St. Louis Cardinals Sign Sonny Gray

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent starting pitcher Sonny Gray to a three-year contract, worth $75 million. The contract includes a team option for 2027, worth $30 million and it comes with a $5 million buyout. The buyout is included in the overall guarantee. 

Gray, 34, was 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 184 innings, 183 strikeouts, and 55 walks with the Minnesota Twins in 2023. Gray finished as the runner-up to New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole in the AL Cy Young. 

Gray has been an All-Star 3 times: (2015, 2019, and 2023). 

Gray had his best season in 2015, with the Oakland Athletics. That season, Gray was 14-7 with a 2.73 ERA, 31 games, 31 starts, 3 complete games, 2 shutouts, 208 innings, 169 strikeouts, and 59 walks. The wins and shutouts both tied career highs from 2014 for Gray. The ERA was a career best for Gray and the complete games were a career high. In 2014, Gray had career highs in games (33), starts (33), and innings (219). Gray had a career in strikeouts (205) in 2019, with the Cincinatti Reds. 

Overall, Gray has played 11 seasons in the MLB. Gray is 98-85 with a 3.47 ERA, 279 games, 270 starts, 6 complete games, 4 shutouts, 1,571 innings, 1,521 strikeouts, 544 walks, and a whip of 1.20.

How does Gray look against the other teams in the National League Central? 

Against the Chicago Cubs, Gray is 4-3 with a 2.98 ERA, 11 games, 11 starts, 60.1 innings, 79 strikeouts, and 14 walks. 

Against the Reds, Gray is 0-1 with a 2.35 ERA, 1 game, 1 start, 7.2 innings, 4 strikeouts, and 1 walk. 

Against the Milwaukee Brewers, Gray is 4-3 with a 2.82 ERA, 13 games, 13 starts, 70.1 innings, 91 strikeouts, and 30 walks. 

Against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gray is 4-4 with a 4.35 ERA, 10 games, 9 starts, 51.2 innings, 53 strikeouts, and 16. 

As of right now the Cardinals starting rotation looks like it could be Sonny Gray, Miles Mikolas, Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Steven Matz. Gray would be a good no.2 if the Cardinals were to acquire a no.1 starter. On paper, the Cardinals have improved their starting rotation slightly from last season. Again, a no.1 starter would be if they were to find a way to accomplish that. In order to do that, Matz would probably need to be traded or moved to the bullpen. Matz has trouble staying healthy. 

I think the Cardinals probably shift to the bullpen next. I think if the Cardinals had a good bullpen last season, they would have made the playoffs. It's also nice to see the Cardinals being active early and making moves, I don't think many people thought they'd do anything early. 

St. Louis Cardinals Sign Kyle Gibson

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent starting pitcher Kyle Gibson to a one-year contract, worth $12 million. The contract includes a team option for 2025. Gibson, 36, was 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA, 33 games, 33 starts, 192 innings, 157 strikeouts, and 55 walks with the Baltimore Orioles in 2023. Gibson also had 17 quality starts, which ranked 2nd on the Orioles. The wins were a career high for Gibson. 

Gibson was an All-Star in 2021. In 2018, with the Minnesota Twins, Gibson had career highs in both innings (196.2) and strikeouts (179). 

Overall, Gibson has played 11 seasons in the MLB. Gibson is 104-100 with a 4.54 ERA, 300 games, 294 starts, 3 complete games, 1 shutout, 2 holds, 1,696 innings, 1,359 strikeouts, 589 walks, and a whip of 1.38. 

Gibson is also reunited with former Twins and Texas Rangers teammate Lance Lynn. Gibson and Lynn were both on the Twins in 2018, and then on the Rangers in 2020. Have the Cardinals upgraded their starting pitching? A tiny bit. Both Gibson and Lynn can eat innings. The Cardinals have had a problem the last couple of seasons with pitchers not eating innings. You'd see a lot of them just go 5 innings or fail to even get to 5 or 6 innings because they'd get too tired out early. The Cardinals need to add an ace or a no.2 next in order for Gibson and Lynn to help. 

Lance Lynn Returns to Cardinals; Daniel Descalso added to coaching staff

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed free agent starting pitcher Lance Lynn to a one-year contract, worth $10 million. Lynn can earn an additional $3 million from incentives. The contract also includes a team option for 2025, worth $12 million or a $1 million buyout. Lynn, 36, was 13-11 with a 5.73 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 183.2 innings, 191 strikeouts, and 67 walks combined between the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. 

Lynn has been an All-Star 2 times: (2012, and 2021). 

Lynn had his best season in 2019, with the Texas Rangers. That season, Lynn was 16-11 with a 3.67 ERA, 33 games, 33 starts, 208.1 innings, 246 strikeouts, and 59 walks. The innings and strikeouts were both career highs for Lynn. In 2012, with the Cardinals, Lynn had a career high in wins (18). 

Overall, Lynn has played 12 seasons in the MLB. Lynn is 136-95 with a 3.74 ERA, 341 games, 317 starts, 4 complete games, 2 shutouts, 4 holds, 1 save, 1,889 innings, 1,906 strikeouts, 660 walks, and a whip of 1.27. 

The Cardinals have also hired former Cardinals utility player Daniel Descalso as their new bench coach. Descalso, 37, played 5 seasons with the Cardinals (2010-2014). 

In 2011, Descalso helped the Cardinals win the World Series. Last season, Descalso was a baseball operations assistant for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Joe McEwing, 51, will move into the Cardinals front office as a special assistant to John Mozeliak. 

On paper Lynn looks like a good signing for the Cardinals. Lynn knows the Cardinals well and can eat innings. Lynn also isn't afraid to speak his mind if needed. I think that is something the Cardinals missed a bit last season. Sometimes in a clubhouse you need a player who isn't afraid to speak their mind to wake other players up a bit or light a fire under them. 

If the Cardinals actually upgrade the rest of their starting rotation with two other starters, the rotation should be fine. Right now, you have a solid 3 starters in Miles Mikolas, Steven Matz, and Lynn. Now you just need an ace and a good no.2 if possible. Then you just need to upgrade the bullpen. 

Descalso should be an upgrade over McEwing for Marmol's staff. It seems to help other teams to have a player who has played recently on their staff. A lot of that is because they can help relate to other players. 

St. Louis Cardinals Trade Jack Flaherty to Baltimore Orioles

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Baltimore Orioles for infielder Cesar Prieto, starting pitcher Drew Rom, and starting pitcher Zack Showalter. Flaherty, 27, is currently 7-6 with a 4.43 ERA, 20 games, 20 starts, 109.2 innings, 106 strikeouts, and 54 walks in 2023. 

Flaherty had his best season in 2019. That season, Flaherty was 11-8 with a 2.75 ERA, 33 games, 33 starts, 196.1 innings, 231 strikeouts, and 55 walks. The ERA was a career best for Flaherty. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Flaherty. 

Overall, Flaherty is currently in his 7th MLB season. Flaherty is 41-31 with a 3.58 ERA, 122 games, 118 starts, 633 innings, 706 strikeouts, 242 walks, and a whip of 1.18.

Prieto, 24, is currently hitting .349 with 49 runs, 117 hits, 20 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 49 RBI's, 7 stolen bases, and 23 walks combined between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. The triples, stolen bases, and walks are all career highs for Prieto.

Prieto had his best season in 2022. That season, Prieto hit .273 with 57 runs, 127 hits, 28 doubles, 11 home runs, 57 RBI's, 5 stolen bases, and 20 walks combined between High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie. 

Overall, Prieto is currently in his 2nd minor league season. Prieto has played 200 games with 106 runs, 244 hits, 48 doubles, 2 triples, 17 home runs, 106 RBI's, 12 stolen bases, 43 walks, and a .305 batting average. 

Prieto ranked as the Orioles 16th best prospect. The Orioles had signed Prieto out of Cuba in January 2022, after he won the batting title in 2021. 

Rom, 23, is currently 7-6 with a 5.34 ERA, 19 games, 18 starts, 1 complete game, 86 innings, 100 strikeouts, and 46 walks in Triple-A Norfolk in 2023. 

Rom had his best season in 2022, combined between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. That season, Rom was 8-3 with a 4.43 ERA, 26 games, 25 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 120 innings, 144 strikeouts, and 47 walks. The games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Rom. 

In 2021, combined between High-A Aberdeen and Double-Bowie, Rom had a career high 11 wins. 

Overall, Rom is currently in his 5th minor league season. Rom is 32-15 with a 3.79 ERA, 99 games, 87 starts, 3 complete games, 2 shutouts, 1 save, 439.2 innings, 514 strikeouts, and 158 walks. 

Rom ranked as the Orioles 18th best prospect. 

Showalter, 19, currently is 0-2 with a 2.37 ERA, 9 games, 8 starts, 30.1 innings, 41 strikeouts, and 14 walks combined between the Florida Complex League and Single-A Delmarva.

It's Showalter's 1st minor league season.

Showalter was unranked, but Baseball America ranked him as the Orioles 16th best prospect in their rankings. 

The Cardinals got a pretty good trade for Flaherty. It will be interesting to see what the Cardinals do with their prospects they've received over the past couple of days. Some of them appear close to be MLB ready. Possibly, as soon as 2024. Do the Cardinals even maybe use a few of the prospects to upgrade the pitching staff via the trade route in the offseason?

St. Louis Cardinals Trade Paul DeJong to Toronto Blue Jays

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded shortstop Paul DeJong, and cash considerations to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-handed reliever Matt Svanson. DeJong, 29, currently is hitting .233 with 38 runs, 65 hits, 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 32 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 21 walks in 2023. 

DeJong had his best season in 2019. That season, DeJong was an All-Star and hit .233 with 97 runs, 136 hits, 31 doubles, 1 triple, 30 home runs, 78 RBI's, 9 stolen bases, and 62 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for DeJong.

Overall, DeJong is currently in his 7th MLB season. DeJong has played 698 games with 338 runs, 566 runs, 118 doubles, 4 triples, 115 home runs, 338 RBI's, 23 stolen bases, 213 walks, and a .233 batting average. 

Svanson, 24, is currently 4-1 with a 1.11 ERA, 26 games, 6 saves, 32.1 innings, 39 strikeouts, and 11 walks combined between Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver in 2023. The saves are a career high for Svanson. 

In 2022, Svanson had career highs in wins (8), games (28), starts (9), innings (82.1), and in strikeouts 83) combined between Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver. 

Overall, Svanson is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Svanson is 13-7 with a 3.18 ERA, 65 games, 9 starts, 11 saves, 130.1 innings, 145 strikeouts, and 42 walks. 

Svanson will be assigned to Double-A Springfield.

DeJong can be a free agent after the season. DeJong has a team option for 2024 worth $12.5 million or a $2 million buyout. DeJong is reunited with former Cardinals' teammates Genesis Cabrera, and Jordan Hicks. 

Svanson seems like a interesting return for DeJong. Time will tell to see if he amounts to anything. So far, Johnn Mozeliak has been true to his word when he said he'd get pitching. Will the Cardinals promote shortstop Masyn Winn from Triple-A Memphis soon, now that DeJong is traded? Hopefully, yes. Winn seems ready. To me it's also a good time for Winn to get his feet wet. It's less pressure for Winn, compared to being in a playoff race. 

St. Louis Cardinals Trade Jordan Montgomery to Texas Rangers

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery, right-handed reliever Chris Stratton, and international bonus pool money to the Texas Rangers for left-handed reliever John King, starting pitcher Tekoah Roby, and infielder Thomas Saggese. Montgomery, 30, is currently 6-9 with a 3.42 ERA, 21 games, 21 starts, 121 innings, 108 strikeouts, and 35 walks in 2023. Montgomery also had 12 quality starts; last season he had a career high 14 quality starts. 

Montgomery had his best season in 2022, combined between the New York Yankees and Cardinals. That season, Montgomery was 9-6 with a 3.48 ERA, 32 games, 32 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 178.1 innings, 158 strikeouts, and 36 walks. The wins, games, starts, complete game, shutout, and innings were all career highs for Montgomery. In 2021, Montgomery had a career high 162 strikeouts. 

Overall, Montgomery is currently in his 7th MLB season. Montgomery is 34-32 with a 3.77 ERA, 130 games, 129 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 687.1 innings, 647 strikeouts, 194 walks, and a whip of 1.22. 

Stratton, 32, is currently 1-1 with a 4.36 ERA, 4 holds, 42 games, 1 save, 53.2 innings, 59 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 2023. 

Statton had his best season in 2018, with the San Francisco Giants. That season, Stratton was 10-10 with a 5.09 ERA, 28 games, 26 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 145 innings, 112 strikeouts, and 54 walks. The wins, starts, complete game, shutout, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Stratton. In 2021, with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Stratton had career highs in both games (68) and in saves (8). Stratton had a career high in holds (8) in 2022. 

Overall, Stratton is currently in his 8th MLB season. Stratton is 36-24 with a 4.50 ERA, 280 games, 42 starts, 1 complete game, 1 shutout, 25 holds, 12 saves, 516 innings, 482 strikeouts, 208 walks, and a whip of 1.43. 

King, 28, is currently 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA, 15 games, 2 holds, 18.2 innings, 10 strikeouts, and 4 walks in 2023. In Triple-A Round Rock, King is currently 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA, 12 games, 3 starts, 1 save, 21.2 innings, 13 strikeouts, and 6 walks. 

King had his best season in 2021. That season, King was 7-5 with a 3.52 ERA, 27 games, 46 innings, 40 strikeouts, and 12 walks. The ERA was a career best for King. The wins and strikeouts were both career highs for King. In 2022, King had career highs in games (39), holds (8), and in innings (51.1). 

Overall, King is currently in his 4th MLB season. King is 10-10 with a 4.27 ERA, 87 games, 14 holds, 126.1 innings, 89 strikeouts, 34 walks, and a whip of 1.39. 

Roby, 21, is currently 2-3 with a 5.05 ERA, 10 games, 10 starts, 46.1 innings, 50 strikeouts, and 12 walks in Double-A Frisco in 2023. 

Roby had his best season in 2022, in High-A Hickory. That season, Roby was 3-11 with a 4.64 ERA, 22 games, 21 starts, 104.2 innings, 126 strikeouts, and 35 walks. The wins, games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Roby. 

Overall, Roby is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Roby is 7-16 with a 4.47 ERA, 38 games, 37 starts, 173 innings, 211 strikeouts, and 54 walks. 

Roby ranked as the Rangers 11th best prospect. 

Saggese, 21, is currently hitting .314 with 67 runs, 115 hits, 22 doubles, 3 triples, 15 home runs, 78 RBI's, 8 stolen bases, and 34 walks in Double-A Frisco in 2023. The batting average, runs, and RBI's are all career highs for Saggese. 

In 2021, Saggese had a career high 32 walks. Saggese had career highs in hits (125), doubles (25), triples (4), home runs (15), and in stolen bases (12) combined between High-A Hickory and Double-A Frisco in 2022. 

Overall, Saggese is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Saggese has played 268 games with 172 runs, 302 hits, 61 doubles, 10 triples, 40 home runs, 185 RBI's, 31 stolen bases, 106 walks, and a .299 batting average. 

Saggese ranked as the Rangers 14th best prospect. 

The Cardinals got a pretty good trade for Montgomery. Roby now ranks as the Cardinals 4th best prospect, and Saggese ranks as their 8th best prospect. 

It's better to get something in return for Montgomery, rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency. There's always a chance too, that Montgomery could return to the Cardinals as a free agent. The Cardinals on paper though look better for the future. 

St. Louis Cardinals Trade Jordan Hicks to Toronto Blue Jays

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded closer Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays for starting pitcher Sem Robberse, and starting pitcher Adam Kloffenstein. Hicks, 26, is currently 1-6 with a 3.67 ERA, 40 games, 8 saves, 41.2 innings, 59 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 2023. Since being moved the closers' role, Hicks is 8/9 in save opportunities. 

Hicks had his best season in 2018. That season, Hicks was 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA, 73 games, 24 holds, 6 saves, 77.2 innings, 70 strikeouts, and 45 walks. The wins, games, holds, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Hicks. In 2019, Hicks had a career high 14 saves. Hicks also had a career best 3.14 ERA in 2019. 

Overall, Hicks is currently in his 5th MLB season. Hicks is 9-18 with a 3.98 ERA, 187 games, 44 holds, 28 saves, 219.1 innings, 233 strikeouts, 125 walks, and a whip of 1.32. 

Hicks is reunited with former Cardinals' teammate Genesis Cabrera. 

Robberse, 21, is currently 3-5 with a 4.06 ERA, 18 games, 18 starts, 88.2 innings, 86 strikeouts, and 33 walks in Double-A New Hampshire in 2023. Robberse, who is from the Netherlands, was recently in the 2023 Futures Games. In the Futures Game, Robberse pitched 0.1 innings, with 1 strikeout and allowed 2 runs. His fastball reached 95 miles per hour. Robberse was the first ever Netherlands-born player to appear in the Future Games (they bring 50-top prospects from across the minor leagues). Robberse ranked as the Blue Jays 7th best prospect. 

Robberse had his best season in 2022, combined between High-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire. That season, Robberse was 4-7 with a 3.23 ERA, 22 games, 22 starts, 111.1 innings, 97 strikeouts, and 34 walks. The ERA was a career best for Robberse. The games, starts, innings, and strikeouts were all career highs for Robberse.

Overall, Robberse is currently in his 4th minor league season. Robberse is 14-19 with a 3.73 ERA, 66 games, 62 starts, 299 innings, 282 strikeouts, and 105 walks. 

Kloffenstein, 22, is currently 5-5 with a 3.24 ERA, 17 games, 17 starts, 1 complete game, 89 innings, 105 strikeouts, and 34 walks in Double-A New Hampshire in 2023. 

In 2021, Kloffenstein had a career high 7 wins. Kloffenstein had career highs in games (25), starts (24), innings (112), and in strikeouts (118) in 2022 combined between High-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire. 

Overall, Kloffenstein is currently in his 5th minor league season. Kloffenstein is 18-23 with a 4.57 ERA, 80 games, 79 strikeouts, 1 complete game, 368.2 innings, 398 strikeouts, and 175 walks. 

Both Robberse and Kloffenstein will report to Triple-A Memphis. Robberse ranks as the Cardinals 6th best prospect and Kloffenstein ranks as their 23rd best prospect. 

The Cardinals got a good trade for Hicks, who could become a free agent at the end of the season. If Hicks wants to return as a free agent, he can. It's better to get something for your free agents rather than risk losing them for nothing. In some cases, you could make an argument that the Cardinals should have received more for Hicks, with Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano being injured. 

It will also be interesting to see how Hicks does with Pete Walker as his pitching coach. Walker is considered to be one of the best pitching coaches in the MLB.