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For now, arb salaries Helsley, JoJo and King have been kept to date because they have roles in the pen. Fernandez IP last season deserves a repeat. That’s half the pen, who won’t be optioned down barring a meltdown.
Leahy deserves a repeat for his 2024 IP, to start the season.
Libby needs IP at mlb.We have two open spots, currently imo, until someone plays themselves off the roster and the injuries open spots up.
JMHO, but I don’t see Leahy being part of the BP coming out of ST.
If they don’t sign a free agent, I’d rather they give Roby, Hence, Robberse, etc. some major league experience in the pen. All have more talent than Leahy.You could be right cranny, Leahy may not make the 26man. If he does, he also may need demoted later, same for Fernandez.
Those one year sample sizes can have roller coaster results going forward, but both have earned returning to the pen to start the season.
If we develop 6 solid relievers the next two seasons, one will be the best, and one the worst. Supplying the demand should be the goal. The farm can’t keep coming up short on the supply side.
Leahy’s ERAs MILB and MLB
Majors – 4.65
Minors (all levels) – 5.51Fernandez’s ERAs MILB and MLB –
Majors – 3.51
Minors (all levels) – 3.33Fernandez is not a solid lock. He was very bad the last half of the year. He was horrible the last half of the year. 6.28 ERA but his FIP was 3.81. so this is a crossroads year for him. IMO
Leahy didn’t see any action until we were losing the last 12 games.
I’d like to see Fernandez of Leahy but if he flops just flip them.
Helsley 1yr club control (farmhand), JoJo 2yrs control by trade, King 3yrs by trade. In the next three FA classes, Mo has one PITCHING farmhand remaining, good enough to keep and pay.
Pallante 4yrs control (farmhand). One pitcher only in this service class also.
Mo has four pitchers on the roster, in the next four FA classes, and just two are homegrown.
JoJo was acquired using a position player (Sosa).
King was acquired for Monty, after Mo traded position player Bader for Monty.
Libby for position player Arozarena.
Fedde for position player Edman.
Fernandez was plucked from another org in the rule5 draft.I wonder if this is when Bill paused, and then screamed RESET!!!!!
A number of talented starters in the Cards minor league system that can be converted to bullpen roles.
Are they ready for mlb? If so, why endorse FA reliever signings, that block those players?
I ask because I don’t know the minors like you do Cranny. I look to you and other prospect followers, as my source. When you endorse FA signings, I wonder if those arms are ready.
I endorse both. JJ, to hedge bets.
Relievers can come from trades (Gallegos), FA signings (Kittredge), and from within the system (Helsley).
All 3 sources should constantly be looked at and considered.Fernandez wasn’t “horrible the last half of 2024”. He had a rough August, but that was his only bad month out of 6.
Nailed it. Agree 100% on the last part cranny.
“hedge bets” is Mo talk of the past. That’s not us now. We are sellers and will be until next offseason. We are PD focused, with an eye on the attendance revenue stream, as we should. There’s nothing to hedge in 2025, or until we watch the next FA class hit the door next offseason. It’s PD time I guess.
For the record, I had a 2025 roster going for 90 wins ready, with multiple FA signings, before the “reset” was announced. I’ve settled for “when in Rome…” 😉
I don’t think 2025 is going to be a total tear down and build up. BDW doesn’t want a repeat of 2023 under any circumstances. He wants to build up the player development system in the minors while still staying in the running for the Central title.
Sounds like the same org direction and fate Walt Jocketty encountered. It’s reminding me of Bill speaking of “cycles”, at WWU.
There are cycles, but the major change I see is that MLB has allowed salaries to get way out of hand. The Mets, Dodgers, etc. have blown things way out of proportion. The Cards have no choice but to get back to strengthening their player development system as much as they can.
To me, the most interesting part of this next season will be to review possible enhanced performances of individuals I’m tracking on teams in the minors. Are there any Arozarena, Garcia, Alcantara, Gallen types whose cream will rise to the surface through much better development techniques?
The Cardinals are not in contention for the NLC title in 2025. If they finish third it will be ticker tape parade time.
You just never know, gscottar.
I’ve been wrong with specific predictions like that many times, as I’m sure you have been.From BR today
“… Telling your fans you’re building for the future and then not actually doing anything to improve either the present or the future is just bizarre.”This may be the essence of the problem in a nutshell.
Building for the future should probably include all the money spent for sophisticated equipment and the coaches who know how to implement it properly to enhance the development process. Building for the future also might include specialized roving instructors with techniques to help different position players – catchers (framing, stance, arm slot, arm strengthening exercises, etc.) outfielders (angles, body position when releasing a throw, etc.), etc.
Cranny makes a good point. It takes two to do anything when it comes to player transactions. The team does not solely control that process. And these days it is more of a three way street at times with players having a say in where they go once they attain a certain status.
What they can control, Cranny has spelled out.
Mike, the FO can also control the roster. Adding FA'(s) while needing to be auditioning our youth is controllable, in-house. It’s a choice.
A Nado trade could also have a reliever trade return. It would fill another spot in the pen. It could explain a little of the inactivity, if you squint real hard.
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