ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - From 2019-2022, the Cardinals had one of the best defenses in all of baseball, with a defensive runs saved (DRS) of 228 being safely among the best in all of Major League Baseball.
Last season, it suddenly cratered, with the Cardinals suddenly going from one of the best to one of the worst, posting a -7 DRS, which is among the bottom half of baseball in 2023.
This season, the defense started off decently, with manager Oli Marmol saying he was initially happy with what was being put out on the field defensively. While they weren't anywhere near elite, it wasn't a liability. But over the last few weeks, it suddenly has become a liability of sorts, with the Cardinals committing the fifth-most errors in baseball with 41, including 27 errors since May 13th.
Individually, there has been some defensive struggles for many on the roster. Ivan Herrera has struggled to keeping baserunners at bay, catching only one baserunner this season. Nolan Arenado hasn't been anywhere near Gold Glove-caliber, posting below-average defensive metrics overall, from a -2 Outs Above Average (OAA) and a -7 DRS, with only Christopher Morel being worst at third base defensively this season in the latter category.
Meanwhile Nolan Gorman has shown flashes of improvement at second base, he is still seeing some struggles in the field, with Gorman's nine errors second-most on the team, only behind Masyn Winn, who has 10.
Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak spoke to Tom Ackerman on Sports On A Sunday Morning about the Cardinals recent defensive struggles, saying he feels the club is playing a little timid defensively, but doesn't it a significant issue yet.
"We all watched winning baseball before, and mistakes do happen in this game, it's just part of it," said Mozeliak. "But when things start to snowball and compound, that's when it becomes an issue. We are playing defensively a little timid because of the fact we are trying to not make mistakes. But I think when guys are playing with complete confidence or 100% of confidence, those things don't happen."
Mozeliak says the general idea of inconsistencies is a common issue for teams who are hovering around .500 at the moment, like the Cardinals.
"When there are a lot of teams that are hovering around .500 at the moment, you tend to see those inconsistencies," said Mozeliak. "When you look at the Phillies, they are clicking at all three areas and when they do make a mistake, they tend to move pass it, but when teams are struggling, and a mistake happens, it tends to come back and bite you."