January 22: The Cardinals announced the signing. Their 40-man roster is full.
January 19: The Cardinals have agreed to a new contract with catcher Matt Wieters, as per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link). The deal will pay Wieters $2MM in guaranteed money, with another $1MM in incentives available. Wieters is represented by the Boras Corporation.
The A’s and Rockies each showed interest in Wieters this winter, though the 33-year-old will return for his second year in St. Louis after hitting .214/.268/.435 with 11 home runs over 183 plate appearances for the Cards in 2019. It was a solid enough performance to earn a guaranteed deal for the coming season, as Wieters had to settle for a minor league pact last winter.
Wieters hasn’t been a consistent offensive force since his heyday with the Orioles, and Baseball Prospectus has graded him as one of the league’s worst pitch-framers for several seasons. Still, Wieters provides value as a switch-hitter and above-average pitch blocker, and he also gives the Cardinals some veteran catching depth behind Yadier Molina.
With Wieters back in the fold, the Cardinals can continue to allow the promising Andrew Knizner to develop at his own pace, though Knizner has already made his big league debut and hit .283/.362/.453 over 341 PA at the Triple-A level. Both Molina and Wieters are free agents after the coming season, so Knizner could potentially step in as the heir apparent, though it wouldn’t be surprising to see Molina continue in at least a time-share role since the longtime Cardinal has said he intends to play beyond the 2020 season.
MLBTR when is the downvote coming back ???
Yes, I like having Wieters back with the Cardinals. Good job Mozeliak.
What did Wieters do last year to deserve a major league contract? I understand catchers today don’t always hit but a back up catcher is normally above average defensively and Weiters’ bat is supposed to be the strong part of his game. It’s like one puts in his stats into a computer and someone says full time that’s over thirty homers. I understand the love for a power bat off the bench and I’m not saying he can’t win a job in spring training, my argument is he should not in my view be occupying a 40 man spot with a guaranteed contract in January.
Trying to develop Kelly by backing up Yadi didn’t work. They don’t want to do the same with Knizner. Wieters is a decent veteran backup and a switch-hitting power bat off the bench. I like it.
I think it’s the position, not easy to find major league capable catchers. Add to it that he is capable of being the starter in case of injury and you can see why he can find a job pretty easy. He’s also pretty dependable, doesn’t miss a lot of time to injuries.
I just always thought Baltimore played a role in his power early in his career and last year so many were aided by the ball that was used.
I like wieters also but I wish the Card would let Knizner do what Yadi did with Matheny. Remember the cards also signed another Catcher earlier this off season.
That’s next year.
While I’m glad to see Weiters back, Why the blitz of backup players, or backup players being signed, plus hypothetical thought of the 2020 Cardinals by the Owners and Mozeliak??? When in fact, using 2019 statistics, the Hypothetical starting lineup of the Cardinals has—in Reality—- taken steps backwards—- Not Forward!! Not a Mozeliak fan, but you can’t blame him on this one!!! The Owners are in wishful thinking mode. Wishing that all of their current available starting lineup can ALL have resurrection years. such as the predict will happen with Carpenter!! The Owners, especially Bill DeWitt Jr. are in Fairy Tale land. Wishful thinking is just that!! Wishful thinking. Multimillion dollar huge contracts on Low Hanging Fruit and past their prime veterans has caught up with the Cardinals in 2020!!!
Mo used the words low hanging fruit one time and the keyboard warriors act like he uses it in every sentence.
I’m sure Mo cringes every time someone randomly mentions anything about low hanging fruit. I know when I see it, It kinda feels like nails on a chalkboard.
I totally agree with everything you stated above Cardinal17 !!!!! Even Bill FeWitt Jr.’s attitude, when being interviewed, is very defensive, on every topic. As if —- You have no right to question my team. You have no right to ask any “If” questions for 2020.
Hopefully never
Wow
I’m glad they did sign Weiters as Yadi’s back up. He did a great job last year while Yadi was out.
Nice. Great backup and seemed like the only hits he got last year were in huge spots. Probably a coincidence but a good pickup nonetheless
It may be coincidence but as an Os fan I always remember Wieters being his best in the clutch.
Obvious and good signing. Happy to have him back !
Good signing. Important to have a good backup with an aging catcher
Isn’t everybody aging?
Has your mom told you that you’re special lately?
Funny comment, excusemeflo. Reminded me of the late, great Mitch Hedberg’s joke about pictures:
“My friend showed me a photo and said ‘Here’s a picture of me when I was younger’. Every picture is of you when you were younger.”
Kinzer in AAA for another year or traded here is your 2020 St.. Louis Cardinals yuk.
2019 division champs, subtract Ozuna, Martinez and Wacha, add Kim. 2020 hope relies on youth and the other top teams in the division also not improving. Look out for the Reds.
Every team should have 3 catchers on the 40 man
According to just about every prospect evalutor, Kinzner’s defense is still a major work in progress. He’s not ready for a regular MLB job.
Great signing!!
I guess kinzer wasn’t ready to hold down the backup spot
Apparently, they dont think his defense is ready for primetime.
They just didn’t want him sitting on the bench, getting near-zero playing time behind ageless Yadi.
Clearly they didn’t.
Wieters had a few different options on the board, but ultimately he probably made the right decision. Going to Colorado for a season and trying to put up some gaudy offensive numbers, then going into free agency the following year wouldnt have been a bad idea either. He would have been the starter in Colorado.
Who? Adley Rutch…oh Matt Wieters. Same guy same nothingburger
Yadi will catch till he’s 50
So Johnny Bench, Jr. ends up playing for scraps again. How the supposedly mighty have fallen.
Great signing. Now please improve the offense.
I’m still very hopeful the Angels are able to trade for Knizner. I wish I knew what the Cardinals wanted for him.
Mike Trout.
Molina drives the boat.
Wieters cuts the bait.
Hooper drives the boat, Chief
Nice to resign the best back up catcher in the game today. Same as last year.
Wieters didn’t quit baseball. He got RE-SIGNED. He got re-signed because Molina forgets that he was mentored by Matheny, and he doesn’t want to pay it forward by mentoring a younger catcher. Hence, Kelly traded and Knizner kicked to curb. It’s the selfish mentality Molina has.
You couldn’t be more wrong.
Maurice – your a just a Cardinals troll, nothing ever good to say . Save your words and go eat some more paint chips
Matheny still played the vast majorty of games the only season that he and Molina played together–122 games to 51.
What Molina learned from Matheny was to take as many starts as you can while you still can.
I think that’s everyone in the game heck most of the players have incentives on that.
Molina still the best in the game
@ Maurice Lock…
“He’s also a nurturing teacher.
The eight-time Gold Glove winner and two-time World Series champion has never forgotten how intimidating it feels to be in major-league camp for the first time.
“When I was in my first year that’s how I felt seeing other people with more experience and more years,” he said. “I put myself in their position and I just try to help them any way I can.
“Respect is earned. If I hadn’t worked the way I’ve worked, they wouldn’t have the respect that they have for me. I’ve been working hard since I arrived. When they need help, I’m there for them. That also helps garner respect.”
Nice to see you’ve moved on to trolling your own team as well
Knizner now included the Arenado trade. Let’s go! Cardinals have a lot of movement this offseason.. don’t stop now. CO needs a catcher. Knizner, O’Neill, Hudson, and a Liberatore for Arenado should get it done. That’s a pretty huge haul.
Matt Wieters has been worth 1.0 (that is one-point-zero, not ten) fWAR combined over the past SIX seasons. Average of 0.17 fWAR. Signing him does not indicate or free up Knizner to be traded. He is there to play sparingly while Knizner is in AAA, most likely.
As much as I treasure Arenado, it might behoove the Red Birds to wait on a deal. Probably be better later in the season, and will give the Cards’ a chance to assess. Can Carpenter rebound? Somewhat, is my guess. Is Carlson ready for the Bigs?. Hard to say. Can Bader improve with the stick? And should Edman play every day? I’m saying yes, he has already proved himself. If all the questions are answered affirmatively, then there is no rush, or maybe even need. And don’t sleep on Justin Williams as part of the mix. For awhile Edman can play RF vs. righties, and third vs lefties. Carlson should at least play vs. righties. By June some answers should be ascertained. Arenado will probably still be around.
Carp is not rebounding. Count how many early season games the cards blew over the last 4yrs! No slow starts this year, love Carp but he has to go because every game counts.Arenado in his prime on 3rd with the birds is money
I agree that Carpenter is a Cardinal for life!! No matter how it goes. BUT…. The Cardinals can’t sacrifice the early season because you want Carpenter to do well. Mentally he’s still the great baseball man—Matt Carpenter!! Physically, Father Time has caught up with Carpenter’s shoulder and Back a lot sooner than he or the rest of us thought it would. Carpenter and his great baseball mind would be just fine off the bench. The big bucks 2 year contract?? Suck it up Bill DeWitt Jr. Count that money as a bonus for what an underpaid Carpenter (at the time), did do in his prime for the Cardinals. Carpenter, with his great baseball mind and love of the game plus the Cardinals will and does see the value of the Cardinals acquiring Nolan Arenaldo to play 3rd Base.
I really don’t want to give up Liberatore! I know he is still in the minors but a lefty that highly touted is hard to come by! I would love to have Arenado but that’s a HUGE haul for him! JMO
It’s being reported that Knizner is an important piece that the Rockies are looking at for an Arenado trade. Knizner, Liberatore, Matt Carpenter, and Hudson seems to the the current offer. Source: Bleacher Report
Sign Ted Simmons to backup Yadi. Bet he can still hit .200 with a couple of dingers. Also, Cardinals don’t need Arenando. And they don’t need a free agent outfielder. They don’t need to sign a free agent pitcher. I guess Carpenter will bounce back and Fowler will continue to grow towards his former self. Lots of guys will play better. 90 wins. WC team.
Cards better pray Yadi doesn’t miss many games or their offense will take a big hit and some on defense too. Wieters has been overrated for years. His last three years are pretty bad.
Solid resigning. He always got hits when they needed one last year.Best backup catcher in baseball
Caratini is better
Never herd of him.
Nothing crazy but solid backup catcher with some pop.
MVP! MVP! MVP!
Herrera will need to play in AAA this season. I think this coupled with the trade with TB for Liberatore and a young catcher, throw in Carp’s comments this weekend about being willing to waive his NTC if its best for the organization, and the writing is on the wall. Arenado deal happens after next weekend.
Herrera will need to play in AAA this season. I think this coupled with the trade with TB for Liberatore and a young catcher, throw in Carp’s comments this weekend about being willing to waive his NTC if its best for the organization, and the writing is on the wall. Arenado deal happens after next weekend.
Lucky to have Scott Boras as his agent or he’d be in AAA somewhere.
Time to trade molina and let weiters and knizer take over the reigns
Getting Wieters back is good. He was solid defensively last year and he has some pop with the bat. He didn’t hit for a high average last season, but he did get some clutch hits. I’m surprised he would come back to St. Louis with no guarantee of playing time. As long as it’s only a 1 year deal, I like it!
If Andrew Knizner is the “heir apparent” behind the plate for the Cardinals, he needs to stay in AAA for another season.
This was the year to have Knizner be mentored by Molina while splitting the Catcher duties. Knizner should be making the team out of spring and now that’s not happening. Regular at bats is nice in AAA except that Knizner needed to be nudged toward the starting major league role come October.
I didn’t realize in a season where you’re trying to win the WS, getting a rookie catcher ABS was a huge priority. A rookie catcher with less than 400 AAA abs! But you said it; so it must be true!
Rockies could use Knizner imo his bat is ready for Mlb pitchers. Molina will play in 21’ and we have more young catching coming. Wieters is there because he is a switch and a vet.
Hudson, Monteiro, Knizner, Carp or O’Neill for Arenado = NL pennant
Large difference between a decent prospect or a 3B owed 34 million bucks.
Why?
Clutch hitter. I like it
If Col is willing to take back Carp or Fowler I think Stl is willing pay the prospect haul and this gets done before opening day-
This would immediately put Story, Blackmon and Gray most of all on the market-
Could see Gray go to a team like the Angels or Twins a week after
I dont think a re-build is 100% needed for Col but If they are selling Nolan all the wheels need to come off and soon
I would think that Knizner is going to be a main piece of the return for Colorado if an Arenado trade comes together with their not so great catching situation. I think that’s a big part of this deal, then you’ve got your backup and can either have him start at AAA or ship him out without worrying about it.
Back up catcher in St. Louis is probably not a job many catchers want you know you won’t play much. It’s good to have a veteran back up
Wow, Cards sign Wieters. That is a big head line and a typical Cardinal signing for the Cardinals. I’d read the post but I’m afraid that I would fall asleep.. Wake me up when the Cardinals actually sign an above average impact player that might improve this lack luster offense.
A lot of those homers were important, game changing and meaningful at the time. The man earned this contract and I am glad to see him back