Sometimes, it takes a few looks at a question in order to completely round up an answer. Kicking off the latest United Cardinal Bloggers Offseason Roundtable on Monday was a question about fixing right field. A problem that presented itself before the untimely death of Oscar Taveras. Now that the mourning has at least cap sized around the city, the need to address a glaring problem heading into the 2015 season has grown to be larger than life. The Cards need a new right fielder and they have to decide if the answer is already in the house or currently circling the market. General Manager John Mozeliak must figure out if he wants to fill the hole with his young guns or does the outside help option seem to hard to resist. It’s an interesting question and one that fields a dozen different answers. It is the team’s biggest problem looking ahead, so a thorough investigation is required.
You have the in house options. Randal Grichuk, who grew into Mike Matheny’s favor late in the 2014 season. He has a cannon in right field, speed on the bases, power against lefties but he strikes out a ton. There’s a hole in the kid’s swing and who knows if more at bats will help seal it up. You can fix a crack in the foundation of your home with a thickening material called eboxy but another crack may happen. Grichuk swings hard and contact happens on occasion. He showed improvement but is it time to throw the kid into the starting role? I would say no. Stephen Piscotty has the makings of a solid producer. He doesn’t strike out a lot, collects hits and has great defensive instincts in the outfield. He also bats righthanded like Grichuk and fellow hopeful youngster Tommy Pham. Do you install a few kids in right field and see if something sticks? Does that sound like a power surge to you? A difference maker. Monday, I was fine with that idea but as I wrote about it then, the idea of a different solution comes to mind. A power bat.
Where do you find those? The free agent market. A possible trade. You don’t find those in house. One can tell me all day about the idea of Piscotty, Grichuk, Pham or Xavier Scruggs providing power because they did so well in the MINOR leagues but I will eventually start to sleep. Sure, minor league talent is important and can reap rewards if you spot it right, but the Cards need for power is apparent.
Take a look around. The Cards don’t have a known quantity right now that can suddenly project power into their lineup. Matt Holliday’s power is declining. Yadier Molina is an unknown after a troublesome season. Jhonny Peralta may crank 20 home runs and drive in 65 but it’s hard to project more. Center field will be shared by Jon Jay, who is an on base percentage guy, as is Matt Carpenter. Kolten Wong may blast 15-20 home runs but there is no guarantee. Matt Adams seems like a 30 home run guy but one would be lucky if he reaches 20 with his inability to hit consistently against lefthanders. Look around this team and there are a bunch of singles and doubles guys but no clear threat. Someone that strikes fear in the hearts of pitchers. I won’t hook them up to a power plant at the moment, but Mozeliak needs to be aggressive this offseason.
As fellow Cards blogger Kevin Reynolds said, this isn’t a one year fix but a multi-year arc refuel. The Cards lost a rightfielder for the future in Taveras and can’t just look at the next guy to fill that void. With no offense to the fine young talent on the team, I want a known quantity. Spare some of the current fleet and get a big piece. Â How exactly do you replace Oscar? You trade for Giancarlo Stanton and then you buy real estate in the clouds when you are done there. Stanton is a dreamy piece that is also unattainable. So let’s look at the other options. Who? Let’s take a quick look.
Michael Morse-First Base/Outfield
He won’t win a Gold Glove in his lifetime but he can swing the bat for power. He hit 16 home runs last year and 31 in 146 games in 2011. He strikes out a lot, but can give the Cards a power bat off the bench in addition to a bat to go with the current fleet. While he is initially appealing, Morse hits righthanded and didn’t rip the cover off the ball during the second half in 2014. Grichuk could produce what he did in 2014 as well if given the opportunity which doesn’t solve anything. Morse doesn’t quench my thirst.
Nelson Cruz-Outfield
He hit 40 home runs in Baltimore after coming back from a PED suspension. He had 166 hits in 159 games and hit .271. He isn’t a good outfielder and served as a DH in Baltimore, but he has six straight seasons of 22 home runs or more. That’s a known quantity. That’s a given. He can supply the power and probably use a little defensive help in right field. Cruz gives you that boost of good old fashioned ready or not here I come power swag. Cruz, like Morse, is a free agent. You would sacrifice defense but also give the team a boost of power. Piscotty can serve as a 4th outfielder, break into the big leagues and slowly start his maturation into this league. I like Cruz because he is power unfiltered. You’d overpay Cruz in order to cut down on years in the deal.
Carlos Gonzalez-Outfield
Gonzalez is NOT a defensive gem in the outfield but he can hold his own. He has talent and skill but comes with the injury prone tag that has scared off takers for his teammate Troy Tulowitzki. Gonzalez has played over 140 games once in his 7 years here. He is a risk and would require a trade. The Rockies would want a few players for him, because he is 29 years old and has power in his stick if the knees are right. He finished the 2014 season the 60 day DL so let’s focus on 2013. He hit 26 home runs in 110 games and had an average of .302. He cranked 34 home runs in 2010 and isn’t an old man. He could be plugged into his lineup and do damage. The problems are the injuries and a contract that has three expensive years left. Gonzalez is scheduled to make 16, 17 and 20 million through the 2017 season. It’s not ridiculous but it’s also a clear risk.
Evan Gattis-Catcher and Outfield
Gattis is a young Braves slugger who burst onto the scene in 2013 and has put together a pair of solid seasons with the Braves. He has cranked around 20 home runs and 60 RBI in under 110 games in each season. He is a bat who can back up Yadi behind the plate and supply some power in the outfield. I am sure he can find his way around first base if Scruggs doesn’t win that spot. He solves the Cards conundrum at catcher(no real scary backup if Yadi goes down) and gives the team outfield depth with proof. Hat tip to Ben Chambers for bringing this up on the UCB podcast on Wednesday.
Take your pick, Mo. Look outside the organization. Stanton and Tulo may be dream boats or carry heavy risk, but these four players could help, especially the last three. Looking internally is a nice in season option, but there is time to glance around right now and observe the options. The Cards have lacked serious power since Albert Pujols left, which makes Cruz desirable. They have lacked a solid hitting backup catcher since…forever, so Gattis is ideal as well. The Cards had a black hole in right field in 2014 and couldn’t crank a steady amount of bombs. It can be fixed if the risk is taken by Mo. Reach a little, extend one of your toys and find the Cards a threat. At the very least, the bench will be upgraded from ghostly to worthy.
Whichever route is taken, get it done this winter. Cast the bait into the river and go fishing for power.
24 comments
Dan, its epoxy, with a P. But other than that, good read. I agree with the options you present to Mo.
thank you sir. With a P indeed.
Wondering why your so hung up on power? Does power translate to making the playoffs? How then, do you explain the Royals, Cards heck even the Giants? I think I would definitely like to see many of those that you listed in a cards uniform, but I also would like to find out what we have in players like Grichuk.
He was, after all taken ahead of Mike Trout ( Trout performed much like Randall during his first hundred at bats). Grass always looks greener on the other side. Randall is a hell of a talent, if guys like you would give him a chance… What do I know though. I only played MINOR league baseball, and as you made perfectly clear, that is pretty meaningless and pretty much anyone that wants to, can get a chance to play MINOR league if they wanted. Game is always sooo much easier from your couch, isn’t it… Your baseball iq shows when you make the game all about POWER. Game is evolving past that, not as relevant anymore.. Runs per game avg. is where the money’s at… Get a player that produces runs and can play defense..
First part of your comment was fine. And then you made it personal. I don’t know why you have to sink to that level. So let me respond. I didn’t know you played MINOR league baseball. That’s great. Put it on a plaque somewhere if you’d like. My job, as a writer, is to give my blunt take. If I worried about what every former Minor League player thought about y opinions, I wouldn’t be doing my job well, right? Let me spin it for you another way. Randal Grichuk had more than a 100 at bats at the MLB level but not enough at the minor league level. He needs more fine tuning. I never said all minor league players never make the team. I think in this one instance, the Cards should look for power because while it doesn’t win games by itself, it sure helped the Giants win Game 5. Morse HR and Ishikawa HR. It’s nice having power. The team is deprived of it. It wouldn’t be bad to have a guy who could play RF, lB, and maybe supply our bench with something other than useless utility players. Grichuk may be better and Piscotty may be good too but they are young and unproven. The Cards have scored well with Carp, Wong, and Rosenthal in key spots. Why would it be horrible to go out and find a missing power bat to equalize the entire attack? Why is it so asinine to think that way? The Cards can keep looking internally or they can inject something different into their attack. World Series teams have done it before. By the way, why does every critic think writers do all this from a couch? It’s called a desk dude. Thanks for reading.
Can you explain what you mean when then you say “fine tuning”.
What is is exactly that he would need to “tune” in AAA before your comfortable giving him more time…
Your the baseball expert, so shouldn’t be difficult question.
And I’m assuming most athletes believe you guys write from the couch or desk. Your job, is to criticize how other people do thier job. Fun… And careful ripping minor leaguers, you are no doubt in the minors yourself… like most, would of never even heard of archcitysports or Dan Buffa if it weren’t for Ryan Leopando
We disagree on Grichuk. I don’t think he is going to be a starter in this league in the 2015 season. You supposedly think he can sharpen his swing after striking out 44 times in 145 games. I don’t think he can make that adjustment and help the rest of the lineup, that has declining parts. The team could use a power bat. Not three power bats. A legit power threat. However, I don’t really think Mo will make the plunge so I am prepared to have RG and his hole filled swing start in RF in April. His .678 OPS looks highly promising, but according to you it will only get a lot better.
I don’t rip minor league players. I just don’t need them whining when I criticize a few others. That’s what sports writers do. We observe and make a judgement. You tell me I spend a lot of time telling baseball players how to do their job. Well, why don’t you NOT tell me how to do mine. Go whine elsewhere. Ryan is a great asset to ACS, but we were thriving before he got here. A website isn’t built on one person.
Still waiting for your opinion on what the kid needs to do? I’m wondering can you tell me, is it a mechanical flaw in his swing? Or is it over-aggression that leads him to chase pitches out of the k-zone? Personally, I feel like his approach is to pull, too often. It causes him to chase and expand/swing at pitches both inside and high, out of the zone. When he learns the league a little better, the game will slowdown for him. He will begin to “take” those pitches, and get himself into more fastball counts and hit a few more bombs.. You give this kid 500abs, he will go .265/18-20hrs/70-80 rbi..
For $500k of real money..
So you think inside one season, he will figure it out. I think his approach is fueled by that aggression and pitch selection. Minor league players face explosive sliders and the movement on curves in the MLB that they don’t in the minors. I will give RG the benefit of only having 145 at bats so there is more time needed there. If the team didn’t have a declining Matt Holliday and was power strapped in the lineup, I would say stick Grichuk back there and see what he can do. However, when there is a direct need for a legit power threat(not what you listed), I say take a shot. That’s not disrespect to Grichuk. That’s filling a team need. When Oscar died, the Cards lost a player they were building the next phase of this team around. A 10-15 year player. They need to replace that and in my opinion, Grichuk isn’t that guy. I am not even sure Piscotty or Pham is. That’s not being cruel to minor league players, as you noted in your first response. That’s my assessment. Take it or leave it. Then again, you seem to have a problem taking an Arch City Sports minor league blogger’s opinion seriously, unless the signage is Leopando. Maybe you should go read Sports Illustrated or ESPN. They seem to be geniuses that AGREE with what I am saying here.
(wrote this from my couch actually…)
Also, the Cards runs per game sucked in 2014. Their +/- run differential was horrible. Just to tack onto your last statement. Home runs can help an attack here built to get on base.
You don’t go get garbage like Morse or Gattis to be an everyday starter when you have young talent that has skills and is still developing. Morse and Gattis are NOT everyday starters and you’re just adding to the logjam. You KNOW what problems those guys have, no one knows what Grichuk, Piscotty etc., could develop into. There’s this popular thing in baseball called Wins Above Replacement, maybe you’ve heard of it, and none of those options provide enough value above the current option to be worth the risk. If you’re going to make a move it’s to trade for a SUPERSTAR like Gonzalez, Tulo, Stanton. If Tulo, you play Peralta all over the field on a daily basis. Cruz is an absolute NO considering you’re also giving up a first round draft pick to overpay him to only take a one year deal and play horrible defense. I agree you may end up needing someone eventually, but moves for guys like Morse and Gattis (or similar types) can be made in-season. If they make an off-season move for a starter, it’s going to be for a STAR. Another option that could cost less in players and maybe even get the Dodgers to eat money (since they probably want to dump him) could be a change-of-scenery guy in Kemp.
Perfect..
This whole subject is strange. I certainly agree that morse and gattis have power, but that’s it!! That’s ALL they have, 1 tool. They both k as much or more than grichuk. If you guys have a hankering for power get rid of Matt Adams. Not a 4.5 tool player like Grichuk or Piscotty.. Even Matt Adams has two tools ( power and can hit for average) as opposed to morse, or gattis that only do one thing, occasionally.
Chicks dig the long ball I guess… These are NOT good options for Mo..
I also feel that it’s irresponsible as a “sports writer” to suggest a guy and not even mention that he received a qualifying offer and costs a first round pick. I mean did you even do any research, or just sort the free agent outfielders by homeruns?
“Sports writer” Dan needs some more swings in the Minors Mark, which is arch city sports.. It’s like single a.. I’m going to go read a “KNOWN sports columnist” with quantitive years experience enough to present all the facts of his argue meant, not just those that support his AWFUL opinion. I will not respond or be back to check this morons response either..
You poser
Boom… Couldnt agree more!
Got some “holes” there Dan. Like previous poster said, good thing your in the minors where you can get some more reps. Imagine the response you would have had if more than 10 people read your stuff..!
Actually Ben, over 1,000 people read this article. That’s what I can find out by being an administrator and seeing the page views. You seem to invest a lot of time here with a minor league sports writer. Shouldn’t you be taking swings in the cage or something?
Any more responses, please, be the big boy and contact me on Twitter(@buffa82) or via email [email protected].
Thanks “Guest” who doesn’t care to leave his or her name. This poser will keep writing and you will be back. Trust me. Have some fun finding a known columnist agree that the Cards don’t need a good old dose of power. Thanks.
I actually used your favorite stat with Gonzalez(WAR) and listed other stats like batting average. Yes, though, I am looking for someone that can launch a few HR’s. Guilty as charged. I do research. Or else there would be like….zero stats listed. Thanks.
Feel the need to contribute more Mark, contact me on Twitter or via email. Be a big boy.
If you guys actually read my piece, I admitted that Morse isn’t the greatest option. Guess you both “skimmed” instead of reading. Classic mistake. Gattis’ worth comes in his ability to serve at first, the outfield and catcher.
I actually supported Cruz and Carlos Gonzalez the most.
I wouldn’t give up a first round pick for Michael Cuddyer but I would do it for Nelson Cruz, if the contract was for 2 years and not 3. You don’t like Cruz’s WAR(that’s the amazing stat you unearthed that 4800 other writers along with myself used in countless articles.) of 4.7 from 2014. I’ll take that.
I wouldn’t mind Matt Kemp either. Nice suggestion.
Cruz is what 33 and off a career year and just played for cheap? He’s looking for a payday. Pass. Not worth a first round pick to overpay an aging PED user with injury history for a career year (as a DH) when you have a 23 year old playing for nothing and only has a cup of coffee under his belt. Grichuk isn’t going to hit 40 bombs, but then again neither is Nelson, especially in the National League. You’d be lucky to get 120 games out of him. They have a bigger need for a utility infielder who can play short and hit a little bit and is preferably right handed. Honestly the best way to solve the problem would probably be Tulo and then let Peralta fill in at right, first, and give Tulo the occasional day off at short (assuming they wouldn’t want Peralta in the deal to give them a Major League SS). If you’re looking for power out of a free agent, a guy I’ve always loved is Hanley. You’d have to convince him to play that super utility role I laid out for Peralta as Jhonny probably makes more plays at short nowadays.
I’m inclined to agree with you on this one Dan. We have a lot of unknowns in the lineup right now and having a proven slugger would certainly help. I’m not too crazy about the guys you mention here – though admittedly I’m not very familiar with Gattis – but I like the way you’re thinking.
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