I don't believe that will be the outfield for the full six months. You haven't included Dexter Fowler, who still is the right fielder--so far. The only one of those three you mentioned that I expect to see play regularly is Carlson. I do still hold out hope for O'Neill because of his overall skills but he is only a platoon player for me at this point.
I would expect the Cardinals to have some resolution about Molina and Wainwright in the next few weeks. There seems to be no real haste for anybody to sign free agents until the front offices have an idea when and if any fans will be allowed in the ball parks next year. But I would be surprised if both Molina and Wainwright are not Cardinals next season. I do not hear their names mentioned much relative to other teams and the Mets just signed James McCann for four years. Atlanta, which had been reported interested in Wainwright, already has signed two veteran pitchers in Drew Smyly and Charlie Morton. The best situation for Wainwright and Molina is right here in River City.
"Incompetence" is salty talk to describe a baseball exec who has had teams either in the playoffs or contending for a spot in virtually every year of his tenure. Mo admitted a mistake on Arozarena. He has not done so on Voit because the Cardinals have Gallegos to show for that trade, which means it wasn't a washout. You can belabor those deals all you want but, rest assured, everyone at that level has a skeleton or two in the closet.
I would envision Dylan Carlson to be a .280, 15-to-20 homer player with 15-to-18 stolen base potential in the next year or two and a good defender with a strong arm. Later, he might be better than that.
Williams has had virtually no chance but he didn't hit well this past spring. He should get a better look this spring, whenever that it is, but then it's time to move on from him if the Cardinals don't like what they see.
I'm sure there has been a lot of back and forth in Cleveland and, perhaps Atlanta, about those cities' baseball team's names. You make some good points about the history and legacy of the Indians' name and I hope those were considered.
In the minor league portion, teams pay $24,500 to draft a player from another organization and he immediately becomes part of that organization, with no requirement that he has to play at any particular level for any particular team.
The 30-year-old switch-hitter can hit for power and can play several positions but the fact he had elbow surgery in September means he won't be signed by anybody to a major-league contract for a while. This is a player you look at in late January when you see how the rest of your roster shakes out.
At the time, Miller was pitching well. Yes, his season was mediocre but he filled a need at the time. I realize their contracts are roughly similar and I can understand why you would deem Wong more valuable to the 2021 cause for the same money. So would I.
Much like the Mike Leake era--which didn't last quite as long. There have been some high points and some low points for Fowler but not enough production and good health. On a five-year basis, it has not been a beneficial sign as the Cardinals caught Fowler on the downside of a good career.
If healthy, Hicks should be among several pitchers--Gallegos, Helsley, Cabrera, Hicks, Miller--to get save opportunities early in the season. Once Hicks proves he is healthy and strong enough, the job will be his.
I do know that John Mozeliak is preparing some protocols for those players who want to go to Jupiter in January. I do not know if those are in place at Busch in this off-season.
The Cardinals have no way of fitting Arenado into the current salary structure unless the Rockies take some high-priced talent (Carpenter, Fowler, e.g.) off their hands and they aren't likely to do that.
Toronto would seem to have some interest. Haven't heard much else. You won't hear too much until after the first of the year.
Carpenter, at present, isn't THE solution. He might be part of A solution.
I wouldn't give up hope on them trading Martinez, if they can find a taker. I predict both Molina and Wainwright will be back. Not Wong.
Given good health in the nation and resultant good economy in baseball, the Cardinals would be much better equipped next off-season to spend on a higher plane. I don't think you can say they've mailed it in this year on Dec. 14 but there may not be anything this off-season that shivers your timbers.
The Cardinals really don't need a starting pitcher. Carpenter has no-trade protection and Baltimore certainly isn't a place to which he would agree to go. And, thank you.
You saw the Cubs last year. They thought Kimbrel was the answer. He wasn't--to any question--and they are trying to make do any way they can.
Knizner wouldn't get that chance without another veteran catcher coming in to compete. This is about honoring Wainwright's and Molina's legacies, giving the fans somebody they have enjoyed seeing when fans are allowed to see anything again. Besides, Wainwright and Molina are still two of the club's best players. It's worth it, for next year.
