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We shouldn’t undervalue Yadi. He affects the game in many ways. Our FO has done a great job of seizing big bats when the opportunities presented themselves.
After I listened to Mo’s last two media sessions, I did not come away with the impression a big bat is firmly in the plans this winter. Maybe a DH type, but it is uncertain for two big reasons. One is that it is unclear whether there would be any money remaining after Waino and Yadi re-sign. Second is that there is no DH decision and there does not seem to be any momentum to get it done anytime soon. At some point, the Ozunas (who is not coming back) and Nelson Cruzes may just decide to go to the AL rather than wait until spring training for a chance to entertain NL offers, too. By that time, the remaining pickings may be the Brad Miller types, which I do not consider to be a “big bat”. I hope they surprise me and I read the situation wrong and/or that Waino and Yadi sign cheaply, and the Cards actually use the savings, but I am not holding my breath.
P.S. The experiences of the past, whether positive or negative, do not apply during a pandemic.
I agree Brian, but Mo would be opportunistic if a team like the Diamondbacks offered Peralta for O’Neill since they are trying to acquire a right-handed bat and clear payroll.
Tyler O’Neill was potentially a big bat when they traded for him. He’d hit 32 home runs at high A. Driven in 102 runs at AA.
Hit 26 home runs in 64 games for Memphis before being called up. Why not trade for another big bat or two like that? Sure fits the budget.I agree with Brian. I do not see them making any huge moves this season, waiting for all of those dead weight contracts to come off the books after the season and the world and revenue, returning to normal. If they don’t start taking on money and improving, then I will be concerned.
20m Molina (2020)
10m Wong (2020)
16m Fowler (2021)
12m Miller (2021)
17m Martinez (2021)
18m Carpenter (2022)NigelT said:
I agree Brian, but Mo would be opportunistic if…
“Mo speak” usually amuses me, and being “opportunistic” is one of his go-to catch phrases – normally. However, I do not recall him uttering it a single time in either the post-playoffs and winter meetings calls, which together were going on two hours.
This should not be interpreted to mean they are not exploring trades, because he said they are. But still, the usual level of optimism right now felt lower to me than usual.
I thought Mo was his usual evasive self.
Making sure to avoid false expectations.
Being cagey. He’s laying the groundwork on multiple fronts (FAs and trades) and just not showing his hand. Other than to say last year’s December is this year’s January.I really don’t like it when the sarcastic side of him shows. And when he puts down journalists, like he did at the end of his interview.
I don’t think they will go after a “big bat” either which is why I labeled the three remaining options as Waino, Yadi, and “another bat”.
He did mention that they are looking at some cost neutral trades though. Maybe a major league ready bat or two?
Maybe a major league ready bat or two?
I don’t get why you keep saying two. They have 4 guys they already have to sift through in the OF who are unknowns. Why would you want to add two more? There’s only so much playing time out there. The team is 50/50 at best to add another OFer and almost no chance to add more than one this year.
Neutral trades are surely possible, but the Peralta one suggested above would be a net up of about $6 million. No one knows the Cards’ current “puke point” regarding incremental salary – and the reality is that they probably don’t, either – until Waino and Yadi are resolved.
25 – For two reasons.
1.) I don’t consider Bader, Thomas, and Williams exciting, high ceiling bats. Carson and O’Neill (potentially) yes.
2.) We have a donut hole below the 5 listed above. Whom are you excited about among outfield prospects that will be playing at Memphis or Springfield next season?
Look at all the prospects in the Top 45 of the poll you’re honchoing. How many are outfielders? How many will be at AAA or AA next year? Torres? Fletcher? They’re years away.
While those guys may not be high impact bats, it’s not true that they have no place on the roster. Bader just had his best offensive season since his rookie year, and provides excellent defense in CF. At worst he’s an average overall CFer. Thomas spent the year with COVID but looked really good in limited time in 2019. Williams may not be good, but he has no options. To add two high impact bats, you essentially have to lose two of those guys (Williams and one of Bader or Thomas). Are you willing to do that for an unknown player?
The second point to your comment I’d make is that we would have to parse out what an MLB ready, high impact bat is..I saw your list somewhere. It’s a bunch of guys who rank 10th or below on other teams’ minors lists. If you’d really be willing to trade guys like Oviedo or Rondon for that, then more power to you. Those guys have at least as many if not more flaws than the guys you aren’t excited about, AND we have to give up useful prospects to get them.
Now, my personal definition of such players would essentially be a top 100 prospect, or close at any rate. Guys like Kirilloff, Larnach, Rooker, Kelenic, etc. Teams just don’t give those players away as they want them for themselves. In some cases, the bite in prospects will be severe…and worth it, sometimes. But sometimes they are just another Bader or O’Neill (as you view them). That’s a huge gamble. Still, two of those guys is unreasonable to expect as we do not have the prospects to get them.
Either way, it’s not reasonable to expect two additions of guys who are really able to be counted on to make an impact in the next couple years. It just won’t happen.
25 – I wouldn’t rule out anything. Maybe that’s the difference between you and me.
I never thought they would land Holliday. I never thought they would land Ozuna. I never thought they would land Goldschmidt. Same with Liberatore. I’ve learned to never say never because it can lead to embarrassment later on.I do know that there is a time limit on Bader, O’Neill, Thomas, and Williams being able to show productivity. And the Cards are looking for backup just in case.
Imagine Yadi catching Strasburg, Scherzer, Corbin, etc.
What a roster fit that would be with the Nats.25 – Would you consider a proven major league bat in the second or third arbitration year on a low payroll team? A test drive (and extension if he turns out to be a good fit)?
Probably not. I’d rather wait and pay for proven talent next year. There are a couple of guys who I would consider, but I’d consider them more of a 1 year stop gap.
Yadi’s primary focus seems to be on his next contract, understandably, but he also has his HOF legacy to consider. Would / should a third ring take priority over the earning potential?
Okay, 25, but would you agree that they might need an add-on veteran OFer this off season like they brought in Miller as a veteran add-on IFer last season? And should they also bring in a veteran add-on IFer again this season?
Yadi’s primary focus seems to be on his next contract, understandably, but he also has his HOF legacy to consider. Would / should a third ring take priority over the earning potential?
That’s a good question. I tend to think that the “one team” aspect might be as important to his HOF legacy as having another ring. Much of Yadi’s identity is locked up in having played for St Louis for so long (and being successful while doing it, as well). If he goes to, say, Washington, where a ring is far from a guarantee, would he still have that aura? Part of me thinks not.
I guess I’m one who likes legacy. Long time Cardinals and future Hall of Famers who have finished out their careers with the birds on the bat…..Stan, Ozzie, Lou, Gibby, etc. Molina is still a leadership force behind the plate and in the dugout.
I’ll take the Bleacher Report rankings from 9 months ago that rated him as the 8th overall best catcher in baseball.
Does he rate that high now? Maybe not, but he may still be in the top half. And with all the other things he brings to the table that’ll do IMHO.Good point 25. For his legacy it helps to at least stay in the postseason, which STL probably offers him.
What about multiple rings, with multiple teams? I’d think that adds to his legacy.
LAD don’t need him
NYY appear to be willing to endure Sanchez and backup with more pressing needs today.
SDP have a utility player in Nola catching
TBR likely doesn’t cough up the cash for Yadi?
LAA have Stassi who broke out at age 29, could upgrade
STL has an unknown in Knizner
PHI lost Realmuto as FA
WAS lost Suzuki as FAPadres may be Yadi’s best shot at a ring unless the NYY are posturing with Sanchez.
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