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It’s all a 40 man roster crunch, and also the fact LF is going to be Nootbaar as soon as he can. Until then it’s Church with Fermin and Saggese. Adding the versatility of OF to Saggese will only make him that much more valuable and being able to plug him in anywhere.
My Spectrum (Evansville, IN) guide now has a channel that is off air labeled CARD at channel 535 and another labeled CINR at channel 541, so at least I have answers. I haven’t been able to find any updates for you DirecTV users.
Now I just need to be able to link my Spectrum account to the MLB account so I can watch at work. The internet at work is behind a VPN and won’t allow me to watch regional channels, but I can work around by linking the accounts together.
The main issue with doing it after the season is the weather and football. It would be held in November when the weather is awful and they would be competing with College and NFL football and we all know for the majority of Americans football wins those fights.
In case I haven’t mentioned it lately I really loathe the WBC. Seeing countries play against each other does absolutely nothing for me. All this silly tournamanet accomplishes is to mess up spring training or get players hurt.
I really don’t care one way or another. It’s fun to watch at times. But at the same time when you have players like Torres who could be battling for a MLB roster spot, but instead is playing for Puerto Rico in the WBC it doesn’t make sense. Same could be said for Graceffo and Saggese playing for team Italy. I don’t mind as much Levenson or Mendlinger playing because they weren’t going to make the MLB team, but they sure could leave an impression with some people deciding their career future. I think the WBC means more to the Dominican countries and the Asian countries than it does to most American’s though.
When I had DirectTV stream I had to have a higher package to get Fan Duel to watch them too. So it probably won’t be included in the base package.
I would expect Baez to be in AAA, since he’s never played above AA, and be playing LF mostly. If he can continue to progress and they are able to find a trade partner for Nootbaar at some point in the season it would open LF for Baez. Then going forward he could move to RF if needed. But they are going to use the next 2 seasons to figure out who to build around and keep loading up prospects and have options available as they go forward.
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They have officially announced they will be on Spectrum and DiretTV as part of the provider package if you are in the viewing area.
You realize Walker is still not yet 24 and Scott is only 25. You have pretty lofty expectations of the young guys it seams. I’m not sold on either, but they deserve a shot to prove themselves. I’m hopeful Walker can become a productive hitter. I’m less sold on Scott, I don’t have high expectations of a player who’s only true elite skill is speed, but maybe he can develop into a serviceable CF. They have been getting Saggese work in LF and CF. I think he could become a super utility and playing a lot and all over the place, especially vs LHP. It’s looking more and more likely Nootbaar won’t be ready for opening day, though I read he remains hopeful. But the leadoff situation gets really complicated without him. I’m not a fan of Herrera hitting leadoff, like they’ve done in spring. I wouldn’t be against
1. Wetherholt – 2B (L)
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Burleson – 1B (L)
4. Herrera – DH (R)
5. Gorman – 3B (L)
6. Saggese – LF (R)
7. Crooks – C (L)
8. Walker – RF (R)
9. Scott – CF (L)Urias – IF (R), Fermin – IF/LF (R), Church-OF/Torres-OF/2B (L), Pages – C (R)
And a time or 2 a week get Herrera behind the plate, Gorman at DH, and Urias at 3B.Still haven’t figured out if I’m supposed to pay somebody to watch Cardinals baseball games on Direct TV. I guess I’ll figure it out eventually.
From what I have read, if you previously had Fan Duel that carried the Cardinals on DirecTV, or cable provider, then there should be a channel within the next few weeks released that will carry the Cardinals.TV as part of your package. I’ve read some carriers may make it part of a higher package or sports package and not part of their base package. Don’t know though and that could be for some of the other teams in other areas MLB has taken over. I assume it’s not released yet because they are still negotiating the cost of this channel with the carriers.
1. Nootbaar – LF (L) – if healthy and ready
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Burleson – 1B (L)
4. Herrera – DH (R) – still would like to see him catch some
5. Gorman – 3B (L)
6. Pages – C (R)
7. Wetherholt – 2B (L) – I don’t see him not making the team, lead-off man quickly?
8. Walker – RF (R) – Hopefully the adjustments make a difference a moves his way up the order
9. Scott – CF (L)1. Urias – IF (R)
2. Fermin – IF/LF (R)
3. Church – OF (L)
4. Crooks – C (L) – Pozo?If Nootbaar isn’t healthy the leadoff spot is very, very muddy and maybe Wetherholt is there way before most expect. Church probably plays LF, with Fermin against LHP, and Torres making the team as the 26th man. With the signing of Urias, I think Saggese is probably bound for AAA, unless Wetherholt does start the season in AAA.
As for the back-up catcher, I would keep Crooks over Pozo, for the fact Bernal is probably the AAA catcher and they are both gold glovers who need to be catching and not DH. I’m still of the belief I would trade Pages and let Harrera catch 60% and DH 40%, with Crooks getting those 40% starts behind the plate and Pozo in AAA if Herrera can’t handle the catching load then it becomes Crooks job to prove hes the guy, with Pozo recalled as his back-up, with Bernal and Rainel in the minors keep pushing for the future. Especially with Urias on the roster now too, he could play 3B often on the days Herrera is catching and have Gorman as the DH.I am torn between the 2. I think Yadi spending his whole career as a Cardinal is important, but Pujols is one of the very best to ever play the game and his 10 year run to start his career was worthy of a hall of fame induction. I think I have to vote Pujols, but there are arguments to be made for Yadi for sure and I wouldn’t disagree with anyone who voted Yadi over Pujols.
I’m to young to remember George Hendrick but heard my dad talk of him on the early 80’s teams.
Brian Jordan was very underrated, but not a Cardinals Hall of Fame good, hes a hall of very good for 3 of his seasons with the Cardinals. I will say though, I met him during spring training one year of my late elementary or early middle school aged years and he was super nice and stood and had a conversation with me for at least 10-15 minutes, way longer than I ever expected and he took a photo with me. The following Cardinals Caravan when it came to Evansville he was part of it and I went and got him to sign the photo and he and had a conversation with me and laughed about the photo. So he definitely goes into my hall of fame for being good guy and cool memories for me.
Arizona is in need of OF help and LHRP help. I could see teaming up with them again sending Nootbaar and Romero their way. I think Nootbaar’s surgery has teams wanting him to prove he’s healthy before they trade for him though. I really like Ryan Waldschmidt in AZ, I don’t expect those 2 to be able to bring him back to STL, but hes never played above AA and they are considering him breaking camp with the team because they are in need of OF’s. Nootbaar may not be a perfect match there though either because they are already LH heavy. I do really like Tommy Troy and a package around him could happen. He could be a RH Donovan type with the ability to play CF on top of it and be a fall back option if Scott isn’t the answer in CF or could shift Wetherholt to 3B, if Gorman isn’t the answer, and Troy could play 2B.
Satellite/Cable Viewing Options FAQ
Can I still watch Cardinals games through my satellite or cable provider?
Yes. Cardinals.TV will be available on a variety of cable and satellite providers. Specific providers and channel locations will be announced closer to the start of the season.Found this, but no specifics yet.
Yeah Rat, just south of you here in the Evansville area and normally would get FD Indiana which carried the Cardinals and FD Ohio which carried the Reds. Occasionally FD Indiana extra would have the Royals on, but not very often.
Have they announced the cable coverage yet? I had DirevTV Stream and watched on Fan Duel, but shortly after the season was able to get more and pay much less switching to Spectrum, which still carried Fan Duel. But now that doesn’t matter. I’d really like to not have to buy the Cardinals.tv and just watch them the same way I’ve been paying to watch them for 20 years and not have to pay more on top of my Spectrum I already pay for. I know I saw something about Spectrum having “Matrix Midwest” but it also said select coverage.
Forsch, I couldn’t agree more. I’m not big on the return, I think Peete and Lemonjello are very overrated, and Ledbetter might not be very exciting but probably has a higher floor than Peete. Odd they are LH heavy, which leads to Donovan being more tradable and Nootbaar being mentioned a lot, but yet acquire 2 more LH hitters. Maybe I’m very wrong about the return, but if this is what the market was then I’m not sure it was worth it as much as I was in board with moving him fitter the right return to really boost this overhaul.
I wad all for trading Donovan in the right package. I don’t know that this will be it. Jurrangelo Cijntje is very overrated in my eyes and why STL didn’t match well with SEA for this trade, I don’t like the prospects they’d be willing to part with. When I saw the Rays were involved I was very hopeful my Brody Hopkins prediction was going to happen, but doesn’t seem likely.
I still think:
Donnie gets traded
Jo Jo gets traded
Noot gets traded
We sign one of Andujar, Hays, or Bader1B- Burly
2B- Wetherholt
SS- Winn
3B- Gorman and Saggese
LF- Church or Andujar or Hays
CF-Scott
RF- Walker (sigh)
DH-HerreraI’m in the same boat, and I know you said Crooks being traded, I think it should be Pages. Tampa’s trade for Lux may have squashed my latest idea of sending Donovan and Pages to Tampa; Nootbaar, Romero, and Prieto to Arizona with a prospect from Tampa and the Cardinals getting SP-Brody Hopkins and OF-Jamie Quinn-Irons from Tampa and OF-Ryan Waldschmidt and IF/CF-Tommy Troy from Arizona. I think to Donovan options are getting limited to mostly San Francico and Seattle, maybe the Yankees. I see a lot about Montes and Cijntje from Seattle and I don’t like either of them.
I like the idea of signing Andujar, but he would DH mostly for me to start the year and get some LF and 1B time. I want to see Harrera behind the plate again about 60% of the time and DH the other 40% letting Crooks have that 40%. Pozo has options and can start the year in AAA and if Herrera can’t handle the catching the go with Crooks and Pozo, until Bernal and or Rainiel are ready to get their chances in the future.
Something like
1. Wetherholt -2B (L)
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Burleson – 1B (L)
4. Herrera – C (R)
5. Gorman – 3B (L)
6. Andujar – DH (R)
7. Church – LF (L)
8. Walker – RF (R)
9. Scott – CF (L)
Saggese- IF (R), Fermin- IF/OF (R), Torres-OF(L), Crooks- C (L)
But also why I liked the idea of adding a legit SP prospect like Hopkins in the trade for Donovan and also getting Waldschmidt who could move into LF or RF sooner rather than later and a guy like Troy who could take CF if Scott proves hes not an everyday player or if Gorman isn’t the answer at 3B, Wetherholt could shift to 3B and Troy and Saggese could get 2B and start shaking things out for the future of who is built around.Trade 1)
Arenado, Romero, and $18 million (paid 12/6) to Seattle for Comp B pick, OF- Korbyn Dickerson(A+), UT- Brock Rodden (AAA)Trade 2)
Nootbaar, Contreras, and $16 million (paid 8/8) to New York Mets for 3B/1B/LF-Jacob Reimer (AA), SP-Jack Wenninger (AA-AAA), RP-Ryan Lambert (AA-AAA)Trade 3)
St. Louis Gets: OF-Ryan Waldschmidt (AA-AAA)(AZ), 2B/CF- Tommy Troy (AAA)(AZ), SP-Brody Hopkins (AA-AAA)(TB)
Arizona Gets: 2B- Donovan (STL), IF-Prieto (STL), SP-Baz (TB), SP- Pepiot (TB)
Tampa Bay Gets: C-Pages (STL), OF- Koperniak (STL), 2B-Marte (AZ), Comp A pick (AZ)Sign- DH-Miguel Andujar (1 year/$3million), RP-Luke Weaver (1/$2), RP-Justin Wilson (1/$1.5), RP-Drew Pomeranz (1/$2)
1. Wetherholt – 2B (L)
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Burleson – 1B (L)
4. Herrera – C/DH (R)
5. Gorman – 3B (L)
6. Andujar – DH(1B/LF/3B) (R)/Crooks- C (L)
7. Church/Fermin/Saggese – LF (L/R/R)
8. Walker – RF (R)
9. Scott – CF (L)Saggese – IF/LF(R), Fermin – IF/LF (R), Torres – OF(L), Crooks – C (L)
Liberatore(L), McGreevy, Fitts, Leahy, Pallante
Kent, Pushard, Pomeranz(L), Fernandez, Svanson, Wilson(L), Weaver, O’Brien
I don’t know if Kent was awarded a 4th option year officially or not so I went ahead and put him here. Obviously, Pushard is Rule 5 pick and would have to be kept on the active roster.
In AAA:
Troy plays 2B and CF. If Scott isn’t the answer in CF then Troy can start getting looks. If Gorman isn’t the answer at 3B then Wetherholt can shift to 3B and Troy and Saggese can get looks at 2B while also being Utility.
Waldshmidt and Baez are both RH hitters and can start making their case for LF spot and possibly RF spot to if Walker doesn’t show improvement.
Pozo available to C depth, Bernal keep progressing hopefully. If Herrera can’t stay behind the plate at least 60% of games then give Crooks more time with Pozo recalled for depth until Bernal is ready to get a look to compete with Crooks.
Have Roycroft, Raquet, Graceffo, Granillo all on the 40-man for the shuttle back and forth, possibly Hence too if he can be healthy.2026 would be a rough year, figure some things out, and have depth from A+ all the way though AAA to keep progressing and building from within to be ready to call upon a few for 2027 and more for 2028 and hopefully be competitive in 2028.
Pages isn’t bringing a bag of cracker jacks back.
I think his value is pretty good, probably higher than Nootbaar right now. Would bring back by himself more than a lot of the other names we’re all mentioning here as “tradable”, other than Donovan.
Crooks could fail, just like every other prospect. But hes hit at every level and hes highly regarded behind the plate. I give him a chance and if Bernal and or Raniel over the next 2 years prove they are the real deal then Crooks is either easy to move on from, a good trade piece, or makes one of them a top prospect trade chip to load up an area of need.
I think Church is a 4th OF, he’s bringing back little, less than Pages. And I’m not sold on Scott at all. He has good defensive value. But guys with speed as their number 1 skill is tough. They have to be on base to use that skill and they are 1 leg injury away from losing a half step that no longer makes them relevant at all. I know pitching at the MLB and AAA level is pretty thin, they do have some promising arms as you go a bit deeper. But they did with Hence too and he can’t stay healthy. But this OF could be a mess. I understand wating to get a look at Torres, but let’s not forget hes 5’7″ 165, 28 years old, and was signed out of independent ball.
If, and big if, they can move Donovan, Arenado, Contreras, Pages, maybe Nootbaar (but who knows if they have Nootbaar when he’s available) you’re looking at
1. Wetherholt – 2B (L)
2. Winn – SS (R)
3. Burleson – 1B (L)
4. Herrera – C/DH (R)
5. Gorman – 3B (L)
6. ??? – DH (R)/Crooks – C (L)
7. Church – LF (L)
8. Walker – RF (R)
9. Scott – CF (L)Saggese – IF/LF (R), Fermin – IF/LF (R), Torres – OF (L), Crooks – C (L)
Still a lot of LH redundancy, Prieto and Koperniak on the 40 man in AAA LH also, and a very questionable OF.Church and Crooks are trade bait in my mind since they are highly redundant
I think Pages should be moved before Crooks. Pages value is high. Let Herrera have another shot at Catching 60% of the time with Crooks getting the other 40% and let Herrera DH those days. If Herrera needs to go back to full time DH then Crooks gets a shot at full time and Pozo backing him up and Bernal in AAA awaiting his chance at getting time with Crooks or over Crooks.
As for Church. I could see it. But also could see LF being quite the “black hole” this season. I think as is stands now Burleson will get time out there and some at DH. But if Contreras is moved, Burleson takes 1B where he belongs. Church I think is first up in LF, assuming Nootbaar isn’t ready or not with the team. And LF could be a Church, Torres, probably Fermin getting time out there and hope Baez wasn’t a flash in the pan and can develop to get a chance by 2027 in LF or possibly RF if Walker can’t prove he can take steps forward.Seattle is looking for 3B and LH RP help.
I say Arenado, Romero, and $16 million (11 in 2026 paying half of what Colorado isn’t and 5 in 2027) for Comp Round B pick, A-A+ ball OF Korbyn Dickerson, and another minor leaguer around Dickerson’s value, which isn’t super high.Then get serious about who’s making the offer you can’t refuse for Donovan. And if something comes along for Contreras, Pages, or Nootbaar you can’t pass up do it. I think Nootbaar needs to be traded, but the injury makes me worry the return isn’t what it would be, being this injury has kept others out over a full season. But if I could swap Noot to the LF needy Dodgers for River Ryan I’d do it quickly.
I think Pages value is as high as it’s ever going to be and with Crooks and all the catchers in the minors it makes sense. Herrera wants to get behind the plate again and I’d open the year with Herrera part time C and part time DH with Crooks and if he becomes full time DH then Pozo was re-signed as depth until it’s between Crooks and Bernal for now.
I think Cleveland is probably the best match for Donovan. They are always watching money and Donovan is affordable, 2B is a need, and they have prospects to make it happen. Contreras could make sense going there too, if the Cardinals covered enough.
I read somewhere the Cardinals were interested in LH RP Yuki Matsui when he came out of Japan and they could possibly take a flyer on his “bad contract” to help off set one of their bad contracts too if they were to match up with San Diego on something.
I don’t know how they would match up with Atlanta but they have some arms I really like for not having a highly rated system, including Luke Sinnard. He’s not a highly touted prospect coming back from TJ surgery last year, but he’s 6’8″ with mid 90’s fastball and good breaking stuff all generating good K numbers with solid control.In four years, Houston went from the #9 to #30 payroll. That’s payroll-shedding at its most extreme.
Yes they were shedding payroll, but it wasn’t the main focus. They still took on an expiring bad contract or 2 in that time to improve prospect return. The main point I was making is this isn’t a “tank” for the purpose of getting top 5 draft picks the next 4 years as they did. It’s about shedding big contracts the ownership doesn’t want to pay and being cost effective and building a deep minor league system.
You say “the minor league system is very sub-par.” This is as accurate as the Astros payroll observation. The Cardinal farm system is distinctly above average right now. Fangraphs has them #2 in the sport, which is too high by perhaps 5-7 slots. But it’s good-to-very good. Link: https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/farm-system-rankings
Ok, how about the system has no MLB ready prospects and is bloated on a lot of lower level guys. Weatherholt is MLB ready, LH hitting 2B that makes Donovan more of a redundancy. The pitching is thin with lots of injury and question marks. I wouldn’t say the syetem is good, average at best, with the potential of being good if a lot of these low level guys prove they are legitimate prospects, Baez isn’t a flash in the pan prospect. Gorman and Walker aren’t going back to AAA and they have no value right now. 2026 and 2027 are developing at the MLB level and who’s being built around and who moves on. Accept the fact St. Louis is a smaller market and the way of business isn’t going to be aging veterans or large contracts going forward they will do little in free agency. This administration will want a strong system with multiple guys able to shuffle back and forth to AAA, and trade guys approaching free agency when they have high value and have a system ready to replace the guy. Building from within and being cost effective.