The Cardinals’ 2015 season came to an end this week after the team fell to the division-rival Cubs in Game 4 of the NLDS at Wrigley Field. That means that club’s immediate focus now becomes the offseason, and the chief question with which St. Louis figures to be faced is whether or not the team can re-sign Jason Heyward. Whether or note Heyward remains in St. Louis is up for debate, but GM John Mozeliak made clear today that the Cards want to bring Heyward back into the fold on a long-term deal, writes MLB.com’s Jen Langosch. Heyward “was a tremendous fit on this club [and] did exactly what we wanted him to do,” said Mozeliak, who added that the team’s wait for a Heyward decision in free agency won’t handcuff its other offseason pursuits.
A few more notes on the Cards as they gear up for the winter…
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch also has a breakdown of issues discussed by Mozeliak when talking to the media today. The GM gave good news when it comes to young right-hander Carlos Martinez, revealing that there are no plans for the 24-year-old to undergo surgery to repair his ailing shoulder. Rather, he’ll spend the offseason at the team’s spring complex in Jupiter, Fla. and go through what Goold terms a “more regimented” offseason under the guidance of the club’s training staff.
- Also from Goold, the Cardinals have interest in bringing Brandon Moss back for at least a bench role. “Obviously Moss was someone we acquired because we like his power potential and we like his flexibility he gives you being able to play outfield or first,” said Mozeliak. “He’ll have a spot at some point.” The question facing the Cardinals when it comes to Moss, I’d imagine, is whether they can find a way to bring him back at a cheaper price. Moss earned $6.5MM in 2015 and is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $7.9MM in 2016. That seems too expensive for a part-time player with limited defensive upside.
- Mozeliak was more vague when it came to the team’s interest in retaining outfielder Peter Bourjos. Acquired from the Angels alongside Randal Grichuk in the 2013-14 offseason, Bourjos has received inconsistent playing time and undergone hip surgery since his acquisition, either of which may have contributed to diminished performance. “As far as Peter goes, I don’t think it ever worked to the point where we were hopeful of,” Mozeliak explained. “That doesn’t mean we’re at the point to give up either. We’ll reassess and look at what our opportunities look like over the next six weeks or so.” Bourjos is projected to earn an affordable $1.8MM in arbitration, but with Matt Holliday, Grichuk, Stephen Piscotty, Jon Jay and Tommy Pham all in the fold, it’s certainly easy to envision him being traded to another club. (Moving Holliday to first base, Mozeliak said, isn’t a consideration.) A non-tender strikes me as unlikely, simply because Bourjos’ defensive ceiling is so high. A team in need of center field options such as the Brewers, Indians, Mariners or Padres would make some sense to me as a fit.
- Tyler Lyons or Marco Gonzales could emerge as left-handed relief options in next year’s bullpen, according to Mozeliak (via Goold). The Cardinals like the idea of using either in the bullpen because they’d be less-specialized options than Randy Choate was over the past few seasons.
- As Langosch notes, the team hasn’t made a decision on Jaime Garcia’s $11.5MM option, but the Cardinals feel he exceeded their expectations in 2015. “You think back to Garcia, and the impact that he made on our roster was extremely positive,” said Mozeliak. “If we were having this conversation in February, I don’t think any of us would have thought he was going to contribute, especially the way he did.” I’d expect the option to be exercised, especially considering Mozeliak’s August comments on Garcia.
- Don’t expect many (or any) changes in the Cardinals dugout, as Goold writes that the entire coaching staff has been invited back for the 2016 season.
- Bernie Miklasz of 101 ESPN examines the difficulties of managing in the social media era as part of a lengthy piece on manager Mike Matheny. While Miklasz notes that he has often been critical of Matheny himself, he also opines the onslaught of criticism Matheny received during the NLDS wasn’t necessarily deserved, as Matheny alone was not the reason for the Cardinals’ early exit from the playoffs.
Small typo in the opener. ‘Note’ instead of ‘not’ at the end of line four.
Who cares?
Entering a very interesting off-season in St. Louis. A lot of money to spend and quality players up and down the roster. The only real weakness is 1B. C and SS are areas that are going to have to be addressed during the next couple years.
If STL was smart, they’d let Heyward leave. He’s not going to be worth the money that he wants, or the amount he’d be willing to settle on.
His defense is superb, no doubt. But players aren’t really paid for that.
I believe in Mo’s ability to decide this more than yours, but from my perspective, it would be foolish to let him go without making a competitive offer.
That is going to be an extremely interesting decision for Mo. I actually think Heyward will be worth the money for several years, but with Holliday, Grichuk, Piscotty and Adams for 1B and OF, if Heyward is resigned there will almost have to be a trade.Jay, Pham and or Bourjos can supply the reserves. I’m sure there will be a lot of second guessing whatever Mo decides. And I agree we need to start addressing our future C and SS replacement needs.
I’m just not sold on Heyward offensively, long-term. He’s very streaky. I had always thought if he continued like he hit his rookie season, instead of trying to hit 30 HR’s a year, Atlanta would have made him a long-term offer like Freeman.
But, he got hooked on pulling the ball for power.
Heyward was 1) the Cardinals’ most valuable player overall this year, and the 11th most valuable position player in baseball by fWAR 2) contributed the second most offense out of any Cardinal with at least 150 PAs in the second half, behind Matt Carpenter (140 wRC+). His monthly wRC+ after a horrible April: 114, 140, 122, 143, 129. You’re certainly entitled to your opinion about the merits of a long term contract for any player, but I would at least recommend that those opinions be based on facts and not faulty intuitions and perceptions of “streakiness”, something to which EVERY baseball player is subject to (Mike Trout had a 100 wRC+ in August, and a 261 wRC+ in July).
They should probably look into having better depth behind the plate. Yadi going down has hurt them the last few years
Banking on any catcher with an age that starts with a 3 is an inherent risk.
Heyward is well worth the money cause he saves allot of Runs and he is still young he will get better. if you can get him 6yrs 175 it a great deal. I like Holliday and Adams but if we can trade them for a good SS and good back up catcher we should
if you could find away to trade for Lorenzo Cain he will not be a free agent until 2018 and Sign Heyward , who would you trade for Cain ?I think Adams would be in the deal who else
We need some players with could OBP
Trade for Votto with the outfield surplus. He would b your OBP type player.