The White Sox were known to have continued interest in Nicholas Castellanos, and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter) adds that Chicago has also been in talks with free agent outfielder Yasiel Puig. Whether the Sox ink either of these two players could now be in doubt, however, in the wake of yesterday’s reported agreement with Edwin Encarnacion. At the very least, Castellanos might be out of consideration since there isn’t be an obvious spot for him to play every day, with Encarnacion and Jose Abreu handling first base/DH duties, Eloy Jimenez in left field, and Nomar Mazara playing at least a part-time role in right field.
It isn’t entirely out of the question that the White Sox could try to flip Mazara to make room for Castellanos, though the likeliest option is that Chicago will see if Mazara can still emerge as a reliable everyday player, or at least try to find a right-handed hitting platoon partner for him. Puig could fit this description, and could potentially still be a target for the Sox on a one-year deal. MLBTR projected such a one-year pact for Puig, and given the lack of news we’ve heard about Puig’s market this offseason, he could be more open to a platoon situation (that could very well evolve into more regular duty if Mazara struggles again). The Marlins are the only team known to have shown interest in Puig this winter.
Some more rumblings on the outfield market…
- While the Giants have been framed as a prime player in the Castellanos market, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the team’s portrayal as any sort of frontrunner to win the bidding is “overblown.” The organization does like Castellanos and is more willing to add a youthful free agent on a multi-year deal (Castellanos is still just 27) than a veteran entering his 30s. However, Pavlovic also questions whether the Giants would be willing to put forth a four- or five-year offer for any free agent while in the midst of an increasingly obvious rebuilding effort.
- The Cardinals remain in the market for an outfielder, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explored in his holiday chat with readers this week. Corey Dickerson is at least under consideration, and the team hasn’t bowed out of the Marcell Ozuna bidding yet, either. The Cards’ preference is to have bring in an everyday outfielder as opposed to a platoon bat like Joc Pederson, whom the Dodgers have discussed in trades for a second straight offseason.
Puig certainly appeals for the ChiSox, particularly with the cuban connections on the team (Abreu, Moncada, Robert …). I’m somewhat bullish on Mazara, but would love to have a better fallback plan than … well, basically nobody. And perhaps Puig will fit in the clubhouse better with the strong presence of Abreu anchoring things.
The ChiSox are buying up the services of mature vets who set good examples. Puig doesn’t fit what they’re doing, regardless of the obvious talent.
Eh, I think their environment might be able to handle his immaturity; and he’s matured some, at least. I really do think the other Cuban teammates, and in particular Abreu, can make a big difference there.
Puig would be quite useful whenever the Sox have a bench clearing brawl with KC.
Brad Keller can’t handle Timmy’s bat flips? Go ahead and bean him, Brad. Yasiel will be the first one out lol.
Bat flips can be done in the month of October. Until then, Keller can let one accidentally slip a bit inside for a meaningless flip in May against a garbage squad.
Totally against the White Sox signing Puig. He has been a cancer in everywhere he has gone.
By all reports, he was actually a positive clubhouse presence in Cincinnati.
I hear what you’re saying about Puig hurting the clubhouse ethic. But, he seems to have matured a bit. The fact that he’s nearing 30 and doesn’t seem likely to get the kind of pay day that his talent warrants my have a very sobering affect. If there’s any team that should make him feel comfortable and bring out the best in him, it’s the Sox with their roster of exceptionally dedicated Cuban players. On a one=year prove yourself deal for $5MM or so, it would be hard not to take a flyer on him.
One would think if Eloy or Mazara struggles mightily (which they might not) or get hurt, it’d be great to have Puig’s bat carrying the slack.
But this dude is all over the place. I’m not sure how he would react to reduced playing time.
Puig is not a fit in the Cardinals clubhouse as much as Ozuna was. If the Cardinals have such an overloaded outfield as President of Cardinals Baseball Operations day they are, why does he have to give them away?? (Garcia). Plus, if that outfield is so good, according to Mozeliak, why doesn’t he package them in trade for a more impact player??? I’m sure he’s offered, and found out he is overrating his own players. They are all average or below. Either can’t hit or can’t field. Maybe Mozeliak has assembled only average players in the minor leagues who are semi stars there, but can never make it in the Big Leagues. He likes the average players. He gives away talented players. (Mereced) (Pham, Grichuk, Piscoty, etc. etc. ). Fans Hate Mozeliak. Owners love him. What’s the deal???
Puig back to LA and LA trades Pollock. Oh never mind.
If only the Cards could trade for Bryant, extend him, play him in left field. But he plays for the Cubs. It be like making a deal with the devil….. from both teams perspective.
You are correct, it would like be making a deal with the devil.
Cubs aren’t trading Kris to that boring city
No they will trade their best player and not get crap back, its the Cubs way..
He’s not their best player
Cubs suck – they can’t even buy a playoff appearance
Payne Train you must not follow Baseball, their 4 straight yr Playoff run just ended this yr!
Baez is easily the cubs’ best player. They should extend his contract and move him back to 2B. He’d stay healthier and be their MVP for a decade.
He also can play an outstanding 3B, but the roster doesn’t have anything close to what he provides as SS. Hoerner just doesn’t have the range or arm to play short. I guess there is a “What if” scenario that Contreras gets traded to TB for Franco who would play SS, but he wouldn’t play until 2021 at the earliest.
Excuse me?
Yes?
And I’ll be lol’ing when they miss it for the next decade
TB isn’t trading Franco for Contreras.
The last time a #1 prospect was moved it was for Chris Sale. I don’t think Contreras is anywhere close to that level of value.
TB would never trade Franco for a catcher with limited control, c’mon . Arguable the best prospect in the game
Wilson will not net wander but keep saying it and hope for the best.
Well that was a hypothetical, nothing less. Any trade that would make the Cubs part with Contreras would have to yield a big time prospect or a straight up equal value trade as in for Meadows. TB has okay pitching prospects, but nothing is mind blowing. Out of all them, I guess I would take a chance on Baz.
You need to dig a little deeper in TB pitching … Honeywell, Liberator, Baz, Diego … 3 of those 4 would potentially turn cubs staff around down the road, Diego would be cubs best guy out of the pen
He’s a shortstop. Get your facts straight.
Good one! It was kind of weird how offended Saint Louis was by that comment. Are ya that insecure as a city? Really?!!!
Yes we are. Our downtown sucks. Rundown crime ridden hole. We go there for sporting events and a small section of decent bars where you are at least less likely to get killed. I like where I live but I won’t come anywhere close to that hole
StL, Baltimore and Detroit are absolute crapholes, but all the national media talks about is Chicago. StL ranks #1 in murders per capita, with Detroit and Baltimore not far behind. Chicago ranked 29th last time I checked. The agenda is real, folks.
Don’t forget Milwaukee and Memphis, among many others. Chicago isn’t even top 5 in the Midwest.
Chicago gets attention because it’s homicide rate went up 72% in 2018 and it leads the country in total homicides. Among largest cities (2018). Chicago is 5th per capita. The top four are Baltimore, Detroit, Wash DC and Vegas. The stat that many refer to in defense of Chicago and other large cities is the per capita rate for cities 25,000 and up, which is statistical nonsense.
Lol bravo
No 3rd baseman will be signed by the Cardinals this season or next season!!! The Cardinal Owners have their man. A .211 BA, Lead off hitter who strikes out most of the time, hits solidly into shifts
The Cardinals Owners and Front office have already sold their sole to the devil by signing Matt Carpenter for an outrages price for those 2 years. Thus blocking all players from playing that position for the Cards. Anyone of them could, in an unbiased situation, beat out Carpenter’s low batting average, base running blunders, no speed, who is bound and determined to hit into shifts, strikes out 200 times a season waiting on a walk, refuses to advance runners, is a stiff armed thrower from 3rd base. Carpenter isn’t an All-Star anymore. He’s a huge Liability who the opposing teams love to see a sure out in true Cards Lineup, every game!!!! His signing and the Owners Stressing Carpenter will have a huge comeback, has doomed the Cardinals for a 4th Place finish in the Central Division. The the line up, as it stands in December, will be the most Boring teams in the league to watch!!
It’s a shame….Instead of Favoring Carpenter so much in 2020 and blowing the season from the start, it looks like the Cardinals Owners will stack up their poster with solid, everyday players instead of Carpenter!! If for no other reason other than to give Wainwright and Molina on final shot at another World Series Championship!!! Those 2 Cardinals All-Stars, Gold Glove, and Leaders to 4 World Series and 2 titles. They deserve a World Series completable team for 2020. Matt Carpenter doesn’t deserve to be in the starting line up every day, but he will be!!
Holy cow, cry me a river –
Why are you replying to your own comments lol !
Because I didn’t have enough room to cry all I wanted to do in the first Comment. What team do you root for?? I need to switch to them as long as John Mozeliak is with the Cardinals!! Plus, he’s going to be with them for a long time!!!!
As a Giants fan, I’d rather that they take a chance with Corey Dickerson than Castellanos. He will probably be cheaper and I don’t like Castellanos in the outfield at all. Especially the outfield at Oracle.
Giants probably need both honestly. Anything to help that putrid offense.
Chances are they aren’t going to get one, much less both. LOL I’m just saying if it were a choice, I would probably sign Dickerson right now instead of Castellanos
I would like it just for the fact of having 2 dickersons
Puig seems like a perfect fit for the Southsiders
Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it’s great to have so many options to choose from when you have money to spend
If they could flip Mazara. Mazara’s been barely replacement level over his career and his glove should be set ablaze. He’s a platoon DH ideally.
I’ve been a Sox fan my whole life
They don’t start selling weed in Illinois to the 1st
But Jerry must got an early stash cause he’s never spent $ on this team like this
For the better part of a decade following the ’05 season the White Sox had a top 10 MLB payroll according to figures on Cot’s. The 2020 payroll is currently projected to be in the $125m range which is where it was nearly 15 years ago. If the White Sox decide to once again have a payroll in the top 1/3, then they could go into the $150m range.
I’m so in on Puig…. White Sox sign all the Cubans…..
Go tell the Mets that we’ll take Cespedes and all his salary for a pitcher or two.
Cespedes I think I would pass on. Given the Mets being able to get out of so much of his contract, there must be quite a lot of dirt under the sheets that we don’t get to see, or MLBPA would’ve never let them settle for so much.
Puig to the Padres. Platoons with Myers. Gives Pham a day off. Replaces power lost in the Renfroe trade.
Why would you platoon two right handed hitters?
Grasping at straws pretty much. The Pads lineup outside of Tatis,Machado and Pham is pretty lackluster.
Because Puig hits better against RH than LH.
Braves will sign one of those OFs if tgey lose Donaldson.
The Braves need Kris Bryant at 3B, not an outfielder. They have two outfielders on the way.
Braves need a big right handed bat and if its an of’er they may jump once Donaldson off the board. Gutsing out with one and Riley/Camargo at 3rd better than risk being left without any protection for Freeman and those 2 anyway.
Would you give up Fried and Waters for Bryant?
HMMM, for 2 years yes, not 1. But I still have game 5 1st inning vs Cards in my mouth.
CubsInsider says Theo has contacted AA & said any 3 out of the 4 of Waters, Riley, Anderson & Wright is what it will take to get Bryant.
If the cost is that high I say give JD the 4th year. Who knows NL May have the DH by then & if they don’t I am sure some AL team would need a DH by then so he could always be moved if need be.
1. Bryant is a one or 2 year rental. No one in their right mind is giving up 3 quality (cheap) prospects for that.
2. Cut it out with the DH talk. I believe there is only one full-time DH in the AL – Cruz (making $12m this year). A guy like Encarnacion can primarily DH when he plays, but he’ll be lucky to get 400 PA’s in 2020 – and that will include some time at 1B. AL teams use the DH to rest guys from playing in the field for a game or two, as well as to rehap regulars coming back from injury. No one is going to pay a $20m-plus salary to a guy that can only DH, and then trade something to get him.
Gads.
Theo can keep Bryant then, and he can try to figure another way out of the payroll mess he created. Three out of four? Lmao. Dude must be high.
I wouldn’t, megaj.
I’d just ink Donaldson for 4 years and 100 million, and call it a day. If I had to put a Bryant package together though, it’d be Riley and one of Wilson/Muller. If that’s not good enough, my heart wouldn’t break over it.
There are at least two full-time DH’s. Cabrera in Det was full-time in ’19. and the only way he plays the field in ’20 is if he loses 20# and all his body parts that are prone to injury are replaced.
Bryce Harper for Joey Bart.
Giants can sign Realmuto next winter. Kapler loves both of them.
Joke right? Why would anyone trade their best young player for a crippling 300M contract and the most overrated player in baseball?
It’s a safe bet Harper isn’t going to waive his no-trade clause after 1 season.
Who was not an all star. Cheap ahot, yes, but Xmas is a year away.
Dude, what have you been smoking ??
Your going to trade the Giants catcher of the near future for an overrated Harper and then your going to sign a catcher that is 30+. Harper might even have a no trade clause in his contract ? I’m glad your aren’t running the Giants !! It’s going to be tough for the next couple of years, but you would ruin them for the next decade.
I’d take Puig before I’d take Harper !!
Not a chance in hell that I would take that ex Dodger Bum !!
I’m all for puig on the white sox to pair with mazara. It’s been a great offseason so far! Keep it going! Go sox!
What’s that, … up in the sky?
Why, there goes another flock of flying Puigs!
The issue with Puig is that he can not play CF. Neither can Mazara or Eloy. If Puig is replacing either Leury or Engel then they are losing depth and flexibility even when Robert is called up. Puig would definitely be a nice platoon bat with Mazara, but the AL Central is devoid of quality LHP and both Leury and Engel hit LHP.
@Anthony Princeton
I’m going with the safe bet they will never put Puig, Mazara, or Eloy in CF.
My guess is they will do the same to Robert by March as they did with Eloy and he will be the Opening Day CF. If not, then Garcia/Engel for the first month.
If they get Puig it will be Puig/Mazara platoon. It would be the only thing that makes sense, outside of trading Mazara, which I can’t see them doing already.
They don’t need Puig to play center.
Garcia and Engel can both play center, and even if you have Garcia starting at 2b, all you need is a guy like Mendick on the bench to do a double switch when needed.
Then there is Robert, who will be yo sooner than later.
Why would the Sox get rid of Engel? Hahn’s not stupid, he knows the Sox need a backup at every position. Don’t overthink this.
Marte & Moran to the Cardinals for C Herrera, OF Arozarena & their 38th competitive balance pick. .
Proven big leaguers for a couple of prospects. Pirates will do way better.
Cardinals would jump at this if it could happen because they would be absolutely dominating the Pirates in this trade. Easy no for Pittsburgh.
Thays what STL gives for Moran alone. Now you gott pony up for Marte.
I would love this trade
Puig was appealing a few weeks ago before the Sox traded for Mazara then signed Encarnación. Sorry but the White Sox needs are filled for now and it’s time to see Hahn stick to his plan while building the farm system while putting up a competing MLB roster. It would be dumb to spend money on guys where there are other guys in those positions.
Mazara is a platoon player at best.
Puig would be that partner.
Mazara isn’t an everyday RF, so no, all needs aren’t filled yet.
Braves need a big right handed bat and if its an of’er they may jump once Donaldson off the board. Gutsing out with one and Riley/Camargo at 3rd better than risk being left without any protection for Freeman and those 2 anyway.
Mozara can’t hit lefties, but he is remarkably consistent in his production. He could prove valuable as a bench/platoon player with some power who doesn’t strike out a bunch.
Puig has reverse splits; he’s hit RHP significantly better than LHP over his career. That makes him a bad fit for a platoon.
You are correct, but Puig is still capable against LHP, but so is Leury and Engel and they can play CF unlike Puig.
Puig
Against LHP career .255/.343/.419, 109 wRC+
Against LHP 2019 .279/.357/.434, 105 wRC+
Against RHP career .285/.350/.495, 130 wRC+
Against RHP 2019 .263/.317/.465, 99 wRC+
I agree. The reverse splits are not good. I’m not a fan of Puig being part of a platoon with Mazara.
Go Cubs Go
Castellanos and the Rangers are a good fit. At this point it seems like the Marlins and Giants are his only two other suitors. I see Puig ending up with the Giants or the Marlins with Mattingly again. I still think that Starling Marte will get traded to a contender though.
Puig to SF makes alot of sense. Relatively affordable, shorter term, right handed, and adds instant power to a pop-less lineup. And the stadium plays much fairer to righties with power.
He is a fit. Don’t know how he’d be received by the fans. But he is interesting. I like Sousa and Domingo Santana. If they’re willing to overlook castellanos’ fielding, why not Santana’s? They have the same basic numbers over their careers. And they’re really close in age.
I can guarantee he will be received very well by the fans.
Uh, someone should tell obvious Giants fans that their team is covertly tanking.
But they can’t do that. They don’t, and won’t have enough talent when these next prospects come up to compete. They have to have players already here to mix with those young guys.
*oblivious (damn autocorrect)
The Giants are tanking. They have been for years.
Too bad Mattingly is in Miami, that’s the best fit for Puig, but that reunion cannot happen. Castellanos will be a steal for the right AL club.
I still hope the White Sox sign Yasiel Puig to be their primary RF with lefty hitting Nomar Mazara becoming his backup and also one for Eloy Jimenez in LF. Puig’s projected by most pundits to receive a short term and relatively inexpensive ‘make-good’ FA deal this offseason which could work nicely for both the White Sox and the talented Cuban who has yet to fulfill his huge potential at 29 years old. If he can’t do it with a team chock full of his countryman he probably never will.
Mazara could also DH when soon to be 37-year old Edwin Encarnacion needs a break or spells Jose Abreu at 1B. Puig’s defense is much better in RF than Mazara, particularly with his cannon arm. I’d rather see Puig in one corner with Jimenez already the White Sox starting LF. Having two defensively challenged corners flanking new CF Luis Robert would be an unnecessary burden for their sensational rookie in 2020. I believe there will be plenty of PA’s available for Encarnacion, Abreu, Mazara and Puig with the first two being older veterans who could benefit from a day off at least once a week while lefty slugger Mazara is best in the lineup just facing right-handed pitching with his excellent splits versus them and poor metrics against southpaws.
If Puig wants too much money or there is some bad blood with him and Abreu or former Dodger teammate Yasmani Grandal then the White Sox can always consider turning to veteran FA Ben Zobrist to play some RF along with six other positions on the field. Leadership and clubhouse presence has never been an issue with two time World Series champ Zobrist while his defensive versatility and high contact bat would also be a welcome addition to the White Sox roster next season provided he decides to play and not retire in the wake of his divorce this past year. He has a young family to consider but his decision to continue playing might be easier since he has already spent most of the last 4 seasons in Chicago with the Cubs.
I can’t envision the White Sox signing Nicholas Castellanos unless they flip Mazara or the former somehow settles on a short term ‘pillow’ contract which seems highly unlikely with no QO attached to him this offseason.
Agreed
“… or there is some bad blood with him and Abreu – Grandal”
Sigh, if I was only a sportswriter in Havana.
Puig is the only real RF in this free agent class. The Sox should sign him to a 1 year deal with a team option for a 2nd year if they can. I truly believe Puig has star talent. He just needs the right environment to flourish, and I think the Sox could be it. If he loses his way, Abreu, Moncada, Jimenez, and Encarnacion will be there. I don’t really see a better fit in baseball. What’s he got to play for in Miami? Nada.
On that type of a deal the Sox would be better off doing it
At this point, I’d rather they go with the team they have. I would’ve stopped before EE. But it’s JR’s money, not mine. I was interested to see what Collins does this year in Chicago, but he’s seriously getting squeezed out of playing time, and 1 or 2 games a week isn’t going to cut it. That didn’t work out for him back in June/July. All I can do is hope EE works out well for the Sox.
I would definitely sign Puig before Cast. I wouldn’t do either, but Puig will be cheaper and a much shorter contract, plus the Puig/Mazara platoon makes more sense than benching Mazara.
I’d rather see the Sox start locking up their young core long-term, like Yoan and Giolito. Do the same with Robert as with Eloy. Actually I’d do the same with Madrigal and have him as the Opening Day 2B. If not, I’d look to bring back Yolmer, assuming he still wants back at far less than $6MM. Mendick, Garcia, and dumpster dives really don’t do it for me at 2B in April and May
Catellanos and Puig to Cards, Thomas/Arozarena, Martinez and Martinez+ to the Indians Lindor to Cards. Maybe Thomas and Arozarena plus a couple pitching prospects plus the above. Cle doesn’t save much but upgrades two spots while getting someone to try at Cf.
LOL
At last count, the Indians have 4 guys to play CF.
Why not throw in Bader as well? Then the Indians will have 6 guys to play CF.
4+1=5
Now ur talking
might not get it done but a good start.
The Giants need to understand the they are a franchise that needs transitional talent from the old guard to the young guy coming down the pipe. That isn’t a place that is tolerant of a complete strip down and rebuild. I’ll be extremely upset if they don’t sign one more known sp, one known of, and one decent backup catcher.
What’s your definition of the word “Known” LOL
I think king Felix makes sense because he’ll sell tickets and can be a good cheap vet in that park. Homer Bailey is another. Francisco liriano, although not a starter, could definitely help this team and have good trade value. It is kinda crazy that if they don’t want to spend a ton of money, that pillar hasn’t been discussed at all on a one year deal.
I think another SP would be ideal as well, Jimmy Nelson as a bounce back candidate? I think they intend on letting Aramis Garcia be the back up catcher at this point, Buster will still catch the majority of the time, unless they move Belt
Buster will never transition to 1st full-time now. His offense isn’t good anymore and all his value is on defense, where he excels. Why move a positive to a negative by moving a Gold Glove catcher who can’t hit to first where he still can’t hit?
I get what Zaidi is thinking (I think)…. It’s all about stocking the farm for a return to glory in 2022.
For better or for worse they have two starting pitchers – Shark and Cueto. They signed Kevin Gausman to grab innings. I’m sure they will try their best to get Alex Wood. He needs to bounce back and that stadium is ideal for it. The Giants will probably flip Wood and Gausman (and Shark if possible) at the deadline for more prospects that are close to the majors.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they do sign either Ozuna or Castellanos. Both are young, have upside, and still be productive in 2022 when the Giants will be ready to compete again.
Why 2022? Sometime in 2021 Bart, Anderson, Webb and Ramos are set to come up. Crawford and Belt will be gone by the end of that season. In 2022 Luciano will be up and playing short, Bart and Ramos will have some time under their belt, and the Giants will have just $55 million in guaranteed contracts.
For everyone pining for some action… why? The Giants will not catch the Dodgers in 2020. With the NL East the way it is, they won’t get the Wild Card either. Just take some lumps, stock the farm, and look ahead. 2022 is two seasons away.
I can’t wait.
Resign JD give him the 4 years already. The market says he could get it and he is an important piece we can’t afford to lose. His bat will play at 37 it’s the fielding you have to worry about. Can always trade him to an AL team later or hopefully the DH will be in the NL by then.
This. I don’t understand the hold up here.
His bat will play at 37 it’s the fielding you have to worry about.
——————————————————
Nobody’s bat plays at 37. In the 37 year bracket, you have only 4 players that have even 200 PAs, and three of those four have a negative WAR.
The White Sox have done a nice job this offseason and I wouldn’t risk the potential clubhouse distraction of Puig unless it is a cheap, one year deal that they’d be comfortable jettisoning in May or June if he doesn’t work out. To me, it seems Puig is destined to go back to Cincinnati where his ‘free spirit’ act plays up a little better than it would in Chicago.
So you’re down with Puig then, because that’s the only kind of contract he’ll get at this point. I’m guessing 1 year, $8MM with an option or incentives thrown in.
Puig has been described as “exhausting” by ex teammates. That doesn’t sound like a fit for what they are trying to accomplish. That doesn’t sound like a guy who will accept a platoon situation. I am also bullish on Mazara and Want to see if he can have a breakout year. 24-25 years old are common breakout ages.
Bullish on Mazara? Why? He’s done nothing to be bullish about. .5 war player. He’ll be gone in less than a year.
Mazara’s 24 years old with four years of major league experience. It doesn’t make sense to talk about his WAR when clearly there are coaching issues that have worked against his reaching his potential. JD Martinez compiled a negative WAR over 3 season until his age 26 season with he “broke out” and put together a +4.5WAR year. During his first 8 season, Edwin Encarnacion’s highest WAR was 1..6; in his 8th season at age 29, he batted .280, hit 42 HRs and was a +5WAR player. There’s ample reason to be bullish on Mazara’s innate talent.
Flip mazara? That just seems a little silly to me. I just don’t see that happening at all. I’m not sure the white sox have a glaring need in the outfield anymore, none of these guys are going to be happy in a shared role splitting at-bats and it wouldn’t be in their best interest to be in that situation.. Can you imagine the kind of disruption Puig would cause if he became a part-time player on the south side? No one wants to see that. For the sake of that clubhouse they need to pretend like Puig doesn’t exist.
If Puig is willing to take a 1-year, extremely incentive-based deal, I’m all for it. If the base pay is low enough for them to be willing to walk away if circumstances dictate it, I’m willing to take the chance.
Cardinals are currently worse for 2020!! Subtracted Ozuna and Wacha. Added a Lefthander Kim to take Wacha’s place. The Cardinals ended the 2019 regular season on a roll. In the Playoffs… With Carpenter and Fowler on the bench, because of lack of offense and poor defense, the Cards advance in the playoffs. 2020??? Owners have mandated the Cardinals Manager to start both Carpenter and Fowler at the beginning of the season. There’s 2 duds!!! No Clean up hitter… As in recent years, Owners are depending on C. Martinez (mentally can’t handle the mlb…in-spite of his talent), and Alex Reyes (Too many arm injuries over too many years!) for strength in their pitching. Owners have no idea if they’re starters of relievers. That might be sorted out at Spring training. Owners are depending on comeback seasons from too many people!! Carpenter, Fowler (Ha! on both), DeJong, Goldschmidt, Molina, & Bader. Everybody but Wong. They hope Wong can finally put back to back decent seasons together.
Too many holes to fill by an ownership who has stated, “Don’t expect any big money impact players for 2020!” Well…..where is you clean up hitter coming from?? Not from within, that’s for sure!!! Owner dictatorship and a puppet President of Baseball Operations, who specializes in Low Hanging Fruit ….washed out former stars….equals mediocrity!!!!!