Cardinals By Position – SS

[PadsFS]

The Cardinals had the #13th most valuable SS in baseball last year with surprisingly, most of the value coming on defense (UZR/fangraphs)

DeJong manned the position the most at 747 innings played posting a neutral DRS, and a positive 3.1 UZR/150. Diaz posted a -10 DRS with a -2.5 UZR/150 in his 589 innings. Garcia had 79 innings and Mejia had 35 at the position.

The Cards were 26th in DRS last year obviously thanks mostly to Diaz’s negative defense. They did post a 0.1 UZR/150 so it’s safe to wonder which measure is accurate.

Offensively, DeJong crushed it with a 122 wRC+, Diaz put up a 78 wRC+ after a 133 wRC+ last year , Garcia had a 94 wRC+, very adequate for a backup SS. Mejia added a -19 wRC+, which I didn’t even know existed.

My guess is that they start with DeJong in STL with Garcia as the backup. Then allow Diaz and Mejia to take SS at Memphis. Likely, this will push Edman down to Springfield to compete with Sosa.

Hopefully, in the lower levels, Kramer Robinson can follow the path of Edman this year and the biggest question mark in the system, Delvin Perez, can have a big breakout.

[Brian Walton]

As I am working on new prospect rankings for this winter, I’ve thought a lot about Delvin. I bet a number of teams ask about him in trade talks, hoping to buy low.

[CariocaCardinal]

I am trying to remember, did Diaz sign a major league contract in his initial contract? If so, he is out of options I believe. My initial research shows he did sign a major league contract. He used options in 2014, 2015, and 2017.

[thejager]

i have been worried about our SS depth for years now…and still am…Dejong and Diaz both dont seem like the long term solutions in the field, even if their bats are nice…I know wanting Simmons might be a pipe dream but that kind of move woudl definitely clear up any issues in the middle infield and SS specifically…

i am curious about Delvin too Brian…tough call on where to place him…

as for his trade value…we kind of bought low on him to begin with as his draft stock dropped after the substance issue right? I am definitely nto as high as i wanted to be on him right now…last year i wouldnt have given him up for much…but now, and despite knowing he is young i am ready to move him if need be…everyone is on the table to get us reorganized…

[thejager]

oh! good call CC

I wanted to ask about his contract too…i thought i knew waht was going on with him this coming year but at some point i read something different and now i am confused again
Brian..can you give a quick explanation?

[Brian Walton]

Without even looking, I am pretty sure Diaz would qualify for a fourth minor league option if needed. So there should be no issue in 2018. Will dig deeper perhaps once I get past Maddux/Eversgerd news.

[CariocaCardinal]

Forgot about that scenario, but seems likely

[Bw52]

I wonder how much trade value Diaz has since he was a All-Star in 2016?Seems like he could be part of a package deal to a team needing INF help who will gamble he can be adequate defensively and be a offensive first infielder.

[bicyclemike]

Diaz looks to be of little value to the Cardinals at this point, and would probably be a good throw-in on a potential trade.

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