What do Cardinals do if they keep winning ?

[AZ_Cardsfan]

This is a huge question. I am pretty sure they PLANNED on dealing Helsley, Fedde and Nado at the break when the season started. Can't do that if you are leading your division.

But do they become buyers? Personally I still think this isn't a WS caliber team but if they are leading the central I can't see dealing away the guys that got you there. Terrible message to the fans and players. But I also don't see dealing any TALENT away to fortify a run for the playoffs. I can see dealing lesser prospects for a BP arm or two taking on someone else's last year contract player.

But this team has surprised and put management in a quandary. I love it.

[sikeston bulldog2]

This is a huge question. I am pretty sure they PLANNED on dealing Helsley, Fedde and Nado at the break when the season started. Can't do that if you are leading your division.

But do they become buyers? Personally I still think this isn't a WS caliber team but if they are leading the central I can't see dealing away the guys that got you there. Terrible message to the fans and players. But I also don't see dealing any TALENT away to fortify a run for the playoffs. I can see dealing lesser prospects for a BP arm or two taking on someone else's last year contract player.

But this team has surprised and put management in a quandary. I love it.

I remain bullish. I don’t think you guys see the level of the prize. They are playing well yes. It shows our talent pool. Now add 2 or 3 league level studs and we don’t become competitive; we become the favorite.

That’s where I’m at guys. Not a reset to compete; a reset to dominate. That’s my vision.

[rockondlouie]

The position of nearly everyone on this board before this run was to get anything you can for Mik or Matz. No they are untradable.

Ensure we are clear. Don’t give them away for wash out prospects. However if it’s a reasonable deal going forward 3 years, it fits the plan of addition.

I'd deal Mikolas in a NY Minute, replace him w/McGreevy.

That’s exactly the plan. Get what you can when they have value. That’s 30M for next year. And McGreevy will give close to similar numbers.

Once you add a league level Ace, that’s a strong staff.

Year two- reset. Gray Pallante McGreevy Grafecco closer?

Mikolas has little value, perhaps a minor league RP?

Graceffo or my choice, convert Hence to closer this season to get him ready for 2026.

You trade Mik and Burly and I get a good pen arm, or good young third baseman.

They might bring back a decent pen' arm, no way they bring you a "good" young third baseman though BDog.

[illiniriles]

You're never as good as you seem when you're on a hot streak or as bad as it seems when you're in a terrible slump. I think stay the course. Hope Marmol manages as well as it appears he has lately. And see how far this new found confidence can take us up to the trade deadline.

[DewittDaman11]

If the Cardinals continue to be a winning team for another month, and, if McGreevy and/or Mathews are obviously ready by there performance in that time, I would look to move whichever starting pitcher(s) between Mikolas, Matz and Fedde brings back the best BP arm(s). If our BP has resolved its' issues by then, either through current BP improvement, or, other arms brought up from the minors, I probably don't make any moves. I worry about messing with, what appears to be, good chemistry on this club.

Burleson, Gorman and Walker are all viable trade candidates, if necessary, and, if valuable enough to get anything reasonable in return, could bring back a decent BP arm. But, again, are they well liked on the team, and, will trading them mess with the teams "mojo". I think, eventually, the offense will struggle enough that, at least, one of those three will need to start hitting, and, if none of them do, you bring Saggese up to play 2B, with Nootbar in RF and Donovan in LF. At that point, you either have all 3 as bench bats, or, send at least one of them back to AAA. Walker seems young enough that you hold on to him for a couple more years, but, if either Burleson and Gorman don't improve quick, they should be traded for MiLB help, or, MLB BP arms, at the deadline. IMO.

[JohnnyMO]

They probably need to trade Fedde, Mikolas, and Matz almost no matter what. I can see keeping Helsley and possibly resigning him in they’re still in the race at the deadline. The worst thing they can do is keep all the expiring vets and not make it past the first round of playoffs.

[DewittDaman11]

Oh, I forgot the best case scenario. If the team whole team is playing great at the deadline, including Mikolas, Matz and Fedde, and, McGreevy and/or Mathews are forcing their way into the MLB rotation. Then trade one, or more, of Mikolas, Matz or Fedde for minor league prospects, tradable draft spots, or, international draft moneys.

[Carp4Cy]

If the Cardinals continue to be a winning team for another month, and, if McGreevy and/or Mathews are obviously ready by there performance in that time, I would look to move whichever starting pitcher(s) between Mikolas, Matz and Fedde brings back the best BP arm(s). If our BP has resolved its' issues by then, either through current BP improvement, or, other arms brought up from the minors, I probably don't make any moves. I worry about messing with, what appears to be, good chemistry on this club.

Burleson, Gorman and Walker are all viable trade candidates, if necessary, and, if valuable enough to get anything reasonable in return, could bring back a decent BP arm. But, again, are they well liked on the team, and, will trading them mess with the teams "mojo". I think, eventually, the offense will struggle enough that, at least, one of those three will need to start hitting, and, if none of them do, you bring Saggese up to play 2B, with Nootbar in RF and Donovan in LF. At that point, you either have all 3 as bench bats, or, send at least one of them back to AAA. Walker seems young enough that you hold on to him for a couple more years, but, if either Burleson and Gorman don't improve quick, they should be traded for MiLB help, or, MLB BP arms, at the deadline. IMO.

Currently, Matz is looking like the best available bullpen arm out there. Not sure who we could swap him for that would be an upgrade?

[DewittDaman11]

If the Cardinals continue to be a winning team for another month, and, if McGreevy and/or Mathews are obviously ready by there performance in that time, I would look to move whichever starting pitcher(s) between Mikolas, Matz and Fedde brings back the best BP arm(s). If our BP has resolved its' issues by then, either through current BP improvement, or, other arms brought up from the minors, I probably don't make any moves. I worry about messing with, what appears to be, good chemistry on this club.

Burleson, Gorman and Walker are all viable trade candidates, if necessary, and, if valuable enough to get anything reasonable in return, could bring back a decent BP arm. But, again, are they well liked on the team, and, will trading them mess with the teams "mojo". I think, eventually, the offense will struggle enough that, at least, one of those three will need to start hitting, and, if none of them do, you bring Saggese up to play 2B, with Nootbar in RF and Donovan in LF. At that point, you either have all 3 as bench bats, or, send at least one of them back to AAA. Walker seems young enough that you hold on to him for a couple more years, but, if either Burleson and Gorman don't improve quick, they should be traded for MiLB help, or, MLB BP arms, at the deadline. IMO.

Currently, Matz is looking like the best available bullpen arm out there. Not sure who we could swap him for that would be an upgrade?

Good point!

[cardstatman]

If you still have a shot at the playoffs, you can't trade Helsley, Fedde, or Matz. No, the Cards are not one of the top 4 teams in MLB and favorites to win it all, but we all know that you don't have to be better than your playoff opponent to beat them in a short series. You just need to be hot for a week. Ask the 2023 Rangers or Diamondbacks. That year the top 4 teams went down before they could get to the LCS series.

The return for Helsley and Fedde will not be crazy high anyway.

However, if your playoff chances are slim, then you have to trade them. If they don't want to be traded, offer them a short-term extension for a reasonable deal. If they turn it down (and their agent will advise them to turn it down), then trade them but be sure you have scouted the guys you are getting. You can always resign them over the offseason.