Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Sandy Alcantara Reminds The St. Louis Cardinals Of What They Traded Away

Starting point is 00:00:00 Once again, the St. Louis Cardinals are reminded of what might have been in their loss against the Miami Marlins. This is Locked on Cardinals. You are Locked on Cardinals. Your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardals fans. I'm J.D. Haffern and I'm your host for Lockdown Cardinals, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network covering your team every day. Follow me on X at Janey Sports Radio, the podcast on X as well at L.O. underscore Cardinals. You can find us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram at Locktong Cardinals. This is a show serving Cardinal Nation and giving you all of the info about the birds on the bat.

Starting point is 00:00:44 This episode brought to you by five-hour energy and for a chance to win a dream golf trip or two to any golf tournament in the USA. Visit 5H-EWIN.com for full rules and entry. No purchase necessary. It does exclude the Masters tournament ends October 31st, 2025. All right. So YouTube people, you see it. It's back. The ugly shirt, the series winning shirt. There it is. Do we pop the collar today in excitement for the victory? As ugly as this shirt in, popping the collar makes it even worse. It's awful. Anyway, but it does signal that the Cardinals won a series. They did. And they went for the sweep against the Marlins on Monday. They lost the ball game, though, or not Monday on Wednesday, lost the ball game. game, though, by a square of six to two, a lot of the same issues that have plagued them this season popped up once again. But it, it was also a not so subtle reminder of what might have been as the team stared down their former prospects, Sandy Alcantra, who was starting for the Miami

Starting point is 00:01:50 Marlins, for those who are not familiar, let me take you back. Let's let's, we're going to go back in time real quick. Check the flux capacitor. We're going back. Sandy was part of the deal that sent himself, Zach Gallen, Magnaira, Sierra, and pitcher Daniel Castano to the Marlins in exchange for outbuilder Marcelo Zuna back in December of 2017, almost eight years ago, which is hard to believe that it's been that long. At the time, the Cardinals were looking to add some thump to their lineup. They wanted a right-hand at that.

Starting point is 00:02:27 The farm system was nice and sturdy back then. things were pretty well stocked. So they were willing to make a deal. And if we go back, the number one prospect in the system at the time for the Cardinals was right-handed pitcher Alex Reyes, who was one of the top right-handed pitching prospects in all of baseball. Some argued that he was the number one right-handed pitching prospect in baseball. And as you know, injuries derailed his career.

Starting point is 00:02:54 It was very, very unfortunate because that dude was nasty. Carson Kelly, catcher now for the Cubs, was number two. two. Some argued he was the top fetching prospect at the time. First round pick, Luke Weaver. And at number three, he's having a heck of a year with the New York Yankees, has had a career resurgence, if you will, going into the bullpen. Delvin Perez was number four. Well, yeah, everyone missed on that one, didn't they? Harrison Bader in at number five, now with the Phillies. Sandy was number six. Sierra was number seven. Jack Flaherty with the Tigers. And at number eight, Dakota Hudson, number nine, not sure where he is anymore. Junior

Starting point is 00:03:30 Fernandez in a number 10, not sure where he is anymore. But they also had Edmondo Sosos with the Phillies, Austin Gomber, who was part of the deal for Nolan Aronado, Randy Rosa Rana, who's doing good things again in Seattle, Dylan Carlson's with Baltimore right now, Jake Woodford, not sure if he's in the league anymore. Jordan Hicks, who was part of the deal for Raphael Devers. So he's in Boston, Marco Gonzalez, I think he's retired at this point. And then you got Zach Gallen and Johan Oviato, who just pitched. really well for the pirates.

Starting point is 00:04:02 So you look at that list, and it is littered with current and former Major League Baseball players. Like, that's the kind of system the Cardinals used to put together and used to have out there. A lot of those guys, as you can tell, are our pitchers. So at the time, the team was dealing away from what was a strength at the time to add a legit middle of the order bat, a silver slugger winner, a gold glove winner. which is hilarious still because we saw Marcelo Zuna play defense. You're like, what?

Starting point is 00:04:36 And he was in his prime. What was he? 26 years old at the time, you know, you got to give to get. And the cardals were willing to give up some assets there to go get that particular bat. And again, you have this farm system that at the time was chugging right along and just kept churning out major league baseball players. And so why would that ever stop, right? one write-up about this trade said that Alcantra was known primarily for the elite velocity. Fastball average 98.4 during an eight-game relief stent in the majors this season and has hit

Starting point is 00:05:11 triple digits often in the past. Breaking ball needs works. Changeup could become above average, but isn't there yet? His control of those offerings has been suspect as well, which could keep him from filling a starting role in the big leagues. He has the stuff to be a promising reliever right away. Okay, that's not like this overwhelmingly glowing, you know, review of what Sandy Alcantra was going to be at some point. Then you go to his stats, 22 years old at the time of the trade, 4.31 ERA, 1.43 whip, 106 strikeouts, 54 walks and 125 in a third innings. For AA, it's not even a Memphis, made his major league debut in September, exclusively out of the ballpen, gave him four and runs while fanning 10 and walking six over eight and a third.

Starting point is 00:06:03 He also made five appearances in the Arizona Fall League and played some winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Marlins are hoping he can iron out the control woes. When this deal happened, because I know we all go back to it and, you know, we're like, but when it happened, I don't remember a lot of Cardinal fans complain. I really don't. Now, I wasn't covering the team as in depth as I do nowadays, but as I, a fan at the time when it happened. I was excited. I think a lot of people were excited because Marcello Zuna was a monster bat for the Marlins at the time. And I wanted Christian Yelich.

Starting point is 00:06:38 I think a lot of people did. And if memory serves, I thought the Cardinals asked about Yelich and the Marlins said they weren't going to deal him. And then eventually they decided to deal him. He ends up going to Milwaukee and, you know, goes crazy for a couple years before some injuries got a hold of them, but still doing very well with them. They also tried to get Jean-Carlalus from the Marlins. He was the reigning MVP and St. Louis. He turned it down. Didn't want to be there. Said no offense to the organization. You know, they went and stuff, but didn't think it was a good fit.

Starting point is 00:07:09 Had like a couple of different cities he was willing to go to. Ends up in New York, which is where he wanted to be instead. Either way, they get Osuna who didn't just, he just didn't pan out the way they'd hoped. Meanwhile, Sandy Alcantra goes on to become a two-time All-Star, figures out those control issues, makes his change up ungodly. and becomes a Cy Young winner in 2022. Zach Allen goes on to become an all-star. He gets Cy Young votes in three seasons,

Starting point is 00:07:34 got MVP votes in 20203, not having a great year this year in his free agent season, but we'll see what he ends up getting in the off season. But obviously this trade just did not work out the way the Cardinals at home. Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they don't pan out. Sometimes they just don't work. Trades are always a risk.

Starting point is 00:07:53 And even though the Cardinals have gotten the better of a lot of teams over the years, this was one that ended up working out for the Marlins instead. And fans pointed this one and always want to destroy John Moseilock for it. You know, what an idiot. How did he not see into the future? I know that these two guys were going to be so good that Osuna wouldn't do what we thought he was going to do and flame out, although he's put up some pretty big numbers in Atlanta with the Braves last few seasons. But when you look at the stable of guys that they had at the time, you know,

Starting point is 00:08:24 the Major League roster had Carlos Martinez. at the time. Michael Walker. They had signed Miles Michaelis. That was the beginning of the Michaelis era. Adam Wainwright was coming back from surgery. He had Flaherty and Weaver and Dakota Hudson and Austin Gamer and Jordan Hicks. There was depth there. So much that they let Lance Lynn walk in free agency. They're like, nah, go ahead. The trade failed and that the Cardinals didn't win a championship. They don't play up to what was then the St. Louis standards and that first year with Ozone, Mothini gets fired, Schilt takes over, 2019. They go to the NLCS.

Starting point is 00:08:58 They get swept by the Washington Nationals who would go on to become the champions. And that was the end of the Ozuna era in St. Louis. And, you know, we'd be more than happy to let that die and not have to talk about it anymore. If not for the fact that we keep having to face Sandy Alcantra. And when we do, he constantly shoves against the birds like he did again on Wednesday. So we're going to dive into Wednesday's game and talk. about Sandy and we'll talk about the struggles for Andre Palante. It's all coming up here on Lockdown Cardinals. Most people can't name all their financial accounts or even what they're worth,

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Starting point is 00:11:14 Always welcome and encouraged. Let me know what you guys think about. You know, what were you doing and what were your thoughts when that trade went down with the Marlins and the Cardinals? Were you excited? Did you care that they were trading away Alcantra and Gallin? Or were you more upset that Sierra got trading? because I know people like Magniara Sierra as well.

Starting point is 00:11:33 Yeah, he was a fun player. I didn't end up doing much of anything in the pros. But yeah, let me know what you guys thought about it. Wednesday's game. So after taking the first two games over Miami, they won the series, which is why I'm wearing this horrible shirt, with an 8 to 3 win on Monday and a 7 to 4 win on Tuesday.

Starting point is 00:11:50 And in the process, they beat two very talented young arms that the Marlins have and Yuri Perez and Edward Cabrera. the Cardinals once again, then had to face Sandy Alcontra, who he's had an uneven season. Let's put it that way. He's coming back from surgery in 2024. First half of the season was not all that great for Sandy, right? 7.22 first half ERA in 18 starts.

Starting point is 00:12:17 And I remember in the spring that, you know, the Marlins were raving how good Sandy looked in there like, dude, he looks just like he was when he was dominating the league back in 2022. too. He looks awesome. So we're really excited. And then when the real game started, it was a problem. He was walking a lot of guys, giving up a lot of contact. And there you go, 7.22 first half ERA. Things have improved drastically in the second half, or he had an ERA of 3.56, I think, after last night's game. And, you know, no matter what is going on in the world, you can count on a couple of things. death, taxes, and the fact that when Alcantra faces the Cardinals, he's going to be on his A game. And he was once again on Wednesday night just carving up the lineup like a Thanksgiving turkey.

Starting point is 00:13:04 And this is nothing new for Sandy Alcantra. Coming into the game, he had made seven starts against the Cardinals and had a 1.71 ERA against them. So it wasn't shocking that he just went right through him and had arguably his best game of the season against them. He goes seven innings, gets a season high, nine strikeouts, throws a season high, 114 pitches. I mean, we got the full Sandy, right? He allows just two runs. Only one of them's earned, just five hits, had one walk.

Starting point is 00:13:36 He was dominant. He was in control of this game for 95% of the outing. You know, he had the two blips, you know. There's a passball. He strikes out, was it Pozo or Pai? I think it was Pozo. He strikes him out and then gives up a single to Walker and then Newt tagged him for that double, which was actually kind of a bummer for the Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:14:00 Bad luck there because Walker would have scored because he runs so well. He was coming from first base. So that would have made it three to two if the ball hadn't hopped over the wall, but they only get one. But it's three to one at that point. Willie tags him for a dinger in the sixth inning, just rope the hanging breaking ball that Sandy left over the dish, rips it out to the last 17th home run of the season to pull the Cardinals back with. into, but that is all that they would get against him and the Barletz. The only hit after the home run from Contreras was an infield single by Thomas

Starting point is 00:14:31 and Jacey with two outs in the sixth inning. The Cardinals often strikes out 13 times. It was miserable to watch Contreras, Gorman, and Walker all strikeout three times. All three of them get the hat trick. I mean, come on, boys, put the ball and play. At least, hey, Willie hit a home run, but three strikeouts, not all that fun. on the pitching side of things, another disappointing start for Andre Palante, who just continues to not be able to find consistency with his pitches.

Starting point is 00:15:00 And until he does, he's, how do you keep him in as a member of what you want to be as a competitive starting rotation? I realize that the Cardinals probably aren't going anywhere for playoffs this year, so there's really no need to pull him now because you still need arms. you know, somebody's got to start these games. But again, it's just, it's so frustrating to watch. Five and a third innings, which that's solid these days. But five runs, eight hits.

Starting point is 00:15:30 He walks three, hits two dudes. And per usual, you know, he puts the Cardinals in a hole. The offense is in a hole that they can't climb out of. He gives up one in the second, two in the third. And what do you know, it's another three to nothing deficit. It always seems to be the magic number, right? Three nothing. if they get to that and the Cardinals are behind,

Starting point is 00:15:53 they're kind of screwed. You know, if you can hold it to one, maybe even two, you give him a fighting chance to get back in it, but it was going to be tough anyway without Contra on the mound the way he was throwing. But another three to nothing deficit early in the game. And it could have been worse, and it probably should have been worse.

Starting point is 00:16:08 The Marlins reached base against him in every single inning, and he had to escape not one, but two different bases, loaded jams where the Marlins could have really blown things open. got a few strikeouts and got out of those innings, but it could have been much worse. But the facts are the facts. The Cardinals are now one in nine, one and nine in his last 10 starts. And just in the month of August, he's 0 and 4. The ERA is at 9. Nine. Since the all-star break, he's one in six. The ERA is 7.22. And I was getting some flack online because I was like, he just never know.

Starting point is 00:16:50 know what Palante you're going to get, you know, and tonight it was the, it wasn't the good version. And people are like, that student hasn't been really good in a while. And I'm like, yeah, it has been that way. I always remember the, the games that he does pitch well. And you're like, okay, see, there he is. Really good games against the pirates. And I know it was a while back, July 1st, one hit, seven shutout innings. Cardle still lost that game one to nothing. Then ironically, he locked up the Marlins back on July 28th with another one hit seven shutout any performance. But other than that, it has been awful, just awful. And you can hear it in the voice of manager Ali Marmal in the clubhouse after the game. Because he is forever the optimist, right?

Starting point is 00:17:36 He's not ever going to say anything about bashing his own players. That's not what he does. But after the game, he's like, you know, the ball was coming out of his hand well. But how he handled some of the other aspects of the game kind of led to some frustration. When you look at the running game and the stolen bases and the locks and some of them being non-competitive, he battled through it at the end of the day, but we just need to continue to get better. At the end of the day, we have to clean up the running game stuff and some of the non-competitive walks. The not being able to hold on runners, I don't get it, guys. I don't understand. It is mind-boggling to me. And it feels like it happens to the Cardinals

Starting point is 00:18:16 almost every game. Stats say otherwise, but it feels like it because it's so like when it happens, you're just like, dude, again, these runners, they just take off. And the pitcher just never even looks at them. Just let some, yep, good. You can have them. And I don't know how that happens. I don't remember when playing the game of baseball, I don't remember where it was like, hey, you know what you should do here? Just don't look at the runners. Don't, don't acknowledge them. just pretend they're not there. Just let them run around. I don't remember a coach ever telling me to just let that happen.

Starting point is 00:18:52 Like you vary your deliveries when you're throwing from the stretch. You know, sometimes you pause longer than other times. Sometimes just slide step. There are different ways to keep the runners closer and not let them just take off whenever the hell they want. And I don't know how this happens, but it's something that's got to be better moving forward. And it's not just Andre Palante. It's the whole pitching staff.

Starting point is 00:19:16 needs to be sat down and instead of learning how to cover first base for the nine billionth time, maybe work on that instead. That's something I would like to see the Cardinals clean up. I hope Palante can be better moving forward. I really do because there's times where you see that he's got some effectiveness. And when he's on and you see the other team beating the ball into the ground and getting his sinkers working, you can see how he can be effective. but there's no way. Like as of right now, looking forward to 2026, that you could just give him a spot in the rotation and say,

Starting point is 00:19:54 well, you're in. There's got to be some sort of competition. It can't continue, right? I know they got injuries, which sucks, that have cost them some of those starters that they have in the minor leagues, but they got to figure something out, some sort of upgrade because you can't live like this. You know, Sunny, Libby, McGreevy, those three are in.

Starting point is 00:20:13 They're ready to rock and roll. for next season. So you got two holes that you need to fill. Quinn Matthews, obviously should be in line to make the jump to the major leagues next year. Maybe he makes it up this year. Pitched really well, again, in his last outing, had a tough luck loss where the other, Memphis just didn't get any runs for him. But he's been much better. You know, we had that bumpy start to the season, injuries, and things have looked so much better for Quinn Matthews recently. So obviously, he's a guy that we want to talk about. Cocoa Robie was a guy we were hoping for. he's done. He's out for the year.

Starting point is 00:20:46 Probably not going to pitch next year. Cooper Jerpy's out. That was another guy that maybe you wanted to see some robberses out. You know, maybe Kyle Leahy, someone they can stretch out. Gordon Grisopho, maybe I don't know how they feel about him. What? Zach Thompson's still trying to come back from his injury from her first round pick. Is that something that they'd entertain

Starting point is 00:21:07 just to see if he's still got anything left in that arm? Can Hine Bloom, move some guys and get some starters into the fold for next year, will they spend money on some upcoming free agents? There are some decent names that are going to be available that aren't going to command top dollar contracts or long-term contracts that they should kick tires on. So we'll see, we'll see. But you just can't give Andre Palante a job next year in the starting rotation. He's got to earn it.

Starting point is 00:21:36 The boys are going to face the race tonight for the start of a three-game series. We're going to preview that coming up next on Lockdown Cardinals. Time to fuel up and turn it up with five-hour energy transfusion. This grape ginger and lime-flavored shop brings the iconic taste of a golf course favorite to a non-alcoholic boost. It's perfect for sinking birdies or making great memories with your friends, and it's a whole and one for your energy game for sure. So whether you're out on the course, you just need a little extra push to power through your day, you know, into the week here, or, you're probably dragging a little bit,

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Starting point is 00:23:23 Thanks for making a lockdown. Carlton's your first listen today for your second list and check out the new Lockdown MLB game night every game every night all season long where you get local analysis on a national scale. You can find it on the locked on in will be YouTube channel or wherever you listen to your podcast. So the Tampa Bay Rays are playing at the Yankees minor league stadium this year in Florida after their stadium got damaged during the hurricanes. This ballpark is made to be like Yankee Stadium as far as the dimensions of the ballpark go, which means a lot of offense normally in the games there. The offense is usually do well. So perhaps.

Starting point is 00:23:57 Perhaps the Cardinals can continue what we saw in the games on Monday and Tuesday against the Marlins before they ran into the buzzsaw known as Sandy Alcantra on Wednesday. But they were doing well, man. They were taking good at bats. They were bunting and they were getting some, you know, just a lot of singles. You know, they were just putting the ball in play, finding holes. And hopefully they'll be able to do that again. And some of those line shots that, you know, we're falling into the gap or landing on the warning track, they're going to go out at this park that they're going to be playing in for the next.

Starting point is 00:24:27 three days. Sunny Gray will get the nod tonight against Joe Boyle. My advice to you, Sunny, keep the ball down because it flies at the stadium. And we already know that Sunny is struggling with giving up home runs again this season. He's just two away from tying his career high. And home runs given up with 21 and we're still in August. So that record's going to fall, I'm sure. Might happen tonight in this particular game. Friday you got Miles Michaelis against Adrian Houser. That's more home run fuel for the raise there because Miles Michaelis likes to give up home runs. Well, he doesn't like it, but it happens when Miles Michaelis is on the mound. So he better be on his A game because he misses anything

Starting point is 00:25:11 over the plate. They're going over the wall. I'm telling you. Then the teams are off on Saturday, and we'll resume the series on Sunday with Matthew Libertory against Ryan Pepio. It's been a, the race are a team that they were in the. thing for a while. I actually, I haven't even looked up the standing. Let me check this out real quick because I hadn't really looked up the standings on where they were because they fell out of contention. Pretty like when the second half came around, things were not going well for Tampa Bay.

Starting point is 00:25:42 Let's see. Where are we at here with them? The rays are currently 61 and 66. Yeah, they're 12 and a half back in the ALEs. There's six and a half back in a wild card. So a similar spot where Cardinals are right now where they're not really being talked about much anymore. But it's still a team that I have enjoyed watching because I like the way they play ball and they play the game.

Starting point is 00:26:05 Junior Camerro is a superstar in the making. He's a superstar now. Dude just hits tanks. He's got 35 jacks already this season. Watch out for him. Brandon Lowe is a beast of a hitter over there at second base. Yaddi Diaz, incredibly solid hitter. He's one of those contact hitters.

Starting point is 00:26:24 It's just constantly putting the ball in play. Apparently, they're also calling up their top prospect, Carson Williams. He's a shortstop, ranked number 47 overall by MLB Pipelines. So they might have a little extra juice because he's in the lineup tonight. He's got some pop, really good defensive glove. He was one of those guys on MLB to show when it first started in Diamond Dynasty, and he was one of the prospects that you were able to get your hands on. And he was the one everybody was using either at shortstop or second base,

Starting point is 00:26:53 along with JJ Weatherholt of the Cardinals. So it'd be fun to see him take his first cuts at the major league level. But the race have lost three in a row. They just got blasted by the Yankees a couple nights in a row. The Yankees offense went nuts on them on, what was that, Tuesday night? Yeah, Tuesday night hit nine home runs again on STEM. Like, I'm telling you, the ballpark is crazy. You're going to see some offense.

Starting point is 00:27:18 That's what I would expect. I would be shocked if we get any pitcher's duels in these three games. Like the ball just takes off at the ball. this ballpark. So, you know, it's a minor league stadium. So that's normally how it works. So it should be fun to watch. Let's hope the Cardinals can come away with at least two out of three. I would love to put this shirt back on on Sunday night when we record Monday show. So hopefully that's something that'll happen. So looking forward to it. Thanks for making Lockstone Cardinals. Your first listen every day, if you haven't already. Give us a follow on X at L0 underscore

Starting point is 00:27:48 Cardinals at a JD Sports Radio, TikTok, and Instagram at Lockton Cardinals. Like subscribe on YouTube. You're the best fans in baseball for a reason. We'll see. See you next time on Locked on Cart.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Sandy Alcantara Reminds The St. Louis Cardinals Of What They Traded Away

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