The Cardinals haven’t checked in on Dallas Keuchel since initially showing interest in the veteran lefty near the start of the offseason, The Athletic’s Mark Saxon reports (subscription required). While president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said told Saxon and other reporters that his team has been focused mostly on pitching during the Winter Meetings, “the Cardinals have chosen instead to slow-play their hand,” Saxon writes, perhaps to the chagrin of agents trying to get St. Louis involved in the fast-moving pitching market. “For us, we’re OK being patient,” Mozeliak said of a rotation that currently consists of Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, Dakota Hudson, and the club’s biggest winter addition to date, the re-signed Adam Wainwright. This decent group and multiple fifth-starter candidates on hand give the Cardinals the comfort in waiting until later in the offseason to add pitchers once asking prices from both free agents and trade partners could begin to drop.
More from the free agent market….
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman) that he had begun talks with Daniel Hudson’s agent about a possible return to the World Series champs. After being acquired in a trade deadline deal from the Blue Jays, Hudson had a huge role in stabilizing Washington’s season-long bullpen problems, posting a 1.44 ERA over 25 regular season innings and then a 3.72 ERA over 9 2/3 frames in the playoffs as the Nats’ closer. This great showing down the stretch has Hudson asking for a multi-year deal in free agency, Zuckerman hears from a source, though Zuckerman isn’t sure the Nationals will make such a commitment to a pitcher whose overall performance over the last few years is far more inconsistent. MLBTR did predict a multi-year contract for Hudson (two years, $12MM) while ranking him 28th on our list of the winter’s 50 best free agents.
- In terms of other pitching needs, Rizzo expressed confidence in internal arms. The general manager feels relievers Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland will be better than 2020 due to improved health, and Joe Ross, Austin Voth, Erick Fedde will seemingly provide all the competition necessary for the fifth starter’s job. “I think we’re more than satisfied with our rotation,” Rizzo said, and with good cause, considering the Nationals’ starting four of Max Scherzer, Patrick Corbin, Anibal Sanchez, and the re-signed Stephen Strasburg.
- With multiple pitchers flying off the board, the rotation-needy Blue Jays “began to engage more aggressively with” Tanner Roark, Josh Lindblom, and Rick Porcello over the last two days, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi writes. The result was one miss as Lindblom signed with the Brewers, one success in the form of a two-year, $24MM deal with Roark, and one result to be determined as Porcello continues to weigh his options. Toronto is also looking towards relief pitchers, as Davidi reports that Hector Rondon has received some interest.
- Davidi’s piece also contains some interesting details on two other Blue Jays targets who signed elsewhere. The Jays met with Blake Treinen’s agent prior to Treinen’s one-year, $10MM pact with the Dodgers. Perhaps more surprisingly, it seems the Blue Jays put significant effort into a pursuit of Mike Moustakas, as GM Ross Atkins and manager Charlie Montoyo both visited Moustakas at his home. Toronto wasn’t known to be an ardent suitor for Moustakas, though his left-handed power bat and multi-positional infield ability would have made him a quality upgrade for the Jays’ lineup. Moustakas wound up surpassing all expectations by landing four years and $64MM in a deal with the Reds.
credit to the Blue Jays for not being afraid to meet with free agents. seems like teams that arent yet contending never try to, when in reality its money that talks, and rebuilding teams have plenty of it.
It’s really annoying as a Cardinals fan, coming to this site and only seeing stories about the team deciding to do nothing. Let’s get something done Mo/Girsch. Still holding out hope for a blockbuster Mookie Betts trade.
I know how you feel. The “Do Nothing Cardinals” strike again. *sigh*
Play it cool, just sit back and let them come to you. Interesting strategy.
So the Blue Jays are willing to meet with free agents and the Cardinals are waiting for people to come to them. This is not how a contending team should conduct business. But, going for 86 wins and hoping the division .sucks is not a winning mentality. It is a money making mentality.
When the pricing for free agents is going like it is, you sit back and chill and don’t overpay
Too late. They overpaid last night.
The Cards aren’t stupid they aren’t going to sign any big names trading for Betts would be great but it’s only a rental piece. Unless they do a sign then trade it makes little sense on what it would cost.
Gregerson, Cecil, Fowler… I’m glad they aren’t jumping into the free agent pool too quickly.
I am not mad. The Cards have money to spend. They are taking slowly the market and then they can sign someone.
I feel the same frustration. With the way the dominies have been falling, it seems the sense of urgency (and therefore price) is higher this year. Though I can see why they’d be patient…they have a DECENT pitching staff, and with the depth they have, trading for an upgrade is a good possibility which can be cheaper than just signing someone. And the players available in trades are just as good or better than anyone still left in free agency.
Talking about the Cards that is
The longer that Donaldson goes unsigned the more I think that the Cards might be making a play at him.
Carps contract will not allow another third baseman to be signed for two years – not realistic for the cards philosophy
Donaldson’s a Cardinal, he’s just never worn the uniform.
Oh I wish he was – but we won’t pay $40 mil for two third baseman’s
Carpenter fills in at 3rd and 1st, maybe plays some right field if he’s back producing offensively. Then trade 3 or 4 surplus players MLB ready for a pitcher or impact player. You can’t move Fowler or Carp so Edman, O’Neill, Bader, Martinez etc would have to be sacrificed.
I don’t see this happening, even though I would love to have Donaldson. Carpenter isn’t going anywhere with this ridiculous extension and no trade clause. Edman is there as a 2nd option for 3rd. Combine that with the self inflicted payroll limitations, I just don’t see them spending 25+MM on another player. Trades make more sense if they can exchange money for money and get younger/better.
You can’t expect the cards to trade their top prospects for a one year rental – teams that do that are the dodgers who are trying to win a World Series, not for a team like the cardinals who are just trying to make a play in game.
What I don’t understand why we arnt trying to sell Fowler with a prospect to get rid of Part of his contract So that we have more opportunity in the OF —- and to not sign a Keuchel type arm doesn’t make any sense to me, he fits the profile player that the cards need (as long as it’s a reasonable contract)
I’m sure they are trying to sell Fowler and his bad money but he (like Carpenter #&$*) has a no trade clause.
He would wave it, I’m assuming, if he was told that he was going to be riding the pine .
I’m going to give Carp a free pass, he’s really only had one bad year and done really well for us —- the money is crap but he’s been productive enough over the years
That’s exactly what they did in the Goldschmidt trade? Sure they were able to extend him, but at the time he was a rental.
They had an understanding that Goldy was more than willing to approach the idea of an extension – that’s one of the reasons they made the trade —- or so I thought? Maybe I’m mistaken
Gorman, Herrera, an outfielder of choice, and one of the cardinals top 30 prospects pitcher, plus Colorado takes Fowler’s contract for Arenado…..Arenado will definitely opt out of his deal so really the cardinals only get him for two years….Gorman is a top 100 prospect and gives Colorado a third baseman for the future…Herrera gives them a catcher for the future, plus an outfielder and a pitcher….?
Gorman and Carlson should be off limits, at this stage they are the future.
you have to give to get…can’t hang on to every prospect you have..plus you would unload a bad contract and get the middle of the order bat you need
You mean we can’t hang onto the only two top 100 prospects that we do have lol
22nd ranked minor league system, we need cheaper/younger arb contracts for several years, not break the bank and restart with nothing in two years.
the Padres system has been ranked in the top 5 for what seems like over a decade and they still can’t make the playoffs…system rankings don’t mean much…The cardinals system cranks out guys like Dejong, Edman, Mercado (traded), Voit (traded), Flaherty, Hudson….not worried about being ranked 22..and this is something the cardinals would do because they would try and get an extension with Arenado or resign him before the opt out
I agree with this logic. When you consistently bring up guys and they perform, your minor league system wont be ranked highly.
$50 mil worth of third baseman’s ?
If you want to buy into the philosophy that we will push out consistent underrated prospects, that’s fine —- but fix a problem area, not one that has $35 mil over two years already invested into it
Cards 81 – you sir are unrealistic
But I still like you
The deal is a little much from the Cards side but I like the groundwork.
I agree it is much but the cardinals will get a the middle of the order bat to pair with Goldy (who isn’t getting younger) plus the cardinals have kninzer for catcher, they have plenty of outfielders, and they could just sign a FA pitcher….they are dealing from depth…they would become instant Central division favorites…plus unload Fowler…and I know Fowler has a no-trade claus but he came from Colorado so he might waive it
Gorman, Fowler, a big league ready young starter and a prospect for Arenado would do the trick.
They won’t pay $50 mil to two third baseman’s for the next two years –
You guys are talking about a Lindor or Stanton type trade – because Dejong is tradable and cheap …. Carp is neither of those
Just playing into the scenario proposed. Your point is well validated.
If we wanted a third baseman for that money, we would have chased Rendon and not given up any prospects —— Arenado isn’t going to happen, and if it does , MO legit needs to be fired for the reasons stated in the first sentence
And on a non-related note, if Payne is your last name, we have something in common. And my cousin was called that when she played volleyball at KU.
My Last name is Payne –
This may be the best chain of conversations that I’ve seen on here without someone telling someone else how stupid they are or trolling —- lol a bit odd but kinda nice
You don’t have to give up any prospects if you want Arenado. Rendon, a similar player, was signed for only $11M more and is older.
That contract is a liability, not an asset
Agree – with the headache of an opt out two years in .
agreed we should have just signed Rendon but just thinking outside the box
No….Doing all of that is worse than just signing Donaldson. Rendon was overpriced you don’t make a 3B the second highest paid player in baseball. That honor should go to either a SS or CF in my opinion they have the most defensive responsibility and if they also have an elite bat it makes them priceless. If you were going to spend money and you miss out on Donaldson maybe putting together a strong prospect list and trying to get Betts from Boston is the better play. I’m a Red Sox fan and financially the easiest fix for us is to trade Betts….I’m of hopes they decide to trade Price and Benintendi….Benni seems to have regressed a little bit and his arbitration number is getting up there too….
Mo saying we’ll be patient indicates he thinks the cost of pitching is too high
It indicates Mo would rather overpay for a sweater than a real ball player.
Anybody else think Keuchel blew his chance at a big payday last winter? He didn’t pitch particularly well after joining Atlanta in June, so his market will probably be suppressed this winter. Plenty of teams need starting pitching so I’m sure he’ll get a nice contract, but I’m thinking it won’t be what he probably passed up a year ago.
Opposite. Keuchel will do well. Boras will take advantage of the heated SP market and him not having a QO attached. Would be a surprise if he didn’t get a 4yr deal at inflated $. Angels and WSox are just 2 teams that desperately need to add at least 1 reliable rotation piece if MadBum/Ryu sign elsewhere.
Don’t rule out Boston either especially if Bloom is seriously considering moving Price and we have to fill Porcello’s spot
WHERE??????? SHOULD ARENADO ????????GO
Cardinals
He should stay put the next two years and use that Rocky Mountain elevation to put up monster numbers. He will exceed Rendon’s contract if he is successful in doing the work of 40+ HR and 130+ RBI…..Coors field will help him do that
Cardinals
I know SD didn’t want to bid for Strasburg and want to stay clear of the higher end FA SP Market in general but can’t help but feel Keuchel would be a good fit there.
Right now, the Cards outfield is set up as Schwarzenneger, Bourjos 2.0, and Rudy Fowler. That just screams Ks and Ls.