Offseason In Review: St. Louis Cardinals
Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Cardinals. Here's what we wrote about the team on October 8th. Changes for 2009:
Additions: Khalil Greene, Dennys Reyes, Trever Miller, Royce Ring, Jason LaRue (re-signed). Midseason: Charlie Manning, Kyle Lohse extension
Subtractions: Felipe Lopez, Cesar Izturis, Braden Looper, Russ Springer, Ron Villone, Jason Isringhausen, Adam Kennedy, Tyler Johnson, Randy Flores, Aaron Miles, Mark Worrell, Luke Gregerson, Mark Mulder. Midseason: Josh Phelps, Matt Clement, Anthony Reyes
The Cardinals needed help in the middle infield and bullpen. GM John Mozeliak's solution was to trade for Greene and sign about $4MM worth of lefty relievers. Many of the departed played significant roles (good or bad) last year, so the Cards may be hoping for addition by subtraction to a certain extent.
Last year's offense scored 4.81 runs per game, 4th in the NL. Using CHONE projections and Baseball Musings' lineup analysis tool, the '09 lineup projects at 5.00 runs per game. This particular simulation doesn't include Colby Rasmus, has the pitcher batting ninth, and doesn't account for time missed by Troy Glaus. But even if Ludwick takes a step back, the team may score more runs than last year.
The '09 rotation features familiar names Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Lohse, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro. The difference is that Braden Looper's 199 innings of 4.16 ball are gone, and Wainwright, Carpenter, and Pineiro will hopefully double last year's 292 combined innings. Last year the Cards had 16 starts from Mitchell Boggs, Brad Thompson, Mike Parisi, Jaime Garcia, and Mark Mulder at a combined 7.31 ERA. This year's backup crew seems more capable. The 4.20 collective ERA of last year's rotation was pretty good, and if Carpenter makes a big contribution they should be able to at least match it. The Lohse extension, signed on September 29th for four years and $41MM, doesn't look good. On the other hand, the Cardinals are presumably still happy they have Lohse to pencil in for 33 starts.
The bullpen will be better for the losses of Villone, Isringhausen, and Flores, but they didn't do much to replace Springer. Mozeliak did add two decent lefties, and from the right side it'll be up to youngsters Jason Motte and Chris Perez to step up.
Defensively, the Cardinals ranked 2nd in the NL according to The Fielding Bible II. The success of the rotation will be closely tied to the team's ability to repeat its stellar defense. The Cards figure to lose ground defensively in the middle infield, though, replacing Kennedy/Izturis with Schumaker/Greene.
With last year's run prevention the Cardinals look like an 89 win team. The concern is that a defensive slip or rotation injury could shave 4-5 wins off that projection.
Bottom line: The Cardinals switched up their middle infield and added lefty relievers, and hope a healthy rotation can keep them in contention in '09.
Royce Ring Placed On Waivers
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, lefty Royce Ring was placed on waivers by the Cardinals. If he clears, he'll have the option of heading to Triple A or electing free agency. The Cards don't have a need for Ring given the presence of Trever Miller and Dennys Reyes.
Odds & Ends: Gregerson, Hanley, Strasburg
Links for Monday…
- Matt Eddy of Baseball America has the minor league transactions, including the Dodgers' signing of J.D Durbin.
- Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune says Rays Rule 5 pick Derek Rodriguez, a reliever, has been returned to the White Sox.
- Yahoo's David Brown talked to Carlos Pena about many topics, including his agent Scott Boras.
- According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Padres received pitcher Luke Gregerson as the player to be named later in the Khalil Greene deal. The other player the Padres received, the now-injured Mark Worrell, was also a minor league closer. Given the state of the Padres' pen, Gregerson could reach the Majors this year. UPDATE: Here is Paul DePodesta's take on Gregerson.
- MLB.com's Ken Gurnick noted yesterday that the Dodgers cut pitcher Shawn Estes, and he's yet to decide whether to accept a Triple A assignment. UPDATE: Estes will head to the minors and attempt to reinvent himself as a lefthanded specialist.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald quizzed Hanley Ramirez about Boston's attempt to reacquire him in November.
- MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wonders about Frank Catalanotto's future. Useful player, but the Rangers would have to eat most of his $6MM to move him.
- Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post talked to Nationals president Stan Kasten about the six-year, $50MM Stephen Strasburg rumor. We all know how Boras works…if he wants $25MM for Strasburg, he starts at $50MM.
- South Side Sox and Sox Machine comment on the Gavin Floyd extension, as well as the offers to John Danks and Carlos Quentin.
- Talking to David Lennon of Newsday, Tom Glavine responded to Pedro Martinez's distaste for signing a "Glavine-like" contract.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun spoke to Aubrey Huff, who "doesn't even understand the concept of a contract push."
- Ivan Rodriguez explained to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez why he didn't sign with the Marlins.
Cardinals: In-Season Payroll Flexibility?
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted this morning that the Cardinals' payroll is down about $8MM heading into the 2009 season. In that article, GM John Mozeliak defended the cut, but provided no indication that the team is stocking up for an in-season acquisition.
Well, Mozeliak conveniently appeared on Bernie Miklasz's radio show this afternoon and gave Cards fans everywhere a bit more hope. The general manager said that his organization likes to have its "payroll parallel with revenue." Miklasz has the full synopsis over at the Post-Dispatch's website, but here's the basic gist:
If things go better they can adjust accordingly. If things go worse (economy, attendance) then it could go the other way. But he hopes to be able to make a move if they need it.
Ticket prices have gone up, and the new Busch Stadium is almost always full, so it's fairly safe to assume that the Cardinals will have some loose change in June or July. Plus, St. Louis is hosting the All-Star Game this season and that typically brings in gobs of revenue.
Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Pudge, Gorzelanny, Miller
Your Wednesday links, with more to come…
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that the Cardinals' payroll is down about $8MM heading into the '09 season.
- The Washington Post's Cameron Smith believes the Pudge Rodriguez signing "is a huge step for Houston."
- A bit of a shock out of Pirates camp: The club optioned left-hander Tom Gorzelanny to Triple-A Indianapolis.
- Chicago-area reporters don't expect the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family to be finalized before Opening Day.
- Minor league free agent Rob Flanigan has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
- According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, 24-year-old pitching prospect Adam Miller's career might be "in jeopardy as a result of decreased range of motion and strength in his right middle finger."
- Mark it, dude: Tim's weekly chat is going down on Thursday at 2pm CST.
Schumaker Second Base Experiment Failing
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Skip Schumaker second base experiment is not going well. So far it’s been a learning experience for Schumaker defensively. Tony La Russa’s internal options: Brendan Ryan, Brian Barden, Joe Thurston, Tyler Greene, and Jarrett Hoffpauir.
Strauss believes Cardinals GM John Mozeliak may explore a trade to fill the position rather than sign a free agent. Aside from possibly Dan Uggla, though, the trade market doesn’t seem to offer anyone better than Ray Durham and Mark Grudzielanek.
Odds & Ends: Gload, Pierre, Beimel
Links for Friday…
- The Dodgers designated Justin Orenduff for assignment to make room for Manny Ramirez, according to Tony Jackson.
- The A's contracts with Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra are official.
- WEEI's Alex Speier talked to Marlins prospect Mike Stanton and manager Fredi Gonzalez about the near-acquisition of Manny last summer.
- In another column, Speier looks at the players the Red Sox and Yankees have battled for in recent years.
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says a bunch of relievers are vying for one bullpen spot for the Cardinals, now that they've signed Dennys Reyes.
- Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star suggests there's a chance the Royals release first baseman Ross Gload and eat the $1.9MM owed to him in 2009. Rany Jazayerli talks about Gload as well as the chances of the Royals competing this year.
- Tom Tango says Juan Pierre would have to defer his contract for 50 years to be worth acquiring.
- Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies says the Rox offered Joe Beimel more than $1MM but so far he's passed. Beimel's home run prevention trend might be challenged at Coors Field. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says the A's are in on Beimel but "have not yet have substantive talks" with his agent.
- Check out a Giants Spring Training preview from the guys behind El Lefty Malo and McCovey Chronicles.
Cardinals, Dennys Reyes Agree To Deal
8:50pm: Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the signing of Reyes was a really big piece for the Cards and GM John Mozeliak came up huge again with a March deal. It reminds Gordon of the Kyle Lohse signing a year ago.
4:21pm: According to the AP, Reyes gets a two-year deal worth $3MM.
3:12pm: According to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney, the Cardinals have agreed to a deal with lefty reliever Dennys Reyes. Reyes, 32 in April, held lefties to a .202/.250/.287 line last year in 101 plate appearances.
Since Reyes was a Type B free agent offered arbitration, the Twins will receive a supplemental draft pick for their loss (#46 overall).
Pedro A Closer Candidate For Cards?
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes about the possibility of the Cardinals pursuing Pedro Martinez as a possible closer candidate:
[GM John] Mozeliak is scheduled to meet today with [manager Tony] La Russa and his coaches to discuss the camp’s progress. The discussion might include discussion of Martinez as an option at closer. La Russa suggested in November that the club should expand its consideration to include veteran starting pitchers. Martinez has a recent history of shoulder problems but said Tuesday he would be open to the possibility of closing.
The World Baseball Classic might be a decent test of whether Pedro can perform in a relief role. In yesterday’s exhibition game, Martinez was clocked as high as 91 mph according to Arthur Staple of Newsday. It appears that he has yet to be offered a Major League deal.
Cardinals Exploring Lefty Relief Options
THURSDAY: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks about the Cardinals’ pursuit of a lefty reliever:
Internal support exists for pursuing Beimel, but [GM John] Mozeliak recently denied making contact with Beimel’s agent, Joe Sroba.
Speaking of Beimel, Pirates president Frank Coonelly commented on him during an MLB.com chat yesterday:
He is someone who we have considered this offseason and have had discussions with his representative. To date, Joe has not been receptive to the type of contract we have discussed.
WEDNESDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Cardinals are "exploring the remaining lefties on the free agent market." So far this offseason they’ve imported Trever Miller, Royce Ring, Charlie Manning, and Ian Ostlund. Perhaps they’re attracted to the possibility of a bargain, with three solid southpaws remaining on the market.
Rosenthal notes that Dennys Reyes‘ agent Casey Close is telling teams his client is close to a decision. Furthermore, he won’t be signing with Oakland. The A’s could move on to Joe Beimel. Rosenthal adds that the Cardinals are interested in Reyes as well as Will Ohman.