In a Q&A led by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt provides some reflections on the team’s performance so far in 2017, as well as some subtle insights into the organization’s plans for this offseason and the future. DeWitt mentions that the organization can afford to add payroll, but won’t “spend just to spend”. He also explains that the Cards prefer a balanced core of young starting pitchers and position players, rather than trying to build with a focus on one or the other. DeWitt expressed confidence in Mike Matheny as the right person to lead the Cardinals into the future. The interview is a great read, particularly for a fan of the Cardinals franchise.
Here are some other notes from around the National League…
- Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress talks about his rehab process and desire to remain in Milwaukee in an interview with Todd Rosiak of The Journal Sentinel. Jeffress expresses hope that the Brewers will tender him this coming offseason, gives some explanation behind his struggles in Texas, and talks about being traded to the Royals early in his career. Jeffress has seen his walk rate spike dramatically since being traded to the Rangers at the deadline last season; he’s walked 4.74 batters per nine innings since that trade. However, his 67% ground ball rate so far in the second half of 2017 is intriguing and certainly valuable if he can sustain something close to it.
- Pirates’ infielder Jung Ho Kang has been granted an exemption to play in the Dominican Winter League despite being on the restricted list, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Kang has not earned any salary or service time during the 2017 season, because the Department of State denied his application for a visa after a third drunk driving incident in his home country of South Korea. Major League Baseball and the MLBPA reached an agreement to allow Kang to play in winter ball in the offseason in hopes that he can get a visa for 2018.
This is the Cardinals 101 response for the last 5 years, I foresee another 3rd place finish next year to 3 million plus faithful fans… grow a pair!
What happens to Derek Holland
He’s a free agent. And terrible.
But not in that order
that’s funny!
At least he mentioned upping the payroll. I was worried this offseason was going to be like the last several. If you want to compete with the best, you gotta spend money like them.
They have upped the payroll each of the last two seasons. Don’t hold your breath on anything bug happening. As long as Matheny is at the helm the Cards will flounder.
I read the DeWitt/Goold article (lots of softball questions, not a lot of concrete answers) and all the readers’ comments.
Suffice it to say that the Cards’ fans didn’t agree with DeWitt’s endorsement of “The Leader of Men” Matheny as the guy to lead them to future success.
As a die hard Cardinals fan, I get some of the frustration with Matheny. Ownership seems to take a lot of heat from a certain number of fans. Personally, I like DeWitt. Cards are almost always competitive and generally have a large number of home grown players. We’re doing some major retooling and have managed to fight for a playoff spot. I’ll take that over a full blown rebuild. Also, this season is not over. Cards still have a shot. What is Dewitt supposed to say about his still under contract manager?
dewitt should say matheny will be evaluated after the season.
The worst part of this article is “we wont spend money just to spend”- Wellll youre not. Youre spending because you NEED to, because you CAN. I get experimenting with you young guys but you cant put a AAA team on the field next year. They tried that this year and look where they are.
I honestly think they need to go out and get J,.D. Martinez and bat him #3. Then start to piece the young guys around him. If Lynn goes they need to go get an alternative so they have debt. The young guys are going to be good but limited and if an arm goes down what then? Clearly they need a closer. Wade Davis is a free agent and would be a great fit. and maybe grab another bullpen arm – a solid set up man.
They are better with their AAA team on the field than they were with an MLB team. The AAA team is THE only reason they aren’t 10+ games under .500. I agree with you on JD. We need another starter, but not because of Lynn. If you look at Lynn’s stats they aren’t that impressive. People just look at the ERA though. His homerun rate is high, and his strikeout rate is low. He didn’t generate much trade interest or he would have been sent at the deadline. With Reyes coming back and Weaver here Lynn isn’t the issue. The issue is Waino needs to retire and Wacha is inconsistent. The combination of those two is the reason why the cards need to get a reliable starter. However, this is the Cards so JD will be a pipe dream, and they will look for a reclamation/change of scenery starter. Aka they will get the low hanging fruit because the best players are too expensive for their taste. As for closer Nicasio looks like he might be able to handle it so they can give him a crack at it next year. They should just focus on good bullpen arms in free agency, and not try to find a great closer in free agency. Great closers don’t grow on trees so basically they have to come from within, or trade with a team rebuilding. The trades for great closers are a bit costly so resigning nicasio first is the better option.
Would love to see the Cardinal steal David and Arrietta from the cubs though.
Facts
Jung Ho Kang in the Dominican? I hope for everyone’s sake Kang doesn’t attempt to operate a motor vehicle while there.
They probs don’t have any more that work due to the hurricanes
no seriously though, let’s hope he doesn’t lol
Get rid of Matheny!!! How in the hell can DeWitt not see how horrible he is when every single other person can?! Going to be a long next few years
Dewitt is probably getting paid off by the Dodgers to miss the playoffs since STL and Wacha seems to be the Dodgers and Kershaw’s kryptonite. They keep Matheny and sign low hanging fruit, and the Dodgers might be able to make a world series before their payroll hits 300 million lol in all seriousness though I hope the front office chokes on their damn low hanging fruit.
The problem isn’t Matheny. He’s not out on the field hitting or fielding. A manager only wins 10 games a year. The rest is on the players. I do feel like Mabry and Lilliquist should be replaced. Oh and let’s not forget about how terrible the bullpen has been the last few years. If not for all the blown saves, the Cardinals would be in 1st place. So before going after Matheny, take a long look at Mozeliak, he’s the one that put this roster together and never sign nor make the necessary trades to improve this team