St Louis Cardinals

Longtime St. Louis Cardinals' play-by-play television announcer Dan McLaughlin won't return to Bally Sports Midwest's broadcasts of the Cards after being arrested for his third DWI last week, per Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"Dan McLaughlin will not return as the Cardinals television play-by-play announcer on Bally Sports Midwest," the team and station said in a joint statement. "Dan has been the voice of memorable Cardinals moments for 24 years. We thank him for his contributions to Cardinals baseball, to Cardinals fans and for his many charitable efforts."

McLaughlin, 48, would have been entering his 25th season season in the role. He said the decision was mutual.

"I have spent the last several days reflecting on my steps towards addressing my health and the well-being of my family and me," his statement read. "I have come to the conclusion that my sole focus needs to be on my recovery, which I have started, and that of my wife and (four) children.

"As a result, I am stepping away from my duties at Bally Sports Midwest," he continued. "I thank all of the people of Bally for their support throughout the years and wish them the best. As I move forward, I please ask for your patience and your privacy. Thank you. God Bless."

McLaughlin had also served as an announcer for St. Louis University men's basketball. He will also not return to those telecasts.

His previous arrests for DWI came in 2010 and 2011. He was sentenced to two years of probation after the first incident and had his license suspended for 90 days after the second.

Last week's arrest carried with it a felony charge for being a "persistent" offender.

After his arrest, McLaughlin said he was "deeply remorseful" and added he would make "no excuses. I'm dealing with this and seeking the treatment that I need."

His next court hearing is Feb. 7.

Carlos Rodón is one of the top free-agent pitchers left on the market, but at least one team has been deterred from paying the hefty price tag for the veteran.

The St. Louis Cardinals are unlikely to "shell out the years and money" that Rodón is seeking on his next deal, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo.

Rodón is seeking a deal in the range of seven-plus years and worth at least $200 million, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported on Dec. 12. It's not surprising the Cardinals are hesitant to cough up that much cash.

St. Louis has never signed a player for that kind of money. While Nolan Arenado is the highest-paid player on the roster, he signed his eight-year, $260 million deal when he was still a member of the Colorado Rockies.

Paul Goldschmidt's $130 million extension signed in March 2019 is the largest the franchise has ever handed out. Adam Wainwright's $97.5 million extension signed in March 2013 is the largest the Cards have ever dished out to a pitcher.

Further, the Cardinals are set to have a 2023 rotation that includes Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, Jordan Montgomery and Matthew Liberatore. While Rodón would undoubtedly improve the rotation, he's not a necessity.

Additionally, not many pitchers have earned $200 million or more on a single contract. Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, David Price, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke are the only arms to hit the $200 million mark in their careers.

Rodón has been impressive in each of the last two seasons, but he doesn't match up with some of those elite pitchers.

The 30-year-old spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Chicago White Sox. He didn't break out until the 2021 campaign, when he went 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 185 strikeouts in 132.2 innings across 24 starts en route to his first All-Star Game selection.

Rodón went on to sign with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2022 campaign. He went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 237 strikeouts in 178 innings across 31 starts, earning his second straight All-Star Game selection.

The lefty has also topped more than 170 innings in a season just once—2022—and has been limited by injuries for much of his career.

If Rodón's price drops, then the Cardinals would likely continue to express interest. For now, it seems like pursuing him has been put on the backburner.

Free-agent starting pitcher Carlos Rodón prefers to sign with the New York Yankees, but the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals were "believed to be seriously in play" Tuesday afternoon.

Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reported the news on the 30-year-old left-hander, who went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the San Francisco Giants last season. He struck out 237 batters in 178 innings en route to his second straight All-Star Game selection.

The interest between the Yankees and Rodón is mutual, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that a formal offer from New York was expected to be sent to the eight-year veteran Monday or Tuesday.

Heyman also reported that the Yankees' "main focus" was Rodón and that New York seemed "very serious and hopeful about this pursuit."

The Yankees, however, have competition. Heyman reported Sunday that the Cardinals were in the mix.

St. Louis has already made one major free-agent acquisition in catcher Willson Contreras to replace franchise legend Yadier Molina, and Rodón could be the team's ace.

Rodón is searching for at least a seven-year deal, per Heyman and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Heyman added that the Yanks appeared "reluctant" to give Rodón such a contract.

Rodón would help complete a tremendous rotation in the Bronx led by All-Stars Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes. He'd likely slot in between the two as the Yankees seek their first World Series appearance since 2009.

For now, Rodón has options as the top free-agent pitcher on the market. He is coming off a tremendous two-year stretch wherein he went 27-13 with a 2.67 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

The former North Carolina State star began his MLB career in 2015 with the Chicago White Sox. He signed as a free agent with the Giants in March and opted out of the second and final year of the deal in November.

Now that he is officially a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, Willson Contreras admitted the thought of joining his former team's biggest rival first crossed his mind when he got an in-person look at Albert Pujols' pursuit of 700 homers.

At his introductory press conference on Friday, Contreras said a Sept. 4 game between the Cardinals and Chicago Cubs was when he envisioned himself playing for the other team.

The Cardinals defeated the Cubs, 2-0, with Pujols' pinch-hit two-run homer off Brandon Hughes in the bottom of the eighth inning being the difference.

Contreras was unable to play in the series due to a sprained ankle. He has been around the rivalry between the two National League Central clubs since making his big-league debut in June 2016.

There was a time last season when it seemed like Contreras wouldn't be around to see those September games between the Cubs and Cardinals. He was one of the most talked about players being moved prior to the trade deadline, but no deal ever materialized.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Houston Astros owner Jim Crane vetoed a deal in August that would have sent Contreras to Houston in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy.

Even though that one deal didn't go through, it's even more baffling in hindsight the Cubs didn't trade Contreras. There was no indication they even tried to negotiate a new contract with him this offseason after he turned down the qualifying offer.

A trade was expected for Contreras and Ian Happ before the deadline that both players received a standing ovation after a July 26 game at Wrigley Field. The Cubs were going to embark on a road trip that lasted through the trade deadline.

Instead of being able to pick up a player who could have helped them in 2023 and beyond, the Cubs got nothing back and saw Contreras accept a five-year, $87.5 million deal from the Cardinals.

Contreras hit .249/.368/.441 with 15 homers in 95 games against the Cardinals. He will get his first chance to play against the Cubs on May 8 at Wrigley Field.

Free-agent catcher Willson Contreras, who spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Chicago Cubs, has reached a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal first reported a deal was close.

Contreras, who is entering his age-31 season, hit .243 (.815 OPS) and posted 22 home runs and 55 RBI in 2022.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported in December 2020 that the Cubs were "extensively shopping" Contreras. A trade never happened, and he and the Cubs agreed to a one-year, $9.6 million deal for the 2021 season to avoid arbitration.

It appeared Contreras could be leaving town last summer as the Cubs conducted a 2021 midseason fire sale that saw 2016 World Series heroes Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Báez all get moved as the team began a significant rebuilding process.

That didn't happen either, but the backstop is now moving on of his own accord.

Contreras will have massive shoes to fill, as he's replacing Yadier Molina behind the plate in St. Louis. The 10-time All-Star retired after the 2022 season.

That obviously left the Cardinals in need of a veteran catcher as they look to make the playoffs for the fifth straight year in 2023.

St. Louis Cardinals television broadcaster Dan McLaughlin has been arrested on a DWI charge for at least the third time since 2010.

Per Gabe Lacques of USA Today, McLaughlin was charged with a felony count of persistent DWI after police arrested him Sunday following multiple calls about a "vehicle driving erratically in traffic" in Creve Coeur, Missouri.

According to the police report (h/t Lacques), McLaughlin's official charge was "persistent offender of driving while intoxicated," and he was transferred to St. Louis County Justice Center where he is being held on $25,000 bond.

"We are very disappointed to hear this, and are working to gather additional information before offering further comment," Bally Sports Midwest said in a statement about the situation.

"No excuses," McLaughlin wrote in a text message to Taylor Tiamoyo Harris of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I'm dealing with this and seeking the treatment that I need. I ask for your privacy for me and my family."

According to Harris, McLaughlin had two DWI charges in a 13-month span in 2010 and 2011. He received two years' probation for the first charge.

In a 2011 interview with Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, McLaughlin discussed his struggles with alcohol use.

"I'm an alcoholic, and I'm not ashamed to say that because I needed help in a bad way," he said. "Through what's happened, it's turning my life around. That's the truth."

Fox Sports Midwest indefinitely suspended McLaughlin after his second arrest. He was reinstated in February 2012.

McLaughlin, 48, has been the play-by-play voice for Cardinals television games since 2000.

The Philadelphia Phillies may not be the only National League team who signs an impact shortstop this offseason.

After Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the Phillies agreed to an 11-year, $300 million deal with a no-trade clause with Trea Turner, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported the Cardinals are also involved in the shortstop market and are interested in Dansby Swanson.

Signing Swanson could help St. Louis in multiple ways, as Morosi suggested such a move could also help the front office use another position player to land a catcher in a trade. He mentioned Sean Murphy of the Oakland Athletics or Danny Jansen of the Toronto Blue Jays as possible targets.

With Yadier Molina retiring after the 2022 campaign, the National League Central team could use a backstop.

As for Swanson, he would bolster an already formidable infield that includes Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado.

The free-agent shortstop is in the middle of his prime at 28 years old and coming off a season that saw him earn his first Gold Glove and All-Star selection. He slashed .277/.329/.447 with 25 home runs, 96 RBI and 18 stolen bases all while playing excellent defense, underscoring his ability to impact the game in a number of ways.

He was also responsible for nine defensive runs saved above average, per FanGraphs.

It is a testament to the shortstop market this offseason that Swanson, who has played for the Atlanta Braves his entire career, is likely the fourth-best option in a free agency class that also features Carlos Correa, Turner and Xander Bogaerts.

Yet he is a difference-maker in the field and at the plate, which is surely what a Cardinals team looking to take the next step after three straight losses in the National League Wild Card round is pursuing this offseason.

Coming off a stellar 2022 season split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, José Quintana is attracting a lot of attention on the free-agent market.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cardinals "have competition" as they attempt to re-sign the 33-year-old left-hander.

Teams that need a starting pitcher but don't want to spend at the top of the market will likely take a hard look at Quintana.

It's unclear at this point which clubs are in on Quintana. The New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox had interest in him before the trade deadline. The Cardinals ultimately acquired him and Chris Stratton from the Pirates in exchange for Malcom Nunez and Johan Oviedo.

The Pirates signed Quintana to a one-year, $2 million deal that turned into a massive bargain last offseason. He finished 2022 with a 2.93 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 165.2 innings over 32 starts between Pittsburgh and St. Louis.

It was the first season since 2016 that Quintana posted a sub-4.00 ERA and first time since 2019 he threw at least 100 innings.

Given the inconsistency in his performance and lack of durability in recent years before 2022, Quintana does present significant risk to teams as a free agent.

One encouraging sign for teams was the performance of Quintana's fastball last season. It was tied for the 19th-most valuable pitch in Major League Baseball with a minus-17 run value. His curveball was also an above-average pitch with a minus-10 run value.

Quintana's age and durability questions do make him an affordable option for clubs that want another starter. He probably won't get back to being an All-Star player at this stage of his career, but a solid mid-rotation starter who can eat innings has a lot of value.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have been named this year's Hank Aaron Award winners as the game's top offensive players for the American League and National League, respectively.

Judge hit an AL-record 62 home runs. He also posted MLB highs with 131 RBI, 133 runs and a 1.111 OPS. His .311 batting average was second in the AL as well.

Goldschmidt amassed 35 home runs and 115 RBI to go with a .317 batting average. His .981 OPS led the NL.

Judge put the Yankees offense on his back en route to a 99-63 record, an American League East title and an ALCS appearance.

No other regular hit better than .261, and only one other Yankee (Anthony Rizzo) posted an OPS better than .761.

The 30-year-old looks primed to win the AL MVP award. He's now a free agent, however, adding his name to a loaded class that includes fellow All-Stars Trea Turner, Willson Contreras and Carlos Rodón, among others.

Thanks largely to Goldschmidt's efforts, the Cardinals won the NL Central with a 93-69 record. They fell to the eventual NL champion Philadelphia Phillies in the wild-card round.

Still, Goldschmidt enjoyed a tremendous season that also included his seventh All-Star appearance. The four-time Gold Glove winner is the presumptive favorite for the NL MVP award as well.

The 35-year-old will be back in St. Louis next year and has two years left on his contract.