Communication remains a concern as the Cardinals trade deadline looms

Communication is once again an issue for the Cardinals, and their stance on Dylan Carlson and Willson Contreras continues to stir the pot

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St. Louis Cardinals v Washington Nationals / Mitchell Layton/GettyImages
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Dylan Carlson was added to the Cardinals players frustrated by communication from management. While issues seemed to ease with Willson Conteras, management signaled that things never changed. What is going on with communication from Cardinals management?

Monday afternoon John Mozeliak addressed the media regarding the upcoming trade deadline and what this will mean for the current roster. While some questions were cleared up, others were left unanswered and left with more questions.

Communication has been a lingering issue for the Cardinals since April. Tyler O'Neill was called out by manager Oli Marmol and John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations. Their gripe was a perceived lack of hustle. O'Neill had purposely trained this offseason to remain healthy and be on the field more to help the Cardinals win. He added plyometrics to his machine to improve running. The incident that raised the ire of Marmol was what appeared to be O'Neill holding up while rounding third base. It had been raining that night, and O'Neill was looking not to injure himself again. 

O'Neill would have preferred Marmol approach him directly about the issue, rather than go to the media. O'Neill did end up going on the injured list with lower back issues. The injury has kept him out for most of the summer. He is expected to return to the Cardinals lineup later this week. Marmol and Mozeliak each say that O'Neill will receive the bulk of playing time in left field. O'Neill is a two-time Gold Glove left fielder.

O'Neill will join Lars Nootbaar in the center field and Jordan Walker in the right field. One of the Cardinals' top performers will be sent to the bench.

Dylan Carlson has also had his fair share of health issues. However, on Monday night, Carlson showed just how valuable he can be in the Cardinals lineup and centerfield.  Carlson was two for four with three runs and an RBI. He also walked once. He also had some tremendous defense on display.

Carlson expressed disappointment that he's become the odd man out in the Cardinals outfield as O'Neill hasn't returned from the injured list yet.

Carlson told Brenden Schaeffer of KMOV:

“I feel like I can really help this team. But opportunities have been scattered. And, you know⁠—it hurts, honestly. But I just try to do what I can to be ready for these guys and ultimately try to help us when as many games as possible. ... I want to be an everyday player. I’m a competitor, and I’m someone who wants to be out there. I feel like I can do a lot of things. So just, when the opportunity’s there, do what I can.”
Dylan Carlson

The Cardinals' outfield has a major glut problem. The team has prioritized Nootbaar and Walker for the outfield. It makes you wonder if they are giving O'Neill the playing time to showcase him for the trade deadline. Carlson and Alec Burleson remain on the team and have made contributions proving they deserve regular playing time.  

Carlson should at least know where he stands with the team after once being the organization's top prospect. Instead, he's on the bench, wondering where and when he'll play next. It's indeed frustrating for him.

The issue of catching duties arose again on Monday, as well.

Is Willson Contreras on the hot seat again? 

Mozeliak also let it be known that the Cardinals' number one catcher issue will be reexamined this offseason. 

The issue was believed to have been settled soon after it became an issue in April. Members of the pitching staff had expressed frustration that it was not providing the same quality of catching preparation as legendary catcher Yadier Molina

After the issue was made public, Marmol demoted Conteras to be the team's designated hitter while he worked with the pitching staff on what they needed from him. About a week later, Conteras returned to everyday catching duties, and the pitching staff complimented him. 

Andrew Knizner was placed on the injured list was a severe groin injury. This allowed Ivan Herrera to rejoin the Cardinals.

Herrera was once thought to be Molina's heir but failed to perform to those lofty expectations when he was promoted last season to St. Louis while Molina was tending to business outside the United States.

Since his return, Herrera has shown glimpses of what was expected of him. He's hitting .375/.412/.438 with a .850 OPS.  He has six hits, three runs, and two RBIs. Meanwhile, Contreras has been productive at the plate, whether he's catching or acting as the team's designated hitter.   He's .241/.335/.427 with an OPS of .762. He has 20 doubles, 11 home runs, 36 runs, 37 RBIs, and five stolen bases. He's a good bat to have in the lineup.

Given more opportunities this season than in the past, Knizner is hitting .228/.254/.412 with a .666 OPS. He has six doubles, five home runs, 17 runs and 16 RBIs.

During Monday's press conference, Mozeliak said issues regarding the everyday catching duties would be handled during the offseason. Without going into details, Mozeliak is still disappointed with how Contreras has handled the pitching staff. Mozeliak said the Cardinals would have three catchers on the roster, meaning Herrera will remain with the Cardinals once Knizner returns from the injured list.

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Conteras signed a five-year $87.5 million contract with the Cardinals this offseason. He's been an excellent addition to the line-up, but it seems there is a level of comfort that still hasn't been achieved with the rotation. Giving up on Contreras after four months seems unfair, as some blame could be directed at the pitching staff for not adapting to him. Could some of Mozeliak's moves regarding pitching benefit Contreras and his style of handling pitchers?

While Herrera appears to have regained his heir to Molina standing, Marmol admires his grit and looks forward to giving him more chances. Could Knizner be traded once he returns from the injured list? Could Conteras be traded in the offseason? While moving Knizner seems more likely; it will be interesting to see how Mozeliak handles this, given his frustration level with the 2023 season.

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