St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Ivan Barbashev

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Ivan Barbashev to a two-year contract, worth $4.5 million. Barbashev, 25, played 38 games with 5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points, and a plus 5 in 2020-2021. Barbashev had his best season in 2018-2019. That season, Barbashev played 80 games with 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points, and a -4. The games, goals, and points were all career highs for Barbashev. Barbashev also helped the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. In 2019-2020, Barbashev had a career high 15 assists. 

Overall, Barbashev has played 5 seasons in the NHL. Barbashev has played 270 games with 42 games, 47 assists, 89 points, and a plus 8. In the playoffs, Barbashev has played 38 games with 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, and a -3.

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Jon Lester

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded OF Lane Thomas to the Washington Nationals for SP Jon Lester. Lester, 37, is currently 3-5 with a 5.02 ERA, 16 games, 16 starts, 75.1 innings, 51 strikeouts, and 29 walks in 2021. Lester had his best season in 2010, with the Boston Red Sox. That season, Lester was 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 2 complete games, 208 innings, 225 strikeouts, and 83 walks. The strikeouts tied a career high from 2009. The wins were a career high for Lester. Lester had a career high 219.2 innings in 2014, combined between the Red Sox and Oakland Athletics. 

Lester has won the World Series 3 times: (2007, 2013, and 2016). In 2016, Lester won NLCS MVP. Lester has been an All-Star 5 times: (2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2018). Lester led the NL in wins with 18 in 2018, with the Chicago Cubs. Lester threw a no-hitter on May 19, 2008 against the Kansas City Royals. 

Overall, Lester is currently in his 16th season in the MLB. Lester is 196-116 with a 3.64 ERA, 440 games, 439 starts, 15 complete games, 4 shutouts, 2,674 innings, 2,448 strikeouts, 866 walks, and a whip of 1.27.

Thomas, 25, is currently hitting .104 with 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and 10 walks in 2021. Thomas has also played in Triple-A Memphis this season. In Memphis, Thomas hit .265 with 18 runs, 30 hits, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 20 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 12 walks. 

Overall, Thomas is currently in his 3rd season in the MLB. Thomas has played 84 games with 13 runs, 21 hits, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 15 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, 18 walks, a .172 batting average.

If Lester can do well with the Cardinals, he could be able to help them. The Cardinals to me did a good job at not giving up the farm. The moves with Lester and Happ might not excite fans, but you didn't really give up  anyone that great. The Cardinals are also planning on getting Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas back soon. Both of those pitchers if healthy, are like a trade too. That's because both have missed lots of time this season due to injuries. 

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire J.A. Happ

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded RP John Gant, and LP Evan Sisk to the Minnesota Twins for SP J.A. Happ, and cash considerations. Happ, 38, is currently 5-6 with a 6.77 ERA, 19 games, 19 starts, 98.1 innings, 77 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 2021. Happ had his best season in 2016, with the Toronto Blue Jays. That season, Happ was 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 195 innings, 163 strikeouts, and 60 walks. The wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Happ. Happ wans an All-Star in 2018 for the first time in his career. 

Happ won a World Series in 2008, with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Overall, Happ is currently in his 15th season in the MLB. Happ is 128-98 with a 4.13 ERA, 343 games, 317 starts, 4 complete games, 3 shutouts, 2 holds, 1,839.2 innings, 1,616 strikeouts, 651 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Gant, 28, is currently 4-6 with a 3.42 ERA, 25 games, 14 starts, 1 hold, 76.1 innings, 56 strikeouts, and 56 walks in 2021. Gant had his best season in 2018. That season, Gant was 7-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 26 games, 19 starts, 114 innings, 95 strikeouts, and 57 walks. The starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Gant. In 2019, Gant had career highs in wins (11) and in saves (3).

Overall, Gant is currently in his 6th season in the MLB. Gant is 23-21 with a 3.72 ERA, 159 games, 42 starts, 27 holds, 3 saves, 339 innings, 289 strikeouts, 185 walks, and a whip of 1.39.

Sisk, 24, is currently 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA, 26 games, 4 saves, 32.2 innings, 46 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 2021 combined between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield.

Overall, Sisk is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Sisk is 5-6 with a 2.90 ERA, 87 games, 1 start, 14 saves, 124.1 innings, 137 strikeouts, and 58 walks. 

If Happ can lower his ERA, he could be able to help the Cardinals. Gant can be good a good pitcher for the Twins, but he has too many walks this season. Time will tell to see who wins this trade. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Brandon Saad

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed free agent left wing Brandon Saad to a five-year contract, worth $22.5 million. Saad, 28, played 44 games with 15 goals, 9 assists, 24 points, and a plus 1 in 2020-2021 for the Colorado Avalanche. Saad had his best season in 2015-2016, with the Columbus Blue Jackets. That season, Saad played 78 games with 31 goals, 22 assists, 53 points, and a plus 1. The goals and points were both career highs for Saad. Saad ended up an All-Star for the first time in his career. 

Saad had a career high 29 assists in 2014-2015, with the Chicago Blackhawks. While with the Blackhawks, Saad won two Stanley Cups (2012-2013, and 2014-2015). 

Overall, Saad has played 10 seasons in the NHL. Saad has played 632 games with 184 goals, 187 assists, 371 points, and a plus 52. In the playoffs, Saad has played 91 games with 25 goals, 25 assists, 50 points, and a plus 16.

The Blues signing Saad is good for the team. Saad knows what the playoffs are like and what it takes to win the Stanley Cup.

St. Louis Blues Sign Pavel Buchnevich To Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed left wing Pavel Buchnevich to a four-year contract extension, worth $23.2 million. Buchnevich, 26, acquired by the Blues in a traded with the New York Rangers on July 23, 2021. Buchnevich played 54 games with 20 goals, 28 assists, 48 points, and a plus 12 in 2020-2021. The points and plus mark were both career highs for Buchnevich. Buchnevich had a career high 21 goals in 2018-2019. In 2019-2020, Buchnevich had a career high 30 assists. 

Overall, Buchnevich has played 5 seasons in the NHL. Buchnevich has played 301 games with 79 goals, 116 assists, 195 points, and a plus 7. In the playoffs, Buchnevich has played 8 games with 1 assist, and 1 point. 

Buchnevich will be the first player in franchise history to wear no.89. The Blues did a great job signing Buchnevich to a long-term contract. 

St. Louis Blues Acquire Pavel Buchnevich

The St. Louis Blues have traded left wing Sammy Blais, and a 2022 second-round pick to the New York Rangers for left wing Pavel Buchnevich. Buchnevich, 26, played 54 games with 20 goals, 28 assists, 48 points, and a plus 12 in 2020-2021. The points and plus mark were both career highs for Buchnevich. Buchnevich had a career high 21 goals in 2018-2019. In 2019-2020, Buchnevich had a career high 30 assists. 

Overall, Buchnevich has played 5 seasons in the NHL. Buchnevich has played 301 games with 79 goals, 116 assists, 195 points, and a plus 7. In the playoffs, Buchnevich has played 8 games with 1 assist, and 1 point. 

Blais, 25, played 36 games with 8 goals, 7 assists, and 15 points in 2020-2021. The goals and points were both career highs for Blais. The assists tied a career high from 2019-2020. 

Overall, Blais has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Blais has played 119 games with 17 goals, 18 assists, 35 points, and a -2. In the playoffs, Blais has played 27 games with 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, and a plus 1. Blais helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup in 2018-2019.

It should be a good trade for both teams. The Blues upgraded their offense with the addition of Buchnevich to their roster. It should be interesting to see what Blues general manager Doug Armstrong does this offseason to try to upgrade the Blues roster.