The long wait is over, the Cardinals have called up Oscar Taveras. Unfortunately it comes at the expense of Matt Adams.
Per Derrick Goold, Taveras will be called up on Saturday and likely inserted into the lineup immediately, while Adams will head to the DL with a calf injury.
Its a shame to lose Adams, who is hitting .325/.337/.474 on the year and is one of the team's most productive hitters. However, the Cardinals hope that Taveras can fill the void, as he was hitting .325/.373/.524 at AAA Memphis.
Taveras will likely play right field while Adams is out, with Allen Craig shifting to 1B. Recently promoted Randal Grichuk will likely be the DH during the Cardinals road trip to the AL parks that starts on June 4th.
So, the long wait is finally over, however, unless he hits like gangbusters, don't expect his stay to last longer than that of Adams' on the DL.
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
How can the Cardinals upgrade their bench?
The Cardinals bench leaves a lot to be desired. As a team, the Cardinals subs are hitting just .198 with a .555 OPS.
Other than backup catcher Tony Cruz, who is hitting .292, and Jon Jay, who is hitting .279 while splitting time in center with Peter Bourjos (.210), the Cardinals have gotten little or no production from their bench.
Other than those two, the Cards do not have anyone on their bench hitting over the Mendoza line. Utility infielder, Daniel Descalso, is not known as a great hitter, but his .172 average is far below his normal level. Backup second baseman Mark Ellis is hitting .181 and the 5th outfielder shuttle of Shane Robinson (.156), Randal Grichuk (.143) and Joey Butler (0 for 5) haven't fared much better.
So, how can the Cardinals improve their bench?
Well, for one, they can promote Oscar Taveras or Stephen Piscotty. Taveras is hitting .325/.373/.524 and Piscotty is hitting .292/.330/.426 for AAA Memphis. Either one could be an upgrade over Robinson and could rotate in the outfield spots to give the team's veterans a rest.
Another potential upgrade would be Aledmys Diaz as a utility infielder. Unfortunately, he has been sidelined since April 26th due to a shoulder injury. However, once healthy, he would be a upgrade over Deslcaso and is capable of playing second, third and short.
As for Ellis, the Cards are probably stuck with him, as he is looking like this year's version of Ty Wigginton. Hopefully the team has learned their lesson and will stop signing 35+ year old veteran infielders to fill out their bench.
Finally, although Tony Cruz has hit well in his limited role as Yadier Molina's backup, the team needs to find someone that Mike Matheny can rely on more so that he doesn't overwork Molina. Yadi played in 136 games last year and it showed in his second half numbers.
In the first half of the season, Molina hit .341/.386/.489, but he finished the year hitting just .280/.309/.456. Some extra rest here and there would do a lot to ensure that drop off does not happen again.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals best catching prospects, Steve Bean and converted third baseman Carson Kelly, are both splitting catching duties for low A Peoria and are not an option, so any catching help will have to come from the outside.
There are some internal options to improve the bench. We could see one of those options (most likely Taveras) as early as June 4th and, once he's healthy, Diaz should be able to replace Descalso. Those two could go a long way to improving the overall performance of the bench.
Other than backup catcher Tony Cruz, who is hitting .292, and Jon Jay, who is hitting .279 while splitting time in center with Peter Bourjos (.210), the Cardinals have gotten little or no production from their bench.
Other than those two, the Cards do not have anyone on their bench hitting over the Mendoza line. Utility infielder, Daniel Descalso, is not known as a great hitter, but his .172 average is far below his normal level. Backup second baseman Mark Ellis is hitting .181 and the 5th outfielder shuttle of Shane Robinson (.156), Randal Grichuk (.143) and Joey Butler (0 for 5) haven't fared much better.
So, how can the Cardinals improve their bench?
Well, for one, they can promote Oscar Taveras or Stephen Piscotty. Taveras is hitting .325/.373/.524 and Piscotty is hitting .292/.330/.426 for AAA Memphis. Either one could be an upgrade over Robinson and could rotate in the outfield spots to give the team's veterans a rest.
Another potential upgrade would be Aledmys Diaz as a utility infielder. Unfortunately, he has been sidelined since April 26th due to a shoulder injury. However, once healthy, he would be a upgrade over Deslcaso and is capable of playing second, third and short.
As for Ellis, the Cards are probably stuck with him, as he is looking like this year's version of Ty Wigginton. Hopefully the team has learned their lesson and will stop signing 35+ year old veteran infielders to fill out their bench.
Finally, although Tony Cruz has hit well in his limited role as Yadier Molina's backup, the team needs to find someone that Mike Matheny can rely on more so that he doesn't overwork Molina. Yadi played in 136 games last year and it showed in his second half numbers.
In the first half of the season, Molina hit .341/.386/.489, but he finished the year hitting just .280/.309/.456. Some extra rest here and there would do a lot to ensure that drop off does not happen again.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals best catching prospects, Steve Bean and converted third baseman Carson Kelly, are both splitting catching duties for low A Peoria and are not an option, so any catching help will have to come from the outside.
There are some internal options to improve the bench. We could see one of those options (most likely Taveras) as early as June 4th and, once he's healthy, Diaz should be able to replace Descalso. Those two could go a long way to improving the overall performance of the bench.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
This time the Cardinals Kolten Wong appears to be getting it right
In many ways, Kolten Wong was the poster child for the Cardinals offensive struggles at the beginning of the season. While the team was struggling with a .246 average in March and April, Wong didn't help matters, hitting .225 with a.544 OPS.
Never mind that other players were also struggling who were counted on to produce (I'm looking at you Allen Craig), the Cardinals felt the need to make an example out of Wong and sent him to the minors.
To his credit, Wong did not sulk or pout. He took the demotion as a challenge and tore up AAA pitching to the tune of .344/.382/.484 in 15 games, earning a promotion back to the Cardinals. Of course, it didn't hurt that his replacement at second base, Mark Ellis, hit only .204 in his absence.
So, Wong got his second chance and thus far he's made the most of it.
Since his return, Wong is hitting .364/.432/.455 and has found a home in the second spot in the batting order. He has helped spark the Cardinals offense while raising his season average to .269.
The Cardinals offense should kick into gear at some point. Guys like Allen Craig and Peter Bourjos are starting to show signs of life and top prospect Oscar Taveras could come up next week to DH during the interleague game at the AL parks.
But having a guy at the top of the order who can get on base and wreck havoc will help this team manufacture runs when needed.
Never mind that other players were also struggling who were counted on to produce (I'm looking at you Allen Craig), the Cardinals felt the need to make an example out of Wong and sent him to the minors.
To his credit, Wong did not sulk or pout. He took the demotion as a challenge and tore up AAA pitching to the tune of .344/.382/.484 in 15 games, earning a promotion back to the Cardinals. Of course, it didn't hurt that his replacement at second base, Mark Ellis, hit only .204 in his absence.
So, Wong got his second chance and thus far he's made the most of it.
Since his return, Wong is hitting .364/.432/.455 and has found a home in the second spot in the batting order. He has helped spark the Cardinals offense while raising his season average to .269.
The Cardinals offense should kick into gear at some point. Guys like Allen Craig and Peter Bourjos are starting to show signs of life and top prospect Oscar Taveras could come up next week to DH during the interleague game at the AL parks.
But having a guy at the top of the order who can get on base and wreck havoc will help this team manufacture runs when needed.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Cardinals are content to stand pat...for now
While many Cardinals fans may be panicking over the team's sluggish start, GM John Mozeliak is not. Both Rick Hummel and Ken Rosenthal posted articles recently indicating the the Cardinals GM is not looking to make a move any time soon.
However, that doesn't mean that one won't be coming in the future, as Mo says "That doesn’t mean we’re going to sit back and be complacent and do nothing. We’ll survey markets and see where we might go. It’s a little too early to say what we might chase.’’
The Cardinals offense has started to show signs of life and their bullpen will get a boost from the return of Jason Motte, so its hard to see where the Cards have a glaring need.
One area where the Cards have struggled is second base, where the team has a .207/.276/.250 line so far this season. However, since his return from the minors, Kolten Wong has gone 5 for 11 to raise his average to .256 and is starting to look like he belongs in the majors.
Another problem area has been right field, where Allen Craig resides. His .226/.281/.354 line is the main reason the Cardinals right fielders are hitting .203/.254/.326 as a group. However, Craig is still a career .297 hitter and its too soon to give up on him.
Finally, center field has been an issue for the Redbirds, where projected starter Peter Bourjos got off to a slow start, leading Manager Mike Matheny to play the defensively challenged Jon Jay more in the early going. However, Bourjos' bat has come alive in May, to the tune of .324/.390/.486, leading to more playing time for him and less talk of promoting Oscar Taveras.
Overall, the Cardinals have the talent and the depth to get on a hot streak and pass the fading Brewers. Once guys like Craig, Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter start hitting like they should, the wins should follow.
However, that doesn't mean that one won't be coming in the future, as Mo says "That doesn’t mean we’re going to sit back and be complacent and do nothing. We’ll survey markets and see where we might go. It’s a little too early to say what we might chase.’’
The Cardinals offense has started to show signs of life and their bullpen will get a boost from the return of Jason Motte, so its hard to see where the Cards have a glaring need.
One area where the Cards have struggled is second base, where the team has a .207/.276/.250 line so far this season. However, since his return from the minors, Kolten Wong has gone 5 for 11 to raise his average to .256 and is starting to look like he belongs in the majors.
Another problem area has been right field, where Allen Craig resides. His .226/.281/.354 line is the main reason the Cardinals right fielders are hitting .203/.254/.326 as a group. However, Craig is still a career .297 hitter and its too soon to give up on him.
Finally, center field has been an issue for the Redbirds, where projected starter Peter Bourjos got off to a slow start, leading Manager Mike Matheny to play the defensively challenged Jon Jay more in the early going. However, Bourjos' bat has come alive in May, to the tune of .324/.390/.486, leading to more playing time for him and less talk of promoting Oscar Taveras.
Overall, the Cardinals have the talent and the depth to get on a hot streak and pass the fading Brewers. Once guys like Craig, Matt Holliday and Matt Carpenter start hitting like they should, the wins should follow.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Jason Motte's return should restore order to the Cardinals bullpen
Yesterday's loss to the Braves was cringe-worthy, to say the least. Trevor Rosenthal, working for the 4th straight day, didn't have enough gas left in the tank to finish off the Braves and they were able to score two runs in the 9th to beat the Cardinals.
Many are questioning why Mike Matheny would even use Rosenthal again in that situation, when he had Carlos Martinez warming up and Pat Neshek needed just 3 pitches to end the 8th inning.
I can understand Matheny's reluctance to use Martinez, who has a 5.87 ERA in May. But Neshek has been excellent so far this year and was making his first appearance since May 13th, so he was well rested.
Sometimes I think managers rely to much on the closer label than just going with what makes the most sense for that game.
In any case, things should get better soon.
Jason Motte is scheduled to come off the DL Tuesday and should quickly step into a prominent role in the Cardinals bullpen. Matheny indicated that he would not be afraid to use Motte in a "high-leverage situation."
It will be interesting to see who they send down when Motte is activated. I have long thought that Martinez would be the one to go, so that he could be stretched out as a starter again. However, with the bullpen issues, its more likely that Sam Freeman will be sent down and the Cards will go with their best relievers.
If that happens, Motte will ease some of the pressure on Kevin Siegrist, Neshek, Martinez and even Rosenthal, by giving Matheny one more reliable option to choose from late in a game. In addition, Seth Maness appears to have found his sinker again (0.00 ERA in 5.2 IP in May), Randy Choate will go back to being just another LOOGY (.167 average against vs lefties this season versus .400 vs righties) and all will be right in the world.
In any case, having Motte back can do nothing but help the Cardinals beleaguered bullpen.
Many are questioning why Mike Matheny would even use Rosenthal again in that situation, when he had Carlos Martinez warming up and Pat Neshek needed just 3 pitches to end the 8th inning.
I can understand Matheny's reluctance to use Martinez, who has a 5.87 ERA in May. But Neshek has been excellent so far this year and was making his first appearance since May 13th, so he was well rested.
Sometimes I think managers rely to much on the closer label than just going with what makes the most sense for that game.
In any case, things should get better soon.
Jason Motte is scheduled to come off the DL Tuesday and should quickly step into a prominent role in the Cardinals bullpen. Matheny indicated that he would not be afraid to use Motte in a "high-leverage situation."
It will be interesting to see who they send down when Motte is activated. I have long thought that Martinez would be the one to go, so that he could be stretched out as a starter again. However, with the bullpen issues, its more likely that Sam Freeman will be sent down and the Cards will go with their best relievers.
If that happens, Motte will ease some of the pressure on Kevin Siegrist, Neshek, Martinez and even Rosenthal, by giving Matheny one more reliable option to choose from late in a game. In addition, Seth Maness appears to have found his sinker again (0.00 ERA in 5.2 IP in May), Randy Choate will go back to being just another LOOGY (.167 average against vs lefties this season versus .400 vs righties) and all will be right in the world.
In any case, having Motte back can do nothing but help the Cardinals beleaguered bullpen.
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