St. Louis Blues Re-sign Robert Thomas

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Robert Thomas to a two-year contract, worth $5.6 million. Thomas, 22, played 33 games with 3 goals, 9 assists, 12 points, and a plus 1 in 2020-2021. Thomas had his best season in 2019-2020. That season, Thomas played 66 games with 10 goals, 32 assists, 42 points, and a plus 9. The goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career high for Thomas. Thomas helped the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2018-2019. 

Overall, Thomas has played 3 seasons in the NHL. Thomas has played 169 games with 22 goals, 65 assists, 87 points, and a plus 8. In the playoffs, Thomas has played 33 games with 2 goals, 10 assists, 12 points, and a -3.

St. Louis Blues Re-sign Tyler Bozak

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Tyler Bozak to a one-year contract, worth $750,000 plus bonuses. Bozak, 35, played 31 games with 5 goals, 12 assists, 17 points, and a -3 in 2020-2021. 

Bozak had his best season in 2016-2017, with the Toronto Maple Leafs. That season, Bozak played 78 games with 18 goals, 37 assists, 55 points, and -1. The assists and points were both career highs for Bozak. In 2014-2015, Bozak had a career high 23 goals. 

Bozak helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2018-2019. 

Overall, Bozak had played 12 seasons in the NHL. Bozak has played 764 games with 167 goals, 282 assists, 449 points, and -84. In the playoffs, Bozak has played 56 games with 11 goals, 16 assists, 27 points, and a -7. 

The Blues did a good job keeping Bozak. who has been one of their leaders since the came to the Blues in free agency on July 1, 2018. Other teams had been interested in Bozak this offseason.

St. Louis Blues Sign Colton Parayko to Eight-Year Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Colton Parayko to an eight-year contract extension, worth $52 million. Parayko, 28, played 32 games with 2 goals, 10  assists, 12 points, and a -2. Parayko had his best season in 2016-2017. That season, Parayko played 81 games with 4 goals, 31 assists, 35 points, and a plus 7. The assists and points were both career highs for Parayko. Parayko had a career high in goals (10) in 2018-2019. Parayko also helped the Blues win their first ever Stanley Cup in franchise history that season. 

Overall, Parayko has played 6 seasons in the NHL. Parayko has played 418 games with 41 goals, 130 assists, 171 points, and a plus 54. In the playoffs, Parayko has played 70 games with 8 goals, 19 assists, 27 points, and a plus 4.

The Blues did a great job signing Parayko to a long-term contract. When healthy, Parayko has proven to be one of the Blues best defensemen. 

Yadier Molina Signs One-Year Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed catcher Yadier Molina to a one-year contract worth, $10 million. Molina, 39, is currently hitting .259 with 31 runs, 88 hits, 16 doubles, 8 home runs, 51 RBI's, 3 stolen bases, and 21 walks in 2021. Next season, will be Molina's 19th season in the MLB. 

Molina had his best season in 2012. That season, 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. In 2016, Molina had a career high 164 hits. Molina had a career high 82 RBI's in 2017. 

Molina is a 10 time All-Star: (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2021). 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 2013. In 2018, Molina won the Roberto Clemente Award. Molina has also won the World Series 2 times: (2006, and 2011).

Overall, Molina is currently in his 18th season in the MLB. Molina has played 2,119 games with 744 runs, 2,089 hits, 397 doubles, 7 triples, 168 home runs, 983 RBI's, 69 stolen bases, 534 walks, and a .280 batting average. Molina's hits in franchise history rank 4th best. The only players who have more hits than Molina are: Stan Musial (3,630), Lou Brock (2,713), and Rogers Hornsby (2,110). Molina has the chance to pass Hornsby for 3rd all-time in hits in franchise history. 

Will Ivan Herrera make the team next season? The Cardinals are rumored to want Herrera, 21, to learn from Molina, before taking over the catching duties. There's a chance that 2022, could be Molina's final season. 

St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Ivan Barbashev

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Ivan Barbashev to a two-year contract, worth $4.5 million. Barbashev, 25, played 38 games with 5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points, and a plus 5 in 2020-2021. Barbashev had his best season in 2018-2019. That season, Barbashev played 80 games with 14 goals, 12 assists, 26 points, and a -4. The games, goals, and points were all career highs for Barbashev. Barbashev also helped the Blues win their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. In 2019-2020, Barbashev had a career high 15 assists. 

Overall, Barbashev has played 5 seasons in the NHL. Barbashev has played 270 games with 42 games, 47 assists, 89 points, and a plus 8. In the playoffs, Barbashev has played 38 games with 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, and a -3.

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.