Cardinals will seek starting pitcher, relievers, bench help at winter meetings

Offseason developments have made it obvious that the St. Louis Cardinals will be interested in acquiring starting pitching, via trade or free agency, this week at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.

The 114th annual meetings will be held Monday through Thursday at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in the heart of the Music City.

Free-agent starting pitchers have been coming off the board with rapidity in the last week, which could spring Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak, and other GMs on the trail of pitching, into action early in the meetings.

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann was the first big name to commit in the offseason, joining the Detroit Tigers for five years and $110 million. Left-hander David Price was the next to relocate, as he spurned the Cardinals and signed a seven-year, $217 million deal with the Boston Red Sox.

Also finding new homes have been right-handers Zack Greinke (Arizona Diamondbacks), Jeff Samardzija (San Francisco Giants) and John Lackey (Chicago Cubs), who was the Cardinals’ most effective starter last season when he was 13-10 with a 2.77 ERA in 31 starts.

Greinke received six years and $206 million, or $34.33 million per year. That topped even Price’s average annual value of $31 million. Samardzija, who is 47-61 with a 4.09 ERA in his career, received five years and $90 million, while Lackey got two years and $32 million.

Quality arms remain available, and the Cardinals could be interested in pursuing right-handers Mike Leake, Yovani Gallardo, Doug Fister and Ian Kennedy, or perhaps even Johnny Cueto. Another starter, left-hander Scott Kazmir, might be an attractive option.

The Cardinals’ need to add a starter was made evident Nov. 10 when Lance Lynn underwent Tommy John surgery that will sideline him for the 2016 season. Lynn, who was 12-11 with a 3.03 ERA in 31 starts last season, has been a workhorse in the rotation for four years.

As it stands

The top four in the rotation are set with Adam Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Carlos Martinez and Jaime Garcia, and even if the Cardinals are unable to add another starter, Mozeliak expressed assurance Saturday that left-handers Marco Gonzales, 23, Tim Cooney, who turns 25 on Dec. 19, or Tyler Lyons, 27, could answer the call.

“A lot of people are stating that we have to go out and get a starter, and I will say we were obviously in on one of the more attractive starters on the market,” Mozeliak said. “But having said that, it doesn’t necessarily mean we feel we have to get something. We do have some confidence if we have to go with Cooney, Lyons or Marco Gonzales. That’s not to say we won’t pursue something, but we do feel we have some internal help.”

Wainwright’s return figures to make a huge difference for the Cardinals. He pitched in just seven games last season, four of them starts, after tearing his Achilles’ tendon April 25.

“Obviously, getting Wainwright back is big,” Mozeliak said. “Having him, Garcia, Wacha and Martinez, that’s pretty exciting. What we do with that fifth spot is still to be determined. But I do feel like how Cooney pitched and how Lyons pitched last year was encouraging. And I also feel like when you think back to how Marco looked two years ago, you felt like he was somebody that would contribute in the rotation in time.

“Last year was not a great year for Marco, but I know he’s having a good offseason and is looking forward to competing for that spot.”

Wacha, who was 17-7 with a 3.38 ERA, struggled in September when he went 2-3 with a 7.88 ERA. He also was hit hard in an 8-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Wrigley Field, allowing three home runs.

Martinez (14-7, 3.01 ERA) was shut down with shoulder discomfort in September and did not pitch in the postseason. He is rehabilitating his shoulder at the Cardinals’ spring-training complex in Jupiter, Fla., and Mozeliak said he is making progress.

“He’s been spending most of his time in Jupiter, working with our (physical therapist),” Mozeliak said. “I feel good about how he’s spending his offseason.”

Heyward still a possibility?

If the Cardinals are confident about their in-house rotation replacements, they could use a robust budget to step up pursuit of their own free agent, right fielder Jason Heyward.

Heyward, 26, is one of the most sought-after free agents in this class even though his bat doesn’t project as a plus. His defense is first-rate, and there remains a belief in the industry that Heyward (.293, 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, 23 steals) is on the verge of greater things.

While the Cardinals would gladly welcome back Heyward, there will be a ton of competition for his services.

“I’m not being specific on any player, but we’re not ruling anything out on free agents at this point,” Mozeliak said. “We’re beyond the exploratory points, candidly, but we’re certainly paying attention to the market.”

Solving first base

The Cardinals have been rumored to be interested in first baseman Chris Davis, who walloped 47 home runs — and struck out 208 times — and drove in 117 runs last season for the Baltimore Orioles while batting .262. Davis, 29, has 159 homers in the last four years.

Davis would represent an upgrade over the Cardinals’ current situation at first base, where Matt Adams, Brandon Moss and Stephen Piscotty are expected to share playing time. Adams missed all but 60 games last season with a quadriceps injury.

Mozeliak, however, acknowledges a comfort level at first base.

“Between Matt Adams and Brandon Moss, we’re protected,” Mozeliak said. “Even if we had to use Piscotty there from time to time, I feel OK about that.”

Piscotty, a natural outfielder, was pressed into service at first base for nine games.

“I think having time to work on it this offseason, he’ll only benefit,” Mozeliak said.

Other help

Mozeliak said the Cardinals will seek to fill out their bullpen after the departures of Steve Cishek, Carlos Villanueva, Jonathan Broxton and Matt Belisle. Left-hander Randy Choate also has departed after the expiration of his three-year contract.

“I’m not sure I would be specific on the types of roles we’re looking for,” Mozeliak said. “You could look for a little bit more robust-type arm that could give you seventh-, eighth-inning protection. I think the key is just to add depth there, because when you look at how much (Kevin) Siegrist, (Seth) Maness and (Trevor) Rosenthal were used, finding some help there, I think, makes sense.”

Siegrist led the staff with 81 appearances, edging out Maness (76) and Rosenthal (68), who finished with a club-record 48 saves.

Mozeliak said the Cardinals also will search for bench help, possibly an infielder capable of playing multiple positions.

Remaining free agents

Other free agents should begin to choose their destinations in Nashville, particularly after many of the big-name starting pitchers are off the market.

“After one signed (Price), it sort of created a cascade effect,” Mozeliak said. “I would imagine everything, leading now up to Nashville, is going to start moving. I would imagine the relief market is going to start kicking off. It wouldn’t shock me to see the outfield market get going.

“I think you have a combination of two things: One, you finally saw somebody sign, and now that it’s happened, you’re going to see that high level of activity during the Winter Meetings.”

An outfielder the Cardinals might pursue is Justin Upton, who could be a candidate for right field if Heyward isn’t re-signed. Upton, 28, batted .251 with 26 homers and 81 RBIs in 150 games with the San Diego Padres last season. Since 2008, Upton has averaged 24 homers and 74 RBIs, although his defensive prowess doesn’t match Heyward’s.

Salary explosions

Mozeliak said he hasn’t been shocked by the huge salaries being handed out to the top free agents, namely Price and Greinke.

Many organizations, including the Cardinals, will have millions of dollars poured into their coffers by new and lucrative television deals.

“I’m not overly surprised because you sort of heard and sensed this might be coming,” Mozeliak said. “You could argue that perhaps you’re a little surprised at who’s spending (the money). But overall, I would say no.”

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 4:16 PM with the headline "Cardinals will seek starting pitcher, relievers, bench help at winter meetings."