The Cardinals will increasingly need to consider a long-term replacement for Yadier Molina, to say nothing of preparing for a season in which he’ll be looking to return from two thumb surgeries, as Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Frederickson spoke with two potential future options behind the dish, Michael Ohlman and Carson Kelly. He adds that St. Louis GM John Mozeliak is still looking to add another veteran option to the mix this spring for depth purposes. While the Cards remain confident that Yadi will be ready to go for 2016, he’s still sporting protection for his thumb at present. Of course, the club still seems committed to relying on Molina — along with new backup Brayan Pena — for the bulk of its backstop duties this year.
Here’s more from the game’s central divisions:
- MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch provides some notable Cardinals pen updates in a reader mailbag post. Reliever Jordan Walden is expected to go through a normal spring ramp-up, though she says there’s still uncertainty in his shoulder. The organization does not appear to have any immediate interest in extension talks with closer Trevor Rosenthal, Langosch adds, though there’s little urgency since he only just reached arbitration.
- Reds backstop Devin Mesoraco says that he’s feeling well and looking forward to a return after undergoing hip surgery last summer, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reports. “I’m good. I’m anxious to get back out on the field here,” Mesoraco said. “It’s been a long haul with rehabbing and working out. Everything is feeling the way that it should, the way that we planned.”
- There’s no shortage of left field options for the Reds as camp approaches, Sheldon writes, listing Yorman Rodriguez, Adam Duvall, Scott Schebler, Jake Cave, and Kyle Waldrop. “Those are the guys,” said GM Dick Williams. “Some of those guys can play multiple positions. There are guys that can play multiple outfield spots. [Juan] Duran will be in camp, and [Tyler] Holt. [Jesse] Winker, Waldrop and some of the younger guys, too.”
- The Twins never had serious conversations with third baseman Trevor Plouffe about a long-term deal while negotiating his arb salary this year, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN tweets. Of course, there’s plenty of time to chat this spring if there’s interest, but it’s not clear that Minnesota would or should pursue a lengthy pact with the 29-year-old, who remains under team control for one more year via arbitration.
- Meanwhile, the Twins are not interested in southpaw reliever Eric O’Flaherty, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports on Twitter. O’Flaherty was said to be showcasing for scouts yesterday, but it seems that Minnesota won’t be one of the clubs taking a closer look.
Who the heck would be interested in O Flaherty? He’s a washed up reliever who can’t get an out.
Perhaps you missed that O’Flaherty is left-handed. LHP will continue to receive interest until they turn in their retirement papers.
I think Yadier is the key to the Cardinals’ season.
He is an important piece but one guy isn’t going to break the the teams season.. Its not like he is out for the season.. he may not start till May or so but this article is making it sound like he is retiring..
Yeah, but I think he’s the key to that pitching staff that, in my opinion, overperformed last year. The pitching is what got them to where they were last year. With no pressing offensive upgrades this offseason, they’re really going to have to count on that pitching staff again.
Jonathan Lucroy wants to be traded. Wouldn’t it seem Reasonable to trade for Lucroy, and let him and Yadi platoon with each other while both are coming back from injuries??? Wouldn’t that relieve pressure on both of them and the Cardinals, knowing you have two All-Star catchers!!! Plus, an All-Star catcher behind the plate every day.
Impartial observer. ish. What’s your trade offer?
Don’t see that trade happening. The asking price would be too high, and playing time to little, for both their sakes. In 2 years (when Pena and Lucroy are both FA’s again), the Yadi dilemma will still exist, and then you’re chasing the market for a serviceable long-term option at the last minute.
Catchers are a thin market, and Mo acknowledged he was waiting until Spring to sign the depth piece. So in other words he’s bottom feeding for unsigned catchers during ST.
The Cards could use Luc. They also value things like pitch framing, and Lucroy is on par with Molina in that category. He’s also affordable, and the Cards are cheap.
However, I don’t trust any player the Cards are willing to trade, and the Brewers probably don’t want Luc to stay in the division if he leaves.
It also gives them a platoon partner at first, Lucroy can play 1b vs lhp, and Adams sits.
Cardinals need to make a move….leave the division. They won’t win another division again for a while. It could be worse, bird fans. You could be a Reds fan like me, or a Brewers fan. Tell ya what….I’ll trade you Walt Jocketty back for, say,……aw heck, just take him back PLEASE!
I guess the twins aren’t interested in anyone…
Seems that way. Think TR may have dropped the ball this offseason as far as the Twims pen is concerned.