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A disappointing team is trying to unload salary late in the season.
Sources: Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez, outfielder TJ Friedl available on waivers. Story, unlocked and free to read: https://t.co/ZBXIWEyGcM
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 27, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have two dudes running their scouting department that never even played college baseball.
Didn't work their way through the scouting ranks.
Neither has ever signed a major league player.
They will now teach the Cubs scouts how to evaluate.
I guess anyone can…— Next Level Baseball (@nextlevelbb) August 27, 2026
The #stlcards' first place Double-A Springfield is flying high on an eight-game winning streak. In the last six games, Jesus Baez and Texas League Player of the Week Rainiel Rodriguez combined for 10 home runs, four doubles and 21 RBI while hitting .415. https://t.co/4DK2oPfloJ pic.twitter.com/pnkgKwAy5R
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 27, 2026
Yes, there would be a ripple affect all the way down, with as many as 10 Double-A players playing a level up to replace the 40-man players locked out, for example. That means more High-A players will be with Springfield, etc. The Cardinals may also be more aggressive signing minor league free agents this fall to help fill the lockout gap.
Of course, this isn’t Cardinals specific. Every organization will have the same issues, but everyone may or may not go about dealing with it the same way. I spoke about this lockout gap a week ago on the podcast.
The #stlcards system was 4-0 on Wed. TCN’s Players of the Day, the Springfield offense, scored 14 runs, led by Jack Gurevitch, two HRs & five RBI, Jesús Báez, two doubles, a HR, four RBI, & Tai Peete, three RBI. Other standouts: Mason Molina & Ty Van Dyke. https://t.co/ftPzdkm1l9 pic.twitter.com/vTiGoD4rcc
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 27, 2026
I get that the world loves the Rocket City Trash Pandas and the like. It just seems to me that the game isn’t being taken seriously. Will it all soon be like the Savannah Bananas?
If you were an aspiring player, would you be proud to wear a uniform that says, “Trash Pandas” on the front? It reminds me of my days playing beer league softball.
Springfield has already had the Cashew Chickens and Ozarks Snipe Hunters as “alternate identities”. I can’t wait to see how they top them with their new “permanent” name. Maybe they can swing an endorsement at the same time and call themselves the Springfield Bass Pros. Think of the cross-promotional opportunities. New mascot: Big Mouth Billy Bass!
Good points, but the normal Rule 5 protection date is before 12/1 so there could a a lot of 40-man change beyond regular free agency. An extreme approach could be to DFA marginal 40-man guys so they can play next season. Of course, this assumes teams accept that there will be a long lockout and take action accordingly. All speculation…
But to your main point, yes Rainiel will play in 2027, which is good timing for him. Also, during a lockout, all Triple-A rosters will be weaker than usual, which should help a good hitter.
None of these former 19-year-old Double-A stars washed out, though Vlad Jr. has been struggling in 2026 after five straight killer MLB seasons.
Best seasons by OPS from 19 year-olds in AA:
Vlad Guerrero Jr. – 1.120
Andruw Jones – 1.107
Gregg Jefferies – 1.021
Adrián Beltré – .992
Rainiel Rodriguez – .989 currentlyClosest comp overall is Beltre, but Rodriguez has substantially more power than AA Beltre did. #stlcards https://t.co/G7TF3uQooe
— Tim Nicolai (@tim_nicolai) August 26, 2026
Nothing against Mr. Alou, as he was a fine player and respected manager, but his view is also opinion, though probably based on years of observation. I don’t accept it as fact just because it appeared in print.
P.S. The quote bikemike shared was simply that some 19 year olds will be better physically at 23 and some will not. While it is impossible to argue with that vague but logical generalization, it gives us zero insight into Rodriguez’ future.
I was looking for something data driven that says studies indicate that x percent of 19 year olds’ bodies develop positively later and y percent don’t. A study that says a Double-A player is less projectable at age 19 than one at the same level who is four years older (23), for example. (I am especially skeptical of the latter point.)
There is uncertainty at every corner in player development. There is no dispute about that. But there should also be some order, some rules of thumb expectation based on data, not just personal observation that can vary by the individual.
Not everyone is liking the name change.
We as Cardinals Nation don’t want this change!
Make your voices heard. @Sgf_Cardinals #STLCards pic.twitter.com/SssT6hNDFx
— Former Cardinals (@FormerRedbirds) August 26, 2026
MLB’s proposed salary cap for 2027: $245.3M.
The Dodgers already have $455M committed to player salaries for 2027.
That’s nearly $210 MILLION above the proposed cap before the 2027 season even begins.Under MLB’s proposal, 8 teams would have to cut a combined $578M in payroll.…
— Michaela Bennett (@MichaelaB_22) August 26, 2026
Since the Springfield team is not owned by the Cardinals anymore, their owners probably want their own branding and full merchandizing $$$.
I doubt Springfield will give up any more core players until their season ends. They’re playing very well, should win their division in 2H and be the favorite to take the league crown.
On the other hand, Memphis has little momentum right now, but they serve as the reserves for St. Louis. So the longer they play, the better.
JMO, but dropping a few Springfield standouts onto the Memphis roster during the playoffs could be perceived as a slight to the players who’ve been in Triple-A all season and who would get pushed off the active roster at that time. Maybe if there is an opening due to an injury…
We talked about Sandro Santana on the podcast. I likened his situation to Gastelum’s at this time last year.
Repeaters are not unheard of, but are unusual. As I noted in the article, Clemente went to the 2025 AFL. Aim for four pitchers, jnevel. Think of a starter, too. I don’t think Holiday is experienced enough for that assignment. Though they’ve sent starters more than once and had them throw an inning at a time as a reliever, so I am not saying Holiday couldn’t be on the list.
Kyle said on the podcast that he doesn’t think that RR’s defensive versatility plans are as specific (3B) as they are being reported.
This odd June 9 start date was clearly selected to make him look as good as possible, but the results over 2 1/2 months compared to all of MiLB are still very, very impressive.
C Rainiel Rodriguez (ranks among all 430 MiLB players with at least 200 PA) since June 9th:
.374 AVG (1st)
.433 OBP (12th)
.712 SLG (3rd)
1.145 OPS (1st)156 TB (2nd)
82 H (5th)
38 XBH (4th)
18 HR (T4th)
20 2B (T6th)The 19-year-old has accomplished this while playing as the… pic.twitter.com/BgcrvR8E8s
— Cardinals Player Development (@CardsPlayerDev) August 26, 2026
The #stlcards system was 2-2 on Tuesday. TCN’s Player of the Day, Springfield 3B Deniel Ortiz, was 3-for-3 with a double, a two-run HR, a walk and three RBI. Other standouts: Liam Doyle, Josiah Ragsdale, Rainiel Rodriguez, Cade Crossland and Caden Ferraro. https://t.co/0eBKd7DQJd pic.twitter.com/tsPeZ1N6zF
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 26, 2026
Our podcast starts with MLB injuries, innings limits and replacements. An AFL primer and how the labor situation may impact international ball. Injuries to Henderson and Padilla and Springfield standouts Clemente, Santana, Doyle, Baez and Rodriguez. https://t.co/Fci7dRCla8 pic.twitter.com/xsu8a1QgVI
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 26, 2026
The Peoria Chiefs had a rough week, dropping five of six at Lansing before winning the opener at West Michigan. #stlcards LHP prospect Cade Crossland made two starts totaling 10 IP, allowing just two runs on five hits, three walks and 16 strikeouts. https://t.co/JGby4v82Go pic.twitter.com/RjXp2sMhJV
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) August 26, 2026
There is no published schedule. Last year, rosters were announced on September 10.
How big is each organization's pro scouting department?
Asked around and went through all the media guides to try and compile a snapshot.
It's not perfect, these numbers are not exact and some teams (MIL) use same people for amateur/pro side, but hopefully this is instructive. pic.twitter.com/3KF86S7yBe
— Jake Mintz (@Jake_Mintz) August 25, 2026
KCB said:
You have been watching too much Ted Lasso Brian.
Funny you should mention that. I have been delaying watching the new season because of baseball.
My point is that if he hasn’t played second for a year, he probably isn’t going to play there now. If the Cards had plans for him to be a utilityman, I would hope they would have prepared him for that in Memphis. But there, he was exclusively a third baseman and DH. That’s it.
The last 2 1/2 months at Memphis, Gorman played zero games at 2B. Before that, in 62 games with StL, Gorman played zero games at 2B. That brings his 2026 grand total to zero games at 2B. My guess is that JJ stopped that experiment cold and I hope they don’t rekindle it now. That wouldn’t be fair to him or wise for the team.