St. Louis Cardinals
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Yohel Pozo
Yohel Pozo MiLB deal with St. Louis
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 9:08 PM
The Cardinals signed Pozo to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Pozo, 27, boasts a .321/.343/.542 batting line over the last four seasons at the Triple-A level but has received just 77 plate appearances in the majors, and those came back in 2021 with the Rangers. He'll give the Cardinals some catching depth at Triple-A Memphis.
Tink Hence
Tink Hence No limitations in spring training
Mon, Jan 27, 2025, 3:06 PM
Hence will enter spring training without limitations after he threw just 79.2 innings in 2024 due to back and right lat discomfort, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Hence had to be pulled early from a couple starts in June and then missed nearly a month around midseason due to the injury. He also exited his final outing of the season with another injury, although it's unclear if the same back/lat issue was the culprit. Durability is the only real negative with Hence's outlook, as he also missed time in 2023 with tightness in his chest and neck area. The 22-year-old was superb in 2024 when on the mound, posting a 2.71 ERA and 109:26 K:BB over 79.2 frames with Double-A Springfield. Hence was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster this offseason and should begin 2025 in the rotation at Triple-A Memphis.
Masyn Winn
Masyn Winn Aiming to steal 30 to 40 bases
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 2:54 PM
Winn said during the Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up fan event Sunday that he's hoping to steal 30-40 bases this season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Winn stole only 11 bases in 16 attempts last season during his 150-game rookie campaign. However, with a sprint speed in the 87th percentile and an average of more than 30 stolen bases per season during his three years in the minors, Winn certainly seems capable of upping his steals total in 2025. It would be a big boost to his fantasy prospects if he is more aggressive on the basepaths this season.
Jordan Walker
Jordan Walker Working on rediscovering swing
Mon, Jan 20, 2025, 2:34 PM
Walker has been working with new Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown this offseason on rediscovering the swing he had prior to the 2024 season, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Upon reviewing video from 2024 and comparing it to 2023, Walker and Brown noticed that the outfielder's hands were separating from his body too soon, while the balance in his lower half was also inconsistent as he gravitated toward a wider stance. The goal, per Walker, is to "hit line drives" and "drive the ball in the gap" instead of putting so much emphasis on lofting the ball in the air. Walker said he's "super-excited" with the early results of his swing changes and can't wait to test it out against live pitching. The Cardinals are committed to youth in 2025, which includes giving Walker a long leash in right field. The 22-year-old Walker slashed only .201/.253/.366 over 52 regular-season games with St. Louis in 2024 while spending a large chunk of the campaign in the minors.
Matthew Liberatore
Matthew Liberatore Prepping as starter
Sun, Jan 19, 2025, 8:32 PM
Liberatore said Sunday that he'll build up as a starter during spring training, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The left-hander found success out of the bullpen last season with a 3.69 ERA in 54 relief appearances, but he'll still get stretched out during camp. Liberatore pointed out it's easier to pare down his workload later on compared to building up midseason, so he could still end up beginning the campaign in a relief role.
Packy Naughton
Packy Naughton Easing in during spring training
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 10:00 AM
Naughton (elbow) is behind schedule this spring as he completes his rehab from left flexor tendon surgery, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The southpaw had the operation last June. Naughton was removed from the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason but is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He'll likely begin the season at Triple-A Memphis but could eventually be a factor as a lefty option out of the St. Louis bullpen.
Keynan Middleton
Keynan Middleton Battling stomach bug
Wed, Feb 14, 2024, 9:56 AM
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak saied Wednesday that Middleton isn't in Cardinals camp due to a stomach bug, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: The illness looks to be a minor setback for Middleton, who should be able to get back up to speed quickly. The reliever inked a one-year contract with St. Louis earlier this month and is slated to handle middle-relief work.
Guillo Zuniga
Guillermo Zuniga Kicked off 40-man
Sat, Feb 3, 2024, 5:58 PM
The Cardinals designated Zuniga (forearm) for assignment Saturday.
Analysis: The signing of Keynan Middleton became official Saturday, meaning Zuniga will lose his spot on the roster to clear space. Zuniga spent most of his time in Triple-A last season, logging a 7.63 ERA and 1.72 WHIP across 30.2 innings, and he ended the season on the injured list due to a right forearm strain.
Keynan Middleton
Keynan Middleton Links up with Cardinals
Thu, Feb 1, 2024, 10:05 PM
Middleton signed a contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Analysis: Middleton was a quality middle reliever for the Yankees and White Sox last season, maintaining a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 50.2 innings -- his heaviest workload in the majors since 2017. He's extremely unlikely to factor into the saves picture with his new club, but he should bolster the middle of the bullpen.
Alfonso Rivas III
Alfonso Rivas Scooped up by St. Louis
Mon, Jan 29, 2024, 1:26 PM
The Cardinals claimed Rivas off waivers from the Angels on Monday.
Analysis: Even though spring training games are still about three weeks away, Rivas has already been well traveled this offseason. After being booted off the Pirates' 40-man roster shortly following the regular season, Rivas has been claimed and waived by both the Guardians and Angels before catching on with St. Louis on Monday. The Cardinals cleared room on the 40-man roster for Rivas by designating outfielder Moises Gomez for assignment, but the 27-year-old first baseman could be at risk of being cut once again if St. Louis needs to open up another roster spot at any point in the near future. Even though he was frequently shielded against left-handed pitching this past season, the lefty-hitting Rivas still finished with an unremarkable .229/.303/.422 slash line over 123 big-league plate appearances between the Padres and Pirates.
Josh James
Josh James Inks minor-league deal with Cards
Fri, Jan 26, 2024, 10:42 AM
James signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Friday.
Analysis: James has not pitched anywhere since undergoing flexor tendon surgery back in October of 2022 and he hasn't appeared in the majors since 2021. It would appear he's healthy now and the Cards will take a shot on the former top prospect in hopes he has something left in the tank. James holds a career 4.64 ERA and 158:61 K:BB over 106.2 frames covering parts of four major-league seasons.
Tommy Edman
Tommy Edman Inks two-year deal with Cardinals
Mon, Jan 22, 2024, 3:11 PM
Edman (wrist) signed a two-year contract with the Cardinals on Monday to avoid arbitration, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: The two sides had been slated to go to an arbitration hearing after being unable to come to terms earlier this month, but a hearing will now be unnecessary. The financial details are not clear at this time, but the two-year pact will buy out Edman's final two years of arbitration eligibility. Edman -- who is expected to be slowed at bit at the start of spring training as he recovers from wrist surgery -- is penciled in as St. Louis' everyday center fielder for 2024.
Jonathan Morales
Jonathan Morales Receives minors deal from Cards
Mon, Jan 22, 2024, 2:41 PM
Morales signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals on Monday.
Analysis: Morales is known as a strong defensive catcher who has thrown out 51 percent of attempted base stealers since 2019. With a career .668 OPS in the minors, his offense is a different story, although he did pop 14 homers at hitter-friendly Triple-A Albuquerque in the Rockies organization in 2023. Morales will be organizational catching depth for the Cards.
Matt Carpenter
Matt Carpenter Reunites with Cardinals
Fri, Jan 19, 2024, 11:55 AM
Carpenter signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Friday.
Analysis: The 38-year-old slashed just .176/.322/.319 last season with the Padres before being traded to Atlanta over the offseason and then released. He's owed $5.5 million in 2024 but the Cardinals will be responsible only for the veteran minimum. Carpenter could conceivably see time time in the designated hitter spot in St. Louis, but it'll be difficult for the club to justify playing time for him over younger options.
Tommy Edman
Tommy Edman Could be slowed early in camp
Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 10:56 AM
Edman (wrist) said Monday that he could be slightly behind schedule from a hitting perspective at the start of spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Analysis: Edman underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist in October and is still in the midst of a hitting progression. He has yet to be cleared for bat-to-ball contact yet and it's not clear when that will happen. Edman fully expects to be ready to roll come Opening Day, though, so fantasy managers shouldn't be overly concerned at this point that he's a tad behind.
Brendan Donovan
Brendan Donovan No limits in spring training
Mon, Jan 15, 2024, 8:21 AM
Donovan (elbow) has two weeks left of a throwing program and expects to have no limitations at the start of spring training, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Donovan underwent surgery in August on his right flexor tendon. The goal, he said Sunday at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-up fan event, is to arrive to spring training and "nobody can tell" he had surgery. Donovan was terrific in 2023 before his season ended in late July, slashing .284/.365/.422 with 11 home runs in 95 contests. Most of his playing time in 2024 will probably come at second base, but he made starts at six different positions last season (not including designated hitter) and will do some bouncing around again as a super utility player.
Alec Burleson
Alec Burleson Drops weight over offseason
Sat, Jan 13, 2024, 7:40 PM
Burleson revealed Saturday that he's lost 12 pounds so far this offseason in an effort to become a more reliable defender, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: Burleson graded out at minus-9 in Statcast's Outs Above Average in 2023, with most of that coming in the outfield. The 25-year-old has implemented a stricter diet this offseason and also worked on increasing his mobility, leading to weight loss and, he hopes, improved defense. Burleson posted just a .691 OPS last season, but a 13 percent strikeout rate and 41 percent hard-hit rate offered some promise. He currently projects as a reserve for the Cardinals but could see semi-regular starts between the outfield, designated hitter and first base.
JoJo Romero
JoJo Romero Agrees to terms
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 2:02 PM
Romero agreed to a one-year contact with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.
Analysis: The 27-year-old southpaw is coming off his best big-league season, in which he registered a 3.68 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 42 strikeouts in 36.2 innings. Romero should work as the Cardinals' top lefty reliever in 2024.
John King
John King Avoids arbitration
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 1:59 PM
King agreed to a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration.
Analysis: The 29-year-old lefty has seen his strikeout rate decline in three consecutive seasons, while his WHIP has gone up for three years in a row. He is a left-handed groundball specialist who has more real-life value than fantasy value.
Andrew Kittredge
Andrew Kittredge Agrees to terms
Thu, Jan 11, 2024, 1:55 PM
Kittredge agreed to a one-year, $2.63 million deal with the Cardinals on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis: He was just traded to St. Louis from Tampa Bay last week in exchange for Richie Palacios, so naturally the two sides came to an agreement. Kittredge, who has been limited to 31.2 innings over the last two seasons due to injury, should work in a setup capacity for the Cardinals. He has 15 saves in 96 appearances over the past four seasons.

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