Monday Afternoon GM: A look at Willson Contreras and the mess of an organization right now.

I don’t even know where to start this week; a 1-5 homestand against the Angels and Tigers will do that to the best of us. The crappy play doesn’t even go into the mess that the organization is in. (Note: This was written before Monday’s 3-1 win over the Cubs).

Rather then reliving the inconsistent offense and subpar pitching, let’s focus on the behind the scene events of the week.

The biggest was the announcement that Willson Contreras wouldn’t be catching for the forseeable future; he’ll be primarily the designated hitter, with emergency outfield play a possibility. They originally said he’s see time in the outfield, but that makes absolutely no sense; the outfield is crowded as it is and the Cardinals noted (after the fact) that an ankle injury is part of the reason for the position change.

This decision essentially is laying blame for the pitching issues on Contreras; he doesn’t know the pitchers well enough to call an efficient game. The Cardinals are acting surprised by this, but it was one of the criticisms of the catcher coming into the season (along with pitch framing).

John Mozeliak was quoted as saying: “You’ve got to have confidence with people in certain roles, that’s what it comes down to. We’ll be patient, but look, again, this has not gone how we would have thought. … I do (still believe in Contreras). But some of the things we expect, some of the things about the game we’ve become accustomed to, I think he realizes it’s going to require more preparation. Now the question is, can that happen? I guess we’ll have to find out.”

They have no confidence in Contreras the catcher, yet they’ll let Andrew Knizner, with his empty bat and inability to throw out runners, catch on a regular basis because the “pitchers are familiar with him”. It’s a catch 22: have the better catcher start, or have the guy the pitchers like better start.

The Cardinals are also acting surprised by their pitching issues, which was the biggest concern for the team that they didn’t address. They don’t have an ace, most of the pitchers they do have are underperforming, and when they do get a good start, the offense lets them down.

To add insult to injury, it’s come out that the Cards could have had Sean Murphy for Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Gordon Graceffo; this would have been a good deal for a great catcher and they wouldn’t be moving him to DH. Noot is great and probably the best outfielder we have right now, but someone needs to go. Donovan isn’t being used and hasn’t replicated the production from last season. Graceffo is nice as a prospect, but they have to scarafice talent to get talent.

The Cardinals countered with 2 of Dylan Carlson, Nolan Gorman, Alec Burleson, and Juan Yepez. Losing Carlson and Gorman might have been worse for the current team then the package the A’s wanted; Gorman looks like he’s turned a corner and Carlson is the only guy on the roster who can play a capable centerfield.

For now, Contreras is saying all the right things:
“It’s tough, but I’m an employee. I know my primary position is catching, but if they want me to DH more, I can do nothing about it but be the best hitter I can be.”

Although, this morning he did remove mentions of the Cardinals and his profile picture from Instagram page:

These issues come off the Tyler O’Neill incident a few weeks back; O’Neill didn’t hussle up to manager Oli Marmol‘s expectations and the manager called the slugger out in the media. O’Neill, being informed of the statement by the press, wasn’t happy. Days later, he stopped playing centerfield (justifiably so).

This is a bad look for the team and the “Cardinal Way”. Will future big time free agents pass on the Cardinals because they could lose their position in 30 days? Will players pass because they are called out in the media?

The fans aren’t happy; between the bad start and the front office shennanigan, there is too much drama for people. They are calling for heads: Oli, Mozeliak, Girsch, it doesn’t matter. There are talks of boycost until the DeWitts spend.

Enough of the negative…

The Standings
OK, maybe not…

May 8th, 6.5 games below .500, 9 games out. It’s a bad spot. The team is on pace for a 51-111 record over the season. They’ll need to go 70-57 the rest of the way just to get back to .500.

Run Differential
The Cardinals have scored 156 runs this season and allowed 175, good for a -19 run differential. Their record based off run differential should be 16-19, or 5 games better than it is; as we already know, this team is underperforming. Based off their run differential, they should be on pace for 73-89 record. Here’s the game by game breakdown:

At no point last season did the Cardinals have a negative run differential.

Transactions
Guillermo Zuniga (RHP) promoted from Memphis; Zack Thompson (LHP) demoted to Memphis.
Tyler O’Neill (OF) to 10-day IL; Juan Yepez (1B/OF) promoted from Memphis.
Jake Woodford (RHP) to 15-day IL; James Naile (RHP) added to 40-man and promoted from Memphis; Wilking Rodriguez to 60-day IL.
Adam Wainwright (RHP) activate from 15-day IL; Guillermo Zuniga (RHP) demoted to Memphis.
Tres Barrera (C) added to 40-man roster and promoted from Memphis; Taylor Motter (IF) designated for assignment.

The Minors

• Memphis Redbirds: 20-13, 1st Place (IL West)
  • Up Next: @ Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (17-15)
  • Promoted: Jose Martinez, RHP (Springfield); Dalton Roach, RHP (Springfield)
  • Demoted: Zack Thompson, LHP (St. Louis); Guillermo Zuniga, RHP (St. Louis)
  • To IL: Gordon Graceffo, RHP
  • From IL: Scott Hurst, OF
• Springfield Cardinals: 13-14, 4th Place (TL North)
  • Up Next: @ Tulsa Drillers (17-10)
  • Promoted: Chris Roycroft, RHP (Peoria)
  • Demoted: Justin Toerner, OF (Memphis)
  • To IL: None
  • From IL: None
• Peoria Chiefs: 15-12, 2nd Place (MWL West)
  • Up Next: Dayton Dragons (12-15)
  • Promoted: None
  • Demoted: None
  • To IL: Patrick Romeri, OF
  • From IL: None
• Palm Beach Cardinals: 16-11, 1st Place (FSL East)
  • Up Next: Jupiter Hammerheads (16-11)
  • Promoted: None
  • Demoted: Victor Villanueva, RHP (FCL)
  • To IL: None
  • From IL: None
• Complex:
  • Released: Ryan Holgate, OF; Yordy Richard, RHP; Omar Sanches, RHP

Injury Report
Packy Naughton, LHP – left forearm numbness; TBD but expected back this season.
Tyler O’Neill, OF – lower back strain; expected back after the minimum (May 15).
Wilking Rodriguez, RHP – right shoulder inflammation; moved to the 60-day after season ending surgery. His Rule V status will carry over to next season.
Jake Woodford, RHP – right shoulder inflammation; expected back mid-to-late May.

I’m not doing any analysis this week after the big Contreras stuff above.

Around the Web

• Call to the Pen previews the Cards/Cubs series.
• MLB.com looks at Noot’s impact in Japan.
• Deadspin explains why Yadier Molina won’t help things.
• The Comeback looks at Paul Goldschmidts big day Sunday.
• Sportskeeda is already trying to trade Contreras.