St. Louis Cardinals 2013-14 off-season

[Orcin]

It was a great World Series, but it’s over now. It’s time to get serious about next season. What will the Redbirds do in the off-season?

I will post a link to the “off-season outlook” article from mlbtraderumors.com as soon as they publish. They will have a nice breakdown of contracts, arbitration cases, and free agents. In the meantime, suffice it to say that we will have some money to spend with contracts for (Chris) Carpenter, Westbrook, and Furcal coming off the books.

Anyone who follows the team knows the needs:
• Center fielder
• Shortstop
• Answer to the 3B dilemma
• Replacement for Beltran?

The main strength is pitching, especially young starters but also the bullpen.

There is plenty of discussion around moving Carpenter to third and playing Wong at second. Freese probably has very little trade value.

Beltran will surely receive a qualifying offer. I would like to see him come back if he will accept a two-year deal. I think someone will offer him three years.

Prospect Oscar Taveras is often mentioned as the center fielder of the future. The organization must decide if they believe it before they commit to a different player. Taveras could also be the replacement for Beltran in right.

Next year’s starting rotation: Wainwright, Miller, Garcia, Wacha, and Lynn or Kelley. Martinez and Rosenthal are also candidates for the rotation, or they could return to the bullpen with Motte, Seigrist and Maness. Is there enough comfort and flexibility there to trade a starter (Lynn)?

Matt Adams has been discussed as a trade piece, with Craig at first base assuming that he isn’t needed to play right field. Holliday in left field and Craig in right field would put a lot of pressure on the center fielder. I would like to see a better outfield defense.

Potential upgrades at shortstop:
• Troy Tulowitzki (trade)
• Elvis Andrus (trade)
• Stephen Drew (free agent)
• J.J. Hardy (trade)
• Jhonny Peralta (free agent)

Potential Center Fielders and/or Beltran replacements:
• Jacoby Ellsbury (free agent)
• Carlos Gonzalez (trade)

The Cardinals should have the money for some of these moves. Is Lynn, Freese, Adams, and perhaps a prospect enough to land a player like Tulo or CarGo?

What do you other Redbirds fans think they should do?

[Orcin]

St. Louis 2014 Contract Options:

SP Jake Westbrook has a $9.5M mutual option with a $1M buyout. I can't imagine that the Cardinals would pick this up.

Edit: The Cardinals did decline the option.

[Orcin]

Five Cardinals filed for free agency:

• SP Chris Carpenter (2013 salary: $10.5M)
• RP Edward Mujica (2013 salary: $3.2M)
• SS Rafael Furcal (2013 salary: $7.0M)
• RF Carlos Beltran (2013 salary: $13.0M)
• SP Jake Westbrook (2013 salary: $8.75M)

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Five Cardinals filed for free agency:

• SP Chris Carpenter (2013 salary: $10.5M)
• RP Edward Mujica (2013 salary: $3.2M)
• SS Rafael Furcal (2013 salary: $7.0M)
• RF Carlos Beltran (2013 salary: $13.0M)
• SP Jake Westbrook (2013 salary: $8.75M)

Beltran's the only one I think needs to be brought back, despite being a bit long in the tooth. Leadership abilities alone make him worth it.

Carp may or may not be past his injuries, but even if he is, I don't know if he's worth it at his age...and they don't exactly need him in the rotation anymore.

Furcal is getting old and Kozma sorta took his spot (still not convinced it's for the long haul, unless he starts hitting).

Westbrook isn't needed with Wacha and Kelly's emergence, and Mujica didn't live up to his 2012 form this season. Thoughts?

[BoSoxFan]

The way Stephen Drew performed in the playoffs, I don't know if anyone will give him an offer- he might just have to stay a free agent until he's forced to retire.

[Bowtie]

Originally Posted by Orcin

What do you other Redbirds fans think they should do?

Obviously, we would have to give up some of our talent to fill some needs. Yes, I would definitely try to trade for Tulowitzki, as that would fill one big need. If they don't have any intentions of bringing back Freese, then I would try to sign Juan Uribe. To me, I think our left-handed starting spot could use an upgrade. Perhaps try to trade for Cole Hamels? The thought of sticking with Jaime Garcia concerns me. Just how many more surgeries are left in that left arm of Garcia?

Anyway, here's my defensive lineup for 2014:

• Pitcher = ?
• Catcher = Yadier Molina
• 1B = Matt Adams
• 2B = Matt Carpenter
• SS = Troy Tulowitzki (via trade)
• 3B = Juan Uribe (via free agency)
• LF = Matt Holliday
• CF = Skip Schumaker (via free agency)
• RF= Allen Craig

Bench:

• Catcher = Jose Molina (via free agency)
• IF/OF = Brock Peterson
• IF = Daniel Descalso
• OF = Juan Pierre (via free agency)
• OF = Shane Robinson

Starting Pitching Staff:

• Adam Wainwright
• Michael Wacha
• Joe Kelly
• Shelby Miller
• Cole Hamels

Bullpen Staff:

• Kevin Siegrist
• Randy Choate
• Carlos Martinez
• Trever Rosenthal
• John Axford
• Seth Maness

Closer:

• Jason Motte

Thoughts?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by ThatSeventiesGuy

Beltran's the only one I think needs to be brought back, despite being a bit long in the tooth. Leadership abilities alone make him worth it.

I agree. I would feel better about a 2-year deal though. I am not sure I would go three years, unless the third is a vesting option.

Originally Posted by BoSoxFan

The way Stephen Drew performed in the playoffs, I don't know if anyone will give him an offer- he might just have to stay a free agent until he's forced to retire.

The Red Sox made him a qualifying offer, but I doubt that he will accept it. I would rather have Drew than Kozma, but I think he will be over-priced.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Bowtie

If they don't have any intentions of bringing back Freese, then I would try to sign Juan Uribe.

Uribe would certainly be an upgrade. It will be interesting to see what they do with Freese. Clearly, the 2011 post-season fuzzies have worn off with the fan base, but I am not sure how management views him these days. I think the decision on third base includes a decision on Kolten Wong at second. If he is given a shot, then Carpenter likely moves to third.

Originally Posted by Bowtie

To me, I think our left-handed starting spot could use an upgrade. Perhaps try to trade for Cole Hamels? The thought of sticking with Jaime Garcia concerns me. Just how many more surgeries are left in that left arm of Garcia?

I don't think the Cardinals would pay the price for Hamels in terms of trade assets plus the $22.5M x 5 guaranteed years left on his contract. However, I share your concern about Garcia, and we don't have a stellar lefty among all of those young starters. The best available is 24 y/o John Gast, and he will likely miss the first part of the season recovering from shoulder surgery last July.

Originally Posted by Bowtie

CF = Skip Schumaker (via free agency)

Is he really an upgrade over Jon Jay?

Originally Posted by Bowtie

Closer:

• Jason Motte

The Cardinals have to be concerned about his ability to get back to where he was. I think that Martinez will move into the rotation if Motte is able to hold down this spot.

[Orcin]

Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch writes that Trevor Rosenthal and Carlos Martinez will likely be told to come to spring training ready to compete for starting jobs.


Cardinals ponder next pitching moves : Sports


Blogger Ray DeRousse speculates that a trade is in the works sending Shelby Miller and perhaps David Freese or Matt Adams to Texas for shortstop Jurickson Profar.

More Light on the Shelby Miller Situation

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Regarding next year's rotation...I've never been as down on Lance Lynn as most Cardinal fans are. Maybe because, living in Indianapolis, I've followed his career since his Brownsburg days, so I think he has a level he hasn't shown yet. Late bloomer, IMO. They just need to decide if he's a starter or reliever. I think he's at least a fourth man in a good rotation.

Hamels, I think, is a year or two past his prime, and probably costs more than the Cardinals would want to pay, anyway. And even if Lynn fails, they can more Martinez into the rotation in the fifth slot.

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Schumacher may or may not be an upgrade over Jay, but I guarantee Uribe isn't an upgrade over Freese, unless you consider staying healthy all season an upgrade. Radical move idea: Shift Taveras to 3B? Hey, it worked for Pujols.

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Blogger Ray DeRousse speculates that a trade is in the works sending Shelby Miller and perhaps David Freese or Matt Adams to Texas for shortstop Jurickson Profar.

More Light on the Shelby Miller Situation

Derp. Freese, sure. Adams, maybe. But a pitcher with Miller's future? NO. What IS Matheny's issue with him, anyway? If I'm the front office and it comes down to a choice between Miller and Matheny...well, don't let the door hit you on the way out, Mike. Honestly, I'd part with Wacha before I would Miller.

Put Wong in Miller's place, though, and I'd pull the trigger on that trade. I'd rather stick Jay in place of Adams, but still, I'd go for it.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by ThatSeventiesGuy

Honestly, I'd part with Wacha before I would Miller.

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

I agree with you on Lynn. I think he will be (is) a solid mid-rotation starter.

I am not anxious to trade Miller either. I really want a better shortstop though. I would listen to almost anything if I were Mozeliak.

I would rather move Craig to 3B, keeping Freese to back him up and provide some pop off the bench.

[Bowtie]

Hey guys! Wow....some mighty fine points made so far. Keep them coming!

Here's some for us to talk about:

• The potential loss of Carlos Beltran. I think most likely Beltran will pass on any qualifying offers from the Cards. I also think Beltran has his sights set on playing for the Yankees next year. If that's the case, then Mozeliak will have to replace that lost production in the offensive lineup. Hence, that's why I mentioned signing Uribe. Yes, I'd be open to bringing back Beltran on a 2-year deal with either a vesting option on a 3rd year or a mutual option on the 3rd year.

• The Cards need of a stellar left-handed starting pitcher. With Jaime Garcia's injury history (2 shoulder and 1 TJ surgeries), can they really afford to risk passing up on upgrading this position? In my opinion, no. I mentioned Cole Hamels as he has been rumored in the past as wanting to pitch for the Cards. I do know that it would take a lot of trade pieces from the Cards to land him plus paying his hefty contract. So, not likely a fit here but I'll still leave the door open to it.

• The shortstop dilemma. The game show "The Price Is Right" comes to mind here. So, who will be the Cards new SS in 2014? Profar? Tulowitzki? Someone we are overlooking? One thing is most likely certain: Kozma is the odd guy out here.

• Who's in Center? Do the Cards stick with Jon Jay or has the time come to part ways with him? Would you be open to bringing in Shin-Soo Choo vai free agency? If not Choo, who would you trade for?

• The Closer. With Jason Motte coming off TJ surgery, can he regain his old form and reclaim his closer role? If not Motte, who would you bring in? Would you be open to bringing back Chris Perez now that he's a free agent? Or are you open to giving John Axford a chance? Trevor Rosenthal? Carlos Martinez?

Any other needs you gentlemen can think of?

[Bowtie]

Oops...duplicate post

[Orcin]

Rick Hummel of the Post-Dispatch gives us a rundown on potential trade opportunities to upgrade the shortstop position.

Cards might trade for new shortstop : Sports

[Orcin]

Rockies GM Bill Geivett was interviewed on MLB Radio. He was asked specifically about Tulo being traded to the Redbirds. He said that the club was not looking to trade CarGo or Tulo, but that if the Cardinals called he would listen.

[Orcin]

It is always good to get some perspective from the other side. The players that we want to trade may not be the players that the other fans want. We can hope that the GMs involved are more realistic.


Cardinals calling about Starlin Castro


There's no way I would trade either Martinez or Miller for Castro. Now Tyrell Jenkins plus Kozma could have me very interested.

[Orcin]

I would not be in favor of this move, so please don't shoot the messenger. But Peter Gammons says to bring back "Happy Flight".


Furcal could be the Cardinals answer at shortstop - GammonsDaily.com


What happens when he gets hurt one month into the season? Answer: More of the Pete Kozma show. Bleh.

[Bowtie]

Originally Posted by Orcin

It is always good to get some perspective from the other side. The players that we want to trade may not be the players that the other fans want. We can hope that the GMs involved are more realistic.


Cardinals calling about Starlin Castro


There's no way I would trade either Martinez or Miller for Castro. Now Tyrell Jenkins plus Kozma could have me very interested.

Yeah, if I were Mozeliak, I'd be extra careful about making any deals with the Cubs. It's no secret that the North Siders want some revenge for that Brock-for-Broglio deal. I definitely agree that Martinez and Miller should be off limits in any deal with the Cubs.

Originally Posted by Orcin

I would not be in favor of this move, so please don't shoot the messenger. But Peter Gammons says to bring back "Happy Flight".


Furcal could be the Cardinals answer at shortstop - GammonsDaily.com


What happens when he gets hurt one month into the season? Answer: More of the Pete Kozma show. Bleh.

I give not one but two thumbs down about bringing back Furcal. He's at the end of his career and has too much baggage. And please don't put us fans through another season of Kozma.....