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In terms of farm system, we know teams are held to a set budget for player acquisition. But I don’t think there are similar limits on spending for scouting, technology, coaches, etc. I wonder if some of the Dodgers’ farm system success might be due to them having greater financial resources in these areas to better find and develop players. I don’t have the data. Just wondering aloud…
Also, as we noted in a previous discussion, the majority of the Dodgers’ current starting position players and rotation were signed as free agents, not developed in house. Granted, the farm system likely contributed to the other ones acquired in trade.
I don’t know the answer to how much the Dodgers spend on the minor leagues compared to other teams but I’m sure they spend their fair share. There was an article from someone (may have been Brian) back in the winter talking about how Bloom was going to try to get the Cardinals farm system resources up to par with the elite farm systems like the Brewers. The small market Brewers! The article went on to point out how many more instructors the Brewers had than the Cardinals and that investing in that kind of thing is one way that small market clubs can try to level the playing field to compete. The point is that you don’t have to be a large market team to invest in the farm.
We know that the Cardinals will never be on the same level of MLB payroll as the Dodgers and Mets but if they invest enough on the development side it will give them a chance, which is what I think Bloom and DeWitt are trying to do.
The Dodgers have always maintained a first rate system and for a while they seemed to have a genuine lock on the NL ROY award. An outstanding group of minor league instructors coupled up with plenty of cold hard cash generates lots of Big League W’s.
This short clip is worth watching. Bloom reaffirms that they aren’t going to waver from their long term goals even if they are in contention at the deadline. But he left open the door that they might try to serve both masters.
I was asked on a radio show recently what I think the Cards will do if they are in that situation. I replied that getting a couple of Phil Maton-like relievers on expiring contracts would be easy, not expensive, not derail the rebuild and would address the team’s biggest current need, the bullpen.
What do you think?
Here’s a clip from a pregame interview I did with Chaim Bloom during the last home stand. He talks about what his approach to the trade deadline may be should the team keep playing winning baseball. pic.twitter.com/Ba2R8gKznc
— Jim Hayes (@RegionalTVCat) May 11, 2026
I think Chaim should avoid approaching the deadline with blinders on. The Cardinals acquired Larry Walker for virtually nothing at the deadline in 2004. Nice little jolt for the stretch run and post.
True, but if I remember correctly, Larry had to approve the trade. Given a choice, would a veteran star come to StL for a short term? Perhaps so if the Cards are in a division chase. Even more so if they were a true World Series contender as the 2004 team was. Maybe less so if just fighting for a wild card?
This is what I posted in the Trade Thread about a week ago on the deadline subject:
Yeah the trade deadline is going to be interesting if we are still in contention for a playoff spot. Most likely the Cardinals will stick with their guns and do some selling but they might try to sell and buy at the same time.
Dustin May: He will likely be traded since he is a free agent to be.
Jo Jo Romero: Same as above.
Lars Nootbaar: He could be traded but then again they may wait until the offseason (after the lockout) in order for him to demonstrate he is fully recovered from his injury.
Riley O’Brien: This one could go either way. On the one hand he is cheap and under control for four more years so he could still be around when the team is ready to contend. On the other hand he is 31 and his trade value will probably never be higher. I am with C27 in that I would listen on him but it would have to be a very strong offer. If Edwin Diaz is still on the IL the Dodgers may be interested.
If the Cardinals try to buy some players I doubt they would go after any pending free agents but if someone is offering a young player with multiple years of control and at a positon of need they might listen.
Another possibility will be promotions from Memphis. It will be interesting to see how Baez, Torres, Crooks, Jordan, Mautz, Mathews, Dobbins, Hansen, Rajcic, and Gastelum are doing in mid-July.
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