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Ny, how do you have “too much redundance”? All of those guys you mentioned have minor league options. Players get injured every year and replacements are needed.
For example, last season, 11 different pitchers started for St. Louis. That is why depth is valuable.
I get that Brian. Maybe the Memphis rotation will out rank some MLB teams. (Hudson, Reyes, Gant, Cabrera, Helsley, Poncedeleon and Woodford). I also get the injury thing but there are too many on the cusp of a MLB rotation spot and you need two hands to count them. I love to see prospects succeed, but the depth is so that they may never have a career in the majors at Busch. A couple are too good for AAA.
I don’t think that I’m being Cardbiased.
The one “redundancy” I think should be traded because he has no minor league options is Gant. Mayers in the pen is another candidate, again because he has no options. Both should have some value in trades to maybe help the lower levels where there are gaps.
Remember that by August last season, not a single one of the great five who opened in the Memphis rotation was still there. What you start with and what you end with can be very different.
I agree on Gant but cant figure out why there is seldom any trade speculation surrounding him by either by serious sportswriters or bloggers. Even those prone to spitballing ideas and representing as legitamate rumors seldom mention him.
I agree that there is too much redundancy in our pitching, but also too many outfielders that are ready, or nearly ready for the majors. It has to be almost overwhelming for some of the players that are affected. I think they should trade some of these players to San Francisco for Will Smith, or a pitcher/player of comparable value somewhere else. Or, trade for high ceiling prospects. I understand that it’s easy to say that. But if no other club wants to make a fair offer, then you just can’t waste the talent we have.
I like Gant, and think he could be a real weapon in the bullpen. That said, if they could get decent value in a trade, I wouldn’t be opposed.
Recall that during spring training last year, the Cardinals traded Lucas and Valera and cleared 40-man space in the process. My gut feeling is that teams are more inclined to make trades during camp after they get a good look at what they have and assess what they need. I will be surprised if we don’t see trades this spring, too.
They also traded away Tuivailala in season among others in the same kind of trade, for a less experienced prospect. So they seem to be doing pretty well getting something for value for guys at the tail end of the roster. The jury is still out on the Voit trade, however, with early returns against them.
One thing is for sure. A lot of pitchers are coming to camp fighting for their jobs – more so than any time in my recent memory.
Looks like there are 22 pitchers on the roster, and another 6 to 8, as well a surprise or 2, who will have a chance in camp to impress. I think we need another lefty out of the pen, and really don’t want Cabrera or Gomber relieving to start the season. Hopefully Cervenka and Layne will get a fair amount of chances. And Derian Gonzalez should not be counted out.
It is safe to count out Derian Gonzalez this spring, as he will not be in big-league camp. Removed from the 40-man and not an NRI.
Early Report of 2019 Cardinals Non-Roster Spring Camp Invitees
It’s official! @andrew_owen14 signed with the @Cardinals. A little over 6 months ago he had graduated as an undrafted college senior, throwing 90-92. Now, at 94-96 in bullpens, he’s earned that chance to continue his career. Proud to have worked with him over these last 6 months! pic.twitter.com/QyPhxeGRu5
— Ben Brewster (@TreadAthletics) February 5, 2019
Not much mystery regarding most of the Cardinals rotation except who is number 5. That competition and injuries should determine the bullpen makeup and the #6/#7/#8, etc. starters. Unless in the St Louis bullpen, PDL, Gomber, Hudson, Helsley, Woodford, and Cabrera should be part of a stout Memphis rotation. I would have to bet that there will be some spring trades to reduce the logjam a bit, which will filter down to the Memphis bullpen, and the Springfield rotation. I like the chances of Krucynski, Walsh, Cruz, and Fagalde to headline a pretty darn good starting staff. Elledge, Dobzanski and Patterson should make a better bullpen than 2018. And I am curious where Elledge begins his season, the numbers game could keep him at Springfield as closer.
C27, there is an Owen article on the front page for members.
I hope that if Elledge shows he is ready for Memphis that he gets to open the season there. Don’t delay your better prospects.
It seems like the farm system has better numbers and quality of prospects for relief help than in past seasons. Even without some starters converted to the pen, which I would prefer to see later in the year when innings need conserved. Keep starters as starters as long as you can.
One thing is for sure. A lot of pitchers are coming to camp fighting for their jobs – more so than any time in my recent memory.
There’s nothing wrong with that! I had said last summer that I thought our prospects like Hudson, Helsley, Ponce, Gant, etc could form a better bullpen than what we were running out there. Certainly, guys like Cecil, Gregerson, Leone, Mayers need to be looking over their shoulder and coming to camp ready to roll.
Looking ahead to Dec.19 ’19, according to Roster Resource These are some prospects that may need to be protected for the R-5 draft. Age – TCN ranking (revised)
Knizner 24 – #6
JeMartinez 24 – #55 (Comm)
Montero 20 – #4
Edman 23 – #1
Capel 21 – #31
Arozarena 23 – #12
LCedeno 20 – #32
Jones 24 – #37
Woodford 22 – #19
Seijas 20 – #36
Schesener 22 – #81 (Comm)’18 R-5
Schrock 24 – #27
Ortega 21 – #41
JrFernandez 21 – #35These names may change before Dec. depending on their play in the ’19 season, injury or player movement.
This group could need 5 or 6 roster spots, so the 40-man will have to be revised by then. So many things can happen there.Of that group, KNizner, (who will likely be added before the end of the season), Montero, and Edman will be added. The rest will have to have a big 2019.
C27, I agree, but I think Arozarena and Woodford are also on the right trajectory. Jones may surprise as a reliever.
Edman is currently 18th here.
The Cardinal Nation's @Sgf_Cardinals beat reporter and prospect analyst @D_Shore23 kicks off another season of the best Double-A Cardinals coverage out there! His in-depth reports are posted for TCN members every Thursday all season long. https://t.co/UPd2D1B8Ou
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) February 8, 2019
The Cards are in serious need of a AAA minor league FA outfielder. Not the type looking for an opt out if not on the major league roster but the type willing to put in the work, pay his dues, hope to get hot at the rigbt that an injury occurs. Obviously LH hitter would be ideal.
With Williams injured they are down to Garcia, Arozarena, and Thomas in the AAA outfield. Maybe O’Neill if he doesnt make the big club. One of Robinson or Munez will also most likely be available at Memphis. But we are really just one injury away from a desperate need (and Thomas is already hurting). Of those projected to be at AA I see know one who is ready though I would guess Drake would get the nod.
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