St. Louis Blues Sign Philip Broberg, and Dylan Holloway

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Philip Broberg and center Dylan Hollway to two-year contracts. Broberg's contract is worth $9.16 million, and Holloway's contract is worth $4.58 million. The Blues gave both Broberg and Hollway offer sheets on August 13, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers then had a week to match both offers if they wanted to keep them. Because the Oilers didn't match the offer sheets as required compensation for restricted free agents, they'll get a 2025 2nd-round pick and a 2025 3rd-round pick from the Blues. 

Broberg, 23, played 12 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a -3 in 2023-2024.

Broberg had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Broberg played 46 games with 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and a plus 6. The games, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Broberg. The goal tied a career high from 2021-2022 for Broberg. 

Overall, Broberg has played 3 seasons in the NHL. Broberg has played 81 games with 2 goals, 11 assists, 13 points, and a -5. 

Holloway, 22, played 38 games with 6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and a -1 in 2023-2024. The goals were a career high for Holloway. 

Holloway had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Holloway played 51 games with 3 goals, 6 assists, and 9 points. The games, assists, and points were all career highs for Holloway. 

Overall, Holloway has played 2 seasons in the NHL. Holloway has played 89 games with 9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points, and a -1. In the playoffs, Holloway has played 26 games with 5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points, and a plus 5. 

Both Broberg and Holloway are interesting additions for the Blues roster in 2024-2025. Broberg was a 1st-round pick in 2018 (8th overcall). Broberg has drawn comparisons to former Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Holloway was a 1st-round pick in 2020 (14th overall). Broberg and Holloway can also skate well.

Will Broberg and Holloway stay improving their game? If they do, both could end up being good additions for the Blues future. I wish more NHL teams would take the risk of trying to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. It's something you don't see much, and teams could improve by if successful. 

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Shawn Armstrong

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired RHP Shawn Armstrong from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Dylan Carlson, and cash considerations. Armstrong, 33, is currently 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 38 games, 7 starts, 3 holds, 1 save, 46.2 innings, 50 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 2024. Armstrong can be a free agent after the season.

In 2023, Armstong was 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 39 games, 6 starts, 6 holds, 52 innings, 54 strikeouts, and 11 walks. The ERA was a career best from Armstrong. 

Armstrong had career highs in games (55), holds (9), and saves (4) combined between the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles in 2019. In 2020, Armstrong had a career high 2 wins. Armstrong had career highs in both innings (61.2) and strikeouts (66) combined between the Miami Marlins and Rays. 

Overall, Armstrong is currently in his 10th MLB season. Armstrong is 10-7 with a 4.18 ERA, 280 games, 16 starts, 27 holds, 327.1 innings, 344 strikeouts, 114 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Carlson, 25, is currently hitting .198 with 12 runs, 24 hits, 5 doubles, 11 RBI's, and 12 walks in 2024. 

Carlson had his best season in 2021. That season, Carlson hit .266 with 79 runs, 144 hits, 31 doubles, 4 triples, 18 home runs, 65 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 57 walks. The batting averages, runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI's, and walks were all career highs for Carlson.

In 2022, Carlson had a career high 5 stolen bases. 

Overall, Carlson is currently in his 5th MLB season. Carlson has played 447 games with 185 runs, 340 hits, 81 doubles, 10 triples, 34 home runs, 161 RBI's, 11 stolen bases, 148 walks, and a .239 batting average. 

Both Armstrong and Carlson needed a change of scenery. Armstrong was good in 2023, so the Cardinals hope they get that version of him. Armstrong is reunited with former Rays teammate reliever Andrew Kittredge. 

Carlson is reunited with former Cardinals teammate outfielder/second baseman Richie Palacios.

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Erick Fedde, and Tommy Pham; trade Tommy Edman

 

The St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers have made a three-way trade. The Cardinals receive starting pitcher Erick Fedde, outfielder Tommy Pham, and cash considerations from the White Sox. The Cardinals also receive a player to be named later from the Dodgers.

The from the Cardinals, the Dodgers receive infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman, and RHP Oliver Gonzalez. The Dodgers also receive RHP Michael Kopech from the White Sox. The White Sox receive infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas, second baseman/shortstop Jeral Perez, third baseman Alexander Albertus, a player to be named later or cash considerations. 

Fedde, 31, is currently 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 21 games, 21 starts, 121.2 innings, 108 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 2024. The ERA is currently a career best for Fedde. Fedde also has 10 quality starts, which are a career high for him. The quality starts would put Fedde 2nd behind Miles Mikolas, who has 13.

Fedde had his best season in 2021, with the Washington Nationals. That season, Fedde was 7-9 with a 5.47 ERA, 29 games, 27 starts, 133.1 innings, 128 strikeouts, and 48 walks. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Fedde. 

Overall, Fedde is currently in his 7th MLB season. Fedde is 28-37 with a 4.92 ERA, 123 games, 109 starts, 576 innings, 460 strikeouts, 225 walks, and a whip of 1.44. 

Pham, 36, is currently hitting .266 with 72 hits, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 19 RBI's, 6 stolen bases, and 25 walks. 

Pham had his best season in 2017, with the Cardinals. That season, Pham hit .306 with 95 runs, 136 hits, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 23 home runs, 73 RBI's, 25 stolen bases, and 71 walks. The batting average, home runs, RBI's, and stolen bases were all career highs for Pham. 

In 2018, combined between the Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, Pham had career high in both runs (102) and triples (6). Pham had career highs in hits (155), doubles (33), and walks (81).

Overall, Pham is currently in his 11th MLB season. Pham has played 1,075 games with 592 runs, 948 hits, 177 doubles, 22 triples, 135 home runs, 450 RBI's, 125 stolen bases, 479 walks, and a .259 batting average. 

Edman, 29, has played a game in the MLB in 2024. Edman has been on rehab in Double-A Springfield. In Springfield, Edman is currently hitting .207 with 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 triple, 4 RBI's, and 4 walks. 

Edman had his best season in 2021. That season, Edman won a Gold Glove and hit .262 with 91 runs, 168 hits, 41 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs, 56 RBI's, 30 stolen bases, and 38 walks. The hits and doubles were both career highs for Edman.

In 2019, Edman had a career high 7 triples. Edman had career highs in runs (95), home runs (13), RBI's (57), stolen bases (32), and walks (46).

Overall, Edman has played 5 seasons in the MLB. Edman has played 596 games with 343 runs, 590 hits, 121 doubles, 19 hits, 53 home runs, 222 RBI's, 106 stolen bases, 151 walks, and a .265 batting average. 

Gonzalez, 17, is currently 2-0 with a 4.22 ERA, 7 games, 4 starts, 21.1 innings, 26 strikeouts, and 7 walks in the Dominican Summer League in 2024.

Kopech, 28, is currently 2-8 with 4.74 ERA, 43 games, 1 hold, 9 saves, 43.2 innings, 59 strikeouts, and 24 walk in 2024. The saves are a career high for Kopech.

Kopech had his best season in 2023. The season, Kopech was 5-12 with a 5.43 ERA, 30 games, 27 starts, 129.1 innings, 134 strikeouts, and 91 walks. The wins tied a career high from 2022 for Kopech. The starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Kopech. In 2021, Kopech had career highs in both games (44) and holds (13).

Overall, Kopech is currently in his 5th MLB season. Kopech is 17-33 with a 4.38 ERA, 146 games, 60 starts, 14 holds, 9 saves, 376 innings, 416 strikeouts, 198 walks, and a whip of 1.35.

Vargas, 24, is currently hitting .239 with 11 runs, 17 hits, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI's, 1 stolen base, and 8 walks in 2024.

Vargas had his best season in 2023. That season, Vargas hit .195 with 36 runs, 50 hits, 15 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 32 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 38 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Vargas. 

Overall, Vargas is currently in his 3rd MLB season. Vargas has played 129 games with 51 runs, 75 hits, 20 doubles, 4 triples, 11 home runs, 49 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, 48 walks, and a .201 batting average. 

Perez, 19, is currently hitting .264 with 49 runs, 76 hits, 15 doubles, 10 home runs, 42 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 48 walks in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2024.

Perez was ranked as the Dodgers 17th best prospect. 

Overall, Perez is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Perez has played 183 games with 122 runs, 176 hits, 37 doubles, 3 triples, 29 home runs, 113 RBI's, 18 stolen bases, 113 walks, and a .265 batting average. 

Albertus, 19, is currently hitting .298 with 32 runs, 54 hits, 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 42 RBI's, 6 stolen bases, 37 walks combined between Rookie Ball and Low-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Albertus was ranked as the Dodgers 23rd best prospect. 

Overall, Albertus is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Albertus has played 136 games with 86 runs, 127 hits, 19 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs, 91 RBI's, 21 stolen bases, 107 walks, and a .303 batting average. 

The Cardinals and Dodgers both upgraded their rosters. The Cardinals upgraded their starting rotation with Fedde. Fedde is signed through 2025. Pham can help the Cardinals against left-handed pitchers and off the bench. Pham is currently hitting .255 against left-handed pitchers this season. In Pham's career, he has hit .270 against left-handed pitchers. 

The question is what happens with the Cardinals starting rotation? Do the Cardinals decide to go with a 6-man rotation? Do the Cardinals send Andre Pallante to Triple-A Memphis or trade Lance Lynn?

The Dodgers get a pretty good utility player in Edman. Kopech can be a good reliever if he can improve his control issues.  

The Cardinals also have similar players in their minor leagues if they need a player like Edman. 

Do the Cardinals add a reliever for their bullpen before the trade deadline on Tuesday? If they are able add a reliever the Cardinals roster will be more improved. They are already improved but they needed to add three upgrades. A starting pitcher, a right-handed hitter, and a reliever. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Ryan Suter

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Ryan Suter to a one-year contract, worth $755,000. The contract includes $2,225 million in performance bonuses. Suter, 39, played 82 games with 2 goals, 15 assists, 17 points, and a plus 14 with the Dallas Stars in 2023-2024. The Stars bought out Suter's final year of his contract on June 27, 2024. 

Suter had his best season in 2017-2018, with the Minnesota Wild. That season, Suter played 78 games with 6 goals. 45 assists, 51 points, and a -1. The assists were a career high for Suter. The points tied a career high from 2015-2016 for Suter.

In 2016-2017, Suter had a career high 9 goals. 

Overall, Suter played 19 seasons in the NHL. Suter has played 1,444 games with 105 points, 576 assists, 681 points, and a plus 120. In the playoffs, Suter has played 133 games with 7 goals, 37 assists, 44 points, and a -28. 

Suter is a low-risk move. If Suter doesn't work out, he can always be waived and sent to the AHL. If Suter works out, he can provide some veteran leadership on defense for a guy like Scott Perunovich. 

Suter is reunited with two former teammates. Those two former teammates are center Radek Faksa (Stars), and defenseman Marco Scandella (Wild). 

It will be interesting to see if the Blues defenseman stays the same as it looks currently. I think it won't stay the same as it currently is. 
 

St. Louis Blues Extend Pavel Buchnevich

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left wing Pavel Buchnevich to a six-year contract extension, worth $48 million. Buchnevich, 29, played 80 games with 27 goals, 36 assists, 63 points, and a plus 3 in 2023-2024. The games were a career high for Buchnevich. 

Buchnevich had his best season in 2021-2022. That season, Buchnevich played 73 games with 30 goals, 46 assists, 76 points, and a plus 29. The goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Buchnevich. 

Overall, Buchnevich has played 8 seasons in the NHL. Buchnevich has played 517 games with 162 goals, 239 assists, 401 points, and a plus 53. In the playoffs, Buchnevich has played 20 games with 1 goal, 11 assists, 12 points, and a -3. 

It's great to see general manager Doug Armstrong sign Buchnevich to a new long-term contract. Buchnevich could have been a free agent after the 2024-2025 season. 
 

St. Louis Blues Sign Pierre-Olivier Joseph

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year contract, worth $950,000. Joseph, 25, played 52 games with 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 assists, and a -3 with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023-2024. 

Joseph had his best season 2022-2023. That season, Jospeh played 75 games with 5 goals, 16 assists, 21 points, and a plus 8. The games, goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Joseph. 

Overall, Joseph has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Joseph has played 147 games with 8 goals, 29 assists, 37 points, and a plus 4. 

Joseph joins his older brother Mathieu on the Blues roster. 

St. Louis Blues Acquire Mathieu Joseph

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded future considerations to the Ottawa Senators for right wing Mathieu Joseph, and a 2025 3rd-round pick. Joseph, 27, played 72 games with 11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points, and a -4 in 2023-2024. The games, assists, and points, and were all career highs for Joseph. 

In 2018-2019, Joseph had a career high in goals (13) with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Joseph helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2019-2020, and 2020-2021). 

Overall, Joseph has played 6 seasons in the NHL. Joseph has played 360 games with 55 goals, 80 assists, 135 points, and a plus 19. In the playoffs, Joseph has played 10 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a -2. 

Joseph is good on the penalty kill. Joseph has two years left on his current contract.