St. Louis Cardinals 2018 Season Preview

Offseason Additions: Marcell Ozuna, Miles Mikolas, Luke Gregerson, Dominic Leone, Bud Norris, Connor Greene, Yairo Munoz, Max Schrock, J.B. Woodman, Steven Baron, Francisco Pena, Ramon Urias, Wilson Soriano, Jason Motte, Preston Guilmet, Edward Mujica, Nester Molina, Granden Goetzman, Victor Roache
Offseason Subtractions: Lance Lynn, Seung-Hwan Oh, Trevor Rosenthal, Aledmys Diaz, Randal Grichuk, Stephen Piscotty, Juan Nicasio, Miguel Socolovich, Rowan Wick, Magneuris Sierra, Sandy Alcántara, Zac Gallen, Daniel Castano

Point team prediction: 85-87 wins, 2nd place. The Cardinals will enter the season hoping to get back into the playoffs somehow. They are looking to avoid missing the playoffs for three straight years in a row. The last time they missed the playoffs three years in a row was 1997,1998, and 1999. After the 99 season, they became one of the most dominate teams of the 2000's. That seems to have slipped a little knowing the Chicago Cubs are now better. It makes the rivalry more fun, but the Cardinals need to do their part to remain competitive. Could the Cardinals be trying to send a message to Mike Matheny?

The Cardinals made changes to Matheny's coaching staff in the offeason. They brought Mike Maddux in as pitching coach, he had been with the Washington Nationals as their pitching coach. He should be an upgrade over Derek Lilliquist, who was fired. Interestingly, Lilliquist became the new Nationals pitching coach. Lilliquist did a fine job for the Cardinals, but it seemed like Mike Matheny didn't want to listen to him much. So the Cardinals figured they'd try a new voice. They also brought back Jose Oquendo, to be third base coach. He had left the coaching staff to work the prospects. They Cardinals also added former Cardinals great, outfielder Willie McGee to the coaching staff. He will work with outfielders and base running. It's early but right now it seems like the new voices will help.

If the Cardinals start off bad who's on the hot seat hitting coach John Mabry or manager Mike Matheny or both? It seems like Matheny could be a better manager, but he hasn't fully figured it out. Maybe the new voices will help him improve a little? That would be nice if that happened. This will be Matheny's first season of his three-year contract.

The Cardinals seem to have a good lineup in place. What kind of scares me is the starting pitching. You can only count on Carlos Martinez, and Michael Wacha. Luke Weaver seems like he can be counted on, but he hasn't pitched much. Adam Wainwright seems to be at the end of the road. It would be nice to see Wainwright prove people wrong. Starting pitchers Jack Flaherty, and Alex Reyes might both be starting at some point. Matheny will probably go with an extra pitcher at first, so that means John Brebbia will be on the team. The bullpen looks better on paper, except they don't have a closer. If I were the Cardinals, I'd give Sam Tuivailala first shot at closing. He's out of options.

Starting rotation:
Carlos Martinez
Michael Wacha
Adam Wainwright
Luke Weaver
Miles Mikolas

Bullpen:
Sam Tuivailala
Bud Norris
Dominic Leone
Luke Gregerson
Matt Bowman
Brett Cecil
Tyler Lyons
John Brebbia

Lineup:
Dexter Fowler, RF
Tommy Pham, CF
Matt Carpenter, 1B
Marcell Ozuna, LF
Jedd Gyorko, 3B
Yadier Molina, C
Paul DeJong, SS
Kolten Wong, 2B
pitcher

Bench:
Carson Kelly
Greg Garcia
Harrison Bader
Jose Martinez

Prospect(s) to watch:
OF José Adolis García
RHP Ryan Helsley
RHP Jordan Hicks

Fantasy Stud: Carlos Martinez

Martinez will be in his 4th season as a starting pitcher. In his previous three he ranks 6th in wins in the National League, with 42. He's tied for 11th with an era of 3.26. Innings pitched you ask? 579.3, which ranks 5th. In strikeouts he ranks 7th with 575 strikeouts. Martinez has 60 quality starts, which ties him for 6th. He has a ground-ball rate at 54 percent, that ranks 2nd best. If you like WAR, 10.1 ranks him 12th.

There's only two other starting pitchers who have those numbers close to Martinez. Those two pitchers you ask? Max Scherzer, and free agent Jake Arrieta.

Cardinals Acquire Dominic Leone

On Friday, the St. Louis Cardinals worked on improving their roster a bit more for the 2018 season. They traded outfielder Randal Grichuk to the Toronto Blue Jays for reliever Dominic Leone and starting pitcher Conner Greene.

Leone, 26, came up with the Seattle Mariners in 2014. He was a bright spot for the Mariners bullpen that season, 8-2, with an era of 2.17, 70 strikeouts, 25 walks, and 66.1 innings pitched in 57 games. The eight wins led all of MLB rookie relievers. His strikeouts were 2nd to New York Yankees reliever Dellin Betances (135). His era ranked 3rd for rookie relievers.

He started 2015 season with the Mariners, but was later traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. For whatever reason, Leone wasn't good in 2015. He had an era of 8.40, with 9 stirkeouts, and 9 walks.
In 2016, he did a little better with the Diamondbacks; but had an era of 6.33. He had 23 strikeouts, and 12 walks. The Diamondbacks designated Leone for assignment  after the season.

The Blue Jays claimed Leone off of waivers in November 2016. He started the 2017 season in the minors, but later was on the Blue Jays roster for good. Leone ended up having his best season since 2014. Leone went 3-0, with an era of 2.56, 65 games, 1 save, 81 stirkeouts, 23 walks, 70.1 innings, and a whip of 1.05. His era ranked 12th among AL relievers, and 9th for innings. He was able to strand 42 of 54 inherited base runners, 78 percent. Where did that rank for AL relievers? Fourth best.

He was able to hold lefties to a 183 batting average, and righthanders to a .211 batting average. 

Leone has played four seasons in the MLB, his career stats are: 11 wins, 8 losses, 3.48 era, 160 games, 1 save, 183 strikesouts, 69 walks, 178.2 innings, and a whip of 1.32.

Greene, 22, was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 7th round of the 2013 MLB draft. Last season he ranked as the Blue Jays 5th best prospect. Coming into 2018, he ranked as their 11th best prospect. Greene has five minor league seasons in his career. His career stats are: 31 wins, 31 losses, 4.04 era, 103 games, 91 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 377 strikeouts, 226 walks, and 501.1 innings pitched. Greene's best season was in 2016, when he went 10-9 with an era of 3.51, 99 strikeouts, and 146.1 innings pitched.

Grichuk, 26, fell out of favor after the Cardinals got Marcell Ozuna as the teams new leftfielder. Grichuk would have been the Cardinals fourth outfielder if they had kept him. He reached the MLB in 2014, and his first full season was in 2015. He seemed to show some promise hitting .276, with 17 home runs, and 47 rbi's. Strikeouts tend to hurt Grichuk a lot, but he can hit if he figures himself out on the Blue Jays.

Grichuk has played four seasons in the MLB, his career stats are: 404 games played, 179 runs, 321 hits, 83 doubles, 14 triples, 66 home runs, 182 rbi's, 15 stolen bases, 81 walks, and a .249 batting average.

This trade seems to be good for both teams. The Blue Jays needed another bat, and Grichuk can start. The Cardinals get bullpen help in which they needed badly. On paper it seems like the Cardinals could have a better bullpen than last season, but right now they are missing a closer.

Stephen Piscotty Traded To Athletics

The St. Louis Cardinals may not be finished wheeling a dealing just yet. Late Wednesday night they agreed to trade outfielder Stephen Piscotty to the Oakland Athletics. That trade became official Thursday morning. In return for Piscotty, the Athletics give the Cardinals two prospects. Those two prospects are second baseman Max Schrock, and shortstop Yairo Munoz.

Piscotty, 26, gives the Athletics a good building piece in their rebuild mode. He came up for the Cardinals in 2015 and did well, hitting 305, with 29, runs, 71 hits, 15 doubles, 4 triples, 7 home runs, 39 rbi's, 2 stolen bases, and 20 walks in 63 games. In 2016, he was able to improve numbers in his first full season. He hit .273, with 22 home runs, and 85 rbi's. The 2017 season, seems like it was a lost year for Piscotty. He had injuries, and his mom got diagnosed with ALS. Both of those seemed to affect his season. Piscotty is still a good player, he just needs a change of scenery.

Piscotty has played three seasons in the MLB. Over those three season's his career numbers are: 323 games played, 155 runs, 310 hits, 66 doubles, 8 triples, 38 home runs, 163 rbi's, 12 stolen bases, 123 walks, and a .268 batting average.

Who is Max Schrock? Who is Yairo Munoz?

Schrock, 23, was the Athletics 17th best prospect. He was drafted in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft by the Washington Nationals. He was later traded to the Athletics. What's best that teams like about Schrock? It's that has the potential to hit. His power isn't fully there yet, but he has done well and plays defense. Last season, he Double-A he hit .321, with 55 runs, 134 hits, 19 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 46 rbi's, and 4 stolen bases. Overall in three seasons, he's played 281 games, with 165 runs, 364 hits, 61 doubles, 7 triples, 18 home runs, 131 rbi's, 28 stolen bases, 78 walks, and a .324 batting average.

Munoz, 22, was signed by the Athletics as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2012. He was the Athletics 13th best prospect. Munoz is mainly a shortstop, but he can also play third base, and second base. His power makes him intriguing. Last season, with combined stats in both Double-A and Triple-A, he hit .300, with 65 runs, 134 hits, 26 doubles, 4 triples, 13 home runs, 68 rbi's, 22 stolen bases, and 21 walks. Overall in six seasons, he's played 473 games, with 228 runs, 474 hits, 95 doubles, 16 triples, 41 home runs, 228 rbi's, 58 stolen bases, 101 walks, and a .267 batting average.

If there were to be a winner in this trade it could be the Cardinals. That's because of both of the prospects names and are pretty good prospects. It's also a good trade for both teams. Why is it good for both?

Piscotty needed to be closer to home because his mom has ALS. The Athletics like that Piscotty is under team control for awhile, after the Cardinals gave him a contract extension back in April. Without that contract extension the Athletics may not have been interested in Piscotty. Hopefully the trade helps Piscotty bounce back in 2018.

Marcell Ozuna Traded To Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals went into the 2018 offseason needing a bat or two for their lineup. On Wednesday afternoon, they were able to accomplish one of those needs. The Cardinals traded for Miami Marlins All-Star outfielder Marcell Ozuna. In return the Marlins to get starting pitching prospect Sandy Alcantara, pitcher Zac Gallen, pitcher Daniel Castano, and outfielder Magneuris Sierra in return for Ozuna. Ozuna, 27, was maybe the best player available for the Cardinals besides
Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton, of course was traded to the New York Yankees.

The Marlins got a nice return for Ozuna. Sierra was the Cardinals 6th best prospect, and Alcantara was the 9th best prospect. Both spent time the Cardinals in 2017, and should be able to help the Marlins in their future. Gallen, 21, was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2016 draft. In his first full season in the minors, he spent time in Single-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. Combined in all three levels he went 10-8 with an era of 2.93 in 26 starts, and 147.2 innings. He had 121 strikeouts, and 35 walks. He ranked as the Cardinals 13th best prospect.

Castano, 22, was also drafted in the 2016 draft. He spent the season in Single-A, going 9-3, with an era of 2.57 in 14 starts, and 91 innings. He had 81 strikeouts, and 13 walks.

As for Ozuna, who do the Cardinals get in him? They get a player who can hit, and play defense. He's able to strike fear in an opposing pitcher. That's a type of player the Cardinals needed for their lineup. He looks like he's going to get better, still being young. He's always had the potential to be a good player, and 2017 might have been the start of putting it all together. 

Ozuna, played in career high 159 games. He hit .312, 93 runs scored, 191 hits, 30 doubles, 37 home runs, 124 rbi's, and 64 walks. He went to his second All-Star game in back to back seasons. Besides that, he won his first Gold Glove award and captured his first Sliver Slugger award.

Ozuna has played five seasons in the MLB all with the Miami Marlins. His career stats are: 653 games played, 2,469 at bats, 318 runs, 683 hits, 123 doubles, 17 triples, 96 home runs, 361 rbi's, 11 stolen bases, 191 walks, and a .277 career batting average. His nickname is The Big Bear.

Fans should be excited about the Cardinals landing Ozuna. Another bat to go along with Ozuna would be a nice addition for the Cardinals to add before the offseason ends. Right now the Cardinals seem like they are wanting to compete with the Chicago Cubs. Hopefully it stays that way.

Cardinals Sign Luke Gregerson

With the baseball winter meetings starting, that's usually when teams get active in free agency and trades. The St. Louis Cardinals need to try to improve their bullpen this offseason. On Sunday, the Cardinals made a move to start improving their bullpen signing free agent reliever Luke Gregerson to a two-year contract, worth $11 million. The contract includes a vesting option for 2020, which is worth $6 million or a $1 million buyout. If fans wonder who Luke Gregerson is, he's a familiar name to Cardinals fans.

He was drafted by the Cardinals in 2006 in the 8th round of the MLB draft. Gergerson, never appeared in the MLB as a Cardinal. They traded him along with RHP Mark Worrell to the San Diego Padres for shortstop Khalil Greene. That trade didn't workout too well for the Cardinals. Greene didn't do as well as hoped. Greene battled anxiety and had to retire from playing baseball. 

Gregerson, then developed into a solid setup man for the San Diego Padres, with an era of 3.24 in 2009. He stayed with the Padres until December 2013, when he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for left fielder Seth Smith. He spent one season with the Athletics, having his best season going 5-5 with an era of 2.12. He left as a free agent after the 2014 season, signing with the Houston Astros.

In 2015, Gregerson became the Astros closer. He saved 31 games, and had an era of 3.10. He lost his closers job the next season, and went back into a setup role. In 2017, he helped the Astros win their first World Series in franchise history. He didn't do well in the regular season, with an era of 4.57 but he was lights out in the playoffs.

Gregerson, 33, has 9 years in the MLB. Over those years his career record is: 35 wins, 36 losses, 3.02 era, 623 games,  66 saves, 607 strikeouts, 170 walks. 599 innings, and a whip of 1.08.

It's a good solid free agent signing for the Cardinals. Gregerson should be a setup man for the Cardinals. Even with a bad regular season last year, he's still considered one of the most reliable setup men in the MLB.

Cardinals Sign Miles Mikolas

On Tuesday morning, the St. Louis Cardinals signed 29-year-old starting pitcher Miles Mikolas to a two-year contract, worth $15.5 million. Who is Mikolas? Fans might be wondering. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2009, in round seven of the MLB draft. In 2012, the Padres called him straight-up from Double-A. He only spent two seasons with the Padres, before being designated for assignment in November 2013. The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up Mikolas in a trade and then traded him to the Texas Rangers.

In 2014, he started 10 games for the Texas Rangers. He went 2-5 with 38 strikeouts, 18 walks, 57.1 innings, and an era of 6.44. He ended up being released by the Rangers in November 2014.

After being released by the Rangers, he found his way to Japan. The Yomiuri Giants signed him to a one-year contract, worth $700,000. He started 21 games, going 13-3 with 107 strikeouts, 23 walks, 145 innings, and an era of 1.92. He did well enough for the Giants to keep him beyond 2015. He made 14 starts in 2016, and went 4-2 with an era of 2.45. Last season in 2017, he made a career high 27 starts. He went 14-8, 187 strikeouts, 23 walks, 188 innings, and an era of 2.25.

Mikolas has three seasons in the MLB, his career stats are: 4 wins - 6 losses, 5.32 era, 37 games, 10 starts, 62 strikeouts, 34 walks, 91.1 innings, and a whip of 1.42.

In his career in Japan, his career stats are: 31 wins - 13 losses, 2.18 era, 62 starts, 378 strikeouts, 69 walks, and 424.2 innings.

It seems like pitchers who don't do that well in the MLB tend to go to Japan and figure out how to pitch. Will Mikolas become one of those? A few pitchers who went to Japan and became better were Colby Lewis, Ryan Voglesong, and Tony Barnette. Mikolas is an interesting pickup to the Cardinals. There had been a few other teams interested in Mikolas. He also knows Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux from their days with the Texas Rangers.

Will Mikolas start? It seems like the could be the Cardinals fifth starter. Other teams could try to bring in pitchers from Japan like Mikolas, just to get pitching.

Mikolas has an interesting nickname, which is "Lizard King".

Cardinals Acquire Juan Nicasio

On Wednesday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals acquired right handed reliever  Juan Nicasio from the Philadelphia Phillies for infield prospect Eliezer Alvarez. Nicasio, 31, started the 2017 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He became their setup man for their closer. In 65 games for the Pirates, he had an era of 2.85 with 2 saves in 60 innings. He struck-out 60 batters, and walked 18.

Last Thursday, the Phillies picked him up off of waivers from the Pirates. He pitched in two games for the Phillies, getting 1 win, and striking out 1 batter. He comes to the Cardinals with a record of 3-5, with 2 saves, 61 strikeouts, 18 walks, 61.1 innings, and an era of 2.79.

Nicasio is in his 7th season in the MLB. His career record is: 35 wins, 37 losses, 4.60 era,
260 games, 82 starts, 3 saves, 558 strikeouts, 230 walks, 618.2 innings, and a whip of 1.41. Other than the Pirates, and Phillies, he's playing for the Colorado Rockies, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Nicasio won't be eligible for the Cardinals playoff roster, if they make the playoffs. That's because he was picked up by them after August 31. He'll be a free agent at the end of the season. He could be back if he does well, and he should be able to help the Cardinals bullpen.

Alvarez, 22, started the season as the Cardinals 10th best prospect, currently he ranks 19th. He signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in July 2011. Alvarez, struggled the first two seasons, but then developed into a better player. In his minor league career, he's a .285 hitter, with 330 hits, 82 doubles, 18 triples, 17 home runs, 155 rbi's, and 73 stolen bases.

The Phillies got a pretty good prospect in return for Nicasio. Are the Pirates upset at themselves for letting Nicasio go for nothing? He had been one of their best pitchers out of the bullpen, and he even served as their setup man for their closer. The Cardinals needed bullpen help to try to make a push for the playoffs. A move is better late than never even if it's late.