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Which Players Will the St. Louis Cardinals Add to the Roster in September?

By Patrick Karraker

Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (right) listens as general manager John Mozeliak (left) talks with chairman and chief executive officer William O. DeWitt, Jr. (center) at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (right) listens as general manager John Mozeliak (left) talks with chairman and chief executive officer William O. DeWitt, Jr. (center) at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Breyvic Valera

For much of the 2016 season, the Cardinals have lacked players that provide big-league quality defense at the middle infield positions. Though they’ve held it together pretty well recently, it could be argued that this is an issue more than ever right now, as Jedd Gyorko has gotten significant time at shortstop and Matt Carpenter’s defense has slipped at second. While he’s not going to join the roster and immediately begin commanding regular playing time, a guy who could help provide a solution to this issue is 24-year-old Breyvic Valera, a plus fielder who has played every position except pitcher and catcher in the minors and is most polished at the middle infield spots.

Valera’s glove is a definite plus, but it’s also important to note that he’s been knocking on the big-league door as a hitter since his promotion to Triple-A in June. In 214 plate appearances, Valera has posted a .352/.427/.419 slash line. He’s not currently on the 40-man roster, but he could easily replace 29-year-old Dean Anna, who has just one big-league at-bat in two years on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster and has posted much lesser numbers than Valera at Memphis this year.

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