The Cardinals announced a series of roster moves today, selecting right-hander James Naile and recalling first baseman/outfielder Juan Yepez from Triple-A Memphis. In corresponding moves, outfielder Tyler O’Neill was placed on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain while right-hander Jake Woodford was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. To open a spot on the 40-man for Naile, righty Wilking Rodríguez was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
O’Neill, 28 in June, has a tremendous ceiling but has been held back by injuries in recent years. In 2021, he launched 34 home runs and hit .286/.352/.560 overall for a 144 wRC+. He also stole 15 bases and got good grades for his glovework, leading to a tally of 5.6 wins above replacement from FanGraphs. But last year, he made multiple trips to the IL and only got into 96 games, playing with diminished production when on the field. This year, he’s hitting just .228/.283/.337 while striking out in 34.3% of his trips to the plate.
The Cardinals have been dealing with a crowded outfield mix this year, as young players like Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker made the club out of camp, joining O’Neill, Dylan Carlson and Lars Nootbaar, though the latter missed some time on the injured list. It was hard enough to divvy up the playing time that the Cards optioned Walker to the minors to get more regular at-bats in the minors. Now that O’Neill isn’t in the mix, that should make things simpler, though Yepez has been recalled instead of Walker today.
As for Naile, 30, this will be his second stint on the roster, having been selected in June of last year. He spent the rest of the year getting frequently optioned and recalled, posting an ERA of 5.00 in the majors over nine scattered appearances. He was designated for assignment in February but cleared waivers and stayed in the organization. He has an ERA of 2.50 through 18 Triple-A innings so far this year. The club used a lot of their lower leverage pitchers yesterday when starter Jack Flaherty lasted only 2 1/3 innings, so bringing up Naile will give the club a fresh arm to call upon. He still has a couple of options and can be sent back down to the minors when needed.
Rodríguez, 33, was selected from the Yankees in the Rule 5 draft but had a shoulder injury pop up in the spring. He underwent surgery earlier this week and is expected to miss the next four to six months, making this move an expected formality.
Way to go Mo!
(Hey Mo hey Mo) hey Mo hey Mo
(Well nyuck nyuck nyuck nyuck) well nyuck nyuck nyuck nyuck
Happy birthday James Naile
Anytime I get notifications about the Cardinals I expect it to say the coaching staff has been fired.
We couldn’t get so lucky
It’s looking more and more like that will happen. On field management will be gone if they don’t improve. Almost the entire team is underperforming.
Just checking in on you. Are ready to concede the season yet?
They match up well with the tigers so they will probably take 2 of three this weekend and it will by Marmol another two months.
I’m guessing most of the staff is gone by next year. I think they shifted pitching philosophy too quickly. They’ve been pitch to contact for years. Suddenly they want them all to be strikeout pitchers. I don’t oppose the change. I don’t like the speed of it. Is this why Maddox left? Did it come from the top?
Asking them to be strikeout pitchers sure is asking a lot from a bunch of mid-grade arms. Pitch to contact.. doesn’t that basically mean trying to pound the edges, corners, and low in the zone? If so, that’s the name of the pitching game, not some kind philosophical mastermind formula. The zone is not getting any bigger. The pitching game is still the same, as it has been my entire life. In my opinion, Mo expects way too much from a staff packed full of mid-grade arms, and it seems as long as he is around that trend will continue.
57 – Yes, it came from the top. Yes, that’s why Maddox left. And yes, it happened way too fast. They spent the 21-22 offseason loading up on ground ball pitchers. Then pulled the rug out from under them this year.
678 – You win. I will concede the season. But you have to admit, even you didn’t see this coming. They don’t even play defense anymore. There’s no way you expected that. This team is surpassing even Slider’s wildest expectations.
We’re not going to miss O’Neill. He got injured lugging around all of his hurt feelings. Ok, so the manager called you out in the media. That was weeks ago. Get over it and play ball.
I didn’t see 12 games under this quickly happening, no. I still standing with my preseason projection of right at .500, probably 78-80 wins and finishing 3rd in the division. Mozaliak will eventually over correct to show all the fans how in charge he is. They’ll go on a streak , it it won’t be enough this year and then we’ll do this dance again starting in early October.
I wonder what kind of fix Mo has in mind for next season’s rotation. I’m guessing more of the same. He will continue expecting so-so players to perform like All-Stars because they’re so lucky to wear the most beautiful jersey in baseball.
Well they have Hence and Graceffo and McGreevy and Thompson and Mikolis and Woodruff and Liberatore and Dad from Mom’s Deli and and and not enough spots for them all to start. Why would he add to an already full rotation.
We rarely agree, but that is exactly what I was thinking. That has been the company line for way too long to suddenly change now.
I know the organization prefers to grow their own, but do you fellas really think that’s a smart move, to have so many unproven players on the same staff, on a team that’s expected to compete? Doesn’t sound smart to me, but does seem like a realistic possibility.
Sounds to me like another season with a rotation full of 3s, 4s, and 5s.. we’re seeing how successful that game-plan is right now.
I’m not saying that’s what they should do, but it definitely feels like the most likely approach. The problem is made worse by the fact that our big plan of trading an outfielder for pitching is going down the drain because our outfielders are actively torpedoing their trade value.
Maybe their trade value never should’ve been much anyway because they’re really nothing special.. is what I think.
It was satire. The reality is, even if MO was willing to pay top dollar, players don’t want to sign here. The list of big name free agents choosing to come to Saint Louis, who weren’t already on the team is one player deep- Contreras. That leaves then having to grow their own or make a trade. Until they brought Yepez up today, they only have one Latin American position player. I think there is clearly something behind the scenes the players don’t like about the organization and that’s why none will sign here and coaches leave as soon as a better opportunity arrives.
I think Arenado has Latin roots (?) but I could definitely be wrong.. Geography has never been an interest of mine, but I get your point and agree with what you said. There’s much more to the story than what we are told by lamestream media..
The FO will give Marmol another month to hang himself, then replace him with Yady Molina.
If not Molina, then Joe McEwing or Willie McGee.
I’d prefer the secret weapon, Jose Oquendo.
Molina wasn’t good of a manager in the wbc, but that was a small sample. I think he’ll be a good manager one day. Catchers make very good managers, for the most part.
No they wont. We are going to have to deal with cries for Molina to be the manager for the next 30 years like he have endured the cries for Oquendo. Their next manager should be DeMarlo Hale, but you can’t get him until after the season. So it will be Warner or Clapp for the rest of the year if not Marmol.
I wrote last offseason asking how long before Yadi becomes the Cardinals manager.
I’ve never believed that Yadi would want the job. He’s no yes man. I think Yadi is happy owning his basketball team or tatoo parlor or whatever he is doing now. He was obviously creating distance from the team last season. And that was with Pujols on the team. I doubt he wants any part of this dumpster fire.
I agree. It’ll be a fans fantasy like Oquendo forever but hall of fame caliber player rarely come back to manager. Ryan Sandberg is the only recent one I can recall. He’s made ebough money, he doesn’t have any internet in managing.
Not many front offices can fire three managers within five years. If Mo fires the coaching staff, he’s essentially firing himself. DeWitt needs to hit the reset button.
Any particular first- or second-hand info on how Jordan Walker is doing? The Yepez return makes sense, but what is the general fan consensus on Walker’s progress and/or future call-up?
Takes 1 minute for you to look up his minor league numbers and see that he’s been awful in AAA.
True Stevie, we can all look at numbers and formulate a general story. What I was asking about was one step further, but thanks for your thoughtful insight.
What else do you want to know? What he ate for dinner last night?
Ok, I’ll bite and consume your story, even if I can’t stomach it… what vittles did he eat for din-din?
He had a watermelon banana smoothie with 2 spoons of peanut butter and a sprinkle of chia seeds and flax seeds. That’s all he ate last night. I got that from an insider
Yepez stinks. Can’t play defense can’t run the bases 82 wRC+ in AAA. But according to cards fans he’s their savior lol. Gotta be the worst fan base in baseball besides from the California and New York teams.
Who would be the better call-up then?
Trade for Nimmo the Mets are competing for last place in their division anyway it makes sense for both teams.
I highly doubt the Metros are moving a newly minted Nimmo… I feel like the Redbirds might have to go Finding Nimmo-like personnel on another squad.
Finding Nimmo…
Heh heh heh heh.
The mets are second in their division, which includes the Nationals. I highly doubt they’ll end up with a record as bad as the Nats’
@Gwynn, Walker has been pretty bad in Minors this season. Small sample size but he’s hitting .130. I’m not familiar with the service time situation of STL prospects. Anyone called up should b done with them in mind. This looks to b shaping up as a lost season for STL.
It’s still early for all clubs, but I also wonder if Walker is looking any better on the grass. In a game or two I watched, he looked pretty robotic and rusty in RF. Imo the StL season will hinge on their arms and Arenado rebounding to All-Star levels.
Yeah there success definitely tied to Arenado and Goldy. I don’t see rotation ever being particular good tho. Montgomery looks good and Mikolas should find his way. Matz best days are behind him, Flaherty looking like 2019 was a career year. Woodford is just a back of rotation guy.
He should perform better on grass. Perhaps a couple of those gummies if he’s pulmonary conscious.
Except it isn’t particularly early. With how poorly the Cardinals have started they would need to play at the equivalent of a 90+ win clip from here on out just to right the ship. They also would need multiple of the teams around them to collapse. The old adage of it’s early doesn’t really hold up when you dig into it.
@Gwynning. Yes, it’s still early but I think they’d have to play the rest of season at.650+ to have a shot at the playoffs. Not saying it can’t be done but I wouldn’t hold your breath
They are literally trying to change his swing. Typical Cardinal development m.o. take a player with promise and then change everything about him when he’s otherwise major league ready. His launch angle wild have naturally corrected itself.
Hitting .130(3-23) with 1 HR, 1 RBI, and 9 K’s in 6 games.
Right, but he’s 20 in AAA. Has the fanbase soured on Walker already? I’d argue he’s doing “fine” but some hint of progress would probably help the fanbase see more light at the end of the tunnel.
Hitting .130 at Triple A is not doing fine. It’s not a call to give up on him. Seems best to give him time to work on swing and build confidence tho.
He’s a 3-for-3 from hitting 2-something. The importance in what you said is highlighted in the final sentence and I wholly agree. Cheers Tiger!
We haven’t soured. MLB found his weaknesses just as they did with Gorman last year. Gorman worked it out. I’m sure Walker will too. I also think he needs more outfield experience. He looked bad out there.
Has Gorman worked it out? His BB% and K% have improved a little bit and he’s displayed very good power but over the past 30 days he’s hitting .235/.298 (BA/OBP), which is in line with his numbers last year.
Gorman lost his patience and started chasing pitches often, just like Walker did. Gorman has become a better hitter since last season, but of course he still has plenty of room for growth and experience. He’s the one guy on the team I would not consider trading.
Every hitter goes through slumps. Gorman will be fine. His line over the last 30 games is .265/.348/.531. It’s the last two weeks he’s been slumping. He still has an elite hard hit rate and a very high EV.
Saw Yepez was in the lineup and assumed they finally got rid of Motter
Yepez stinks. Can’t play defense can’t run the bases 82 wRC+ in AAA. But according to cards fans he’s their savior lol. Gotta be the worst fan base in baseball besides from the California and New York teams.
Say it a third time. Maybe the point will truly be driven home.
Yepez stinks. Can’t play defense can’t run the bases 82 wRC+ in AAA. But according to cards fans he’s their savior lol. Gotta be the worst fan base in baseball besides from the California and New York teams.
Does this mean O’Neill has been hurting for some time?
He said he was hurting a TON. Sorry, I immediately regret that one.
Only on the inside.
Actually like many other transactions by other teams this doesn’t pass the smell test. It appears that they are placing players on the IL whenever they want to and when they are struggling. Is it true that Woodford & O’Neill are injured? Only the trainers know and we never hear from them.
The players themselves probably know if they’re injured.
I’d imagine there must be at least something going on. You couldn’t just walk up to a player and tell him he’s injured without getting a fair amount of pushback.
Lower back strain in cardinal speak is what the rest of us call benching..
O’Neill is a weightlifter. His father was named “Mr. Canada” and went to the Olympics as a weightlifter.
Weightlifters seldom do well in baseball for any length of time. Players need to be agile to perform. Players that are too musclebound lose their dexterity. O’Neill’s career path is true to form.
Unless he cuts down substantially on lifting and does a lot of Yoga-type stretching and/ or Pilates, he’s going to continue to underperform and have nagging injuries. He’s set to bounce from team-to-team as a 4th/5th OF with power at times unless he makes the adjustments.
I have to believe people have talked to him about that. Either it’s not working or he’s just not committed to it.
Have you never seen Mike Trout? He’s a pretty similar body style to O’Niel, he’s seemed to just fine with it. Minus the whole back issues almost ending his career last season thing.
“Minus the whole back issues almost ending his career last season thing.”
Ah, there’s the rub. Liniment, no doubt.
The Cardinals manager is bottom 3 in baseball. Hes way too young and basically a yes man for the GM. Basically a Luis Rojas clone. He commands no respect in the locker room. They got players older than the manager. They never should have fired Mike Schildt. Honestly, I think they underperformed last year as well. This teams hitting is elite, their defense is elite, bullpen is around the top 5-10 range, and the pitchers they have should be doing a lot better. Worst manager in the game
Shildt was terrible and so was Matheny. Oli was good last year, but managers don’t have that much influence on wins and losses. Talent is all that really matters in the long run. They’ve had the worst luck imaginable, like Murphys Law style. No manager would be making up for what they’ve put out there this year.
I disagree, I think Shildt was a great manager but thats just me. 17 game winning streak to make the playoffs, not just any manager can do that
Matheny was the worst manager I’ve ever seen. Managers do not always deserve the credit for winning, but they can deserve the credit for losing and he lost this team a lot of games. The years they went deep were done in spite of him because the roster was so loaded.
He’s far too tightly bound which is why he has these nagging injuries. You can see it in the very forced way he moves and kicks his legs out when he walks. He looks like a Ninja Turtle.
Rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic…
I like the call up righty James Naile.
He was concerned when he broke a cuticle on a comebacker last night but management isn’t concerned.
They just stated “Press on, Naile”.
Steroid use is catching up to O’Neill I see.
Quit PEDdling your remarks.
Quit NEEDLING the players too.
Heh heh heh…
Horrible take, Dutch.
2021 is looking like an outlier year for TON.
TFW you just can’t naile that roster spot for good…
Goldschmidt led off the 9th with a double!
(Strike three yer out!)
(Strike three yer out!)
(Strike three yer out!)
I think he’s going to spend the night.
Not to pour salt in the wound but STL is owned by the makers of bud light…
I thought they were owners by the makers of beef ‘n cheddars and horsey sauce.
They’re not.
But what they are is –
10-23
.303
Last in the NLC
Last in the NL