Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America
The St. Louis Cardinals could use some extra help on the bench. The team lacked offensive power in general last season as several players performed below what they expected. The Cardinals finished 24th in runs, 17th in hits, 14th in doubles, 25th in triples, 29th in home runs, 25th in RBIs, 14th in batting average and 23rd in slugging. Teams have shown they do not have to be an offensive juggernaut to be successful. Offensive struggles can fall onto the starters, but the team needs to find quality platoon and pinch-hit options to improve.
As of now, the Cardinals have Tony Cruz, Peter Bourjous and Daniel Descalso as reserve spots. Tony Cruz has served as Yadi’s backup but the organization decided he was not good enough to start when the Molina injury happened and they turned to AJ Pierzynski. Mark Ellis was the stop-gap to allow Kolten Wong to develop. Yet, he didn’t produce and will no longer be on the bench for the Birds. Pete Kozma has never been a viable offensive option. Bourjous, an excellent defender, had terrible offensive output striking out 78 times in just 264 at bats. Randal Grichuk will need to have plenty of opportunities for at-bats. He will be able to play right-field when Heyward needs a break, left-field when Holliday needs a break and potentially center. However, Heyward would most likely move to center in case Jay doesn’t produce or needs a day of rest. Grichuk needs to develop further, which is why the team traded for Heyward, he will need consistent at bats and if he doesn’t get them look for the organization to send him to Memphis. At this point, Grichuk is the only option off the bench that provides an offensive threat, and they might decide to put him in Memphis.
- Mark Reynolds (first base) – Reynolds has always been a below average fielder but showed he could play first base well-enough to get by. Reynolds provides power, hitting 22 home runs over 378 ABs. He could platoon nicely with Mat Adams and serve as a DH for inter-league games and for a World Series matchup. Reynolds is also a strikeout machine, racking up 122 in that many ABs. While the amount of home runs in that number of at-bats is large, it probably won’t be duplicated. Reynolds simply cannot be depended on defensively. Most of his games came at 1st, though he played some games at 3rd base. He won’t get to many balls hit to him at 3rd and in a pinch he could play right field.
- Yasmany Grandal (catcher) – The Padres are shopping Grandal to other teams. He has been suspended for PED usage, but once was considered a top catching prospect. The Padres have the best catching prospect in Austin Hedges and Rene Rivera can fit their team nicely. Grandal, 26, managed to hit 15 home runs, playing in the pitcher-friendly Petco Park. He was also platooning more as he was coming off injury in 2013. Grandal needs to develop as a catcher and Molina would serve as an excellent mentor. Molina has been a workhorse behind the plate but the innings might be getting to him. Grandal could provide necessary days off or even allow Molina to play first-base to help save his legs. Molina has been the MVP of the Cardinal organization for years and baseball really undervalues what he has done for the staff and what he did at the plate. Grandal would be a nice transition player and platoon option for Molina, who turns 33 in July. Grandal would provide a catching option, power off the bench and could reasonably play first base with work and development.
- Kyle Blanks (first base/outfield) – Blanks was just designated for assignment by Oakland and could be had for a low price. Blanks has had a career full of injuries but was slated to hit 4th in the Padre lineup in 2010 behind Adrian Gonzalez. Blanks has always hit well in the minor leagues but that success has yet to translate to the major leagues. Blanks could also platoon for Adams but would be able to play outfield. Blanks would not cost the Cardinals what Morse and Grandal would, he would also fit nicely into a role-player position but his track record is mostly full of injuries.
- Michael Morse (first base/outfied)– Morse played outfield and first base for the Giants. He would be able to platoon with Adams but has had a better Major League career than Blanks and a better option. Morse was used as a bat of the bench for the Giants in the postseason. Morse is not a good defender by any stretch of the imagination, but his offensive output is attractive. The problem is Morse will most likely get an opportunity to be a full-time starter for some team. Offense is sparse and Morse can provide it. The Cardinals would be able to give Morse ABs and a chance to play, but someone will be able to offer him more playing time and possibly more dollars.
- Corey Hart (outfield/first base) – Staying healthy has been really hard for Hart over the past couple season. If he had been healthy, he would be getting massive free agent dollars. Hart could serve as an outfielder or could play some first base for the club. He has hit over 20 home runs in 5 seasons and over 30 home runs in 2 seasons. He missed all of 2013 and managed to play in 68 games last season. His power numbers were real, he isn’t the same guy anymore. He could be a nice power-threat off the bench and possibly stay healthy by being used more off the bench than asked to start.
- Rickie Weeks (2nd base)– He isn’t the every-day Rickie Weeks of old. He won’t be hitting over 20 home runs again but if he is used correctly, especially against left handed pitching, he could be a really nice bench player. He’s really just played 2nd base, but he might be able to play some 3rd base or outfield. The key is that a manager needs to use him correctly.
- Kelly Johnson (2nd base, 3rd base, outfield) – He’s not flashy, he’s not great. This makes him an excellent bench bat and platoon player. Johnson can play 2nd, 3rd and OF. While he won’t be hitting 20 home runs again he could reasonably hit 5-10 home runs off the bench, given some opportunities. He’s flexible, he’s resourceful and has some pop. All teams could use a guy like Johnson.
The Cardinals would be best suited to find someone that can platoon with Adams. Adams has been terrible against left-handed pitchers, batting .197 with just 6 home runs and 27 RBIs. The organization often sits him when they have to face a lefty. He has shown to be a liability against left-handed pitching and either needs to learn to him them better or the Cardinals need to have a platoon. Morse is probably the best fit for the Cardinals, but I see him getting a chance to start with another team. Grandal would be a great grab, but he would need to be acquired in a trade. He would give the chance for Molina to play some first base, DH during interleague and save his legs while providing power and offense that Tony Cruz cannot do. Mark Reynolds can be acquired and would be a great power option, while Blanks could manage to play multiple positions.
With Holliday’s production steadily declining and if Grichuk is sent to Memphis for consistent at-bats the Cardinals could sign multiple bench players. Grandal is the right player at the wrong time. The catcher transition is too early to take place for a guy like Grandal whom is ready to be a full-time starter now. Morse would also be a valuable piece. San Francisco’s park held him back with his power numbers. There will be an American League team that will use him mostly as a DH, he’ll play more and the Cardinals simply cannot offer that. Hart will be under-the-radar and can play some outfield and play first to platoon. Reynolds is better suited for first and could be asked to play 3rd. Both Reynolds and Hart could provide nice power off the bench and for the starters off-days. Weeks and Johnson could help the middle of the infield at second and play the corners with some outfield. Johnson is more flexible than Weeks, but if used correctly both are great options. A Reynolds/Hart and Weeks/Johnson combination could really help the Cardinals, Blanks could be a cheaper option if they lost out on Reynolds or Hart. The Cardinals need bench depth that can provide more offensively, these players could get it done.
