Is it time to right a wrong -- my 2023 Cardinals can acquire Sandy Alcantera

rink23 · 01-27-2023, 06:01 AM

NOTE: I started this season on OOTP23 the day after the end of the 2022 World Series.
Way back in 2017, the St. Louis Cardinals made a deal to acquire outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins in exchange for starting pitchers Sandy Alcantera and Zach Gallen and outfielder Magnerius Sierra.
Ozuna had a couple of decent seasons at the plate for the Cardinals -- but was a butcher in the outfielder -- and left after the 2020 season to sign with the Atlanta Braves.
Where he has made more headlines for domestic abuse and driving under the influence than anything he has done on the field.
Alcantera blossomed into a star with the Marlins culminating with a Cy Young season in 2022 where he went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA.
Gallen, meanwhile, was traded by the Marlins to Arizona in 2019 and also has turned out to be a top-flight starter.
In the 2023 season, in which I am playing at the Cardinals, he is 10-3 with a 2.59 in mid-July.
Well, on July 10, the Cardinals are 44-39 and lead the Brewers by 1.5 games in the NL Central.
The division looks very winnable, but competing against the other heavyweights in the National League looks like a uphill climb.
We need a top of the rotation starter and the Marlins want to get rid of Alcantera.
His season has not been good -- he is 5-10 with a 5.46 ERA in 18 starts -- but he also is upset with the team's record and his own performance.
His pitch ratings also are not (50 stuff, 50 movement, 60 control) what you would expect for a pitcher coming off a Cy Young season.
He is very gettable. (Money isn't an issue, he fits within my budget). Nolan Gorman or Brendan Donovan would complete the trade. Both are seriously underperforming.
Should I pull the trigger or is this me fleecing the game. I always wonder what other players would do in the same situation.

BaseballGOAT · 01-27-2023, 06:29 AM

I'd deal Gorman before Donovan since Gorman is more limited defensively. Especially since I've seen you got Tim Anderson and still have Edman right?

rink23 · 01-27-2023, 07:01 AM

Anderson has been a bit injury prone, but when in the lineup been among my best players.
Edman has underperformed at the plate but been very good defensively wherever I have played him.
Gorman has not hit nor hit with power -- which is supposed to be his biggest value -- so I agree. If I make the deal, it will probably be him.
I still have a while ago before the All-Star break,it is around July 21, which seems to be the best time to make a deal.

Bobbyraz49 · 01-27-2023, 11:18 AM

I am also playing as the Cards. Didn't make playoffs last season. This season I am 20 games over.500 in late June. I don't adjust ANY sliders. Also have opportunity to acquire Alcantrana.
Is good pitching fading from this game ? Pujols retiring after this season and Goldy is having a so-so season. Arenado is locked in long term but it's going to very old at the end. Bader wants a long term contract this is just wacky with him wanting $48 million in his final year of his wishful contract. Do I trade him now ? His defense is top-notch.
Are you a Cards fan ? They are my favorite NL team.

rink23 · 01-27-2023, 05:10 PM

I have been a Cardinals fan all of my life, born in1964, and lived in the St. Louis region since 2000.
So during the summer, Busch Stadium is like my second home.
IIRC, the only sliders I adjust are to make trading more difficult and to favor prospects.
I think the only rule change I got rid of is the dumb base runner on second to begin extra-innings rule.
Despite his defensive skills, I was never a big Harrison Bader fan.
Referred to him as Jim Edmonds-light.
He was a flashy player, he's also his biggest fan, with a lot of skill -- he's not the defender Jimmy Ballgame is as he's afraid to go into the wall to make a catch -- but isn't nearly the same hitter as Edmonds and certainly doesn't have his flair for the dramatic.
So I wasn't sorry to see Harry Bader go.

Bobbyraz49 · 01-28-2023, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rink23

I have been a Cardinals fan all of my life, born in1964, and lived in the St. Louis region since 2000.
So during the summer, Busch Stadium is like my second home.
IIRC, the only sliders I adjust are to make trading more difficult and to favor prospects.
I think the only rule change I got rid of is the dumb base runner on second to begin extra-innings rule.
Despite his defensive skills, I was never a big Harrison Bader fan.
Referred to him as Jim Edmonds-light.
He was a flashy player, he's also his biggest fan, with a lot of skill -- he's not the defender Jimmy Ballgame is as he's afraid to go into the wall to make a catch -- but isn't nearly the same hitter as Edmonds and certainly doesn't have his flair for the dramatic.
So I wasn't sorry to see Harry Bader go.

I also removed the baserunner from 2nd. May test the market to trade away Bader. Just don't want fans or teammates to upset.

pgjocki · 01-28-2023, 10:01 PM

Crazy that Gorman isn't producing for you; I've done a couple long term sims (10-15 years) and Gorman ends up with 500+ HR every time.

Also I love Donovan and his versality so I wouldn't get rid of him.

rink23 · 01-29-2023, 06:58 AM

I just played the All-Star game and own a 49-45 record lead the NL Central by 3.5 games over Milwaukee and Pittsburgh.
That's fine, the division is very winnable, but I know my starting pitcher isn't good enough to compete in the postseason.
Donovan and Gorman have both been major disappointments, and Tommy Edman has not been much better.
But I am more confident in Edman's versatility than Donovan's.
But I need a No. 1 starter or maybe two if I want to compete with the Dodgers, Padres, Philles, etc. in the playoffs.
What hurts worse is two players I dealt in the offseason, Juan Yepez (to Oakland) and Alec Burleson (to Baltimore), have had huge seasons both making the AL All-Star team.
What lessens the hurt is the players I got for them C - Sean Murphy and CF - Cedric Mullins have played very well for me in the roles I have set for them.
I'd hate to deal Gorman, that's where I am leaning, for Alcantera and see him become a 30-plus home run guy while Sandy tanks like he has been this season for Miami.
But I may have to bite that bullet if I don't want to deal with another short postseason.

uknownick · 01-29-2023, 05:54 PM

Sandy is not that good in ootp 23.

He will probably get a boost in 24.

Pelican · 01-31-2023, 03:48 PM

I would trade for Alcantara; but St. Louis is far from a dominant team, even if he regains his form. Fortunately, they play in a weak Division.

01-27-2023, 06:01 AM	#1
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,756	Is it time to right a wrong -- my 2023 Cardinals can acquire Sandy Alcantera NOTE: I started this season on OOTP23 the day after the end of the 2022 World Series. Way back in 2017, the St. Louis Cardinals made a deal to acquire outfielder Marcell Ozuna from the Miami Marlins in exchange for starting pitchers Sandy Alcantera and Zach Gallen and outfielder Magnerius Sierra. Ozuna had a couple of decent seasons at the plate for the Cardinals -- but was a butcher in the outfielder -- and left after the 2020 season to sign with the Atlanta Braves. Where he has made more headlines for domestic abuse and driving under the influence than anything he has done on the field. Alcantera blossomed into a star with the Marlins culminating with a Cy Young season in 2022 where he went 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA. Gallen, meanwhile, was traded by the Marlins to Arizona in 2019 and also has turned out to be a top-flight starter. In the 2023 season, in which I am playing at the Cardinals, he is 10-3 with a 2.59 in mid-July. Well, on July 10, the Cardinals are 44-39 and lead the Brewers by 1.5 games in the NL Central. The division looks very winnable, but competing against the other heavyweights in the National League looks like a uphill climb. We need a top of the rotation starter and the Marlins want to get rid of Alcantera. His season has not been good -- he is 5-10 with a 5.46 ERA in 18 starts -- but he also is upset with the team's record and his own performance. His pitch ratings also are not (50 stuff, 50 movement, 60 control) what you would expect for a pitcher coming off a Cy Young season. He is very gettable. (Money isn't an issue, he fits within my budget). Nolan Gorman or Brendan Donovan would complete the trade. Both are seriously underperforming. Should I pull the trigger or is this me fleecing the game. I always wonder what other players would do in the same situation. Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 01-27-2023 at 06:15 AM.

01-28-2023, 10:01 PM	#7
pgjocki All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Maryland - just outside DC Posts: 1,590	Crazy that Gorman isn't producing for you; I've done a couple long term sims (10-15 years) and Gorman ends up with 500+ HR every time. Also I love Donovan and his versality so I wouldn't get rid of him. __________________ - - - World Series championships: 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011

01-29-2023, 06:58 AM	#8
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,756	Season has been strange I just played the All-Star game and own a 49-45 record lead the NL Central by 3.5 games over Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. That's fine, the division is very winnable, but I know my starting pitcher isn't good enough to compete in the postseason. Donovan and Gorman have both been major disappointments, and Tommy Edman has not been much better. But I am more confident in Edman's versatility than Donovan's. But I need a No. 1 starter or maybe two if I want to compete with the Dodgers, Padres, Philles, etc. in the playoffs. What hurts worse is two players I dealt in the offseason, Juan Yepez (to Oakland) and Alec Burleson (to Baltimore), have had huge seasons both making the AL All-Star team. What lessens the hurt is the players I got for them C - Sean Murphy and CF - Cedric Mullins have played very well for me in the roles I have set for them. I'd hate to deal Gorman, that's where I am leaning, for Alcantera and see him become a 30-plus home run guy while Sandy tanks like he has been this season for Miami. But I may have to bite that bullet if I don't want to deal with another short postseason. Attached Images Last edited by rink23; 01-29-2023 at 07:01 AM.

01-31-2023, 03:48 PM	#10
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,929	I would trade for Alcantara; but St. Louis is far from a dominant team, even if he regains his form. Fortunately, they play in a weak Division. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”

01-27-2023, 06:29 AM	#2
BaseballGOAT Banned Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 1,373 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	I'd deal Gorman before Donovan since Gorman is more limited defensively. Especially since I've seen you got Tim Anderson and still have Edman right?

01-27-2023, 07:01 AM	#3
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,756	Anderson has been a bit injury prone, but when in the lineup been among my best players. Edman has underperformed at the plate but been very good defensively wherever I have played him. Gorman has not hit nor hit with power -- which is supposed to be his biggest value -- so I agree. If I make the deal, it will probably be him. I still have a while ago before the All-Star break,it is around July 21, which seems to be the best time to make a deal.

01-27-2023, 11:18 AM	#4
Bobbyraz49 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 925	I am also playing as the Cards. Didn't make playoffs last season. This season I am 20 games over.500 in late June. I don't adjust ANY sliders. Also have opportunity to acquire Alcantrana. Is good pitching fading from this game ? Pujols retiring after this season and Goldy is having a so-so season. Arenado is locked in long term but it's going to very old at the end. Bader wants a long term contract this is just wacky with him wanting $48 million in his final year of his wishful contract. Do I trade him now ? His defense is top-notch. Are you a Cards fan ? They are my favorite NL team.

01-27-2023, 05:10 PM	#5
rink23 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 21,756	I have been a Cardinals fan all of my life, born in1964, and lived in the St. Louis region since 2000. So during the summer, Busch Stadium is like my second home. IIRC, the only sliders I adjust are to make trading more difficult and to favor prospects. I think the only rule change I got rid of is the dumb base runner on second to begin extra-innings rule. Despite his defensive skills, I was never a big Harrison Bader fan. Referred to him as Jim Edmonds-light. He was a flashy player, he's also his biggest fan, with a lot of skill -- he's not the defender Jimmy Ballgame is as he's afraid to go into the wall to make a catch -- but isn't nearly the same hitter as Edmonds and certainly doesn't have his flair for the dramatic. So I wasn't sorry to see Harry Bader go.

01-29-2023, 05:54 PM	#9
uknownick Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2023 Posts: 107	Sandy is not that good in ootp 23. He will probably get a boost in 24.