Cardinals dump Jhonny Peralta, shake up coaching staff
In the midst of seven-game losing streak, the St. Louis Cardinals acknowledged a "breakdown" in this most disappointing season Friday. And while they spared manager Mike Matheny, they shook up Matheny's coaching staff and bid farewell to infielder Jhonny Peralta - swallowing more than $6 million in salary.
General manager John Mozeliak said Friday that the Cardinals, at 26-32, were not having the season they'd hoped for, and laid out a series of tweaks as the team enters a three-game series against the worst team in the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies.
Peralta, due to make $10 million this season in the final season of a four-year deal, was designated for assignment, and infielder Kolten Wong will be activated.
Third base coach Chris Maloney was reassigned. Hitting coach Bill Mueller is taking a leave of absence, and minor league coach Mark Budaska will join the club until his return.
While the changes might seem minor, they indicate a greater level of dissatisfaction within the franchise.
"This is a breakdown on many levels," Mozeliak said. "No one should feel comfortable, including myself."
That certainly includes Matheny.
The Cardinals have dropped to fourth place and are 4 1/2 games out of first in the National League Central. It's the worst start after 58 games in six years under Matheny and their worst position this late in a season since 2007.
Matheny, 46, has enjoyed five winning seasons, including four postseason appearances and a NL pennant in 2013, as manager of the Cardinals and is 487-381.
He was hired in 2012 after Tony La Russa retired following the Cardinals' surprise run to the 2011 World Series title. Matheny had no managerial experience upon taking the job, but led the club to the playoffs his first four seasons on the job.
Cardinals fans have soured on Matheny in recent years, perhaps in the aftermath of the 2014 NL Championship Series, which ended in a Game 5 walk-off home run by the San Francisco Giants' Travis Ishikawa after Matheny inserted pitcher Michael Wacha in relief. Wacha had not pitched in three weeks.
"It's all on each of us to do our part," Matheny said after Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. "We have to figure out what we need to improve on, what kind of adjustments we need to make. I think if everybody just continues to go about it that way then we have a better chance to get through this faster."