- This topic has 86 replies, 24 voices, and was last updated 7 hours, 25 minutes ago by
.
-
Posts
-
There is no way they non-tender pallante off a 12-9 3.83 ERA 2026 season in which the team was 8 games under .500 …at some point Dewitt is going to have to pay players unless he is taking payroll down to $30 million a year.
Liberatore definitely has value b/c of his versatility…it’s not like he is going to be making a ton of money.
Liberatore definitely has value b/c of his versatility
Hopefully, at some point, whether Liberatore has more value than other guys will become the question. A lot of pitchers are moving upward in the system. It could get crowded.
I have assumed Franklin would begin at AAA. But he doesn’t have much experience at AA, so maybe he starts at that level. Late season improvement was a theme with Doyle, Franklin, and Molina make me think they all will be at AAA at some point in ‘27. But now I wonder if Eagen might be more likely to start at AAA.
I thought Liberatore made more salary in ‘26. He only made 2.5 mill. Not sure how much he’ll be bumped up in ‘27. I guess he is a less likely non tender candidate than I thought. He could even move to the bullpen. But I will say he has one more year to prove his worth. I would estimate he makes 4 mill in ‘27 with a 5 mill salary + possible in ‘28. But I just don’t see the Cards spending 5 mill on a reliever. Liberatore is needed for starting depth next year, but by 2028 he shouldn’t be. This is all assuming he doesn’t improve next season.
It just occurred to me that the likely abbreviated spring training could affect the opening day rotation. Pitchers will have little opportunity to pitch their way onto the roster and it will favor guys who are known commodities. Position players too will have less chance to earn their first shot at the bigs on opening day. Non 40 man players will get started on time, I assume, but won’t be playing with MLB competition. They say you can’t make the team from the back fields, so there will be little chance to shine.
If you want a good chuckle on this Saturday morning, check out the guy that ESPN says the Cardinals would be a “another possible fit” for signing…
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/50319156/offseason-best-fits-top-free-agents
It would be the understatement of the year that Skubal would upgrade the rotation but I’d expect to see pigs flying over Busch before the Dewitts shell out 8 years and $355M (the average of the execs polled).
Given the potential work stoppage would a May reunion be possible? May was healthy all year, and now has a ring. But his results were mixed. Would he take a similar contract?
I think I would pass on May. The chances of him staying healthy two years in a row seem low to me. Besides he only put up 145 IP last season. That isn’t bad but it isn’t like he is all of a sudden a workhorse.
I would rather do a reunion with Jo Jo.
I can see a few rookies in the rotation next year Cinjtje, Molina etc. if either of them gets off to a fast start, and a heed arose, they could make their debut. And I would not have a big leash on Liberatore. He would get a similar chance that Crooks got.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.