Mozeliak modifies his winter wish list

Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal zeroes in on a grounder during a game at Busch Stadium early in the 2012 season. (Chris Lee photo / Post-Dispatch)

1 hour ago  •  By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com314-340-8285

12

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak made an immediate move Tuesday to start clearing roster space on the same day he received news that could influence future moves.
The Cardinals gave reliever Kyle McClellan, the longest-tenured member of the bullpen, his unconditional release, sending the righty into free agency even as he tries to rehab from an arm injury.
Two other Cardinals recovering from arm injuries, pitcher Jaime Garcia and shortstop Rafael Furcal, have made encouraging progress, Mozeliak said after receiving reports from his medical staff. Garcia threw off the mound Monday and Furcal will have his elbow re-evaluated this weekend as part of his rehab.
It’s the improvement from Furcal that could modify Mozeliak’s winter wish list.
“Knowing that the two players we’re talking about have had positive outcomes in (their rehabs) provides optimism,” Mozeliak said. “It’s something you consider in your offseason strategy. It does mean we don’t have to chase a shortstop at this point.”
Garcia was placed on the disabled list during the postseason with a tear in his rotator cuff and inflammation inside his shoulder. A tour of specialists commenced, and though surgery was one recommendation for the lefty, after a consultation with Dr. James Andrews, he pursued a treatment program to avoid a procedure.
On Monday at Busch Stadium, Garcia threw about 25 pitches off the mound. He will continue physical therapy this month and by December begin a “normal offseason,” Mozeliak said.
The current plan is to have him on the preparation regimen in January, though the Cardinals have said the success of Garcia’s recovery won’t be clear until he pitches during spring training. Garcia has acknowledged that his hope to avoid surgery means sticking to exercises and treatment.
Furcal, likewise, sought to avoid surgery to repair a tear in his elbow.
Such a procedure would push back his availability for 2013 and enhance the Cardinals’ need to explore the shortstop market this winter. Furcal’s health would change the Cardinals’ urgency, but the club acknowledges a need to at least explore depth options in the middle infield.
Furcal is scheduled to return from the Dominican Republic this weekend, and he’ll meet with members of the medical staff in Florida to have his elbow re-evaluated. The shortstop’s agent said Furcal has not yet attempted baseball activities such as throwing. Paul Kinzer said his client is “very confident he’ll be ready at the start of the year.”
Mozeliak said during his conversations with trainers Tuesday “the word surgery never came up” for either Furcal or Garcia.
McClellan has a similar spring training target in mind, though for the first time in his career he no longer knows the team he’ll be on. The St. Louis-area native missed more four than months of the season and needed surgery to repair damage in his right shoulder. He is in the middle of a throwing program to strengthen his arm and will visit with the surgeon in early December. He said he expects to be ready for spring training.
McClellan would be eligible for arbitration this winter, and the Cardinals chose to release him Tuesday rather than to not offer him a contract by the deadline later this month. The release allows him to become a free agent a few weeks before other arbitration-eligible players are not tendered offers on or before Nov. 30.
It also frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the team to use before next Tuesday’s deadline to protect players from the Rule 5 draft. The Cardinals have four open spots on the roster and another move in the coming week is likely as the team clears room for minor-leaguers such as lefty Kevin Siegrist and righty Eric Fornataro.
“When you look at the situation from my standpoint you see that they have a lot of young, exciting arms coming up and they’re excited about that and have every reason to be,” said McClellan, a Hazelwood West grad. “They have guys ready to contribute at the major-league level. They want to see them get that chance. And you can see how it makes sense for both sides to explore other opportunities.”
McClellan was the Cardinals’ 25th-round pick in 2002, and he jumped from Class AA to the major-league bullpen to open 2008 with the team. In 261 appearances over five seasons, McClellan was 19-23 with a 3.69 ERA. The Cardinals’ depth at his role made Tuesday’s release possible for the tenured reliever.
He’s not alone in feeling that squeeze. Skip Schumaker, one of only two position players remaining from the Cardinals’ 2006 club, is in a similar depth-pinch as the Cardinals look to others at second base and in utility roles. Sources have described the club as willing to trade Schumaker, who has a year remaining on his contract.
McClellan, 28, was told of his release Tuesday morning. He said he didn’t want to get his “hopes up or down” for what offers he’ll find as a free agent. He recognizes he’ll have to prove his health and that he may not go to spring training with a guaranteed roster spot.
“Either way I’ll have to have a good spring training,” McClellan said. “I have to prove my health. You’d love to have the security of a major-league deal. As long as I’m healthy, I’m confident in my ability and what I can do when given an opportunity.”
The Cardinals signed catcher Rob Johnson to a minor-league contract that came with an invitation to major-league spring training. Johnson, 30, will offer depth behind backup Tony Cruz. The Montana native was with the Mets and their Class AAA affiliate in 2012.

Strauss: Cards interest in Cabrera 'real'

Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera tags out Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina on a steal attempt in the June 9 game at Busch Stadium. (AP Photo)

In today's chat with hundreds of STLtoday.com readers, Post-Dispatch baseball writer Joe Strauss addressed the Cardinals' shortstop situation in the wake of Rafael Furcal's late-season physical breakdown.
Strauss' bottom line? The Cardinals have "real" interest in pursuing Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera if the Indians, as rumored, shop him this winter. Cabrera, who turns 27 next week, batted .270 with 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 2012; he hammered 25 homers with 92 RBIs in 2011.
Fans also are making a lot of noise about Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki, but Strauss said he would be "surprised" if the Cardinals were willing to take on such a hefty financial obligation. Strauss also downplayed Cardinals interest in Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus, saying only that he expected both teams' general managers to discuss the player's availability.
As for Stephen Drew ... the 29-year-old free agent would be a short-term fit at best.
Below is Strauss' insight into the Cardinals' shortstop situation, followed by a bonus reply on the prospect of Rick Ankiel returning as a pitcher — a possibility Strauss raised in last week's chat.
Or you can read today's entire Joe Strauss Live Q-&-A here.
* * *
QUESTION: With Asdrubal Cabrera apparently on the trade block, what is the likelihood of the Cards inquiring about his availability? Do you think guys like Lance Lynn and Matt Adams could serve as the pillars of a deal with the Indians? Do you think 'Mo' would trade from our RH pitching strength to find a long-term solution at SS?
Follow-up question: Joe, what odds do you have on one or two of these four pitchers being in a different organization come spring training: Kelly, Lynn, Rosenthal, Miller?
STRAUSS: I do believe the Cardinals' interest in Asdrubal Cabrera real. With such a flimsy free agent market for shortstops, a number of teams are intrigued by Cabrera if the Indians are indeed willing to shop him.
To compete for Cabrera, the Cardinals would have to part with multiple prospects. One of the names you mention would certainly be introduced into talks by the Tribe. The Cardinals' willingness to part with a current or future member of their starting rotation would then be tested.
This much is known: the club will not expose itself at shortstop to the same degree as it did this year. Whether or not Rafael Furcal requires surgery, he will not be viewed as a 145-game player in 2013. The team requires at least depth at the position. With Furcal's contract set to expire after next season, GM John Mozeliak can't ignore landing a potential long-term answer via trade.
Should that not pan out, a short-term fix becomes more palatable. My information is that Mozeliak does not envision Pete Kozma as a starting option. He projects as a utility middle infielder.
* * *
QUESTION: Do you think Tulowitzki would be a good fit? Would, say, Matt Adams and Skip Schumaker "start" some good discussions with the Rockies? I'm totally intrigued by the thought of 'Tulo' in a Cardinals uniform if he becomes available, just not sure the money he is due would be wise.
STRAUSS: Healthy, Tulowitzki is one of the game's 10 best players, maybe five best. I'd be surprised, however, if the Cardinals were willing to assume that kind of financial obligation at this time. Tulowitzki has become an injury risk even before reaching a six-year, $118 million extension set to begin in 2015. He is scheduled to make $20M in each of the first five seasons.
That's significant money when taking into account that Matt Holliday makes $17M two of those years and Adam Wainwright will receive close to $20M per annum if he forgoes free agency.
* * *
QUESTION: Stephen Drew had a very serious ankle injury. Is he capable of fielding the SS position to major league standards?
STRAUSS: Fair point. His performance the last two seasons has been wanting. However, his need to rehabilitate his value could make him a short-term fit for a team such as the Cardinals, if they fail to acquire a long-term answer.
* * *
QUESTION: Do you think the Cardinals will make calls to see if Elvis Andrus from the Rangers really is available, as has been rumored?
STRAUSS: (This week's) GM meetings serve as foundation for what happens between now and December's Winter Meetings. I'd expect 'Mo' to have a discussion with (Rangers GM) Jon Daniels, if not already. Again, I believe it more likely that the Cardinals seek a short-term fix at the position this winter, unless Furcal's elbow is ruled a no-go for next season.
* * *
ANKIEL UPDATE
Question: Have any execs or scouts told you they're interested to see Rick Ankiel pitching again?
STRAUSS: Scott Boras told Yahoo Sports his client is not interested in pitching at this time. Boras insisted Ankiel still perceives himself as a position player.
The question remains, however, what Ankiel does if unable to land a major-league contract as an OF. That's a real possibility.

Cardinals needs for 2013 are 'complementary'

Cardinals utilityman Skip Schumaker celebrates with Daniel Descalso during the Sept. 3 game against the Mets. (Chris Lee photo / Post-Dispatch)

15 hours ago  •  BY JOE STRAUSS St. Louis Post-Dispatch

There is no massive contract to broker, as was the case with Matt Holliday after the 2009 season or Albert Pujols following the Cardinals’ 2011 world championship.
No glaring need exists within the Cardinals’ performance core, such as one that led to signing veteran right fielder Carlos Beltran to a two-year guarantee – a deal that curiously enough compensated Beltran more handsomely in 2012 than what Pujols received in the first installment of his 10-year bonanza.
Unlike last November, general manager John Mozeliak faces no paralysis as this year’s free agent market opens.
What Mozeliak does see is opportunity on a smaller scale than the $120 million required to re-sign Holliday in January 2010 or even the $26 million he devoted to Beltran last December. Mozeliak has spoken of “creativity” to address more complementary needs that picked at the Cardinals for much of an 88-win season that fell one win shy of the World Series.
For all their recent postseason success, the Cardinals have secured just one division championship the last six seasons. They have reached 90 wins twice during the span. More and more they appear content to construct a team able to win through balance than dominance. The last two seasons have forced the organization to compensate for the loss of a starting pitcher during spring training. Uncertainty about Jaime Garcia’s left shoulder creates fear for another such episode. Though Mozeliak has spoken confidently about shortstop Rafael Furcal’s ability to avoid elbow surgery, Furcal’s status is the source for lingering unease within the organization.
Mozeliak appears motivated to address the club’s middle-infield uncertainty. At various times last season Tyler Greene, Skip Schumaker and Daniel Descalso served as primary second baseman. Greene was traded and the same fate could befall Schumaker after he entered virtual quarantine for much of September and the postseason. To many, Descalso offers more value in a utility rather than an everyday role.
The club projects highly rated prospect Kolten Wong as its eventual starting second baseman. However, Wong has never taken an at-bat beyond Double-A Springfield. Barely 22, Wong is more likely to join a crush of competition at the position next spring rather than arrive as a prohibitive favorite to earn the role.
Though publicly confident in Furcal’s availability, Mozeliak is privately wary of exposing a premium defensive position in the manner that occurred after Furcal suffered an August 30 ligament strain.
The Cardinals may pursue short-term fixes at both positions rather than entrust their depth to organizational players such as Pete Kozma, Ryan Jackson or Wong.
Just as Mozeliak committed a premium ($13 million) last winter to retain Furcal and his complicated medical history, the Cardinals could overpay to add a player for one year. Middle infielders Stephen Drew, Jeff Keppinger, former trade target Alex Gonzalez and NLCS Most Valuable Player Marco Scutaro represent the most attractive alternatives.
Drew, Keppinger and Scutaro will command starter’s money with term an additional complication. The Oakland A’s last month declined their $10 million option on Drew, who has taken a combined 608 at-bats the last two seasons, hitting .238 with only 12 home runs along the way. Drew, 29, could fit the profile of a player willing to accept a one-year “pillow” deal in order to rehabilitate his value before returning to the market after next season.
The Cardinals realized, but wouldn’t acknowledge until after their postseason elimination, that they flexed a substandard bench. A lack of maneuverability too often left manager Mike Matheny at the whim of an opposing bullpen. Unable to dictate match-ups, Matheny was forced to hope a series of walks and singles might accomplish what one power bat could create. They rarely did.
Lance Berkman’s injury-riddled year forced Allen Craig into an everyday role. By itself the development was not a bad thing given Craig’s productivity at first base. However, a domino effect radically altered offensive depth.
When healthy, the Cardinals can afford to keep Matt Carpenter on the bench as a late-inning bullet. Should he be pressed into a starting role because of injury elsewhere, a re-enforcement such as Jonny Gomes or Laynce Nix would fit. Gomes and Nix also fit the profile of a short-term, budget-friendly veteran addition. A desire to offer left fielder Matt Holliday and Beltran more liberal playing time could dovetail with the acquisition of another flank outfielder.
If a short bench paralyzed Matheny at times, so did the lack of a second lefthanded reliever. The late-inning righthanded formula of Edward Mujica, Mitchell Boggs and Jason Motte offered little opportunity for Marc Rzepczynski. However, Rzepczynski’s ineffectiveness for much of the season also fed a predicament that saw the club invest false hope first in J.C. Romero and then Brian Fuentes. Neither made more than 11 appearances before discarded.
The Cardinals typically have invested little in lefthanded relievers, opting instead of low-cost options such as Brian Tallet and Trever Miller. Lacking lefthanded relief became a torpedo that helped sink the 2008 season as well.
Flush with righthanded power relievers, the Cardinals could stick with six rights in the bullpen and commit to a single more established left such as Sean Burnett or Jeremy Affeldt, who is coming off a three-year, $14 million contract. Consensus exists that the club is not well served with Rzepczynksi as its sole lefthanded reliever.
Uncertainty over Garcia could vaporize flexibility within the rotation. If Garcia is fit, the club intends to open competition among Lance Lynn, Joe Kelly, Shelby Miller and Trevor Rosenthal for the fifth starter role. Mozeliak and Matheny emphasized to Lynn a need for more diligent conditioning this winter and made clear that a starting role is not guaranteed the returning 18-game winner.
The club hopes to know more shortly about whether Garcia will indeed require surgery.
Should such a need arise, costing Garcia a significant portion of next season, Mozeliak would then contemplate whether to pursue another veteran starter on a short-term deal.

Mozeliak has done stellar job

Bernie: Mozeliak has done stellar job

Huy Mach

Cardinals' GM John Mozeliak talks to the media about the season on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Photo by Huy Mach, hmach@post-dispatch.com

8 hours ago  •  BY BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch Sports Columnist

When John Mozeliak was promoted to the general manager’s office before the 2008 season, the chair was uncomfortable.
In a harsh and tragic follow-up to the 2006 World Series championship, the 2007 Cardinals went 78-84 and finished a distant third in the NL Central. That was hardly the worst part. Relief pitcher Josh Hancock died in a drinking-and-driving wreck on April 29. On Aug. 30, outfielder Juan Encarnacion was struck in the face by a foul ball that caused severe damage to his left eye socket. The injury ended his career.
After a tension-filled summer wrought with front-office infighting, Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. fired GM Walt Jocketty at season’s end. Jocketty had resented losing control over the draft and player development, and his feud with scouting director Jeff Luhnow created an organizational fissure that couldn’t be resolved.
Less than a calendar after winning the World Series, Jocketty was out. DeWitt interviewed several outside candidates and seemed to be zeroing in on Cleveland assistant GM Chris Antonetti as the choice. But the Indians convinced Antonetti to stay, and DeWitt gave the job to Jocketty’s assistant, Mozeliak.
Manager Tony La Russa wasn’t exactly thrilled by the seismic shakeup. Jocketty and La Russa were close allies that had formed a winning partnership, and TLR didn’t care for Luhnow.
La Russa decided to return in 2008 after being offered a huge raise by DeWitt.
The organization was still roiling when Mozeliak took over for Jocketty. The new GM faced a difficult challenge on multiple fronts.
Mozeliak had to broker an uneasy peace between La Russa and Luhnow. It was a complicated arrangement. DeWitt valued La Russa’s leadership and record of impressive achievement, but DeWitt also wanted the franchise to put more emphasis on scouting, drafting and developing young players.
The old-school La Russa went along with the program, but maintained skepticism. And Mozeliak had to find a way to oversee the dramatic change in philosophy without alienating La Russa. To pull this off, Mozeliak had to display considerable dexterity and diplomacy.
Mozeliak succeeded.
I offer the history lesson for a reason: it’s easy to forget about the tumultuous period of transition that could have ripped the franchise apart. It’s difficult to win in a calm setting, but in his early days as GM Mozeliak had to deal with a potentially volatile set of circumstances. He handled the assignment with impressive skill.
So when people ask me if I think Mozeliak has done a good job as GM, it’s rather easy to answer the question. Mozeliak hasn’t done a good job as GM; he’s done a great job.
Over Mozeliak’s first five years, the Cardinals have maintained their level of success. This was never going to be a full-scale youth movement. Because the Cardinals are determined to continue winning, there will always be room for big contracts (Matt Holliday, Yadier Molina, Kyle Lohse, Chris Carpenter.) Vacancies will be filled by imported veterans such as Lance Berkman, Carlos Beltran and Jake Westbrook.
The organization, however, has given expanded opportunities to young players. That in turn led to the difference-making emergence of David Freese, Allen Craig, Jon Jay, Matt Carpenter, Daniel Descalso, Jaimie Garcia, Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs, Lance Lynn, and Joe Kelly.
Mozeliak has successfully balanced the roster; the Cardinals have an appealing mix of experienced, proven players and youthful, ascending talents.
The player-development plan is working, and there’s another wave of wave of young talent on the way. I don’t know if any major-league franchise can match the Cardinals’ collection of young power arms: Lynn, Kelly, Trevor Rosenthal, Shelby Miller, Carlos Martinez, Michael Wacha. Depending on their progress and/or comeback from injuries, the list could be lengthened to include Tyrell Jenkins and Jordan Swaggerty.
On the player-position side, the Cardinals are legitimately excited by the seemingly imminent graduations of outfielder Oscar Tavares and second baseman Kolten Wong. And down the road there’s a potentially powerful third-base bat in teenager Carson Kelly. Matt Adams, the slugging first baseman, may get a shot at some point.
The infusion of young talent is real. It isn’t hype. The 2012 Cardinals even benefited from the surprisingly effective play from rookie shortstop Peter Kozma, who had tumbled from the list of top prospects. But Mozeliak has also made adept moves to plug in more expensive pieces. The 2011 Cardinals wouldn’t have won the World Series without Berkman. Without Beltran, the 2012 Cardinals don’t make the playoffs and advance to Game 7 of the NL championship series.
Mozeliak’s quality work includes the deal that sent an aging Jim Edmonds to San Diego for a young minor-league third baseman, Freese. Given what Freese has done here, this will go down as one of the best trades in franchise history.
Mozeliak’s insistence in relying on prospects also applied to the manager’s job. When Mozeliak had to replace the iconic La Russa, a certain Hall of Famer, he made an unconventional and somewhat controversial decision to hire the promising but inexperienced Mike Matheny. That decision appears to be a home run.
Because of the depth assembled by Mozeliak, the 2012 Cardinals were able to compensate for the free-agent loss of superstar Albert Pujols. With Craig, Matt Carpenter and Adams taking most of the at-bats, the Cardinals got 21 homers, 109 RBIs and a .293 batting average from the first base position in 2012.
By declining to match the Los Angeles Angels’ 10-year, $240 million offer to Pujols, Mozeliak created payroll flexibility for the future. That enabled him to sign the industry’s best catcher, Molina, to a five-year, $75 million contract extension. With Pujols gone, the Cardinals were able to give a full-time opportunity to Craig, who responded by leading the major leagues in RBI rate in 2012. (Craig had an RBI for every 5.1 at-bats, and led the majors with a .400 batting average with runners in scoring position.)
In Mozeliak’s first five seasons as GM, the Cardinals had the NL’s second-best winning percentage. Only Philadelphia won more games. The Cardinals made it to the playoffs three times in the five seasons, have won 18 postseason games, and captured the 11th World Series title in franchise history.
When Mozeliak succeeded the ousted Jocketty, it was natural to wonder if the Cardinals would slip, and lose ground. It hasn’t happened. I would never insult Jocketty or demean the work he did here by insisting that Mozeliak is a better GM.
That said, Mozeliak obviously was the right choice to take over during such a sensitive, tricky time. Given the thorny challenges that have confronted Mozeliak over the past five seasons, I don’t see how another GM could have possibly done a better job than Mo.

Cards make coaching moves

  By Joe Strauss

The Cardinals have promoted Memphis pitching coach Blaise Ilsley to manager Mike Matheny’s staff as bullpen coach, the Post-Dispatch has learned.
The club offered no comment on coaching matters Friday in the wake of hitting coach Mark McGwire’s decision to accept the same position with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, the Cardinals are expected to confirm Ilsley’s promotion on Monday, when they may also announce assistant hitting coach John Mabry’s promotion as McGwire’s replacement.
Ilsley, 49, becomes the Cardinals’ fourth bullpen coach in as many years, succeeding Dyar Miller, the only member of Matheny’s staff not offered a contract following the club’s ouster from the National League championship series.
Mabry, 42, became the final member of Matheny’s inaugural staff when he took over Mike Aldrete’s role as assistant hitting coach after the club promoted Aldrete to bench coach.
Amid Friday’s coaching swirl the Cardinals tendered a one-year, $13.3 million qualifying offer to their own free agent pitcher, Kyle Lohse. The bid – considered a formality to arguably the market’s second-most compelling starter – assures the Cardinals will receive draft compensation from the team that signs Lohse, who has seven days to accept or reject the offer. If Lohse accepts, the Cardinals would owe him $13.3 million for 2013. However, Lohse’s agent, Scott Boras, hasn’t prepared an elaborate presentation for his client merely to take a qualifying bid.
After constructing a 16-3 record and 2.83 ERA this season, Lohse will likely command a guaranteed four-year bid approaching a $15 million average annual value.
The Cardinals made no such offer to their other free agent, first baseman Lance Berkman.
After serving three tours with the Cardinals as a player, Mabry worked closely with his former teammate McGwire and, according to the team’s hitters, developed an effective professional relationship. Mabry batted .263 with 96 home runs and 446 RBI within a 14-year career and would become the Cardinals’ third hitting coach in the last five seasons.
The club intends to promote its next assistant hitting coach from within the system, according to a source familiar with the matter, leaving Aldrete as the only coach who joined the major-league staff without a previous tie to the organization as a player or minor-league coach or manager.
The Cardinals are also expected to announce Chris Maloney’s return as first-base coach.
Ilsley spent the past five seasons as pitching coach for the Cardinals’ Class AAA affiliate and is very familiar with the parent club’s bullpen as well as starters Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn. Ilsley’s work with top pitching prospect Shelby Miller is considered pivotal in turning righthander Shelby Miller’s disastrous first half in the Pacific Coast League into a late launching pad for his September promotion to St. Louis, where Miller impressed in a limited relief role.
During Ilsley’s tenure at Memphis the Redbirds three times led the Pacific Coast League in earned run average and captured the league title in a fourth season.
Matheny moved quickly to firm his coaching staff after deciding not to retain Miller and after learning of McGwire’s desire to work closer to his Southern California home.
The past three seasons have seen Marty Mason, current pitching coach Derek Lilliquist and Miller serve as bullpen coach. Ilsley’s promotion also squares with general manager John Mozeliak’s stated preference to promote from within an increasingly respected player development system, something that only infrequently occurred during Tony La Russa’s term as manager. La Russa agreed minor-league managers and coaches should have greater opportunity for upward mobility but remained loyal to a successful, veteran staff.
McGwire’s departure leaves third-base coach Jose Oquendo, Lilliquist and bench coach Mike Aldrete as the only holdovers from La Russa’s regime. Lilliquist and Aldrete serve Matheny in different roles.
Ilsley’s promotion is part of an expected renovation of the player development system’s pitching hierarchy. Palm Beach (High A) pitching coach Dennis Martinez and Johnson City (Rookie) pitching coach Doug White will not return to the organization. Martinez, who spent six seasons in the Cardinals’ player development system, will coach the Nicaraguan entry in next year’s World Baseball Classic. He also runs a baseball academy..

Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

by Ben Nicholson-Smith

The Cardinals enter the offseason without the need for large-scale change.
Guaranteed Contracts

• Yadier Molina, C: $74MM through 2017
• Matt Holliday, OF: $69MM through 2016
• Jaime Garcia, SP: $23.25MM through 2015
• Carlos Beltran, OF: $13MM through 2013
• Chris Carpenter, SP: $12.5MM through 2013
• Adam Wainwright, SP: $12MM through 2013
• Jake Westbrook, SP: $9.75MM through 2013
• Rafael Furcal, SS: $7.5MM through 2013
• Skip Schumaker, 2B: $1.5MM through 2013

Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)

• Edward Mujica, RP: $3.2MM (third time eligible)
• Kyle McClellan, RP: $2.4MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate)
• Jason Motte, RP: $4.7MM (second time eligible)
• David Freese, 3B: $2.6MM (first time eligible)
• Mitchell Boggs, RP: $1.3MM (first time eligible)
• Marc Rzepczynski, RP: $900K (first time eligible)

Free Agents

• Kyle Lohse, Lance Berkman, Brian Fuentes

No general manager begins an offseason by declaring that his team could contend for a championship as-is. It'd be boastful and create unwanted attention. But if any team can contend in 2013 without making prominent offseason additions it's the Cardinals.

The Cardinals seem to be in tremendous position for the 2013 season. Their roster includes impact players in their prime such as Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday. It features an effective starting rotation with a combination of established veterans and powerful young arms. There's a collection of homegrown, pre-arbitration eligible position players who can really hit. And the roster doesn't include a single bad contract.
That said, John Mozeliak has a number of needs this offseason. The general manager will pursue left-handed relief, perhaps through free agency. Jeremy Affeldt, Sean Burnett and Randy Choate are among the free agent left-handers who could become targets in St. Louis. There's also the possibility of a trade, not that teams are generally keen on parting with reliable left-handed relief. It'd make sense for the Cardinals to offer Burnett or Affeldt a modest multiyear deal if that's what it takes.
The Cardinals could also consider upgrades at the middle infield positions. They have more internal options at second base than at shortstop, since Matt Carpenter will work out at second this offseason and prospect Kolten Wong could contribute at the MLB level by 2013. There's also trade candidate Skip Schumaker and Daniel Descalso, who spent most of the '12 season at second.
Pete Kozma's postseason performance aside, the Cardinals have legitimate questions at shortstop. Counting on Rafael Furcal to stay healthy all year probably isn't realistic at this point, leading Joe Strauss to suggest the Cardinals could add a shortstop for the short term. While this may not be an urgent need, it's worth keeping in mind.
Schumaker doesn't have a clear role on next year's Cardinals team, so he could be traded. He'd likely draw interest given his $1.5MM salary, the scarcity of free agent second basemen and his ability to hit right-handed pitching and reach base. The Royals, Orioles and Blue Jays should all consider Schumaker in my view. Matt Adams could be another trade chip, since he doesn't have a clear role on the St. Louis roster. The 24-year-old has shown lots of power at the minor league level and could appeal to teams such as the Rays and Indians. If those teams hesitate to surrender value in trades, the Cardinals can simply keep Adams as depth.
Kyle Lohse will hit free agency this offseason, and he won't be returning to St. Louis. Expect the Cardinals to extend the right-hander a qualifying offer to set themselves up for draft pick compensation in 2013. Lance Berkman will also leave as a free agent (assuming he doesn't retire). Instead, Jenifer Langosch has suggested the Cardinals could pursue a right-handed hitting power threat for the bench. Jonny Gomes and Casper Wells are among the right-handed hitting outfielders who could appeal to Mozeliak.
The GM will likely discuss a potential extension with Adam Wainwright's representatives in the coming months. At this point, Wainwright, Chris Carpenter and Jake Westbrook are all on track to hit free agency following the 2013 season. By extending Wainwright the Cardinals would lock up a reliable starter who can facilitate the transition to a younger group of arms. He pitched well in his return from Tommy John surgery, even if he fell short of the lofty personal standards he established in 2009-10. Wainwright's representatives at Aegis Sports Management could be positioned to demand four or five additional years now that Wainwright's this close to free agency.
The Cardinals' group of six arbitration eligible players includes one non-tender candidate: Kyle McClellan. It's also possible Mozeliak could trade McClellan to a team in need of pitching, though they probably wouldn't obtain much in return given his season-ending shoulder injury.
The group also includes a number of extension candidates. It might make sense to wait before extending David Freese given his difficulties staying on the field. The Cardinals could also look to cap costs by signing relievers such as Jason Motte and Mitchell Boggs to modest extensions. At this stage there's no urgency to complete deals, so unless the Cardinals are getting discounts or extending their period of team control, new contracts won't be necessary.
Even a well-built team such as this one has offseason needs. Mozeliak will attempt to add left-handed relief and sort out his team's middle infield in the coming months. Still, compared to last offseason -- a winter that included a managerial search and high stakes negotiations with the organization's franchise player -- this year will probably seem pretty quiet.

Bernie Bytes: What's up with Holliday?

Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispat

St. Louis' Matt Holliday strikes out for the third time during Game 5 of the National League Championship Series between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals in St. Louis on Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at Busch Stadium. Photo By Robert Cohen, rcohen@post-dispatch.com

4 hours ago  •  BY BERNIE MIKLASZ, Post-Dispatch Sports Columnist

Five Opinions:
1. What’s up with Matt Holliday? If they haven’t already done so, the Cardinals need to get a handle on his physical condition. We’ve alluded to this before, in the Post-Dispatch column and the Bytes on STLtoday.com, and Joe Strauss mentioned it in his online chat Wednesday. Holliday was clearly impacted by back issues in 2012, and I’m not just talking about the back spasms that rendered him incapable of playing Game 6 of the NLCS.
Publicly, Holliday won’t acknowledge injuries because he has pride and doesn’t want to make excuses. So he downplayed any talk about being bothered by the creaky back during long stretches of the 2012 season.
The evidence can be found in his statistics. Holliday had a very good season, batting .295 with 27 homers and 102 RBIs. He ranked fifth in the NL with a .378 w/OBA and ended up being ranked in the league’s top 15 in most key categories, including OPS and WAR. But Holliday’s slugging percentage, .497, was a career-low. That isn’t a bad slugging percentage, not at all. It ranked 17th in the NL. But it was a career low.
More than that: Holliday had a robust .545 slugging percentage on Aug. 5. But over the final 52 games, he batted .237 with a .324 onbase percentage and .384 slugging percentage. The ability is still there; we all watched Holliday destroy NL pitching last season during a crazy-good hot streak that lasted more than two months. But something happened, and all signs point to his back.
The question: was this a one-time thing, an isolated injury, or will a stiff back continue to impact Holliday’s performance into 2013 and beyond? He’ll be 33 next year. I assume the Cardinals will be on top of this. Holliday played 157 games last season, and only six NL players had more plate appearances. Holliday loves to play, but if anything he should probably play less in 2013. It could help prevent wear and tear on the back.
2. It’s nothing personal against Rafael Furcal, but I don’t trust this situation. Do you? Furcal has a partial tear of the ligament in his right elbow, but didn’t have surgery to repair it. That’s not uncommon; Albert Pujols has played years with a partially torn elbow ligament. The injury can be managed.
That said, Furcal plays shortstop. It’s a demanding position that requires a strong arm. Making throws from shortstop puts stress on the arm, the shoulder, the elbow. If Furcal blows out the elbow in 2013, then what? Furcal is under contract for next season, and that’s it. The Cardinals don’t have a Plan B, unless they’re committed to giving the gig to Pete Kozma. But if Furcal experiences a setback early in the season, do the Cardinals really have confidence in Kozma for 120, 130 or more games?
The Cardinals are vulnerable at shortstop. They must address the position. I’d prefer to see GM John Mozeliak be aggressive and pursue a SS that can be a starter there for multiple seasons. If Furcal’s elbow pops, the Cardinals would have to rely on Kozma or a pedestrian utility man to fill a vital role on the ballclub. No thanks.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told us that he plans to have insurance at the position and will likely address it with a personnel move this offseason. If so, will the Cardinals pursue a stopgap player or be more ambitious and go after a more prominent shortstop?
3. Barring injury, rookie Oscar Taveras has to be on the big club when the Cardinals open the 2013 season. If nothing else, he’d fill an important role as a busy fourth outfielder. Taveras can play all three positions. He has power and above-average speed. He is the organization’s best hitting prospect since Albert Pujols. And if the Cardinals deploy him wisely, Taveras would receive plenty of at-bats. If Jon Jay continues to struggle as a hitter on the road, Taveras could start a lot of games in center.