St. Louis Blues extend Alexey Toropchenko

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed right wing Alexey Toropchenko to a one-year contract extension, worth $1.7 million. Toropchenko, 25, currently has played 7 games with 1 assist, and 1 point in 2024-2025. 

Toropchenko had his best season in 2023-2024. That season, Toropchenko played 82 games with 14 goals, 7 assists, 21 points, and a -3. The games, goals, and points were all career highs for Torpchenko. 

In 2022-2023, Toropchenko had a career high (9) assists. 

Overall, Toropchenko is currently in his 4th NHL season. Toropchenko has played 186 games with 26 goals, 17 assists, 43 points, and a -6. In the playoffs, Toropchenko has played 12 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a plus 2. 

St. Louis Blues extend Jake Neighbours

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left wing Jake Neighbours to a two-year contract extension, worth $7.5 million. Neighbours, 22, currently has played 6 games with 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, and a -2 in 2024-2025. 

Neighbours had his best season in 2023-2024. That season, Neighbours played 77 games with 27 goals, 11 assists, 38 points, and a -16. The games, goals, assists, and points were all career highs for Neighbours. 

Overall, Neighbours is currently in his 4th NHL season. Neighbours has played 135 games with 36 goals, 17 assists, 53 points, and a -39. 

The Blues did a good job to re-signed Neighbours now. If the Blues hadn't signed Neighbours to a new contract a team could have given him an offer sheet next summer to try to steal him. 

St. Louis Cardinals hire Brant Brown as hitting coach

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former outfielder Brant Brown as their new hitting coach. Brown, 53, played five seasons in the MLB (1996-2000). Brown spent most of his career four seasons (1996-1998, 2000) with the Chicago Cubs. Brown also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins). 

After retired from the MLB, Brown went into coaching. Brown was a hitting coach for in the Texas Rangers minor leagues for six seasons (2007-2012). After, leaving the Rangers, Brown was the Seattle Mariners outfield coordinator for four seasons (2013-2016). Brown was then the Mariners minor league offensive coordinator for one season (2017), and minor league hitting strategist for two seasons (2018-2019). 

Brown ended up being hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as their assistant hitting coach for five seasons (2018-2022). In 2020, Brown helped the Dodgers win the World Series.

Brown became the Marlins hitting coach in 2023. The Marlins offense was successful under Brown. That season, the Marlins hit .259 as a team. The .259 team batting average was tied for fourth with the Houston Astros overall in the MLB. 

The Mariners then decided to hire Brown as their offensive coordinator and bench coach. The offensive coordinator was a new position. The Mariners offense ended up doing badly, and Brown was fired on May 31, 2024.  

How much of the Mariners offense doing badly was because the Mariners had let one of their best hitters in Teocar Hermandez go in free agency? The Mariners didn't like that Hernandez struck out a lot. How much of it was because Brown was doing two different jobs instead of one? Would either of those made a difference for the Mariners offense? 

Brown has the potential to be a good hire for the Cardinals. Brown has been successful in his coaching career. 

Brown is also reunited with new Cardinals assistant coach Jon Jay. Both Brown and Jay were on the Marlins coaching staff in 2023. 

St. Louis Cardinals add Jon Jay to coaching staff

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former outfielder Jon Jay to the coaching staff. Jay, 39, replaces Willie McGee as an assistant coach. Jay played for the Cardinals for six seasons (20010-2015). In 2011, Jay helped the Cardinals win the World Series. The past two seasons (2023-2024), Jay was the first bases coach for the Miami Marlins. 

Jay is reunited with former Cardinals teammate, bench coach Daniel Descalso. Both Jay and Descalso are close friends, too. 

McGee, 65, was part of the Cardinals coaching staff for seven seasons (2018-2024). McGee will now join the Cardinals front office and be in an advisory role. McGee will help with both the major and minor leagues. That also includes spring training. 

Jay won't be the only new coach on the coaching staff. The Cardinals are looking for a new hitting coach. 

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.