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I wouldn’t mind an Arenado/Gorman platoon but otherwise they really don’t fit together on this roster. One of them needs to go. I think 2B is going to be Weatherholt. DH is occupied with Herrera and Burly. There is no other place for Gorman to play. If we can’t move Nado don’t you try to move Gorman for a pitching prospect?
stlcard25
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why is Wetherholt not suited for 3B?He hasn’t been playing 3B in the minors for long. Do we really want another guy learning a new position on the fly at the big league level?
Yeah this pretty much. I would rather he play either SS or 2B and just stay at those two if possible.
During the draft, some experts said he might not be a shortstop due to his arm strength. I haven’t noticed that though since he’s been with STL, certainly not for a SS, but he hasn’t played much 3B either. He played 3B as a freshman in college, 2B as a sophomore, and SS as a junior.
If they don’t play Arenado as an everyday starter I’d expect him to go IL. He is a walking IL candidate and I can’t picture him watching from the bench for long.
gscottar
I wouldn’t mind an Arenado/Gorman platoon but otherwise they really don’t fit together on this roster. One of them needs to go. I think 2B is going to be Weatherholt. DH is occupied with Herrera and Burly. There is no other place for Gorman to play. If we can’t move Nado don’t you try to move Gorman for a pitching prospect?
Gorman should be able to take on the super-sub role and get 400-500 at-bats. He can sub for just about everyone on the team if they move people around properly. We could use Donovan in a similar fashion, but I’d prefer that he is given a regular role.
Gorman should be able to take on the super-sub role and get 400-500 at-bats. He can sub for just about everyone on the team if they move people around properly. We could use Donovan in a similar fashion, but I’d prefer that he is given a regular role.
So just do what we did this year? I’m not sure how that makes anything better. We need to de-clutter the roster. Someone needs to be moved for either pitching, salary relief, or both.
I have been thinking about who the likely trade candidates will be this winter.
1. Nolan Arenado: If the NTC can be overcome.
2. Lars Nootbaar: Trade for pitching.
3. Brendan Donovan: Trade for pitching.
4. JoJo Romero: Could trade this winter or at the deadline.Others:
Gorman- May go if Nado can’t be traded.
Burly- May go if Noot and Donnie aren’t traded.
Herrera- He definitely has value but I would keep him unless we got a big offer.
Gray- My preference would be to keep him until at least next year’s deadline.
Contreras- Not likely to be traded but a longshot.
Walker- Really has no trade value. He should start next year in AAA to try to rebuild value.We’re not going to win anything in 2026 anyway, so I’d just as soon keep Arenado so we can watch one more year of his defense and so he can retire as a Cardinal. Gorman’s defense is unreliable.
If we trade Nootbaar and Donovan, then we are left with an OF of Scott, Walker, Burleson, Herrera and Church.
Walker, Scott and Church can’t hit.
Walker and Burleson can’t defend. The question is still out on whether Herrera can make himself a passable defender.
Ok, agree above. Will we pitch better?
I’m buying if it’s for Donny / Noot value pitching coming in return.If we trade Nootbaar and Donovan, then we are left with an OF of Scott, Walker, Burleson, Herrera and Church.
Walker, Scott and Church can’t hit.
Walker and Burleson can’t defend. The question is still out on whether Herrera can make himself a passable defender.
I agree with that but Walker, Scott, and Church also have no trade value. If we want to trade for pitching we have to give something to get something. Donovan and Noot are also getting closer to the end of their arbitration years than the other guys. I am sure BDW has noticed that. $$$
This is the problem with the Cardinal roster. It is so cluttered with guys who can either hit or either defend or can’t be moved because of a NTC. It is like a rubik’s cube on steroids.
Bloom might decide he doesn’t want to beat his head against the wall trying to trade the NTC’s and just keep all three of those guys until their contracts expire. If that is the case then Gorman is on the block but you could still trade Donnie or Noot for pitching.
Donovan and Noot are also getting closer to the end of their arbitration years than the other guys. I am sure BDW has noticed that. $$$
They still won’t cost as much as their FA replacements if Bloom decides he wants to field a competent outfield.
Bloom might decide he doesn’t want to beat his head against the wall trying to trade the NTC’s and just keep all three of those guys until their contracts expire. If that is the case then Gorman is on the block but you could still trade Donnie or Noot for pitching.
The only NTC that has a chance of being traded is Arenado, but this is his third straight year of decline and I can’t see anyone willing to take more than 10% of that contract. And DeWitt hates to eat money to facilitate a trade.
They still won’t cost as much as their FA replacements if Bloom decides he wants to field a competent outfield.
You either trade them for pitching or you go into free agency for pitching. That won’t be cheap unless we are going after retreads.
The only NTC that has a chance of being traded is Arenado, but this is his third straight year of decline and I can’t see anyone willing to take more than 10% of that contract. And DeWitt hates to eat money to facilitate a trade.
Agreed. I think there is a very real chance the NTC’s are here for the duration.
If we move Donny and Noot, I don’t expect Bill to target or buy outfielders with those reclaimed funds.
If Gorman is traded then Arenado is the replacement at 3B. And vice versa. They both don’t fit as everyday players on this roster. One of them needs to go.
If Noot is traded then Donnie is the replacement in LF.
Wetherholt is the replacement at 2B.
That pretty well sums it up.
To add, if Burleson is traded, Herrera becomes the DH. Or vice-versa.
As I see it, the problem is not having replacements. The problems are:
1) They have too much overlap and
2) There are few apparent standouts, either starting now or as reserves. So cutting down on the redundancy alone is not going to make the team a lot better.My point is the only way they will substantially improve would be by turning current assets into better ones somehow. That means trades.
On the Cardinals website, and in reading through Arenado’s comments under ‘Headlines’, I think I see a different perspective from Arenado regarding the possibility of a trade. In short, it sounds to me like he just might accept a trade to a contender. But, for me, Arenado was such a great player when he was in his prime that I would just as soon see him finish up his career in St. Louis. If Arenado goes, then I think Donovan should take over third base. He has the glove and he hits well enough to hold the position.
I think they can find a buyer for Gorman. When he was having his hot streak, he was a formidable DH. Somebody will want to try their luck with him and he’s still young.
I don’t think the Cards consider Donovan a regular third baseman. He has played zero games at the position this season.
3B will be Arenado or Gorman. I suppose Saggese or Wetherholt could be slight possibilites but I see Wetherholt at 2B and Saggese as a utility guy.
Speaking of Arenado I saw a Youtube video the other night by Bernie Miklasz. He basically said that the Cardinals should consider just releasing Arenado which I found to be an outlandish idea. First of all Arenado is still the best 3B on this team regardless of his decline. Secondly, releasing him would be economic malfeasance. According to Cot’s the Cardinals owe Arenado roughly $34M over the next two seasons after factoring in deferrals. I’m not sure how much the Cardinals would have to kick in to trade him but let’s say it is $20M. Why would BDW eat $34M when he might get away with only eating $20M?
It is true that if the Cardinals DFA’d Arenado no other team would likely claim him because of the contract but as soon as he became a free agent I’m sure his phone would be ringing off the hook. It would take the Cubs five minutes to sign him on a league minimum deal.
Yep. Riding the storm out. I’ll bet ya a wooden nickel, that in the next two seasons, he won’t total 600 PA’s for us.
At a minimum, Arenado should still get at least $12 million for 2 years. I can’t see the Cardinals just letting him go either. They may have to pay the lion’s share of what is remaining, but it is still multiple millions of savings by trading him.
I think they revisit trading both Arenado and Contreras. They would trade Gray too if someone offered enough (and Gray was willing to go) but I doubt both of those situations align.
I don’t know that there is an answer at 3B. I don’t think it’s Wetherholt or Donovan. Saggese also isn’t very good defensively there. I’m not confident about Gorman but he may be the best option if no one is acquired.
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