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.

St. Louis Cardinals 2021 Season Preview

 

Offseason additions: 3B Nolan Arenado, C Yadier Molina (re-signed), SP Adam Wainwright (re-signed), C Ali Sanchez, C Tyler Heineman, SS Jose Rondon, 2B/SS Max Moroff, OF Matt Szczur, RP Johan Quezada, and LP Garrett Williams. 

Offseason subtractions: 2B Kolten Wong, 2B Max Schrock, OF Dexter Fowler, 1B Rangel Ravelo, C Matt Wieters, Infielder Brad Miller, RP John Brebbia, RP Nabil Chrismatt, LP Rob Kaminsky, RP Ryan Meisinger, SP Austin Gomber, RP Tony Locey, SP Jake Sommers, 3B Elehuris Montero, and SS Mateo Gil.

Point team prediction: 86-90 wins (NL Central champions). The St. Louis Cardinals will look to make the playoffs for their 3rd straight season under Mike Shildt. Last season, in a  60 game season, the Cardinals went 30-28 and finished in 2nd place. The Cardinals then lost to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round. After they lost, the Cardinals knew they needs to upgrade their offense and their team somehow. It took awhile, but on February 1, 2021 the Cardinals acquired third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies. In acquiring Arenado, the Cardinals got one of the best players in the game and possibly a future Hall of Famer someday. He's the type of player fans will pay to see play. 

Starting rotation: 

Jack Flaherty, Carlos Martinez, Adam Wainwright, Kwang-hyun-Kim (if he's ready to start the season), Daniel Ponce de Leon or Alex Reyes (Miles Mikolas won't start the season on the active roster). 

Bullpen:

Jordan Hicks, Giovanny Gallegos, Andrew Miller, Tyler Webb, Genesis Cabrera, John Gant, Ryan Helsley, Reyes or Ponce de Leon (depending on which one ends up starting in the rotation). 

Lineup:

1. 2B Tommy Edman, 2. RF Dylan Carlson, 3. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, 4. 3B Nolan Arenado, 5. SS Paul DeJong, 6. C Yadier Molina, 7. Tyler O'Neill (would swap him and DeJong, if O'Neill proves he can hit), 8. CF Lane Thomas, 9. pitcher.

Bench:

Tyler Heineman, Jose Rondon (if he stays hitting), Harrison Bader, Justin Williams, Matt Carpenter.

Fantasy Stud: Nolan Arenado

Prospects to watch: 

Nolan Gorman (if he proves he can handle 2B, he could get a chance at some point this season), Matthew Liberatore, Thomas Parsons. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Jordan Binnington To Six-year Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have singed goalie Jordan Binnington to a six-year contract extension, worth $36 million. Binnington, 27, is currently in his 4th season in the NHL. Binnington is 9-6-3 with a .908 save percentage, and a 2.69 goals against average. Binnington had his best season, in 2019-2020. Binnigton played a career high 50 games. Binnington was 30-13-7 with a .912 save percentage, a 2.56 goals against average, and 3 shutouts. The win were a career high for Binnington. 

In 2018-2019, Binnington finally got a chance in the NHL. Binnington played 32 games, with 32 starts and was 24-5-1 with a .927 save percentage, a 1.89 goals against average, and 5 shutouts. Binnington ended up helping the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. Binnington also became the first rookie goaltender with 16 wins in a single postseason, which is the maximum. 

Overall, Binnington has played 102 games, with 99 starts and is 63-24-11 with a .915 save percentage, a 2.38 goals against average, and 8 shutouts. In the playoffs, Binnington is 16-15 with a .904 save percentage, a 2.79 goals against average, and 1 shutout.

The Blues did a great job to make sure Binnington is signed to a long-term contract. Next in line for a contract extension could be center Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz, 28, could hit free agency after the season.

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.