Orcin's Brave New World

[Orcin]

Washington Nationals (33-48) @ St. Louis Cardinals (44-38)
We swept Washington in our first meeting this season, and the Nationals don’t appear to have improved. Their offense, pitching, and defense are all ranked #11 out of 15 N.L. teams (at least they are consistent).

The Nationals currently have three first basemen playing well, including $20M players Chris Parmelee (DH) and Freddie Freeman (on the D/L for another week). The third, Kyle Cooper, is 26 years old, bats right-handed with power, and is not yet eligible for arbitration. The best part of this story… they have the 30th-ranked player at third base. The bad news is that they have no budget room for Jones, but it is still worth talking to them. Maybe something can be worked out to benefit both clubs.


July 5, 2021: G083 (45-38, 1st, +2.5G)

Star: STL SP Jake Odorizzi 7 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 11 K (#3 PotD)
Montgomery and Brothers took care of the final two innings with 5 K’s between them.
Victor Sharp was 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI. T-Mick was 3-4.


July 6, 2021: G084 (45-39, 1st, +2.5G)

Star: WAS 3B Wander Franco 3-5, HR, 3 RBI (GWRBI)
RF Oscar Taveras began a rehab assignment at Memphis.


Cardinals and Nationals Complete Trade
Most of the players involved in this deal will just switch dugouts tonight.

Cooper will take over the first base duties with T-Mick returning to his natural position (third base). Cooper is an excellent defensive first baseman, and also plays third base.

Jones was beginning to pull out of his slump, but Cooper has been a better offensive player over the course of his brief career. Veteran Danny Espinosa should upgrade our bench against left-handed pitching. Shortstop Cristhian Adames was optioned to AAA to make room for Espinosa, who will backup Crawford and Wong.

The trade clears $5.5M of 2022 budget space, previously allocated to Jones’ arbitration estimate, because Espinosa will be a free agent after the season. This could provide the extra room needed to extend Wong. Cooper and Josh Williams, who are similar players, will compete for the first base job next spring. Both could end up making the roster, with the lesser player providing a right-handed bat on the bench as the corner infield sub.


July 7, 2021: G085 (46-39, 1st, +3.5G)

Star: STL SS J.P. Crawford 4-5, RBI, 2 SB, RS

Former STL SP Kyle Hald (OAK) is out for the year with shoulder inflammation.

In a surprising move, the Dodgers sent LF Theo Alexander to the Mets for a top pitching prospect, 21-year-old Ernest Daniels. While Daniels looks like a future rotation pitcher, it is not like the Dodgers are short on pitching depth. Alexander was not their best player, but he provided a consistent 80 RBI, 4-6 WAR, and played in 155+ games every year. It could be that the unlimited budget of the Dodgers has a limit after all.

[Orcin]

Colorado Rockies (42-43) @ St. Louis Cardinals (46-39)
The Rockies took 2 out of 3 from us earlier this season in Coors Field. Their offense doesn’t play so well in the dead summer air of St. Louis, but their pitching gets some much-needed help. This is our final series before the all-star break, after which we will continue our tour of the American League East with visits to Tampa and Boston.


July 8, 2021: G086 (46-40, 1st, +3G)

Star: STL 2B Kolten Wong 4-6, DBL, RBI, SB
Valaika’s solo HR off Brothers was the game-winner.


July 9, 2021: G087 (47-40, 1st, +3G)

Star: STL SP Trevor Rosenthal 7 IP, 10 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K
Rosenthal is now 7-1 with a 3.11 ERA. That’s pretty good for a fifth starter.


Cardinals Sign Cuban Prospect
International free agent outfielder Juan Ruiz has signed with St. Louis for a $1 million bonus. The 16-year-old is a superior offensive player with tremendous power potential. His defense needs work and he has no speed, but he is a rare right-handed power bat. Ruiz will be assigned to the Cardinals’ international complex.


July 10, 2021: G088 (48-40, 1st, +3G)

Star: STL 2B Kolten Wong 3-4, DBL, RBI, 2 RS


July 11, 2021: G089 (48-41, 1st, +3G)

Star: COL SP Chris Sale 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K
Kolten Wong was 3-4 against the tough left-hander.


Players of the Week:
AL: NYA LF Lewin Diaz 12-30, 4 HR, 13 RBI (second straight week)
NL: ATL RF Victor Reyes 14-30, 3 HR, 7 RBI

The first-place Dodgers traded starting 1B Cody Bellinger to the Milwaukee Brewers for two prospects. He is the second important player traded within a week. What’s going on in Los Angeles?

[Orcin]

2021 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STARS

SP Rubby De La Rosa (BOS) 11-5, 3.07 ERA
SP David Gates (BOS) 9-2, 2.96 ERA
SP Kyle Gibson (NYA) 11-2, 2.36 ERA
SP Kyle T. Smith (SEA) 8-5, 2.64 ERA
SP Stephen Strasburg (LAA) 10-4, 3.14 ERA
SP Daniel Stumpf (KC) 5-3, 1.92 ERA
SP Yordano Ventura (NYA) 11-3, 2.61 ERA
MR Tanner Scheppers (NYA) 1-1, 24 SV, 2.90 ERA
CL Malcom Diaz (MIN) 4-3, 22 SV, 3.35 ERA
CL Thad Rasmussen (CLE) 2-1, 22 SV, 1.63 ERA
CL Bruce Rondon (TBA) 4-3, 20 SV, 1.63 ERA
CL Huston Street (TEX) 6-1, 23 SV, 2.72 ERA

C Mike Rodríguez (CLE) .309/.388/.480, 10 HR, 55 RBI
C Alex Avila (TEX) .288/.399/.514, 18 HR, 47 RBI
1B Joe Johnson (BOS) .291/.367/.497, 16 HR, 55 RBI
2B Jurickson Profar (NYA) .317/.358/.468, 12 HR, 56 RBI
2B José Vázquez (CLE) .313/.407/.380, 1 HR, 19 RBI
2B Ryan Jackson (CHA) .289/.425/.408, 2 HR, 27 RBI
2B Dustin Ackley (HOU) .364/.416/.531, 4 HR, 19 RBI
3B Garin Cecchini (LAA) .293/.366/.418, 6 HR, 32 RBI
3B Ramiro Piña (HOU) .269/.340/.478, 13 HR, 44 RBI
SS Oscar Mercado (NYA) .284/.332/.396, 8 HR, 38 RBI
LF Jerry Ball (MIN) .279/.367/.476, 13 HR, 48 RBI
LF Lewin Diaz (NYA) .300/.341/.603, 28 HR, 75 RBI
CF Jim Owens (SEA) .237/.353/.490, 17 HR, 47 RBI
CF Olaf Oerlemans (MIN) .304/.356/.405, 5 HR, 31 RBI
RF Dennis Donovan (TOR) .315/.419/.630, 17 HR, 44 RBI
RF Rubén González (CLE) .253/.346/.460, 15 HR, 56 RBI


2021 NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STARS

SP Todd Agreste (ARI) 10-5, 2.27 ERA
SP António Bernal (ARI) 10-3, 3.02 ERA
SP Andrew Cashner (LAN) 13-3, 3.24 ERA
SP Clayton Kershaw (LAN) 10-3, 1.84 ERA
SP Jake Odorizzi (STL) 11-4, 2.88 ERA
SP Kyle Petter (ATL) 8-3, 2.77 ERA
SP Chris Sale (COL) 11-2, 3.37 ERA
MR Brian Howard (PHI) 6-2, 6 SV, 1.93 ERA
CL Al Alburquerque (PHI) 4-3, 17 SV, 2.49 ERA
CL Stan Gray (SD) 6-5, 20 SV, 1.37 ERA
CL Craig Kimbrel (ATL) 1-2, 18 SV, 2.18 ERA
CL Jesus E. Sanchez (CHN) 1-4, 24 SV, 3.71 ERA

C Jorge Alfaro (STL) .298/.371/.481, 14 HR, 49 RBI
C Carlos Rea (ATL) .316/.381/.565, 15 HR, 44 RBI
1B Chris Parmelee (WAS) .296/.339/.595, 25 HR, 51 RBI
1B Ron Thompson (LAN) .304/.358/.498, 16 HR, 66 RBI
2B Corey Seager (ARI) .326/.372/.472, 10 HR, 42 RBI
2B Kolten Wong (STL) .305/.358/.431, 5 HR, 42 RBI
2B Gian-Andrea Massari (PIT) .375/.471/.505, 6 HR, 38 RBI
3B Travis Brien (SD) .284/.328/.483, 14 HR, 42 RBI
3B David Wright (PIT) .274/.363/.434, 9 HR, 33 RBI
SS Troy Tulowitzki (COL) .260/.331/.475, 12 HR, 33 RBI
LF Tarou Sano (STL) .248/.329/.476, 22 HR, 51 RBI
LF Joc Pederson (LAN) .315/.416/.478, 9 HR, 35 RBI
LF Theo Alexander (NYN) .274/.363/.461, 10 HR, 55 RBI
LF Gregory Pena (SD) .247/.318/.448, 14 HR, 55 RBI
CF Bryce Harper (PHI) .316/.416/.547, 15 HR, 52 RBI
RF Victor Reyes (ATL) .316/.417/.532, 8 HR, 38 RBI

[Orcin]

St. Louis Cardinals (48-41) vs. Tampa Bay Rays (44-45)
The Rays have struggled through injuries, inconsistent performances, and trades with the Cardinals. They remain in contention due to a tight defense and a strong bullpen led by all-star closer Bruce Rondon. Their big off-season acquisition, SP Max Hicks, has been a disappointment at 6-9 with a 4.06 ERA.


July 12, 2021: OFF
Seattle SP Michael Pineda has a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and will be sidelined for the next 12 months. We dodged that bullet.


July 13, 2021: All-Star Game

Star: PHI CF Bryce Harper 2-3, DBL, HR, 4 RBI

Cardinals: Jake Odorizzi started the game for the National League. Jorge Alfaro went all the way and was 1-4. Kolten Wong was 0-3 while playing both second and third base. Tarou Sano was 1-3 as the DH.


Cardinals Sign 5-Star Pitching Prospect
The Redbirds signed a top international free agent, 16-year-old Jorge Vazquez from the Dominican Republic. The young right-hander throws 92-94 mph and has a nasty slider and changeup. His intangibles are off the charts, and the scouts all agree that he is an elite talent. He will report to the Cardinals international complex.

Vazquez received a $2.2 million signing bonus, putting us at 107% of the cap including the $1 million bonus paid to outfielder Juan Ruiz. Even though it will mean restrictions next year, it was important to go hard after these two prospects since we did not have a first-round pick in the June draft (forfeited by signing Odorizzi).


July 14, 2021: OFF
RF Oscar Taveras completed his rehab assignment and will be in the lineup tomorrow. Dutch Deol will return to left field. LF Victor Sharp was optioned to Memphis to clear a roster spot for Taveras. CF Albert Almora will start a rehab assignment in Memphis today, and should be back in the Cardinals lineup next week.

Odorizzi just pitched in the all-star game and Taijuan Walker has already thrown 125 innings this season. I am going to send Jose Flores to the mound to open this series, followed by Wacha and Rosenthal, to give my top two starters a little longer break.


July 15, 2021: G090 (49-41, 1st, +4G)

Star: STL RF Oscar Taveras 5-5, DBL, TPL, HR, 4 RBI, 2 RS, hit for the cycle!
The clutch 8th-inning HR by Taveras travelled 427 feet. Welcome back, Mr. MVP!
Unbelievably, Taveras’ performance was only #3 of the day, behind two pitchers.
Former Tampa reliever Darryl Chambers bailed out closer Rex Brothers in the ninth.


International Free Agents
I focused on the #2 and #3 international free agents, and let other clubs chase the #1 guy. It proved to be a good strategy because several teams were unable to bid on my players with huge offers pending to #1. In the end, Toronto signed #1, 16-year-old SS Juan Hernandez, for a $6.4 million bonus. He’s good, but he’s not THAT good. I prefer my two prospects for half of that money in total.


July 16, 2021: G091 (49-42, 1st, +4G)

Star: TBA C Toyozo Ohayashi 1-3, HR, 3 RBI (all 3 runs were unearned)


Prospect Watch
Roberto “Skids” Mercado signed with the Cardinals in 2016 as a 16-year-old pitcher. The young man from Venezuela spent two years at the international complex, and then began his climb through the farm system. The 6’7”, 225-pound right-hander was 13-5 with a 3.29 ERA at Peoria (low-A) in 2019 and appeared to be on his way to the top prospect list. Mercado made it to AAA in 2020 before disaster struck. A torn UCL led to Tommy John surgery and an extended rehab.

Mercado comes off the disabled list today, and he will attempt to resurrect his career in the Memphis rotation. Kantrovitz rates all of his six pitches at 60 or above, and says he only needs a bit more seasoning to be a mid-rotation pitcher in the majors. Everyone in our organization is rooting for the now 23-year-old prospect, but none harder than me.


July 17, 2021: G092 (49-43, 1st, +4G)

Star: TBA LF Jackie Bradley Jr. 2-4, HR, 2 RBI (late HR off Brothers for insurance)


July 18, 2021: G093 (50-43, 1st, +5G)

Star: STL SP Jake Odorizzi 9 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K, game score=84
Jorge Alfaro was 3-4 with a triple and 4 RBI.

[Orcin]

St. Louis Cardinals (50-43) @ Boston Red Sox (60-34)
The second-place Red Sox are getting great pitching, led by all-stars Rubby De La Rosa (11-6, 3.09) and David Gates (9-2, 2.86). Designated hitter Joe Johnson (.291, 17 HR, 59 RBI) leads the A.L.’s #3 offense. Boston leads the wild card race by 11 games over Chicago, and they are only 3 games behind the Yankees in the A.L. East. The Red Sox play at historic Fenway Park, a neutral park that seats 37,400 rabid fans. Boston is managed by Chip Hale, in his first season after a stint with the Nationals.


July 19, 2021: G094 (51-43, 1st, +6G)

Star: STL 3B Trey Michalczewski 3-5, game-winning 2-run HR in the 10th
The Cubs lost their sixth straight game to fall into a second-place tie with the Pirates.

I have been offering pitchers Tyrell Jenkins and John Lamb to various teams in need of starting pitching, but there have been no decent offers yet. We still have ten days to go.


July 20, 2021: G095 (51-44, 1st, +5G)

Star: BOS 3B B.A. Vollmuth 3-4, DBL, HR, 2 RBI
Flores pitched a nice game, but made the one mistake to Vollmuth.


July 21, 2021: G096 (51-45, 1st, +4G)

Star: BOS SP Noah Syndergaard 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K

You may remember that I signed Syndergaard as a minor free agent back in April, and traded him two weeks later to the Red Sox for left-handed reliever Dalton Friend. So far, Syndergaard is 5-0 with a 2.10 ERA and 4 saves in a swing role for Boston. Friend has helped us, so I don’t regret the deal.


Roster Moves
Albert Almora was activated from the disabled list, and will start in center field on Friday. Outfielder Min-Zhong You was assigned to Memphis to clear a spot for Almora. You (not you) already cleared waivers and remains on the 40-man roster. Vance Knox will return to his role as the fourth outfielder.

Shelby Miller is really angry about his role and demands a trade. I really wish I could help him, but he has almost no trade value. There are a couple of deals out there for players on the trading block. Those players probably wouldn’t help us, but at least it might get of a malcontent. I am considering it.

[Orcin]

Cincinnati Reds (43-54) @ St. Louis Cardinals (51-45)
We return to our division for a series against the fourth-place Reds. We were swept in Cincinnati earlier this year (games 38-40), and it would be great to return the favor in this three-game set at home.


July 22, 2021: OFF


July 23, 2021: G097 (52-45, 1st, +4.5G)

Star: STL SP Trevor Rosenthal 8 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K


Miller Shipped to Seattle
Disgruntled SP Shelby Miller was traded to Seattle for 29-year-old left-hander Jesse Biddle. The Cardinals also sent $500,000 to the Mariners to complete the deal. Biddle will report to Memphis after spending most of the year as a swingman for Seattle (24 games, 11 starts, 2-4, 3.82 ERA). Ray Chambers will be recalled from Memphis to replace Miller as the swingman for St. Louis.

The trade saves $1 million in salary over the rest of the season, and gives us a reserve left-handed starter, facilitating a trade for John Lamb (to save even more money). Biddle will be a free agent after the season and doesn’t figure in our future plans, but neither did Miller and his bad attitude was a problem in the clubhouse.


Roster Juggling
Infielder Hector Rios was optioned to AAA and corner outfielder Min-Zhong You was recalled. This move accomplishes several things. Espinosa was not getting enough at bats while sharing utility infield duties with Rios. Knox was spread pretty thin and we needed another outfield sub from the right side of the plate. We can avoid arbitration with Rios if he spends enough time at AAA, and he can get some experience at third base in Memphis.


July 24, 2021: G098 (53-45, 1st, +4.5G)

Star: STL SP Jake Odorizzi 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, another solid outing


Redbirds Acquire Former Closer Stroman from Braves
The Cardinals sent SP John Lamb to Atlanta in return for setup man Marcus Stroman and $1.5 million in cash. Stroman has appeared in 43 games, with 4 saves and a 1.89 ERA. In his career, the hard-throwing right-hander has 162 saves and a 3.17 ERA. He is a groundball pitcher with excellent stuff and control (8.5 K/9, 3.2 K/BB).

Stroman is expensive at $5.5M, but Lamb’s salary plus the cash results in a savings of $500K over the rest of this season. Both players are set to be free agents. Stroman was unhappy in Atlanta as the setup man behind Craig Kimbrel. He may be equally unhappy here setting up Rex Brothers, but I will take that chance in order to add a quality arm for the back end of the bullpen down the stretch. Ryan Rodebaugh was optioned to AAA to clear a spot for Stroman, who will share setup duties with Mark Montgomery.


July 25, 2021: G099 (54-45, 1st, +4.5G)

Star: STL 2B Kolten Wong 2-4, DBL, 2 RBI, 2 RS
CF Albert Almora was injured on a defensive play. He was diagnosed with a sore hamstring and will miss a couple of games.


Players of the Week:
AL: CLE LF Rob Adams 14-30, 2 HR, 11 RBI
NL: WAS 1B Chris Parmelee 10-29, 5 HR, 11 RBI

Memphis 2B Andre Hicks was PCL Player of the Week, going 7-16 with 2 HR and 4 RBI. Memphis (AAA), Springfield (AA), and Palm Beach (high-A) lead their respective leagues in the power rankings.

[AstaSyneri]

This is more fun than following mlb.com.

When you trade Pitchers (and assign them specific roles), do you look at what kind of pitches they have? Or just at the stats?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by AstaSyneri

When you trade Pitchers (and assign them specific roles), do you look at what kind of pitches they have? Or just at the stats?

I think this is 2 questions, so I will answer 2 questions. Feel free to follow up if I don't understand.

When I decide to trade a pitcher, I am looking at a lot of things including performance (stats). I also consider age, contract situation, his desired role vs. what I have to offer, and - as veteran readers can attest - sometimes even his name and facegen picture.

When I decide to assign roles, such as swingman/long relief vs. starting rotation or closer vs. middle relief, I look at number of pitches (but not kind), stamina, stuff, and some key stats like GB%, K/BB ratio, and K/9. I like to put my sixth starter in the bullpen even if he doesn't fit there in order to have an emergency starter for injuries or extra-inning marathons.

[Orcin]

Standings and Leaders



The four playoff teams in the American League are in control of their spots right now. The Phillies are hot, having won 11 of their last 13 games. The Dodgers and Yankees are still favored to meet in the World Series.


Power Rankings
Here are the current team power rankings:

Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) New York Yankees (129.8, o)
2) Los Angeles Dodgers (126.8, o)
3) Philadelphia Phillies (123.7, o)
4) Boston Red Sox (119.2, o)
5) Houston Astros (111.6, ++)
6) Minnesota Twins (106.5, o)
7) New York Mets (106.0, ++)
8) San Diego Padres (103.4, --)
9) St. Louis Cardinals (103.2, o)
10) Arizona Diamondbacks (95.7, o)


Cardinals Dashboard



The overall team stats rank about where you would expect for the fourth or fifth best team in the league. Kolten Wong leads the team in hitting because Crawford and Taveras don’t have enough at bats to qualify. Likewise, only two pitchers have enough innings with St. Louis for inclusion in the team ERA standings.

I am happy with the roster at this point, and I think we have enough to win the division and compete in the playoffs IF we stay healthy. We have endured our share of injuries in the first half of the season. Hopefully, we are due for a bit of luck in the second half.


Financial Report
Owner Bill Dewitt III is a happy man these days. He expected a winning record and a competitive team, and we have slightly exceeded that goal with a first-place club. The fans are happy also, with fan interest at 100. We are seventh in attendance and fifth in gate revenue, and we have 34 home games left compared to only 29 on the road. We have the #6 payroll, but we would drop to #7 without untradeable AAA DH Matt Snyder.


Cardinals Farm Report
Here are some notes on a few of our better prospects.

Gerald Thompson (#1) is 16-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 21 starts at Memphis. He has been spectacular in his last 10 starts, going 8-0 with a miniscule 1.52 ERA. He will likely be Pitcher of the Year in the Pacific Coast League. He should probably be in the St. Louis rotation right now, but Wacha and Rosenthal are pitching well and there is no reason to start the major league clock on him yet. He will be our fourth starter next season.

Merlin Mackey (#2) has taken over the closer role at Memphis since Darryl Chambers was promoted. Mackey is adjusting well, but probably still needs part of next season at AAA before advancing to the majors. He will be on the 40-man roster before December.

Andre Hicks (#5) continues to impress offensively with a .840 OPS (121 OPS+). He will make the decision to renew Kolten Wong pretty tough, but Wong has been one of our best players. He is versatile and exceptional on defense, so he could be our utility infielder of the future. Hicks will be added to the 40-man roster before December.

Josh Williams (#7) has adapted well to AAA (.263/.372/.453, 13 HR, 60 RBI in 908 games). He is learning to play first base, and already has some skill at third. I could keep him in AAA next season with Kyle Cooper starting at first base again next year. Williams will be added to the 40-man roster before December as well.

[Orcin]

Chicago Cubs (49-49) @ St. Louis Cardinals (54-45)
We have taken 4 of 6 from the Cubs so far this season. Chicago has been hurt by a poor bullpen (#13 in the N.L.) and a porous infield defense (23 errors between the starters at short and second). Starting pitching is keeping them in the race (starter’s 3.53 ERA ranks #4).

Cubs’ star Etrit Halil grew up in Fresno after his family emigrated from Turkey. He was drafted #1 overall in 2017 by the Giants but they could not sign him. The Cubbies took Halil #4 overall in 2018 and got him under contract for $5 million in bonus money. Halil is developing into a superstar in his second year as the Cubs’ everyday right fielder.


July 26, 2021: G100 (55-45, 1st, +5.5G)

Star: STL MR Pedro Solis 3 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
The winning run scored on an error by the Cubs second baseman.


July 27, 2021: G101 (55-46, 1st, +4.5G)

Star: CHI DH Daniel Vogelbach 3-5, HR, 2 RBI

Los Angeles SP Clayton Kershaw (13-3, 1.63) pitched a 2-hit shutout vs. San Diego, recording 15 Ks. Kershaw now has 212 K in 155 IP, and is well on his way to a third consecutive Cy Young Award.


July 28, 2021: G102 (56-46, 1st, +5.5G)

Star: STL C Jorge Alfaro 2-4, HR, 3 RBI


July 29, 2021: OFF
The trade deadline is just a few days away, so it’s time to make one last trip around the league. I need to improve our results against left-handers by adding another productive hitter from the right side of the plate. I hoped that Danny Espinosa would help, but he is 1-21 since coming over here. Dutch Deol has slumped into the .220’s, and You haven’t shown me anything yet. T-Mick has been a solid switch-hitter over his career, but his current .419 OPS vs. LH pitching is making him more of a platoon player. A quality RH bat that could start every day is probably out of the question for our budget and trade assets, but we could still use some help off the bench.

St. Louis-Atlanta Swap Second Basemen
The Cardinals acquire 25-year-old 2B Franklin Barreto for three players that do not figure in our future plans, including the seemingly untradeable Matt Snyder. Barreto, a right-handed slap hitter with good speed and defensive ability, is in the first year of a three-year contract worth $8.4 million ($2.8M/year).

This trade is perhaps another clue that the Redbirds do not intend to offer a contract to all-star 2B Kolten Wong, who could become a free agent at the end of the season. Barreto is an excellent defensive player that can play almost anywhere in the infield or outfield, and he is a great base runner with a history of stealing 30+ bases per season. Fan interest dropped slightly (to 98) due to the loss of well-known veteran 2B Danny Espinosa. The Cardinals will save $4 million in cash this year due to large salaries moved in the deal.

[AstaSyneri]

Originally Posted by Orcin

When I decide to assign roles, such as swingman/long relief vs. starting rotation or closer vs. middle relief, I look at number of pitches (but not kind), stamina, stuff, and some key stats like GB%, K/BB ratio, and K/9. I like to put my sixth starter in the bullpen even if he doesn't fit there in order to have an emergency starter for injuries or extra-inning marathons.

Yes, that. I was wondering if maybe there were certain combinations of pitches that work well together (I could imagine something that looks the same from the start and then diverges at the end ... Fastball/Sinker? was more potent). I simply don't know Baseball well enough to understand such intricacies.

GB% is Ground Ball Ratio? Assuming a high ratio is good, why is that? Because they are easier to field than far flying ones (that might end up as home runs)?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by AstaSyneri

GB% is Ground Ball Ratio? Assuming a high ratio is good, why is that? Because they are easier to field than far flying ones (that might end up as home runs)?

With men on base, ground balls can yield multiple outs. Fly balls can yield multiple runs.

[Orcin]

Miami Marlins (52-49) @ St. Louis Cardinals (56-46)
The Marlins are in fourth place, 12 games behind the Phillies. However, they only trail the wild-card Padres by 6 games. The Mets and Braves are right in front of them with only two games separating the three teams. We swept Miami there in late May.


July 30, 2021: G103 (57-46, 1st, +6G)

Star: STL 1B Kyle Cooper 2-5, DBL, HR, 5 RBI (grand slam in 4th)
Odorizzi left after five innings, with a comfortable lead, due to a rain delay.


July 31, 2021: G104 (58-46, 1st, +7G)

Star: MIA RF Giancarlo Stanton 3-3, DBL, HR, 2 RBI
A quality start by Taijuan Walker: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K.


Players of the Month for July:
NY LF Lewin Diaz (.346-7-27)
ATL RF Victor Reyes (.374-7-19)

Pitchers of the Month for July:
MIN SP Lewis Thorpe (5-0, 0.53)
SD CL Stan Gray (3-0, 1.06, 6 SV)


August 1, 2021: G105 (59-46, 1st, +8G)

Star: STL 3B Trey Michalczewski 2-5, walk-off single for GWRBI


Players of the Week:
AL: TEX CF Chris Snider 14-22, 4 HR, 9 RBI
NL: COL LF Anastasio Velasque 13-23, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Texas CF Chris Snider is a young and affordable right-handed hitter with some power. He is an excellent defender that plays all three outfield spots. I tried to trade for Snider at the deadline, but he was hot and the Rangers were reluctant to deal him. I will look at him again in the off-season. He could be a more versatile version of Dutch Deol.

[Sal, The Barber]

Sal his picked up his newspaper and looked at the standings. Sal has one thing to say: Your division is the terrible.

[Orcin]

St. Louis Cardinals (59-46) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (55-52)
The Diamondbacks are truly mediocre, ranking near the middle of the standings and in almost every statistical category. This is our first visit to Chase Field, a hitter’s park that seats 49,033 fans. Arizona GM Jose Oquendo is hoping that his new manager, former Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny, will get him to the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons.


August 2, 2021: G106 (60-46, 1st, +8.5G)

Star: STL LF Dutch Deol 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 RS, GWRBI
Wacha had his second consecutive rough outing, lasting less than 5 innings both times.

CF Albert Almora left the game with a lacerated hand. It will take a couple of weeks to heal, but he will try to play through it. People are banged up at this time of the year.


August 3, 2021: G107 (61-46, 1st, +8.5G)

Star: STL LF Min-Zhong You 4-5, DBL, RBI
SS J.P. Crawford was injured in a collision at second base. The diagnosis is pending.

Speaking of bad luck, Yankees SS Oscar Mercado was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL and he is out for the season.


August 4, 2021: G108 (61-47, 1st, +7.5G)

Star: STL DH Tarou Sano 4-4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, 2 RS (all 4 hits off lefty pitchers!)
Dutch Deol also had four hits with two doubles.

X-rays were negative on J.P. Crawford, but a bruised knee will keep him out of the lineup for another day or two.


August 5, 2021: G109 (61-48, 1st, +6.5G)

Star: ARI RF Drew Vettleson 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, GWRBI
Taijuan Walker struck out 12, but he allowed six earned runs in two bad innings.

[Orcin]

Cardinals Top Prospect Called Up from Memphis
SP Gerald Thompson was added to active roster today, and he will replace Michael Wacha in the rotation. Swingman Ray Chambers was optioned back to AAA to clear a spot for Thompson, and the slumping Wacha will go to the bullpen for the time being.

Thompson has nothing left to prove in AAA, with a record of 17-3 and a 3.15 ERA. His underlying stats are excellent, such as FIP of 2.79, and a 3.7 K/BB ratio. I fear that his development will be stunted if he is left at AAA much longer. Conversely, several good starts over the rest of this season could set him up for a great year in 2022.

Texas is willing to trade CF Chris Snider (last week’s A.L. top player) for Wacha and a player to be determined, but all players involved would need to clear waivers. I want to see how Thompson performs before a trade is submitted.

[AstaSyneri]

Another pitcher question: You seem to have yours switch roles quite frequently (SP -> bullpen for example). Is there any ingame penalty for this (for example if you make an MR start, or a SP come off the bench)?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by AstaSyneri

Is there any ingame penalty for this (for example if you make an MR start, or a SP come off the bench)?

SP get a slight boost to stuff if their role is changed to MR. MR recover faster but tire more quickly.

[Orcin]

St. Louis Cardinals (61-48) @ Colorado Rockies (50-60)
We split a four-game series with Colorado at home in July, after losing two out of three at Coors Field in June. The Rockies have lost five straight to fall 23 games behind the division-leading Dodgers, but demanding owner Charlie Monfort expects to reach the playoffs. In an attempt to spark his club, Colorado GM Thomas Buckley acquired 3B Luis Vargas from the Yankees at the trade deadline. He was hitting .345 at the time, which translates to .400 at Coors Field. However, Vargas is only hitting .226 since the trade and the Rockies continue to flounder with time running out on the season.


August 6, 2021: G110 (61-49, 1st, +6.5G)

Star: COL SS Troy Tulowitzki 3-3, DBL, HR, RBI, 2 RS

Our 2019 #1 draft pick, Gerald Thompson, makes his major league debut tomorrow.


August 7, 2021: G111 (62-49, 1st, +6.5G)

Star: STL LF Dutch Deol 3-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB, 3 RS
Jorge Alfaro’s fourth-inning homer was measured at 454 feet.

In retrospect, Coors Field might not have been the best place for Thompson’s first major league start. I considered that he is a ground ball pitcher (67%) with a heavy sinker, but I didn’t consider that excitement would cause him to overthrow and leave the ball up in the zone too often. Shake it off, kid. We won the game.


August 8, 2021: G112 (62-50, 1st, +5.5G)

Star: COL 2B Dominic Nunez 2-5, GWRBI, 2 RS


Players of the Week:
AL: CHI 1B Robert Maddox 12-27, 3 HR, 9 RBI
NL: LA RF Joc Pederson 11-25, 4 HR, 10 RBI


Weekly Power Rankings
Teams (Total Points, Tendency):
1) Los Angeles Dodgers (122.5, o), NLW #1 (75-38)
2) Philadelphia Phillies (114.5, o), NLE #1 (70-42)
3) Minnesota Twins (114.3, o), ALC #1 (68-44)
4) San Diego Padres (112.5, ++), NLW #2 (65-47)
5) Houston Astros (111.5, o), ALW #1 (65-48)
6) New York Yankees (111.1, o), ALE #1 (71-41)
7) Boston Red Sox (109.3, +), ALE #2 (68-44)
8) St. Louis Cardinals (100.6, --), NLC #1 (62-50)
9) Chicago Cubs (94.8, ++), NLC #2 (56-55)
10) Atlanta Braves (94.2, ++), NLE #3 (58-54)


Rookie Batting Leaders
Which rookie is leading MLB in wins above replacement (WAR)?

Olaf Oerlemans, MIN, 4.8
Pablo Martínez, PHI, 2.7
Tarou Sano, STL, 2.4
Matt Sweet, LAN, 2.3
Brian Curtis, MIN, 1.7

Sano is a candidate for Rookie of the Year in the National League.

[Orcin]

Arizona Diamondbacks (58-56) @ St. Louis Cardinals (62-50)
The Diamondbacks lost 2 out of 3 in Washington over the weekend, after we split last week’s 4-game series with them in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks come to St. Louis trailing second-place San Diego by eight games for the N.L. wild card spot.


August 9, 2021: OFF
Texas is still interested in the Wacha for Snider trade, but I am not ready. I like Snider, but I may need Wacha down the stretch if rookie Gerald Thompson struggles.


August 10, 2021: G113 (63-50, 1st, +5.5G)

Star: STL SP Jake Odorizzi 9 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K, career shutout #5
Odorizzi rings up his second one-hitter of the season.
This was a big-time pitcher’s duel before Agreste ran out of gas.
Sano’s eighth-inning grand slam came off reliever Jake Thompson.

Arizona left-hander Todd Agreste really impressed me in this game. That’s a guy that could be in your rotation for years to come. Agreste is 26 years old and in his second season. He is 19-13 lifetime with a 2.97 ERA, and he has 301 Ks in 285 career innings.

CF Albert Almora came off the field in pain after catching a deep line drive for the final out of the game. He already has a sore hand, but this might be different. The diagnosis is pending. The deal for Texas outfielder Chris Snider might be back on the front burner.


August 11, 2021: G114 (63-51, 1st, +5.5G)

Star: ARI RF Drew Vettleson 4-4, HR, 2 RBI


August 12, 2021: G115 (63-52, 1st, +4.5G)

Star: ARI SP Tom Klein 9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Albert Almora has been diagnosed with a shoulder subluxation that will sideline him for a week. It’s a nuisance, but not bad enough to spur a reckless trade for a replacement.

Minnesota’s Rookie of the Year candidate CF Olaf Oerlemans (.299-7-40) is out for the year with torn ankle ligaments.

Los Angeles Angels C Zach Wright signed a four-year contract extension worth $60 million. Jorge Alfaro’s extension was five years, $70 million. Wright is a 3 WAR player over his career; Alfaro averages 4 WAR.