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Ugh! Here we go again.
I wonder at what point MLB decides to jump in and offer a standardized set of broadcast products (streaming and cable) for all teams willing to participate. RSN’s have struggled over the past decade or so.
Agree BW. I think he offers the greatest value to other teams now. Strike now while the iron is hot!
I agree “ATM”. This is this is the type of signing that makes sense. If May works out the Cardinals have options … resign or trade. I am hoping he is serviceable and can the cards can move him at the deadline.
It does not look good for Bonds or Clemens ever getting in. It would appear their contemporaries do not have much respect for either.
I like the trade for the reasons espoused by several posters. It also presents the organization with both a developmental and health management test with Clarke. We wil find out if the changes made on the player develoment side over the past year can get Clarke to become a productive major league pithcer.
I would also agree that we need to have patience with the front office. We have only seen a few moves to date with more to come. There will be more trades. I would also not rule out the signing of one of two “daimmond in the rough” free agents that the scouting department believes they can transform into productive major league contributors.
I do not think it is “go time” for the francise. They are at least a year or two away. As such, I would be shocked to see Bloom pursue any big name free agents (especially those wanting expensive multi-year deals). They already have their hands tied with Arenado and I am getting more pessimistic about his trade market. I could see Bloom signing a few cost effective free agents to one-year deals to plug some roster gaps. Then posssibly deal them at the trade deadline (e.g. a Maton-type signing).
I cannot see Bloom rushing guys thru the minors to fill the Major League roster. He was clear that there will be no short cuts. He will bring players up when he believes they are ready to compete successfully at the major league level.
I think the Cardinals will sign one or two free agents to fill out the rotation. They just will not be headline grabbing signings. I expect these players may not be the type you build around. Rather, just fulfill the short-term need.
Bloom and his “brain trust” have a thought process with these selections. I am willing to sit back and see how it plays out.
Manfred once said expansion will occur when the Tampa and Oakland situations are resolved. Does anyone think those situations have been resolved? It looks like either one could change at any moment.
I would be shocked if they put an offer in on either one. I am expecting them to find one or two mddling FA SPs and one or two middling RPs who they have found flaws with and that they believe can be corrected. I expect the contracts to be either a a one-year deal or one-year deal with a club option for a second year. IMO, the club is not close to agreeing to any large, multi-year contract signings.
Here is what I remember from the 1980’s:
– Gussie Busch wanted to win a World Series before he passed … so he hired Whitey and gave him the GM and Manager Role … Herzong excelled in rebuilding the club, winnning pennants and a World Series
– Herzong brought in McDonald to serve as GM around 1982 so he could focus on Managing
– Things worked well through 1987. After that, Gussie slowed down the Brewery Management became more involved … the beginning of the end of the era.
– Herzong becamme frustrated with the people overseeing the ball club as he felt they constrained him due to their lack of knowledge and experience in running a baseball organizationThe club only had four winning seasons between 1988 and 1995. They never made the playoffs. The best thing they did was hire Walt Jocketty within a year of selling the team. The new owners let Walt wheel and deal.
I am an optimist … I see the Bloom hire as something similar to the Herzog hiring. He will call the shots and has a lot of room to run. I believe he has already provided ownership with a roadmap for succcess. I see the club being a playoff contender in two or three seasons as long as ownershio does not meddle and pull “John Henry-like” moves.
Wow! A .500 road trip … did not expect that playing the power house NL West Teams at home! Now I hope they can spank the Cubbies this weekend!
I was also unaware that Baker had been placed on waivers. However, I am not surprised by the move. I did not see a place for him on the major league roster or see the Redbirds getting much for him in a trade. Wish him all the best moving forward.
I would expect the Cardinals Free Agent signings in advance of the 2026 season to be similar in quality and cost to those made by Tampa Bay over the past several years. I would be shocked to see moves similar to those made by Herzog when he took over. No big names or contracts thru Free Agency. I expect modest signings, most likely short-term deals to improve the roster. They will trade pieces off the current roster, but I do not expect any big returns.
I understand your thoughts Jnevel. However, if the Redbirds are sellers I would think that Mo may end up being the front man in name only. I read that Mo was quoted earlier this year as saying that the transition will start in August. I would think that ownerhip would ask to move that transition date forward as the franchise looks towards the future. I would want Bloom heavily involved in trade discussions and talent evaluation. Next year is effectively starting now and I certainly hope that ownership will not want a lame duck making personnel decisions that will effect the 2026 Roster.
IMO, it is time to sell. However, there are NTC’s that may prevent moving some players. Also, I do not want the club to rush prospects to the majors as they have done in the past … this approach did not work out well for some of the younger players on the major league club (e.g. Walker, Gorman) … it is not easy to develop your skill set at the major league level.
Position Players:
1. I would be shocked to see Arenado agree to waive his NTC. He clearly is on the decline offensively and I cannot see him agreeing to go to a major market and face a tough press corps the next two seasons.
2. Shop Nootbar. Guy has trouble posting and his statistics are on a downward trend over the past three seasons.
3. Shop Siani – you will not get much – maybe there is a club that needs a good defensive outfielder.
4. Shop Baker – you will not get much – there is a log jam around 1B and maybe there is a club that is willing to take flyer on Luken.Pitchers:
1. Shop Helsley, Matz and Mouton – all three are on expiring contacts and there will be interest. The Redbirds shoud be able to get value for each of these with Helsey garnering the most value.
2. Shop Romero – I imagine there will be interest and he becomes a free agent in 2027. You could get value as a club is purchasing the remainder of this year and next.
3. Shop Mikolas and Fedde – I would be surprised if there is any interest. Not sure you get much back for either due performancue and limited duration of time left on their contracts. If there are no takers, Fedde should be moved to the pen or offered a stint at Memphis to get things straightened out.