Call to the pen
Fansided

St. Louis Cardinals: John Mozeliak looking for a feared, power bat

By Neil Harrington

ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 29: St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak (L) and Bill DeWitt, Jr. managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals talk in the dugout prior to a game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on September 29, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 29: St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak (L) and Bill DeWitt, Jr. managing partner and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals talk in the dugout prior to a game against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on September 29, 2013 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

St. Louis Cardinals President of baseball operations John Mozeliak reveals the team is actively looking for a key piece to add to the heart of their 2018 lineup.

The St. Louis Cardinals have been in recent pursuit of Giancarlo Stanton, with reports revealing last week that they were one of the front-runners to snag the 2017 NL MVP from the Miami Marlins.

However, in recent reports, Stanton states that he is not interested in playing for St. Louis, which could be a blessing in disguise for the team due to his fat, gaudy contract. However, there might be hope to land the NL MVP, only time will tell. St. Louis Cardinals President of baseball operations John Mozeliak recently caught up with Al Hrabosky of Fox Sports Midwest, revealing some details of the team’s plans for 2018.

Let’s just say that Mozeliak and the Cardinals are not planning on staying quite like they did during the playoff run — which came up short — of 2017.

John Mozeliak on Cardinals' offseason priorities

No. 1 on the St. Louis Cardinals' offseason to-do list, per president of baseball operations John Mozeliak: "Our focus is going to be try to find that bat" — one that's feared, not just respected.

Posted by FOX Sports Midwest on Thursday, November 16, 2017

The Cardinals wish list for 2017 go in this order:

1. Power bat.

2. Bullpen.

3. Starting pitching.

“Our focus is going to be try to find that bat” — one that’s feared, not just respected.”

John Mozeliak stated that his first priority is adding a bat that is not only respected but “feared” within the lineup. That terminology indicates that the St. Louis Cardinals are looking for a productive, big name type player. But, if Giancarlo Stanton isn’t’ that guy, who could be.

Top 25 free agent hitters for 2017-18

For a while, the St. Louis Cardinals were rumored to be in hot pursuit of former AL MVP third baseman Josh Donaldson, but recent reports say that is unlikely to happy.

With Donaldson unlikely to be in “The Lou” this coming season, here are the top possibilities and available players for the Cardinals for 2018:

  •  J.D. Martinez, Outfield : Arizona Diamondback to finish 2017
  • 2017 statistics: .303/.376/.690, 489 PA, 45 HR, 4 SB, 53/128 BB/K
  • Career statistics: .285/.342/.514, 248/786 BB/K, 3,118 PA
  • Lorenzo Cain, Outfield: Kansas Royals in 2017
  • 2017 statistics: .300/.363/.440, 645 PA, 15 HR, 26 SB, 54/100 BB/K
  • Career statistics: .290/.342/.421, 204/568 BB/K, 3,052 PA
  • Eric Hosmer, First base: Kansas City Royals in 2017
    2017 stats: .318/.385/.498, 671 PA, 25 HR, 6 SB, 66/104 BB/K
    Career stats: .284/.342/.439, 360/714 BB/K, 4,393 PA

John Mozeliak also mentioned locking down some bullpen help, with several key arms available.

Top 25 Pitcher free agents for 2017-18

  • Jake McGee, Left-handed, relief pitcher: Colorado Rockies in 2017
  • 2017 stats: 62 G, 57 1/3 IP, 0-2, 3 SV, 3.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7% BB, 25.3% K
    Career stats: 362 2/3 IP, 3.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7.1% BB, 30.7% K
  • Brandon Kintzler, Right-handed, relief pitcher: Cleveland Indians in 2017
  • 2017 stats: 72 G, 71 1/3 IP, 4-3, 29 SV, 3.03 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 5.6% BB, 13.5% K
  • Career stats: 306 2/3 IP, 3.26 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 6% BB, 16.5% K
  • Greg Holland, Right-handed, relief pitcher: Colorado Rockies in 2017
  • 2017 stats: 61 G, 57 1/3 IP, 3-6, 41 SV, 3.61 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 11.1% BB, 29.8% K
  • Career stats: 377 IP, 2.60 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 9.9% BB, 32.6%
  • Juan Nicasio, Right-handed, relief pitcher: St. Louis Cardinals to finish the season.
  • 2017 stats: 76 G, 71 1/3 IP, 5-5, 6 SV, 2.61 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 6.9% BB, 24.7% K
  • Career stats: 629 2/3 IP, 4.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 8.5% BB, 20.8% K

Now, this wish list is asking a lot to land even one of these highly sought after MLB players, but if the St. Louis Cardinals could make it happen, look out in 2018

Next: Chris Carpenter mourns the loss of Roy Halladay

What do you think? Are John Mozeliak and the St. Louis Cardinals really serious about off-season spending? Or, will they stand pat and stay in within the status quo? Tell us in the comments below and on our social media pages.

Home/St. Louis Cardinals