Blues Sign Tyler Bozak

The St. Louis Blues were desperate for a center, after prices on centers ended up being too high. Would it make sense to trade Robert Thomas for Ryan O'Reilly? No, it wouldn't. For now the Blues went a safer route signing free agent center Tyler Bozak from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bozak, 32, signs a three-year contract worth $15 million. He was probably the third best center on the market. He isn't a big name, but he can help a little.

Bozak went undrafted out of University of Denver. After being undrafted, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed him to a two-year, entry level contract on April 3, 2009. He made himself into a fan favorite during his time with the Leafs. Bozak is able to put himself in good positions, and he seems aware of his own capabilities. He passes more than he shoots. Bozak was also a popular teammate, and a mentor for the younger players.

Among faceoff leaders last season, Bozak ranked 29th with 53.6%.

Bozak is entering his tenth NHL season, all of his seasons had been with the Maple Leafs. He's played in 594 games, 136 goals, 229 assists, 365 points, and is a -78. His career high in points came in 2016-2017, with 55. In 2014-2015, Bozak scored 23 goals. In the playoffs, he's played in 18 games, and has score 5 goals, with 5 assists, 10 points, and is a -1. Bozak looks to be an upgrade over Kyle Brodziak, who left to join to Edmonton Oilers.

David Perron Returns To Blues

On Sunday, NHL free agency started. The St. Louis Blues on the first day of free agency brought back a familiar name and face in free agent left wing David Perron. Perron, 30, signs a four-year contract worth $16 million. Perron was left unprotected in the expansion draft last offseason. The Vegas Golden Knights decided he'd be good for their team, so they took him.

Perron went on to have his best season of his career getting 66 points. He had 16 goals, and 50 assists in 70 games. He helped lead the Golden Knights to the Stanley Cup, but lost to the Washington Capitals. Perron seemed to wake up in the playoffs, having his best one of his career. He got 9 points in 15 games. This will be Perron's third stint with the Blues. Will the third time be a charm? He's a good player, but in order for Perron to do well he needs other players to do well. Perron can help if others are on their game. It's good that Perron knows the Blues system well.

Perron will be entering his twelfth season in the NHL, so far he's played 722 games, 175 goals, 269 assists, 444 points, and is a plus 2. The Blues need more than just Perron if they want to make the playoffs this coming season. Last season, the Blues missed by one point. Is a number one center coming next? The Blues lost Kyle Brodziak as a free agent to the Edmonton Oilers, so they will need to find someone to replace him.

Nationals Land Kevlin Herrera

The Washington Nationals looking to upgrade their bullpen for the late innings found help on Monday evening. They acquired Kelvin Herrera a two-time All-Star closer from the Kansas City Royals for prospects 3B Kelvin Gutierrez, OF Blake Perkins, and RHP Yohanse Morel. Herrera, 28, helped the Royals win the 2015 World Series. In 2015, he has an era of 2.71 in 69.2 innings.

Herrera, became the Royals closer in 2017, after they trade Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs during the offseason. His first season as a closer didn't go too well. He finished the season with an era of 4.25 with 26 saves. Herrera in 2018, has proven last season was an off year. So far he has an era of 1.05 with 14 saves, in 25.2 innings. He joins a Washington Nationals bullpen that already has Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson, Brandon Kintzler (currently on the disabled list), Shawn Kelley, and Tim Collins (he knows Herrera from their time with the Royals).

Over eight seasons in the MLB, Herrera's career stats are: 23 wins, 27 losses, 2.75 era, 57 saves, 441.1 innings, 438 strikeouts, 138 walks, and a whip of 1.13. Herrera can become a free agent after the season, unless the Nationals re-sign him.

As for both prospects heading to the Royals, both Gutierrez, and Perkins were ranked in the Nationals top 20. Gutierrez ranked no.10, and Perkins ranked no.11. Gutierrez, 23, currently is playing in Double-A, on the season he's hitting .274, with 5 home runs, 26 rbi's, and 10 stolen bases.

Perkins, 21, is currently in advanced A, he's hitting .234, with 1 home run, 21 rbi's, and 12 stolen bases.

Moreal, 17, is in his first season. He's pitching in the Dominican Summer League. He's made 1 start, with an era of 8.10, 3.1 innings, 5 strikeouts, and 1 walk.

Good move for both teams. The Royals upgrade their farm, and the Nationals add bullpen help to their roster.

St. Louis Cardinals Land Greg Holland

On Opening Day 2018, teams pretty much were ready to start the season. There was a closer named Greg Holland who went unsigned all offseason. He was an All-Star in 2017, and lead the NL in saves with 41. It was Holland's first full season back after having Tommy John surgery. He finished the season with an era of 3.61. There were lots of unsigned pitchers most recently finding new teams, one was Alex Cobb who signed with the Baltimore Orioles. When would Greg Holland be signed? Who was going to sign him?

That got answered with the St. Louis Cardinals still looking for a closer, they made one last addition to their roster signing Greg Holland to a one-year contract; worth $14 million. Holland, 32, should help the Cardinals improved bullpen. They already added Luke Gregerson, and Dominic Leone. Both of them can be good setup men, that's if Gregerson can stay healthy and do well. The Cardinals will also have Alex Reyes at some point, and prospect Jordan Hicks made the jump skipping Double-A and Triple-A.

Holland joins the Cardinals, after spending 2017 with the Colorado Rockies. Holland could have stayed with the Rockies for 2018, but he declined his player option. Holland's option was for $15 million. The Rockies gave Holland a qualifying offer for $17.4 million, but he declined it. Why did he sign for only one-year, and $14 million? Was it because he was asking for too much and his agent is Scott Boras or is it because in August he had an era of 13.50 or is it both? Regardless he signed for less money, and he should have signed for more.

Holland is entering his eight MLB season, over his previous seven seasons his career stats are: 21 wins, 18 losses, 2.60 era, 370 games, 186 saves, 377 innings, 500 strikeouts, 151 walks, and a whip of 1.13. He's only blown 20 saves, and his save percentage is 90.3%. Holland has been an All-Star three times (2013, 2014, and 2017). He won AL Reliever of the Year in 2014, and won a World Series with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.

Does Greg Holland joining the Cardinals now make them a playoff contender if they weren't already? To me they have the the right pieces in place, but it starts with starting pitching and Mike Matheny trusting and listening to his coaches.

Paul DeJong Inks Contract Extension

On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals and shortstop Paul DeJong reached a contract extension. DeJong, 24, signs a six-year contract, worth $26 million. The contract includes two team option years, so it could end up being $51.5 million over eight years. The extension is a new record for players who have less than one full season in the MLB, the record has belonged to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. Anderson's contract was six-years, worth $25 million. It also including two team option years, and could be worth $50.5 million when it's finished.

DeJong got called up on May 28, 2017. He hit his first MLB home run that day at Coors Field, off of Colorado Rockies closer Greg Holland. DeJong would end up earning NL Rookie of the Month for May, he was the first Cardinals player to earn that award for the month since Kolten Wong in 2014. From there, DeJong ended up hitting .285, with 55 runs, 119 hits, 26 doubles, 25 home runs, 65 rbi's, and 1 stolen base. The 25 home runs, lead all National League shortstops. The only Cardinals rookie to have more home runs in a season was Albert Pujols in 2001 with 37. DeJong finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger.

Does this mean the Cardinals long run at finding a new shortstop each season is finished with? Hopefully it does. Ever since David Eckstein left after 2007, the Cardinals have had trouble finding a long-term shortstop. They've gone through nine different shortstop since then. The nine you ask? Cesar Izturis (2008), Khalil Greene (2009), Brendan Ryan (2010), Ryan Theriot (2011), Rafael Furcal (2012), Pete Kozma (2013), Jhonny Peralta (2014-2015), Jedd Gyorko (2016), and Aledmys Diaz (2017). So it's kind of like the NFL's Cleveland Browns, except the Browns can't find a Quarterback.

It looks like it will be a good move for both DeJong and the Cardinals. There's always the chance DeJong could have a sophomore slump and people would say it's horrible. The good side is that the contract is team friendly, even if that happens.The next player who could be in line for a contract extension on the Cardinals would probably be centerfielder Tommy Pham.

St. Louis Cardinals 2018 Season Preview

Offseason Additions: Marcell Ozuna, Miles Mikolas, Luke Gregerson, Dominic Leone, Bud Norris, Connor Greene, Yairo Munoz, Max Schrock, J.B. Woodman, Steven Baron, Francisco Pena, Ramon Urias, Wilson Soriano, Jason Motte, Preston Guilmet, Edward Mujica, Nester Molina, Granden Goetzman, Victor Roache
Offseason Subtractions: Lance Lynn, Seung-Hwan Oh, Trevor Rosenthal, Aledmys Diaz, Randal Grichuk, Stephen Piscotty, Juan Nicasio, Miguel Socolovich, Rowan Wick, Magneuris Sierra, Sandy Alcántara, Zac Gallen, Daniel Castano

Point team prediction: 85-87 wins, 2nd place. The Cardinals will enter the season hoping to get back into the playoffs somehow. They are looking to avoid missing the playoffs for three straight years in a row. The last time they missed the playoffs three years in a row was 1997,1998, and 1999. After the 99 season, they became one of the most dominate teams of the 2000's. That seems to have slipped a little knowing the Chicago Cubs are now better. It makes the rivalry more fun, but the Cardinals need to do their part to remain competitive. Could the Cardinals be trying to send a message to Mike Matheny?

The Cardinals made changes to Matheny's coaching staff in the offeason. They brought Mike Maddux in as pitching coach, he had been with the Washington Nationals as their pitching coach. He should be an upgrade over Derek Lilliquist, who was fired. Interestingly, Lilliquist became the new Nationals pitching coach. Lilliquist did a fine job for the Cardinals, but it seemed like Mike Matheny didn't want to listen to him much. So the Cardinals figured they'd try a new voice. They also brought back Jose Oquendo, to be third base coach. He had left the coaching staff to work the prospects. They Cardinals also added former Cardinals great, outfielder Willie McGee to the coaching staff. He will work with outfielders and base running. It's early but right now it seems like the new voices will help.

If the Cardinals start off bad who's on the hot seat hitting coach John Mabry or manager Mike Matheny or both? It seems like Matheny could be a better manager, but he hasn't fully figured it out. Maybe the new voices will help him improve a little? That would be nice if that happened. This will be Matheny's first season of his three-year contract.

The Cardinals seem to have a good lineup in place. What kind of scares me is the starting pitching. You can only count on Carlos Martinez, and Michael Wacha. Luke Weaver seems like he can be counted on, but he hasn't pitched much. Adam Wainwright seems to be at the end of the road. It would be nice to see Wainwright prove people wrong. Starting pitchers Jack Flaherty, and Alex Reyes might both be starting at some point. Matheny will probably go with an extra pitcher at first, so that means John Brebbia will be on the team. The bullpen looks better on paper, except they don't have a closer. If I were the Cardinals, I'd give Sam Tuivailala first shot at closing. He's out of options.

Starting rotation:
Carlos Martinez
Michael Wacha
Adam Wainwright
Luke Weaver
Miles Mikolas

Bullpen:
Sam Tuivailala
Bud Norris
Dominic Leone
Luke Gregerson
Matt Bowman
Brett Cecil
Tyler Lyons
John Brebbia

Lineup:
Dexter Fowler, RF
Tommy Pham, CF
Matt Carpenter, 1B
Marcell Ozuna, LF
Jedd Gyorko, 3B
Yadier Molina, C
Paul DeJong, SS
Kolten Wong, 2B
pitcher

Bench:
Carson Kelly
Greg Garcia
Harrison Bader
Jose Martinez

Prospect(s) to watch:
OF José Adolis García
RHP Ryan Helsley
RHP Jordan Hicks

Fantasy Stud: Carlos Martinez

Martinez will be in his 4th season as a starting pitcher. In his previous three he ranks 6th in wins in the National League, with 42. He's tied for 11th with an era of 3.26. Innings pitched you ask? 579.3, which ranks 5th. In strikeouts he ranks 7th with 575 strikeouts. Martinez has 60 quality starts, which ties him for 6th. He has a ground-ball rate at 54 percent, that ranks 2nd best. If you like WAR, 10.1 ranks him 12th.

There's only two other starting pitchers who have those numbers close to Martinez. Those two pitchers you ask? Max Scherzer, and free agent Jake Arrieta.

Cardinals Acquire Dominic Leone

On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals worked on improving their roster a bit more for the 2018 season. They traded outfielder Randal Grichuk to the Toronto Blue Jays for reliever Dominic Leone and starting pitcher Conner Greene.

Leone, 26, came up with the Seattle Mariners in 2014. He was a bright spot for the Mariners bullpen that season, 8-2, with an era of 2.17, 70 strikeouts, 25 walks, and 66.1 innings pitched in 57 games. The eight wins led all of MLB rookie relievers. His strikeouts were 2nd to New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances (135). His era ranked 3rd for rookie relievers.

He started 2015 season with the Mariners, but was later traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. For whatever reason, Leone wasn't good in 2015. He had an era of 8.40, with 9 stirkeouts, and 9 walks.
In 2016, he did a little better with the Diamondbacks; but had an era of 6.33. He had 23 strikeouts, and 12 walks. The Diamondbacks designated Leone for assignment  after the season.

The Blue Jays claimed Leone off of waivers in November 2016. He started the 2017 season in the minors, but later was on the Blue Jays roster for good. Leone ended up having his best season since 2014. Leone went 3-0, with an era of 2.56, 65 games, 1 save, 81 stirkeouts, 23 walks, 70.1 innings, and a whip of 1.05. His era ranked 12th among AL relievers, and 9th for innings. He was able to strand 42 of 54 inherited base runners, 78 percent. Where did that rank for AL relievers? Fourth best.

He was able to hold lefties to a 183 batting average, and righthanders to a .211 batting average. 

Leone has played four seasons in the MLB, his career stats are: 11 wins, 8 losses, 3.48 era, 160 games, 1 save, 183 strikesouts, 69 walks, 178.2 innings, and a whip of 1.32.

Greene, 22, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 2013 MLB draft. Last season he ranked as the Blue Jays 5th best prospect. Coming into 2018, he ranked as their 11th best prospect. Greene has five minor league seasons in his career. His career stats are: 31 wins, 31 losses, 4.04 era, 103 games, 91 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 377 strikeouts, 226 walks, and 501.1 innings pitched. Greene's best season was in 2016, when he went 10-9 with an era of 3.51, 99 strikeouts, and 146.1 innings pitched.

Grichuk, 26, fell out of favor after the Cardinals got Marcell Ozuna as the teams new leftfielder. Grichuk would have been the Cardinals fourth outfielder if they had kept him. He reached the MLB in 2014, and his first full season was in 2015. He seemed to show some promise hitting .276, with 17 home runs, and 47 rbi's. Strikeouts tend to hurt Grichuk a lot, but he can hit if he figures himself out on the Blue Jays.

Grichuk has played four seasons in the MLB, his career stats are: 404 games played, 179 runs, 321 hits, 83 doubles, 14 triples, 66 home runs, 182 rbi's, 15 stolen bases, 81 walks, and a .249 batting average.

This trade seems to be good for both teams. The Blue Jays needed another bat, and Grichuk can start. The Cardinals get bullpen help in which they needed badly. On paper it seems like the Cardinals could have a better bullpen than last season, but right now they are missing a closer.