St. Louis Cardinals sign Willson Contreras

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have found their new catcher to replace future Hall of Famer Yadier Molina, they have signed free agent catcher Willson Contreras to a five-year contract, worth $87.5 million. The contract includes a team option for 2028, worth $17.5 million. Contreras, 30, hit .243 with 65 runs, 101 hits, 23 doubles, 2 triples, 22 home runs, 55 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 45 walks with the Chicago Cubs in 2022. The runs were a career high for Contreras.

Contreras helped the Cubs win the World Series in 2016. Contreras has been an All-Star three times: (2018, 2019, and 2022). 

Contreras had his best season in 2017. That season, Contreras hit .276 with 50 runs, 104 hits, 21 doubles, 21 home runs, 74 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 45 walks. The batting average, RBI's, and stolen bases were all career highs for Contreras. In 2018, Contreras had career highs in hits (118), doubles (27), triples (5), and in walks (53). Contreras had a career high 24 home runs in 2019. 

Overall, Contreras has played 7 seasons in the MLB. Contreras has played 734 games with 353 runs, 636 hits, 133 doubles, 10 triples, 117 home runs, 365 RBI's, 22 stolen bases, 279 walks, and a .256 batting average. 

Contreras should be a great addition for the Cardinals lineup. The Cardinals also killed two birds in one stone by signing Contreras/ Their number one priority was to find a starting catcher, it fills that need. Contreras can also bat 5th in the lineup. 

The Cardinals might lose a bit of defense, since Conteras isn't really that good on defense. But his offense should make up for that. What if Ivan Herrera also develops overtime? That would help the Cardinals a lot too. Then you could have one DH at times and the other at catcher. All in all, it it's a win-win for Contreras and the Cardinals. It should be interesting to see what the Cardinals decide to do next.

St. Louis Cardinals name Matt Holliday bench coach; announce rest of coaching staff for 2023

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have hired former left fielder and 7-time All-Star Matt Holliday as the teams' new bench coach. Holliday, 42, replaces Skip Schumaker (who became manager of the Miami Marlins). Holliday had been working for Oklahoma State University as an outfielding and hitting coach for the 4 seasons (2019-2022). 

Brandon Allen, 36, has been promoted from Triple-A Memphis to be assistant hitting coach. Allen has been working as a hitting coach in the Cardinals minors since 2017. Allen was hitting coach for the Memphis Redbirds the last 2 seasons (2021-2022). Allen would have been their hitting coach in 2020, if the season wasn't cancelled due to COVID-19. Turner Ward, 57, has been promoted on the Cardinals coaching staff to be the main hitting coach. 

Dusty Blake, 40, has been promoted to pitching coach. Blake has been pitching strategist for the last 2 seasons with the Cardinals (2021-2022). Before joining the Cardinals coaching staff, Blake was pitching coach for the Duke University Blue Devils for 3 seasons (2018-2020). In 2020, the Blue Devils set a school record for consecutive scoreless inning (37). The Blue Devils also had their 1st ever perfect game. In the same season, the Blue Devils led the Atlantic Coast Conference in ERA. 

Julio Rangel, 47, will be assistant pitching coach/bullpen coach. Rangel was pitching coaching for 2 seasons with the Texas Rangers (2019-2020). The last 2 seasons, Rangel has been pitching coordinator with the Boston Red Sox (2021-2022).

The rest of the coaching staff will remain the same. Patrick Elkins (run production), Stubby Clapp (first base coach), Ron "Pop" Warner (third base coach), Willie McGee (coach), Jamie Pogue (bullpen catcher), and Kleininger Teran (bullpen catcher).

On paper they all appear to be good hires for Oliver Marmol's coaching staff. It will help a lot if the Cardinals upgrade the roster.

St. Louis Cardinals Re-sign Adam Wainwright

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed starting pitcher Adam Wainwright to a one-year contract extension. Wainwright, 41, returns for his 18th season with the Cardinals. Wainwright has said 2023 will be his last season. Wainwright was 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 1 complete game, 191.2 inning, 143 strikeouts, and 54 walks. 

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

Wainwright had his best season in 2013. That season, Wainwright was 19-9 with a 2.94 ERA, 34 games, 34 starts, 5 complete games, 2 shutouts, 241.2 innings, 219 strikeouts, and 35 walks. The games and starts both tied career highs from 2009 for Wainwright. The 5 complete games tied a career high from 2010. The innings and strikeouts were both career highs for Wainwright. Wainwright had a career high 20 wins 2 times: (2010, and 2014). In 2014, Wainwright had a career high 3 shutouts. 

Overall, Wainwright is 195-117 with a 3.38 ERA, 457 games, 390 starts, 28 complete games, 11 shutouts, 17 holds, 3 saves, 2,567.1 innings, 1,0632 strikeouts, 695 walks, and a whip of 1.22.

At some point in 2023, Wainwright will reach 200 wins for his career. Wainwright needs 16 wins to pass Jessie Haines for the 2nd-most wins by a starting pitcher in franchise history. It would be nice to see Wainwright move pass Jessie Haines in wins in franchise history. 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Giovanny Gallegos to Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed RHP Giovanny Gallegos to a two-year contract extension, worth $11 million. The contract includes a team option for 2025. Gallegos, 31, is currently 3-5 with a 2.91 ERA, 56 games, 12 holds, 14 saves, 58.2 innings, 72 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 2022. The saves are tied for a career high from 2021 for Gallego. 

Gallegos had his best season in 2021. That season, Gallego was 6-5 with a 3.02 ERA, 73 games, 24 holds, 14 saves, 80.1 innings, 95 strikeouts, and 20 walks. The wins, games, holds, saves, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs. 

Overall, Gallegos is currently in his 6th season in the MLB. Gallegos is 14-15 with a 3.02 ERA, 233 games, 56 holds, 34 saves, 259.2 innings, 315 strikeouts, 63 walks, and a whip of 0.93. 

The contract is great for both sides. Gallegos has developed himself into one of the Cardinals best relievers since being acquired in a trade from the New York Yankees on July 27, 2018, for first baseman Luke Voit. 

St. Louis Blues Sign Jordan Kyrou to Contract Extension

 

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed right wing/center Jordan Kyrou to an eight-year contract extension, worth $65 million. Kyrou, 24, played 74 games with 27 goals, 48 assists, 75 points, and a plus 10 in 2021-2022. The games, goals, assists, and points were all career highs for Kyrou. Kyrou made the All-Star team for the first time in his career. Kyrou also won Fastest Skater when he competed for the Fastest Skater competition. 

Overall, Kyrou has played 4 seasons in the NHL. Kyrou has played 173 games with 46 goals, 76 assists, 122 points, and a plus 11. In the playoffs, Kyrou has played 21 games with 8 goals, 2 assists, 10 points, and a -8. 

On paper the contract is good for both sides, Kyrou should stay improving. 

St. Louis Cardinals Acquire Jordan Montgomery for Harrison Bader

 

 

 

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded CF Harrison Bader, and a player to be named later or cash considerations to the New York Yankees for starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Montgomery, 29, is currently 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA, 21 games, 21 starts, 114.2 innings, 97 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 2022. 

Montgomery had career highs in games (30), starts (30), innings (157.1), and in strikeouts (162) in 2021. In 2017, Montgomery had a career high 9 wins. 

Overall, Montgomery is currently in his 6th season in the MLB. Montgomery is 22-20 with a 3.94 ERA, 98 games, 97 starts, 502.2 innings, 478 strikeouts, 146 walks, and a whip of 1.23. 

Bader, 28, is currently hitting .256 with 35 runs, 63 hits, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs, 21 RBI's. 15 stolen bases, and 13 walks in 2022. The stolen bases are a career high for Bader.

Bader had his best season in 2021. Bader won a Gold Glove Award for the first time in his career and hit .267 with 45 runs, 98 hits, 21 doubles, 1 triple, 16 home runs, 50 RBI's, 9 stolen bases, and 27 walks. The batting average, doubles, home runs, and RBI's were all career highs for Bader. 

In 2018, Bader had career highs in both runs (61) and in hits (100). Bader had a career high 46 walks in 2019.

Overall, Bader is currently in his 6th season in the MLB. Bader has played 523 games with 226 runs, 376 hits, 72 doubles, 11 triples, 52 home runs, 168 RBI's, 55 stolen bases, 135 walks, and a .246 batting average. 

The trade should help both teams. The Cardinals needed another starting pitcher and Montgomery is pretty good. The Yankees also needed an outfielder. Bader even grew up a Yankees fan too. Bader is reunited with former Cardinals teammate Matt Carpenter. Montgomery is reunited the Cardinals reliever Giovanny Gallegos. Both Montgomery and Gallegos were teammates for two seasons (2017, and 2018) with the Yankees.  

The Cardinals will probably move Dakota Hudson or Andre Pallante to the bullpen.

St. Lous Cardinals Acquire Jose Quintana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded RP Johan Ovideo, and 3B Malcom Nunez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for starting pitcher Jose Quintana, and RP Chris Stratton.  Quintana, 33, is currently 3-5 with a 3.50 ERA, 20 games, 20 starts, 103 innings, 89 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 2022. 

Quintana had his best season in 2016, with the Chicago White Sox. That season, Quintana made the All-Star team for the first time in his career. Quintana was 13-12 with a 3.20 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 208 innings, 181 strikeouts, and 50 walks. The wins and innings were both career highs for Quintana. In 2017, Quintana had a career high 207 strikeouts.

Overall, Quintana is currently in his 11th season in the MLB. Quintana is 86-85 with a 3.81 ERA, 303 games, 277 starts, 2 complete games, 2 shutouts, 6 holds, 1,661 innings, 1,484 strikeouts, 488 walks, and a whip of 1.28. 

Stratton, 31, is currently 5-4 with a 5.09 ERA, 40 games, 1 start, 8 holds, 2 saves, 40.2 innings, 37 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 2022. The holds are a career high for Stratton.

Stratton had career highs in wins (10), starts (26), innings (145), and in strikeouts (112) in 2018, with the San Francisco Giants. In 2021, Stratton had a career high 8 saves. 

Overall, Stratton is currently in his 7th season in the MLB. Stratton is 30-23 with a 4.61 ERA, 218 games, 45 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 20 holds, 11 saves, 400 strikeouts, 179 walks, and a whip of 1.46.

Ovideo, 24, is currently 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA, 14 games, 1 start, 25.1 innings, 26 strikeouts, and 7 walks in 2022. The wins are a career high for Ovideo.

In 2021, Ovideo had career highs in starts (13), innings (62.1), and in strikeouts (51).

Overall, Ovideo is currently in his 3rd season in the MLB. Ovideo is 2-9 with a 4.65 ERA, 33 games, 19 starts, 112.1 innings, 93 strikeouts, 54 walks, and a whip of 1.47. 

Nunez, 21, is currently hitting .255 with 51 runs, 76 hits, 11 doubles, 17 home runs, 66 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 48 walks in Double-A Springfield in 2022. Nunez ranked as the Cardinals 10th best prospect. 

Overall, Nunez is currently in his 4th minor league season. Nunez has played 276 games with 160 runs, 281 hits, 54 doubles, 4 triples, 41 home runs, 182 RBI's, 17 stolen bases, 124 walks, and a .280 batting average.

Quintana might not be a top starter like a once was, but he can be a reliable starter and give the Cardinals a chance to win. The Cardinals also don't really give up lots of the farm system. Which is a good thing. Quintana is also reunited with 1B/DH Albert Pujols. Quintana and Pujols were both teammates in 2021, with the Los Angeles Angels. Stratton is also a former teammate of Pujols but with the Angels in 2019.