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Let’s try to keep this thread focused on actual news out of camp or questions about the news – and use different threads for non-news posts. There will also be a single Spring Training Games thread as we get closer to the 28th.
This spring, I'm not Tweeting out detailed comments from #stlcards manager and player Zoom sessions. I am posting quick summaries on a "Spring Training News" thread on The Cardinal Nation's free forum. Mike Shildt is first up. And did I say it is free? https://t.co/hlyuAUbSEP pic.twitter.com/GQUUHbXl9e
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) February 17, 2021
First Shildt Zoom of the spring.
All healthy pitchers and catchers have reported.
Arenado, DeJong, Thomas, O’Neill and Williams are going through intake process with P&C and will work out separately.
March 6 and 21 are the official days off as negotiated between players and owners. Could be workouts and/or sim games on the other days that are open on the spring game schedule. (Schedule is here.)
Most work will be outside as separate tents are up for eating, coach meetings, COVID testing, etc.
Will probably keep roster together all spring vs. cuts to minors camp (which is not going). Will need B games and sim games to ensure pitchers get needed innings.
No decision on closer until the very end of camp. Many experienced candidates.
Thinking about lineups, but Goldy and Arenado are not “overly splitty”, so not concerned about that in setting the batting order.
Spoke about new “Pitching Strategist” Dusty Blake. (TCN readers can go even deeper on his background in this free article from last week.)
Collegiate Coaching Veteran Dusty Blake Joins Cardinals Staff
Mo will meet with us each morning in the early stages of camp.
Parallel path to focus on health and safety while getting ready for season. Still a lot of excitement.
No one with medical restrictions. Hicks will be monitored. Mikolas ready to go.
Can’t imagine making any roster additions on MLB level, but never say never. They had a roster meeting yesterday and feel really good about depth at all positions.
Spreading out players in locker room to every other stall, so also using minor league locker room. No food allowed in building. Outdoor weight room.
MLB rules say players cannot eat at restaurants, inside or out, until at least March 1. Everyone has been instructed to take out.
Only person not in camp that was expected is Johan Oviedo. Waiting to be cleared.
Heard nothing on vaccinations. Hoping for Opening Day. Others in country more deserving, but would help them if they could be done.
The teams in the Cardinals spring “region” have all agreed to play nine inning games to get pitchers work. Also trying to schedule B games. Need more innings considering depth of pitching staff.
Medical people say 15-18 people in camp have COVID antibodies (includes staff). Considering that when making work groups in short term.
gscottar asked:
How will Blake’s responsibilities differ from Mike Maddux?
The focus is on leveraging new tools and technologies and advanced metrics, not the day to day management of the pitching staff.
The focus is on leveraging new tools and technologies and advanced metrics, not the day to day management of the pitching staff.
OK, that makes sense.
Lots of good info in here. I was considering starting a thread like this myself. Hopefully the news is all good leading into the 2021 season.
Cool to hear that Arenado is raring to go. I think he and Goldy may provide an excellent example for the young guys (along with Yadi, Waino and Carp) to push everyone to a better year.
Why will Hicks be monitored? Is there still some lingering issue from his TJ surgery? I thought he was ready to go last year in July but opted out due to the virus.
r/Esteemed Rat
Okay, okay, we know today should be about pitchers and catchers, but… pic.twitter.com/7I3qdq65Kl
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) February 17, 2021
Nice story By Hummel on spring training historic tidbits. On iPhone use ‘reader view’ to streamline into the story.
KK Kim remarks:
Knows how to prepare as a starter and that is how he was getting ready for spring training.
Learned that command is very important in MLB. Focused on that during the offseason. See it as the key to his success in 2021.
Hopes his family will come over from Korea during summer vacation.
Carlos Martinez remarks:
100% ready to start. 100% a starter. Feels strong. Worked on arm and his pitches in winter league.
Felt fade last year was due to him trying to get ready quickly to come back from COVID. Lacked strength, but has lot of energy now.
Didn’t worry about trade talk. Always believes in Cardinals. Knows this is last year of contract. Working hard to show them he can start, make All-Star Team and push team to World Series.
I will ask again……..Why will Hicks be monitored? I thought he had recovered from TJ surgery and was ready to pitch last July but instead opted out.
r/Esteemed Rat
I will ask again……..Why will Hicks be monitored? I thought he had recovered from TJ surgery and was ready to pitch last July but instead opted out.
He hasn’t pitched in so long, they’ll need to ease him back into pitching again. Shildt didn’t commit to him as closer in his interview either.
stlcard25 wrote:
He hasn’t pitched in so long, they’ll need to ease him back into pitching again. Shildt didn’t commit to him as closer in his interview either.
Its been a long time since all of the pitchers have pitched. Almost five months. Why is Hicks being singled out? You mean to tell me he has not pitched to a batter since 2019? Surely he has.
If that is the reasoning then each and every pitcher would need to be monitored. This almost makes me think Hicks is not 100% yet.
r/Esteemed Rat
I thought the proposal to spend $110M on upgrades to Roger Dean Stadium and the rest of the training facility had been approved, but I haven’t seen any reports on progress. If somebody knows what’s going on with that, please post what you know.
It’s always great to see pitchers and catchers report. Also nice to see Arenado get there early as well. It may be real cold outside my window, but this puts a little warmth inside my heart.
Rat, they have to say something besides “we just got here, leave us alone until we get things sorted and see where we are”.
Shildt Thursday morning
Reiterated they will not play any spring games shorter than nine innings – unless the opponent asks for it. Then, they will be “sympathetic”.
DH. Expects at some point in the spring it will be phased out so pitchers can see live pitching after a year off. Planning to not have a DH this year.
Carpenter will play 3B, 1B, DH, and some 2B this year. He could play OF (as in having the ability and willingness if asked), but him playing out there is “not in the dialogue”. Shildt told Jeff Jones he was “making stuff up” by suggesting it.
Hicks threw yesterday. Did not see, but very favorable results were reported.
Helsley, Gallegos, Miller, Webb preparing as relievers.
Cabrera/Reyes/Gant will get more touches. Start with 1 IP and move to 2 IP. Alex will get consideration to start, but his innings (limit) could be an issue this season. Gant to also get starting consideration.
Ponce/Oviedo/Liberatore/Thompson to be developed as starters in camp.
Mo’s Thursday morning remarks:
Intake physicals all good news. No positive COVID tests.
Four players late. Carlos Soto (visa), Oviedo getting physical today. Robles traveling on 25th and to be cleared on 27th or 28th and Andrew Miller a few days late due to a personal matter.
Likes fact they are not handcuffed by no more than 13 pitchers on 26-man roster. Could go with more pitchers. Four days off in April makes pitching management more challenging.
He contacted Carpenter before Arenado trade and Carp was thrilled. Also understands last year of contract and that trade was a long term move. Will wear multiple gloves in camp. Will be creative. “If you hit, you play” so he is not handcuffed by no DH.
Gorman will get 2B opportunities. Maybe OF as well. He requested to come into camp early and initial impression of him at 2B is “very encouraging, really good”. Showing flexibility, moving well. Getting extra work with Oquendo and Stubby.
Has 5-6 names who could be penciled into rotation but 4-5 more who are also potential starters. Will use B games and sim games to get everyone work.
Liberatore/Thompson will be given serious looks. Hope to see a lot of them in camp. Likely depth at Triple-A.
On Tatis extension. “Wow”. A massive deal. Got his contract at different point in career vs. Arenado, but both run past age 35.
Relating to Pujols’ initial contract. At the time, DeWitt said it was too short. He was right as Albert left as a free agent after.
New cages and Pitching lab. Trying to get new technology up to speed. Players using current cages but hoping to get them to take advantage of new cages too.
On renovation of Roger Dean complex with Marlins and Palm Beach County. Will sit down with County during camp. Plans slowed by COVID. Don’t know timing.
Initial Memphis (or alternate camp) roster will come from those now in camp not making StL roster.
I can’t wait to see some games so we can see the prospects in action for the first time in a year. Interesting stuff by Shildt and Mo.
Alex Reyes comments:
Feels good. Full off-season. Worked on, body, smoothing out delivery, arm strength.
Inning limit hasn’t come up and may not come up. See how it goes.
Path over last five years was different, not ideal, but it is what it is. Goal is the same – to be an MLB pitcher for a long time.
Loss to Padres was tough. First post-season experience. Goals to take division and reach World Series.
Used to throw out of windup with no one on base. Now throws exclusively from the stretch. Feels more comfortable that way.
Enjoyed closing. Super fun moment. Thought about as a kid. Will do any role asked.
Will not change pitch selection based on length of outing. Not going to shake off Yadi. What he throws is based on plan against each individual hitter.
Before second surgery, felt best he had in his career. Watching his daughter fight cancer put him in different mindset. Baseball not everything. Focus on future, not dwell on past.
Rats, pitchers who throw no or very few innings last year are not going to be allowed to throw 200 innings (starters) or make 70 relief appearances this year, for example. The ongoing health of the pitcher is the primary concern. Heavier workloads take time to ramp up to. This is nothing new nor is it an indication of a hidden problem.
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