Six questions for the Cardinals
As the calendar flips to 2018, columnist Jesus Ortiz identifies the unresolved roster concerns.
Now that folks are starting to put their Christmas trees out for the trash, we can start focusing back on the Cardinals. The Hot Stove is still burning.
There’s plenty to be excited about for the 11-time World Series champions now that All-Star outfielder Marcell Ozuna is on the roster. There’s still some work to be done at Busch Stadium before ace righthander Carlos Martinez, Yadier Molina and the rest of the pitchers and catchers report to Jupiter, Fla., next month.
Here are six questions that Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak and general manager Michael Girsch must still try to answer before spring training.
The Cardinals still need a closer. Alex Reyes (above) could very well fill that role, but the hard-throwing righthanded phenom is not expected to pitch in the majors until May as he bounces back from Tommy John surgery. The Rockies just gave Wade Davis a three-year, $52 million contract, so the price won’t be cheap for Greg Holland. Rays All-Star Alex Colome might be the best option via trade because he’s under the team’s control for three more years.
With a tip of the cap to Abbott and Costello, Who’s on first? Some Cardinals fans had started to hope for Eric Hosmer (above), but that young slugger reportedly now has multiple $140 million offers on the table. USA Today reports that the Royals have offered Hosmer a seven-year, $147 deal offer to compete with the reported seven-year, $140 million offer from the Padres.
If the Cardinals were inclined, they surely have the means to make a better offer for Hosmer. Matt Carpenter and Jose Martinez are quality internal options at first as well.
Third base is another question. All-Star Mike Moustakas could very well fit nicely in the hot corner at Busch Stadium, giving the Cardinals another potent bat. He also bats from the left side, which would help balance out the lineup. Former AL MVP Josh Donaldson of the Blue Jays is another intriguing possibility, but it remains to be seen if the Cardinals are willing to unload much more of their farm depth.
Jedd Gyorko and Carpenter are the top two internal candidates to play third if the Cardinals don’t acquire one from outside the organization.
As the trite saying goes, you can never have enough pitching. Can the Cardinals really afford to go into the season with Carlos Martinez, Luke Weaver (above), Michael Wacha, Adam Wainwright and Miles Mikolas as the top five starters?
Reyes should fortify the rotation, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be used as a stud late-inning reliever or a starter this year. Jack Flaherty and Dakota Hudson are some promising young arms who should be ready to help in the majors by June.
Adam Wainwright had right elbow surgery in October and is expected to be ready this spring, but even the most routine of surgeries raise doubts. It will be interesting to hear from the veteran team leader about his health — and his role on the 2018 pitching staff — during the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up.
The Cardinals have already told the former All-Star to prepare for a super-utility role in 2018, but that message would imply that the team will bolster first and/or third base this offseason. Stay tuned.
