St. Louis Cardinals 2018 Season Preview
The St. Louis Cardinals took a step back in 2017. Can they reverse their fortunes and return to contention in the coming season?
Over the years, the St. Louis Cardinals have been a perennial playoff contender. Since 1996, when Tony LaRussa took the helm, the Cardinals have made the postseason 13 times, with four World Series appearances and two championships. Heading into 2017, the Cardinals had failed to win as many as 84 games only five times. The Cardinal Way was back, and better than ever.
However, last year, the Cardinals took a step back. Not only did the Brewers make a jump up the standings, but St. Louis did not get the production they needed. They finished at 83-79, nine games out of the Central, and were an afterthought for the playoff picture for most of the year. It was certainly a disappointment.
This year, there is hope that The Cardinal Way will find its way once again. Marcell Ozuna was acquired to provide more pop to a roster that lacked a real power threat. Luke Gregerson was signed to potentially fill in as the Cardinals new closer. Miles Mikolas, who reinvented himself in Japan, was signed to fill out the back of the rotation. The Cardinals have definitely improved their roster over last season.
But are those moves enough? Do the St. Louis Cardinals have the pieces they need to unseat the Chicago Cubs and reclaim the Central?
St. Louis Cardinals additions and subtractions
Key additions: Marcell Ozuna, Luke Gregerson, Miles Mikolas, Dominic Leone, Bud Norris
Newcomer to watch: Marcell Ozuna. Last year, the St. Louis Cardinals leader in homers was Paul DeJong, who hit 25 homers in his 108 games. While they had five players that hit 20 or more homers, the Cardinal lacked that true power threat in the lineup.
Enter Marcell Ozuna. Despite being overshadowed by Giancarlo Stanton in Miami, he had developed into a star player himself. Ozuna has made the last two All Star Games, and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger last year. In 2017, Ozuna had a breakout season, posting a .312/.376/.548 batting line with a career best 37 homers and 30 doubles.
Slated to be the new left fielder in St. Louis, Ozuna provides an all around threat in left. He took to the position well last season, leading the league in range factor and saving 11 runs above average. With Tommy Pham now in center, and Dexter Fowler in right, the Cardinals outfield, and lineup, should be greatly improved.
Biggest losses: Stephen Piscotty, Randal Grichuk, Aledmys Diaz, Seung-Hwan Oh, Zack Duke, Juan Nicasio
Biggest loss: Aledmys Diaz. At this time last year, Diaz appeared to be the future for the Cardinals at short. Instead, he lost his job, was sent to the minors, and traded to Toronto.
Back in 2016, Diaz was an emerging star. He produced a solid .300/.369/.510 batting line, hitting 17 homers and 28 doubles as he made the All Star Game. However, last year, he slumped to a .259/.290/.392 batting line, hitting just seven homers and 17 doubles before losing his job to Paul DeJong.
In a lot of ways, DeJong is in a similar position as Diaz was last year. He emerged as a rookie, forcing his way into the lineup and giving the Cardinals a boost offensively. However, DeJong does not have the same sort of contact skills that Diaz possesses, striking out 124 times with just 21 walks in 443 plate appearances.
Paul DeJong may well build off of his performance last year, becoming the St. Louis Cardinals shortstop of the future. However, keeping Aledmys Diaz around as an insurance policy would not have hurt.
St. Louis Cardinals expectations for 2018
The St. Louis Cardinals have addressed several of their weaknesses heading into the coming season. However, there are still questions, particularly with their pitching staff.
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Miles Mikolas is an intriguing addition to the roster, and one that could pay off during the season. However, he is unproven at the major league level. Meanwhile, former ace Adam Wainwright has been a shadow of his former self since tearing his Achilles in 2015. He has been hammered since, and may be on the verge of losing his spot in the rotation.
The biggest question may be the closer role. Seung-Hwan Oh lost his effectiveness last year, as the Final Boss was much easier to overcome. Trevor Rosenthal earned the job back, notching 11 saves. This year, Luke Gregerson is penciled in as the new closer, but is not exactly a lights out option.
However, with one move, the Cardinals could change that perception. Greg Holland is still available, and would give St. Louis the closer they need. Gregerson would then be slotted in as the primary setup man, with Dominic Leone, Bud Norris, and Tyler Lyons giving the Cardinals a solid bullpen. That addition could make the difference in their pursuit of the Cubs this season.
Next: Cards have their swagger back
The St. Louis Cardinals have improved over last year. While they should contend for a Wild Card berth, they are not quite at the Cubs level. Prediction: Second place in the NL Central.