# Redbird Droppings: Award Season, Qualifying Offers

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/redbird-droppings-award-season-qualifying-offers/
- Published: 2022-11-11T13:00:00-06:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

I look at all the hardware rolling in for the Cardinals this off-season and the 
impact of the qualifying offers that were made yesterday, along with some quick 
hits about payroll, coaching, and free agents.

**Award Season**
While the official awards won’t be given out until next week, there
are plenty of hardware already being given out. We’ve all seen that [Nolan Arenado](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/arenano01.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)
won [Gold Gloves](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/11/nolan-arenado-brendan-donovan-win-gold-glove-awards/)(
and both are up for [the Platinum Glove](http://www.rawlings.com/), voting ends 
today), so I won’t go into much detail here.

The [Silver Sluggers were announced this week](https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-winners-2022),
and the Cardinals took home 2: [Paul Goldschmidt](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/goldspa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and Arenado. The Award is given to the best offensive player at each position. Neither
is all that surprising, considering both are finalists for the MVP award this year.
[Tommy Edman](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/edmanto01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Utility) and [Albert Pujols](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
DH) were both finalists for their positions. Goldschmidt was also named the [NL Hank Aaron Award winner](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/aaron-judge-paul-goldschmidt-win-hank-aaron-awards-for-outstanding-offensive-2022-seasons/);
the Aaron Award is given out by MLB to the best offensive player in each league.

Minor League Baseball has given out their post-season All Stars and Awards. [Alec Burleson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burleal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
was named to the [International League (AAA) All Stars](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/11/minor-league-baseball-announces-2022-triple-a-all-star-teams-and-league-awards/).
[Jordan Walker](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=walker000jor&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and [Moises Gomez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=gomez-003moi,gomez-002moi&search=Moises+Gomez&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
were named to the [Texas League (AA) All Stars](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/11/minor-league-baseball-announced-2022-double-a-all-star-teams-and-league-awards/);
Walker was named the top prospect in the league while Gomez was the league MVP. 
Finally, [Tink Hence](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=hence-000mar&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and [Andrew Marrero](https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=marrer004and&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
were named to the [Florida State League (Lo-A) All Stars](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/11/minor-league-baseball-announced-2022-class-a-league-awards-and-all-star-teams/);
Hence was also named the top pitcher of the league. The team has no selections for
the Midwest League (Hi-A) or Rookie Leagues; it wasn’t from lack of players, but
rather MiLB only selects a right handed starter, left handed starter, and relief
pitcher from each league.

Finally, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA, the red-headed,
step-sibling to the BBWAA) is in the process of releasing their awards this week.
The only Cardinal taking home an award so far (and probably most likely) is Goldschmidt
[winning the NL MVP voting](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/11/ibwaa-selects-goldschmidt-judge-in-2022-mvp-vote/);
second place went to Arenado, with [Manny Machado](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/machama01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
in 3rd. Former Cardinals [Sandy Alcantara](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/alcansa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
picked up [the NL Cy Young vote](https://www.nyrdcast.com/2022/11/ibwaa-selects-alcantara-verlander-in-2022-cy-young-vote/).

**Qualifying Offers**
As expected, [Jose Quintana](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/q/quintjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
and [Corey Dickerson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dickeco01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
were not given qualifying offers from the team; 14 players from other teams did 
receive them: [Tyler Anderson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=anderty01,anders010tyl,anders005tyl&search=Tyler+Anderson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Dodgers), [Chris Bassitt](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bassich01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Mets), [Xander Bogaerts](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bogaexa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Red Sox), [Willson Contreras](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/contrwi01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Cubs), [Jacob deGrom](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/degroja01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Mets), [Nathan Eovaldi](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/e/eovalna01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Red Sox), [Aaron Judge](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/judgeaa01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Yankees), [Brandon Nimmo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/nimmobr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Mets), [Martin Perez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/perezma02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Rangers), [Joc Pederson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pederjo01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Giants), [Anthony Rizzo](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rizzoan01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Yankees), [Carlos Rodon](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodonca01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Giants), [Dansby Swanson](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/swansda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Braves), and [Trea Turner](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/turnetr01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)(
Dodgers).

Of the 14, the Cardinals will have varying degrees of interest in as many as 9: 
Bassitt, Bogaerts, Contreras, Eovaldi, Pederson, Perez, Rodon, Swanson, and Turner.
Realistically, the Cardinals won’t go after DeGrom or Judge, I expect Nimmo to go
back to the Mets, Anderson is a lefty and they don’t need one, and Rizzo is a first
baseman.

Shortstop, Catcher, and a top of the line starter are the main needs right off the
bat; I expect that the Cardinals will only sign 1 of a shortstop and catcher, while
either trading for a catcher or standing pat at short. John Mozeliak said they only
have [about $20M to spend this off-season](https://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/birdland/a-payroll-primer-exploring-the-questions-complexities-of-cardinals-spending-for-2023/article_74110227-ef34-56f1-995d-904f1f24e892.html),
so signing any of the QO players might be difficult without shedding some payroll.
I also know the Cardinals will not want to lose draft picks; while Contreras wants
to come to STL, the team will be more likely to trade for a catcher ([Sean Murphy](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=murphse01,murphy010sea&search=Sean+Murphy&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
from Oakland and one of [Danny Jansen](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/janseda01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
[Alejandro Kirk](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/kirkal01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
or [Gabriel Moreno](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morenga01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
from Toronto are the big names available) or sign a lower tier free agent ([Christian Vazquez](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vazquch01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
or [Kevin Plawecki](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/plaweke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral))
then sacrifice a 2nd round pick.

As for pitching, the Cardinals could stand pat with what they have or open a spot
by dealing a pitcher to fill in the catcher spot. I could see them checking on the
second tier guys, but I think we’ll see a third tier guy be brought in (a la [Steven Matz](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/matzst01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
a year ago).

**Quick Hits**

 * [Jon Jay](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jayjo02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   is the new [1B and Outfield Coach](https://twitter.com/katiejwoo) for [Skip Schumaker](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/schumsk01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)‘
   s Marlins.
 * [MLB Trade Rumors](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/mlb-trade-rumors-top-50-free-agents-predictions-2022-23.html)
   has made their Top 50 Free Agent Predictions; according to their writers, the
   Cardinals sign get DeGrom, Vazquez, [Kenley Jansen](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/janseke01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
   [Andrew Chafin](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/chafian01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral),
   and/or [Michael Brantley](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/brantmi02.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral).
 * [Adam Frazier](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/fraziad01.shtml?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)
   could be a target according to [Viva El Birdos](https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2022/11/10/23446574/could-adam-frazier-be-an-under-the-radar-signing-for-the-cardinals).
 * [Redbird Rants](https://redbirdrants.com/2022/11/11/cardinals-ways-st-louis-can-free-payroll/)
   looks at how the Cardinals can free up salary.
 * Here’s a list of catcher candidates from the [Belleville News Democrat](https://www.bnd.com/sports/mlb/st-louis-cardinals/article268206897.html#storylink=rss).
 * [The Cold Wire](https://www.thecoldwire.com/cardinals-fans-celebrate-an-important-anniversary/)
   looks back at [Chris Carpenter](https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=carpech02,carpech01&search=Chris+Carpenter&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=&utm_medium=referral)‘
   s 2005 season.

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