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Predicting which roster moves the Cardinals' will make after terrible road trip
The Cardinals need a shakeup after their terrible road trip, here are the moves I think they will make before their homestand
The St. Louis Cardinals just finished their west coast road trip, going 2-8 over the three series they played. The Cardinals are now 10-19 on the season and in danger of ending their playoff hopes before the end of May.
I talked recently about some trades the Cardinals could make to try and improve their roster immediately, but with how rare early-season trades tend to be, I doubt that is the direction they go in. Instead, I think we will see a series of roster moves on Monday or Tuesday before the Cardinals begin their series against the Los Angeles Angels at home.
While swapping some of the Major League players with guys in Memphis may not seem like a huge change for the club, it could provide a spark in the clubhouse and a fire underneath those who remain. You can't start off as bad as the Cardinals have so far and not make significant changes to your roster.
Some would argue that Oli Marmol should be let go or that the front office needs changes, but I just do not see that happening for the organization right now. They will move some players around and see if a fresh mix makes a difference, and if not, some heads may begin to roll in the coaching staff and front office.
Here are the roster moves I think will happen before the Cardinals begin their homestand.
Move #1 - Adam Wainwright activated from the injured list and Jake Woodford optioned to Triple-A Memphis
I think Jake Woodford sealed his fate with the club with Sunday's start against the Dodgers. In 3.2 innings, Woodford gave up four hits and three walks while allowing three runs. There's a chance he is relegated to the bullpen, but I'm guessing he ends up in Triple-A instead.
Honestly, Adam Wainwright hasn't looked great in his rehab starts. I think the club will see his return as something the clubhouse can rally around, and even if he's not great, it could help provide a spark for the team.
In Wainwright's rehab start on Sunday, he went 5.2 innings while giving up seven hits, one walk, and four runs while striking out nine batters. Let's hope the bright lights in St. Louis bring out the best in Wainwright, and that his leadership helps turn this team around.
Move #2 - Matthew Liberatore called up and place in the rotation, Steven Matz's start skipped, and JoJo Romero optioned to Triple-A
The rotation needs a makeover. Adding Wainwright is the first step, but the potentially bigger addition would be the red-hot Matthew Liberatore from Memphis.
In six starts this season, he has posted a 2.14 ERA with 45 SO in 33.2 innings pitched. He's looked really good so far and could be an adrenaline shot in the arm for a rotation that needs more quality starts.
Steven Matz, on the other hand, has been so bad that the Cardinals are considering skipping his next start. I am guessing they do, and they have Liberatore join the rotation in the meantime. They may end up deciding to run with a six-man rotation in the meantime, but what I think will actually happen is that Matz will join the bullpen for the time being. I am sure the club would like him to rejoin the rotation at some point, but being in desperate need of wins, he fits better in the bullpen against lefties.
JoJo Romero has barely pitched since being brought up to St. Louis, so he is optioned down to Memphis in the corresponding move.
Move #3 - Juan Yepez is recalled, Taylor Motter optioned once again
The best thing for Juan Yepez is to be getting everyday at-bats somewhere. The best thing for the Cardinals is to have his bat available to them, whether that is off the bench or in their lineup.
Yepez has done nothing but hit in Memphis this year, and with how the Cardinals' lineup is performing, it's hard to know why he isn't in the mix. It further complicates the log jam with Yepez on the roster, but who cares at this point?
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Taylor Motter's role on the club is basically as a roster filler right now, and while that actually works well when the other position players are firing on all cylinders, the club needs to go with all of their best options right now.
I would expect Yepez to DH against left-handed pitching, get some starts against right-handers, and then be a great bat off the bench for St. Louis for the foreseeable future.
Next. 5 trades that could improve the Cardinals now. dark