Cardinals’ Rumors: Evan Gattis an option for the St. Louis Cardinals?

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The St. Louis Cardinals need help at first base, and the Houston Astros could be interested in dealing Evan Gattis

On paper, Evan Gattis does not seem like much, he had a slash of .246/.285/.463 with 58 extra bas-hits (27 homers, 20 doubles, 11 triples) last season in just his third full season. However, the Astros were close to non tendering him earlier in the offseason, but chose to non tender Chris Carter instead. So, their opinion of him is not that high, and after his rough year this last year he could come pretty cheap. But, maybe they would be interested in trading him to the St. Louis Cardinals.

You probably think that Gattis isn’t worth it due to his low average and OBP isn’t much of an upgrade if any over Brandon Moss and Matt Adams. However, what Gattis offers is something that Moss and Adams don’t, and that is right-handed power. His numbers should have been much better last year, as he had a .264 BABIP. Unfortunately Steamer is unkind to him for next year, basically projecting him to have the same season.

Gattis also offers a little bit of defensive versatility/flexibility having played LF/1B/C in his career. While Gattis may better served as a DH because of his lack of defensive prowess at any of those positions, he would be s decent look to come help fill a void left by Yadier Molina at the beginning of the season and bring that rare right handed power that he offers. Gattis is actually fairly young as well at the age of 29, still having four years of control. 

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Gattis is flat out dangerous in Houston with that short porch in left, so you can imagine why they decided to hold on to him and tender him a contract. However, rumors have been swirling around that the Astros could potentially be interested in Chris Davis.

If this is the case, with Jon Singleton likely taking over at first base and there being a crowded outfield in Houston. That leaves Gattis as an expendable trade asset. 

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Jeff Luhnow has shown an interest in prospects that he drafted that didn’t pan out before, so maybe the cost of such a deal wouldn’t be too high.. Gattis could be a heck of an addition to he middle of this order and the change in parks does not bother me.