Dexter Fowler Flies To Cardinals

The Cardinals went into the offseason needing to address outfield, they did that Thursday night by signing free agent centerfielder Dexter Fowler. The Cardinals signed him for a five-year contract, worth $82.5 million. Fowler comes from the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs, after playing two seasons for them. While, Fowler may not have been everyone's first choice, what he does best is get on base. He's also a true lead off guy.

In 2016, besides helping the Cubs win the World Series, he was an All-Star for the first time in his MLB career. He had his best on base percentage since 2012 with the Colorado Rockies. In 2012, Fowler's on base percentage was 389, in 2016 393. He's been the guy who is able to spark the Cubs the last couple of seasons. Last year, without Fowler the Cubs were 23-20. He hit .276, with 13 home runs, 48 rbi's, and 13 stolen bases.

Fowler 30, has been in the MLB for nine seasons. Over those nine seasons, his career stats are: 1,064 games played, 623 runs, 1,001 hits, 195 doubles, 72 triples, 78 home runs, 339 rbi's, 127 stolen bases, 554 walks, and a career batting average of .268.

In Fowler the Cardinals are pretty much wanting a guy who can get on base, and provide some athleticism. Which, he seems to have been able to do for other teams in his career. Randal Grichuk will move to left-field. The outfield appears to be better. Grichuk, Fowler, and Stephen Piscotty all have enough speed to cover ground. The Cardinals lineup becomes a lot more stable too.

His personality should also help the Cardinals out. Will the Cardinals make another move? They have the room, and money to make another move if they want to. The Cardinals are showing by landing both Brett Cecil back in November, and now Dexter Fowler that they are willing to spend money.

Jaime Garcia Dealt To Braves

When the St. Louis Cardinals picked up starting pitcher Jaime Garcia's $12 million option for 2017, there were rumors that he was going to be traded. On Thursday evening, those became realistic when the Cardinals traded Jaime Garcia to the Atlanta Braves for prospects RHP Chris Ellis, RHP John Gant, and 2B Luke Dykstra.

Garcia spent eight seasons with the Cardinals. In lots of ways, Garcia could have maybe been better, but he was hurt a lot. Garcia can be really good, when he's healthy. His best season came in 2011, when he went 13-7, with an era of 3.56, and 194.2 innings. In 2016, Garcia went 10-13, with an era of 4.67, with 171.2 innings.

Over his career, Garcia's record is: 62-45, 3.57 era, 158 games, 147 starts, 4 complete games, 4 shutouts, 723 strikeouts, 261 walks, 896 innings, and a whip of 1.28.

What do the Cardinals get in Ellis, Gants, and Dykstra? It seems like depth for now. Chris Ellis was rated as the Braves 17th best prospect, and John Gant was 21st. Luke Dykstra is a player who hits for average, but doesn't have much power. Dykstra seems to be a future utility player. He's the son of former MLB player Lenny Dykstra.

John Gant was in the MLB last season, and went 1-4, with an era of 4.86, and 50 innings. Gant made 7 starts for the Braves.

Chris Ellis has yet to see the MLB, but he showed some flashes when he was in Mississippi for the Braves Double-A team. Ellis struggled when he reached Triple-A.

Brett Cecil Signs With Cardinals, Boosts Bullpen

When it was announced that left-handed reliever Zach Duke would need Tommy John surgery, and be out for the 2017 season; the Cardinals knew they needed another lefty for their bullpen. The Cardinals accomplished that mission with the signing for free agent reliever Brett Cecil. Cecil, 30, signs a four-year contract, worth $30.5 million. On this years free agent market, Cecil was the third best reliever behind closers Aroldis Chapman, and Kenley Jansen. He spent his first eight seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cecil, started of as a starting pitcher and then became a set-up man for the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen. Going to the bullpen, has made Cecil better. In three of his four seasons, he's had an era below 2.90. This season he had an era of 3.93. He's had a stirkeout rate of 11.5, and a walk rate of 3.68 with the Blue Jays. He is able to keep left handed hitters in check, holding them to a .226 batting average.

Brett Cecil's career stats: 41-42, 4.20 era, 330 games, 74 starts, 2 complete games, 1 shutout, 11 saves, 585 strikeouts, 228 walks, 656.0 innings, and a whip of 1.34.

Cecil will be the set-up man for closer Seung-hwan Oh. The Cardinals bullpen locks are: Seung-hwan Oh, Brett Cecil, Kevin Siegrist, Trevor Rosenthal, Matt Bowman. Jonathan Broxton, Miguel Socolovich, and Marco Gonzales seem to be fighting for two of the final spots.

Blues Acquire Nail Yakupov

The Edmonton Oilers were shopping right winger Nail Yakupov for a few seasons. Yakupov, 23, was drafted 1st overall in June 2012 by the Oilers. In his rookie season 012-013, he looked like his career was off to promising start. He played in 48 games, scoring 17 goals, and getting 14 assists. He scored 6 power play goals, and 2 game winners. Since then, Yakupov's numbers seemed to have dropped. He fell out of favor in Edmonton, and looked like he needed a change of scenery. For whatever reason, he wasn't going to live up to his potential in Edmonton.

On Friday, he got a good change of scenery being traded to the St. Louis Blues for prospect Zach Pochiro and a conditional draft pick. The Blues also needed another right winger, after losing David Backes in free agency. The Blues also will be without forward Jaden Schwartz for a bit, due to an injury. So, Yakupov could find new life on the Blues. There are more veterans on the Blues, unlike Edmonton had. That could help Yakupov too. Will he do well for the Blues? That will be found out, I could see him scoring 15-20 goals, if he's given ice team and does well. Yakupov should see plenty of ice time to start the season. It's also a contract year for Yakupov, he will be a restricted free agent.
He has the talent to be good, he just need to put it together. If he finds a way to put it together in St Louis, this is a big trade for the Blues. For now, it's a low risk and high reward type of move.

Yakupov's career stats: 252 games, 50 goals, 61 assists, 111 points, and is a -88.

Future Catcher Carson Kelly Promoted

The St. Louis Cardinals called up catcher Carson Kelly from Triple-A Memphis. Who is Carson Kelly you might ask? Kelly, 22, was drafted by the Cardinals in the 2nd round of the MLB draft in June, 2012. At the time Kelly played third base, coming out of high school. He played third base for his first two minor league seasons, and starting in 2014 he would switch to catcher full-time. Kelly seems like he's figured out catching pretty well too. Last season, Kelly won the 2015 minor leagues Rawlings Gold Glove award for catchers. So since 2014, people have labeled Kelly as the future Cardinals catcher.

While Kelly has good

Kelly may not play in many games this September for the Cardinals, because Yadier Molina is doing well, and his back up Alberto Rosario is doing well too. And the Cardinals also have Brayan Pena. Pena had two knee surgeries, so no one really knows if he'll catch or just pinch hit. Kelly can learn a lot from Yadier Molina, Pena, and manager Mike Matheny (a former catcher) being up and he can work with the pitching staff too.

He has defense, and his power is still developing. This season combined between Springfield and Memphis he's hitting .289, with 6 home runs, and 32 rbi's. Overall in his minor league career, he's a .248 hitter, with 425 hits, 35 home runs, and 202 rbi's.

Will Kelly be on the 2017 Opening Day roster? That could happen.

I'd be excited to be a Cardinals fan, their future looks really bright. Kelly joins top prospects Alex Reyes and Luke Weaver on the Cardinals active roster. Both Reyes and Weaver have shown they can be good.

Cardinals Boost Bullpen, Acquire Zach Duke

The St. Louis Cardinals looking to upgrade their bullpen before the MLB trade deadline ends on Monday afternoon, found an upgrade in Chicago White Sox left-handed reliever Zach Duke. The Cardinals traded outfielder Charlie Tilson to the White Sox for Zach Duke. So far, the Cardinals bullpen hasn't done as well as last season's bullpen. Coming into today, the Cardinals bullpen era is 3.30 (good for 6th in the league). Last season's bullpen was 3rd best and finished with an era of 2.82.

Zach Duke, 33, was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001 in the 20th round of the MLB draft. He started his career off as a starter for the Pirates. His best season came in 2009, when he made the NL All-Star team. That season, Duke started 32 games, and went 11-16, 3 complete games, with an era of 4.06 in 213 innings. After 2013, Duke rejuvenated his career as a reliever for the Milwaukee Brewers. He finished 2014 going 5-1, with an era of 2.45, 74 games, 74 strikeouts, 17 walks, 12 holds in 58.2 innings. Duke was able to hold left-handed hitters to a .198 batting average.

Duke became a free agent after the 2014 season, and signed a three-year contract with the Chicago White Sox worth $15 million. Right now, Duke is 2-0, and has an era of 2.63 in 37.2 innings.. He's appeared in 53 games, which lead the American League in appearances.

Dating back to 2014, Duke has appeared in 198 games, which ranks fourth in the MLB and second behind Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Tony Watson (200) among lefties.

What do the White Sox get in Charlie Tilson? They get a good outfielder, who has a chance to maybe become an everyday player or a fourth outfielder. He's 23, and is known for his contact, defense, and speed. On Baseball America's update for mid-season, Tilson was ranked as the Cardinals 10th best prospect and MLB.com ranked him as the Cardinals 12th best prospect out of 30. In the minors, Tilson is a 293 career hitter, 538 hits, 265 runs, 59 doubles, 33 triples, 19 home runs, 154 rbi's, 89 stolen bases

Tilson has been compared to Yankees left-fielder Brett Gardner.

Houston Astros Sign Yulieski Gourriel

The Houston Astros, looking to upgrade their roster signed free agent third baseman Yulieski Gourriel to a five-year contract. The contract is worth $47.5 million. Gurriel, 32, was a top international free agent from Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. Lots of MLB teams wanted Gourriel, a few of those teams were the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and the San Francisco Giants.  In 2006, Gourriel was considered the best player in Cuba. He was a part of the World Baseball Classic three times for Cuba (2006, 2009, and 2013). He played in Japan for the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in 2014, and 2015.

Between Cuba and Japan in fifteen seasons,Gourriel's carer stats are: 925 games played, 974 runs, 1,585 hits, 308 doubles, 48 triples, 250 home runs, 1,018 rbi's, 121 stolen bases, 611 walks, and a .335 batting average. One of his best seasons came in 2009 in Cuba, when he hit .363, with 90 runs, 125 hits, 30 home runs, and 105 rbi's.

Gourriel should help the Houston Astros immediately, he looks like he'll head to the minors first to get some work in before making his MLB debut. The Astros team just got a lot better too and the Astros already have Carlos Correa and Jose Altuve up the middle. The Astros infield looks a lot better with Gourriel. All in all the Houston Astros made a great move.

A Circle Of Changes: Mike Yeo Joins Blues

Last year in 2015, around this time the St. Louis Blues fans wanted Ken Hitchcock gone as head coach, and Mike Yeo's Minnesota Wild had just knocked out the Blues in 6 games in the first round of the NHL playoffs. The Blues were a team that hadn't won a first round playoff series since 2011-2012, when they beat the San Jose Sharks in 5 games. The Blues then lost to the Los Angeles Kings in 6 games in the second, who later went onto win the Stanley Cup. You could see why Blues fans were frustrated with Ken Hitchcock after three straight first round exits.

The Wild were the underdog team, and people expected the Blues to win. People didn't know if Ken Hitchcock would stay as head coach or leave, since his contract was up. Hitchcock decided to stay as Blues head coach for the 2015-2016 season, he took a one-year contract. The one-year contract was his own decision, the Blues had wanted to give him a long-term contract, but he wanted to see if he still could coach.

After coming back for one season, Hitchcock and the Blues went on a run to the Western Conference Finals. They ended up losing to the San Jose Sharks in 6 games, but the Blues hadn't been on that kind of run since 2000-2001. This was the Blues seventh time in franchise history to ever reach the Conference Finals.

This time, shortly after the Blues lost to the San Jose Sharks, Ken Hitchcock re-signed with the Blues for another one-year contract. Hitchcock announced that this coming season 2016-2017 will be his last season as a head coach. Assistant coaches Brad Shaw and Kirk Mueller left to take other jobs elsewhere. They both wanted longer contracts, than only one-year.

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong hired Mike Yeo to become the Blues head coach after the season. Yeo, 42, will be on Hitchcock's staff as an assistant. He went 173-132-44 as head coach for the Wild, and was fired earlier during the season. Doug Armstrong tried to hire Yeo as head coach a few seasons ago, when the Peoria Rivermen had an opening. Instead, Yeo went to become head coach for the Houston Aeros (AHL). Yeo gets a four-year contract from the Blues.

In addition to Mike Yeo, the Blues also hired former Blues defenseman Rick Wilson as an assistant coach. Wilson, knows both Yeo and Hitchcock. He won the cup as part of Hitchcock's staff with the Dallas Stars in 1999, and the past few seasons he was on Mike Yeo's staff with the Wild. Wilson tends to work well with defensemen.

Yeo should be a good hire for the Blues moving forward after Hitchcock retires this coming season.

Ruben Tejada Joins Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent shortstop Ruben Tejada to a one-year contract, worth $1.5 million. Tejada, 26, was placed on waivers by the New York Mets on Tuesday. He cleared waivers and was released by the Mets the following day. The Mets felt like they didn't need Tejada any longer, so he became expendable.

The Cardinals were looking for help at shortstop because they will be without All-Star shortstop Jhonny Peralta for 10-12 weeks, after he had surgery on his thumb. They didn't feel fully comfortable with just having Aledmys Diaz, Greg Garcia, and Jedd Gyorko while Peralta was out with his injury. Diaz needs more time in Triple-A Memphis, he's only played 14 games in Memphis and saw 58 plate appearances. If Diaz is ready, all he needs to do is go to Memphis and hit. The Tejada signing also means the Cardinals think Greg Garcia is only a bench player, and Gyorko is more needed for his current role they are going to have him in, which is super-sub (a player who is able to play multiple positions).

Tejada was signed as an international free agent in 2006 by the New York Mets. He ended up make his MLB debut April 7, 2010 against the Miami Marlins (back then the Florida Marlins).

Tejada's been in the MLB for 6 seasons. His career's stats are: 580 games played, 198 runs, 493 hits, 99 doubles, 1 triple, 10 home runs, 148 rbi's, 16 stolen bases, 187 walks, and a batting average of .255. He's known more for his defense and his ability to get on base. His career OPS is .653. Last season, he hit .261, with 3 home runs, 23 doubles, and 28 rbi's. He does well leading off, if the Cardinals try him there at times, and he hits lefties well in his career (.281).

Tejada will wear no.19 for the Cardinals. It could be a good move for both Tejada and the Cardinals. Time will tell, if it doesn't turnout to be good, Tejada will be gone whenever Peralta is ready for if Diaz does well in Memphis, and shows the Cardinals that he's ready to play. It's a low risk move too and shouldn't hurt the team, because they didn't lose anything. The Cardinals also don't know which Peralta they'll get when he comes off the DL (disabled list). Having depth at shortstop is important and the Cardinals now have more depth.

St. Louis Cardinals 2016 Season Preview

Offseason Additions: Brayan Pena, Jedd Gyorko, Mike Leake, Seung-Hwan Oh, Jayson Aquino, Jeremy Hefner, Deck McGuire, J. C. Sulbaran, Juan González, Carlos Peguero, Eric Fryer

Offseason Subtractions: Jason Heyward, Jon Jay, Peter Bourjos, Mark Reynolds, Pete Kozma, Tony Cruz, John Lackey, Matt Belisle, Steve Cishek, Carlos Villanueva

Point team prediction: 90-95 wins, 1st place.  Last season they won 100 games, that was with lots of injuries, including Adam Wainwright missing a lot of the season. At times you wonder why they won 100 games, if you look at how many injuries they had. A lot of it was because they had depth, which they still have. Are they a better team that last season? That's debatable. A lot because the team is similar to last season, with a few upgrades. Stephen Piscotty replaces Heyward in right field, he could put up the same numbers or better with less of a salary. Bench should have more power than last season's bench did.  

Starting rotation: Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Mike Leake, Carlos Martinez, Jaime Garcia

Bullpen: Trevor Rosenthal, Seung-Hwan Oh, Jonathan Broxton, Jordan Walden, Seth Maness, Kevin Siegrist

As of right now one bullpen spot in open, that's assuming Walden is healthy and ready to go on Opening Day. If not then someone else like, Sam Tuivailala could make the team. The Cardinals need a second lefty too. That seems like it will be Tyler Lyons, he's out of options. Marco Gonzales still has options, along with Tim Cooney and they can be in Memphis starting in case an injury happens.

Lineup (would be nice to see the Cardinals try this):

1. Kolten Wong, 2B
2. Stephen Piscotty, RF
3. Matt Carpenter, 3B
4. Matt Holliday, LF
5. Randal Grichuk, CF
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Brandon Moss, 1B
8. Yadier Molina, C
9. pitcher

Carpenter has become a power hitter, and the Cardinals best hitter. Usually, the best hitter on a team hits third. That could help give the Cardinals more offense too.

Bench:

Brayan Pena, Matt Adams, Jedd Gyorko, Tommy Pham

One bench spot is open too. Will that be Aledmys Diaz or Greg Garcia? It will be Diaz, if he's able to show he's ready and picks up where he left off in Memphis last season.

Fantasy Stud: Stephen Piscotty

He ended up being one of the Cardinals best hitters last season after being called up in July. He improved on hitting too, which is was already petty good at doing. He was able to drive in runs, and be a spark in the Cardinals offense.

Prospects who could be up at some point during the season: SP Alex Reyes (after his 40 games remaining on his suspension), LHP Dean Kiekhefer, OF Charlie Tilson, OF Anthony Garcia

Cardinals Sign Seung-Hwan Oh

The St. Louis Cardinals offseason heading into the 2016, looks like it's been a solid one. The Cardinals went into the offseason looking to add a starting pitcher, bench help, and a setup man for the bullpen, and maybe another bat. So far the Cardinals have done everything except land a bat. Today they signed RHP Seung-Hwan Oh. The Cardinals signed him to a one-year contract with an option for the 2017 season, his contract is worth $5 million.

Oh, 33, has been a closer in both Korea and Japan since 2005. He played for the Samsung Lions from 2005-2013. During those seasons, he had a record of 28-13, 444 games, 1.69 era,  277 saves, 625 strikeouts, 510.8 innings pitched, and a whip of 0.84.

He earned two nicknames in Korea. Those nicknames were "Stone Buddha", because he's said to be unshaken and he maintains an emotionless face in every situation. The other nickname is "The Final Boss", that's because of his prowess as a relief pitcher.  Oh is considered to be one of the greatest closers in Korean baseball history. To Korea, Oh is the Mariano Rivera of Korea. In Japan, Oh played two seasons with the Hanshin Tigers (2014-2015). He had a record of 4-7, 127 games, 2.25 era, 80 saves, 147 strikeouts, 135.3 innings pitched, and a whip of 0.99.

Seung-Hwan Oh has pitched eleven seasons during those 11 seasons his career record is: 32-20, 571 games, 1.81 era, 357 saves, 772 strikeouts, 149 walks, 646.1 innings pitched, and a whip of 0.85. He's been an eight time All-Star, and Rookie of the Year just to name a few award he's won over his career.

Oh will be the setup man for closer Trevor Rosenthal, and he joins Rosenthal, Kevin Siegrist, Tyler Lyons, Jonathan Broxton,  Seth Maness, and Miguel Socolovich in the Cardinals bullpen. There's some people who could take one of the spots. So that bullpen might not be fully final. Jordan Walden could be healthy and ready to pitch. Dean Kiekhefer will try to beat Tyler Lyons for the second lefty spot, and Matt Bowman a 5 rule draft pick from the New York Mets would need to be on the team the whole season. If injuries happen the Cardinals also have Mitch Harris, and Sam Tuivailala as options for the bullpen.

Could a trade happen? I have a feeling one could happen, there's some teams who could use pitching. And the Cardinals still need a bat. Teams can also never have enough pitching.

A nice solid pickup for the Cardinals 2016 bullpen.