KANSAS CITY — Paul DeJong spent his entire professional career with the Cardinals up until Aug. 1, 2023. Since then, he’s played for four different Major League Baseball organizations.
DeJong’s latest club, the Kansas City Royals, acquired him at the trade deadline this summer from their division rival Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor-league pitcher Jarold Rosado. DeJong signed a one-year deal with the White Sox this past offseason after stints with the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants last summer.
The White Sox are having one of the worst seasons in recent baseball history, and they were clearly “sellers†at the trade deadline. The Cardinals took advantage of that to acquire outfielder Tommy Pham and pitcher Erick Fedde.
“I didn’t know what to expect going to the field that day, especially not expecting to change clubhouses,†DeJong said of the trade deadline. “So that’s one for the memories, being able to just pack my stuff up and walk across the field. That’s something I’ll never forget. I’m very thankful and fortunate to be with this team. I think it’s a great fit for me. I’ve been having a great time so far.â€
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In one of those funny twists of baseball fate, the White Sox were hosting the Royals at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago when the trade became official. DeJong was already at the ballpark and had gotten in his pregame workout when he received the news.
“I was eating in the lunchroom when (White Sox general manager) Chris Getz came in and told me, ‘Hey, you’re getting traded to the Royals,’†DeJong said. “I just said my goodbyes, packed my stuff up and walked across the field. It was definitely a surprise, but it feels like home already.â€
DeJong also improved his place in the AL Central Division standings significantly when he switched teams. The White Sox were 27-83 when the trade occurred on July 30. The Royals were 59-49 and in position to claim a wild card postseason berth.
DeJong, the starting shortstop for most of his tenure with the Cardinals, started games at shortstop (83) and third base (10) for the White Sox. Since joining the Royals, who have a young superstar shortstop in Bobby Witt Jr., DeJong started four games at third base and once as the designated hitter.
DeJong started at third base on Saturday night against the Cardinals. He entered the day batting .228 with 19 home runs and a .428 slugging percentage.
DeJong’s injury in spring training in 2023 created a spring training platform for Masyn Winn to showcase his abilities and prove that he was even more advanced than some anticipated heading into last season.
Winn got his first taste of the majors late last season after the Cardinals traded DeJong and Tommy Edman shifted to the outfield on a regular basis. This season, Winn has taken over as the club’s everyday shortstop and one of the top rookies in the National League.
Winn and DeJong crossed paths before last spring training. DeJong spent time rehabbing at the alternate training site in Springfield during the 2020 season. DeJong spent time in the minors when he went through struggles at the plate in 2022. Last season, when DeJong went on a rehab assignment to Memphis, he also spent time with Winn.
“That dude is one of the best teammates I’ve been around,†Winn said of DeJong. “For him to be a big leaguer, certified big leaguer, then get optioned and still be a great guy every day in the clubhouse, that kind of showed his character and what kind of person he was. He never complained about anything. He showed up, worked hard and played really hard as well.â€
Herrera on the shelf for Triple-A Memphis
Entering Saturday night, catcher Ivan Herrera hadn’t appeared in a game for Triple-A Memphis since Aug. 4. Herrera, who began this season in the majors as the primary backup to starting catcher Willson Contreras, has been sidelined by a left shoulder strain.
Herrera batted .241 with a .405 on-base percentage and a .448 slugging percentage in 18 games for Memphis this season.
In 54 games in the majors this season, Herrera slashed .279/.340/.378.
Herrera’s shortcoming this season in the majors were primarily defensively, specifically in the running game. He threw out just three of 41 runners attempting to steal this season. The Cardinals ERA with Herrera behind the plate (4.22) was also higher than with Contreras (4.08) or Pedro Pages (3.87).
O’Brien decision looms
Right-handed reliever Riley O’Brien pitched a scoreless inning out of the bullpen for Memphis on Friday night. He’s been on the injured list with a right forearm flexor strain since March 29.
He has now made nine appearances since July 20.
On Friday night, he retired the side in order on 12 pitches. He recorded three groundouts.
The Cardinals are expected to make a decision on O’Brien’s roster status in the coming days. He’s currently on the 60-day IL, so the Cardinals will have to make room for him on the 40-man roster when he comes off of the IL.
Then they’ll have to determine whether to add him to the major-league bullpen or potentially option him to Triple-A.