photo: Matt Wieters (Kim Klement/Imagn)
St. Louis Cardinals press release
The St. Louis Cardinals announced today (Friday, March 22) that they have purchased the contract of catcher Matt Wieters and designated left-handed pitcher Chasen Shreve for assignment to make room for Wieters on the team’s 40-man Major League roster.
The team currently has 39 players in Major League camp, including 31 roster players.
Brian Walton’s take
What was not said here is that the contract of catcher Francisco Peña was NOT selected. Both catchers had outs in their contracts that they could declare free agency if not chosen to join the 40-man and 25-man rosters by this date.
From my view, the reserve catcher “battle” between Wieters and Peña was decided the day Wieters, a proven MLB veteran and switch-hitter was signed. Wieters will receive a reported $1.5 million this season and claims Shreve’s 40-man roster spot.
Peña has to decide if he reports to Triple-A Memphis or leaves the organization. He is not going to get a major league job elsewhere, so hopefully he is looking at his choices clearly.
Peña’s decision could also impact the status of another catcher signed on a minor league deal this off-season, Joe Hudson. One would surmise that only one of the two would be needed to serve as the veteran behind prospect Andrew Knizner with Memphis.
In the next seven days, Shreve will be traded, released, claimed off waivers or clear waivers and agree to report to Memphis. The left-hander, acquired from the Yankees in the Luke Voit trade last July, had no minor league options remaining. That led to his DFA – along with his pitching, which included 15 baserunners (six hits and nine walks) allowed in nine spring innings and a 5.00 ERA.
Other camp news
As expected, Dakota Hudson has been named the fifth starter, with John Gant heading to the bullpen.
Mike Mayers will be among the relievers, with the last open spot to be decided among John Brebbia and Tyler Webb with non-roster invitee Tommy Layne a longshot. The latter two are left-handers with Andrew Miller the only other lefty on the initial roster.
Players set to open the season on the injured list are left-hander Brett Cecil, right-handers Luke Gregerson and Carlos Martinez and outfielder Justin Williams.
Tyler O’Neill made the team as a reserve outfielder.
The health of Jedd Gyorko could lead to both Yairo Munoz and Drew Robinson making the team as the two reserve infielders. If the veteran is ready, however, one of the less experienced pair will open the season with Memphis.
For more
To track the remaining players in camp, the status of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster as well as all players in the system by position and level, check out the Roster Matrix, always free and updated here at The Cardinal Nation. Also included is every player transaction across the full organization all year long.
Bonus for members of The Cardinal Nation
Not yet a member?
Join The Cardinal Nation for the most comprehensive coverage of the St. Louis Cardinals from the majors through the entire minor league system. Annual members may purchase the new 2019 Prospect Guide PDF for less than half price. In addition, out limited edition printed and bound Guides are going fast, so get yours today!
Brian Walton can be reached via email at brian@thecardinalnation.com or for fastest turnaround, pose your questions on The Cardinal Nation’s members-only forum. Follow Brian on Twitter.
© 2019 The Cardinal Nation, thecardinalnation.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.