Cards head to Meetings in need of a catcher
ST. LOUIS — In the marketplace for an on a regular basis catcher for the primary time in additional than 20 years, the Cardinals are wanting to get to the Winter Meetings and consider their free-agent and commerce choices at that all-important place.
Pressed into discovering a catcher following the retirement of the 40-year-old Yadier Molina, the Cardinals have spent practically two months since their abbreviated time within the playoffs ended pondering their backstop choices. They have made it no secret they are going to be looking for a catcher at subsequent week’s Meetings in San Diego.
The Cardinals are additionally hopeful of buying a giant bat — ideally a left-handed one and from somebody who can replicate what legendary slugger Albert Pujols did in 2022.
With these key wants in thoughts, listed here are among the issues to search for throughout the Winter Meetings:
• Sunday, Dec. 4: Hall of Fame Contemporary Era Ballot outcomes launched (Albert Belle, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy, Rafael Palmeiro, Curt Schilling)
• Monday, Dec. 5: All-MLB Team introduced
• Tuesday, Dec. 6: Inaugural Draft Lottery, AL/NL Relievers of Year introduced
• Wednesday, Dec. 7: Rule 5 Draft
Signing Willson Contreras may serve two functions. First, it could give the Cardinals a serious improve offensively at catcher. Secondly, it could do injury to the rival Cubs.
In addition to Contreras dropping a number of hints on social media that he’s thinking about enjoying for St. Louis, pitcher José Quintana stated his former Cubs teammate made inquiries concerning the Cards’ tradition.
Landing Contreras gained’t be low cost. Christian Vázquez, who simply helped the Astros win the World Series, might be a extra payroll-friendly choice.
Potential commerce candidates
Sean Murphy, a 2021 Gold Glove Award winner and a ’22 finalist, would match the defensive-minded mould the Cardinals covet. Shea Langeliers, a part of the A’s haul within the Matt Olson commerce, is able to take over in Oakland, making Murphy expendable.
Outfielder Jordan Walker, the No. 6 general prospect per MLB Pipeline, is considered as near a can’t-miss future star because the Cardinals have had in years. The 6-foot-5 Walker bulked as much as 250 kilos in 2022 and thrived at Double-A Springfield. He adopted that up by enjoying exceptionally nicely within the Arizona Fall League the place he was named a Fall Star.
Walker, who doesn’t flip 21 till May 22, made the transition from third base to the outfield this previous season. A powerful displaying this spring may go a good distance towards shoring up the Cardinals’ issues within the outfield with Walker on the Opening Day roster.
President of baseball operations John Mozeliak stated the Cardinals have been dedicated to growing the payroll after packing 3.3 million followers into Busch Stadium in 2022. However, there was no indication of how excessive the Cardinals shall be keen to go along with their 2023 payroll.
The burning query is that this: Will the Cardinals spend sufficient to shut the sizeable payroll hole between them and the Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Padres and Braves?
Can a Cardinals franchise that has misplaced 9 of its final 10 playoff video games make the type of upgrades that can make it a reputable contender once more?
Yes, the Cardinals have an admirable historical past of sustained success and playoff relevance, however rabid followers in St. Louis are longing for the franchise to spend the cash so as to add prime expertise. Franchise fixture Adam Wainwright is signed for one final season, and cornerstones Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado might be operating out of prime years. If there ever was a time to proverbially “go for it” for the Redbirds, this may appear to be it.
Is the franchise able to take that monetary leap? Are the Cardinals keen to move on a second straight star-studded class of shortstops? Will they poach Contreras from the Cubs? Or is the hope that the 20-year-old Walker is prepared for the MLB stage?
Next week’s Winter Meetings may reply lots of these questions.
