St. Louis Blues Sign Noel Acciari

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed center Noel Acciari to a one-year contract, worth $1.25 million. Acciari, 30, played 20 games with 3 goals, 5 assists, 8 points, and a plus 2 with the Florida Panthers in 2021-2022. 

In 2018-2019, with the Boston Bruins, Acciari had career highs in both games (72) and in assists (8).

Acciari had is best season in 2019-2020, with the Panthers. That season, Acciari played 66 games with 20 goals, 7 assists, 27 points, and a plus 2. The goals and points were both career highs for Acciari.

Overall, Acciari has played 7 seasons in the NHL. Acciari has played 307 games with 45 goals, 32 assists, 77 points, and a -6. In the playoffs, Acciari has played 54 games with 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, and a -5. 

Acciari is a good offensive center, who doesn't tend to take penalties. Acciari is reunited with defenseman Torey Krug. Both Acciari and Krug were teammates with the Bruins. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Thomas Greiss

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed goalie Thomas Greiss to a one-year contract worth, $1.25 million with bonuses. Greiss, 36, played 31 games, with 28 starts and had a record of 10-15-1, a .891 save percentage, and a 3.66 goals-against average with the Detroit Red Wings in 2021-2022.

Greiss had his best season in 2016-2017, with the New York Islanders. That season, Greiss played 51 games, with 49 starts and had a record of 26-18-5 with 3 shutouts, a .913 save percentage, and a 2.69 goals-against average. The games, starts, and wins were all career highs for Greiss. 

In 2018-2019, Greiss had a career best .927 save percentage and won the Williams M. Jennings Trophy. Greiss also had a career high 5 shutouts that season. 

Overall, Greiss has played 13 seasons in the NHL. Greiss has played 347 games, with 305 starts and has a record of 155-120-37 with 15 shutouts, a .912 save percentage, and a 2.72 goals-against average. In the playoffs, Greiss has played 17 games, with 14 starts and has a record of 7-8 with 1 shutout, a .922 save percentage, and a 2.43 goals-against average.

Greiss is a solid backup goalie, and is capable of starting if needed. He should be able to help the Blues and help push Jordan Binnington into being better. Greiss is also reunited with defenseman Nick Leddy. Both Greiss and Leddy were teammates with the Islanders and Red Wings, 

St. Louis Blues Sign Robert Thomas to Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed center Robert Thomas an a eight-year contract extension, worth $65 million. Thomas, 23, played 72 games with 20 goals, 57 assists, 77 points, and a plus 17. The games, goals, assists, points, and plus mark were all career highs for Thomas. 

Thomas helped the Blues win their 1st Stanley Cup in 2018-2019. 

Overall, Thomas has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Thomas has played 241 games with 42 goals, 122 assists, 164 points, and a plus 25. In the playoffs, Thomas has played 45 games with 4 goals, 14 assists, 18 points, and a -9.

The Blues did a great job to lockup Thomas long-term, he should only get better in the future. 

St. Louis Blues Re-Sign Nick Leddy

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed defenseman Nick Leddy to a four-year contract extension, worth $16 million. Leddy, 31, played 75 games with 3 goals, 21 assists, 24 points, and a -30 combined between the Detroit Red Wings and Blues in 2021-2022.

Leddy had his best season in 2016-2017, with the New York Islanders. That season, Leddy played 81games with 11 goals, 35 assists, 46 points, and a -3. The games and assists both tied career highs from 2015-2016. The goals and points were both career highs for Leddy. 

In 2012-2013, Leddy helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup.

Overall, Leddy has played 12 seasons in the NHL. Leddy has played 851 games with 68 goals, 292 assists, 360 points, and a -60. In the playoffs, Leddy has played 130 games with 8 goals, 30 assists, 38 points, and plus 2.

The Blues did a good job to keep Leddy around. Leddy ended up helping the Blues nicely after they acquired him in a trade from the Red Wings on March 21, 2022. 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Harrison Bader to Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed center fielder Harrison Bader to a two-year contract extension, worth $10.4 million. The contract covers Bader's find two years of arbitration. Bader, 27, hit .267 with 45 runs, 98 hits, 21 doubles, 1 triple, 16 home runs, 50 RBI's, 9 stolen bases, and 27 walks in 2021. The batting average, doubles, home runs, and RBI's were all career highs for Bader. Bader also had a career high in OPS (On-Base + Slugging Percentages) with .785. Bader ended up winning his 1st Gold Glove Award. 

Bader had career highs in runs (61), hits (100), and stolen bases (15) in 2018. In 2019, Bader had career highs in both triples (3) and in walks (46).

Overall, Bader has played 5 seasons in the MLB. Bader has played 451 games with 191 runs, 313 hits, 65 doubles, 8 triples, 47 home runs, 147 RBI's, 40 stolen bases, 122 walks, and a .244 batting average. 

If Bader can stay improving on offense, the contract should end up being good for both sides. Bader has already proven he's great at defense. 

Hopefully Cardinals' left fielder Tyler O'Neill is next in line for a contract extension. 

Albert Pujols Returns Home to St. Louis

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have brought back fan favorite and future Hall of Famer 1B/DH Albert Pujols on a one-year contract, worth $2.5 million. Pujols, 42, last played for the Cardinals in 2011 and helped them win their 11th World Series in franchise history. 

As a free agent after the World Series, Pujols signed a ten-year contract, worth $210 million with the Los Angeles Angels. Pujols ended up not doing as well with the Angels as he did with the Cardinals. Pujols only made the All-Star team 1 time with the Angels. The Angels also only won their division 1 time, which was in 2014.The Angels would end up designating Pujols for assignment on May 6, 2021. Pujols would end up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent on May 17, 2021. 

Combined between the Angels and Dodgers, Pujols hit .236 with 29 runs, 65 hits, 3 doubles, 17 home runs, 50 RBI's, 2 stolen bases, and 14 walks. Pujols found life with the Dodgers mostly playing against left-handed pitchers and as a pinch-hitter. Pujols also helped give energy to the Dodgers bench players and clubhouse. 

In 2001, Pujols had a career high 4 triples. Pujols had career high in runs (137), hits (212), and in doubles (51) in 2003. In 2005, Pujols had a career high 16 stolen bases. Pujols had career highs in both home runs (49) and in RBI's (137) in 2006. In 2009, Pujols had a career high career high 115 walks.

Pujols has been an All-Star 10 times: (2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015). In 2001, Pujols won NL Rookie of the Year. Pujols has won the World Series 2 times: (2006, and 2011). Pujols has won the MVP 3 times: (2005, 2008, and 2009). Pujols has won the Gold Glove Award 2 times: (2006, and 2010). Pujols won NLCS MVP in 2004. Pujols has won the Silver Slugger Award 6 times: (2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2010). Pujols won the NL batting champion in 2003, hitting a career high .359. Pujols led the NL in RBI's in 2010, with 118. 

In 2008, Pujols won the Roberto Clemente Award. Pujols also has won the NL Hank Aaron Award 2 times: (2003, and 2009).

Overall, Pujols has played 21 seasons in the MLB. Pujols has played 2,971 games with 1,872 runs, 3,301 hits, 672 doubles, 16 triples, 679 home runs, 2,150 RBI's, 116 stolen bases, 1,345 walks, and a .297 batting average. 

Pujols is reunited with Cardinals' teammates Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright. Both Molina and Wawinright are said to retire after the 2022 season. Could the MLB see all three retire together? That would be nice to happen, if Pujols can stay healthy. The Cardinals plan to use Pujols in a similar role as he was in with the Dodgers. There's a chance he could see less at bats, because the Cardinals want to see younger players use the DH role. Pujols will probably just be a pinch-hitter/bat off the bench for late innings. 

If the Cardinals want to contend more, they need to find a starting pitcher at some point and need their pitching to stay healthy. Another bullpen arm at some point would be nice too. We'll see what will happen in 2002, but Pujols should also help sell tickets. 

St. Louis Cardinals sign Drew VerHagen

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed RP Drew VerHagen to a two-year contract, worth $5.5 million. VerHagen, 31, can earn also earn up to $1 million in performance bounces in both seasons. VerHagen last pitched in the MLB in 2019, with the Detroit Tigers. That season, VerHagen was 4-3 with a 5.90 ERA, 22 games, 4 starts, 1 hold, 58 innings, 51 strikeouts, and 23 walks. The wins, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for VerHagen. VerHagen had a career high 5 holds in 2017.

Overall, VerHagen has played 6 seasons in the MLB (2014-2019). VerHagen has a record of 10-10 with a 5.11 ERA, 127 games, 8 starts, 14 holds, 199 innings, 156 strikeouts, and 75 walks, with a whip of 1.43.

After leaving the Tigers, VerHagen played 2 seasons (2020-2021) in Japan with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. In 2020, VerHagen was 8-5 with a 3.22 ERA, 18 games, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 111.2 innings, 115 strikeouts, and 29 walks. Last season, VerHagen was 5-8 with a 3.80 ERA, 21 games, 97 innings, 101 strikeouts, and 33 walks. 

Overall, in Japan, VerHagen was 13-14 with a 3.49 ERA, 39 games, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 208.2 innings, 216 strikeouts, and 62 walks. 

VerHagen if he learned how to pitch in Japan might end up being a good addition for the Cardinals. They've had some success in finding pitchers in Japan. In VerHagen's 6 seasons in the MLB, he had a groundball rate of 53.6 percent. That could end up being good behind the Cardinals defense. 

The Cardinals view VerHagen as a flex starter or a swingman (someone who can handle innings, pitch in middle relief, or start if that's needed). 

Hopefully VerHagen isn't the only new Cardinals' pitcher signed in free agency being re-opened.