Cardinals’ Giovanny Gallegos: Snags Third Win
Gallegos pitched a perfect inning and earned the win Saturday over the Pirates.
Gallegos kept the game tied at 4-4 in the eighth inning and ended up with the win when Nolan Arenado’s three-run double put the Cardinals ahead in the ninth. It was a bounce-back effort for Gallegos after he yielded three runs in one-third of an inning versus the Nationals on Wednesday. The right-hander has a 3.27 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 61:13 K:BB, 13 saves, nine holds and six blown saves through 52.1 innings this year. He remains one of the Cardinals’ most trusted relievers.
Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan: Clubs Homer In Win
Donovan went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday’s 7-5 win over the Pirates.
Donovan got the Cardinals on the board in the fifth inning with his solo shot. He’s gone 7-for-20 with two homers and a double in his last five games, but he had endured a 46-game homer drought prior to that stretch. The utility man is up to four long balls with 39 RBI, 49 runs scored, two stolen bases and a .291/.392/.388 slash line through 386 plate appearances. He’s hit leadoff in the last three games versus right-handed pitchers, and it appears he’s displaced Lars Nootbaar from that role.
Cardinals’ Miles Mikolas: Fans Eight In Loss
Mikolas yielded four runs on eight hits and two walks over five innings Friday, striking out eight and taking a loss against the Pirates.
Through the first four innings, the only damage against Mikolas was Ben Gamel’s solo shot in the second frame. The veteran righty then gave up three runs in the fifth, including Oneil Cruz’s two-run triple. Since coughing up 10 runs in Colorado on Aug. 9, Mikolas is 3-2 with a 3.15 ERA over his last six outings. On the year, he’s sporting a 3.42 ERA with a 135:33 K:BB through 29 starts. Mikolas is lined up to face the Reds at home next week.
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Cardinals’ Tommy Edman: Swipes 27th Bag
Edman went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a stolen base in Friday’s 8-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Edman knocked an RBI double in the seventh inning as part of his ninth multi-hit effort over his last 17 appearances. During that stretch, he’s gone 25-for-67 with 14 extra-base hits and 14 RBI. On the year, he’s stolen 27 bases while knocking 45 extra-base hits and posting a .267/.325/.412 slash line through 135 games.
Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado: Delivers Clutch Hit
Arenado went 1-for-5 with a three-run double in Saturday’s 7-5 win over the Pirates.
Arenado hit a bases-clearing double in the ninth inning, providing enough offense for the Cardinals to get the win with their first lead of the game. The third baseman has been a bit sluggish at the plate in September, hitting .176 with four RBI, three runs scored and two doubles. The slump has him down to a .298/.360/.548 slash line with 28 home runs, 93 RBI, 67 runs scored, four stolen bases and 38 doubles through 130 contests.
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Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley: Yields Run In 15th Save
Helsley allowed a run on two hits to earn the save in Saturday’s 7-5 win over the Pirates. He did not strike out or walk a batter.
Helsley gave up an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds in the ninth inning, but the Cardinals’ closer was able to diffuse the situation after that. He’s given up a run in four of his last 10 appearances, though that may just be some evening out of his numbers after a remarkably strong start to the year. The right-hander owns a 1.12 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 81:17 K:BB through 56.1 innings overall while converting 15 of 19 save chances and adding six holds in 46 appearances.
Theres Already Been A Fair Amount Of Drama And Change For The St Louis Cardinals So Far This Offseason
Since the St. Louis Cardinals were eliminated from the playoffs by the Phillies, there has been a flurry of activity with the Gateway Citys baseball franchise. Adam Wainwright is returning for another season, while four coaches are not, including Skip Schumaker, who is the newest manager for the Miami Marlins.
Thats a lot of change before the World Series even began, but even more seismic movements could be on the horizon. Certainly, Waino coming back for his final year wearing his No. 50 birds-on-the-bat jersey is a big deal for the pitching staff, but what about the teams best defender and one of its top hitters?
The biggest storyline among position players is Nolan Arenados potential opt-out. Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak has practically dared Arenado to walk back his previous proclamations of how much he enjoys St. Louis and opt out of his deal. While theres time to work something out, right now the ball is in Arenados court.
The star third baseman has a lot to think about. Hes guaranteed $144M over the next five years if he doesnt exercise his opt-out clause and remains in St. Louis. Thats an average of $28.8M per year, which is among the better salaries in the game.
And then theres the perspective of the Cardinals front office. Losing Arenado certainly would sting. Hes a phenomenal fielder, a very strong hitter, and has demonstrated a strong desire to win. Who wouldnt want a player like that?
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Cardinals’ Tyler O’neill: Steals Base In Loss
O’Neill went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and a stolen base in Friday’s 8-2 loss to the Pirates.
O’Neill missed Thursday’s game with neck stiffness but was the most productive Cardinal batter in Friday’s contest, getting aboard a team-high three times. He’s had a bit of a rough start to September, going 5-for-22 over his last seven games, though he’s added a home run, two steals, four RBI and four runs scored to offset the batting slump. O’Neill is slashing .227/.306/.385 with 12 steals, 13 homers, 57 RBI and 51 runs scored through 90 contests overall.
John Mozeliak Announced In A Press Conference That Jeff Albert Mike Maddux And Bryan Eversgerd Have Left Cardinals
In a stunning announcement, John Mozeliak revealed that Mike Maddux stepped down as the St. Louis Cardinals pitching coach and Jeff Albert elected to depart as the hitting coach. Bullpen coach Bryan Eversgerd will also be reassigned as a special assistant in the organization.
According to Mozeliak, Maddux was looking for a change of pace and Albert resigned because he felt he was shouldering too much of the blame when the Cardinals offense struggled.
The Cardinals enjoyed a strong offense under Albert in 2022, finishing in the top 10 in most batting statistics. But as fans are aware, the teams offense was limp in September and October, leading to a quick exit from the playoffs.
The Cardinals pitching wasnt as effective on the season, but the acquisitions of Jose Quintana and Jordan Montgomery contributed to the teams success in August. It will be interesting to see whether the Cardinals will retain Madduxs pitch-to-contact philosophy.
The Cardinals have several decisions to make regarding the coaching staff after the three departures as well as that of former bench coach Skip Schumaker, who took a job as the Miami Marlins manager on Oct. 25.
The press conference sent shock waves throughout St. Louis, and the offseason will be one of the more interesting ones in recent years as the Cardinals look to fill their newly vacant coaching roles.
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Left-handed pitcher Steven Matz
Cardinals starting pitcher Steven Matz delivers against the Pirates at Busch Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022.
Contract: Four years, $44 million
Seasons played for Cardinals: 2022-Present
Age at time of signing: 30
With the impending expiration of the previous Collective Bargaining Agreement in early December 2021, Matzs contract signing came as some teams and players sought to get deals done before last winters lockout froze conversations between clubs and free agents. Matzs deal included the most years and the highest total value that the Cardinals signed a free agent to since 2018.
In his first year with the Cardinals, Matz was limited to 48 innings of work due to a left shoulder impingement that forced him to the injured list on May 23 and a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee upon his return on July 23. Matz returned to the Cardinals in a bullpen role in late September.
Left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller
Cardinals relief pitcher Andrew Miller pitches against the Brewers at Busch Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019.
Contract: Two years, $25 million with a $12-million vesting option for a third year
Seasons played for Cardinals: 2019-21
Age at time of signing: 33
Right-handed pitcher Greg Holland
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Greg Holland reflects in the dugout after he allowed two runs in the ninth inning during a game against the Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, in St. Louis, Mo.
Cardinals’ Tyler O’neill: Back In Lineup Friday
O’Neill is starting in center field and batting sixth Friday versus the Pirates, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
O’Neill is back in the lineup after missing Thursday’s contest with the Nationals while nursing neck stiffness. The outfielder has produced a .200 average with a home run, four RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base over 20 at-bats in six games this month.
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Cardinals’ Packy Naughton: Called Up By Cardinals
Naughton was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.
Naughton spent just over two weeks in the minors and allowed two runs on three hits and no walks while striking out four in four innings over three relief appearances following his demotion. However, he’ll rejoin the Cardinals’ bullpen after James Naile was sent down Saturday.
Could St Louis Cardinals Trade For Sean Murphy Or Alejandro Kirk
- Publish date: Nov 21, 2022 6:43 PM EST
The St. Louis Cardinals have been linked to Willson Contreras in recent days, but could find a replacement at catcher for Yadier Molina via the trade market, in which case, Oakland Athletics’ Sean Murphy and Toronto Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk could be viable options, Jack Vita writes.
The St. Louis Cardinals are in search of a replacement for Yadier Molina at the catcher position.
Molina has manned the position since 2005, but recently retired, along with teammate Albert Pujols.
The Cardinals have been linked to free agent Willson Contreras in recent days, but could instead add a catcher via trade.
The Athletic’s Katie Woo covers the Cardinals as the club’s beat reporter. Woo was asked recently which catcher the Cardinals will pick up in Molina’s place this winter, on the That’s a Winner Podcast.
“I don’t think it’s Contreras, although I do know he wants to be in St. Louis,” Woo said. “I just think that defense is too big of a liability for them.
“I think if you’re looking for the best overall catcher, that’s Sean Murphy, but we don’t know asking price and it might be too high. I would say, because we know what the Blue Jays are looking for right now and the Cardinals have an obvious fit, I’ll go Kirk, but I also know the Cardinals don’t always seem to do the most obvious of moves, so it’s a risky thing to say Kirk, but I’m going to go with it.”
Kirk, age-24, is under club control through 2026.
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Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty: No
Flaherty allowed three runs on six hits and four walks while failing to record a strikeout in five innings in a no-decision versus the Pirates on Saturday.
Flaherty struggled with both control and command, which saw him issue multiple walks for the fourth time in five outings. He also gave up multiple home runs — a solo shot to Rodolfo Castro and a two-run blast to Jack Suwinski — in this contest. Flaherty threw 46 of 87 pitches for strikes, so it appears he is operating on nearly a normal workload after throwing 91 pitches in his return from the injured list Monday. The right-hander has struggled to a 4.50 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 12:14 K:BB through 18 innings as he tries to get back up to speed in the majors. His next outing is projected to be a home start versus the Reds next week.
The Cardinals Should Sign Carlos Rodon
The lefty starter opted out of the remaining year of his two-year, $44 million deal with the San Francisco.
He was 14-8 in 2022 with a 2.88 ERA in 31 games started. He threw 178 innings with 237 strikeouts. Rodons slider and four-seam fastball are his most effective put-away pitches. He has a groundball rate of 35.3 percent.
Rodon would be the addition the Cardinals are seeking, as he is an innings-eating strike-thrower. While hes getting attention from the Texas Rangers, joining the Cardinals could prove intriguing for Rodon as he would have one of the leagues best defenses behind him with Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, and Tommy Edman.
Rodon was also a target of the Cardinals at the trade deadline.
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Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar: Day Off Saturday
Nootbaar isn’t starting Saturday against the Pirates, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Nootbaar has gone 0-for-22 with a run, an RBI, a walk and eight strikeouts over the last seven games and will head to the bench for the second time in the last three matchups. Brendan Donovan will take his place in right field and lead off.
After An Endorsement On Twitter And A Shutdown Season In The Frontier League The St Louis Cardinals Signed Logan Sawyer To A Minor
Sitting in his hotel room last season as he prepared to face the Gateway Grizzlies, Logan Sawyer cast his gaze towards the home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Wouldnt it be funny, he said to himself, if Im sitting here playing independent baseball this year, and then next year, Im there? Little did the now 29-year old closer know just how funny that might turn out to be.
Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Logan Sawyer attended local DII school Lincoln. Memorial University. After three years at LMU , Sawyer was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2014 in the 29th round of the draft.
What followed, however, was the difficult road faced by many minor league players. After a few seasons in the Colorado system, Sawyer was released. With no path to a major league team, Sawyer turned away from his pursuit of professional baseball. I didnt know anything about independent baseball at the time, didnt have an agent or anything, Sawyer explained, I didnt really quite know what was next.
Facing an uncertain path in baseball, Sawyer went back to school and got his degree. A workout at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida became Sawyers way back onto the diamond. The workout led to a job as a strength and conditioning coach, and after some prompting from others at the facility, a return to training as a pitcher. I worked and trained at the same time which was a little bit exhausting. But I knew in the long run it would be worth it, says Sawyer.
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Cardinals’ Nolan Gorman: Sitting Again Friday
Gorman is out of the lineup for Friday’s game against the Pirates, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Gorman started four straight games at second base earlier this week but now finds himself on the bench for the second straight contest. Alec Burleson will bat seventh as the designated hitter Friday, with Brendan Donovan leading off at the keystone.
Cardinals’ Albert Pujols: Ties A
Pujols went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Saturday’s 7-5 win over the Pirates.
Pujols’ game-tying blast in the sixth inning was the 696th of his career, tying him with Alex Rodriguez for fourth-most in baseball history. Entering Saturday, Pujols had slowed down a bit, going 0-for-12 over his previous four games after a surge at the plate in August. The 42-year-old legend is up to a .266/.339/.520 slash line with 17 homers, 46 RBI, 30 runs scored and a stolen base through 283 plate appearances this year. He’ll have up to 22 more games in 2022 in his pursuit to become the fourth member of the 700-homer club.
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What Will The Cardinals Do Next
Next up for the Cardinals are the Winter Meetings in San Deigo from Dec. 4-7.
While weve focused on the clubs payroll figure and complex calculations, dont forget the bigger picture. The team has talked openly about their payroll increasing and have made their offseason priorities widely known.
The club plans to pursue a significant offensive bat who can fill the role that Albert Pujols filled in the lineup. When they say that, theyre not talking about finding another Corey Dickerson-type role player. Think a bit above that. Such a player could slide in at DH or into the outfield mix. The club prefers that player to be left-handed. Several options recently left the board with Joc Pederson accepting his Qualifying Offer from the Giants and Anthony Rizzo returning to the Yankees. There are probably a few other interesting names out there in free agency I kind of like the idea of Michael Brantley. Trades, though, have always been the clubs preferred method of player acquisition.
I expect the Cardinals to be active between now and Christmas. I would be surprised if the team left the Winter Meetings without having a catcher locked up. It wouldnt surprise me if they brought a hitter in at the same time, especially if theyre serious about the significant part.
Regardless, the Cardinals budget is pretty much set. $20M. Give or take a few million.
Lastly, to all of you from us here at Viva El Birdos, have a very happy Thanksgiving!