St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Jon Lester

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded OF Lane Thomas to the Washington Nationals for SP Jon Lester. Lester, 37, is currently 3-5 with a 5.02 ERA, 16 games, 16 starts, 75.1 innings, 51 strikeouts, and 29 walks in 2021. Lester had his best season in 2010, with the Boston Red Sox. That season, Lester was 19-9 with a 3.25 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 2 complete games, 208 innings, 225 strikeouts, and 83 walks. The strikeouts tied a career high from 2009. The wins were a career high for Lester. Lester had a career high 219.2 innings in 2014, combined between the Red Sox and Oakland Athletics. 

Lester has won the World Series 3 times: (2007, 2013, and 2016). In 2016, Lester won NLCS MVP. Lester has been an All-Star 5 times: (2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, and 2018). Lester led the NL in wins with 18 in 2018, with the Chicago Cubs. Lester threw a no-hitter on May 19, 2008 against the Kansas City Royals. 

Overall, Lester is currently in his 16th season in the MLB. Lester is 196-116 with a 3.64 ERA, 440 games, 439 starts, 15 complete games, 4 shutouts, 2,674 innings, 2,448 strikeouts, 866 walks, and a whip of 1.27.

Thomas, 25, is currently hitting .104 with 2 runs, 5 hits, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and 10 walks in 2021. Thomas has also played in Triple-A Memphis this season. In Memphis, Thomas hit .265 with 18 runs, 30 hits, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs, 20 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 12 walks. 

Overall, Thomas is currently in his 3rd season in the MLB. Thomas has played 84 games with 13 runs, 21 hits, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 15 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, 18 walks, a .172 batting average.

If Lester can do well with the Cardinals, he could be able to help them. The Cardinals to me did a good job at not giving up the farm. The moves with Lester and Happ might not excite fans, but you didn't really give up  anyone that great. The Cardinals are also planning on getting Jack Flaherty and Miles Mikolas back soon. Both of those pitchers if healthy, are like a trade too. That's because both have missed lots of time this season due to injuries. 

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire J.A. Happ

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded RP John Gant, and LP Evan Sisk to the Minnesota Twins for SP J.A. Happ, and cash considerations. Happ, 38, is currently 5-6 with a 6.77 ERA, 19 games, 19 starts, 98.1 innings, 77 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 2021. Happ had his best season in 2016, with the Toronto Blue Jays. That season, Happ was 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 195 innings, 163 strikeouts, and 60 walks. The wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Happ. Happ wans an All-Star in 2018 for the first time in his career. 

Happ won a World Series in 2008, with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Overall, Happ is currently in his 15th season in the MLB. Happ is 128-98 with a 4.13 ERA, 343 games, 317 starts, 4 complete games, 3 shutouts, 2 holds, 1,839.2 innings, 1,616 strikeouts, 651 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Gant, 28, is currently 4-6 with a 3.42 ERA, 25 games, 14 starts, 1 hold, 76.1 innings, 56 strikeouts, and 56 walks in 2021. Gant had his best season in 2018. That season, Gant was 7-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 26 games, 19 starts, 114 innings, 95 strikeouts, and 57 walks. The starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Gant. In 2019, Gant had career highs in wins (11) and in saves (3).

Overall, Gant is currently in his 6th season in the MLB. Gant is 23-21 with a 3.72 ERA, 159 games, 42 starts, 27 holds, 3 saves, 339 innings, 289 strikeouts, 185 walks, and a whip of 1.39.

Sisk, 24, is currently 2-0 with a 3.31 ERA, 26 games, 4 saves, 32.2 innings, 46 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 2021 combined between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield.

Overall, Sisk is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Sisk is 5-6 with a 2.90 ERA, 87 games, 1 start, 14 saves, 124.1 innings, 137 strikeouts, and 58 walks. 

If Happ can lower his ERA, he could be able to help the Cardinals. Gant can be good a good pitcher for the Twins, but he has too many walks this season. Time will tell to see who wins this trade. 

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.