Miles Mikolas Signs Contract Extension With St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to four-year contract extension worth $68 million. Mikolas, 30, joined the Cardinals last offseason as a free agent from Japan. Mikolas had never really started before, except for 11 games in the San Diego Padres minors in 2009. After 2009, Mikolas had always been in the bullpen until the Texas Rangers decided to use him as a starting pitcher in 2014. He only started 10 games for the Rangers.

Mikolas went over to Japan to develop himself into a starting pitcher. Mikolas knew he needed a team that would give him an opportunity to start without getting moved to the bullpen. He found that with the Yomiuri Giants.

While playing for the Giants combined for three seasons Mikolas went 31-13 with a 2.18 era, 62 games, 62 starts, 5 complete games, 2 shutouts, 424.2 innings, 69 walks, and 378 strikeouts. After his third season in Japan, Mikolas decided to give the MLB another try. His first time in the MLB didn't go that well. So people wondered if he was the same pitcher or if Japan helped him. Mikolas was a popular free agent with 10 teams wanting him in free agency. He ended up choosing the Cardinals because they train in his hometown Jupiter, Florida. Mikolas ended up going 18-4 wih a 2.83 era in 200.2 innings in his first season back in the MLB. The 18 wins led the NL in 2018. Mikolas even made the All-Star team. No one thought they'd see that in Mikolas when he signed. People thought he'd maybe be a 5th starter.

Mikolas era ranked 4th in the NL. His 32 starts ranked 9th. Mikolas had a whip of 1.071 that ranked 5th. Mikolas had the highest zone percentage of all MLB pitchers, with 48.0% of the pitches being in the strike zone. While the Cardinals were horrible on defense, Mikolas showed he could play defense. Mikolas ranked 3rd in putouts with 19, and 4th in assists with 30.

Overall, Mikolas has played 4 seasons in the MLB. Mikolas is 22-10 with a 3.61 era, 69 games, 42 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 292 innings, 63 walks, 208 strikeouts, and a whip of 1.18. Will Mikolas repeat his 2018 season with a 2.83 era? Probably not, but you know what you'll get out of Mikolas. He'll eat innings and throw lots of strikes. All in all it's a good signing for Mikolas and the Cardinals. It's a gamble because you don't know if 2018 was a fluke, but it's worth it. Mikolas is a leader in the Cardinals clubhouse and works well with the younger kids.

Mikolas could have maybe made more money if he repeated his 2018 success and hit the free agent market after the season. But who would want to risk losing him in free agency? You could make a case that the Cardinals could have maybe waited to see what he did for the first half of the 2019 season. But what if he wanted to test free agency knowing he was doing well? That happens a lot of the time with players.

Hopefully the next extension at some point will be Paul Goldschmidt for the Cardinals. Then you hardly have any of your free agents to worry about, unless Marcell Ozuna does well.

St. Louis Blues Acquire Michael Del Zotto

The St. Louis Blues have traded a 6th round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Michael Del Zotto. Del Zotto, 28, will be joining his third team this season. He started off the season with the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to the Ducks six weeks ago. Combined between both teams he's played 35 games with 1 goal, and 6 assists this season.

Overall Del Zotto has played 10 seasons in the NHL. He's played 601 games with 54 goals, 164 assists, 218 points, and a -34. Del Zotto spent most of his career playing five seasons for the New York Rangers, and three season with the Philadelphia Flyers.

What does Del Zotto mean for the Blues? It could mean that Carl Gunnarsson's injury is worse than thought or that the Blues are worried about his injury or both. Regardless, the Blues didn't give up much for Del Zotto. He could end up being good depth for the Blues playoff run. Del Zotto is familiar with a few people. Interim head coach Craig Berube coached Del Zotto with the Flyers. Blues forward Brayden Schenn was a teammate of Del Zotto's during his time with the Flyers. Years ago, Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo and Del Zotto were teammates for the Toronto Blues. It's good for a player to come to a new team knowing a few people. It might not be as hard for the new player to adjust.

Del Zotto won't wow anyone, but he's a good player in his own zone and can move the puck well. Del Zotto is also known as a physical player. Last season, Del Zotto played in all 82 games and had 244 hits. Del Zotto ranked 5th in the NHL in hits.

St. Louis Cardinals Sign RF Jose Martinez To Two-Year Contract

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RF Jose Martinez to a two-year contract worth $3.25 million. The contract is through 2020, he's still four years away from free agency. That means the Cardinals would still have two years of team control, before he becomes a free agent. Martinez would have become arbitration eligible after the 2019 season. The Cardinals looked into trading Martinez in the offseason and there were teams interested in him, but no one seemed to offer value in return for him.

Martinez, 30, has developed into one of the Cardinals best hitters. In his first full season in the MLB in 2017, Martinez hit .309 with 14 home runs, 46 rbi's, and 4 stolen bases. In 2018, he showed that wasn't a fluke. Martinez hit .305 with 17 home runs, and 83 rbi's. Martinez had 163 hits. Martinez finished 7th among batting leaders. While, he isn't that great at defense if he needs to be used he's better in right field. Last season, he tried playing firstbase but wasn't that great. This season he won't need to be used at firstbase because of Paul Goldschmidt. Martinez can be used as a pinch hitter, and when needed in right field. If Dexter Fowler doesn't do well, Martinez could become the Cardinals starting right fielder.

There's even been talk about the designated hitter maybe coming to the National League in a few seasons. If that happens at all, Martinez would be the perfect DH for the Cardinals lineup.

Overall Martinez has played 3 seasons in the MLB. He' played 270 games with 115 runs, 254 hits, 44 doubles, 1 triple, 31 home runs, 130 rbi's, 4 sb's, 83 walks, and a .309 batting average.

It's a good contract for both sides. Martinez deserved a pay raise. If he becomes a starter for the Cardinals, the contract increases the possibility for earning more in arbitration when that comes. The contract also has incentives that will increase his value if he does become a starter.

St. Louis Cardinals 2019 Season Preview

Offseason additions: Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew Miller, Drew Robinson, Adam Wainwright (re-signed), Ryan Meisinger, Tommy Layne (re-singed to minor league contract). Mike Hauschild (minors), Williams Perez (minors), Hunter Cervenka (minors), Chris Beck (minors), Francisco Pena (re-signed to minor league contract), Joe Hudson (minors), Rangel Ravelo (re-signed to minor league contract).

Offseason Subtractions: Carson Kelly, Luke Weaver, Andy Young, Patrick Wisdom, Tyson Ross, Tyler Lyons, Bud Norris, Matt Adams, Greg Garcia.

Point team prediction: 86-90 wins (wild card). The St. Louis Cardinals have missed the playoffs for the last three seasons. Under current ownership this has happened before one time, and they didn't make it a fourth straight. Will the Cardinals finally get back into the postseason? They have a good chance if the bullpen can do well. Last season, the Cardinals won 88 games. That's even after Mike Shildt took over for a team that looked dead. If the bullpen hadn't been so horrible the first month in 2018, the Cardinals probably make the playoffs with a few more wins. The Cardinals went out and traded for one of the best hitters in todays game in Paul Goldschmidt. They signed left handed reliver Andrew Miller as a free agent. Miller if healthy should be a boost for the bullpen, you already know Goldschmidt will be a boost for the Cardinals on both offense and defense. The Cardinals still could use another bullpen arm.

Jeff Albert will start his first season as Cardinals hitting coach. He comes over after serving as the Houston Astros assistant hitting coach. Albert was able to help the Astros offense cut down on strikeouts while on their coaching staff. A full season with Mike Shildt and two good hitting coaches in Albert and Mark Budaska should be good.

Starting pitching:
Miles Mikolas
Carlos Martinez
Jack Flaherty
Michael Wacha
Adam Wainwright

Bullpen:
Jordan Hicks (closer)
Andrew Miller
Chasen Shreve
Brett Cecil (could see him gone at some point)
Dominic Leone
Dakota Hudson (minors if John Gant is out of options)
Alex Reyes

Lineup:
Matt Carpenter
Paul Goldschmidt
Paul DeJong
Marcell Ozuna
Dexter Fowler
Yadier Molina
Harrison Bader
Kolten Wong
pitcher

Bench:
Francisco Pena
Jose Martinez
Jedd Gyorko
Tyler O'Neill
Yairo Munoz
Drew Robinson (He could find a way on the team if Munoz starts in the minors or if Gyorko gets traded. What if O'Neill gets sent down to the minors? Munoz can play all three OF spots too. Robinson knows OF as well.)

Prospect(s to watch:
Alex Reyes (If he can stay healthy for a full season)
Justin Williams
Lane Thomas
Ramon Urias

Fantasy stud: Paul Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt always has been able to stay healthy and drive in runs. He slumped at first last season, but still ended up having a good season. He hits will in all of the stadiums in the NL Central.