St. Louis Cardinals make big changes to coaching staff
St. Louis Cardinals make big changes to the coaching staff, in efforts to return to old form…
With the St. Louis Cardinals forgetting the “Cardinal way” in 2017, this upcoming season could be looking much brighter. The Birds on the Bat made some major coaching changes today, shaking things up a bit in the process.
#STLCards announce current 3B coach Mike Shildt has been named Bench Coach & José Oquendo has been named Third Base Coach for 2018 season. pic.twitter.com/ETQ9OoUapY
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 23, 2017
The Cardinals were not done, announcing that former Cardinal great Willie McGee is also joining the staff.
Willie McGee has also been named to the 2018 Major League coaching staff after working as a Special Asst. to GM for the previous 3 seasons. pic.twitter.com/mgsXrf0UtG
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) October 23, 2017
What about Mike Matheny? His job is safe, for now. I believe with the proper coaching staff and key off-season additions, Matheny could finally have the pieces to raise the Commissioner’s trophy at this time next season.
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Those are bold claims to make, but look how close the Cardinals come to making the playoffs in 2017. With an assortment of injuries and many young players who started the season in AAA Memphis, Matheny was dealt a terrible hand.
The Cardinals need to load up on that back end of the bullpen, with rumors of Greg Holland opting out of his 2018 contract with the Colorado Rockies. If they are able to re-sign Juan Nicasio as well, their bullpen — which was their biggest thorn in the side last season — could be one of the team’s strengths moving forward.
Let’s not forget about Tyler Lyons, whose second half of the season was just lights out. If they can get Trevor Rosenthal back from injury by the mid-point of the season, look out.
A big priority is resigning Lance Lynn, as well as adding one more middle of the order bat to compliment the balance from the 2017 campaign — yes Josh Donaldson, we are talking to you.
Spring training can’t get here soon enough, with coaches both new and old sure to tighten up the glaring mistakes of last season. Terrible base-running and mental mistakes are the main ones, which cost the Cards an assortment of close games.
Next: St. Louis Cardinals: 2017 Season Review and Offseason Preview
With the Cubs reeling from their 2017 postseason beat-down at the hands of the Dodgers in the ALCS, the St. Louis Cardinals could smell blood, putting down that “goat” for good.