St. Louis Blues acquire Cam Fowler

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded defenseman Jeremie Biakabatuka, and a 2027 2nd-round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Cam Fowler, and a 2027 4th-round pick. The Ducks will also retain $2.5 million on Fowler's $6.5 million remaining over for this season and next season. 

Biakabutuka, 22, currently has split the 2024-2025 season between the ECHL Florida Everblades and the AHL Springfield Thunderbirds. In the ECHL, Biakabatuka has played 13 games with 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 points, and a -1. 

In the AHL, Biakabatuka has played 1 game. 

Fowler, 33, currently has played 17 games with 4 assists, 4 points, and a -7 in 2024-2025. 

Fowler had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Fowler played 82 games with 10 goals, 38 assists, 48 points, and a -23. The assists and points were both career highs for Fowler. 

In 2016-2017, Fowler had a career high (11) goals. 

Overall, Fowler is currently in his 15th NHL season. Fowler has played 991 games with 96 goals, 361 assists, 457 points, and a -129. In the playoffs, Fowler has played 62 games with 6 goals, 27 assists, 33 points, and a plus 3. 

The Blues are trying to upgrade their defense a little and hope that a change of scenery can help Fowler.

St. Louis Blues fire Drew Bannister; hire Jim Montgomery as Head Coach

 

The St. Louis Blues have fired head coach Drew Bannister. Bannister, 50, was 9-12-1 with 19 points in 22 games to start the 2024-2025 season. Bannister took over last season as head coach, after Craig Berube was fired on December 12, 2023. At the time of Berube's firing, the Blues were 13-14-1 with 27 points in 28 games. Then, Bannister in 54 games was 30-19-5 with 65 points. 

Overall, Bannister coached the Blues for 2 seasons. Bannister coached 76 games and was 39-31-6 with 84 points and a winning percentage of .553. 

To replace Bannister, the Blues have hired Jim Montgomery as their new head coach. Montgomery, 55, becomes the Blues 28th head coach in franchise history. Montgomery will get a five-year contract. Montgomery was recently fired by the Boston Bruins on November 19, 2024. Montgomery was in his 3rd season as the Bruins head coach.

Montgomery had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Montgomery led the Bruins to a record of 65-12-5 with 135 points. The wins and points were both career highs for Montgomery in his NHL head coaching career. The wins and points also set an NHL record in a single season. Montgomery ended up winning the Jack Adams Award for his success in 2022-2023.

Before joining the Bruins, Montgomery was head coach of the Dallas Stars for 2 seasons (2018-2020). After being fired by the Dallas Stars, Montgomery was an assistant coach for the Blues for 2 seasons (2020-2022) under Berube.  

Overall, Montgomery is currently in his 5th season as an NHL lead cooch. Montgomery has coached 298 games and has a record of 180-64-33 with a .659 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Montgomery is 16-17 with a .485 winning percentage. 

This will be Montgomery's 3rd tenure with the Blues. As a player, Montgomery played for the Blues for 1 season (1993-1994). 

Motgomery should be able to do well with the Blues. He has a strong bond with Robert Thomas, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou. Montgomery also does good job working with young players. 

The Blues have been wanting Montgomery for a while. If Montgomery had been available before the Blues decided to make Bannister the full-time head coach, he would have been hired instead. 

Motgomery's 1st game as Blues head coach will be on Monday night in New York against the Rangers. 

St. Louis Blues extend Alexey Toropchenko

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed right wing Alexey Toropchenko to a one-year contract extension, worth $1.7 million. Toropchenko, 25, currently has played 7 games with 1 assist, and 1 point in 2024-2025. 

Toropchenko had his best season in 2023-2024. That season, Toropchenko played 82 games with 14 goals, 7 assists, 21 points, and a -3. The games, goals, and points were all career highs for Torpchenko. 

In 2022-2023, Toropchenko had a career high (9) assists. 

Overall, Toropchenko is currently in his 4th NHL season. Toropchenko has played 186 games with 26 goals, 17 assists, 43 points, and a -6. In the playoffs, Toropchenko has played 12 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a plus 2. 

St. Louis Blues extend Jake Neighbours

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left wing Jake Neighbours to a two-year contract extension, worth $7.5 million. Neighbours, 22, currently has played 6 games with 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 points, and a -2 in 2024-2025. 

Neighbours had his best season in 2023-2024. That season, Neighbours played 77 games with 27 goals, 11 assists, 38 points, and a -16. The games, goals, assists, and points were all career highs for Neighbours. 

Overall, Neighbours is currently in his 4th NHL season. Neighbours has played 135 games with 36 goals, 17 assists, 53 points, and a -39. 

The Blues did a good job to re-signed Neighbours now. If the Blues hadn't signed Neighbours to a new contract a team could have given him an offer sheet next summer to try to steal him. 

St. Louis Cardinals hire Brant Brown as hitting coach

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former outfielder Brant Brown as their new hitting coach. Brown, 53, played five seasons in the MLB (1996-2000). Brown spent most of his career four seasons (1996-1998, 2000) with the Chicago Cubs. Brown also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins). 

After retired from the MLB, Brown went into coaching. Brown was a hitting coach for in the Texas Rangers minor leagues for six seasons (2007-2012). After, leaving the Rangers, Brown was the Seattle Mariners outfield coordinator for four seasons (2013-2016). Brown was then the Mariners minor league offensive coordinator for one season (2017), and minor league hitting strategist for two seasons (2018-2019). 

Brown ended up being hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as their assistant hitting coach for five seasons (2018-2022). In 2020, Brown helped the Dodgers win the World Series.

Brown became the Marlins hitting coach in 2023. The Marlins offense was successful under Brown. That season, the Marlins hit .259 as a team. The .259 team batting average was tied for fourth with the Houston Astros overall in the MLB. 

The Mariners then decided to hire Brown as their offensive coordinator and bench coach. The offensive coordinator was a new position. The Mariners offense ended up doing badly, and Brown was fired on May 31, 2024.  

How much of the Mariners offense doing badly was because the Mariners had let one of their best hitters in Teocar Hermandez go in free agency? The Mariners didn't like that Hernandez struck out a lot. How much of it was because Brown was doing two different jobs instead of one? Would either of those made a difference for the Mariners offense? 

Brown has the potential to be a good hire for the Cardinals. Brown has been successful in his coaching career. 

Brown is also reunited with new Cardinals assistant coach Jon Jay. Both Brown and Jay were on the Marlins coaching staff in 2023. 

St. Louis Cardinals add Jon Jay to coaching staff

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former outfielder Jon Jay to the coaching staff. Jay, 39, replaces Willie McGee as an assistant coach. Jay played for the Cardinals for six seasons (20010-2015). In 2011, Jay helped the Cardinals win the World Series. The past two seasons (2023-2024), Jay was the first bases coach for the Miami Marlins. 

Jay is reunited with former Cardinals teammate, bench coach Daniel Descalso. Both Jay and Descalso are close friends, too. 

McGee, 65, was part of the Cardinals coaching staff for seven seasons (2018-2024). McGee will now join the Cardinals front office and be in an advisory role. McGee will help with both the major and minor leagues. That also includes spring training. 

Jay won't be the only new coach on the coaching staff. The Cardinals are looking for a new hitting coach. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Philip Broberg, and Dylan Holloway

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Philip Broberg and center Dylan Hollway to two-year contracts. Broberg's contract is worth $9.16 million, and Holloway's contract is worth $4.58 million. The Blues gave both Broberg and Hollway offer sheets on August 13, 2024. The Edmonton Oilers then had a week to match both offers if they wanted to keep them. Because the Oilers didn't match the offer sheets as required compensation for restricted free agents, they'll get a 2025 2nd-round pick and a 2025 3rd-round pick from the Blues. 

Broberg, 23, played 12 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a -3 in 2023-2024.

Broberg had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Broberg played 46 games with 1 goal, 7 assists, 8 points, and a plus 6. The games, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Broberg. The goal tied a career high from 2021-2022 for Broberg. 

Overall, Broberg has played 3 seasons in the NHL. Broberg has played 81 games with 2 goals, 11 assists, 13 points, and a -5. 

Holloway, 22, played 38 games with 6 goals, 3 assists, 9 points, and a -1 in 2023-2024. The goals were a career high for Holloway. 

Holloway had his best season in 2022-2023. That season, Holloway played 51 games with 3 goals, 6 assists, and 9 points. The games, assists, and points were all career highs for Holloway. 

Overall, Holloway has played 2 seasons in the NHL. Holloway has played 89 games with 9 goals, 9 assists, 18 points, and a -1. In the playoffs, Holloway has played 26 games with 5 goals, 2 assists, 7 points, and a plus 5. 

Both Broberg and Holloway are interesting additions for the Blues roster in 2024-2025. Broberg was a 1st-round pick in 2018 (8th overcall). Broberg has drawn comparisons to former Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester. Holloway was a 1st-round pick in 2020 (14th overall). Broberg and Holloway can also skate well.

Will Broberg and Holloway stay improving their game? If they do, both could end up being good additions for the Blues future. I wish more NHL teams would take the risk of trying to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. It's something you don't see much, and teams could improve by if successful. 

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Shawn Armstrong

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired RHP Shawn Armstrong from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Dylan Carlson, and cash considerations. Armstrong, 33, is currently 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA, 38 games, 7 starts, 3 holds, 1 save, 46.2 innings, 50 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 2024. Armstrong can be a free agent after the season.

In 2023, Armstong was 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA, 39 games, 6 starts, 6 holds, 52 innings, 54 strikeouts, and 11 walks. The ERA was a career best from Armstrong. 

Armstrong had career highs in games (55), holds (9), and saves (4) combined between the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles in 2019. In 2020, Armstrong had a career high 2 wins. Armstrong had career highs in both innings (61.2) and strikeouts (66) combined between the Miami Marlins and Rays. 

Overall, Armstrong is currently in his 10th MLB season. Armstrong is 10-7 with a 4.18 ERA, 280 games, 16 starts, 27 holds, 327.1 innings, 344 strikeouts, 114 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Carlson, 25, is currently hitting .198 with 12 runs, 24 hits, 5 doubles, 11 RBI's, and 12 walks in 2024. 

Carlson had his best season in 2021. That season, Carlson hit .266 with 79 runs, 144 hits, 31 doubles, 4 triples, 18 home runs, 65 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 57 walks. The batting averages, runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI's, and walks were all career highs for Carlson.

In 2022, Carlson had a career high 5 stolen bases. 

Overall, Carlson is currently in his 5th MLB season. Carlson has played 447 games with 185 runs, 340 hits, 81 doubles, 10 triples, 34 home runs, 161 RBI's, 11 stolen bases, 148 walks, and a .239 batting average. 

Both Armstrong and Carlson needed a change of scenery. Armstrong was good in 2023, so the Cardinals hope they get that version of him. Armstrong is reunited with former Rays teammate reliever Andrew Kittredge. 

Carlson is reunited with former Cardinals teammate outfielder/second baseman Richie Palacios.

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Erick Fedde, and Tommy Pham; trade Tommy Edman

 

The St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers have made a three-way trade. The Cardinals receive starting pitcher Erick Fedde, outfielder Tommy Pham, and cash considerations from the White Sox. The Cardinals also receive a player to be named later from the Dodgers.

The from the Cardinals, the Dodgers receive infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman, and RHP Oliver Gonzalez. The Dodgers also receive RHP Michael Kopech from the White Sox. The White Sox receive infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas, second baseman/shortstop Jeral Perez, third baseman Alexander Albertus, a player to be named later or cash considerations. 

Fedde, 31, is currently 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 21 games, 21 starts, 121.2 innings, 108 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 2024. The ERA is currently a career best for Fedde. Fedde also has 10 quality starts, which are a career high for him. The quality starts would put Fedde 2nd behind Miles Mikolas, who has 13.

Fedde had his best season in 2021, with the Washington Nationals. That season, Fedde was 7-9 with a 5.47 ERA, 29 games, 27 starts, 133.1 innings, 128 strikeouts, and 48 walks. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Fedde. 

Overall, Fedde is currently in his 7th MLB season. Fedde is 28-37 with a 4.92 ERA, 123 games, 109 starts, 576 innings, 460 strikeouts, 225 walks, and a whip of 1.44. 

Pham, 36, is currently hitting .266 with 72 hits, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 19 RBI's, 6 stolen bases, and 25 walks. 

Pham had his best season in 2017, with the Cardinals. That season, Pham hit .306 with 95 runs, 136 hits, 22 doubles, 2 triples, 23 home runs, 73 RBI's, 25 stolen bases, and 71 walks. The batting average, home runs, RBI's, and stolen bases were all career highs for Pham. 

In 2018, combined between the Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, Pham had career high in both runs (102) and triples (6). Pham had career highs in hits (155), doubles (33), and walks (81).

Overall, Pham is currently in his 11th MLB season. Pham has played 1,075 games with 592 runs, 948 hits, 177 doubles, 22 triples, 135 home runs, 450 RBI's, 125 stolen bases, 479 walks, and a .259 batting average. 

Edman, 29, has played a game in the MLB in 2024. Edman has been on rehab in Double-A Springfield. In Springfield, Edman is currently hitting .207 with 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 triple, 4 RBI's, and 4 walks. 

Edman had his best season in 2021. That season, Edman won a Gold Glove and hit .262 with 91 runs, 168 hits, 41 doubles, 3 triples, 11 home runs, 56 RBI's, 30 stolen bases, and 38 walks. The hits and doubles were both career highs for Edman.

In 2019, Edman had a career high 7 triples. Edman had career highs in runs (95), home runs (13), RBI's (57), stolen bases (32), and walks (46).

Overall, Edman has played 5 seasons in the MLB. Edman has played 596 games with 343 runs, 590 hits, 121 doubles, 19 hits, 53 home runs, 222 RBI's, 106 stolen bases, 151 walks, and a .265 batting average. 

Gonzalez, 17, is currently 2-0 with a 4.22 ERA, 7 games, 4 starts, 21.1 innings, 26 strikeouts, and 7 walks in the Dominican Summer League in 2024.

Kopech, 28, is currently 2-8 with 4.74 ERA, 43 games, 1 hold, 9 saves, 43.2 innings, 59 strikeouts, and 24 walk in 2024. The saves are a career high for Kopech.

Kopech had his best season in 2023. The season, Kopech was 5-12 with a 5.43 ERA, 30 games, 27 starts, 129.1 innings, 134 strikeouts, and 91 walks. The wins tied a career high from 2022 for Kopech. The starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Kopech. In 2021, Kopech had career highs in both games (44) and holds (13).

Overall, Kopech is currently in his 5th MLB season. Kopech is 17-33 with a 4.38 ERA, 146 games, 60 starts, 14 holds, 9 saves, 376 innings, 416 strikeouts, 198 walks, and a whip of 1.35.

Vargas, 24, is currently hitting .239 with 11 runs, 17 hits, 4 doubles, 3 home runs, 9 RBI's, 1 stolen base, and 8 walks in 2024.

Vargas had his best season in 2023. That season, Vargas hit .195 with 36 runs, 50 hits, 15 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 32 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 38 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Vargas. 

Overall, Vargas is currently in his 3rd MLB season. Vargas has played 129 games with 51 runs, 75 hits, 20 doubles, 4 triples, 11 home runs, 49 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, 48 walks, and a .201 batting average. 

Perez, 19, is currently hitting .264 with 49 runs, 76 hits, 15 doubles, 10 home runs, 42 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 48 walks in Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2024.

Perez was ranked as the Dodgers 17th best prospect. 

Overall, Perez is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Perez has played 183 games with 122 runs, 176 hits, 37 doubles, 3 triples, 29 home runs, 113 RBI's, 18 stolen bases, 113 walks, and a .265 batting average. 

Albertus, 19, is currently hitting .298 with 32 runs, 54 hits, 11 doubles, 3 home runs, 42 RBI's, 6 stolen bases, 37 walks combined between Rookie Ball and Low-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Albertus was ranked as the Dodgers 23rd best prospect. 

Overall, Albertus is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Albertus has played 136 games with 86 runs, 127 hits, 19 doubles, 2 triples, 8 home runs, 91 RBI's, 21 stolen bases, 107 walks, and a .303 batting average. 

The Cardinals and Dodgers both upgraded their rosters. The Cardinals upgraded their starting rotation with Fedde. Fedde is signed through 2025. Pham can help the Cardinals against left-handed pitchers and off the bench. Pham is currently hitting .255 against left-handed pitchers this season. In Pham's career, he has hit .270 against left-handed pitchers. 

The question is what happens with the Cardinals starting rotation? Do the Cardinals decide to go with a 6-man rotation? Do the Cardinals send Andre Pallante to Triple-A Memphis or trade Lance Lynn?

The Dodgers get a pretty good utility player in Edman. Kopech can be a good reliever if he can improve his control issues.  

The Cardinals also have similar players in their minor leagues if they need a player like Edman. 

Do the Cardinals add a reliever for their bullpen before the trade deadline on Tuesday? If they are able add a reliever the Cardinals roster will be more improved. They are already improved but they needed to add three upgrades. A starting pitcher, a right-handed hitter, and a reliever. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Ryan Suter

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Ryan Suter to a one-year contract, worth $755,000. The contract includes $2,225 million in performance bonuses. Suter, 39, played 82 games with 2 goals, 15 assists, 17 points, and a plus 14 with the Dallas Stars in 2023-2024. The Stars bought out Suter's final year of his contract on June 27, 2024. 

Suter had his best season in 2017-2018, with the Minnesota Wild. That season, Suter played 78 games with 6 goals. 45 assists, 51 points, and a -1. The assists were a career high for Suter. The points tied a career high from 2015-2016 for Suter.

In 2016-2017, Suter had a career high 9 goals. 

Overall, Suter played 19 seasons in the NHL. Suter has played 1,444 games with 105 points, 576 assists, 681 points, and a plus 120. In the playoffs, Suter has played 133 games with 7 goals, 37 assists, 44 points, and a -28. 

Suter is a low-risk move. If Suter doesn't work out, he can always be waived and sent to the AHL. If Suter works out, he can provide some veteran leadership on defense for a guy like Scott Perunovich. 

Suter is reunited with two former teammates. Those two former teammates are center Radek Faksa (Stars), and defenseman Marco Scandella (Wild). 

It will be interesting to see if the Blues defenseman stays the same as it looks currently. I think it won't stay the same as it currently is. 
 

St. Louis Blues Extend Pavel Buchnevich

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left wing Pavel Buchnevich to a six-year contract extension, worth $48 million. Buchnevich, 29, played 80 games with 27 goals, 36 assists, 63 points, and a plus 3 in 2023-2024. The games were a career high for Buchnevich. 

Buchnevich had his best season in 2021-2022. That season, Buchnevich played 73 games with 30 goals, 46 assists, 76 points, and a plus 29. The goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Buchnevich. 

Overall, Buchnevich has played 8 seasons in the NHL. Buchnevich has played 517 games with 162 goals, 239 assists, 401 points, and a plus 53. In the playoffs, Buchnevich has played 20 games with 1 goal, 11 assists, 12 points, and a -3. 

It's great to see general manager Doug Armstrong sign Buchnevich to a new long-term contract. Buchnevich could have been a free agent after the 2024-2025 season. 
 

St. Louis Blues Sign Pierre-Olivier Joseph

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year contract, worth $950,000. Joseph, 25, played 52 games with 2 goals, 9 assists, 11 assists, and a -3 with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2023-2024. 

Joseph had his best season 2022-2023. That season, Jospeh played 75 games with 5 goals, 16 assists, 21 points, and a plus 8. The games, goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Joseph. 

Overall, Joseph has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Joseph has played 147 games with 8 goals, 29 assists, 37 points, and a plus 4. 

Joseph joins his older brother Mathieu on the Blues roster. 

St. Louis Blues Acquire Mathieu Joseph

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded future considerations to the Ottawa Senators for right wing Mathieu Joseph, and a 2025 3rd-round pick. Joseph, 27, played 72 games with 11 goals, 24 assists, 35 points, and a -4 in 2023-2024. The games, assists, and points, and were all career highs for Joseph. 

In 2018-2019, Joseph had a career high in goals (13) with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Joseph helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups (2019-2020, and 2020-2021). 

Overall, Joseph has played 6 seasons in the NHL. Joseph has played 360 games with 55 goals, 80 assists, 135 points, and a plus 19. In the playoffs, Joseph has played 10 games with 2 assists, 2 points, and a -2. 

Joseph is good on the penalty kill. Joseph has two years left on his current contract. 

St. Louis Blues Acquire Radek Faksa

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded future considerations to the Dallas Stars for center Radek Faksa. Faksa, 30, played 74 games with 7 goals, 12 assists, and 19 points in 2023-2024. 

Faksa had his best season in 2016-2017. That season, Faksa played 80 games with 12 goals, 21 assists, 33 points, and -6. The assists and points were both career highs for Faksa. In 2017-2018, Faksa had a career high in goals (17). 

Overall, Faksa had played 9 seasons in the NHL. Faksa has played 638 games with 89 goals, 111 assists, 200 points, and -11. In the playoffs, Faksa had played 79 games with 9 goals, 11 assists, 20 points, and a -7. 

Faksa is a good fourth-line center who is good at faceoffs and he's also good on the penalty kill.

St. Louis Blues Acquire Alexandre Texier

 

The St. Louis Blues have traded a 2025 4th-round pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for center Alexandre Texier. The Blues have also re-signed Texier to a two-year contract extension, worth $4.2 million. 

Texier, 24, played 78 games with 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points, and a -5 in 2023-2024. The games, goals, assists, and points were all career highs for Texier. 

Overall, Texier has played 5 seasons in the NHL. Texier has played 201 games with 34 goals, 45 assists, 79 points, and a -12. In the playoffs, Texier has played 18 games with 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points, and a -2. Texier was drafted by the Blue Jackets back in 2017 in the 2nd round (45th overall).

Texier has the potential to be a good addition for the Blues roster in 2024-2025. 

St. Louis Blues remove interim tag, name Drew Bannister head coach

The St. Louis Blues have removed the interim tag of Drew Bannister and have signed him to a two-year contract extension as head coach. Overall, in franchise history, Bannister will be the 27th head coach. Bannister, 50, took over as head coach after Craig Berube was fired on December 12, 2023. At the time the Blues were struggling and were 13-14-1 with 27 points. The Blues ended up 30-19-5 with 65 points. The Blues saw the power play and penalty kill both improve under Bannister. The Blues also improved by 11 points from 2022-2023.

It should be interesting to see what Bannister can do as a full-time head coach. 

Bannister has had a lot of success as an AHL head coach. With the Springfield Thunderbirds, Bannister led them to a record of 93-58-19 in 3 seasons. In 2021-2022, the Thunderbirds reached the Calder Cup Finals under Bannister. 

Now it's up to Blues general manager Doug Armstrong to work on improving the roster. 

St. Louis Cardinals 2024 Season Preview

 

Offseason additions: SP Sonny Gray, SP Lance Lynn, SP Kyle Gibson, SP Victor Santos, RHP Keynan Middleton, RHP Andrew Kittredge, RHP Riley O'Brien, RHP Ryan Fernandez, RHP Nick Robertson, RHP Josh James, SS Brandon Crawford, and 1B/DH Mastt Carpenter. 

Offseason subtractions: SP Adam Wainwright (retired), RHP Drew VerHagen, RHP Jake Woodford, RHP Guillermo Zuniga, RHP Casey Lawrence, RHP Jacob Barnes, LHP Andrew Suarez, C Andrew Knizner, OF Tyler O'Neill, OF Richie Palacios, OF Juan Yepez, and SS/2B Taylor Motter. 

Point team prediction: 85-88 wins (NL Central or one of the Wild Cards). Cardinals probably won't go far in the playoffs though, unless they upgrade the pitching staff at some point. I could see the Cardinals upgrading the pitching staff if they do well. The Cardinals will start the season with 6 players on the injured list SP Sonny Gray, SP Drew Rom, RHP Keynan Middleton, OF Lars Nootbaar, OF/2B/SS Tommy Edman, and OF Dylan Carlson. 

The Cardinals are coming off one of their worst seasons since 1990, when they were 70-92. 

A lot of that was because of starting pitchers not going deep enough and other teams scoring lots of runs right away. So, Oliver Marmol had to use his bullpen early a lot. That doesn't help a team. The Cardinals also didn't get many quality starts. The Cardinals only had 48 quality starts last season. If you count the Cardinals starting rotation once Gray is healthy, last season that would have been a total of 65 quality starts (66 if you count Thompson). What did the Cardinals do last season when they got a quality start? They actually had a winning record (33-15, with a .687 winning percentage). The Cardinals decided to re-tool their pitching and get guys who can get quality starts. 

Will it work? There's a chance it could and a chance it couldn't. But on paper they shouldn't lose 91 games like they did last season. The Cardinals also didn't have high leverage options in their bullpen last season, this season they do. O'Brien should be interesting to watch. Last season, O'Brien, 29, pitched the whole season in Triple-A Tacoma and was a PCL All-Star. O'Brien was 2-5 with a 2.29 ERA, 51 games, 3 starts, 15 saves, 55 innings, 86 strikeouts, and 31 walks. If O'Brien has figured something out, he could be a late bloomer, which the Cardinals have success at finding those types of players. 

On a side note, O'Brien's grandfather Johnny played for the Cardinals for 1 season (1958). 

Thompson also looks like he's improved too, if he has that could be a great thing. 

Lineup: 

LF Brendan Donovan, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Nolan Gorman, 3B Nolan Arenado, C Willson Contreras, RF Jordan Walker, DH Alec Burleson, SS Maysn Winn, and CF Victor Scott (could see Scott leading off at some point).

Bench:

Ivan Herrera, Matt Carpenter, Brandon Crawford, and Michael Siani.

Starting rotation:

Miles Mikolas, Zack Thompson, Lance Lynn, Steven Matz, and Kyle Gibson.

Bullpen: 

Ryan Helsey, Giovanny Gallegos, JoJo Romero, Matthew Liberatore, Andrew Kittredge, Andre Pallante, Riley O'Brien, and Ryan Fernandez. 

Fantasy Stud:

Nolan Arenado if he bounces back (which he should). 

Prospects to watch:

Victor Scott and Ryan Fernandez 

St. Louis Cardinals Extend Oliver Marmol

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed manager Oliver Marmol to a two-year contract extension, through 2026. Marmol, 37, was in his final contract year. Marmol had one of the worst seasons as a Cardinals manager since 1990 in 2023. The Cardinals were 71-91. In 1990, the Cardinals were 70-92. Not all of 2023 is because of Marmol. It's more on John Mozeliak. People knew the Cardinals needed to upgrade their pitching going into the 2023 season. 

Instead of upgrading the pitching, all Mozeliak does is sign Willson Contreras. Mozeliak thought that the pitching would be fine, and everyone would be able to repeat their seasons from 2022. The problem is that doesn't happen much in sports. Players will have seasons where they aren't as good for whatever reason. Injuries happened and the Cardinals didn't have the depth to cover innings. 

Overall, Marmol has managed 2 seasons in the MLB. Marmol has managed 324 games and has a record of 164-160 with a .506 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Marmol is 0-2. 

Marmol had his best season in 2022. That season, the Cardinals were 93-69 with a .574 winning percentage. The wins and winning percentage were both career highs for Marmol in his managerial career. 

The Cardinals knew they couldn't go into the season with Marmol as a lame duck. Especially when Marmol shouldn't be blamed for everything from 2023. It's more on Mozeliak than Marmol. To me, Marmol still could be fired if the team were to do badly. Mozeliak would probably be with him, if that happened. To me, Mozeliak should go first. I also think the Cardinals could have waited a few months before giving Marmol his contract extension. Like why not have them start the season out well and then give Marmol the contract extension? Wouldn't that make a little more sense?
 

Still Sunny in St. Louis; Blues sign Oskar Sundqvist to contract extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Oskar Sundqvist to a two-year contract extension, worth $3 million. Sundqvist, 29, currently has played 62 games with 6 goals, 15 assists, 21 points, and -5 in 2023-2024. 

Sundqvist has won the Stanley Cup 2 times: (2015-2016, and 2018-2019). 

Sundqvist had his best season in 2018-2019. That season, Sundqvist played 74 games with 14 goals, 17 assists, 31 points, and a -1. The games, goals, and points were all career highs for Sundqvist. 

In 2022-2023, combined between the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild, Sundqvist had a career high 18 assists. 

Overall, Sundqvist is currently in his 9th NHL season. Sundqvist has played 417 games with 56 goals, 88 assists, 144 points, and a -15. In the playoffs, Sundqvist has played 37 games with 5 goals, 6 assists, 11 points, and a plus 3. 

It's nice to see Sundqvist earn himself a contract extension. Sundqvist loves St. Louis a lot. 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Brandon Crawford

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed shortstop Brandon Crawford to a one-year contract, worth $2 million. Crawford, 37, hit .194 with 31 runs, 55 hits, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 38 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 28 walks with the San Francisco Giants in 2023. 

Crawford helped the Giants in the World Series 2 times: (2012, and 2014). Crawford has been an All-Star 3 times: (2015, 2018, and 2021). Crawford won a Silver Slugger Award in 2015. Crawford has also won the Gold Glove Award 4 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2021). 

Crawford has his best season in 2021. That season, Crawford hit .298 with 79 runs, 144 hits, 30 doubles, 3 triples, 24 home runs, 90 RBI's, 11 stolen bases, and 56 walks. The batting average, runs, hits, home runs, RBI's, and stolen bases were all career highs for Crawford. 

In 2015, Crawford had a career high 33 doubles. Crawford had career highs in both triples (11) and walks (57) in 2016. 

To make room for Crawford on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals have designated second baseman/third baseman Buddy Kennedy for assignment.

Overall, Crawford has played 13 seasons in the MLB. Crawford has played 1,654 games with 669 runs, 1,392 hits, 290 doubles, 44 triples, 146 home runs, 744 RBI's, 47 stolen bases, 536 walks, and a .250 batting average. 

It will be interesting to see if Crawford has anything left in him. I think if healthy, Crawford could be a good backup for the Cardinals. Crawford should also be able to help Masyn Winn, too. 

 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Keynan Middleton

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RHP Keynan Middleton to a one-year contract, worth $6 million. The contract also includes a team option for 2025, worth $5 million or a $1 million buyout. Middleton, 30, was 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA, 51 games, 5 holds, 2 saves, 50.2 innings, 64 strikeouts, and 23 walks combined between the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees in 2023. The strikeouts were a career high for Middleton. The ERA was also a career best for Middleton. 

Middleton had his best season in 2017, with the Los Angeles Angels. That season, Middleton was 6-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 64 games, 10 holds, 3 saves, 58.1 innings, 63 strikeouts, and 18 walks. The wins, games, holds, and innings were all career highs for Middleton. In 2018, Middleton had a career high 6 saves. 

To make room for Middleton on the roster, the Cardinals have designated RHP Guillermo Zuniga for assignment.

Overall, Middleton has played 7 seasons in the MLB. Middleton is 10-8 with a 3.84 ERA, 205 games, 1 start, 23 holds, 15 saves, 194.1 innings, 199 strikeouts, 85 walks, and a whip of 1.34. 

Middleton should be a good addition for the Cardinals bullpen. It's also good that the contract is for one-year, because the Cardinals haven't had much success lately when they give a long-term contract to a free agent reliever. Middleton is reunited with former White Sox teammate starting pitcher Lance Lynn. 

My guess is the Cardinals are probably done with signings after Middleton, but it would be nice if they added one more bullpen arm or another good starting pitcher. If I had to rate the Cardinals offseason moves, I'd give them a B- overall. On paper, the pitching looks improved. 

St. Louis Cardinals re-sign Tommy Edman

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman to a two-year contract extension, worth $16.5 million. The contract buys out the rest of Edman's arbitration years. Edman can become a free agent after the 2026 season. Edman, 28, hit .248 with 69 runs, 119 hits, 25 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs, 47 RBI's, 27 stolen bases, and 35 walks in 2023. 

In 2021, Edman won a Gold Glove Award. 

Edman had his best season in 2022. That season, Edman hit .265 with 95 runs, 153 hits, 31 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs, 57 RBI's, 32 stolen bases, and 46 walks. The runs, home runs, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for Edman. In 2021, Edman had career highs in both hits (168) and doubles (41). Edman had a career high 7 triples in 2019.

Overall, Edman has played 5 seasons in the MLB. Edman has played 596 games with 343 runs, 590 hits, 121 doubles, 19 triples, 53 home runs, 222 RBI's, 106 stolen bases, 151 walks, and a .265 batting average. 

The contract should be good for both sides. It's nice to see the Cardinals and Edman avoid arbitration while rewarding Edman.  
 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Matt Carpenter

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed utility player Matt Carpenter to a one-year contract, worth $740,000. Carpenter, 38, hit .176 with 18 runs, 33 hits, 12 doubles, 5 home runs, 31 RBI's, 1 stolen base, and 41 walks with the San Diego Padres in 2023.

Carpenter has been an All-Star 3 times: (2013, 2014, and 2016). Carpenter also won a Silver Slugger Award in 2013. 

Carpenter had his best season in 2013, with the Cardinals. That season, Carpenter hit .318 with 126 runs, 199 hits, 55 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, 78 RBI's, and 72 walks. The batting average, runs, hit, doubles, and triples were all career highs for Carpenter. The runs, hits, and doubles also led the MLB.

In 2015, Carpenter had a career high 84 RBI's. Carpenter had a career high 109 walks in 2017. In 2018, Carpenter had a career high 36 home runs. Carpenter had a career high 6 stolen bases in 2019. 

Overall, Carpenter had played 13 seasons in the MLB. Carpenter has played 1,452 games with 798 runs, 1,225 hits, 322 doubles, 28 triples, 175 home runs, 644 RBI's, 28 stolen bases, 759 walks, and a .260 batting average. 

Carpenter returning to the Cardinals is a low risk move. The Cardinals know there was a leadership problem last season, and they seem to be trying to fix that problem. Nolan Arenado even complained about the team not having enough player leadership in 2023. 

The way to fix that problem is by getting players who you know can be leaders. Which on paper is something the Cardinals have done this offseason. I think it's also only stop gaps until younger players improve and emerge as leaders. One of those younger players is emerging as a leader is Brendan Donovan. 

I think the Cardinals will add more pitching before they go to spring training. The last two remaining active players from the Cardinals' 2011 World Series team are Matt Carpenter and starting pitcher Lance Lynn. 

St. Louis Blues re-sign Nathan Walker

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed left-wing Nathan Walker to a two-year contract extension, worth $1.55 million. Walker, 29, currently has played 2 games with 1 goal, 1 point, and a plus 1 in 2023-2024. Walker started the season in the AHL with the Springfield Thunderbirds. In Springfield, Walker played 30 games with 13 goals, 16 assists, 29 points, and a plus 9. 

Walker helped the Washington Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2017-2018. 

Walker had his best season in 2021-2022, with the Blues. That season, Walker played 30 games with 8 goals, 4 assists, 12 points, and a plus 1. The goals and points were both career highs for Walker. In 2022-2023, Walker had career highs in both games (56) and assists (8). 

Overall, Walker is currently in his 7th NHL season. Walker has played 113 games with 14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points, and a plus 7. In the playoffs, Walker has played 5 games with 1 assist, 1 point, and a plus 2. 

It's nice to see Walker earn a contract extension. It could mean the end of left-wing Sammy Blais as a Blue.

St. Louis Cardinals acquire Andrew Kittredge

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded leftfielder Richie Palacios to the Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Andrew Kittredge. Kittredge, 33, was 2-0 with a 3.09 ERA, 14 games, 1 hold, 1 save, 11.2 innings, 10 strikeouts, and 2 walks in 2023. 

Kittredge had his best season in 2021. That season, Kittredge was an All-Star and was 9-3 with a 1.88 ERA, 57 games, 4 starts, 7 holds, 8 saves, 71.2 innings, 77 strikeouts, and 15 walks. The ERA was a career best for Kittredge. The wins, games, holds, saves, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Kittredge. 

In 2019, Kittredge had a career high 7 starts. 

Overall, Kittredge has played 7 seasons in the MLB. Kittredge is 18-7 with a 3.65 ERA, 181 games, 15 starts, 15 holds, 15 saves, 214.2 innings, 206 strikeouts, 56 walks, and a whip of 1.23. 

Palacios, 26, hit .258 with 9 runs, 24 hits, 6 doubles, 6 home runs, 16 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 6 walks in 2023. The batting average, runs, home runs, and RBI's for Palacios. 

In 2022, Palacios had career highs in hits (26), doubles (6), stolen bases (2), and walks (9).

Overall, Palacios has played 2 seasons in the MLB. Palacios has played 86 games with 16 runs, 50 hits, 12 doubles, 6 home runs, 26 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, 15 walks, and a .244 batting average. 

The trade should help both teams. The Cardinals needed bullpen help and Kittredge should be a great addition for it. The Rays were looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder, after they traded Luke Raley to the Seattle Mariners. 

Do the Cardinals add another bullpen arm or two to go with Kittredge? To me Kittredge is now the Cardinals second best bullpen arm.