St. Louis Cardinals 2021 Season Preview

 

Offseason additions: 3B Nolan Arenado, C Yadier Molina (re-signed), SP Adam Wainwright (re-signed), C Ali Sanchez, C Tyler Heineman, SS Jose Rondon, 2B/SS Max Moroff, OF Matt Szczur, RP Johan Quezada, and LP Garrett Williams. 

Offseason subtractions: 2B Kolten Wong, 2B Max Schrock, OF Dexter Fowler, 1B Rangel Ravelo, C Matt Wieters, Infielder Brad Miller, RP John Brebbia, RP Nabil Chrismatt, LP Rob Kaminsky, RP Ryan Meisinger, SP Austin Gomber, RP Tony Locey, SP Jake Sommers, 3B Elehuris Montero, and SS Mateo Gil.

Point team prediction: 86-90 wins (NL Central champions). The St. Louis Cardinals will look to make the playoffs for their 3rd straight season under Mike Shildt. Last season, in a  60 game season, the Cardinals went 30-28 and finished in 2nd place. The Cardinals then lost to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round. After they lost, the Cardinals knew they needs to upgrade their offense and their team somehow. It took awhile, but on February 1, 2021 the Cardinals acquired third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. In acquiring Arenado, the Cardinals got one of the best players in the game and possibly a future Hall of Famer someday. He's the type of player fans will pay to see play. 

Starting rotation: 

Jack Flaherty, Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright, Kwang-hyun-Kim (if he's ready to start the season), Daniel Ponce de Leon or Alex Reyes (Miles Mikolas won't start the season on the active roster). 

Bullpen:

Jordan Hicks, Giovanny Gallegos, Andrew Miller, Tyler Webb, Genesis Cabrera, John Gant, Ryan Helsley, Reyes or Ponce de Leon (depending on which one ends up starting in the rotation). 

Lineup:

1. 2B Tommy Edman, 2. RF Dylan Carlson, 3. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 4. 3B Nolan Arenado, 5. SS Paul DeJong, 6. C Yadier Molina, 7. Tyler O'Neill (would swap him and DeJong, if O'Neill proves he can hit), 8. CF Lane Thomas, 9. pitcher.

Bench:

Tyler Heineman, Jose Rondon (if he stays hitting), Harrison Bader, Justin Williams, Matt Carpenter.

Fantasy Stud: Nolan Arenado

Prospects to watch: 

Nolan Gorman (if he proves he can handle 2B, he could get a chance at some point this season), Matthew Liberatore, Thomas Parsons. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Jordan Binnington To Six-year Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have singed goalie Jordan Binnington to a six-year contract extension, worth $36 million. Binnington, 27, is currently in his 4th season in the NHL. Binnington is 9-6-3 with a .908 save percentage, and a 2.69 goals against average. Binnington had his best season, in 2019-2020. Binnigton played a career high 50 games. Binnington was 30-13-7 with a .912 save percentage, a 2.56 goals against average, and 3 shutouts. The win were a career high for Binnington. 

In 2018-2019, Binnington finally got a chance in the NHL. Binnington played 32 games, with 32 starts and was 24-5-1 with a .927 save percentage, a 1.89 goals against average, and 5 shutouts. Binnington ended up helping the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Binnington also became the first rookie goaltender with 16 wins in a single postseason, which is the maximum. 

Overall, Binnington has played 102 games, with 99 starts and is 63-24-11 with a .915 save percentage, a 2.38 goals against average, and 8 shutouts. In the playoffs, Binnington is 16-15 with a .904 save percentage, a 2.79 goals against average, and 1 shutout.

The Blues did a great job to make sure Binnington is signed to a long-term contract. Next in line for a contract extension could be center Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz, 28, could hit free agency after the season.