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I don’t know what role Pallante will have. He is expensive for a middle reliever. I guess he is starter insurance. I always liked him in the minors, and thought he showed improvement in 2024, but then came the disastrous 2025. I was always hoping he would be moved to the pen, and Curtis Taylor would be added. Sorry for the 8 millionth Taylor reference, who is still a free agent surprisingly.
Rodriguez is part of a potentially good crop of International signings. Best in years. I hope the next DSL batch coming stateside aren’t another Malcolm Nunez. Rodriguez sure looks a very good young hitter. Can he stay behind the plate?
Is it possible you hold on to Arenado until the trade deadline? Any rebound might make him a little more readable.
Another idea for a signing is Márquez, the former Rockie hurler. He could probably be had on a cheap minor league deal. Give him NRI. I’ve always wondered about pitchers leaving Colorado. I always wanted Gray, another former Rockie. Either would be an easy, low cost addition
Right now it’s Liberatore, May, Dobbins, McGreevy, with Fitts and Leahy possibly in the rotation. I would guess maybe Mathews or the other Memphis prospects might be a 6th starter? Especially if they consider Leahy too valuable in the pen. If the prospects get off to fast start at AAA
I can see where the Cards don’t add any more starters. Maybe a cheap veteran. The other holes in the outfield, and lefty relievers may take priority.
I think Liberatore will have a good season. He had some arm fatigue last year due to pitching the most innings of his career.
I forgot about Pushard and Kent. They have to make the team, or are cut. Kent was picked up on waivers, so he could simply released.
And Sloan looks like a future ace. He has size, multiple plus pitches, and velocity. So if I was Seattle I wouldn’t trade him.
Connie is interesting as a switch pitcher, but I think the Cards can do better in a trade. But that does bring up a good question. If he pitches to a switch hitter, how would that work? I assume the pitcher would have to declare which arm he is going to use, and then the hitter would follow suit by batting the opposite side?
I think Imai could have been afforded. Especially if he opted out. That would be the uncertainty, if he bombed. The Cards need right handed outfield help, and could use another starter perhaps. And a lefty reliever, with the possibility of trading Romero. There is still much to do.
The Angels have a couple young starters who bombed at the MLB level. Kind of strange that they rushed these kids. 2 starters went from AA to the bigs.
It seems likely that he bullpen will be:
Svanson (co closer)
O’Brien (co closer)
Romero (co closer if not traded)
Granillo
Fitts (if not in rotation)
Leahy (if not in rotation)
Graceffo??Raquet and Thompson could be lefties out of the pen.
And I would expect a Maton like signing of a veteran.
Love, Hence, and Watson could be later season additions. Even Hjerpe.
And also, the Cards don’t have to trade Donovan yet. Perhaps an injury might get the Cards a better offer at the deadline. But I would like to see Wetherholt break camp with the team. But that doesn’t seem likly unless Donovan, Arenado or Gorman are traded.
I might be more interested in Cintje if the Mariners had dropped the left handed side of his switch pitching. He needs to work on a consistent delivery.
I have high expectations for Clarke. It all comes down to how many workable pitches he has. He has a high octane fastball and a wipeout slider. He’ll need a third pus pitch if he wants to stay as a starter.
It’s pretty easy to decide what to do with our catching depth. I think Pages would split duty with Crooks. Pozo can add depth at STL or Memphis. But all 3 catchers in the Lou could be traded, and have options. Injuries might play a role. Bernal can start in Springfield for early 2026. It’s possible Rodriguez makes it to Springfield by mid 2026. This is all assuming Herrera DHS or is in left field.
In retrospect, we should have gotten more for Tommy Edman. Both players we received we DFAd. We should have traded from prospects.
Many potential trades have been proposed, but I see no purpose for the Cards to acquire a catching prospect in a Donovan trade. We have 5 catchers on the 40 man roster. We need outfield help and a potential ace starter. If Sloan isn’t included, I would deal with other teams. One of our top lefty prospects like a Mautz could be included if the return is substantial. I’ve seen it both ways, fans of one team not understanding the needs of our team. I have also seen our posters raise potential trades where we benefit greatly. Ideally a trade helps both teams.
I’ve heard Roby is out for all of 2026. Isn’t it possible he could pitch in September at Memphis, and be ready to do some AFL outings as well. He could pitch in relief.
