St. Louis Cardinals: Cubs’ move on the payroll list is an example

While many St. Louis Cardinals fans were upset that the front office wouldn’t spend money on players, the Chicago Cubs are doing just that, placing second on the MLB’s payroll list for 2019. But has it really worked out for them?

Not only that, but the Cubs eclipsed the $200 million mark for total payroll, clocking in at $209 million according to ESPN and $210,339,448 according to Sportrac. This is a big milestone because this is the first time an NL Central team has eclipsed that number, which should put the St. Louis Cardinals on notice.

While Chicago is a huge market, it is a big change from just 5 seasons ago, when the Cubs were spending under $90 million. It shows that success can bring with it a bigger payroll if the owner is willing and able.

On the other hand, many fans believe the St. Louis Cardinals have demonstrated the opposite tendencies, choosing to be conservative with their money. While the extension of Paul Goldschmidt was definitively contrary to that belief, the Cardinals have had a history of acquiring mid level free agents over the top ones.

While this approach has irritated Cardinals fans, the Cubs show the problems of spending as many Cardinals fans hope they will. Jason Heyward is obviously a big name, but you also have guys like Yu Darvish with huge contracts bogging down the payroll.

While there are huge rewards that come from signing the top players as seen in teams like the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Astros, there is always a risk that must be weighed against it. The fact that the Cubs aren’t the bonafide favorites with a $50 million gap in spending shows that spending big doesn’t always pan out.

The Cubs did win in 2016 after bumping their payroll up a significant amount, but what did that spending really bring them? Their big signings were Heyward and Jon Lackey, which accounted for 20% of their payroll in 2016. Heyward slashed .230/.306/.325 in 2016, while Lackey had a solid year, but nothing more after that one year.

It’s a matter of picking their spot, and the Cardinals picked the surest option. No injury history, consistent greatness, excellent personality, everything about Paul Goldschmidt simply fit the Cardinals mold. There is no other player in recent memory that combines the character traits, ability, cost, and team fit than Paul Goldschmidt.

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Not only that, the St. Louis Cardinals have wanted to find a player not only for this immediate window, but for the championship window that expands into the careers of Jack Flaherty, Jordan Hicks, and Dakota Hudson, among others.

It was with this in mind that the St. Louis Cardinals pursued Goldschmidt and were willing to spend as much as they had on any player. While missing out on guys like Bryce Harper is a bit disappointing, the Cardinals are at least showing some care in handing out the biggest contracts.

Sure, there are situations like Brett Cecil and Dexter Fowler that run contrary to this, but their contracts are nothing compared to the $150 million of Jason Heyward or the $126 million from Darvish that is putting a massive dent on the Cubs payroll.

That first game may not have been encouraging, but let’s not forget that Goldschmidt had a rough start to 2018 as well before returning to the numbers characteristic of his abilities. It will only be a matter of time before the Goldschmidt-led Cardinals get things going.