# Monday Morning GM: The First Homestand - Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/ - Published: 2019-04-08T20:43:56-05:00 - Author: Eugene Tierney Now that we have more than a weekend of games behind us, we’re starting to get a better idea of what the team is capable of. There is a lot of worry in the fanbase, and most of it still based off a small sample size. * [Alex Reyes](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/reyesal02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) needed the demotion. He looked flat and couldn’t get ahead of hitters. At Memphis, he’ll have a chance to work out the kinks in low leverage situations. It’s concerning, especially if he’s not 100% right with his mechanics. * [Yairo Munoz](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munozya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) will be back up; they need the arms after leaning heavy on the bullpen last week. He’ll be back up when they head to Mexico. * Everyone wants to point out the great play of [Stephen Piscotty](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/piscost01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-), [Tommy Pham](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phamth01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-), and [Randal Grichuk](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/grichra01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)( the last is debatable to me). Yes, hindsight is 20/20, but everyone was also happy when those deals were made. Piscotty had family issues and need to be closer to home. Pham was not happy hear and the team got a decent return for him; we’ll see how that return works out in the next few years. Grichuk won’t ever be a superstar and the Cardinals needed more consistent hitting. It’s easy to look at the current outfield and complain, but remember there was a reason we dealt all of those guys. * [Marcell Ozuna](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/ozunama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) needs a IL stint. He’s obviously not right. Last season, he was having shoulder issues that sapped his power early on; it looks the same right now (but note this was written before his homer tonight). Plus, that arm…be prepared to watch team continually run on him. * The question around [Dexter Fowler](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fowlede01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-)‘ s playing time is polarizing. He’s not batting great, but he’s still getting on base (.160/.323/.200); more so than [Jose Martinez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=martijo08,martijo06,martijo04,martin072jos,martin056jos,martin059jos,martin073jos,martin037jos,martin076jos&search=Jose+Martinez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) right now, the person fans are clamoring for (.118/.118/.176). [Tyler O’Neill](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oneilty01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) is hitting better than both (.267/.267/.400), but doesn’t take walks. If you look at Fowler’s xwOBA, he should be better than he’s been (wOBA .260/xwOBA . 329). Give him another week or 2 before calling for his head). * Lost in all of the team struggles is the emergence of [Kolten Wong](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wongko01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-). He’s going to regress – a .545 wOBA and .455 BABIP are unsustainable – but if he can keep his barrel % up (8.0% vs 3.3% last year), he’ll be a force. I still maintain he should be batting leadoff; he’s getting on base and hitting better than anyone on the team and his speed is being downplayed when he has to run behind [Yadier Molina](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/molinya01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-). * Speaking of Yadi, he looks like he needs a little rest. His batting line is down and his defense looks subpar for him; he made a couple of throws to second that were uncharacteristically off line. I think his knees might still be bothering him. There is no reason to play him every day; [Matt Wieters](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wietema01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) is a capable catcher and there won’t be much of a down tick in defense. * We still need those starting pitchers to stretch out. They are going just over 5 innings per game and taxing a questionable bullpen. This week’s top 5 is most impactful moves by [Branch Rickey](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rickebr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-): 1. Signing [Jackie Robinson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/robinja02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-). 2. Established the modern day farm system. 3. Introduced statistical analysis to the front office. 4. Established the full time spring training facility. 5. Introduced the batting helmet. Lastly, I created some Cardinal trivia for a recent church event; each week, I’ll have a new Cardinal trivia question. This week: **The St. Louis Baseball Club adopted the name the Cardinals in 1900; in 1899, what was the team name?** * The Browns * The Perfectos * The Red Stockings * The Grays Throw your answer in the comments. I’ll be back on Monday with the answer, new thoughts, and a new question. ### Share this: * [ Facebook ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=facebook) * [ X ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=x) * [ Email ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?subject=%5BShared%20Post%5D%20Monday%20Morning%20GM%3A%20The%20First%20Homestand&body=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyrdcast.com%2Fmonday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand%2F&share=email) * [ LinkedIn ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=linkedin) * [ Mastodon ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=mastodon) * [ Nextdoor ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=nextdoor) * [ Pinterest ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=pinterest) * [ Reddit ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=reddit) * [ Tumblr ](https://www.nyrdcast.com/monday-morning-gm-the-first-homestand/?share=tumblr) ### Like this: Like Loading… ### _Related_