Core Wants Grading
Offensive Manufacturing (Grade: C-)Want: The 2024 Cardinals ranked twenty second in runs scored (671) and twenty third in residence runs (169), with a crew wRC+ of 98 (under league common). Dropping Goldschmidt’s 100 wRC+ bat left a niche at first base.
Motion: Willson Contreras shifts to first base full-time, projecting a .260/.350/.450 slash line (120 wRC+, ~20 HRs) based mostly on his 2024 .848 OPS in 84 video games. Alec Burleson (108 wRC+) and Jordan Walker (72 wRC+ in 2024) will get prolonged seems, however neither is a confirmed energy risk but.
Evaluation: Contreras helps, however the lineup lacks a high-OBP or 30-HR bat. Younger hitters like Walker and Nolan Gorman (88 wRC+) should enhance considerably.
Beginning Pitching Depth (Grade: B)
Want: The 2024 rotation posted a 4.07 ERA (twelfth in MLB) however relied closely on Sonny Grey (3.84 ERA, 3.12 FIP). Miles Mikolas (5.35 ERA) and Steven Matz (5.08 ERA) regressed.
Motion: No additions. Grey stays the ace, with Erick Fedde (4.27 ERA), Andre Pallante (3.75 ERA), and prospects like Quinn Mathews (2024 MiLB-best 202 Ks) within the combine. Matz or Mikolas may shift to aid or be traded.
Evaluation: Depth is first rate with younger arms, however Grey’s second-half decline (4.59 ERA) and lack of a second dependable starter cap upside. FIP suggests slight overperformance in 2024 (crew 4.02 vs. ERA 4.07).
Bullpen Stability (Grade: B-)
Want: The 2024 bullpen was a energy (3.60 ERA, seventh in MLB), led by Helsley’s 49 saves and a pair of.04 ERA. Dropping Kittredge (37 holds) damage setup depth.
Motion: Maton (3.84 ERA profession) provides veteran presence, becoming a member of JoJo Romero (3.09 ERA) and Matthew Liberatore (4.61 ERA). Helsley stays the nearer barring a commerce.
Evaluation: Nonetheless above common, however thinner with out Kittredge. Maton’s 4.05 FIP suggests modest affect. Groundball charges (46.2%, third in MLB) stay a energy.
Defensive Reliability (Grade: C+)
Want: 2024 protection was common (0.1 defensive WAR, fifteenth in MLB). Goldschmidt’s departure and Contreras at 1B (untested) elevate questions.
Motion: Masyn Winn (4.9 WAR, elite SS glove) anchors the infield. Victor Scott II’s velocity in CF may increase outfield vary if he sticks.
Evaluation: Winn and Brendan Donovan (multi-positional flexibility) assist, however Herrera’s poor framing (14th percentile) and Contreras’s transition mood optimism.
Anticipated W-L document: 78-84
