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St. Louis Cardinals 2017 Team Preview

By Anthony Sosa

Jun 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Kolten Wong (right) celebrates with shortstop Aledmys Diaz (center) and second baseman Matt Carpenter (left) after their victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Cardinals won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Kolten Wong (right) celebrates with shortstop Aledmys Diaz (center) and second baseman Matt Carpenter (left) after their victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Cardinals won 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Dexter Fowler (25) at bat against the New York Mets during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2017; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Dexter Fowler (25) at bat against the New York Mets during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Additions

The Cardinals made some free-agent acquisitions during the offseason and have a pitcher coming back from injury. All three guys look to bolster the Cardinals’ roster.

Center Field:

During the offseason, the Cardinals picked up one of the best free agents available in Dexter Fowler. After two seasons in Chicago, Fowler signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal with the Cubs’ division rival Cardinals. He fits into the outfield with Stephen Piscotty in left and Randal Grichuk in right.

Fowler played a huge factor in the Cubs’ 2016 championship run. He hit a leadoff home run in Game 7 of the World Series and helped end a 108-year championship drought for the Cubs. Fowler also earned his first All-Star appearance last season.

In 2016, Fowler hit .276/.393/.447 with 13 home runs, 48 RBI and 84 runs. He provides the Cardinals with a leadoff hitter and adds more depth to the lineup.

Relief Pitcher:

After spending his first eight major league seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, reliever Brett Cecil signed a four-year, $30.5 deal million with the St. Louis Cardinals. The reliever puts a good left-hand option in the bullpen for the Cardinals.

Last season, Cecil’s ERA was up a bit. After three seasons in the two-range, Cecil’s ERA hit 3.93. Nonetheless, Cecil owns a career 6.8 bWAR. A change of scenery might help Cecil in 2017. At the very least, the Cardinals added a veteran arm to their bullpen for the next four seasons.

Starter Back from TJS:

Cardinals’ starting pitcher Lance Lynn missed the entire 2016 season, due to Tommy John surgery. Back in 2017, Lynn feels like an addition for St. Louis, especially with the rotation help the Cardinals need.

In his five-year career, Lynn has a record of 61-39, an ERA of 3.37 and 766 strikeouts in 791.1 innings pitched. He earned an All-Star Game selection in his 2012 season. The Cardinals hope that Lynn comes back better than ever in 2017. Not only will that help St. Louis, but also Lynn as he heads into free agency next offseason.

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