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Reportedly, half o the teams in MLB have inquired about Donovan. The Dodgers have shown time and time again, that when they want something, they are almost unstoppable. If the Red Sox don’t resign Bregman, then third base is a problem for them. They could probably get Donovan relatively cheap, if they take Arenado in a trade that doesn’t require the Cardinals to eat an excessive amount of his salary. The Red Sox are serious about winning now. The Dodgers are always serious about winning now. The Mariners can’t be ruled out yet although no new rumors regarding Donovan to the Mariners have been reported. The Mariners, apparently, are prepared to go with the runner up roster that they had in 2025 since they haven’t done much to improve their roster this offseason. Then, there is the possibility of a ‘mystery team’ emerging.
The last thing that I ever want to hear about a player is that he can be ‘lackadaisical’ ‘a certain type of malaise’ ‘some half-hearted throws from both third and second’ (Kyle) and ‘I, too, had heard the rumors about Baez’ lackadaisical play at times’ (Brian). In other words, to me it sounds like this kid is just plain lazy at times. He may be highly talented. But I have to wonder what he is going to be like over a long, full season. It is clearly wait and see with Jesus Baez. But if he truly lacks certain intangibles, then he needs to have some sort of epiphany to help him find the vibe, and that, of course, is always a possibility. I guess the Cardinals have him in their top 10 solely because of his athleticism and the potential that stems from that.
All those strikeouts definitely grab your attention. But bb is right and Brian acknowledges the challenge off assessing a player who who seemingly strikes everybody our while racking up a so many walks. Plus he was awarded Pitcher of the Year, so the Cardinals must have high hopes for Davis, and with that, so do many fans. This is an intriguing prospect, definitely one to keep to watch.
Bob – Love your post. I’ve never studied metrics and so don’t relate to them very well. I do understand that metrics are highly valued by many and are used as a tool to assess a players worth. I’m more of a common fan who goes by the eye test, and by intuition, and admittedly by pure emotions at times. I believe that my way of assessing is legitimate. Still, I do value the metrics and take them into consideration when someone offers them. So thanks again.
Ji-cf-stl – I’m pretty sure that the Mariners’ reluctance to trade Sloan or Anderson is not about winning. As they say ‘It’s the money, stupid. It’s always about the money’. If they have Sloan and Anderson, assuming that they both develop as anticipated, they won’t have to spend big bucks to extend one or two of their proven veteran pitchers. Without backups like Sloan and Anderson, the nearly destitute owner of the Mariners might have to borrow cash from, say, WDWJr.
It seems obvious that Donovan was utility guy only because the Cardinals didn’t have a place to play him regularly. Gorman was at second base, Arenado was at third base, and they needed to get Burleson’s bat in lineup for his offense. But Donny is a gamer. He’ll play wherever they want him to.
It would help the Mariners’ chances to win now by getting better at third base, second base, and, really, at first base, also. If they believe taht the prospects that they have can give them what they need, so be it. There’s a market for Donovan. There’s a team that doesn’t care if he’s going to be a free agent in a year because if they like him enough, they will extend him. If LaRussa could get any of Donovan, Romero, Arendao, or even Burleson for prospects, he would be all over it. Obviously, Bloom will eventually get the best deal he can.
Despite the optimistic projections the Mariners will be kicking themselves if they fall short when they had the chance to win big by winning now. As far as the Mariners acquiring a demonstrably elite player, why even bother to bring it up? The Mariners can’t afford it. BTW, I’m okay with letting Burleson go in the right deal because I like the idea of Ivan Herrera playing first base for the Cardinals. I also believe that Arenado would help them at third base for reasons previously stated. For the Mariners to not make some sort of big move move would be kind of weak, kind of small time, IMO.
Come on, 1982 Willie. Don’t be such a grinch. What about if we, at least, give Koperniak a few major league AB’s so he can get a Cardinals jersey and have a story to tell his kids some day? It’s not as if our beloved Cardinals are going to be chasing a flag in 2026.
CFIC – I agree. I will be very interested to see what Brian and Kyle have to say about Jesus Baez, in particular. I checked around and I couldn’t figure out why the Cardinals even have him in their top 10.
No, BW, I didn’t get the ball and I don’t know who hit it, darn it! All I got was that dent in the roof of my brand new Buick and a lesson on parking at small stadiums.
I went to Dozer park one time for a game, and parked close to the stadium thinking that I was lucky to find a parking spot so close. Little did I know that I was parking in a wrecking zone. Some player hit a HR out of the park and the ball landed right on the roof of my brand new Buick leaving a dent in it. The locals who apparently knew about the danger of parking there probably thought that was funny.
I’ll be paying closer attention to Lin going forward. I hadn’t thought about him being 6’7” with a very good pitching motion and a 100 MPH fastball. Sounds like his off speed pitch and his splitter are enough to get him to the majors very soon if they want ti use him as a reliever.
That sure sounds right to me. I want to say something related although not really on topic. And that is, as proven by decades of recurrent negotiations, the owners always lose. They can’t stand the pain of having to eat their overhead, which for the Cardinals is approximately 401 support staff, according to mudville’s last count.. So the owners always, ultimately, give in. The players, on the other hand, have zero overhead. Plus many of them are wealthy in their own right, and if not wealthy, their parents will gladly put them up for as long as necessary. When you think about it, that might be the very reason that it costs so much to go to a baseball game.
Really exciting write-ups on Lin. He signed in July, 2023, and 2025 was kind of a lost year in that Lin had health issues. And that’s not uncommon for a player to have a year like that. So, effectively, Lin has, so far, had one year, 2024, to concentrate on getting better, and he was lights out that year. (As Jack Buck would say on occasion ‘If ya’ wanna’ dance, ya’ gotta’ pay the fiddler’, which, in this case is Brian and Kyle.) What I’m trying to say is it would be nice if we could get some more conversation going on these write-ups.
stlcard25 – I’m thinking that the Cardinals need to open up 3B for Wetherholt, although I understand that many posters want to Wetherholt at 2B. I get that. But, I think that Arenado’s defense alone could give the Mariners 2 or 3 more wins than anybody else they could put on 3B. Add to that his veteran presence which would mean something, maybe a lot. Finally, Arenado has been my favorite player since he came to St. Louis. I want to see him get a ring. There’s some kind of deal possible that could send Arenado along with Donovan and, possibly, Romero to Seattle without diminishing the return for St. Louis. The two sides just need to get off being afraid to make a mistake and find a deal that’s fair to both sides.
I still think Arenado should be part of the package. The Cardinals could eat $15M and the Mariners could eat $5M this year and defer payment of the remaining $10M or so to the Cardinals over the next year or two. Arenado thrives on winning and fan adulation. That’s why he forced the Rockies to trade him to St. Louis. I remember reading at the time that Matt Holliday told him that playing in St. Louis was like playing in no other place. Holliday’s comment at the time was something like ‘A week night in the middle of August, and playing before a packed stadium of fans reacting to every pitch and every play.’ Hopefully, it will be that way again in St. Louis. I’m sure the smoldering passion for baseball will turn back into that raging fire again.
This impressive. The Cardinals appear to be building a player development team that may become the gold standard for player development. If this works out as intended, every prospect and every failing prospect with enough humility to accept guidance should want to tap into the Cardinals’ player development system. Bloom will get credit for this if it works out, but I’m guessing that Cerfolio, with help from others, is the one making it happen.I don’t know what could be more satisfying than salvaging a talented player who somehow got lost in the shuffle.
I get what you’re saying. It makes sense. But if Baez hits at Memphis like he did at Springfield, and if Walker is still striking out so much, and carrying a BA of .215 and an OPS of .584, it’s going to be hard to tolerate. But, then, business is business.
I’m thinking that Joshua Baez will be playing RF by the end of the 2026 season. All the rest that you named look like top 5 to me, also. Hopefully, Brandon Clarke will be up there despite the realistic pessimism about his health. If Ixan Henderson doesn’t reach the majors in 2026, I would expect him to be knocking at the door of the top 5.
I’m all for that idea, CFICT. A thread like that would keep all the reports, and the relevant comments, all in one place where people could easily keep track of ‘minors injury updates/progress’.
Chaim Bloom…So why should we expect anything smart from him?
Can’t argue with that, Bob. But I think most people like the changes he’s been making, particularly with regard to player development and drafting. I wanted to also name some of the personnel that he cherry picked from other organizations. But the only name I could remember was Rob Cerfolio from the Guardians. So I tried to look up the other ones he hired. I didn’t really find the names I was looking for. But, on the Cardinals website, I did find a list of all of the organization’s employees, and the ones I was looking for are, no doubt, on the list somewhere. I’m changing the subject of this post now because I think I made my point, and I want to mention my surprise at the list of employees. I counted 401 people that the Cardinals employ for the sole purpose of entertaining fans by fielding a team of athletes to play baseball. That’s is one heck of an overhead, and it doesn’t even include work done by outside contractors, etc.
https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/team/front-officeThank you. That’s something. But it’s not a very impressive group. I should have said ‘ got real traction for the Cardinals’. With that qualifier Carlos Martinez was the only player that really contributed for the Cardinals. It should be easy for Bloom to improve on that track record. Looking forward to seeing what Bernal, R. Rodriguez, Padilla, and yours and Kyle’s ranked international players, Dos Santos and Hernandez, can eventually contribute to winning for the Cardinals. Thanks for your write up on international. It was very informative and , for mudville, thought provoking.
Reading Brian!s piece on international signings made me wonder when was the last time the Cardinals signed and developed a Spanish speaking international prospect. They do have a few in the pipeline now that are still developing. But I can’t think of one that actually made it to the majors and got real traction.
Matthews will be at Memphis. But he needs to tick up a few MPH, also, and throw like he did in 2024. If he doesn’t, he could drop 10 spots in the Community ranking next offseason.
If Seattle wants to win now rather than be runner up forever, I think acquiring a future HOFer to fill their need at 3B, and a GG winner to fill their need at 2B, and possibly acquire a lock down closer on top of it all would give them a better chance to win now than waiting to see what a couple of their prospects might do. To each his own.
