) – 2 G, 5 AB, 1 H, 1 R, 1 SB, 1 BB, .200/.429/.200
    - He was hit in the hand on Friday night while hitting, but was able to play
      the next night.

**Former Cardinals**

 * [David Peralta](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peralda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   OF, Diamondbacks) was traded to the Rays for a minor league catcher; he’ll provide
   another good outfield option and depth for the Rays outfield.
 * [Angel Rondon](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rondoan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
   RHP, Giants) didn’t last long on San Francisco’s 40-man; the pitcher was [designated for assignment this past Tuesday](https://twitter.com/extrabaggs/status/1552070350757711872).

**The Scary Cost of Soto**
While the player cost of trading for Soto is scary – 
any combination of Carlson, Gorman, Walker and Winn would hurt – the real cost might
be what doesn’t happen as the Cardinals wait. As I’ve been writing this, Montas 
was acquired by the Yankees. As I noted above, the A’s were wanting players tied
up in the potential Soto deal, so the Yankees were able to swoop in and take the
top remaining pitcher on the market.

The Cardinals can’t afford to wait to see what happens with Soto; pitching is much
more important to this seasons’ success and we’re going to miss out on upgrades 
the longer we wait.

With Montas gone, we’re going to start seeing the remaining pitching go quick. The
Padres are going to be aggressive. The Twins have their eyes on pitching, as do 
the Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Mets. We might still have the Mariners and Yankees involved.
With all these teams, the pool for available guys is going to shrink.

The Cardinals are going to have to set a deadline, and a rather soon one, with the
Nationals. They need to pull the offer when the deadline comes and move on, or reduce
it significantly. It might me we lose out on a generational talent, but it allows
the team to address their biggest weakness.

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### _Related_

## Comments

### By: Terry Labruyere

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-afternoon-gm-deadline-edition/#comment-35529
- Published: 2022-08-01T22:21:22-05:00

The Cardinals desperately need pitching. Soto is not worth giving up or rookie talent.
without pitching assistance we’re not making post season.