Could the Cardinals win nine Gold Gloves -- one at each position -- in 2021?
But of the nine positions, including pitcher, they have a player with gold in their past (either as a winner or finalist) occupying seven spots.
The acquisition of Nolan Arenado only strengthened an area the Cardinals excelled in while concurrently providing a spark in the batter’s box. Arenado brings with him a staggering eight Gold Gloves -- one in every season he’s played -- and four Platinum Gloves.
All told, the trophy case of the Cardinals’ potential starting lineup looks like this:
(* -- Molina remains unsigned, but an agreement is believed to be possible soon.)
That's a mine’s worth of gold. But even if you don’t buy the accolades (which are imperfect), defensive metrics (which are also imperfect, but they are what we have to work with) back the claims of team-wide aptitude.
Last season, St. Louis led the Majors in Defensive Runs Saved with 33. Go back to 2019, the last full season, and it ranked fourth with 91. Per Statcast, the Cards tallied six outs above average in '20 (tied for seventh) and 28 in '19 (second).
And in 2021, it’ll be with many of the same faces that helped the Cards reach high defensive marks the past two years, now bolstered with all-world talent. One key face is gone, however, with Kolten Wong signed by the Brewers. But St. Louis believes Edman, a super utility player his first two seasons, will thrive in the everyday second-base role.
What must be examined is the relationship Edman works into with DeJong at short. DeJong was part of one of the best double-play duos with Wong over the past four seasons; his chemistry with Edman will be important to monitor, though the duo has had some in-game experience there.
The only other Card along with Edman not yet to broach Gold, Fowler's career defensive numbers don’t provide much of a positive outlook. But the advanced metrics did tick back up in 2020; his -2 DRS was the highest of his career since ‘16.
Bader, meanwhile, is seen as one of the most deserving Gold Glove candidates in the game without one already. He’s led or tied for the Cardinals’ lead in outs above average for two consecutive seasons; his 13 OAA mark in 2019 was ninth in baseball. He ranks in the top sixth percentile in three key outfield metrics, and at 26, he shows no signs of slowing down
Left field remains the lone question mark as far as who starts (assuming Bader and Fowler aren’t forced from their starting roles) heading into the season. If it’s the 25-year-old O’Neill, then the Cardinals will boast their most recent Gold Glove winner at the position after he led all left fielders with nine DRS in 2020. But his bat (90 career OPS+) needs to catch up.
In the wings is Carlson, the top prospect who can play at any spot but profiles as a plus defender on the corners. He debuted last season and is expected to impact the big league club in 2021. Where -- and how heavily -- remains to be seen.
Even without Arenado, there was little question where the Cardinals would stand defensively in 2021. Matt Carpenter, who figures to be a DH candidate (if there is one in the National League), would have been in line for third had Arenado not joined the club. His role remains to be seen.
Losing Wong is a tough blow to the defense. But reeling in Arenado can more than make up for any lapse in fielding. Just ask Goldschmidt, a three-time Gold Glove winner in his own right who knows Arenado’s wizardry far too well.
No, the Cardinals won’t win nine Gold Gloves in 2021. But the fact that even around seven is a conversation not too outrageous just indicates how much the organization prides itself on the fundamentals of the game, prioritizing run prevention and clean fielding.
That's something Arenado noticed
“They did the little things to win ballgames,” Arenado said of his impression playing St. Louis over the years. “And that's something that I've always admired about this organization.”
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February 05, 2021 at 05:02AM
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With Arenado, how much Gold is in Cards? - MLB.com
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