MLB and the Umpires union reach a new labor agreement which includes allowing MLB to go to computerized balls/strikes calls in the next 5 years.

The MLBPA wasn’t part of this negotiation, and would likely have to approve any rule change of this magnitude, but I’d be stunned if this isn’t implemented in the next 5 years.

Keuchel to the White Sox - 3 years/$55 million. 
But I'm sure the Cardinals made a serious offer.

JV wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

Keuchel to the White Sox - 3 years/$55 million. 
But I'm sure the Cardinals made a serious offer.

The fact he went to an AL team is pretty much the same as the Cards acquiring another Carp-caliber hitter without having to spend any money. Smart roster management.

Rec
 

Cardinals trade Jose Martinez, Randy Arozarena, and a Comp A pick (after 1st round) for Tampa’s top pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore, a Comp B pick (after 2nd round) and a low level catching prospect. Liberatore, a 2018 1st round pick is a 20 year old LH starter and was rated #41 prospect by MLB.

In 2019, pitched at A ball, Liberatore had a 3.10 ERA, 76 K’s in 78 innings. Low 90’s fastball that can hit 95, curveball and change are plus secondary pitches.

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019

I like this trade.  The cards gave up a player who isn't relevant to them and a player that's skill set is plentiful in the system.  They gained a legitimate prospect.  Seems like a proper fit.

forsberg_us wrote:

Arenado scares me a little because of the Colorado effect.  He's a career .324 hitter at Coors and .265 on the road and his OPS is 200 points lower on the road.  I'd be a little concerned that outside of Coors, Arenado is a ,270-280 hitter who hits 25-30 HR and drives in 80-90, but you're paying him to be a .300 hitter who hits 40 HR and drives in 120.  Obviously, the glove plays anywhere, and he's probably the best defensive 3B in baseball.

Also, for what it's worth, the reason Aranado's available is that he has an opt out after 2021.  So you're not guaranteed to have him after 2 years.  Unless he isn't worth the $35M you have to pay him, in which case you're stuck with him.

Plus the addition of aranado would be the subtraction of carp.

APIAD wrote:

forsberg_us wrote:

Arenado scares me a little because of the Colorado effect.  He's a career .324 hitter at Coors and .265 on the road and his OPS is 200 points lower on the road.  I'd be a little concerned that outside of Coors, Arenado is a ,270-280 hitter who hits 25-30 HR and drives in 80-90, but you're paying him to be a .300 hitter who hits 40 HR and drives in 120.  Obviously, the glove plays anywhere, and he's probably the best defensive 3B in baseball.

Also, for what it's worth, the reason Aranado's available is that he has an opt out after 2021.  So you're not guaranteed to have him after 2 years.  Unless he isn't worth the $35M you have to pay him, in which case you're stuck with him.

Plus the addition of aranado would be the subtraction of carp.

Actually there was talk of moving him to LF.

forsberg_us wrote:

Arenado scares me a little because of the Colorado effect.  He's a career .324 hitter at Coors and .265 on the road and his OPS is 200 points lower on the road.  I'd be a little concerned that outside of Coors, Arenado is a ,270-280 hitter who hits 25-30 HR and drives in 80-90, but you're paying him to be a .300 hitter who hits 40 HR and drives in 120.  Obviously, the glove plays anywhere, and he's probably the best defensive 3B in baseball.

Also, for what it's worth, the reason Aranado's available is that he has an opt out after 2021.  So you're not guaranteed to have him after 2 years.  Unless he isn't worth the $35M you have to pay him, in which case you're stuck with him.

Well thanks for being the black fly in my Chardonnay.
 

APIAD wrote:

"Free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna has seemingly identified his top two remaining suitors. Ozuna suggested to Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 101 (hat tip to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale) that he’s deciding between his latest team, the Cardinals, and the Rangers. He indicated that the Cardinals are his preferred choice."

Anytime I read Nightengale's name, I think of his "Tigers in 3" prediction and can't take him seriously.
 

APIAD wrote:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/01/cardinals-rockies-have-reportedly-engaged-in-preliminary-arenado-talks.html

In the comments section, there are a couple of posts indicating who the Cardinals would be giving in return. One has Hudson, O'Neill, Tsunamy and Liberatore, and another has Wong, Bader, Mikolas and Poncedeleon. 
If they could add Arendo and off-load Carlos Martinez in the same deal, that would be the proverbial win-win.
 

APIAD wrote:

It's hard for me to judge that trade. On one hand they are giving up a lot. On the other they will have middle of the order that means something.

I don't want to give up Hudson. I think he and Flaherty can be a formidable 1-2 in the rotation for at least half a decade. 
The Coors Field effect also concerns me. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any hitter whose stats increased once he left Denver. Maybe Gerardo Parra, but he's a first ballot Hall of Famer anyway.
 

Maybe I’m just a cynic, but I don’t buy this rumor for a minute. They aren’t taking on that salary. I bet they floated it out there just to say later Colorado wanted to much. Hence this “rumor” that they want Martinez, Hudson and Liberatore

forsberg_us wrote:

Maybe I’m just a cynic, but I don’t buy this rumor for a minute. They aren’t taking on that salary. I bet they floated it out there just to say later Colorado wanted to much. Hence this “rumor” that they want Martinez, Hudson and Liberatore

The only reason I gave the rumor any credence was because it would be a trade rather than a FA signing. If Arenado was a free agent and there had been a report the Cardinals had inquired, I would have dismissed it out-of-hand.
Besides, I'm almost as excited at the prospect of off-loading Martinez as I am of taking on Arenado.