St. Louis Cardinals Free Agents And Qualifying Offers

The next two days are kind of big in Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. Monday is the final day for teams to extend qualifying offers to their free agents. And Tuesday is the first day free agents may sign with other teams.

What does this mean?

This year, Major League Baseball’s qualifying offer is valued at $15.3 million. If a team extends a qualifying offer to an outgoing free agent and the player opts to sign elsewhere, his former club will receive a compensation draft pick between the first and second rounds. The team that signs the free agent is forced to forfeit its first-round choice, unless the team has a protected top-10 pick. In that case, the signing team surrenders a second-round pick.

The Cardinals have had some success doing that the past couple of seasons. Albert Pujols signing elsewhere led to a compensation pick that netted the Birds Michael Wacha. Not a bad deal, really!

This season’s free agents for the Cardinals include Mark Ellis, A.J. Pierzynski, Justin Masterson, Pat Neshek and Jason Motte.

Will any of them receive qualifying offers.

Ellis? Not a chance. I’ll protest if they do. I kid you not.

Pierzynski? He was really helpful down the stretch and in the playoffs for the Cardinals when Yadier Molina went down with injuries. Tony Cruz is arbitration eligible and will probably be a lot cheaper than the free agent. While I wouldn’t mind seeing Pierzynski stay with the Cards, I really don’t think it’s going to happen.

Masterson? The Cards traded for Masterson as he was coming off the disabled list from injury. We didn’t get the best of him. I had high hopes that he would be worth the trade. But. He really struggled. Only one really good game. A move to the bullpen and that was about it. While I’d like to see what he is really capable of as a pitcher, I think the Cardinals don’t actually have the room. If they made an offer, that would be nice to see him get a shot … but if we’re being honest, I don’t think it happens.

Neshek? Maybe but I doubt it. Had he had a better September and a better postseason, I wouldn’t even question it. He would be back. He slowly regressed to a sad version of what we wanted. He was a nightmare to watch. If he could guarantee he’d pitch like the guy who earned an All-Star spot, I would want him back.

Motte? He probably will despite his bad performance. This was his first season coming back after Tommy John surgery. And that matters. Usually, a second season after TJ Surgery, the pitchers velocity returns. The pitcher’s comfort with pitching returns. Motte is extremely popular among Cardinals fans. They love the work he has done with Strike Out Cancer. If he is extended an offer it wouldn’t surprise. If he isn’t, that wouldn’t surprise me either.

We shall see what happens tomorrow and how this affects the Hot Stove going forward!