photo: Jim Edmonds (FOX Sports Midwest)
Former Commissioner Fay Vincent passed away. Jim Edmonds is not returning to the St. Louis Cardinals television booth. Our history feature investigates prior trades and free agent signings made during this week.
Former MLB Commissioner Fay Vincent passes away
On Sunday, February 2, MLB announced that former Commissioner Fay Vincent passed away at the age of 86 from cancer.
Vincent’s tenure as the eighth Commissioner of Major League Baseball began on February 13, 1989. He became acting commissioner on the death of Giamatti on September 1, 1989 and was subsequently elected to the position on a full time basis. Vincent remained at the position until replaced by Bud Selig on September 7, 1992.
Vincent’s tenure included notable events, starting with the interruption of the 1989 World Series by the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17. The Series was ultimately concluded after a 10-day postponement. The 1990 lockout occurred on Vincent’s watch, which wiped out most of Spring Training and ended with a Basic Agreement on March 19, 1990.
That same year, Vincent banned Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for life, after an investigation that revealed Steinbrenner had paid a gambler $40,000 to obtain “dirt” on outfielder Dave Winfield. The lifetime ban was rescinded after two years and as it turned out, was only given because Steinbrenner asked for the ban instead of a suspension so he could help run the U.S. Olympics.
Prior to leaving office, Vincent planned to realign the National League by having the Cubs and Cardinals switch divisions. The Cubs sued to prevent the switch and an injunction was issued to temporarily prevent it. The lawsuit was dropped after Vincent resigned in September 1992.
Vincent is survived by his wife Christina, and three children from a previous marriage.
News and Notes for the Offseason
In this space there will be information on news and events of the offseason that do not require extensive coverage. Check back each week to learn what is happening.
- Cardinals TV analyst not returning for 2025 season – Jim Edmonds, who has been a part of the broadcasting crew for the Cardinals since 2013 and a color analyst in the booth since 2016, will not return for the 2025 season. The announcement did not specify a reason for Edmonds’ departure.
- Cardinals 2025 Spring Training tickets on sale now – The Cardinals have opened up the sale for 2025 Spring Training tickets. Details at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/spring-training
- Cardinals’ Season Tickets are now available – Fans can purchase season tickets for 2025. Details at https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/tickets/season-tickets. A telephone number and chat feature are available.
- Cardinals early camp is underway – Major leaguers including Miles Mikolas, Pedro Pages and Jordan Walker are part of over three dozen players already working out in Jupiter. Brian Walton is there providing regular reports.
- Spring Breakout is back – The second annual Spring Breakout games will be held in March. This showcase features top prospects from each team playing in a spring training game.
Cardinals prospects will play Marlins prospects on March 14 at 12:10 p.m. at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. The Cardinals team may include such prospects as Quinn Mathews, Tink Hence and JJ Wetherholt.
- Cardinals’ spring training workout dates coming soon – The first workout date for pitchers and catchers is February 12 in Jupiter. Position players will begin their workouts on February 17.
Trade and Acquisition Rumors
There are no trade or acquisition rumors to report.
Transactions
There are no 40-man roster transactions to report.
According to MiLB.com, Peoria outfielder Alex Iadisernia has retired. The 24-year-old was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round in 2022. In 233 career games, the left-handed hitter slashed .234/.324/.382/.706.
Injury Report
There are no new MLB injuries to report.
Memphis right-handed pitcher Victor Santos will miss the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery.
Looking Ahead
February is here. The Cardinals have not made any significant offseason additions other than letting veteran players go.
Spring Training is around the corner. The only offseason event remaining is hearings for three Cardinals arbitration eligible players who did not come to terms with the team on a 2025 salary. They are Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar and Andre Pallante,
January 27 through February 14 is the period during which the hearings will take place. The sides can continue to negotiate up until the hearing though the Cardinals expect to go to hearing and let the arbitrators decide.
Spring Training officially begins when pitchers and catchers report on February 10. Their first workout is on February 12. Position players first workout is on February 17.
The first spring training game is on Saturday, February 22 against the Miami Marlins.
Blast from the Past
The offseason continues into February with the Cardinals still waiting to offload Nolan Arenado and continue their plan to lower payroll. The market for the third baseman is quiet for the moment.
The Cardinals have indicated that additions to rather than a subtraction from the roster are being considered. The team is reported to be seeking a relief arm to replace the departed Andrew Kittredge and may also add a right-handed hitting outfielder.
This week’s Blast continues with its look at past transactions. This week we cover the period of January 27 through February 2.
The following transactions made by the Cardinals during this period start with the date of the transaction, the name or names of the players and teams involved, and the nature of the transaction. Additional relevant details may be included.
January 29, 2002 – The Cardinals signed So Taguchi to a free agent contract. The 32-year-old outfielder previously played for the Orix Blue Wave in Japan. Taguchi spent most of the 2002 season in the minor leagues but was called up on September 7. Taguchi remained with St. Louis through the 2007 season. He played one year for the Phillies and one year for the Cubs before returning to Japan.
January 29, 1971 – The Cardinals traded pitcher Nelson Briles to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Matty Alou and George Brunet. Briles had been elevated to the starting rotation after Bob Gibson’s leg was broken by a line drive from Roberto Clemente in 1967. In the 1967 World Series, Briles pitched a complete game winner in Game Three, holding Carl Yastrzemski hitless.
January 31, 1994 – The Cardinals signed RHP Rick Sutcliffe to a minor league contract. It was at end of the career of the former Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award winner. Sutcliffe made 14 starts in St. Louis and finished with a record of 6-4 and ERA of 6.52.
February 1, 2021 – The Cardinals acquired 3B Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies in trade for Austin Gomber, Elehuris Montero and three minor leaguers. After Arenado’s four seasons in St. Louis, the Cardinals are attempting to trade him but have so far been unable to do so due to the size of his remaining contract.
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