Not What Willson Had In Mind

 

This time last year, Willson Contreras was left on a non-competitive team that got relatively fleeced at the deadline, and had to sort of carry on til the end of the season, as he knew he'd have to opportunity to suit up for a competitor the following year. 

Well, it is now the following year, and while Willson Contreras did choose wisely in joining a Cardinals squad that needed a veteran catcher, he finds himself in a similar position more than halfway through the year: left on a non-competitive team that got relatively fleeced at the deadline. This is the sort of outcome Contreras was trying to avoid in joining the Cardinals. Plus, even more infuriatingly, his old team, the Cubs, are competitive right now, and are doing this with Yan Gomes, Contreras' old backup, starting behind the plate. It's the single worst timing imaginable for someone who thought he was getting out of Chicago at the right time.

Even worse, Contreras' first season as a Cardinal has been a very okay affair. We've already been past the point where he was removed as catcher, then put back. He is admittedly a slightly-subpar defensive catcher this year, but compared to Andrew Knizner, who's a decent defensive catcher who can't hit, he is the better option. But even with that said, Contreras is only hitting .247 with 40 RBIs and 11 homers. It's a very middle-of-the-road year, even compared to other middle of the road years from people on the Cardinals [even 'okay Arenado' still has 79 RBIs]. In the ultimate irony, Yan Gomes has a better average and has more RBIs than Contreras right now. That's...kind of hilarious. 

That's honestly how properly to sum up the Cardinals this year. They made some very nice moves to strengthen the team, and most of them just haven't worked. All the hubbub surrounding Jordan Walker and he's struggled, even with a decent average, in MLB play this year. Steven Matz is doing the most work of any starter right now, because the top two guys were traded and the other ace is suspended for a few more games. The rest of the season, the Cardinals will be working with a rotation of Mikolas, Matz, an end-of-his-rope Adam Wainwright, Matthew Liberatore and Dakota Hudson. And then as the depth option they're probably gonna use Drew Rom, who they got from Baltimore last week. It's...not ideal. Neither is this team, and neither is the outcome.

The Cardinals have enough to let 2023 be a setback and potentially compete again next year, but man was this not the season anyone was expecting. Especially Contreras. 

Coming Tonight: A first baseman trying to keep his team in 1st place by any means necessary.