The Hot Stove is Heating up.
Here we are in the middle of Thanksgiving warm up time and the boys of summer are just beginning to make their splashes. The qualifying offers are being presented and things are ramping up.
Out in the midwest there is a big decision looming. A qualifying offer was presented and promptly refuses by two big pieces of the puzzle. The Cardinals are the team I reference here and I believe I know what they should do.
John Lackey and Jason Heyward are the two big pieces that I mentioned above. Both had acceptable seasons last year for the team with the best record in the regular season. For John Lackey, it was arguably his best. For Jason Heyward, not so much.
The thing that Heyward brought to the table this past season was clutch offense in the post season. His numbers in the regular season, however; were mediocre at best. What this team needs in this corner outfield position is a consistent .300 hitter who can smash the ball over the yellow line in the outfield. What Jason offers is less than this. I hope the Cards don't back up the Brinks truck for this player, who may or may not out perform any of our other options, the best of which is Piscotty.
As for Lackey, I have a sneaking suspicion that he is wanting the world after last season and he just may get it. The Cardinals have been very shy about giving a pitcher more than two years, especially one so close to the end. The money he will want, since he's declined the qualifying offer, will probably hamper the teams' ability to go out and replace Lance Lynn, who will miss the entire season recovering from surgery.
My advice for the Cardinals, keep doing what you've been doing to be successful and don't fall for these two for the wrong amount of money. Would they help, sure. Would the amount of money they want hurt us more - definitely. I'm not saying I don't like these two, I just like winning more.
Still looking for the perfect place to watch the game? Follow the guide below and check out the listings that I've attached.
