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Good session this week. Looks like the 1B question has been solved with the Contreras announcement. And it’s interesting that both he and Gray have now said that they want to stay in St. Louis.
Gray has now said that he also wants to stay. That’s 2 of the top 5 salaries, which leaves Arenado, Mikolas, and Matz as possible trade chips. Plus of course Helsley.
If Saggese carries this kind of performance throughout ST, he could be making a case for being the starting second baseman.
Donovan would be the super floater.My vote is again for Jimmy Crooks. Mainly because he’s progressed well as a pro. JJ might be better in the long run, but he hasn’t proven himself yet.
My vote again is for the Cardinals designee as Position Player of the Year in 2024 – Sooner Jimmy Crooks. Both good bat and good field.
If trades involve guys like Arenado, Gray, Fedde, Contreras,
Mikolas, Matz, or Helsley, I’m anxious to see the new guys coming in.Letting Goldy, Lynn, and Gibson go, and somehow trading Mikolas (eating some of his salary) is a good way to lower team payroll, even with the 6 arbitration raises. You then stay competitive and in the hunt. Somehow, someway they need to get Walker and Gorman playing up to their high ceilings.
From a PR and marketing standpoint, it’s probably important to BDW that the Cardinals are competitive next season. That means keeping Arenado, Contreras, Gray, and Helsley.
As far as Walker, there’s no way you trade him. He’s only 22 and a big part of the Cardinals future. MOTO bat for years to come.
Saggese was named the second basemen on the 2023 all minor league All Star team. He’s not going to sit on a major league bench for long. Maybe Donovan plays LF, like he did at times in 2024.
Saggese so far in the AFL this Fall –
batting .400 with an OPS of 1.265.
He’s making a heckuva case for himself.It takes young players time to mature. Let’s hope Walker’s September numbers carry over into 2025 and he’s really ready now – .780 OPS, with
5 home runs in 25 games.Jnevel – Gary LaRocgue has retired.
Let’s look at what happened in 2024.
Mo had gotten some talented pitchers in July 2023 – Roby, Robberse, Kloffenstein, and Rom who were all at the AAA or AA level. He then went out and signed Gray as an ace, as well as inning eaters Lynn and Gibson to tide the Cards over and see which of the 4 new pitchers would earn a spot with the Cardinals in 2024 and 2025. All 4 of them got injured. To complete the perfect storm, Gorman and Walker didn’t step up as expected and neither Goldy or Arenado bounced back.So what’s the Cardinals’ answer? Reduce payroll by letting Goldy go, not exercize the options on Lynn and Gibson, and strengthen the minor league feeder system with much better coaching. But at the same time remain in the hunt for the Central next season. I don’t think this is a tear down. Just a readjustment or “reset”. And hopefully some of those injured pitchers will be able to help sometime in 2025. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
