OFFSEASON TALKING POINTS
The Cardinals started it off by completing their coaching staff for 2019. Although Jeff Albert wasn’t really on the radar as an assistant hitting coach, Stubby Clapp was a solid hire and a chance to keep him in the organization.
The offseason has some intriguing events ahead but the path the Cardinals take will be of the utmost concern for their fans.
Dates to Remember:
Oct. 29: Commencement of a five-day, exclusive negotiation window that teams have with their own free agents
Oct. 31: Deadline for players with opt-out clauses to exercise those provisions.
Nov. 3: The deadline for MLB clubs to formally issue one-year qualifying offers (valued at $17.9MM this offseason) to free agents is 5:00pm ET. Those players will have 10 days to weigh the offers and can negotiate with other clubs during that 10-day window. After that 5pm deadline, all free agents are eligible to begin negotiating with other teams.
Nov. 6-8: General Managers’ meetings in Carlsbad, CA
Nov. 13: Deadline for players to accept or reject qualifying offers.
Nov. 20: Deadline for teams to set their 40-man rosters in advance of the Rule 5 Draft.
Nov. 30: Deadline to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.
Dec. 9-13: Winter Meetings in Las Vegas.
Dec. 13: Rule 5 draft takes place on the final day of the Winter Meetings.
Jan. 11: Arbitration exchange day — the date on which teams and players must exchange filing numbers for arbitration. Hearings, if necessary, typically begin in early February.
March 28, 2019: Opening Day
All-Star Series in Japan
The All-Star Series will be played in Tokyo (Tokyo Dome), Hiroshima (Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium) and Nagoya (Nagoya Dome). The events will begin with an exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo on November 8th, followed by three games in Tokyo from November 9th-11th, one game in Hiroshima on November 13th and two games in Nagoya on November 14th-15th. MLB Network will provide extensive coverage of the 2018 All-Star Series, including live telecasts of the games from November 9th-15th.
PITCHERS
• Matt Andriese, D-backs
• Scott Barlow, Royals
• John Brebbia, Cardinals
• Junior Guerra, Brewers
• Brian Johnson, Red Sox
• Kenta Maeda, Dodgers
• Chris Martin, Rangers
• Collin McHugh, Astros
• Daniel Norris, Tigers
• Vidal Nuno, Rays
• Dan Otero, Indians
• Yusmeiro Petit, A’s
• Erasmo Ramirez, Mariners
• Hector Velazquez, Red Sox
• Kirby Yates, Padres
CATCHERS
• Robinson Chirinos, Rangers
• Yadier Molina, Cardinals
• J.T. Realmuto, Marlins
INFIELDERS
• Whit Merrifield, Royals
• Amed Rosario, Mets
• Carlos Santana Phillies
• Eugenio Suarez, Reds
• Chris Taylor, Dodgers
OUTFIELDERS
• Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves
• Mitch Haniger, Mariners
• Enrique Hernandez, Dodgers
• Rhys Hoskins, Phillies
• Kevin Pillar, Blue Jays
• Juan Soto, Nationals
Top 30 Cardinal Prospects
(as of Oct. 29)
1 ALEX REYES
2 NOLAN GORMAN
3 DAKOTA HUDSON
4 RYAN HELSLEY
5 ANDREW KNIZNER
6 RANDY AROZARENA
7 ELEHURIS MONTERO
8 JUSTIN WILLIAMS
9 CONNER CAPEL
10 GRIFFIN ROBERTS
11 MAX SCHROCK
12 DYLAN CARLSON
13 GENESIS CABRERA
14 JUNIOR FERNANDEZ
15 EDMUNDO SOSA
16 LUKEN BAKER
17 JONATAN MACHADO
18 JAKE WOODFORD
19 STEVEN GINGERY
20 RAMON URIAS
21 SETH ELLEDGE
22 GIOVANNY GALLEGOS
23 WADYE YNFANTE
24 JOHAN OVIEDO
25 ALVARO SEIJAS
26 EVAN MENDOZA
27 CONNER GREENE
28 DELVIN PEREZ
29 DANIEL PONCEDELEON
30 CONNOR JONES