St. Louis Cardinals Re-Sign Yadier Molina

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed catcher Yadier Molina to a one-year contract, worth $9 million. Molina, 38, hit .262 with 4 home runs, and 16 RBI's in 2020. Molina is a 9 time All-Star: (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018). Molina has won the Gold Glove Award 9 times: (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2018). Molina won a Silver Slugger Award in 20013. In 2018, Molina won the Roberto Clemente Award. Molina has won the World Series 2 times: (2006, and 2011).

Molina had his best season in 2012. Molina hit .315 with 65 runs, 159 hits, 28 doubles, 22 home runs, 76 RBI's, 12 stolen bases, and 45 walks. The home runs, and stolen bases were both career highs for Molina. Molina had a career high 82 RBI's in 2017.

Overall, Molina has played 17 seasons in the MLB. All of Molina's seasons have been with the Cardinals. Molina has played 2,025 games with 713 runs, 2,001 hits, 381 doubles, 7 triples, 160 home runs, 932 RBI's, 66 stolen bases, 513 walks, and a .281 batting average. 

It's great to see Molina and starting pitcher Adam Wainwright back for another season together with the Cardinals. Maybe this year the Cardinals can win the World Series and send one of both out on a high note? It should also be fun watching the Cardinals infield on defense this season. They probably have the best infield in the MLB on defense. The infield is led by catcher Yadier Molina with first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Tommy Edman, shortstop Paul DeJong, and third baseman Nolan Arenado. 

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Nolan Arenado

The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. The Cardinals sent LP Austin Gomber, 3B, Elehuris Montero, SS Mateo Gil, RP Tony Locey, and RP Jake Sommers to the Colorado Rockies for Nolan Arenado, and $50 million. As part of the trade, Arenado has changed his contract a little. Arenado will have player options in 2022 and 2023. Arenado has also signed a one-year contract extension, which extends him through 2027. That one-year contract extension is worth $15 million. 

 

Arenado, 29, has spent all of his 8 seasons in the MLB with the Rockies. In 2020, Arenado hit .253 with 8 home runs, and 26 RBI's.

Arenado's best season came in 2016. Arenado his .294 with 116 runs, 182 hits, 35 doubles, 6 triples, 41 home runs, 133 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 68 walks. The runs, and RBI's were both career highs for Arenado. Arenado had a career high 42 home runs in 2015. 

Arenado is a 5 time All-Star (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019). Arenado has won 8 straight Gold Glove Awards, starting in 2013. Arenado has won the Platinum Gold Glove Award 4 times: (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020). Arenado has won the Silver Slugger Award 4 times: (2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018). Arenado has led the NL in home runs 3 times: (2015, 2016, and 2018). Arenado has also led the NL in RBI's 2 times: (2015, and 2016).

Overall, Arenado has played 1,079 games with 649 runs, 1,206 hits, 262 doubles, 27 triples, 235 home runs, 760 RBI's, 16 stolen bases, 362 walks, and .293 batting average. 

Gomber, 27, was 1-1 with a 1.86 ERA, 14 games, 4 starts, 1 hold, 29 innings, 27 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 2020. 

Overall, Gomber has played 2 seasons in the MLB. Gomber is 7-3 with a 3.72 ERA, 43 games, 14 starts, 8 holds, 104 innings, 94 strikeouts, 47 walks and a whip of 1.41.

Montero, 22, ranked as the Cardinals 8th best prospect. Overall, Montero has spent 5 seasons in the minors. Montero has played 360 games with 207 runs, 362 hits, 84 doubles, 7 triples, 32 home runs, 192 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and a .269 batting average. 

Gil, 20, ranked as the Cardinals 22nd best prospect. Gil is the son of former MLB utility infielder Benji Gil (who won a World Series with the Anaheim Angel in 2002). The younger Gil, has played 2 seasons in the Cardinals minors.

Overall, Gil has played 98 games with 69 runs, 98 hits, 14 doubles, 3 triples, 8 home runs, 50 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, 37 walks, and a .257 batting average. 

Locey, 22, ranked as the Cardinals 19th best prospect. Locey has played 1 season in the Cardinals minors. Locey is 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA, 12 games, 17 innings, 31 strikeouts, and 12 walks. 

Sommers, 23, had played 1 season in the minors. Overall, Simmers is 2-3 with a 4.18 ERA, 12 games, 10 starts, 51.2 innings, 55 strikeouts, and 19 walks. 

The Cardinals pulled off a great trade for themselves in landing Arenado. It even happened without giving up Nolan Gorman or Matthew Liberatore. The Cardinals upgraded their team a lot in Arenado. On defense at third base and in their lineup. One of the few holes the Cardinals will need to worry about is the outfield in 2021. 

Arenado grew frustrated with the Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich. Arenado has always wanted to be on a contender and wants to win a World Series. The Rockies haven't been able to do that for Arenado except for 2017, and 2018. After those two seasons the Rockies haven't done well. You can't really blame Arenado for being frustrated. Arenado could end up in the Hall of Fame if he stays doing well. 

The Rockies even have had good players in franchise history, just no front office/ownership that seems to want to fully win.

Do the Cardinals maybe end up using Gorman was trade bait to upgrade the outfield? 

All in all it's a pretty great day to be a Cardinals fan. You have player who is worth paying to see play. That's not really a knock on any of the current players. But you know fans love Arenado. He's a superstar and maybe the best third baseman in the MLB. Superstars don't grow on trees either. It even should be fun watching Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt at the corners. It reminds me a little of the years when the Cardinals had Scott Rolen and Albert Pujols at the corners. 

Adam Wainwright Re-signs With St. Louis Cardinals

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed starting pitcher Adam Wainwright to a one-year contract, worth $8 million. Wainwright, 39, was 5-3 with a 3.15 ERA, 10 games, 10 starts, 2 complete games, 65.2 innings, 54 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 2020. The complete games were Wainwright's most since he had 5 complete games in 2014. Wainwright moved into 3rd in the Cardinals all-time wins list for pitchers, with no.167 in 2020. Only Bob Gibson (251) and Jesse Haines (210) have more wins in franchise history than Wainwright. Wainwright ranks 7th in games played for pitchers with 393. Wainwright can move past Jason Isringhausen for 6th in games played in 2021. 

In innings pitched for the Cardinals, Wainwright ranks 6th with 2,169.1 innings. Wainwright ranks 2nd in strikeouts with 1,830 and 4th in games started with 326. 

Wainwright helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 2006. Wainwright has been a 3 time All-Star: (2010, 2013, and 2014). Wainwright has won 2 Gold Glove Awards: (2009, and 2013). Wainwright won the Sliver Slugger Award in 2017. Wainwright has led the NL in wins two times: (2009, and 2013). In 2020, Wainwright won the Roberto Clemente Award. 

Overall, Wainwright has played 15 seasons in the MLB. Wainwright is 167-98 with a 3.38 ERA, 393 games, 326 starts, 24 complete games, 10 shutouts, 17 holds, 3 saves, 2,169.1 innings, 1,830 strikeouts, 591 walks, and a whip of 1.22. 

Wainwright might not be the same pitcher he once was, but he's shown the past two seasons he can still be a reliable starting pitcher. Wainwright also brings leadership to the starting pitching staff. You can never have enough pitching. At times Wainwright is like having another pitching coach too. The Cardinals needed to keep Wainwright around.

St. Louis Blues Sign Mike Hoffman

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed left wing Mike Hoffman to a one-year contract, worth $4 million. Hoffman, 31, spent the last two seasons playing for the Florida Panthers. Last season, in 2019-2020, Hoffman played 69 games with 29 goals, 30 assists, 59 points, and a -5. 

Hoffman's best season came in 2018-2019, with the Panthers. Hoffman played 82 games with 36 goals, 34 assists, 70 points, and a -24. The goals, and points were both career highs for Hoffman. Hoffman's career high in assists were 35 in 2016-2017, with the Ottawa Senators. Hoffman spent 7 seasons with the Senators before being traded to the Panthers on June 19, 2018. 

Overall, Hoffman has played 9 seasons in the NHL. Hoffman has played 493 games with 172 goals, 187 assists, 359 points, and a -19. In the playoffs, Hoffman has played 29 games with 10 goals, 9 assists, 19 points, and a -1. 

Hoffman had signed a professional tryout with the Blues on December 27, 2020. While in camp, Hoffman has been on a line with Robert Thomas, and Jaden Schwartz. That line has the potential to be a great line.

Hoffman should be a big part of the Blues powerplay. Hoffman has 60 career goals, and 62 career assists on the powerplay.

Alexander Steen Retires

St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen has announced his retirement from the NHL. Steen, 36, had a back injury during the 2019-2020 season, which has caused him to retire. Steen played 15 seasons in the NHL. Steen was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2002 NHL Draft, in the first-round (24th overall). Steen played 4 seasons for the Maple Leafs, before being traded to the Blues, along with defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo for right wing Lee Stempniak on November 24, 2008. 

After being acquired by the Blues, Steen's career took off. Steen became the player scouts thought he'd be. In 2013-2014, Steen had a career high 33 goals with 29 assists, 62 points, and a plus 17. The following season, Steen had 24 goals, 40 assists, 64 points, and a plus 8. The assists, and points were career highs for Steen. 

In Blues franchise history, Steen ranks 4th in games played with (765), 9th in goals with (195), 6th in assists with (301), and 5th in points with (496). Steen played in 91 playoff games for the Blues with 15 goals, 21 assists, 36 points, and -8. The only two players in franchise history who have played more playoff games than Steen are right wing Brett Hull and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. Steen helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup in 2019, when the beat the Boston Bruins in 7 games. 

Overall, Steen played 1,018 games with 245 goals, 377 assists, 622 points, and a plus 42. 

Steen's presence in the locker-room will be missed. Steen was a great leader on and off the ice for the Blues. Steen was also a fan favorite. With Steen retiring, the Blues now have some cap space. The Blues had been rumored awhile back to be interested in free agent left wing Mike Hoffman. Do the Blues decide to sign Mike Hoffman? Hoffman would be a great addition for the Blues, if they were to sign him. It would need to make sense for both sides though.

Boston Red Sox Re-Hire Alex Cora

 

The Boston Red Sox have re-hired Alex Cora as their manager. Cora, 45, replaces Ron Roenicke, who managed just 1 season with the Red Sox. Cora gets a two-year contract, the contract includes two options for 2023 and 2024. Cora was the Red Sox manager for 2 seasons (2018-2019). In Cora's first season, the Red Sox won the World Series in 5 games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, after finishing 108-54 in the regular season. Cora was only the 5th rookie manager to win the World Series in his 1st season. Cora's 108 wins, were the 2nd-most by a rookie manager in MLB history. Ralph Houk, had the most wins (109), for a rookie manager. Houk's 109 wins, were in 1961 with the New York Yankees. 

Cora ended up being fired by the Red Sox, after the MLB investigated the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Cora was the Astros bench coach in 2017. The Red Sox were investigated for a 2018 sign-stealing. The MLB found that Cora wasn't at fault for the Red Sox scandal. Cora would end up being suspended for the 2020 season, for his role with the Astros. 

Overall, Cora has has managed 2 seasons in the MLB. Cora has managed 324 games with a record of 192-132, and a .593 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Cora is 11-3 with a .786 winning percentage. 

Does Cora deserve a second chance? What if a sign-stealing scandal were to happen again, and even if Cora wasn't at fault?

Detroit Tigers Hire A.J. Hinch

 

The Detroit Tigers have hired A.J. Hinch as their new manager. Hinch, 46, gets a multi-year contract. Hinch replaces Ron Gardenhire who retired on September 19, 2020 after 3 seasons managing the Tigers (2018-2020). Before becoming the manager for the Tigers, Gardenhire managed the Minnesota Twins for 13 seasons (2002-2014). Hinch was a backup catch for the Tigers in 2003, so he returns to a city he's familiar with. The Tigers will be Hinch's 3rd team he's managed. 

Most recently, Hinch managed the Houston Astros for 5 seasons (2015-2019). While with the Astros, he seemed to do well. He won three-straight AL West titles with them, including 2 World Series appearances (2017, 2019). The Astros won the World Series in 2017 in 7 games over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In those three seasons, the Astros won 101 or more games under Hinch. Hinch's best season came in 2019, they were 107-55.

News came out the Astros had been stealing signed during the 2017, and 2018 seasons. The MLB investigated it situation. They found evidence the the sign stealing was true. On January 13, 2020, Hinch and former Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow were suspended for one-year because for the scandal. On the same day, Astros Owner Jim Crane fired both Hinch and Luhnow. 

Before managing the Astros, Hinch managed the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2 seasons (2009-2010). Hinch was fired on July 1, 2010, after the Diamondbacks were 31-48. 

Overall, Hinch has managed 7 seasons in the MLB. Hinch has managed 1,022 games with a record of 570-452, and a .558 winning percentage. In the playoffs, Hinch is 28-22 with a .560 winning percentage.

Does Hinch deserve a second chance? What if the sign stealing scandal happens under Hinch with the Tigers? If were to happen, should Hinch be banned for life?