Bleacher Bums Forum

The A's were asking too much for their guy, and Toronto, in spite of having 3 catchers, didn't seem motivated to move any of them.

It appears that the A's wanted Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, and Gordon Graceffo for Murphy. Am I wrong in thinking that isn't actually that much? Maybe I just don't follow young players enough, but it seems like more quantity over quality to me.

Nootbaar is a lot like Morel--he was never a top 100 prospect, but he has some tools and has showed some initial promise in MLB. But he's not someone you hesitate to give up for 3 years of a ~4 WAR catcher.

Donovan had a good year, but he's kind of a rich man's Nick Madrigal or Ryan Theriot. A lot of contact, good average...but not much power. I don't think he has the ceiling to ever be a player they'd regret losing.

And Graceffo is a back end top 100 prospect, 4th best in the organization. He's not an untouchable type either.

What is the Cubs' equivalent? Morel, plus two others?

I want Aroldis back.

You realize he's coming off the worst year of his career by far, right? And he had his second worst year in 2021. He's close to done, he's more likely to be out of baseball in two years than he is to ever have another good season in MLB.

And on top of that, he's kind of a garbage person.

David Robertson to the Mets for 1/$10 million. According to Kiley McDaniel that puts them at $336 million for next year.

Cardinal fans love Nootbar and are very fond of Donovan.

wow. 20 a year for nimmo.

I need to find a new team to follow. JR will never spend that kinda money on the Sox.

I expected $20. But for like 5, maybe 6 years. Not 8.

…According to Kiley McDaniel that puts them at $336 million for next year.

With the payroll tax Mets will owe, Mets effective payroll is now about $400 M.

Pending additional acquisitions.

Cardinal viewpoint:
SAN DIEGO -- Throughout their rich history, the Cardinals have been regarded among rival teams and the player agent community as a fiscally responsible club when it comes to chasing available players. Although they have shown a propensity to spend on true difference-makers (See: Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado, acquired via trades), the Cards usually resist the urge to splurge and prefer to operate outside of “go for it” mode.

Instead, St. Louis typically prefers a slow and steady approach, relying on president John Mozeliak’s “Draft and develop” strategy to provide the franchise’s lifeblood.

This offseason, however, took the Cardinals out of their conservative comfort zone and resulted in them being forced to ditch tried-and-true tactics. Losing a franchise icon, such as Yadier Molina, tends to send jarring tremors through an organization. Thus, they were under immense pressure to leave MLB’s Winter Meetings with a proven Yadi replacement at catcher.

To get their top target -- World Series winner and three-time All-Star Willson Contreras -- the Cardinals were forced to be flexible and willing to walk on the wild side, financially speaking.

St. Louis reeled in Contreras on Wednesday, but the agreement to a reported five-year, $87.5 million deal didn’t come without some furrowed brows, sweaty palms and anxiety-filled moments. Contreras’ representative team wisely took advantage of the Cardinals’ need and the scarcity of the market -- hardly a new tactic among agents -- to push the Cards further than they wanted to land their next backstop, per a source familiar with the negotiations.

While the sides agreed quickly on the average annual value ($17.5 million), the deal nearly fell apart Tuesday when they clashed over the length of the pact. Whereas the Cardinals came to San Diego seeking a three-year deal -- and one they might be willing to push to four years -- Contreras’ team held firm for five years. Also, they used the leverage of the Astros wanting to acquire Contreras -- for a second time since the Trade Deadline -- to make the Cardinals sweat.

They briefly explored their Plan B option -- dealing for Athletics catcher Sean Murphy at the steep cost of surrendering Nolan Gorman, Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan and Gordon Graceffo -- and determined that ask to be far too much. Owner Bill DeWitt, general manager Michael Girsch, manager Oliver Marmol and Mozeliak then restarted tense talks about meeting Contreras’ demand for a fifth year. While such a move was uncharacteristic for the typically cost-conscious Cards, they ultimately settled on a deal that brings Contreras to St. Louis today for an introductory news conference. 
MLB Network breaks down deal for Willson Contreras

Ultimately, the Cardinals justified the deal because of the many ways Contreras should help. In addition to being an adequate defender, he is expected to be a noticeable offensive upgrade -- something the Cardinals were unable to find with Andrew Knizner and Molina. With 22 home runs last season and 21 in 2021, Contreras can soften some of the sting of losing legendary slugger Albert Pujols, with the catcher also occasionally serving as the DH. Also, there was this: If filling the catcher spot was the club’s 1A goal, then 1B was finding a bat to provide protection for Goldschmidt and Arenado. Adding Contreras to catch and add thump killed the proverbial two birds with one stone -- or two birds perched on one bat, in St. Lou parlance.

 

Will the Cardinals someday regret signing the 30-year-old Contreras to a five-year deal? Sure, that’s possible, and maybe they already do somewhat. But their need for steadiness at catcher was too great. Committing $87.5 million to Contreras means the Redbirds will likely let a second straight star-studded free-agent shortstop class pass without activity, but landing Contreras was more of an immediate need.

 

The Cardinals were pushed outside their comfort zone to get the Contreras deal done, but they are to be commended for taking the risk to land their catcher of today, tomorrow and the next five seasons.

LOL The Cardinal fans around here believe in "beware of Cubs bearing gifts" when it comes to Contreras.  Paranoia.  "The Cubs didn't even try to keep him."  "He must have flaws.  After all he was a Cub!"   Remember how Fowler was treated, especially his first year in St. Louis?