John Mozeliak's masterful 2023 moves are going just as planned for the Cardinals

Partially through a failed 2023 season, it became quite evident that the St. Louis Cardinals would be sellers at the 2023 deadline. The moves made by President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak weren't intended to be a rebuild but rather a retool. Mozeliak was able to ship out players on expiring contracts like Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Paul DeJong, and Jordan Hicks while bringing back prospects and talented minor-league players.

In return for Mo's efforts, the Cardinals were able to bring back 10 total players, 2 of whom found their way into the organization's top-10 prospect list.

Mozeliak continued this retool during the winter when he made a total of 13 acquisitions. While most of these moves were on the pitching side, the Cardinals leader was able to bring in some position player depth with Matt Carpenter and Brandon Crawford.

It's early in the season, but a decent amount of Mozeliak's efforts and transactions are working out in the team's favor. Both the prospects he was able to acquire at last year's deadline and the players he signed this past offseason are off to great starts by and large. While bigger splashes were hoped for at both stages of team development, what John Mozeliak was able to accomplish under certain restraints beyond his control is admirable.

Sonny Gray

It's been only four starts, but Sonny Gray has already been as good as advertised. Runner-up in last year's American League Cy Young race, Gray has picked up right where he left off. In 23.1 innings this year, Gray has a 1.16 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and he has struck out 32 batters. He has been a stopper and an ace in the young season.

All offseason, it was clear that the Cardinals needed an ace, something they haven't truly had since Jack Flaherty in the second half of the 2019 season. In those four seasons since, it has been a revolving door of good not great starters with fillers in the back end of the rotation. With Gray at the helm, the team can tout a pitcher who can go head-to-head with the best in the league any night. Sonny also gives the Cardinals a #1 pitcher in most playoff matchups.

Andrew Kittredge

When the Cardinals traded a young, unproven outfielder to the Tampa Bay Rays, Cardinal fans had immediate flashbacks to Randy Arozarena. In exchange for Richie Palacios, John Mozeliak brought over former All-Star reliever Andrew Kittredge.

Kittredge, 34, missed a lot of time in 2022 and 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, but he was an All-Star in 2021. He figured to slot into the back of the bullpen to provide some help for Ryan Helsley and JoJo Romero. Kittredge, along with Keynan Middleton and Giovanny Gallegos, would create a formidable collection of veterans at the back end of the 'pen.

He has pitched admirably for the Cardinals since his acquisition. Kittredge's 11 innings pitched have been remarkable; he has 12 strikeouts, a WHIP of 1.000, an ERA of 2.64, and his 1.76 FIP is sterling. No matter which stat you pull for the veteran reliever, his brilliance is evident.

After a rocky bullpen showing in 2023, a remake was necessary. Jordan Hicks was a free agent after being traded away, Giovanny Gallegos and Andre Pallante were roughed up in 2023, and Ryan Helsley had injury concerns attached to his name. Kittredge's presence and results so far have given Oli Marmol assurance from his relievers.

The season is still young, but with Andrew Kittredge being a veteran and seeing plenty in his career already, it's likely that he continues this great stretch of pitching. He has been mostly used late in games. His 10 holds are tied for the most in baseball with fellow reliever Cardinal JoJo Romero. The two, along with Ryan Helsley, have formed a formidable trio in late in games.

Prospects

Sem Robberse

The Cardinals acquired Sem Robberse at the trade deadline last year when they sent Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays. Robberse pitched primarily in AA last year for both the Blue Jays and Cardinals. He was primarily used as a starter. He is currently ranked as the Cardinals' #12 prospect according to MLB.com.

Robberse has strong command, and his league-average strikeout rate means that he won't hurt himself on the mound. St. Louis placed him in AAA Memphis to start the season, and he's been quite good there. In 29.2 innings (5 starts), Robberse has maintained a 1.82 ERA, 2.79 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP. He's struck out batters at a 25.9% clip while walking just 5.4% of hitters.

Most recently, Robberse was voted as the International League Player of the Week. While Jordan Hicks has been able to succeed as a starter in San Francisco, Sem Robberse has done just as well in the minors. Assuming he continues to ascend, Robberse will fill an important role in the future in the St. Louis rotation.

Thomas Saggese

Thomas Saggese won the Texas League MVP Award after being traded to the Cardinals from the Texas Rangers for Jordan Montgomery. Saggese has done nothing but mash since his acquisition. In 22 games (94 plate appearances), Saggese already has a .262/.330/.393 slash line to go along with 5 doubles and 2 home runs. His 22 hits are the third-most on Memphis's roster.

Saggese has logged time at shortstop, second base, and third base this year, though the bulk of his innings has come at shortstop. He has 37 putouts and assists, he's been a part of 10 double plays, and he has only committed one error at third base.

St. Louis seems intent on giving him run at shortstop this year, though it's likely he will play across the infield should he make an appearance in the majors this year.