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A relative of mine is the POBO of a major league team. At the winter meetings, Boras approached him about a very good free agent client player and said that the GM of the arch rival team in the division was close to signing him for a certain figure, but if my relative could beat that offer he could sign him. My relative passed on the opportunity and later in the day ran into the GM of the rival team. That GM said they had never talked to Boras about the player. The Presidents of Baseball Operations and GMs around the league have no respect for Boras.
BDW,Jr. (especially at his age) doesn’t want to go multiple seasons in the tank just to plant seeds for the future. He wants to get back in the hunt, while at the same time that he invests a bunch of money to strengthen the pipeline. That’s why it’s called a “reset”, and not a total rebuild. He knows that the team needs to have a decent season and be in the playoff hunt to keep the turnstiles moving. There’s plenty of good pitching in the pipeline. What needs to firm up is the position prospect side of the equation. The development of players like JJ Wetherholt, Jimmy Crooks, Chase Davis, Victor Scott, etc. is key.
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.
You just never know, gscottar.
I’ve been wrong with specific predictions like that many times, as I’m sure you have been.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?
What’s more of an indication of his capabilities – 513 PAs in AAA ball in 2024 or 49 PAs in winter ball?
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.
Fernandez wasn’t “horrible the last half of 2024”. He had a rough August, but that was his only bad month out of 6.
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.A number of talented starters in the Cards minor league system that can be converted to bullpen roles.
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) – 3.33JMHO, 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.I’m not a scout, JJ. And I don’t have time to look up the stats of every free agent bullpen pitcher still on the market.
When a player stays in college for a 4th year and is paid less to sign because of it, is that age discrimination? When a player seeking a long term contract who is 32 years of age is viewed differently than a 28 year old player seeking the same thing, is that age discrimination?
Kittredge was paid $2,630,000 last season on a one year contract. Hope our major league and minor league scouts can unearth another Kitt type for 2025.
Kitt was in 74 games last year with an ERA of 2.80 and WHIP of 1.132. That’s 46% of the games. Please tell me who’s going to replace that production.
Leahy in August of last year –
gave up 5 runs in 8 inningsLeahy in September of last year –
Gave up 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings.We can do a lot better.
It’s demoralizing to take a lead into the sixth inning. pull your starter, and have the middle relievers get blown out.
That’s why I’m interested to see if they’re going to add any bullpen arms. Mo said they were going to.The 3rd time through the lineup stats have put much more of a spotlight on the bullpen. Especially guys who can go more than one inning. The sixth and seventh innings have become more critical to get to the back of the bullpen guys. The high leverage guys.
The 2025 bullpen, I guess, looks like this so far –
Helsley (28) – if not traded
Romero (28)
Fernandez (26)
Liberatore (25)
King (28)
O’Brien (30)I wonder if they’ll break in a guy like Roby (23) or Robberse (23) with some bullpen experience. Then there’s Thompson (27), Granillo (24), and Loutos (26) to consider.
If McGreevy (24) earns a spot in the rotation, that also puts Matz in the bullpen mix.
If you’re really going with giving youth a shot, it seems you would go with Roby, Robberse, and Granillo over
Leahy and Roycroft.
