The Cardinals have informed Matt Carpenter that he’ll be the team’s first baseman entering the 2017 season, GM John Mozeliak told reporters, including Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. While Carpenter played quite a bit of first base down the stretch in 2016, he also mixed in some appearances at second base and third base as well. That doesn’t seem like it’ll be the case now, as Carpenter appears poised for everyday duties there.
The 2017 alignment will see Kolten Wong take the reins at second base once again with breakout rookie Aledmys Diaz manning shortstop and serving as his double-play partner on a regular basis. That leaves Jhonny Peralta and Jedd Gyorko as third base options, though Mozeliak did note that Gyorko can move around the diamond and Peralta can occasionally spell Diaz at shortstop.
Nonetheless, the Cardinals’ infield arrangement does seem to lend itself to the possibility of trade scenarios. Peralta has already been an oft-speculated trade candidate as he enters the final season of a four-year $53MM contract that will pay him $10MM in 2017. First baseman Matt Adams, whose primary spot has now been filled by Carpenter, could also be shopped around. Neither player figures to have especially high trade value, though. Peralta missed several months in 2016 due to a thumb injury and batted .260/.307/.408 in 313 plate appearances when healthy. He also drew dismal Defensive Runs Saved/Ultimate Zone Rating marks for his work at third base (-7 and -9, respectively, in just 570 innings).
As for Adams, he batted .249/.309/.471 with 16 homers in 327 trips to the plate. While that power output represented the best of Adams’ career on a rate basis, the 28-year-old has poor overall numbers against left-handed pitching in his career (.212/.243/.352) and carries negative value on the basepaths. He’s also spent time on the disabled list due to myriad physical ailments dating back to the 2012 season, including shoulder inflammation (2016), a torn quad (2015), a calf strain (2014) and an oblique strain (2013). Adams has averaged just 107 games/349 plate appearances per season dating back to 2013 and is projected to earn $2.8MM through arbitration next winter. He’s controllable for two more seasons.
Well, this opens even more trade possibilities. Adams and/or Peralta will probably be shopped if anyone wants them, and hopefully Carp can at least be decent at 1B
he will be an above average first baseman
he will be an above average first baseman.
Wrong. It is the one position he sucks at. Deciding to choose the one spot he becomes a liability at both offensively and defensively is a bone head move of
extraordinary stupidity.
Not if he puts in work with Oquendo during the off season and spring training. He’s always went into spring training as a 2nd or 3rd baseman and that’s been the focus. He’ll be fine at 1st.
Based on statistics, he doesn’t appear to be too shabby at 1st?
Where are you getting the idea that he’s bad at first base? Stats don’t agree with you
I’d personally rather see Gyorko be traded than either of them. His value will likely never be higher coming off a 30 homer season, yet he’s only a one-dimensional player with some versatility to play below-average defense all across the infield. Peralta should bounce back after an offseason further recovering from his thumb injury; while Adams is cheaper, a more complete hitter (at least against righties), and plays above average defense.
I disagree. Gyrko can duplicate those numbers as long as he gets the at bats. Jhonny is getting older and will never put up huge numbers again. His range has decreased. Gyrko has a slightly better defensive rating and can play all infield positions. Adams is a never will be. 2016 probably represents his best season. Get what you can for him. He can’t hit lefties at all.
Totally agree. Gyorko was a steal. Get Adams and Peralta out. This team needs change. Holliday, Peralta, Adams, Moss all gone. Then we can polish the few stars we do have and build around them appropriately.
I like Gyroko’s versatility, even if he isn’t great anywhere. And if Wong falters, then we need him.
I’d move Adams or keep him as a bench bat and stay put.
We need an outfield bat. And we have pitching that we can move
I like that move. Brings clarity to some degree about the infield situation. I also agree Adams needs to go. Not so sure about Peralta as I’m unsure if Jedd can replicate that home run power.
Next on the agenda is finding a center fielder. Many are saying Fowler but I can’t stomach the idea of giving a decent draft pick to Chicago.
Also, I’m not sure Fowler is that much better defensively than Grichuk in CF to be worth signing him and giving up that draft pick.
But from Holliday to Grichuk or anyone in left will be a big upgrade
You’re signing Fowler to be a CF though and despite what is his best year defensively, he still isn’t that good.
Having a better defensive LF with Grichuk replacing Holliday, helps balance out Fowler in CF. Plus with Piscotty in RF, it actually makes for a pretty decent outfield defensively.
Chicago is getting a draft pick as long as they don’t re-sign Fowler. it’d be silly to let some other team sign him just because you don’t want the pick to be from you.
True but that’s giving a decent draft pick to our biggest rival. The Cardinals will be competitive but I don’t know if Fowler will be the player to bring them up to Chicago’s level. The Cubs don’t. Red a draft pick from St. Louis.
If you don’t sign any qualifying free agents, then you keep that pick. The Cubs will get a pick for Fowler assuming he doesn’t re-sign.
It doesn’t mean the Cards have to surrender a pick
Cubs “gave” two draft picks to the Cards and won the World Series. Champion’s don’t get blinded by being petty.
The Cardinals shouldn’t get hung up on who would get their draft pick as much as actually giving up the draft pick. If a player is worth it then they’ll do it whether the pick goes to the Cubs or anyone else.
Having said that, I don’t see them giving up a draft pick for an average defensive CFer who’s about to be 31 years old. They’ll get a CFer through trade.
If you sign Fowler, you give up a first round pick and lots of money. If you trade for someone like Blackmon, you spend less money, but give up far more talent. Which does St. Louis have more of, money or talent?
I wonder what his defensive metrics are from 3B to 1B are?
Wow – this report put a smile on my face. Carpenter at 1st base makes the most sense, and he will be an above-average hitter there. Even better, Wong gets the starts at 2nd base. His sophomore slump is behind him – time for him to blossom. He can only do that with at-bats, something he didn’t really get last year. He and Diaz will become a relatively young double-play combo for, hopefully, many years to come. I think a healthy Peralta will be fine at 3rd base. Greg Garcia will serve as an adequate back-up to 2b/ss/3b.
Gyroko should be traded for a king’s ransom if at all possible. His trade value will never be higher. If not, well, he’s a key infield back-up at all 4 infield positions, which isn’t a bad weapon to have, truth be told. Don’t think he’ll hit 30 HR, but even 20 from a back-up infielder is pretty okay with me.
Adams will likely be traded. Hopefully for a major league bullpen guy, if possible.
I agree on all points. Though I’m not sure what Mo could even get for Adams. He can’t hit lefties and his injury prone.
Gyorko is better than Wong. Why would you be happy to trade the better player?
Trade away Mo!!!
LOL!!!! One of the best GMs in the league with a near perfect trade and draft record. You are clueless
Near perfect? No GM is near perfect.
Are you flipping clueless? How the hell is he near perfect? Hope that’s sarcasm cause Walden and Heyward.. he traded for Khalil green.. mark Derosa a rental gave up Chris Perez.. trading ludwick for Jake Westbrook..
Injury derailed Derosa and Lidwick for Westbrook worked out well. Walden got hurt, but was lights out when he did pitch. Green was questionable.
OK, defend David Carpenter for Pedro Feliz.
Absolutely not. Now Matheny….?
Matt Adams for Jeanmar Gomez
What would be a realistic ask from the Jays for Adams? Jays need a lefty hitter with pop and he can’t possibly be worse at the plate than Justin Smoak.
A decent reliever or mid tier prospect
Matt Adams is the next Bob Hamelin….DH
Bridich, Adams is available for some line chalk and a six pack of Bud!
On a serious note, this Redbird infield setup isn’t that impressive defensively. The team needs Wong to step up, but I don’t think he ever will.
Bye Matt Adams
Sign Edwin Encarnacion
Not a horrible idea.
If they play this season with Carp at first, Wong at second, Diaz and short, Peralta at third and Gyroko backing everybody up and Adams missing or pinch hitting.
Does Carpenter go back to third in 2018?
Rockies should call on Adams, platoon with Reynolds.
Really wish Oakland would employ this logic, instead of the opposite of “try and cram a good bat in a prime D position at the expense of good D”.