Rink23's 2021 Cardinals: Defending what is ours

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 04:18 AM

So how do you build upon perfection -- or winning a World Series title -- you try to repeat and I did the best I could to build a team that could do that.
* Some players are gone.
* Gerrit Cole was a solid starter (9-8, 4.18 ERA) and had a nice postseason. But he's 30-years-old, he wanted a seven-year deal (he got three) and he was on the DL twice in 2020.
* Matt Carpenter was a great Cardinal. He didn't have the average (.259) in 2020, but thanks to all the walks he drew his OBP (.402) was great and he hit 22 home runs. An important part of the championship. But he wanted a long deal (ended up getting three) and is 35-years old.
* Yadier Molina retired. Nothing I could do to bring him back. His leadership will be missed, but by the end of the season Austin Hedges was the starting catcher and Molina did not play in the World Series.
* Their replacements look good.
* The Cardinals have a handful of young starters in the minors. One of them, Thomas Hatch, was traded, but Lewis Thorpe and Oscar De La Rosa are going to get a shot to show what they can do in the majors.
* The Cardinals took a risk -- giving up left-handed reliever Ryan Sherriff and AA third baseman John Aiello -- and and made a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for a young slugging first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who has nothing but hit for power and a decent average all through the minors.
* They signed one of the biggest free agents in left-handed reliever Jayden Cullingworth. He could have the stuff to be a left-handed shutdown against anyone he faces. This made Sherriff, along with the emergence of Gabriel Moya, expendable.
* Hatch and AAA left field prospect Yusniel Diaz were sent to Colorado for catcher Jake Roberts. He should combine with incumbent Austin Hedges to give St. Louis two of the better defensive catchers in the game.
As for now, the rest of the team is back. Luke Weaver, Carlos Martinez and Jon Gray anchor the top of the rotation.
On the field, MVP Bryce Harper and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who I think was fifth in the MVP voting, give the Cardinals one of the best middle of the orders in baseball.
The bullpen, Michael Feliz in the closer's role and Drew Steckenrider and Cullingworth as his setups, should be one of baseball's best.
Let the game's begin.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 04:42 AM

MLB news: Preseason predictions at the start of spring training

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 04:48 AM

Game 1: Padres 4, Cardinals 1, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
Record: 1-0.
W: Lamet 1-0, 2.25. L: Martinez 0-1, 6.65. Sv: Wingenter 1, 0.00. HR: Tatis Jr. 1.
Player of the game: The Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. was 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 04:50 AM

MLB news: Bruce will play for Phillies

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 04:58 AM

Game 2: Dodgers 2, Cardinals 0, at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Ariz.
Record: 0-2
W: Wood 1-0, 0.00. L: Gray 0-1, 4.50. Sv: Jansen 2, 0.00. HR: Koch 1.
Player of the game: The Dodgers' Grant Koch was 1 for 2 with a solo home run and its RBI.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:05 AM

Game 3: Cardinals 3, Braves 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
W: Brebbia 1-0, 0.00. L: Sims 0-1, 0.00. Sv: Feliz, 1.0.00. HR: Andujar 1, Schebler 1, Inciarte 1.

Player of the game: The Cardinals' Ender Inciarte was 1 for 1 with a three-run home run.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:13 AM

Game 4: Rockies 7, Cardinals 6, at Salt River Fields, Talking Stick, Ariz.

W: Boyd 2-0, 3.00. L: Bowman 0-1, 13.50. HR: Tellez 1, Broxton 1, Ozuna 1, McMahon 1.
Player of the game: The Rockies' Ryan McMahon was 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:22 AM

Game 5: Cubs 7, Cardinals 6, 14 innings, Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
W: Almonte 1-0, 0.00. L: Mayers 0-1, 3.00. HR: Heyward 1, Edman 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Tommy Edman was 1 for 2 with a homer, two runs scored and two RBIs.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:31 AM

Game 6: Phillies 8, Cardinals 5, at Clearwater, Fla.
Record: 1-5.
W: De Los Santos 1-0, 0.00. L: Ellis 0-1, 19.29. Sv: Chapman 3, 0.00. HR: Goldschmidt 3.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Brock Stassi was 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:38 AM

Game 7: Cardinals 4, Pirates 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
Record: 2-5.
W: Feliz 1-0, 1.80. L: Holmes 0-1, 81.00. Sv: Mayers 1, 2.25. HR: Arozarena 1, Kemp 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Rowdy Tellez was 3 for 3 with an RBI.
Note: Cardinals starting pitcher Jon Gray left in the first inning with a mild abdominal strain. He is expected to miss a week.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:50 AM

Game 8: Cardinals 12, Rockies 2, at Salt River Field, in Talking Stick, Ariz.
W: De La Cruz 1-0, 3.38. L: Sweetman 0-1, 1.13. HR: Stassi 1, Pinder 3.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Nolan Arenado was 4 for 6 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 05:59 AM

Game 9: Cardinals 8, Marlins 1, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
Record: 4-5.

W: Thorpe 1-0, 1.69. L: Font 0-1, 2.25. HR: Robinson 1, Edman 2, Garcia 1.

Player of the game: The Cardinals' Tommy Edman was 2 for 2 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:08 AM

Game 10L Cardinals 4,Giants 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.|
Record: 5-5.
W: Mayers 1-1, 1.69. L: Lawson 0-1, 54.00. Sv: Feliz 2, 1.50. HR: Tellez 2, Harper 1, Sullivan 2.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Bryce Harper was 1 for 1 with a three-run home run.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:18 AM

Game 11: Cardinals 5, Reds 2, at Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, Ariz.
Record: 6-5.
W: Steckenrider 1-0, 2.25. L: Carvajal 0-1, 27.00. Sv: Feliz 3, 1.29. HR: Stassi 2, Broxton 2, Hampson 1, Senzel 1.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Keon Broxton was 1 for 1 with a two-run home run.
Note: Cardinals relief pitcher James Hoyt left the game with an undisclosed injury.

* Cardinals relief pitcher Matt Moore left the game with a dead arm. He is expected to be sidelined for four days.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:20 AM

MLB news: Significant injury for Oakland pitcher Dyson

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:27 AM

Game 12: Cardinals 14, Brewers 1, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
W: Martinez 1-1, 2.25. L: Derby 0-1, 17.18. HR: Broxton 3, Arozarena 2, E. Robinson 1,
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Keon Broxton was 2 for 3 with a homer and three RBIs.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:30 AM

Cardinals right-hander James Hoyt has been diagnosed with a strained tricpeps. He has been placed on the 10-day disabled list and is expected to miss six weeks.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:36 AM

Game 13: Nationals 3, Cardinals 2, at West Palm Beach , Fla.
Record: 7-6
W: A. Cole 2-1, 3.60. L: Steckenrider 1-1, 3.00. Sv: Pfeifer 2, 0.00. HR: Harper 2.
Player of the game: The Cardinals' Bryce Harper was 1 for 1 with a solo homer.

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:40 AM

MLB news: Dodgers add Hudson to bullpen

rink23 · 08-05-2018, 06:48 AM

Game 14: Mets 7, Cardinals 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.
Record: 7-7.
W: Woolfolk 1-0, 5.40. L: Brebbia 1-1, 11.25. HR: Frazier 1, Edman 3.
Player of the game: The Mets' Todd Frazier was 1 for 1 with a three-run home run.

08-05-2018, 04:18 AM	#1
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	Rink23's 2021 Cardinals: Defending what is ours So how do you build upon perfection -- or winning a World Series title -- you try to repeat and I did the best I could to build a team that could do that. * Some players are gone. * Gerrit Cole was a solid starter (9-8, 4.18 ERA) and had a nice postseason. But he's 30-years-old, he wanted a seven-year deal (he got three) and he was on the DL twice in 2020. * Matt Carpenter was a great Cardinal. He didn't have the average (.259) in 2020, but thanks to all the walks he drew his OBP (.402) was great and he hit 22 home runs. An important part of the championship. But he wanted a long deal (ended up getting three) and is 35-years old. * Yadier Molina retired. Nothing I could do to bring him back. His leadership will be missed, but by the end of the season Austin Hedges was the starting catcher and Molina did not play in the World Series. * Their replacements look good. * The Cardinals have a handful of young starters in the minors. One of them, Thomas Hatch, was traded, but Lewis Thorpe and Oscar De La Rosa are going to get a shot to show what they can do in the majors. * The Cardinals took a risk -- giving up left-handed reliever Ryan Sherriff and AA third baseman John Aiello -- and and made a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays for a young slugging first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who has nothing but hit for power and a decent average all through the minors. * They signed one of the biggest free agents in left-handed reliever Jayden Cullingworth. He could have the stuff to be a left-handed shutdown against anyone he faces. This made Sherriff, along with the emergence of Gabriel Moya, expendable. * Hatch and AAA left field prospect Yusniel Diaz were sent to Colorado for catcher Jake Roberts. He should combine with incumbent Austin Hedges to give St. Louis two of the better defensive catchers in the game. As for now, the rest of the team is back. Luke Weaver, Carlos Martinez and Jon Gray anchor the top of the rotation. On the field, MVP Bryce Harper and third baseman Nolan Arenado, who I think was fifth in the MVP voting, give the Cardinals one of the best middle of the orders in baseball. The bullpen, Michael Feliz in the closer's role and Drew Steckenrider and Cullingworth as his setups, should be one of baseball's best. Let the game's begin. Last edited by rink23; 08-05-2018 at 04:38 AM.

08-05-2018, 04:42 AM	#2
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	MLB news: Preseason predictions at the start of spring training MLB news: Preseason predictions at the start of spring training Attached Images

08-05-2018, 04:48 AM	#3
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	February 25: Padres 4, Cardinals 1 Game 1: Padres 4, Cardinals 1, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. Record: 1-0. W: Lamet 1-0, 2.25. L: Martinez 0-1, 6.65. Sv: Wingenter 1, 0.00. HR: Tatis Jr. 1. Player of the game: The Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. was 1 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 04:50 AM	#4
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	MLB news: Bruce will play for Phillies MLB news: Bruce will play for Phillies Attached Images

08-05-2018, 04:58 AM	#5
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	February 27: Dodgers 2, Cardinals 0 Game 2: Dodgers 2, Cardinals 0, at Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Ariz. Record: 0-2 W: Wood 1-0, 0.00. L: Gray 0-1, 4.50. Sv: Jansen 2, 0.00. HR: Koch 1. Player of the game: The Dodgers' Grant Koch was 1 for 2 with a solo home run and its RBI. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 05:05 AM	#6
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	February 28: Cardinals 3, Braves 2 Game 3: Cardinals 3, Braves 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. W: Brebbia 1-0, 0.00. L: Sims 0-1, 0.00. Sv: Feliz, 1.0.00. HR: Andujar 1, Schebler 1, Inciarte 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Ender Inciarte was 1 for 1 with a three-run home run. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 05:13 AM	#7
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 1: Rockies 7, Cardinals 6 Game 4: Rockies 7, Cardinals 6, at Salt River Fields, Talking Stick, Ariz. W: Boyd 2-0, 3.00. L: Bowman 0-1, 13.50. HR: Tellez 1, Broxton 1, Ozuna 1, McMahon 1. Player of the game: The Rockies' Ryan McMahon was 2 for 3 with a homer and four RBIs. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 05:22 AM	#8
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 2: Cubs 7, Cardinals 6, 14 innings Game 5: Cubs 7, Cardinals 6, 14 innings, Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. W: Almonte 1-0, 0.00. L: Mayers 0-1, 3.00. HR: Heyward 1, Edman 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Tommy Edman was 1 for 2 with a homer, two runs scored and two RBIs. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 05:31 AM	#9
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 3: Phillies 8, Cardinals 5 Game 6: Phillies 8, Cardinals 5, at Clearwater, Fla. Record: 1-5. W: De Los Santos 1-0, 0.00. L: Ellis 0-1, 19.29. Sv: Chapman 3, 0.00. HR: Goldschmidt 3. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Brock Stassi was 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 05:38 AM	#10
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 4: Cardinals 4, Pirates 2 Game 7: Cardinals 4, Pirates 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. Record: 2-5. W: Feliz 1-0, 1.80. L: Holmes 0-1, 81.00. Sv: Mayers 1, 2.25. HR: Arozarena 1, Kemp 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Rowdy Tellez was 3 for 3 with an RBI. Note: Cardinals starting pitcher Jon Gray left in the first inning with a mild abdominal strain. He is expected to miss a week. Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 08-05-2018 at 05:48 AM.

08-05-2018, 05:50 AM	#11
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 5: Cardinals 12, Rockies 2 Game 8: Cardinals 12, Rockies 2, at Salt River Field, in Talking Stick, Ariz. W: De La Cruz 1-0, 3.38. L: Sweetman 0-1, 1.13. HR: Stassi 1, Pinder 3. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Nolan Arenado was 4 for 6 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 05:59 AM	#12
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 6: Cardinals 8, Marlins 1 Game 9: Cardinals 8, Marlins 1, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. Record: 4-5. W: Thorpe 1-0, 1.69. L: Font 0-1, 2.25. HR: Robinson 1, Edman 2, Garcia 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Tommy Edman was 2 for 2 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:08 AM	#13
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 7: Cardinals 4, Giants 2 Game 10L Cardinals 4,Giants 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla.\| Record: 5-5. W: Mayers 1-1, 1.69. L: Lawson 0-1, 54.00. Sv: Feliz 2, 1.50. HR: Tellez 2, Harper 1, Sullivan 2. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Bryce Harper was 1 for 1 with a three-run home run. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:18 AM	#14
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 8: Cardinals 5, Reds 2 Game 11: Cardinals 5, Reds 2, at Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, Ariz. Record: 6-5. W: Steckenrider 1-0, 2.25. L: Carvajal 0-1, 27.00. Sv: Feliz 3, 1.29. HR: Stassi 2, Broxton 2, Hampson 1, Senzel 1. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Keon Broxton was 1 for 1 with a two-run home run. Note: Cardinals relief pitcher James Hoyt left the game with an undisclosed injury. * Cardinals relief pitcher Matt Moore left the game with a dead arm. He is expected to be sidelined for four days. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:20 AM	#15
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	MLB news: Significant injury for Oakland pitcher Dyson MLB news: Significant injury for Oakland pitcher Dyson Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:27 AM	#16
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 10: Cardinals 14, Brewers 1 Game 12: Cardinals 14, Brewers 1, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. W: Martinez 1-1, 2.25. L: Derby 0-1, 17.18. HR: Broxton 3, Arozarena 2, E. Robinson 1, Player of the game: The Cardinals' Keon Broxton was 2 for 3 with a homer and three RBIs. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:30 AM	#17
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	Cards notes: Relief pitcher Hoyt will miss six weeks Cardinals right-hander James Hoyt has been diagnosed with a strained tricpeps. He has been placed on the 10-day disabled list and is expected to miss six weeks. Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:36 AM	#18
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 11: Nationals 3, Cardinals 2 Game 13: Nationals 3, Cardinals 2, at West Palm Beach , Fla. Record: 7-6 W: A. Cole 2-1, 3.60. L: Steckenrider 1-1, 3.00. Sv: Pfeifer 2, 0.00. HR: Harper 2. Player of the game: The Cardinals' Bryce Harper was 1 for 1 with a solo homer. Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 08-05-2018 at 06:48 AM.

08-05-2018, 06:40 AM	#19
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	MLB news: Dodgers add Hudson to bullpen MLB news: Dodgers add Hudson to bullpen Attached Images

08-05-2018, 06:48 AM	#20
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 24,208	March 12: Mets 7, Cardinals 2 Game 14: Mets 7, Cardinals 2, at Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Fla. Record: 7-7. W: Woolfolk 1-0, 5.40. L: Brebbia 1-1, 11.25. HR: Frazier 1, Edman 3. Player of the game: The Mets' Todd Frazier was 1 for 1 with a three-run home run. Attached Images