St. Louis Cardinals get Aledmys Diaz for $8 million

With other teams wanting the services of infielder Aledmys Diaz, the St. Louis Cardinals were able to sign him for $8 million over the next four years.
Mar 10, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals newly acquired shortstop Aledmys Diaz (95) goes through infield drills before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
With what has been said of Diaz from scouts and analysts over the last few weeks, it’s interesting that he picked the Cardinals after being offered $8 million. What we do know is that Diaz was offered a contract by quite a few teams and that the New York Yankees decided to pull out after they held a private workout with the Cuban prospect.

Diaz reportedly was seeking a major league deal worth $20 million. Had he got that type of deal, the numbers would have been leaked yesterday rather than discovered this morning. What the $8 million does say is that many other teams were not interested in using him as a short stop. It also allows the Cardinals to pay him at a decent average annual value even if he turns out to be used similarly to Daniel Descalso.

Could he be the starting shortstop of the future in a few years? It remains to be seen. The Cardinals plan to use him as a shortstop in the minor leagues. The pitching in Cuba is not quite the major league caliber that it used to be, which is why Diaz playing with the Springfield Cardinals (AA – Texas League) is a good move. With seven other teams in the league, it enables Diaz to be able to face more pitching rather than the 16-team Pacific Coast League. Given that he hasn’t played a game in 18 months, it will be to his benefit.

Bernie gets into the what-ifs here.

Unfortunately for Diaz, a work visa will be required before he can start to play in front of paying fans. He will return to Mexico to take care of the visa.

In addition to the Diaz press conference today, the Cardinals made some roster moves. Being optioned to the Memphis Redbirds (AAA – Pacific Coast League) were pitcher Angel Castro and outfielders Mike O’Neill and Rafael Ortega. The Cardinals have reassigned pitchers Kurt Heyer and Boone Whiting, infielder Patrick Wisdom and catchers Carson Kelly, Casey Rasmus and Cody Stanley to their minor league camp. Minor league exhibition games will start up this week. This brings the Cardinals to 37 roster players and 12 non-roster players in the major league camp.

The Cardinals took on the Detroit Tigers today. The Tigers outslugged the Cardinals in a 17-5 lashing. Shelby Miller struck out four in two innings before giving up a 2-run blast to 2-time AL MVP Miguel Cabrera. Stephen Piscotty provided a 3-run blast for the Cardinals in the seventh inning.