Headlines

  • Tigers Place Riley Greene On Injured List Due To Stress Fracture In Fibula
  • Braves Select AJ Smith-Shawver, Designate Lucas Luetge
  • Orioles Sign Aaron Hicks, Place Cedric Mullins On IL
  • Brewers Designate Luke Voit For Assignment
  • White Sox To Activate Liam Hendriks From Injured List
  • Royals Release Hunter Dozier
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors Podcast: Willson Contreras Out At Catcher For Cardinals, Braves Rotation, Rays, Astros

By Tim Dierkes | May 10, 2023 at 11:59pm CDT

Episode 6 of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is now live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts! Make sure you subscribe as well! You can also use the player at this link to listen, if you don’t use Spotify or Apple for podcasts.

This week, host Simon Hampton is joined by Katie Woo of The Athletic to discuss:

  • The Cardinals’ decision to move Willson Contreras out of the catching position for the time being (3:16)
  • Nolan Arenado’s early-season struggles (8:22)
  • Will the Cardinals trade an outfielder to fill other needs? (9:49)
  • Jordan Montgomery, possible extension candidate? (12:06)

After Katie talked Cardinals with Simon, MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald comes on the podcast to dig into:

  • The Braves’ rotation in the wake of Max Fried’s forearm strain (15:56)
  • Why have the Rays been so good? (19:17)
  • The Astros’ sluggish start to the season (25:16)

Check out our past episodes!

  • White Sox trade candidates, Red Sox options for improvements, managers on the hot seat – listen here
  • The state of the Twins, Bryan Reynolds’ extension and Madison Bumgarner’s future – listen here
  • Free agent power rankings, Shohei Ohtani’s next contract and Aaron Nola or Julio Urias in free agency? Listen here
Share 0 Retweet 3 Send via email0

Atlanta Braves Houston Astros MLB Trade Rumors Podcast St. Louis Cardinals Tampa Bay Rays Jordan Montgomery Willson Contreras

Marlins To Promote Eury Pérez
Main
The Opener: Glasnow, Senzatela, Seager
View Comments (48)

Comments

  1. Footjoyboi

    3 weeks ago

    Astros will be fine if they can tread water through the end of May. Think about this lineup and rotation:

    Lineup in order: Altuve (R), Brantley (L), Bregman (R), Alvarez (L), Abreu (R), Tucker (L), Pena (R), Dubon/McCormick (R), Diaz/Maldonado (R)

    Rotation: Valdez, Javier, Brown, France, McCullers/TBD

    Reply
  2. bronxmac77

    3 weeks ago

    “You’re out, Willson.”
    (Michael Corleone voice)

    Reply
    • Hippyripper

      3 weeks ago

      But he’s not… John Mozeliak signed him for 5 years to block other defensively ailed prospects who could use the time at DH rather than Contereas but here I am typing about how Nolan Gorman, Jordan Walker, Alec Burleson, and Juan Yepez all could DH? Yet we repeat past mistakes because John Mozeliak never heard what Albert Einstien called the definition of insanity? Like trading for ozuna, signing Fowler then dealing away Garcia and Arozarena because they were blocked and you didn’t get to see who they were as a GM and this is how he owns the mistake? By blocking 4 other prospects 6 if you wanna count Kizner and Herrera? By signing Wilson Contreras and no hate for Contereas now that he’s here anything to help the team win but it’s got me saying as a mess up of a person who couldn’t do any better? What’s going on with John Mozeliak? Realized he couldn’t ride Jeff Luhnows coattails to his baseball grave since he’s managing soccer now?

      Reply
      • JoeBrady

        3 weeks ago

        The funny part was that, when they traded for Ozuna, every writer in the world screamed about Miami tanking, that this is what was wrong with baseball, and the Cards fans pretty much liked the deal.

        Reply
        • Cardsfan21

          3 weeks ago

          I’m first to admit how excited I was about that trade. Was I ever wrong…

  3. mlb fan

    3 weeks ago

    Everyone knows that Wilson is not a wartime consigliere and has to go. The cards will never win this “war” with Wilson as consigliere.

    Reply
  4. GarryHarris

    3 weeks ago

    The Cards will not win with their current Manager. No more to discuss.

    The Rays played 26 games against poor teams. The first 9 were against DET, WSH and OAK then played BOS, CIN, PIT and CHW. They better have a great record.

    Reply
    • algionfriddo

      3 weeks ago

      Marmol has burned the bridge. Time to move on.

      Reply
    • cwsAscension

      3 weeks ago

      Rays 12-6 record against teams above .500 is best winning % in MLB. They are just playing fantastic baseball + added bonus of dominating the lesser clubs. They will cool off at some point, but have built a nice cushion in the meantime to make playoffs.

      Reply
      • GarryHarris

        3 weeks ago

        And just how many +.500 teams have they played not including the Pirates?

        Playing those teams, including division leading Pirates, will give a team all the confidence in the world. I’m not saying the Rays are not a good team.

        Reply
  5. CardsFan57

    3 weeks ago

    Why is the media talking everyone’s role in Cardinal pitching woes except the change in pitching coach and pitching philosophy? That needs to be addressed but it’s not even being mentioned.

    Reply
    • jmlang

      3 weeks ago

      When you had possibly the best pitching coach in Maddox, he’s hard to replace.

      However, when you have “power pitchers“ what good is a 100 mph + pitch if you can’t control it, Hicks for example , you can’t blame the P.C. Give me 5 Pedro Martinez’s or Greg Maddox’s any day.

      Reply
      • Cmurphy

        3 weeks ago

        It’s not just replacing Mike Maddux as the pitching coach, Molina knew how to handle the pitching staff on the field. Willson does not. He was never good at it with the Cubs.

        Reply
        • lamars

          3 weeks ago

          And it’s not like the pitching rotation has been on fire since replacing Willson behind the dish.

        • mlb fan

          3 weeks ago

          The Cardinals will feel justified in the Contreras decision, because the team has won 3 str8 since. I can’t comment on the Card’s pitching, because I don’t watch them everyday. I’m more of a cherry picker, who only watches the best, sexiest teams play daily.

      • outinleftfield

        3 weeks ago

        When you had possibly the best catcher in baseball at calling a game, he’s hard to replace

        Reply
      • RunDMC

        3 weeks ago

        Hicks’ issue is that despite throwing harder than almost anyone in MLB — he throws very straight, making his pitches more hittable when you get the timing down.

        Reply
    • jmlang

      3 weeks ago

      CardFan57 is correct, you had possibly the best pitching coach in the game with Maddox, he’s difficult to replace.

      On the other hand, when you have for example Hicks who throws 100 mph + but can’t control it what good is it?

      Give me 5 Pedro Martinez’s or Greg Maddox’s any day.

      Reply
      • Ted

        3 weeks ago

        What is a Maddox?

        Reply
        • WampumWalloper

          3 weeks ago

          It’s a Maddux. Maddux’s pitch, Maddox’s cover all the ground not covered by water – per Ralph Kiner

      • kmk1986

        3 weeks ago

        Whoa u would rather have Greg Maddox or Pedro any day??

        Reply
        • DanUgglasRing

          3 weeks ago

          I would also rather have Pedro Martinez than Hicks.

        • RunDMC

          3 weeks ago

          I’m biased, but Maddux everyday and twice on Sunday. It’s a different question, who you are taking in the primes of their careers (possibly Pedro), but for the career, Maddux, who pitches 5 more years than Pedro in part because of how he was not so reliant on velocity and more on pitch usage, location and deception.

  6. Camden453

    3 weeks ago

    Hilarious blaming a catcher when you have one of the worst managerial hirings in recent memory

    It was obvious from day one Marmol would be a disaster

    So rather than simply firing Marmol, they blame the catcher. Total managerial incompetence

    Reply
  7. Camden453

    3 weeks ago

    Two seasons are wasted because Marmol was in line for a promotion and the GM didn’t have the fortitude to pass on him for the job

    He would have never been hired by me, and I would have shown him the door if he wanted to go to another organization

    Even CB Bucknor knew he wouldn’t work out

    Reply
    • kmk1986

      3 weeks ago

      And what r your credentials in running a team for u to make that decision

      Reply
      • DanUgglasRing

        3 weeks ago

        What are your credentials to allow you to comment on a baseball website

        Reply
        • DCartrow

          3 weeks ago

          One opposable digit to scroll and type plus an opposable attitude to fuel it?

  8. DonOsbourne

    3 weeks ago

    “Great sales job there by Marmol.”

    -Simon Hampton

    Even the decidedly neutral MLBTR guys are making fun of the Cardinals. That takes a lot. The mask has slipped. The veneer of professionalism can’t cover the rot when the losses pile up.

    There are serious philosophical issues with the Cardinals. Changing catchers hasn’t changed a flawed approach to pitching. Much has been made about how many hits the Cardinals pitchers have allowed with two strikes on the hitter. No one has mentioned how many times it was a full count. The Cardinals pitchers are constantly working from behind in the count, throwing WAY too many pitches, and putting their own defense to sleep by refusing to throw strikes. They also get beat by trying to work the top of the strike zone instead of the bottom. If it were just two or three guys, it could be attributed to poor execution or declining performance or whatever. But it’s the whole staff. These are guys who have established major league track records and no history of control issues. The system is broken. They need to move on from this approach yesterday. Get back to throwing strikes, inducing ground balls, and playing great defense. Dusty Blake is a failed experiment. Mo’s gotta go.

    Reply
    • JoeBrady

      3 weeks ago

      The veneer of professionalism can’t cover the rot when the losses pile up.
      ===================================
      Meh.

      The Cards are one of the best organizations in BB. In the past 23 years, they’ve been over .500 22 times, in the playoffs 16x, in the WS 4x, and won the WS 2x.

      This year, they are off to a slow start, mostly because of an unsustainable 1-7 in one-run games. They have plenty of talent. Come back to me in August and we can discuss.

      Reply
      • DonOsbourne

        3 weeks ago

        Watch the games and see what I’m talking about. But I’m up for it in August.

        Reply
      • 17dizzy

        3 weeks ago

        .500 ??? Ha! I’ve heard that excuse— one too many times ! As to just how good the Cardinals have done since Mozeliak got there. Just How many of those .500 teams made it to the playoffs?

        Reply
  9. GO1962

    3 weeks ago

    There have been multiple posters who have alleged that Contreras is a horrible catcher. If that is the truth, how is it that Jake Arrieta, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, Jason Hammel, Hector Rondon, and Wade Davis had such success and pitched the Cubs into the post season?

    Reply
    • drasco036

      3 weeks ago

      John Lackey, Jake Arrieta, Hector Rondon regressed when Contreras took over duties from Montero. Jon Lester regressed when Ross retired. Wade Davis only pitched one season for the Cubs and Hammel wasn’t on the 2017 team.

      Reply
      • kmk1986

        3 weeks ago

        Lester got old reason for his transgression not becaue of catcher stop making stuff up to fit your narrative

        Reply
        • flamingbagofpoop

          3 weeks ago

          Lester threw to Ross until he retired.

      • drasco036

        3 weeks ago

        I wasn’t going to go down this road but since you wanted to make a “tough guy” comment I’ll play.

        4/5 pitchers in 2016 had eras over a run higher when Contreras caught them

        Jon Lester was second in cy young voting in 2016, in 2017 his era was over 4. Guess he got “old” over night. He did bounce back in 2018 but was bottom of the rotation in 19 and 20.

        Jose Quintana was an upper middle of the rotation starter, he turned into a bottom of the rotation starter.

        Lackey went from a solid middle of the rotation starter to awful the following season.

        The cubs developed exactly zero pitching prospects before Gomes came to Chicago last season.

        Fact is, Contreras is toolsy, but he cannot speak pitcher. His relationship with pitching isn’t toxic like the Michael Barrett but he doesn’t maximize pitcher value at all the way Gomes does and Molina did.

        I’m not cherry picking to fit my “narrative” I’m looking at evidence and formulated an opinion.

        Reply
  10. Motor City Beach Bum

    3 weeks ago

    St Louis needs pitching. Atlanta needs pitching. Everybody needs pitching! Opt out or not the Tigers are going to grab a decent prospect from someone for Eduardo Rodriguez if he keeps it up. 4-2 and 1.57 era.

    Reply
    • GarryHarris

      3 weeks ago

      The jury is out on that. I’m not sure the Tigers got the best deal for Gregory Soto. It’s working out so far but I think you understand my point.

      Reply
      • Motor City Beach Bum

        3 weeks ago

        Yeah prospects are always a toss up. Mlb.com had a writeup on redrafting the 2013 draft and I was amazed how many guys from the first round bombed. Soto has not looked good though…4.76 era and a lot of rough outings lately. Maton has some holes and Vierling does too but so far im happy with that trade. We got wicked value for Jimenez. Henry-Malloy has looked really good. So far I’m pretty happy with Harris’ moves. No one thought they’d be 16-18 and in second place.

        Reply
        • kmk1986

          3 weeks ago

          Maton some holes?? I think his bat has a giant hole

  11. Finatic

    3 weeks ago

    I can’t do the podcast. The accent is too much for me. I need closed caption.. I usually have the volume down and watch the game. Simon sounds knowledgeable..just difficult for me to follow in my over 50 years. The Netflix shows with the accents I turn the volume down and follow the bouncing ball. I usually mute Ron Darling. The worse in the business. I wish we could have a vote on that or a poll!

    Reply
    • Alkie

      3 weeks ago

      You just felt like posting to let everyone know how lazy and weird you are? Thanks for that.

      Reply
      • Finatic

        3 weeks ago

        Drink another..dont forget where u parked!
        wait probably already had em taken away…riding the metro?

        Reply
        • Finatic

          3 weeks ago

          Too many Truleys? Reminds you of your favorite child hood juice box.

      • JoeBrady

        3 weeks ago

        What was weird about what he wrote? I have to watch Ted Lasso with closed caption on. I can barely understand Lasso, let alone the Brits.

        Reply
  12. mitchladd

    3 weeks ago

    I didn’t think that I would ever say this as a cards fan, but a full rebuild might be coming. Move as many of the veterans you can (yes, including goldy and Arenado), play the kids ( we already have alot of young position players let as many as possible get some run) and then try to pick up 2-3 arms in the offseason either via trade or FA (I’m thinking the best one or two year deal guys or some change of scenery guys) along with whichever of the young pitchers perform the best this year. the rest of this season and maybe next year might be tough but there’s no reason that it can’t be a relatively quick turn around if we’re proactive and spend real money on arms.

    Reply
  13. xwhyz

    3 weeks ago

    Nashville Stars expansion group sending out feelers on potential sale of the White Sox by Jerry Reinsdorf?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Tigers Place Riley Greene On Injured List Due To Stress Fracture In Fibula

    Braves Select AJ Smith-Shawver, Designate Lucas Luetge

    Orioles Sign Aaron Hicks, Place Cedric Mullins On IL

    Brewers Designate Luke Voit For Assignment

    White Sox To Activate Liam Hendriks From Injured List

    Royals Release Hunter Dozier

    Yankees Release Aaron Hicks

    Brewers Sign Julio Teheran To Major League Deal

    Red Sox Move Corey Kluber To Bullpen

    Athletics Reach Tentative Stadium Funding Deal With Nevada Lawmakers

    NPB Watch: May Edition

    Yankees Designate Aaron Hicks For Assignment

    Cubs Designate Eric Hosmer For Assignment

    Mets Select Gary Sanchez, Place Tim Locastro On 60-Day IL

    Astros To Activate Jose Altuve

    Rays Recall Taj Bradley, Plan To Keep Him In Rotation

    Kumar Rocker To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Anibal Sanchez Announces Retirement

    Willson Contreras To Return To Catching Duties On Monday

    Rockies Place Antonio Senzatela On 15-Day IL Due To Elbow Sprain

    Recent

    Padres Re-Sign Jose Iglesias To Minor League Deal

    Tigers To Promote Reese Olson

    Rockies Re-Sign Fernando Abad To Minor League Deal

    Tigers Place Riley Greene On Injured List Due To Stress Fracture In Fibula

    MLBTR Trade Rumors Podcast: The Wide-Open NL Wild Card Race, Returning Pitchers and Cast-Off Veterans

    The Opener: Padres, Tigers, Hitting Streaks

    Yankees Place Harrison Bader On Injured List

    Diamond Sports Group Bypasses Payment To Padres, MLB To Take Over Local Broadcasts

    Phillies, Jacob Barnes Agree To Minor League Deal

    Looking Ahead To Upcoming Club Options: NL West

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version