****The Official 2019 STL Cardinals Thread****

[BigRedChief]

Cardinals announce 25-man Opening Day roster for the 2019 season.

Spoiler!

The Cardinals today announced their 25-man Opening Day roster that includes four first-time Cardinals and 13 players that were developed within their organization.

PITCHERS (12): 60 – John Brebbia-RHP, 22 – Jack Flaherty-RHP, 53 – John Gant- RHP, 49 – Jordan Hicks-RHP, 43 – Dakota Hudson- RHP, 55 – Dominic Leone-RHP, 59 – Mike Mayers- RHP, 21 – Andrew Miller-LHP, 39 – Miles Mikolas-RHP, 29 – Alex Reyes, RHP, 52 – Michael Wacha-RHP, 50 – Adam Wainwright- RHP;

CATCHERS (2): 4 -Yadier Molina, 32 – Matt Wieters;

INFIELDERS (6): 13 - Matt Carpenter, 12 – Paul DeJong, 46 – Paul Goldschmidt, 34 – Yario Muñoz, 33 – Drew Robinson, 16 – Kolten Wong;

OUTFIELDERS (5): 46 – Harrison Bader, 25 - Dexter Fowler, 38 – José Martínez, 41 – Tyler O'Neill, 23 – Marcell Ozuna;

DISABLED LIST (5): 27 - Brett Cecil (10-day, left hand Carpal Tunnel syndrome), 44 – Luke Gregerson (10-day, right shoulder impingement), 18 – Carlos Martínez (right shoulder cuff strain), 3 - Jedd Gyorko (10-day, right calf strain), 67 - Justin Williams (10-day, right hand 2nd metacarpal fracture).

2019 Opening Day Line up

Spoiler!

Starting lineup
Matt Carpenter 3B
Paul Goldschmidt 1B
Paul DeJong SS
Ozuna LF
Yadier Molina C
Dexter Fowler RF
Kolten Wong 2B
Harrison Bader CF

Won the Central Division. Won the NLDS.

NLDS Playoff roster

Spoiler!

Pitchers (12): Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Adam Wainwright, Dakota Hudson, Genesis Cabrera, Tyler Webb, Andrew Miller, John Brebbia, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos, Carlos Martinez.

Catchers (2): Yadier Molina, Matt Wieters.

Infielders (6): Paul Goldschmidt, Kolten Wong, Paul DeJong, Matt Carpenter, Tommy Edman, Yairo Munoz.

Outfielders (5): Marcell Ozuna, Harrison Bader, Dexter Fowler, Jose Martinez, Randy Arozarena.

NLDS Playoff Game 1 starting lineup

Spoiler!

1. Dexter Fowler, CF

2. Tommy Edman, 3B

3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

4. Marcell Ozuna, LF

5. Yadier Molina, C

6. Paul DeJong, SS

7. Kolten Wong, 2B

8. Harrison Bader, CF

9. Miles Mikolas, P

NLCS Game One Starting lineup

Spoiler!

1. Dexter Fowler, CF

2. Kolten Wong, 2B

3. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

4. Marcell Ozuna, LF

5. Yadier Molina, C

6. Matt Carpenter 3B

7.Tommy Edmond RF

8. Paul DeJong, SS

9. Miles Mikolas P

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by O.city

So, next year is gonna be the same squad right? There's not much they can change iirc.

Depends, there are quite a few options out there in free agency. Ten years ago they could have been viewed as possible landing spots, but I'm not sure that is true anymore. Mo has been quite adept at spending money for past performance on a host of players. He can't seem to within reason accurately evaluate likely depreciating talent on other teams and even our own.

I have no hope that will change as long as he is running things.

That said, theoretically there are several starting pitching options that could make sense. They won't be able to get Cole or Strasburg, and probably not Wheeler. However I wouldn't mind them kicking the tires on Bumgardner or Hamels as long as it is reasonable.

Rendon would make a lot of sense, but they still owe Carpenter three years. Donaldson was a clear miss last year and will probably cash in on his big year with the Braves.

If they had signed Donaldson instead of Goldy and NOT extended Carpenter there would be lots of options this year.

The overstocked outfield are not names that are going to bring great value in return (maybe Carlson, which would be asinine).

So, no probably not going to change much from outside.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I don't understand why AL teams aren't interested in Jose Martinez. The dude can obviously hit.

He can hit but he's a DH so when you put him in that group his hitting doesn't look all that great.

If you were going to trade him you would have done it last season, but I don't even remember if the Cardinals seriously considered it. His OPS+ this season was 97. The DH average OPS+ hovers around 110.

[Frazod]

Originally Posted by O.city

So, next year is gonna be the same squad right? There's not much they can change iirc.

Sadly, yes. While the division win and playoff series win were fun, they put off rebuilding by a year.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by Frazod

Sadly, yes. While the division win and playoff series win were fun, they put off rebuilding by a year.

Pretty much. Not shocking at all that an inconsistent,veteran laden team of underperformers (coaching) took advantage of a weak division, played well in one series and shit the bed the next. But, hey those LCS participation shirts...

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

Pretty much. Not shocking at all that an inconsistent,veteran laden team of underperformers (coaching) took advantage of a weak division, played well in one series and shit the bed the next. But, hey those LCS participation shirts...

Veteran under-performers and you blame coaching?

[BigRedChief]

Some 2020 payroll highlights:

• $146 million committed.
• But, that doesn't include 14 players who are on the roster that will need to be paid too. Flaherty, Hudson, Hicks etc.
• Paying Carpenter $18.5 million. Also the same in 2021.
• Dexter Fowler $16.5 million
• Brett Cecil $7.5 million
• Goldy $26 million yearly for the next 5 years.
• We are also paying Leake $4 million
• If Ozuna takes the QO, est $17.5 million

Thanks to Mo for over paying most of these players. Guess-estimated $160 - $170 million payroll without changing anything. 5th highest in baseball.

So what can we do? Trade Fowler and Carpenter for "A" level lottery prospects. Pay 1/2 their salary to the other team. We can probably get more out of that $16 million we save from some other player. But, the main reason is to just move on from aging under performing players. You just need one team to think they can fix them. Thinking Angels for Fowler. Carp to some low level AL team with cash issues.

Otherwise, thanks to Mo making players feel comfortable, we don't have any money. We cant expect to have a top 5 payroll. It's unrealistic to think Dewitt is going to go that high.

[bdj23]

I still can't believe that Carpenter extension

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Next year needs to be a farewell tour. Sign Waino to 1/10 and have him go out with Yadi.

Give all the AAAA OF enough rope to hang themselves, then see if you have any wheat.

Give Helsley and Gomber a shot in the rotation. Eat the Fowler deal. If Miller shows life, trade him to a team needing lefty help immediately.

Edman is going to have a much worse year next year. Prepare yourself for it, because his batted ball luck won't hold. Carpenter stays on the bench. Period.

Don't rush Csrlson. Do all that and next year will be a success.

[Miles]

Originally Posted by BDj23

I still can't believe that Carpenter extension

That $2M buyout to decline his option sure would look nice.

[ChiefsCountry]

Interesting proposal coming about the minor league systems
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stor...-league-teams/

[VAChief]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

Next year needs to be a farewell tour. Sign Waino to 1/10 and have him go out with Yadi.

Give all the AAAA OF enough rope to hang themselves, then see if you have any wheat.

Give Helsley and Gomber a shot in the rotation. Eat the Fowler deal. If Miller shows life, trade him to a team needing lefty help immediately.

Edman is going to have a much worse year next year. Prepare yourself for it, because his batted ball luck won't hold. Carpenter stays on the bench. Period.

Don't rush Csrlson. Do all that and next year will be a success.

Sounds like you are talking somewhat of a rebuild. I can't say I disagree. If they were to cut ties with Fowler, I would make a qualifying offer to Ozuna (he probably won't accept, but even if he does it is for one year, which buys you some time on Carlson). That leaves Bader, ONeill, Arozarena and Lane to fight it out for the other outfield spots. I would also try to find an AL fit for Martinez. He limits our bench options too much, especially if they continue to run Molina out there day and and day out.

If you keep Carp benched who plays third everyday? Do you even try to upgrade over there?

[Pasta Little Brioni]

You guys know damn well what SHOULD be done.

[BigRedChief]

Carlos Martinez has surgery on his pitching shoulder. Mo says it was minor surgery and will be ready for spring training. Soooo expect him back at mid season and again unable to throw more than 50 pitches at a time.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

Carlos Martinez has surgery on his pitching shoulder. Mo says it was minor surgery and will be ready for spring training. Soooo expect him back at mid season and again unable to throw more than 50 pitches at a time.

Rumor has it the surgery went exceedingly well. He's throwing the ball with authority with increased command and velocity and he's set to sign a multi-year extension.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by jd1020

Rumor has it the surgery went exceedingly well. He's throwing the ball with authority with increased command and velocity and he's set to sign a multi-year extension.

damn good onion take. Enough truth with parody. Yet, depressing at the same time.