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Descalso’s name has been tossed around as a possible signing. I wouldn’t be totally opposed to that idea. Danny D really upgraded his power numbers last year albeit Chase Field is more of a hitters park than Busch.
A guy that I like better would Jurickson Profar. I don’t know what it would take to get him though.
Descalso has a career OPS+ of 85, 15 percent below MLB average. He has had one above-average season – in 2018 at age 31. 1.0 of his career 1.9 bWAR was last season. I hope the Cards aim higher.
Here is a name to consider.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cabreas01.shtml
Spangenberg is Profars #1 similarity score at BR.
Profar hits both, especially in 18′ corey should sit vs lhps (career).
Cabrera is a good suggestion but do you really think Cards will pay him 8 million a year to be a utility guy and would he take a utility type job? He was a starter last season and as generally always been a starter.
The point is the Cards should not be sifting through other team’s rejects. The same people who want them to spend jillions on Harper seem fine with below average budget reserves like Descalso – guys who will immediately become starters with the first injury and deliver below average results.
To this example, no way is Cabrera going to make $8 million again. MLB Trade Rumors ranked their top 50 free agents with estimates of their salaries. The guys in the late 40’s are estimated at $4 to $6 million. Cabrera did not make the list, being among the honorable mentions, with the assumption he would get less.
It doesn’t have to be Cabrera or Marwin Gonzalez, but yes, I want to see the Cards get someone who has a decent chance to be good. A late-career guy who may be transitioning from starting to reserve could be a fit.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2019.html
I want the best player possible .Cost be damned but as you and others point out Cards tend to be somewhat tight with the cash at times.Also I figured Cards would probably stay in their comfort zone (a greg Garcia like player with a Greg Garcia like contract).I could be wrong. but none of us know until it happens do we?
Again, not spending on Harper and not spending on a reserve infielder are apples and oranges. I did not say “cost be damned”. I suggested they should spend a bit more and get a better player. They gave Ty Wigginton $5 million not that long ago (for two years), so the idea of actually spending a bit is not unheard of. (Bad example as far as return, but hopefully, you get the idea!)
BW-nothing wrong with that.Not arguing just have doubts Cards go spend more on a utility guy.FWIW I liked Ty Wiggington and really hoped he would work out.Sadly for all he failed miserably.Maybe that decision is still in the mind of the FO along with the Fowler screwup/Gregerson deal.
P.S. I had only looked at Cabrera’s offense. His recent defensive numbers are as bad or worse than Dietrich’s.
Profar is not a dumpster dive by any means. He finally put things together last year.
Prying him away from the Rangers might not be easy though.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Asdrubal. Defensively versatile, and invariably seems to hit better with men on base. Check these splits:
Career bases empty .721 OPS
Career men on base .7982018 bases empty .717
2018 men on base .857As Bw52 said, he likely wouldn’t want a reserve role. Not after 8 straight years of 135+ games. But maybe more money would be a sufficient inducement. Who knows?
Anyhow, I do still like Dietrich also. Say what you will about the below average glovework, his overall value at both B-Ref and Fangraphs has still graded well above replacement level. And I love, love, love those Dietrich career home/road splits (.696/.816).
Radio talk show news flash demonstrates that Martinez is a better hitter than two infield reserve candidates. Amazing!
Jose Martinez is a righty. Derek Dietrich & Daniel Descalso are lefties. The best hitter against righties – AND LEFTIES – is Jose Martinez. Maybe the #STLCards don't need that lefty bench bat as much as they suggest?
— The Kevin Wheeler Show (@WheelerShow101) December 11, 2018
Bob, Cabrera might not want a reserve role, but every player eventually reaches the stage that when the music stops, there are no starting chairs left to sit in. I’ve not heard him connected to any starting jobs and this may be the time he sucks it up to become someone’s “supersub”. That has a far less distasteful connotation than it used to have. For example, Marwin Gonzalez has made a nice career out of it.
This LHH opening might be one in which the Cards benefit by waiting the market out, rather than rushing to lock someone down.
On the other hand, LHR is important enough that I think they need to be aggressive. That should be their current priority, IMO.
Left handed reliever availability is at its highest. With our needs, we should go after Rogers, Miller, or Britton, and secure at least one of them. MIller’s and Britton’s experience as closer checks a box we need. Rogers would be very attractive through trade. I am very intrigued by Taylors work against lefties, 0 xbh’s for a season is incredible.
As for the JMart, Dietrich, Descalso comparison, I almost always prefer to have the better overall hitter versus a particular handedness.
The exception is JMart, who is so atrocious in the field I cannot believe he made it to the major leagues, considering his swing change was what, 3 years ago?
If the Cardinals could strictly use him as a PH, I’d be fine with keeping him. But I don’t think they can practice that self control.
It is not just self-control. The bench is small, even smaller if they go with an eight-man pen. They cannot afford to tie up one spot with a player who cannot be trusted in the field late with the game potentially on the line. In fact, they need two bench spots just to PH Martinez, unless it is for the pitcher. One spot for Martinez and another spot for the defender to enter the game in his place. There went half a four-man bench. With the catcher held aside, only one spot remains.
Hence, why Martinez is on the trade block in the first place. That has nothing to do with LHH. That the radio guy drew that direct connection makes no sense to me.
And I consider carpenter a liability at third. You need a late inning defensive replacement for him also. I know having his bat out at the end of games could be risky, but if the bullpen is beefed up enough, that should be less of a problem.
And how much AAA experience does Edman have…..I month.I like Edman also but thinking he can make the jump to MLB and be a in-house option this coming season is based more on hoping instead of reality IMO.Offhand I can
t think of a in-house LH bat who can play INF who could play a factor in 2019 (Max Schrock but hes not on the 40-man and possibly could be picked in Rule5).Justin Williams is a LH OF on the roster but he is likely buried behind the Albatross,Ozuna,Bader,O`Neill,MR Baserunner Adolis Garcia and a cast of thousands.Yep, lots of potential, but it is still green. In the middle infield, Urias has not been good at Triple-A yet and Edman needs more time. Good 2020 candidates with a chance to see them later in the year. Urias has a leg up since he is on the 40-man. Of course, so is Edmundo Sosa, in his last option year to prove himself. Sosa does not hit left, but when a reserve is needed, the 40-man spot (and current performance) is more important than which side the player swings from.
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