Ordinarily, the first priority would be to upgrade starting pitching, but after Martinez and Reyes they're kind of flush with mediocre guys who you can neither trade nor would release. So there's not a lot you're going to do there. Hope Lynn returns to form and maybe get your 4/5 starters out of the rest of the group.
The Leake contract may prove to be the worst signing of Moz's tenure.
Then they need to address their infield defense. I may be the last holdout on Wong, but I'd keep him because he's the best glove they have on the infield. Gyorko is OK at third. Better than OK, actually. After a horrible start, Diaz is at least serviceable at short, but you need to do better than serviceable with the pitching staff they have. First base is an issue. They won't offer Moss the contract he wants and I'm like you, I've seen enough of Adams. Maybe first base is a place where you look outside the organization.
This won't go over well here, but I'd trade Carpenter. I reiterate he's killing the Cardinals with his insistence on hitting leadoff, and he's a defensive liability anywhere he plays. And he'll fetch a fair return, maybe a good defensive shortstop and/or that centerfielder you're looking for, maybe both if you throw in one of the superfluous starting pitchers.
Which means Diaz moves to left, after they decline Holliday's option. It's an adjustment for Diaz, for sure, but left field is the easiest position on the field to play.
Even with one year left on his contract, Peralta can't be moved, unless the Cardinals suck next year and they dump him to a contender at the deadline. He's going to be a spot starter at third and their right-handed bat of the bench. Grichuk becomes your fourth outfielder. 
The bullpen is going to require a substantial fix. As you say, Oh, Duke and the untrade-able Broxton are back. I'd hold on to Rosenthal for at least one more year. I liked Lyons out of the 'pen this year. The rest, not so much. Siegrist could go away and I wouldn't shed a tear. I'd like to see if Maness is right when he returns. I don't think Wacha is suited for the bullpen, due to the nature of his shoulder injury. I'm afraid the memory of 2013 is all we're ever going to get out of him.
 

Last edited by artie_fufkin (9/29/2016 10:51 am)

Moss/holliday-both need to be let go.  There is no place for them on this team or in the lineup.

Carp-i think he could be a decent enough first baseman.  I dont understand how he couldnt.  I dont mind him at second either.  I wouldn't go into the season as that being his position tho.

Diaz-probably a lock at ss but i like the idea of moving him to left and improving infield defense.  There isnt much out there in free agency for outfielders.  I also liked the idea of fowler.  He would bring a real leadoff hitter.

Wong/adam-  if they aint got it by now they aint going to.  Trade them both

Peralta-only owed 10mill in 17.  Should be able to move him even if the cards have to eat a little.  He might be a decent player in 2017 if his power come back.  However, this team needs some different pieces.

Grichuk-play him everyday.  He is high power, low average but he plays good cf and i dont want to see the lineup lose all of its pop.

Gyorko-start him at third unless they can upgrade that position.  Then id keep him as the super sub.

Rotation- Martinez, reyes, lynn, waino, leake.

Wacha - isnt worth a thing.  He is damaged and everyone knows it.  It is bullpen or selling cars.  That is his options.

Siegrist-has been decent to good.  Id keep him

Rosenthal- he isnt worth anything so might as well keep him too. 

Garcia- fuck you garcia.  He ruined every hope i had for him.  See ya

I think the club could realisticly get rid of adams, wong, holliday, moss, garcia and peralta.  They wont move carp.  Hopefully with those departures and shifting players to more suitable positions this team will have a different look and feel.

"But if he could be used to get one of the best, most underrated center fielders in the game (Eaton)"

I like Eaton a bunch. He'll slide in as a leadoff hitter, even though he strikes out a little too much, and he gives you speed, good defense at an important position and his red ass will provide contrast to the Christian Coalition in the clubhouse. And his contract is team-friendly. But I wonder why the White Sox would trade him.
 

Last edited by artie_fufkin (9/29/2016 1:19 pm)

"There is such a thing as balance."

Yeah, they're called the 2016 Chicago Cubs.

Who is a better ss.  Diaz or desmond?

artie_fufkin wrote:

"But if he could be used to get one of the best, most underrated center fielders in the game (Eaton)"

I like Eaton a bunch. He'll slide in as a leadoff hitter, even though he strikes out a little too much, and he gives you speed, good defense at an important position and his red ass will provide contrast to the Christian Coalition in the clubhouse. And his contract is team-friendly. But I wonder why the White Sox would trade him.
 

It's really a fantasy scenario and my idea is partially based on the idea that the Sox need to rebuild.

Blackmon is probably the most realistic option.

tkihshbt wrote:

Jon Heyman says the Cardinals will decline Holliday's option and let him walk. Bittersweet news. 

Yep, it is the right move.  Id not bat him again and let this hr be ia last at bat as a cardinal.

forsberg_us wrote:

APIAD wrote:

tkihshbt wrote:

Jon Heyman says the Cardinals will decline Holliday's option and let him walk. Bittersweet news. 

Yep, it is the right move.  Id not bat him again and let this hr be ia last at bat as a cardinal.

Ditto, although I'd still be willing to bring him back if he'd take a lot less on a 1-year deal with the understanding that he's a bench bat and part time 1B/LF

That might not be a bad deal if changes are made in the everyday lineup.  Probably have to fire matheny as well.  He will start him daily.

forsberg_us wrote:

Speaking of 2017, if ever there was a time to try to flip Jedd Gyorko, the off-season following a 30 HR season, might be the right moment.

He has over overachieved but i hate to see him go.  Him and grichuk are the best chance the Cardinals have of retaining power.

I'm with Fors: you can have one of those guys, but having both bogs down the offense. I would try and keep Gyorko of the two, but he could have big-time trade value.

APIAD wrote:

I guess my opinion would be based on what they replace one of those guys with.  Longoria type would interest me.

Honestly, this team might benefit more from a high OBP leadoff type who plays good defense. Tk mentioned Dexter Fowler, Eaton or Pollock. This team could improve the overall offense, even if it loses a little power. Not to mention improved defense and speed.

Jen Langosch said on Bernie's show this morning that the Cardinals can't have so much depth next season because it essentially overwhelms Matheny. It's probably not a good sign that you have to have more lesser players on the roster because the manager doesn't know how to use his talent.