I'm not a huge fan of "New Year's Resolutions" simply because we can all resolve to be better at any time during the year, there's nothing special in that regard about starting a new one. That said, with 2020 just about in the rear view mirror (whew!) I do have some Cardinals-related wishes to pass along before the calendar flips.
My wish list is a realistic one as I tend to focus on things that are more likely to happen rather than on things that just don't have much grounding in reality. Hopefully that doesn't disappoint!
1. Bring back Yadi and Waino
Yeah, I know. This is an easy one. Here's my rationalie: the Cardinals are going to be a "pitching and defense" team again in 2021 and these two solidify the roster in that regard. Molina is the mesh point between pitching and defense, bringing the two together, and without him both elements seem likely to take a hit. It's not that the team would fall apart without him, it's just that he is a known commodity in both areas. Knowing what you're going to get is critical when you're talking about the areas of your team that you'll be leaning on the most. Waino would bring stability to a somewhat uncertain situation regarding the rotation. There are plenty of quality arms available for rotation spots but not that many sure things for 2021. As mentioned above with Molina, more certainty is important in the areas you're relying on to carry the team. The presence of both in the clubhouse has its advantages too.
Related
Now, I realize that this is a 2-way street. They team has a part in this and so do the players. If we expect "loyalty" from one side of the negotiating table we should expect that from the other side as well. Hopefully the team and the players will figure out a way to make it work to give the team added stability for the start of 2021.
2. Lean on the bullpen
If there was a ever a time to go with the modern trends regarding bullpen usage it's this coming season. Teams may be cautious about pushing starters - particularly young starters - when it comes to their workload after such a short season in 2020 and that should make bullpens (and rotation depth) more important than ever. That absolutely favors the Cardinals this year. Barring a rash of injuries the Cardinals bullpen should be one of the 2-3 best in Major League Baseball in 20201 with the depth of talent and the diverse looks the pen can provide.
You want velocity? Jordan Hicks, Alex Reyes and Ryan Helsley bring the 100 MPH heat.
Related
You want elite breaking pitches? Reyes, Hicks, Andrew Miller and Giovanny Gallegos can hook you up.
You want a little bit of everything? Reyes, Gallegos, John Gant and Kodi Whitley say hello.
You want a lefty? Austin Gomber can be a multi-inning force or a starter, Tyler Webb can be your finesse guy and Genesis Cabrera brings the swings and misses.
You want multiple innings of relief? Reyes, Helsley, Gallegos, Gant, Gomber and Cabrera can all handle that.
You want more options? Depending on what happens in the rotation both Carlos Martinez and Daniel Ponce de Leon could be bullpen options as well.
This may be what separates the Cardinals from their competition in the NL Central.
3. Make a couple of smart, complementary additions.
You don't have to like it or agree with it but it seems safe to assume that the Cardinals aren't swimming in the deep end of the free agent pool this year. With that being the case there are still ways to improve the consistency of the lineup by adding players who balance your current group of hitters. They can add platoon options who bring some power and/or more consistent contact skills without breaking the bank.
Related
- Tommy La Stella can play 2B and 3B, he has some pop and he combines high end contact rate with a solid walk rate as well.
- Joc Pederson brings serious left handed power to the OF along with a solid walk rate.
- Jurickson Profar is a switch-hitting contact machine who can play all over the field.
- Eddie Rosario combines power, contact skills and consistency.
- Danny Santana is a switch-hitter without a platoon split who hits the ball very hard and can play anywhere on the field except catcher.
- Jonathan Schoop is a good fielder at second base who brings 20-25 HR a season to the table.
And those are just a few of the options out there...there are more, both higher and lower cost.
4. Get to the middle
Okay, this one ties into the last one a bit but it also has something to do with getting more from what you already have on the roster too.
The Cardinals aren't going to go from a lower-end offense last year (14th in the NL in runs) to an upper-end offense this year. Realistically speaking, though, it should be possible to get to the middle of the pack. In 2019 they finished 10th in runs scored and won 91 games along with the NL Central Division title. If they can get into the 7-8-9 range in terms of runs scored in 2021 they should be able to improve on that 2019 win total and win the division. We're talking about 30-50 more runs improvement over a full season - less than 10 extra runs a month - to be in a really strong position with the pitching staff they'll be running out there.
Related
Yes, I'm using 2019 as the example instead of 2020 because 2020 was ridiculous. Small sample size, an insane schedule for the Cards after a 17-day COVID shutdown, etc. I'm not sure we can learn all that much from such an odd set of circumstances. That said, we can easily say that it has to be better than it was in 2020. We know it wasn't good we just don't know if it would have been THAT bad under more normal circumstances. 2019 was normal, I think that helps provide context.
5. Short leash for short-timers
Finally, this is not a demand as much as it is an observation. The veterans who have expiring contracts have to perform to stay in the lineup if this team is going to maximize its ability to score runs. The older guys (Matt Carpenter, Dexter Fowler) are free agents at the end of 2021 so there's no reason to ride out extended slumps knowing you still may need them in the future. The same goes for younger guys (Tyler O'Neill, Harrison Bader, Lane Thomas and yes probably even Dylan Carlson) too because 2021 has to be about results and not hopes for the future. The Cardinals need to do two things at once this season: put the best lineup out there so they can win the division and figure out what they can count on for 2022 as well.
I'm not saying a few bad games should land someone on the bench but I do think it's important in 2021 to play the guys who are performing...or at the very least give someone new the at bats if the guys who get the first crack at playing time aren't getting the job done.