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MLB Payroll Analyis and Offseason Preview: St. Louis Cardinals

By Joshua Mayer

May 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) singles against the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Cardinals won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
May 28, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) singles against the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning at Nationals Park. The Cardinals won 9-4. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Brandon Moss (37) watches his solo home run during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

Upcoming Free Agents

Player 2016 Salary ($)  (WAR), Stats
1B/OF Brandon Moss 8.25 M (1.5), .238/.314/.512, 26 HR
RP Jordan Walden 3.68 M None, Injured
P Jerome Williams 507 K (-0.3), 9 G, 6.46 ERA
Totals 12.50 M –

The team doesn’t have many traditional free agents this offseason. Williams is a journeyman swingman who has not been effective in very limited work. He will be let go without much of a fight.

Walden is an interesting case. He has been an elite bullpen arm when he is healthy. In 222 career innings, he holds an even 3.00 ERA with 10.8 K/9. After being traded to St. Louis as a part of the Jason Heyward deal, Walden has only thrown in 12 games with the Cardinals. Though he only gave up one run, his durability is a huge concern. He has been unable to make it on the field in 2016 thus far. He injured his bicep in the spring and then later suffered a setback. Curiously, it was reported that he did not report to his next rehab assignment. If it is true that he ditched his rehab, it is safe to say that he will not be back with the Cardinals. Even if that report is false, Walden will only be back on a one-year prove it deal worth maybe a few million.

The last free agent would be Moss, who has impressed this year with 26 home runs after a disappointing 2015. Whether or not he gets the qualifying offer (if it remains in the CBA) will be the debate this offseason. Either way, it would be a surprise for the Cardinals to resign him to any sort of big deal as they have a similar player in Matt Adams.

Next: Two Tough Team Options

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