Corey Noles, staff writer for The Daily Statesman and Editor of The North Stoddard Countian, is the author of a regular baseball/St. Louis Cardinals column and also uses his blog to sound off on various happenings in sports. He also operates a weekly baseball mailbag column.

St. Louis Cardinals: 3 Free Agents to Avoid At All Costs

Posted Sunday, November 3, 2013, at 4:15 PM

By COREY NOLES

With the 2013 MLB season in the rear-view mirror, it's time for the St. Louis Cardinals to start thinking about 2014.

While players around the league are heading home to be with their families, front-office personnel and general managers are in intense meetings as they map out a game plan.

The Cardinals are no exception.

With many players crossing the free agent threshold, the Cardinals have many unanswered questions.

The problem is that the crop of free agents is not the best. With Robinson Cano, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann topping the list, the talent level drops pretty fast after the top 10.

While it's possible the Cardinals could find themselves in the mix for a number of the Top 10--namely Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran--there are also a few that I would recommend they avoid in their search.

For the most part, expect a shortstop pickup, but don't rule out an outfielder that could either play center or spell Craig in right field on occasion.

Here are three free agents that I would recommend they steer clear of this winter.

Brendan Ryan, SS

2013 Team: Seattle Mariners/New York Yankees

2013 Stats: .197/.255/.273 4 HR, 22 RBI, 23 BB, 319 AB

Career: .237/.299/.320 19 HR, 187 RBI, 189 BB, 424 K

Why to avoid? While there may be a certain faction of Cardinals fans who would believe Brendan Ryan as a free agent while the team searches for a shortstop to be divine intervention, that group would be wrong. No one is arguing against Ryan's glove--defensively he's solid. His bat, on the other hand, is weak at best.

For now two seasons in a row, Ryan has failed to hit .200 and hasn't batted over .250 since 2009 with the Cardinals. Ryan has only played more than 140 games once in his career. All things considered, Ryan wouldn't necessarily be an upgrade over Pete Kozma.

Clint Barmes, SS

2013 Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

2013 Stats: .211/.249/.309 5 HR, 23 RBI, 14 BB, 304 AB

Career: .246/.294/.383 86 HR, 392 RBI, 197 BB, 661 K

Why to avoid? The Pirates are reported to be eager to re-sign Barmes and the Cardinals should make sure not to interfere with their efforts. Barmes is a solid defensive option, but there is no reason to see his offensive production as an upgrade.

Only once in his 11-year career has Barmes played 150 games and he has been in offensive decline for three consecutive years. His average has dropped from .244 in 2011 to .211 in 2013--a new career low. That's not a gamble that a team two wins away from winning a World Series should be willing to take.

Rick Ankiel, OF

2013 Team: Houston Astros/New York Mets

2013 Stats: .194/.232/.435 7 HR, 18 RBI, 8 BB, 124 AB

Career: .241/.302/.423 76 HR, 251 RBI, 162 BB, 552 K

Why to avoid? Much like Brendan Ryan, Rick Ankiel could be attractive to the sentimental crowd, but in reality it's not a direction where the Cardinals should be shopping. The need for an additional outfielder is only marginal and would hinge on the anticipated exit of Carlos Beltran.

Ankiel was good enough with a bat that after his shutdown as a pitcher he was able to keep his major league going. After putting together a pair of decent seasons, he has since bounced from team-to-team in search of a long-term role.

Over the last two years he has failed to play 70 games and hit a career low .241 during his time as a position player in 2013. He's not signed anywhere in 2014 and, while it would make a happy story, he should not return to finish his career in St. Louis.

In the end, the Cardinals would be better served by working the trade market than picking up bargain priced aging talent.

Corey Noles is a Cardinals Writer and Columnist for The Daily Statesman. He is also a regular contributor to KSDK.com, StLSportsPage.com, GammonsDaily.com and Bleacher Report. Contact him at cnoles@dailystatesman.com or on Twitter @coreynoles.

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I might take Ankiel as a bench player if he's cheap enough.

-- Posted by Dustin Ward on Sun, Nov 3, 2013, at 5:33 PM
I'm convinced you could put together the most overpaid, undertalented baseball team of all time, Dustin.

-- Posted by sideline starter on Sun, Nov 3, 2013, at 7:39 PM
This is an interesting take on one way to possibly address the shortstop situation: http://www.stlcardinalbaseball.com/more-light-on-the-shelby-miller-situation

-- Posted by Grussman on Sun, Nov 3, 2013, at 8:17 PM
Seriously these article never dies.

-- Posted by Bunk on Sun, Nov 3, 2013, at 8:35 PM
this article should be called 3 free agents nobody wants. Really going out on a limb with this one.

-- Posted by ThayerPops on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 8:00 AM
What do you mean, Bunk?

-- Posted by Grussman on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 8:58 AM
The article you posted Grussman has come up in at least two of the comments section in Corey 's blog and once on the Cardinal thread on semoball. It's conjecture with no sources cited. I have railed against it at least three times as something that shouldn't be taken at face value because there is no proof in the article. There is nothing in that article that shows any indicates a conspiracy to hold out miller to trade him for Profar. It's published make believe.

-- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 9:10 AM
I missed your other railings or I never would have shared the link. Perhaps I should limit future thoughts and contributions unless I'm up to speed with every blog article and community member comment. Conjecture or not I still thought it was interesting. And who says a little make-believe is such a bad thing? Some very good things in life got there start there... ;)

-- Posted by Grussman on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 10:14 AM
Bunk runs all things mizzou and cardinals Gruss. Don't you know?

-- Posted by ThayerPops on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 10:16 AM
I wasn't giving you a hard time Grussman. I don't know if you misunderstood my rant about the article as directed at you. It wasn't so don't take it to heart. Hey talking head if you ever wanna back up a point you have or build a solid argument when disagree with me than be my guest. The pattern is usually bad mouth statistics and people who use them and I provide proof as to why they work and than you go quiet and wait for an opportunity to pile on me. It's cool I like proving your points wrong.

-- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 10:22 AM
I still haven't seen an instance where your points are right.

-- Posted by ThayerPops on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 10:25 AM
I'm sorry I don't need a UZR to tell me the cardinals outfield sucks defensively. I have eyes for that

-- Posted by ThayerPops on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 10:26 AM
Look you can look up the discussions about war and the cano/carpenter debate or the Adam Jones/ Colby Rasmus debate. When I use numbers you stop arguing because you can't counter them.

-- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 10:31 AM
Couple points/questions...

Just for fun would you rather have Brendan Ryan or Pete Kozma at Short? P.S. not saying I want either one of them

Bunk- at least I think it was you, said you don't want to sign Beltran based on his defense this past year. Although I agree with you that he doesn't cover ground as he used to... If you could sign him to a one year deal to help the adjustment period of Taveras to the bigs... at the same time him being one of our better hitters what do you think?

Also I agree with Bunk that there is no truth to back up the claims in that article... but it does make you think that there is some conspiracy theory truth in it, because to this day I still don't see how we didn't use him at all this playoffs... but that is what conspiracy theories are. That being said with Little Pedro and Wacha I wouldn't feel as bad trading Shelby matched up with some other players to get us a good SS.

-- Posted by Radar99 on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 11:35 AM
You can make a case for that with Beltran but its hard to convince him to take one year deal. The real question there is can Taveras play center field about the same defensively as Jay and do we believe he can hit. I'd take the shot with Oscar because it's a much cheaper risk to take than relying on Beltran. We have seen Beltran get worn down in the second half because of damage his knees take in the first half. If we had a DH I would give Beltran a fat three year deal because he can hit still and is obviously well respected and adored in that clubhouse. But unfortunately we don't have that AL luxury.

-- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 11:49 AM
Has there been much concern with Taveras' injury lingering and setting back his maturation? Is there any indication he really is ready for the bigs? I know he has a TON of talent but not every rookie is going to respond like Miller, Wacha, etc. right out of the gate.

I can't imagine Beltran not looking for and taking any multi-year deals given this is likely his last opportunity for one. Plus, if it's a choice b/t keeping Beltran on a one year deal or freeing up that money to help with a longer term shortstop upgrade...I'd lean towards the SS upgrade.

-- Posted by Grussman on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 12:00 PM
Just from what I have read on Taveras from scouts is that hitting will not be a problem and he has even some improvement in his batting eye. The biggest thing for Oscar was to continue improving defensively. I would assume that an an ankle injury probably slowed down the CF maturation but I think the benefit of his bat will be to great.

-- Posted by Bunk on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 12:18 PM
If I had a choice between Koz or Ryan, and that was my only choice, I would take Ryan simply because he has a very good glove, whereas Koz is only slightly above average.

-- Posted by Jolly Dump on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 12:53 PM
Thanks Bunk. HOpefully Taveras makes a complete recovery and this isn't something that nags him for a long time.

JD: Given how things went with him in Seattle I think my friends there would give Kozma a shot!

-- Posted by Grussman on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 1:37 PM
Ryan >>> Kozma

-- Posted by ThayerPops on Mon, Nov 4, 2013, at 1:43 PM
I'd sign Beltran and trade Matt Holliday to Colorado for Troy Tulowitski.

-- Posted by Dustin Ward on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 12:18 AM
Then I'd try to get Placido Polanco for infield depth.

-- Posted by Dustin Ward on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 12:19 AM
Any chance the Cardinals might try to trade for Sabathia? We need a veteran left-handed starting pitcher bad.

-- Posted by Dustin Ward on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 12:35 AM
God your daft sometimes

-- Posted by Bunk on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 6:44 AM
I'd call the dodgers and offer tony Cruz for kershaw and Puig

-- Posted by ThayerPops on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 8:16 AM
Definitely sounds like good trade value right. I can imagine that phone call " Hey, um this John Mozeliak.....with the Cardinals and um I sorta need to take back Matt Holiday. You know he is just ah getting up there in years and we would like to take your SS who is kinda in his prime."

-- Posted by Bunk on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 8:20 AM
Guys (and girls?), why do we pander to DW? He is clearly trolling us.

-- Posted by Jolly Dump on Tue, Nov 5, 2013, at 1:34 PM
The last for years of the Tulowitski contract may not be any better. Take that into consideration.

-- Posted by Dustin Ward on Wed, Nov 6, 2013, at 10:59 PM
DW I have been again trading for Tulo all season. He has a ridiculous contract and can never stay healthy.

-- Posted by Jolly Dump on Thu, Nov 7, 2013, at 8:42 AM
against****

-- Posted by Jolly Dump on Thu, Nov 7, 2013, at 1:14 PM

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