Tip your cap to John Mozeliak for Aledmys Diaz
Before you dig into this minor miracle that is the second piece of content published by our mostly irrelevant site this week, I want to proclaim a warning. If you are one of those St. Louis Cardinals fans that blame every failed pinch-hitting appearance or every inherited runner to score on manager Mike Matheny or general manager John Mozeliak, then should just stop reading now. This is a land of reality. A land where emotion is balanced out with common sense. A space where we try to prove that your initial reaction, at no fault of your own, is basically wrong.
Now that we have that cleared up, I believe that Cardinals fans should tip their cap to Mozeliak for his bold risk in signing and sticking by Aledmys Diaz.
Yes, I am giving the general manager credit where credit is due.
Diaz was basically an unknown when the Cardinals signed him to a four-year, $8 million deal and at the start of his career. He looked rusty, out-of-shape, and injury prone. He struggled mightily defensively and had trouble playing everyday even as a DH.
But the Cardinals stuck with him, trusting their scouting and their gut. Yes, Mozeliak did DFA Diaz last summer, but it was a calculated risk. The organization knew nobody else would take on the money for what was widely considered a train-wreck up to that point.
Diaz re-grouped and finished the season strong. Now, as of 24-hours ago, the Cuban has appeared in a MLB All-Star game. My how sentiment has changed in a very short time frame.
There were even people on Twitter comparing Diaz to LA Dodgers phenom Corey Seager on Tuesday night. For that, Mozeliak deserves credit.
@Team_STL @molly_knight wait are suggesting that Diaz is better than Seager? I think you need to pump the breaks a bit..
@CoreyRudd @Team_STL look at statistics, also watch Diaz at bush he cal fly, defend, and hit a Three - Four tool player
Let’s make sure there isn’t any confusion. I am certainly a Diaz fan (although I’m pretty convinced that he is NOT a SS long-term), but I do not think he is on the same planet of the likes of Seager, Carlos Correa and even Francisco Lindor.
Right now Diaz is still a role-player on this club, taking a back-seat to the likes of Matt Carpenter, Yadier Molina and even Matt Holliday to a certain extent. Meanwhile, the previously mentioned trio are the center-pieces of their respective clubs and have been and will be expected to be so for years to come.
Diaz has been a nice surprise, I just hope he does not surprise in the opposite direction in 2017 or the second half of 2016. If he stays consistent and at this level, then we can put him with the Seager’s Correa’s and Lindor’s of MLB shortstops.
Back to the point, which I am sure is hard for most of you to swallow if you have read this far. Mozeliak is one of the best in the game. He rarely makes mistakes. Even his mistakes turn out to be gold (i.e. Rob Kaminsky for Brandon Moss).
The success of Diaz is just another example of Mozeliak being one step ahead of the rest. The Cardinals have a process in place. They trust their analytics. They trust their instincts.
You should trust Mozeliak and Co. more too.
Thanks for reading, @CoreyRudd
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