- This topic has 21 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
The Cards strike first!!
Cardinals, Drew VerHagen Agree To Two-Year Deal https://t.co/fPGXDOEJbS pic.twitter.com/8Jk21vRZcE
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) March 11, 2022
Who is Drew VerHagen? What is he going to do for us?
UPDATE: I just checked his numbers. Not pitched in the bigs since 2019. And the previous few years he wasn’t very good. So, I will ask again – what is he going to do for us?
Is clicking on links disabled for you guys? I will speak to management and see if I can get that fixed for you.
Cardinals Sign Drew VerHagen To Two-Year Deal
While the 31-year-old VerHagen probably wasn’t predicted by many as the first post-lockout domino to fall, he’ll head back to the big leagues not only on a guaranteed contract but on a multi-year arrangement. The 6’6″ righty struggled for much of his six seasons with the Tigers, pitching to a 5.11 ERA over the life of 199 big league frames. His two-year stint overseas changed his fortunes, however, as VerHagen broke out as a key member of the Nippon-Ham Fighters’ bullpen.
In two seasons with the Fighters, VerHagen notched a 3.51 ERA in 2017 1/3 innings while punching out a quarter of his opponents against a strong 7.2% walk rate. He’s long had decent velocity (94 mph average) on his sinker and has a track record of inducing grounders at a high rate (53.9% in the Majors) — which fits in well with the Cardinals’ otherworldy infield defense.
He did OK for the Canned Hams so what could go wrong. Mo might figure its easier to find them now than well into the season like he had to do last year. I wish the new guy well.
“Just another case of low hanging hope for greatness fruit. I would love to be proved wrong though”
Why do people say ridiculous things like this? You nor most Cardinal fans know whether this will be a good signing or not. Just wait and see before you say anything.
At The Cardinal Nation, @bt_newberry compares RHP Drew VerHagen with earlier #stlcards pitchers signed out of Asia. (free) https://t.co/c1xGjSeTME pic.twitter.com/46DjS1eLe3
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) March 12, 2022
Compressed schedule – fewer days off
All doubleheader games nine full innings
Minor league options limited to five per season
Many pitchers coming off 2021 injuries
No more than 13 pitchers active allowedPut that all together and the pitching depth is sure to be tested again. I can’t understand why having more arms can be a bad thing. Not every signing can be a Cy Young candidate.
“No more than 13 pitchers active allowed”
Thanks for that.
On VerHagen, the Asian league signings by STL have a solid track record. I’m willing to expect more of the same.
Not sure I like the 5 options per season limit. I guess we will see how it goes. A team beset by injuries to the pitching staff could really be taxed.
I believe the players wanted an options limit because of the disruption to the player and his family when going up and down. Five options could still mean as many as 10 moves during a six-month period, almost always with little or no notice.
Update: This is from The Athletic.
“Of the six players that were optioned up or down double-digit times last year, five were arms. To some extent, teams were using the option rule to carry an extra reliever in their bullpen, and to some extent, that practice will be tougher this season.”
When I asked Mo about the impact of the options limit, he brought up the 13 pitchers maximum as a bigger challenge as he sees it.
Gamecard I can give my opinion and say what I want as long as it doesn’t step on any guidelines or make fun of the players in any way. I paid to do so. You are welcome to do the same.
Another thing to consider is that it is still possible that MLB allows teams to have expanded rosters for the first month or two of the season, which would mean each team could have more than 13 pitchers. I think that is still being debated.
GameCard said
Just wait and see before you say anything.
I tend to want to see what happens with prospects once they reach the upper levels, so maybe I’m not one to say. None-the-less, prognostication is sort of what this site is all about, more or less. Hot stovin is the name of the game with snow on the ground.
I love the limited options clause in the new agreement. Moving guys up and down every week or so was ridiculous. I understand injury and usage issues, but you need some stability as well. Manage your team for the marathon, not to play every game like it is game 7.
Cards have a good track record of bringing pitchers with success in the Pacific Rim, at least for the first year. They seem to bring something that opponents don’t expect. By year two the magic rubs off some though, so giving Mr. Ver Hagen a 2 year deal is a tad risky.
Nationals signed Cishek for 1.75mm. One of the most consistent relievers in the majors. Would have seemed like a better option.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.