The Cardinals might be a top organization in Major League Baseball, but some of their moves make fans wonder if that is true.
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has been conservative in his moves. He has opted to try to develop talent and supplement with outside talent as needed.
This method has been successful in many instances, the Cardinals have plenty of talented, homegrown players who have become successful. At the same time, there have been some moves that make fans scream and resent Mozeliak's conservative nature as well as the talent evaluation of the organization.
Mozeliak haunting move for Cardinals: Randy Arozarena
After the 2019 season, Randy Arozarena, Jose Martinez, and a Competitive Balance Round A draft selection were traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for their top pitching prospect, Matthew Liberatore, catcher Edgardo Rodriquez, and a Competitive Balance Round B draft choice. The draft pick the Cardinals received was Tink Hence, a top-pitching prospect currently in the minor league system.
At the time, it was believed the Cardinals won this deal as they were moving some congestion from the outfield in exchange for a top pitching prospect.
That mindset changed when Arozarena had a tremendous postseason run in 2020. He was the ALCS MVP that season, leading them to the World Series, where they eventually fell to the Dodgers. He had ten home runs and 14 RBI that postseason run.
This season, Arozarena has been named to the All-Star team. He's slashing .286/.401/.475 with an OPS of .876, 14 home runs and 54 RBI. These numbers are much better than any of the Cardinals' current outfielders. But you can also wonder if these numbers would be different if he were to have stayed with the Cardinals. Did he need that change in scenery? Possibly.
Liberatore started this season at AAA Memphis for the Cardinals. Due to a range of issues with the Cardinals' pitching staff, Liberatore earned a spot in the starting rotation. He's pitched in seven games, six of which he started. He has 21 strikeouts over 27.1 innings pitched and a 5.60 ERA. He seems to have the same struggles the other Cardinals' pitching staff is experiencing. Liberatore can potentially be a pivotal piece to the Cardinals' rotation.
The pain of losing out on Arozarena will subside as soon as Liberatore starts pitching to that potential.
Mozeliak haunting move for Cardinals: Adolis Garcia
The Cardinals traded outfield prospect Ardolis Garcia to the Rangers for cash considerations. The Cardinals wanted to create space on the 40-man roster for Kwan-Hyun Kim.
Kim was an exciting signing from South Korea, but he dealt with lower back issues throughout his time with the Cardinals. He was with the Cardinals through the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season and 2021. Due to the pandemic, his family could not visit him in the United States in 2020. He was dealing with his health concerns plus a case of homesickness. It was unfortunate, but he was a fan favorite.
Garcia hit .253/.301/.517 with 32 home runs for AAA Memphis before the Rangers trade. This season, Garcia's stats for the Rangers may cause more pain for Cardinals fans. He's hitting .263/.333/.510 with an OPS of .843, 20 home runs and 66 RBI.
Now think about the stats of the Cardinals outfielders. And try not to cry. Garcia isn't a free agent until 2027.
Mozeliak was looking to bring an exciting pitch to the United States. He didn't know a global pandemic would slash into the 2020 season. He was getting rid of some outfield glut. But in hindsight, it was another terrible decision in talent evaluation.
Mozeliak haunting move for Cardinals: Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen for Marcell Ozuna
At the time, the Cardinals were excited to get a Gold Glove outfielder. He wasn't exactly a Gold Glove outfielder with the Cardinals. And who knew the pitchers the Cardinals traded to get that outfielder would turn into two of the best starting pitchers in the National League, one of whom won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022.
No big deal!
In December 2017, Marcell Ozuna was traded by the Miami Marlins to the St. Louis Cardinals for Sandy Alcantara, Daniel Castano, Zac Gallen, and Magneuris Sierra. The same Sandy Alcantara that won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 and the same Zac Gallen that was traded again to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jazz Chisholm, Jr. He's performing at an ace level for the Diamondbacks.
Ozuna was an exciting choice for the Cardinals. He has a unique personality and had some spectacular home runs, but at times, his play in the outfield was jaw-droppingly bad. It was an interesting two seasons.
Ozuna then went on to the Atlanta Braves. He's been the same spark plug for them but has had a couple of incidents involving domestic violence. He's a frustrating player.
Alcantara won the NL Cy Young Award but is struggling this season. In 16 starts, he is 3-6 with a 4.82 ERA over 102.2 innings. He has thrown 83 strikeouts. Gallen has pitched 17 games this season with a record of 10-2 with a 3.02 ERA over 104.1 innings. He has thrown 108 strikeouts.
Gallen is putting up some Cy Young Award-caliber numbers. If he were to win, Cardinal fans might revolt.
Mozeliak move that worked out for Cardinals: Nolan Arenado
John Mozeliak making the trade to acquire Nolan Arenado was the most shockingly pleasant transaction he's completed. In February 2021, he was traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Cardinals for Mateo Gil, Tony Locey, Jake Sommers, Austin Gomber, and Elehuris Montero. To make the deal sweeter, the Rockies are even paying a portion of Arenado's contract.
Arenado is signed through 2027 with a nine-year deal worth $275M. He continues to win the NL Gold Glove, be an All-Star, and be in contention for the NL MVP. This season he has struggled but was still named a starter for the NL All-Stars.
In addition to making some spectacular plays at third base this season, he is hitting .274/.322/.485 with an OPS of .807 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI. He started this season off terribly, but he's worked hard to get where he is this season.
In 16 games for the Rockies this season, Austin Gomber has a record of 5-7 with a 7.01 ERA. He struck out 53 games over 77 innings.
Since Arenado came to the Cardinals, there has been much anxiety amongst the fanbase that he will opt out of his contract or request a trade. Arenado, however, always says he is happy to be with the Cardinals. For some reason, Cardinal fans seem to want the worst from this deal, as if they are still shocked Mozeliak pulled the deal off.
Seeing Arenado in a Cardinal uniform is still shocking, but he's seemingly happy with them. Cardinals fans are having a lousy season, but they should remember – Nolan Arenado is a Cardinal.