St. Louis Cardinals -- 2025 and trying to contend - Page 4

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:03 AM

Cards news: March 23 -- Spring Training Week 4 - Team statistics

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:14 AM

Cards news: May 24 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 3, Chicago Cubs 3, (9-12-3)

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:21 AM

Cards news: March 26 -- Spring Training -- Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 3, (9-13-3)

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:29 AM

Cards news: March 27 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 1, L.A. Dodgers 1, (9-13-4)

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:36 AM

Cards news: March 29 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 11, Washington 5, (10-13-4)

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:43 AM

Cards news: March 30 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 11, Cincinnati 2, (12-15-1)

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:47 AM

MLB news: March 30 -- Spring Training -- Final standings and leaders

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 04:48 AM

Cards news: March 30 -- Spring training -- Final team statistics

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 05:02 AM

Cards news: April 1 -- Player Development Report

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 05:03 AM

Cards news: April 1 -- Player Development Report part 2

rink23 · 04-08-2023, 05:09 AM

MLB news: April 3 -- Preseason predictions on Opening Day

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:18 AM

2024 record: 73-58, 5th place in NL Central, 13 GB Pittsburgh
Predicted finish: 81-81, 3rd place in NL Central, 9 GB Cincinnati
Key additions: SP Shane Bieber (trade with Cleveland); IF/DH Wilmer Flores (free agent); LHP Julio Robaina (Rule 5 Draft); RHP Guillermo Zuniga (trade with Philadelphia); OF Luis Gonzalez (trade with Colorado); OF Pavin Smith (trade with Arizona); C Carson Kelly (free agent).
No longer here: SP Jack Flaherty (traded to Cleveland); OF Odubel Herrera (free agent); Matt Koperniak (traded to Oakland); LHP Jose Castillo (released); Andrew Chafin (free agent); RHP Jake Woodford (traded to Colorado); C Julio Rodriguez (traded to Colorado).
Top prospects: SS Masyn Winn; RHP Tink Hence; OF Tre Fletcher; OF Cameron Leary.
Roster outlook
Position players[/B]
Coming off their worst record since 2007, the Cardinals didn't make many moves in terms of position players.
Instead, they're hoping for a return to form of players like 3B Nolan Arenado, IF Tommy Edman and C Sean Murphy who all had down years in 2024.
They also will be looking for improvement from touted youngsters IF/DH Nolan Gorman and RF Jordan Walker who both have been slow to grow into the hype which has surrounded them.
CF Cedric Mullins was limited to 73 games because of injuries last season. OF Dylan Carlson seems to be on the cusp of being a top-notch outfielder.
1B Paul Goldschmidt has been the steady fulcrum of the offense since arriving in St. Louis in 2019.
Newcomer Wilmer Flores will get the first shot at being the team's designated hitter.
Look for Masyn Winn, who will begin the season at AAA Memphis, to eventually become the everyday shortstop. He had a chance to win the job in spring training but struggled at the plate.
Starting Pitching
The Cardinals starting pitching ranked among the worst in the NL, particularly through the season's first half.
They hope they have taken a step toward solving that issue by acquiring No. 1 starting pitcher Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians.
Bieber, 29, went 19-5 last season for the Guardians and 49-25 over the last three.
William Cuevas (10-13) and David Matos (9-13) hold down the second and third spots in the rotation.
Yonny Chirinos (2-4) and Chris Rodriguez (4-1) round things out.
Cuevas has been a consistent winner throughout his career, while Matos, 25, is still just entering his third season in professional baseball after leaving Cuba.
Chririnos and Rodriguez were both acquired in mid-July and had their moments of performing well while with the team.
Bullpen
St. Louis will open its season minus its closer of the past three season as Ryan Helsley is expected to be out up to eight more weeks with a strained hamstring.
Freddy Pacheco (6-4, 1 save) will slide into the closer's role.
He will be joined on the right-side by Bryan Baker (8-3, 1 save), Nick Robertson (3-4, 1 save), Conner Lunn (5-6) and newcomer Guillermo Zuniga (0-1).
Baker made the NL All-Star team last summer. Lunn is making the conversion from being a starter much of his career.
From the left-side, Aaron Bummer (5-4, 1 save), Garrett Williams (1-1), and Brooks Raley (0-1, 1 save) all return from last season.
Rule 5 Draftee Julio Robaina (5-14) joins the team after splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen with Texas.
Despite being overworked because of the starting rotation's inability to go deep into games, the Cardinals still had a top six bullpen in the NL.
If they can survive the loss of Helsley, it should again be a team strength.
Outlook: It's tough for any team to go from worst to first but in a division where Pittsburgh won the division with an 86-76 this might be one time where it could be a possibility.

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:20 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Starting Pitchers

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:24 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Right-Handed Relief Pitchers

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:25 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Left-Handed Relief Pitchers

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:35 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day Starting Lineup -- Top Five in Batting Order

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:35 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day Starting Lineup -- Bottom Four in Batting Order

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:37 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day -- Reserves

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:41 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day -- Player ratings

rink23 · 04-09-2023, 03:46 AM

Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day --Lineups, player depth chart and financial info

04-08-2023, 04:03 AM	#61
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04-08-2023, 04:14 AM	#62
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: May 24 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 3, Chicago Cubs 3, (9-12-3) Cards news: May 24 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 3, Chicago Cubs 3, (9-12-3) Attached Images

04-08-2023, 04:21 AM	#63
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: March 26 -- Spring Training -- Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 3, (9-13-3) Cards news: March 26 -- Spring Training -- Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 3, (9-13-3) Attached Images

04-08-2023, 04:29 AM	#64
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04-08-2023, 04:36 AM	#65
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: March 29 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 11, Washington 5, (10-13-4) Cards news: March 29 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 11, Washington 5, (10-13-4) Attached Images

04-08-2023, 04:43 AM	#66
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: March 30 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 11, Cincinnati 2, (12-15-1) Cards news: March 30 -- Spring Training -- St. Louis 11, Cincinnati 2, (12-15-1) Attached Images

04-08-2023, 04:47 AM	#67
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04-08-2023, 04:48 AM	#68
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04-08-2023, 05:02 AM	#69
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04-08-2023, 05:03 AM	#70
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04-08-2023, 05:09 AM	#71
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	MLB news: April 3 -- Preseason predictions on Opening Day MLB news: April 3 -- Preseason predictions on Opening Day Attached Images

04-09-2023, 03:18 AM	#72
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day - Meet your 2025 St. Louis Cardinals 2024 record: 73-58, 5th place in NL Central, 13 GB Pittsburgh Predicted finish: 81-81, 3rd place in NL Central, 9 GB Cincinnati Key additions: SP Shane Bieber (trade with Cleveland); IF/DH Wilmer Flores (free agent); LHP Julio Robaina (Rule 5 Draft); RHP Guillermo Zuniga (trade with Philadelphia); OF Luis Gonzalez (trade with Colorado); OF Pavin Smith (trade with Arizona); C Carson Kelly (free agent). No longer here: SP Jack Flaherty (traded to Cleveland); OF Odubel Herrera (free agent); Matt Koperniak (traded to Oakland); LHP Jose Castillo (released); Andrew Chafin (free agent); RHP Jake Woodford (traded to Colorado); C Julio Rodriguez (traded to Colorado). Top prospects: SS Masyn Winn; RHP Tink Hence; OF Tre Fletcher; OF Cameron Leary. Roster outlook Position players[/B] Coming off their worst record since 2007, the Cardinals didn't make many moves in terms of position players. Instead, they're hoping for a return to form of players like 3B Nolan Arenado, IF Tommy Edman and C Sean Murphy who all had down years in 2024. They also will be looking for improvement from touted youngsters IF/DH Nolan Gorman and RF Jordan Walker who both have been slow to grow into the hype which has surrounded them. CF Cedric Mullins was limited to 73 games because of injuries last season. OF Dylan Carlson seems to be on the cusp of being a top-notch outfielder. 1B Paul Goldschmidt has been the steady fulcrum of the offense since arriving in St. Louis in 2019. Newcomer Wilmer Flores will get the first shot at being the team's designated hitter. Look for Masyn Winn, who will begin the season at AAA Memphis, to eventually become the everyday shortstop. He had a chance to win the job in spring training but struggled at the plate. Starting Pitching The Cardinals starting pitching ranked among the worst in the NL, particularly through the season's first half. They hope they have taken a step toward solving that issue by acquiring No. 1 starting pitcher Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber, 29, went 19-5 last season for the Guardians and 49-25 over the last three. William Cuevas (10-13) and David Matos (9-13) hold down the second and third spots in the rotation. Yonny Chirinos (2-4) and Chris Rodriguez (4-1) round things out. Cuevas has been a consistent winner throughout his career, while Matos, 25, is still just entering his third season in professional baseball after leaving Cuba. Chririnos and Rodriguez were both acquired in mid-July and had their moments of performing well while with the team. Bullpen St. Louis will open its season minus its closer of the past three season as Ryan Helsley is expected to be out up to eight more weeks with a strained hamstring. Freddy Pacheco (6-4, 1 save) will slide into the closer's role. He will be joined on the right-side by Bryan Baker (8-3, 1 save), Nick Robertson (3-4, 1 save), Conner Lunn (5-6) and newcomer Guillermo Zuniga (0-1). Baker made the NL All-Star team last summer. Lunn is making the conversion from being a starter much of his career. From the left-side, Aaron Bummer (5-4, 1 save), Garrett Williams (1-1), and Brooks Raley (0-1, 1 save) all return from last season. Rule 5 Draftee Julio Robaina (5-14) joins the team after splitting time between the rotation and the bullpen with Texas. Despite being overworked because of the starting rotation's inability to go deep into games, the Cardinals still had a top six bullpen in the NL. If they can survive the loss of Helsley, it should again be a team strength. Outlook: It's tough for any team to go from worst to first but in a division where Pittsburgh won the division with an 86-76 this might be one time where it could be a possibility.

04-09-2023, 03:20 AM	#73
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Starting Pitchers Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Starting Pitchers Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 04-09-2023 at 03:21 AM.

04-09-2023, 03:24 AM	#74
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Right-Handed Relief Pitchers Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Right-Handed Relief Pitchers Attached Images

04-09-2023, 03:25 AM	#75
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Left-Handed Relief Pitchers Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day roster -- Left-Handed Relief Pitchers Attached Images

04-09-2023, 03:35 AM	#76
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day Starting Lineup -- Top Five in Batting Order Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day Starting Lineup -- Top Five in Batting Order Attached Images

04-09-2023, 03:37 AM	#78
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04-09-2023, 03:41 AM	#79
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04-09-2023, 03:46 AM	#80
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,685	Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day --Lineups, player depth chart and financial info Cards news: April 3 -- Opening Day --Lineups, player depth chart and financial info Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 04-09-2023 at 04:07 AM.