Free Agent Scramble

[Talkin' Baseball]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

[CNYFan]

We may get Andujar

[rockondlouie]

M. Andujar

J. Quintana


Would be my two signings

[WaltsSuccessor]

M. Andujar

J. Quintana


Would be my two signings

Works for me! Then maybe backfill with signing an experience LH BP arm if Jojo still gets traded before the season. There will be options available.

[Talkin' Baseball]

M. Andujar

J. Quintana


Would be my two signings

Works for me! Then maybe backfill with signing an experience LH BP arm if Jojo still gets traded before the season. There will be options available.

There are options, but do it before spring training. There are numerous expamples of pitchers who don't do well after missing part of spring training, and not many success stories.

[82birds]

Andujar and Canning

[rockondlouie]

M. Andujar

J. Quintana


Would be my two signings

Works for me! Then maybe backfill with signing an experience LH BP arm if Jojo still gets traded before the season. There will be options available.

Perfect walt

$2M bought P. Maton last season and he did a really good job.

[Ozziesfan41]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

Sounds like a good plan. I’m definitely hoping they sign andjuar and not grichuk

[Cardly]

Sign Quintana or Canning - use the first half of the season and trade at the deadline.
ALSO, sign Montgomery - he returns at the middle of the season. Could be a trade chip in the off season or signed this season and next and dealt in the 2027 deadline.
Sign Andrew Chafin replaces Romero as a veteran lefty out of the pen. Trade at the deadline for prospect

Trade Jojo Romero now for a prospect.

Sign for a bat or trade for one. Hoskyns? Goldschmidt?

[Jatalk]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

You have my support but throw in Andujar also.

[woofy25]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

Would these signings turn the Cardinals into a WC contender? This would be the equivalent of Lynn and Gibson. Patchwork signings. This does not work. This does not work. This does not work.

[mariontt]

Nice topic/ info TB.

For the projected cost, Quintana would be a solid add to help get the young rotation through the first 4 months before being dealt to a contender. Marquez has endured some rough seasons in Colorado. He had the talent. Would a change of scenery/ altitude help him regain form?

RH hitting veteran outfielder still seems to be a need. I'd be alright with either Andujar or Grichuk. Can Grichuk still cover center?

[Cardinals4Life]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

Why would we want Jordan Montgomery?
If he is hurt until the 2nd half, he isn't even a flippable piece. Give the spot to one of the youngsters before wasting $ and a spot on him.

[Talkin' Baseball]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

Would these signings turn the Cardinals into a WC contender? This would be the equivalent of Lynn and Gibson. Patchwork signings. This does not work. This does not work. This does not work.

Of course they wouldn't. There is no move the Cardinals could make that would make them a contender this year. Should they do nothing? These moves help cover innings and keep younger players from being overused/exposed out of necessity.

[mariontt]

We're down to about a week until pitchers and catchers report- maybe 10 days for position players. According to Spotrac, there are 111 free agents who remain unsigned. In the next week I think you will see a scramble of players looking to secure spots and teams who finally decide their plans A, B, and C aren't going to work. There will be some productive players in this group. As it relates to the Cardinals, I would have some level of interest in these players:

Starting pitchers- I would like to see the Cardinals sign any one of these three pitchers; Griffin Canning, Jose Quintana, or German Marquez. According to Spotrac, the expected contracts for these pitchers is GC 4.7M, JQ 3.4M, and GM 3.2M. Their projections have tended to be a little lower than actual signings this offseason. My preference would be to sign Jose Quintana. Put Quintana in the rotation and find a new home for Andre Pallante. Richard Fitts either goes into the Steven Matz role from last year, or goes to Memphis to stay stretched out.

As a second starting pitcher move, I would try to sign Jordan Montgomery. He won't pitch until the second half of the season. He can pitch if Quintana is flipped, the staff experiences injury, or young pitchers hit innings limits. His estimated contract is 2.6M. I would offer less than that with an incentive for innings pitched that would get him there, or offer a 2 year deal knowing that would make him easy to move.

Left-handed relief pitcher- Joey Lucchesi. He is a 33 year-old lefty who pitched for SF last season. He made it into 38 games and pitched to a 3.76 ERA. Spotrac estimates his contract at 1.7M. (As an aside, he pitched in college for Southeast Missouri State in Cape)

RHH outfielder- Miguel Andujar or Randall Grichuck. Andujar is not a good fielder anywhere, but he is a good bat against left-handed pitching and he plays all the right spots. He plays 1B, 3B, LF, and RF. Three of those are occupied by left-handed hitters, so he could spell them. His contract is estimated to be 6.1M. More and more I would be willing to pass on signing a position player, but if I did, it would be Andujar.

Bottom line- I would try to sign Quintana (3.4M), Montgomery (2.6M), and Lucchesi (1.7M). Total 7.7M. If you move Pallante, you would relieve 4M.

Why would we want Jordan Montgomery?
If he is hurt until the 2nd half, he isn't even a flippable piece. Give the spot to one of the youngsters before wasting $ and a spot on him.

Montgomery could look to St. Louis as a landing spot. He had good success here. It'd likely be a backloaded 2 year deal. I'm sure he'd prefer to get paid something this year and have a contract in place for 27. Especially, with the potential lockout in 27. It'd give him a paycheck and a familiar place to rehab. St. Louis would hope that he is fully healthy and effective in 27 with the intent to flip him/ extend him based on how the rest of the team is performing.

[bretto12]

I would pass on both Quinntana and Montgomery. There is a reason no one has signed them.