photo: Winter Warm-Up pre-opening 01/13/24 (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
Saturday’s Day 1 of the 2024 St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up opened its second year at its new venues, Busch Stadium and Ballpark Village. The assembled fans were greeted by cold and windy conditions typical for a Midwest January.
The most popular presentation on day 1 had to be John Mozeliak’s always-informative main stage event, following a Q&A session with the media. The president of baseball operations then signed autographs.
Signing sessions, generally two hours each, with these current Cardinals players were scheduled on Saturday: Tink Hence, Alec Burleson, Drew Rom, Luken Baker, Sonny Gray, James Naile, Thomas Saggese, Buddy Kennedy and Sem Robberse. Also signing for fans were Cardinals alumni including David Freese, David Eckstein and Jeff Suppan. Kyle Gibson signed, but did not meet with the media.
Before or after they sign for fans, players meet with team physicians and are also brought to the media room for a question and answer session.
Following are selected interviews held during the St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm-Up on Saturday, January 13, 2024. I summarize them and follow with the audio for those who want to listen to the full content.
John Mozeliak (32:14)
There is a lot to cover, more than I will summarize in words, so I recommend you listen to this 32-minute interview.
Was aggressive early in offseason to find innings. Excited where roster is. Lot of new faces since 10/1. Things could still happen. Will keep looking. (Was asked later if it ruled out starting pitching. He said “no”, anything is possible.)
Most excited about veteran leadership. Didn’t anticipate loss with Molina, Pujols and even Wainwright to an extent.
Payroll not black and white. Could take investment to owners. Yes, there is payroll room.
Good for pen to get outs. If Ks, great. It is stronger than last year but they could do more. Last year, they put pressure on the pen day one.
Have to get to October before talking about winning in October. We can compete in NL Central.
Dealt from depth to get Kittredge. He came from Tampa Bay so he understands how he could be used. Not 9th inning or nothing.
Mo bounced acquisitions off Bloom, as he knew several from TB. How will the organization look in the next few years relative to industry? He has unique perspective having run TB and Bos.
Affirmed his personal plan is to wind down operational role after 2025. Having a different voice at some point makes sense. Has discussed his succession plan with Bill DeWitt, but some are jumping to conclusions about Bloom hire.
On hearing boos, it is a tough business. Hopefully we rebound.
On Goldschmidt extension, see how the season starts and go from there.
Edman surgery pretty benign. Just forgot to tell media earlier. No other surgeries on roster.
Carlson and Donovan progressing well. Reports from Carlson’s rehab in Phoenix are good. Donovan has been in Jupiter so have eyes on him. Should be ready, including defensively, for spring.
Best defensive club is with Winn at short and Edman in center. But need offense from them. Noted that Winn has always been a slow starter at new levels. Expects to see more offense from him.
On Lance Lynn. Answered whether there is data for him to be better (than 2023).
Regarding McGreevy and Graceffo, year older and more experience. Want to build everyone toward ultimate job but everyone wants to be in the majors. Could move starters to relief (including Thompson and Liberatore) but it is a tricky balance.
It should be more natural and organic for Contreras in 2024. Hopes Herrera will get to play. Molina sucked up all the starts. Can’t do that now.
Will talk to Molina about his role after winter ball. Want him to get his feet wet. He wants to work on coaching side, but they also want to introduce him to how the front office operates. How they evaluate players is an example cited.
Understands questions about friction between Molina and Marmol, who is in his final year under contract. Likes Marmol and hopes team will be successful.
Financial problems with Bally Sports did not affect the offseason. Went into the year not wanting to penalize operations. RSN also did not affect length of contracts. Could be impact if they don’t win.
Mo’s self-reflection from 2023 is that arrogance is not helpful. Need humility. Are tinkering how they make decisions.
Arenado is in great head space. Understands importance to team.
For the corner outfield, Nootbaar needs to go pole to pole, stay healthy. Walker needs to get to at least league average defensively. Walker is working with Oquendo in Jupiter in January. Both are exciting offensively.
Tink Hence (11:08)
Last year, first big league camp, he was excited. Maybe put too much pressure on himself. Learned to put things behind him. July struggles were great learning lesson. Threw most innings ever but did not reach 100 IP goal as injury slowed him. No word yet on pitch count increase but expects it.
Working in Atlanta in offseason with Marvin Freeman. Watching more video. Started 1 ½ months earlier than last year.
Taking different path to MLB than Winn and Walker (fellow 2020 draft picks). He will dominate and the three will have fun together.
Better to be consistent and be true pitcher not thrower. Wants feel and repeatability.
No specific goals for 2024. The sky is the limit.
Sonny Gray (19:43)
Sees in Cardinals commitment to winning, not content with losing, not rebuilding, win year in and out.
Best way to help team is to win.
Already throwing. Threw last Tuesday and Friday. Building arm through strength, stamina. Never stopped. Threw weighted ball twice weekly.
Contreras is highly competitive, high energy. Likes that. Wants to work, learn and get better. Important to know as a person.
Was deep in negotiations with a couple of other teams when Cardinals inquired. Wife Jessica said to talk to them. Mo was willing to listen. Made new hires in pitching department.
History and tradition drew him here. Wants to leave mark himself but will not do it alone. A lot of footprints together.
Fun part of day was having his wife and two sons see it. Gunnar (age 8) was at the table, but Declan (5) went back to the hotel.
Thomas Saggese (14:01)
Was prepared for trade mentally. Rangers were doing well and I was doing well so figured trade for playoff push. Familiar with Double-A, Springfield. Same game. Wants to win World Series too for sure. Nothing but respect for Texas, but trade put chip on his shoulder.
Believes he can compete at any level and become an MLB all-star. Fuels him.
Didn’t feel overmatched in late season Memphis debut. That is part of game. Triple-A pitchers are smarter.
Really likes to work, play hard and hustle. No discussion with Cardinals yet about role. Will play anywhere on field. Most comfortable wherever played most recently. No talk about outfield.
Most important is to get into position to hit and find it over and over. Tries to hit everything. Attacking his strengths to also bring weaknesses along.
Drew Rom/James Naile (14:03)
Rom began. Six weeks in MLB gave him better understanding of game. Don’t let victories get too big. Debut didn’t go as well as hoped but second outing in Philadelphia was a bounce back. Getting his first win against his old Baltimore team (and Kyle Gibson) was big.
Focusing on finding consistency in weight room, mentally and on mound. Knows what to expect. Issues last year were execution. Be where your feet are. Whirlwind 2023. Wishes he would have enjoyed it more.
Can’t control decisions whether starting or pen. Hung around Cincinnati in winter with strength focus.
Naile joined. Struggles last year were mental. His product in Memphis was not same as with St. Louis. Wanted to do so badly, I got in the way.
For second winter, working out with Gray and Matz in Nashville. Last year worked on breaking ball, which was good in Triple-A. Gray is as competitive as they come and is just what you see. Matz has routine.
Luken Baker (9:32)
The big first baseman’s goal is to get repetition and be consistent. Tough to do with St. Louis in 2023.
40-man roster spot gave sense of security and motivation. Know I have opportunity to win job. Was own worst enemy. Didn’t trust same approach as in Triple-A. Refine and trust. Keep approach consistent. Tried to do too much. Swung at bad pitches. Very simple approach – see ball, swing at good pitches.
Difference between Triple-A and MLB is mental. In MLB everyone is good every day. Changed mindset late in season and it worked. Had better success.
Winter focus on being more agile and limber. Put body in place to play 162 games. Does not look at scale but pleased a writer asked about his weight loss. Better eating routine is a focus.
Alec Burleson (20:03)
Broken thumb led to physical therapy. Was in soft cast two days after surgery. Only hindrance was no golf. Injury frustrating because he had opportunity play daily. Positive was ability to start offseason prep early.
Focus on getting faster, losing weight, increased flexibility. Not weight training.
“You will see a different guy playing defense this year.” There is only one DH. Main goal is to get into lineup. Was asked to get more reliable in outfield. Took it personally, not in a bad way. Became #1 goal.
Rookies try to do same thing as in minors but MLB is 10x, 20x, 30x harder. Still try to keep simple to not pressure himself. Different game speed, every arm is a dude, pitchers know how to pitch.
Had good at-bats last year against #1-2-3 starters but have nothing to show for it. Expected numbers good though. Looking to get monkey off his back in 2024. Sees openings and opportunities.
Did not come to 2023 camp as prepared as he should have been. Will be more prepared in 2024 but spring training will still be a battle.
Having heard the Baker discussion, he mentioned walking out that he has lost 12 pounds.
Sem Robberse (12:41)
The right-hander opened with an important announcement – how to properly pronounce his last name – robber-suh.
Odd to be traded in middle of season. Kind of shocking.
Past few years, went home to Netherlands. This winter, parents came to Florida.
When promoted to Triple-A, tried not to do too much. Knew about coming Rule 5 and 40-man decision. This has been surreal journey. Great moment but don’t want to let it influence or pressure actions.
At Triple-A, learned structured routine. Adjusted but stayed within himself. Cards did not try to change things after trade. Transition was easier with other Jays becoming Cardinals.
Winter focus on and has pride in staying healthy. Then can always improve.
Buddy Kennedy (8:37)
Grandpa Don Money played St. Louis. Hated them. Always ready to play and win. Traditions.
Seven years in minors and haven’t solidified job. Talked with agent and am improving defense and hitting. Need to use entire body (lower half) hitting.
This will be his first Florida spring. Happy he can drive down (from New Jersey).
Confidence takes huge dip down when bouncing around. Cardinals AGM said they know his bat will come around. Needs to show he will hit the ball hard in every at-bat.
What’s next
Check back on Sunday and Monday for more Winter Warm-Up content coming !
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