The St. Louis Cardinals 2016 season was the 135th for the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in St. Louis, Missouri, the 125th season in the National League (NL), and the 11th at Busch Stadium III. They entered the season having won a major-league best 100 games, as three-time defending National League Central champions, and with five consecutive playoff appearances. Forbes magazine estimated the value of the club to be $1.6 billion in 2016, making it the seventh-most valuable franchise in MLB. The Cardinals were eliminated from playoff (Wild Card) contention following the San Francisco Giants' 7–1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, October 2. This was the first time the Cardinals failed to make the playoffs since 2010.
Off-season
Overview The Cardinals entered the 2016 season having won a major league-best 100 games, their third consecutive National League Central division title, and fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Their 2015 season ended in the National League Division Series (NLDS) when the rival Chicago Cubs defeated them in four games. Former Cardinals David Eckstein, Jim Edmonds and Troy Glaus were announced as first-time candidates on the 2016 ballot for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum on November 9. In mid-December, former Cardinals player and manager Joe Torre led an expedition to Cuba composed of MLB officials and players, including then-current Cardinals catcher Brayan Peña and former Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay. It was MLB's first visit there since 1999, and one anticipated as an important step to help normalize relations with the United States that had begun to ease earlier in the year. Former Cardinals manager Vern Rapp died on December 31, 2015.
Chris Correa, the previous director of scouting for the Cardinals, plead guilty on January 8, 2016, to five of 12 counts in a United States district court in Houston related to alleged corporate espionage of the Houston Astros. Reports of the investigation first became public in July 2015. For the 2016 franchise Hall of Fame ballot, the Cardinals announced on January 17 it would include Chris Carpenter, Keith Hernandez, Jason Isringhausen, Mark McGwire, Matt Morris, Édgar Rentería, Scott Rolen, and Joe Torre.
According to Forbes magazine, at $1.6 billion, the Cardinals were the seventh-most valuable franchise in MLB. Their revenue in 2015 was $300 million, while their operating income was $60 million. It was an increase from the year before at $1.4 billion, when they were ranked sixth in MLB.
Personnel moves On October 26, 2015, the club announced intent to retain all of manager Mike Matheny's coaching staff. Greg Hauch resigned as the head athletic trainer in November, whom Adam Olsen replaced the following month.
Injuries Injuries to the starting rotation emerged: Carlos Martínez strained his shoulder late in the previous season and the Cardinals appraised him likely to recover in time for the beginning of the season. Lance Lynn had Tommy John surgery, and on November 10, the Cardinals announced he would miss the 2016 season. On December 17, catcher Yadier Molina underwent surgery on his left thumb, and second since the previous September, to correct a ligament that had not properly healed. He was estimated to miss at least part of spring training.
Acquisitions, departures, and roster moves
Players
Contract options October 31, 2015 Jaime García (LHP) $11.5 million team option for 2016 St. Louis Cardinals Exercised November 2, 2015 Jonathan Broxton (RHP) $9 million team option for 2016 St. Louis Cardinals Declined and bought out for $2 million
Trades December 2, 2015 To St. Louis Cardinals José Martínez (SS) To Kansas City Royals Tony Cruz (C) December 7, 2015 To St. Louis Cardinals Jedd Gyorko (2B) $7.5 million To San Diego Padres Jon Jay (CF) Major league free agents (RHP) Departed St. Louis Cardinals November 2, 2015 Contracts expired after World Series Signed with Washington Nationals February 17, 2016 Minor league contract with spring training invite (LHP) Signed with Toronto Blue Jays March 11, 2016 Minor league contract with spring training invite (RF) Signed with Chicago Cubs December 15, 2015 8 years, $184 million (RHP) Signed with Chicago Cubs December 8, 2015 2 years, $32 million (1B) Signed with Colorado Rockies December 16, 2015 1 year, $2.6 million (RHP) Signed with San Diego Padres January 13, 2016 1 year, $1.5 million (RHP) Departed St. Louis Cardinals November 2, 2015 Cardinals declined team option Resigned with St. Louis Cardinals December 10, 2015 2 years, $7.5 million (C) Departed Cincinnati Reds November 2, 2015 Contract expired after World Series Signed with St. Louis Cardinals November 30, 2015 2 years, $5 million (RHP) Departed St. Louis Cardinals December 2, 2015 Non-tendered contracts as arbitration-eligible players Signed with Seattle Mariners December 14, 2015 2 years, $10 million (C) (RHP) Departed San Francisco Giants November 2, 2015 Contract expired after World Series Signed with St. Louis Cardinals December 22, 2015 5 years, $80 million (RHP) Departed Hanshin Tigers (NPB) After 2015 season Signed with St. Louis Cardinals January 11, 2016 1 year, $5 million (SS) Released by New York Mets March 16, 2016 Signed with St. Louis Cardinals March 19, 2016 1 year, $1.5 million Minor league free agents (SS) Departed St. Louis Cardinals November 5, 2015 Signed with New York Yankees December 4, 2015 Minor league contract (RHP) Departed New York Mets November 4, 2014 Signed with St. Louis Cardinals December 28, 2015 Minor league contract with spring training invite (OF) Departed Boston Red Sox organization November 6, 2015 Signed with St. Louis Cardinals January 22, 2016 Minor league contract with spring training invite Arbitration-eligible players (1B) St. Louis Cardinals December 2, 2015 Tendered contracts Signed before arbitration January 15, 2016 1 year, $1.65 million (RHP) Signed before arbitration January 15, 2016 1 year, $1.4 million (1B) Signed before arbitration January 15, 2016 1 year, $8.25 million (RHP) Signed before arbitration 1 year, $5.6 million January 15, 2016 (RHP) St. Louis Cardinals December 2, 2015 Did not tender contracts Rendered free agents (C)
40-man roster moves November 2, 2015 (SS) Removed from 40-man roster Reassigned to AAA Memphis Redbirds November 5, 2015 (OF) Purchased from AAA Memphis Redbirds Added to 40-man roster November 19, 2015 (SS) Added to 40-man roster (LHP) (OF) November 30, 2015 (C) Signed as free-agent Added to 40-man roster December 2, 2015 (CF) Waived by St. Louis Cardinals Claimed by Philadelphia Philles December 3, 2015 Signed 1 year, $2 million contract March 13, 2016 (LHP) Optioned to AAA Memphis Redbirds March 14, 2016 (OF) Optioned to AAA Memphis Redbirds March 19, 2016 (SS) Signed as free-agent Added to 40-man roster March 20, 2016 (SS), (SS), Anthony Garcia (OF) Optioned to AAA Memphis Redbirds March 21, 2016 (LHP) Optioned to AAA Memphis RedbirdsApril 3, 2016 Matthew Bowman (RHP), Eric Fryer (C), (OF) Added to 25-man roster
Spring training The Cardinals announced on January 21, 2016, they had extended an invitation to spring training to 22 non-roster players in addition to those already on the 40-man roster, bringing the total at that point to start spring training with club 61. Further, 26 of their prospects were also invited to their Spring training Early Program (STEP). The 22 non-roster invitees included pitchers RHP Silfredo Garcia, LHP Austin Gomber, RHP Juan González, RHP Jeremy Hefner, LHP Corey Littrell, RHP Deck McGuire, RHP Trey Nielsen, RHP Daniel Poncedeleon, RHP Robby Rowland, RHP J. C. Sulbaran, RHP Tyler Waldron, and RHP Luke Weaver. Non-pitchers included catchers Steve Bean, Luis Cruz, Eric Fryer, Carson Kelly, and Alberto Rosario. Also included were infielders Jonathan Rodriguez, David Washington, Jacob Wilson and Patrick Wisdom and outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker. The next day, the club invited outfielder Carlos Peguero.
The 26 players invited to STEP were Sandy Alcantara, John Brebbia, Junior Fernandez, Jack Flaherty, Derian Gonzalez, Josh Lucas, Mike Mayers, Alex Reyes, Arturo Reyes, Rowan Wick and Jacob Woodford; catchers Christopher Chinea, Jose Godoy, Ryan McCarvel and Brian O’Keefe; infielders Eliezer Alvarez, Paul DeJong, Juan Herrera, Chris Jacobs, Oscar Mercado, Darren Seferina and Edmundo Sosa; and outfielders Harrison Bader, C. J. McElroy, Nick Plummer and Magneuris Sierra.
Shortstop Jhonny Peralta injured his thumb on March 7, damaging the ulnar collateral ligament. He underwent surgery three days later and was expected to miss 10 to 12 weeks of play.
Longtime 3B coach Jose Oquendo for the past 16 years, is placed on medical leave of absence March 27, due to rehabbing his right knee in Florida. He has been on crutches after his second procedure on the knee. 1B coach Chris Maloney now moves to 3B, Assistant hitting coach Bill Mueller moves to 1B coach. Derrick May who was in the organization's minor leagues, is now the assistant hitting coach.
The team suffered another unexpected injury in their final spring training game on March 31, when their newly acquired shortstop Ruben Tejada signed on March 19, strained his left quad running to first base in a 9–1 win over the New York Yankees. Jedd Gyorko will substitute for him and make the first game start in Pittsburgh on April 3. The injury to Tejada forces the Cardinals to open the season with five players: Tejada, Jhonny Peralta, Mitch Harris, Lance Lynn and Jordan Walden, on the 15-day disabled list.
Another serious injury, this one to backup catcher Brayan Pena's left knee after slipping in a dugout a few days ago, puts him on the 15-day disabled list after surgery from two to four weeks, along with the five others. Non-Roster Invite Eric Fryer takes his place on the 25-man roster.
Contract extension March 2, 2016 Kolten Wong (2B) Pre-arbitration Signed extension with St. Louis Cardinals 5 years, $25.5 million with $12.5 million team option for 2021
Season standings
National League Central
National League playoff standings Playoff standings
National League head-to-head records Head-to-head records
Record vs. Opponents
Regular season summary
April
Opening Series vs. Pittsburgh Pirates The Cardinals played Opening Day in the first game of the Major League Baseball (MLB) season on April 3, commencing at PNC Park against the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates. Adam Wainwright made his fifth career Opening Day start for the Cardinals. The game had a starting temperature of 39 degrees (F). Outfielder Tommy Pham suffered a tear in his left oblique in the first inning and placed on the 15-day disabled list (DL). The Cardinals lost the game, 4–1, with Wainwright taking the first loss of the season. Free agent starting pitcher acquisition Mike Leake made his Cardinals debut on April 6 against the Pirates, allowing four runs and seven hits in IP, resulting in being charged with the loss as Pittsburgh won, 5–1, and swept the opening series. +Opening Day starting lineupat PNC Park, April 3, 2016 defeated by PIT, 1–4 Name Pos.13 Matt Carpenter 3B28 Tommy Pham LF7 Matt Holliday 1B15 Randal Grichuk CF55 Stephen Piscotty RF4 Yadier Molina C16 Kolten Wong 2B3 Jedd Gyorko SS50 Adam Wainwright P
Molina breaks Cardinals' games caught record Yadier Molina, 33, broke the all-time Cardinals' games catching record on April 8, in his 1,440th game, passing Ted Simmons (1968–1980). His 1,343 games started since the beginning of the 2005 season topped the majors.
Hazelbaker, Díaz, and Garcia establish MLB pinch-hitting home run record