The issue in these uncertain times isn't about competing with the Dodgers, Braves and Padres. Not just yet. It's about being better than the Cubs and Brewers in your own division until there is an economic shift.
You may be right, at least from an offensive standpoint. I don't argue that the offense could use an offensive boost from outside but it would be very hard to believe that every regular would be below his career norm again in 2021. That is rare.
Thanks--and Mike would thank you, too. The Cardinals will never be an all-in, shoot-from-the-hip free agent team as, say, the Phillies have been lately.
That remaining year on Pujols' contract might be a bit daunting financially.. I long for the day when any fans are allowed in the ball park but it will be a long time before it's packed again. I do agree that this next season it is important to have as many favorites on hand as possible, if they can still contribute, as fans begin to trickle back to Busch and other edifices.
I'm getting sick of waiting for the answer. Sometimes, MLB can't get out of its own way.
No, as I understand it, the Cubs were more interested in hitting home runs. And, so at that time, was Brock. Good thing for the Cardinals, eh?
Unless Carpenter has a terrific season and a lofty number of plate appearances, that option won't be picked up. I'm not the one to tell you whether or not to have faith. But the off-season has a ways to go yet.
Not anybody that they could afford to get this year. However, in a potentially weakened Central, the Cardinals very well could make the playoffs or even win the division.
I haven't been downtown since the final game of the baseball season, so I'm not a good source here. Hopefully, I will be there in April or May, .
I would think Yadi would very much want to finish his career where he started it, further cementing his legacy. The impasse, as you call it, should be resolved sometime in January. I think we might be a ways from playing ball yet, and you see very few free agents being signed so far.
I would think he was referring more to the Carlos types. Gant is the only one of the last named three to be making any money.
They shouldn't have priority. Now, the coaches and managers are different because they are older, much older in some cases, than the players.
Very sad for one born in 1946, also. What a year.
The Cardinals don't go public with their negotiations, whether they're with Molina or Wainwright, or somebody else. But they should understand the consequences, image-wise, of losing out on one or both.
In spring training, Carpenter will have to win his job back for the first time in years. That should be motivation enough if is healthy enough to capitalize. There will be no free lunch for him this year if he doesn't perform and he knows that.
He hit only .218 for Cleveland this past season although that would have fit in well with the Cardinals' other outfielders. He is a lefthanded hitter with some power. But I wouldn't give up much to get him.
The Blues are to be applauded. As for the Cardinals' TV ratings, there was considerably more competition this past summer when hockey, basketball, baseball and football all were going on at the same time and all were on different networks. As an aside, I would hope both the Cardinals and Blues are putting out their "best" teams.
Davis actually has had a 20-homer season and is considered a power hitter. He's sort of a utilityman and could help a club but I don't see him being a big add.
I would not like to put Oviedo into such a deal although I do like Kepler. The Twins might not be keen on paying Martinez $11 million this coming year.
An interesting question. Both hit 17 homers in a season in Busch II, when the distances were monstrous and neither was on steroids. Clark was the better defender at first base. They were both respected hitters but Allen probably had the edge in fear factor, especially for opposing third basemen.
Had some time over the holiday weekend and was looking back at the final stats for the 2013 Cards edition, the last truly World Series competitive roster this team has had. The numbers were staggering compared to 2020. Let's start with the fact that the team had two stars, Holliday, Beltran, as well as Molina (the in-the-prime version, not just the name of the uniform version). They also had players like Craig and Carpenter who arrived, not shown flashes for a couple weeks, but actually were productive for 162 games. Aside from Kozma, the lowest average from a starter (Freese) was .262. The 2020 Cardinals had 3 players hit .262 or better. DeJong, the 2020 clean-up hitter, would have finished 7th among 2013 starters in SLG, beating out only Kozma. The lowest OBP in 2013 was .339, only Goldy and Wong were better than that in 2020. My point in all of this is that unless the Cards get another Beltran 2.0 next winter AND Carlson becomes 2013 Craig 2.0 AND another OF becomes 2013 Carpenter 2.0, this team is doomed to stay of the merry-go-round of mediocrity