#Bill James Online

The Cubs are getting ready to play ball and take on St. Louis and Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central. The three teams have more time to enhance their rosters before the start of the 2023 season, but as it stands now the Cardinals are less likely to have an easy jog to the division title. And that's true even after their signing of…

As I noted Friday, MLB Network host Greg Amsinger told St. Louis sports station 101 ESPN that he expects to see free-agent shortstop Trea Turner in a Cardinals uniform on Opening Day, 2023. To recap for those who missed it: "He's the perfect fit, the missing link, and if the Cardinals don't recognize that they're missing out," Amsinger said. "He…

Welcome to my series of Report Card postings for individual members of the 2022 Cardinals. I strive to present a thorough profile for each player, and that takes time because I'm also writing about other topics. Today, this one is pretty simple and easy. Next Up: Paul Goldschmidt. I figured it was appropriate to highlight his 2022 season on Nov.…

Today the focus is on Christian Vazquez, the 32-year-old veteran free agent who is gaining in popularity with St. Louis media and fans. THE OVERVIEW: Vazquez spent seven-plus seasons with Boston before being traded to Houston last summer, and he teamed with Martin Maldonado to form a catching tandem that was part of the Astros' run to the World…

Embrace the chaos of the 2022 MLB postseason. Enjoy the upsets, the unlikely heroes, and seeing 100-win teams going down in a October inferno. Your attitude on this topic probably depends on your personal rooting interests. So I wouldn't expect much cherish-the-postseason sentiment from fans of the Dodgers, Braves, Mets and Cardinals. Their teams…

The Cardinals are in the market for a catcher. Hopefully they'll be smart about this and view the opening as an opportunity to upgrade their offense. Defense must be a consideration, which doesn't really need to be stated. But in this case the defensive requirement has been overstated, with too much attention being paid to the standard established…

The Houston Astros will enter the World Series with a nine-game winning streak including their 7-0 record in the postseason. With the playoffs added in, they've won 113 games this season and figure to be the common-sense choice to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. Since the start of the 2017 season the Astros lead the American…

It could be a festive Tuesday night for the Cardinals in Milwaukee. With a victory over the Brewers the Cards will clinch the NL Central division title. They can spray champagne, and douse each other with Anheuser-Busch products. And if the fellers are in the mood for mischief, they can make like the 2004 Cardinals and celebrate the coup de grace…