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By Mark Polishuk | at
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playhard9
Cardinals defense was atrocious, but not quite as bad as their base running. It was the year of running into the easiest outs at third and home, foolishly trying to take the extra base. You would think the manager would be held accountable for the obvious lack of preparation or improvement, but nope, 3 year Extension!!!
ccoop321
Agree, my question in response is how much of that has to do with Jose “the secret weapon” Oquendo not being around and the additional item of learning the qwerks of McKay at 3/infield coach?
slider32
I could see a trade between the Cards and Yanks with Gardner and Garcia.
JFactor
I don’t see the match. Gardner wouldn’t hit in stl and doesn’t really play center and is owed more for longer.
There would need to be cash going to stl or more talent. Even if both players are equal in talent today.
I read Moz’s words to mean they don’t know which pitchers they want to move yet
JFactor
In other words, Jaime might be in the rotation all season.
Lance
Jaime as a #3-#5 starter is pretty good. SOMEONE has to eat those innings.
cardfan2011
I don’t think the Cards will sign Fowler due to the amount of money he wants and if Im correct, has a draft pick tied to him. Same for Cespedes. The free agent market doesn’t have much to offer, so finding a trade partner is the way to go IMO
higuys
Both should have decline their QO, correct. However I disagree. I think the Cards were nervous to lose draft picks last year and missed out on a few players because of it. I think they’ll get creative this year.
JFactor
Especially considering the amount of depth the cards have.
CubsFanFrank
I’m thinking that the emergence of Willson Contreras will spell the end of Kyle Schwarber’s catching career. Miguel Montero will be a more than sufficient backup to Contreras, and a great mentor to him, a role that he already stepped into this season. And if we need alternate options, there’s never any shortage of Tim Fedorowicz’ and such, not to mention Victor Caratini probably being a year or two away from big league ready.
Philliesfan4life
The cubs have some choices to make in the offseason, do they resign chapman or make a run at melencon or jansen?
nccubsfan 2
I’d feel much better locking up Jansen or Melencon than Chappy. But I’m grateful for what he gave us over the last couple of months and in the postseason.
amishthunderak
There were rumors that Montero was on the bubble of making the post season roster. Not shocked how little he was used, but he had some big moments when he was.
B-Strong
I think the emergence of Kyle Schwarber’s bat spells the end of his catching career. I’m sure they much rather put him in the OF than behind the dish doing damage to his knees daily. With Fowler likely departing I would be surprised to see Schwarber in right and them shifting Zobrist to left.
Philliesfan4life
I can see them making a trade then if they let fowler go, Heyward or Almora will take over in Center, Soler could be a trade piece. Baez takes over at second, I wonder if they trade Soler and Ian Happ for a pitcher.
slider32
Cubs will continue to have a lot of depth to keep the team rolling in case of an injury like Schwarber last year. Bryant, Baez, and Zobrist give them obtions that no other team has. They will be looking for upgrades to their relief pitching, Maddon didn’t have a lot of confidence in the people he had this year.
Philliesfan4life
I thought of something crazy, If they don’t resign chapman or sign jansen or melencon, maybe they trade Soler and Ian Happ plus another prospect, for Zach Britton
Putmeincoach12
Really? You think they would trade Britton for them. Dream on
nikogarcia
I mean Britton had a fantastic year but Soler, Happ and any other prospect, at least a good one that is, does more for the Orioles long term than Britton will.
I mean Britton didn’t even play in the post this year (wink wink lol)
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Soler is locked up for 4 more years. Ian Happ will never play for the Cubs ML team. Unless they trade Soler and happ has an incredible spring and he makes the team. And platoons with baez at 2nd and with Zobrist and Schwarbs in LF.
Djones246890
Monteiro is now a clubhouse cancer. He isn’t going to mentor anyone.
Vedder80
Great mentor? Did you not read his statements? He wants to start. People who lose their job to you don’t tend to be the best mentors.
seamaholic 2
Cards-Red Sox seems like a good fit, with JBJ heading west for a SP plus prospect package.
Philliesfan4life
might have to give up weaver or wacha? Im not a gm but I think the red sox will ask for weaver
seamaholic 2
For sure Weaver over Wacha. I know Sox fans think JBJ is like the next Trout, but fact is Weaver seems like a pretty decent match, maybe plus a decent prospect.
Aaron Steele
Weaver for JBJ would be a fine deal for the Cardinals. We’d probably throw I’m another good prospect too as we are searching for a better CFer
Losing weaver would definitely hurt though as he has solid 2-3 starter for many years written all over him
seamaholic 2
Yeah it seems fair. JBJ had a good season last year (4.5 fWAR or about) but he was awful the year before and has some worrying splits (of all three kinds: platoon, home/away, and early/late season). Basically, he was only above average in the first half of 2016, against right handers at home. That’s just hitting of course. Dude’s a major plus with glove.
B-Strong
No, most Sox fans don’t think jbj is the next trout. He’s great with the glove but he’s a total enigma at the plate and a lot of us are hoping he gets traded before other teams figure that out too and he loses all his value.
BoldyMinnesota
A lot do
rickcwik
I hate the Cubs
ABCD
Well, this winter, please enjoy stewing in your stew of hatred, hater!
cardfan2011
Lol your name ^^ is awesome KSM
Lanidrac
Clearly, Mozeliak and I disagree on the definition of “a lot of valuable innings.” There were some but not a lot. I just don’t see how Garcia is worth anywhere near $12M anymore as either a trade chip or a rotation piece. He finally stayed healthy all season for the first time in years, and he pitched like a #5 starter at best.
bradthebluefish
Many teams need a good catcher and Montero fits the bill. Could get a nice bullpen arm should the Cubs eat half of Montero’s contract.