St. Louis Cardinals Re-Sign Miles Mikolas to Two-year Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a two-year contract extension, worth $40 million. Mikolas, 34, was 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA, 33 games, 32 starts, 1 complete game, 202.1 innings, 153 strikeouts, and 39 walks. The games, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Mikolas. Mikolas also had 22 quality starts, which were another career high. 

Mikolas had his best season in 2018. That season, Mikolas was 18-4 with a 2.83 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 200.2 innings, 146 strikeouts, and 29 walks. The wins, starts, complete game, and shutout were all career highs for Mikolas. The ERA was a career best for Mikolas. 

Mikolas has been an All-Star 2 times: (2018, and 2019). 

The Cardinals have also announced that Mikolas will be the Opening Day starting pitcher on March 30, 2023, against the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Overall, Mikolas has played 7 seasons in the MLB. Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.70 ERA, 143 games, 115 starts, 3 complete games, 2 shutouts, 1 hold, 723 innings, 536 strikeouts, 145 walks, and a whip of 1.15.

On paper it's a great win for both sides. Mikolas has wanted to stay with the Cardinals beyond 2023 and has proven he's a reliable starting pitcher. Charlie Morton and Chris Bassitt both have signed similar contracts to Mikolas. There's a good chance that Mikolas would have made more money in free agency. 

The Cardinals now have two starting pitchers signed beyond 2023, Mikolas and Steven Matz (both expire after 2025). 

St. Louis Cardinals 2023 Season Preview

 

Offseason additions: SP Adam Wainwright (re-signed), C Willson Contreras, C Tres Barrera, RHP Wilking Rodriguez, RHP Guillermo Zuniga, LHP Anthony Misiewicz, LHP Andrew Suarez, infielder, Jose Fermin, infielder Taylor Motter, infielder, Juniel Querecuto, and OF Oscar Mercado.

Offseason subtractions: 1B Albert Pujols (retired), C Yadier Molina (retired), SP Jose Quintana, OF Corey Dickerson, and OF Ben DeLuzio. 

Point team prediction: 88-91 wins (NL Central Champions, lose in NLCS). Oliver Marmol will be heading into his second season as the Cardinals manager. Marmol had a good season in his first year as the Cardinals manager, leading them to 93-69 record and winning the NL Central for their first time since 2019. The Cardinals didn't fair too well in the Wild Card round, being swept in 2 games by the Philadelphia Phillies. Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols both retired after the season. The Cardinals will look different without Molina behind the plate for the first time since 2004. To replace Molina, the Cardinals signed Willson Contreras from the Chicago Cubs. 

Lineup: 

RF: Lars Nootbaar

LF: Jordan Walker

1B: Paul Goldschmidt 

3B: Nolan Arenado

C: Willson Contreras 

CF: Tyler O'Neill

DH: Juan Yepez/Nolan Gorman (depending on the pitcher)

2B: Brendan Donovan 

SS: Tommy Edman

Bench: 

Tres Barrera (he seems to have impressed the Marmol)

Taylor Motter (until Maysn Winn is ready, I think Paul DeJong will be traded or cut loose if he doesn't start hitting).

Dylan Carlson

Starting rotation:

Jack Flaherty, Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, Jordan Montgomery, Adam Wainwright

Bullpen:

Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos, Jordan Hicks, Wilking Rodriguez, Genesis Cabrera, Drew VerHagen, Jake Woodford, and Andre Pallante. 

Fantasy Stud: Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado 

Prospects to watch: Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn

St. Louis Blues Acquire Jakub Vrana

The St. Louis Blues have traded minor-league forward Dylan McLaughlin, and a 7th-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Detroit Red Wings for left wing Jakub Vrana. The Red Wings will pay 50% of Vrana's salary. 

Vrana, 27, currently has played 5 games with 1 goal, 1 assist, 2 points, and a plus 1 in 2022-2023. Vrana missed a lot of this season due to being in the players assistance program. 

Vrana had his best season in 2019-2020, with the Washington Capitals. That season, Vrana played 69 games with 25 goals, 27 assists, 52 points, and a plus 3. The goals, assists, and points were all career highs for Vrana. In 2017-2018, Vrana helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup. 

Overall, Vrana is currently in his 7th NHL season. Vrana has played 326 games with 98 goals, 91 assists, 189 points, and a plus 30. In the playoffs, Vrana has played 38 games with 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, and a -3. 

Vrana gets a good change of scenery with the Blues to get his career back on track, after falling out of favor with the Red Wings. Vrana can be a good player if healthy. The trade should be great for both sides.