作者yenchenchou (阿州)
看板Cardinals
標題[情報] Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals
時間Sat Nov 26 14:00:47 2011
最近好像都沒什麼消息
放上快一個月前Rumors的文章看看好了
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 1, 2011 at 6:25pm CST]
Congratulations to the Cardinals for winning a thrilling World Series after
an unexpected surge to the playoffs. Their offseason revolves around
re-signing Albert Pujols, who is on the brink of free agency for the first
time in his career.
Guaranteed Contracts
* Matt Holliday, OF: $86MM through 2016
* Jaime Garcia, SP: $27MM through 2015
* Chris Carpenter, SP: $21MM through 2013
* Adam Wainwright, SP: $21MM through 2013
* Kyle Lohse, SP: $12.2MM through 2012
* Lance Berkman, OF: $12MM through 2012
* Jake Westbrook, SP: $8.5MM through 2012
* Yadier Molina, C: $7MM through 2012
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
* Jason Motte, RP: $1.7MM
* Kyle McClellan, RP: $2.7MM
* Ryan Theriot, UT IF: $3.9MM (non-tender candidate)
* Skip Schumaker, UT IF/OF: $3.1MM (non-tender candidate)
Free Agents
* Albert Pujols (Type A 1B), Gerald Laird (unranked C), Corey Patterson
(unranked OF), Nick Punto (unranked 2B), Edwin Jackson (Type B SP), Octavio
Dotel (Type A RP), Arthur Rhodes (Type B RP), Rafael Furcal (Type B SS)
The 2011 Cardinals overcame odds, injuries and three worthy playoff foes to
win the 11th World Series in franchise history. Their improbable championship
is worth savoring, but it's now time for action, not reflection. Albert
Pujols is hours away from free agency and the Cardinals also face uncertainty
on the bench, since manager Tony La Russa has announced his retirement.
Fortunately for the Cardinals, their offseason preparations began in
September when a playoff berth -- let alone a World Series title -- seemed
improbable. Lance Berkman and Chris Carpenter signed extensions last month
and the club has had preliminary discussions about retaining Rafael Furcal.
Highly-regarded pitching coach Dave Duncan will return as well. But that's
all secondary for now.
Pujols isn't simply the best free agent of the offseason, he's a Cardinals
icon who will be enshrined in Cooperstown as soon as he's eligible. Even in a
so-called off-year, Pujols posted a .299/.366/.541 line with 37 home runs. He
punctuated the season with a dominant playoff run: five home runs and a
.353/.463/.691 line, including a three-home run game in the World Series.
The Cardinals appear to have offered Pujols a nine-year deal worth more than
$200MM before the season, but he didn't sign. Having waited this long, the
31-year-old will surely test free agency, where he will pique the interest of
many teams. While the Rangers, Mariners, Orioles and Nationals could all have
interest, the best fit of all may be in St. Louis. The Cardinals aren't going
to offer Pujols more than the $275MM Alex Rodriguez got from the Yankees four
offseasons ago, and no one else will, either. But if the Cardinals offer
Pujols a $200MM contract again, he can sign for more than any player in
baseball history except Rodriguez without having to leave St. Louis.
Zero National League teams outscored the Cardinals, despite a Major
League-leading 169 double plays. If Pujols returns, their offense figures to
be among the league's best once again. If he leaves, they could make Allen
Craig an everyday outfielder and move Berkman to first base while collecting
draft picks for Pujols.
The Cardinals already exercised their option Yadier Molina, but with Gerald
Laird hitting the open market, they could look for a backup catcher. Yadier's
brother, Jose Molina, will be available this offseason.
Furcal and Nick Punto will hit free agency, so the Cardinals will need middle
infielders. If the Cardinals don't re-sign Furcal, they could pursue Clint
Barmes, Alex Gonzalez or another free agent shortstop. The trade and
non-tender market offers alternatives at short, so there's a real chance Ryan
Theriot won't return -- at least not for a projected salary approaching $4MM.
Skip Schumaker would have a salary in the $3MM range, so the Cardinals could
let him go in favor of more affordable second basemen. Internally, Tyler
Greene is one option at shortstop and they may attempt to retain Punto at
second base after his strong 2011 performance.
The Cardinals' rotation is set, now that they've officially exercised their
options on Adam Wainwright. He'll join Carpenter, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse
and Jake Westbrook in a rotation that could include top prospect Shelby
Miller at some point in 2012. With a full rotation plus swingman Kyle
McClellan, the Cardinals don't need Type B free agent Edwin Jackson. They
could offer him arbitration regardless, since he'd decline in pursuit of a
multiyear deal, and the Cards would likely recover a 2012 draft pick.
Jason Motte, Fernando Salas, Mitchell Boggs, Eduardo Sanchez, Lance Lynn,
McClellan and Marc Rzepczynski will return to the bullpen in 2012. They've
been effective in 2011 and GM John Mozeliak and his front office deserve
credit for assembling a capable and affordable group.
Unless the Cardinals are comfortable paying Octavio Dotel and Arthur Rhodes
approximately $4MM each to join next year's staff, they shouldn't offer the
relievers arbitration later in November. Dotel and Rhodes are ranked free
agents and could theoretically net the Cardinals draft picks in 2012, but
both have made their interest in returning to St. Louis clear. If the
Cardinals decide against bringing Rhodes back, they will likely add another
left-hander to pair with Rzepczynski, but the St. Louis front office doesn't
need to focus on its 'pen this offseason.
The Cardinals spent $109MM in 2011 and if they re-sign Pujols, payroll will
almost certainly rise again. They'll have committed $86MM in payroll if they
retain Motte and McClellan through arbitration while non-tendering Theriot
and Schumaker. Adrian Gonzalez and Mark Teixeira earn roughly $22MM per
season, so Pujols will command an annual salary of at least as much. This
would bring their projected payroll to $108MM before adding middle
infielders, finalizing the bullpen and accounting for minimum salary players.
However, the World Series title surely generated extra revenue for the
Cardinals, who have had years to prepare for the possibility of paying Pujols
an annual salary in excess of $22MM.
If the Cardinals find a successor to La Russa, sign Pujols to a long-term
deal and add middle infielders, they can consider the offseason a success.
Mozeliak has a busy offseason ahead, but with Wainwright on his way back, an
effective, young bullpen and the NL's best offense, the 2012 Cardinals could
threaten to play deep into October once again, in 2012.
明明無關還硬要寫一下169次雙殺打是全聯盟之冠XD
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推 baronterry:這是驕傲 無誤= =+ 11/26 16:52
推 rex9712340:Laird被簽走了 斗他變TypeB了 11/27 11:50