Here’s a follow-up on something I wrote about in Wednesday’s column. It’s about the importance of team defense and what it means to pitchers. As I pointed out in yesterday’s column, the 2023 Cardinals had their poorest season defensively since 1930. That’s based on...
For the Cardinals, three encouraging trends are evident in Camp Jupiter 2024. I think they’re positive developments. This doesn’t mean I’m predicting the Cardinals will win 90+ games this season and romp to a National League pennant. That isn’t my point. But after a...
What motivated the Cardinals to sign free-agent shortstop Brandon Crawford? And what does it mean for other players? Let’s take 12 swings at this, shall we? 1. The Cardinals needed protection in two ways. If rookie shortstop Masyn Winn gets off to a brutal start...
My initial reaction to the signing of free-agent shortstop Brandon Crawford: The Cardinals collected another antique! That isn’t necessarily a criticism. It’s more of an observation. Antiques can have value. Antiques can be aesthetically pleasing. Antiques can look...
The Cardinals should score plenty of runs in 2024. The bullpen won’t be a tinderbox. The defense should save runs instead of cost the team runs. The baserunning won’t be as passive or careless. That leaves the starting pitching. It’s the most important sector of the...
The outlook in the National League Central became clearer over the weekend when Cody Bellinger rejoined the Cubs in a move that surprised no one. Bellinger agreed to a three-year deal for $80 million, but in reality this is a sequence of three one-year deals....
BERNIE BITS As the kids would say, LFG! 1. It’s a new beginning for St. Louis City SC, and I’m excited to take in Saturday’s MLS season-opening match against visiting Real Salt Lake. In 2023, City stunned the circuit with its amazing success in winning the Western...
The Cardinals may have another managerial candidate if, for whatever reason, they decide to move on from Oli Marmol. Move over, Yadier Molina. According to Grandes en los Deportes, Cardinals demigod Albert Pujols has been retained to manage Dominican Winter...
In his informative baseball newsletter, analyst Joe Sheehan recently pointed out something that hadn’t occurred to me: with first baseman Todd Helton voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2024, that bodes well for Paul Goldschmidt. For quality of career,...
