What deadline moves do you want to see?

[Talkin' Baseball]

This is such a tough question.

On one hand I am never one to give up when in contention. And hey, lets face it they are on a 90 game winning season and playoffs who knows? So I can't see them selling this year unless they fall flat the next few weeks. As such I see them as "tepid buyers" not sacrificing anything seriously meaningful (we hope) to make the team viable in the playoffs.

As rock said a key need on offense is a RHH OFer. Preferably a rightfielder. Like what we all hoped Walker would be. If they are serious and can get a real bat for Walker do it. However if it's a rental for Walker it better be a star. Would also need BP help.

If they do flounder and decide to sell they MUST move Fedde, Helsley for prospects. And if there is a taker with a return Nado. Flood the farm with talent because you never know which ones pan out.

Heck if there is a return move Contreras too. Getting 1Bs who can hit is easy on the open market in the off season.

i confess I think this team is better than I expected and they will probably make some minor adds at the break to contend.

I feel like the closest player to a “star” talent that could get moved would be Oneil Cruz. Honestly he’s the kind of electrifying talent we could use. 15 HR and 27 SBs in 30 attempts and only 26 years old walking at a 13% clip. I don’t know where we’d play him though. And I doubt we’d trade with Pitt.

I was actually thinking that someone like Brian Reynolds would be a good get if the Pirates wanted to trade within the division. He has a really good track record and seems like a guy that is a prime "Change of Scenery" candidate. I could see him coming here and having a .900+ OPS seconds half. He's also locked up for like the next 5 years at like a 14-15 million per year which is not bad. Relatively cheap and cost controlled seems like a MO move, but how much will Chaim Bloom have a say in what happens at the deadline?

By this rationale, Arenado will be "relatively cheap and cost controlled" next year and the year after.

[ggnoobs]

This is such a tough question.

On one hand I am never one to give up when in contention. And hey, lets face it they are on a 90 game winning season and playoffs who knows? So I can't see them selling this year unless they fall flat the next few weeks. As such I see them as "tepid buyers" not sacrificing anything seriously meaningful (we hope) to make the team viable in the playoffs.

As rock said a key need on offense is a RHH OFer. Preferably a rightfielder. Like what we all hoped Walker would be. If they are serious and can get a real bat for Walker do it. However if it's a rental for Walker it better be a star. Would also need BP help.

If they do flounder and decide to sell they MUST move Fedde, Helsley for prospects. And if there is a taker with a return Nado. Flood the farm with talent because you never know which ones pan out.

Heck if there is a return move Contreras too. Getting 1Bs who can hit is easy on the open market in the off season.

i confess I think this team is better than I expected and they will probably make some minor adds at the break to contend.

I feel like the closest player to a “star” talent that could get moved would be Oneil Cruz. Honestly he’s the kind of electrifying talent we could use. 15 HR and 27 SBs in 30 attempts and only 26 years old walking at a 13% clip. I don’t know where we’d play him though. And I doubt we’d trade with Pitt.

I was actually thinking that someone like Brian Reynolds would be a good get if the Pirates wanted to trade within the division. He has a really good track record and seems like a guy that is a prime "Change of Scenery" candidate. I could see him coming here and having a .900+ OPS seconds half. He's also locked up for like the next 5 years at like a 14-15 million per year which is not bad. Relatively cheap and cost controlled seems like a MO move, but how much will Chaim Bloom have a say in what happens at the deadline?

By this rationale, Arenado will be "relatively cheap and cost controlled" next year and the year after.

Arenado is due 27 million at age 35 next season, and then 15 million the year after for an AAV of 21 million.

So yes, if 21 million AAV equaled Reynolds 15 million AAV and if 35 years old was equal to 30 years old then you have a point.

Don't feel bad though, you were only off by 6 million per year and 5 years of age.

[Talkin' Baseball]

This is such a tough question.

On one hand I am never one to give up when in contention. And hey, lets face it they are on a 90 game winning season and playoffs who knows? So I can't see them selling this year unless they fall flat the next few weeks. As such I see them as "tepid buyers" not sacrificing anything seriously meaningful (we hope) to make the team viable in the playoffs.

As rock said a key need on offense is a RHH OFer. Preferably a rightfielder. Like what we all hoped Walker would be. If they are serious and can get a real bat for Walker do it. However if it's a rental for Walker it better be a star. Would also need BP help.

If they do flounder and decide to sell they MUST move Fedde, Helsley for prospects. And if there is a taker with a return Nado. Flood the farm with talent because you never know which ones pan out.

Heck if there is a return move Contreras too. Getting 1Bs who can hit is easy on the open market in the off season.

i confess I think this team is better than I expected and they will probably make some minor adds at the break to contend.

I feel like the closest player to a “star” talent that could get moved would be Oneil Cruz. Honestly he’s the kind of electrifying talent we could use. 15 HR and 27 SBs in 30 attempts and only 26 years old walking at a 13% clip. I don’t know where we’d play him though. And I doubt we’d trade with Pitt.

I was actually thinking that someone like Brian Reynolds would be a good get if the Pirates wanted to trade within the division. He has a really good track record and seems like a guy that is a prime "Change of Scenery" candidate. I could see him coming here and having a .900+ OPS seconds half. He's also locked up for like the next 5 years at like a 14-15 million per year which is not bad. Relatively cheap and cost controlled seems like a MO move, but how much will Chaim Bloom have a say in what happens at the deadline?

By this rationale, Arenado will be "relatively cheap and cost controlled" next year and the year after.

Arenado is due 27 million at age 35 next season, and then 15 million the year after for an AAV of 21 million.

So yes, if 21 million AAV equaled Reynolds 15 million AAV and if 35 years old was equal to 30 years old then you have a point.

Don't feel bad though, you were only off by 6 million per year and 5 years of age.

I see your point to an extent. Arenado will be paid 15M next year and 6M more in deferred money. I was thinking more about what is being paid next year- but the deferred money still exists.

[ClassicO]

Curious about Helsley. Do you offer him a QO if they don't trade him?

Yes, 100%

I don't think he has lost much value. He hasn't be as dominant as last year, but there are 29 other teams who would LOVE to have him and probably at least a dozen teams that would kill to have him.

You guys think the Cards would offer him $21.05 million? That's the QO this off-season. That would make him the highest-paid reliever, slightly ahead of Diaz's $20.4M and Hader's $19M. I think not.

[JuanAgosto]

I said in the other thread:

Buyer

-They need to add a RP to the pen', not a big move but a necessary one

-If they could find a RHHing OFer who could actually hit, then you could get a bigger deal (J. Walker dangled?)

Seller

-I'd move mountains and see if some team would take Mikolas (even if BDWJr has to eat some salary) just for his innings eating ability so Oli can slot M. McGreevy into his slot

-I'd move Matz, he's on the downswing and that IL stint could be looming

-Fedde might bring back something of value, I'd move him if they can't find a sucker errrrrrrr GM to take Mikolas again to clear a runway for McGreevy


Of the above, the bullpen arm is the move I think they'll for sure make.

It would be easier to find a market for Mikolas than to get him to waive his no trade clause.

Agreed

Abd if they did find a market for him and he refused to waive the NTC, then I'd tell him it's bullpen time or DFA.

He's been hurting the team since 2023 (4.99 ERA: 2023-Current) and he's NOT a legacy player.

No tears would be shed in Cardinals Nation if he were DFA'd.

JMO

Giving Mikolas a NTC just shows Mo's ineptitude at signing players. He's so bad that he has given inflated contracts to average to bad players. Cecil, Fowler, Leake, Miller, Holland, Gregerson, etc.

And extending Mikolas way too soon was just plain stupid.

Mo's gone in three months, hopefully takes Oli w/him!

If Oli would become his own man and stop with the idiotic Mo influenced lineups and insistence on lefty-righty matchups, I could tolerate him staying. He seems to have gotten better with player relations (at least no stories have leaked this year). And the team is more fundamentally sound and plays hard. It would be interesting to see how he could do without Mo's presence.

Honestly Juan I think the lineups ARE Oli's doing and not Mo's.

POBO/GM controls the roster, Manager makes up the lineup.

At least that's how it's usually handled.

I swear I either heard an interview or read comments from Mo that he, oli, the hitting and pitching coaches, and game strategist meet each day to formulate the lineup. That led me to believe oli only has an input role. Maybe that has changed over the last couple years.

[Carp4Cy]

Buy - what about Eugenio Suárez? DBacks are pretty much out it and I read he's a FA.

Also Gallen will be a FA, but is he still any good?

[Talkin' Baseball]

Buy - what about Eugenio Suárez? DBacks are pretty much out it and I read he's a FA.

Also Gallen will be a FA, but is he still any good?

Like our pitchers- depends on the day.

[Bad14]

Buy - what about Eugenio Suárez? DBacks are pretty much out it and I read he's a FA.

Also Gallen will be a FA, but is he still any good?

You are a genious. I posted this yesterday! Seriously, though, my point yesterday was we're not getting a sure thing starter. It's going to be someone like Gallen, if anyone. He can't cost much because he's been erratic and he's going to be a UFA. AZ has a $15M option on Suarez. I think they'd want to exercise that unless they're in cost savings mode.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Curious about Helsley. Do you offer him a QO if they don't trade him?

Yes, 100%

I don't think he has lost much value. He hasn't be as dominant as last year, but there are 29 other teams who would LOVE to have him and probably at least a dozen teams that would kill to have him.

You guys think the Cards would offer him $21.05 million? That's the QO this off-season. That would make him the highest-paid reliever, slightly ahead of Diaz's $20.4M and Hader's $19M. I think not.

I don't know. I merely asked the question.

Reason i actually think it is a valid possible decision is Ryan will be 31 next year and this will be his only chance at a fairly large contract. he might pass on the QO to go for a 3-4 year deal. If that is probable I would want the draft pick. And the risk is you have a $21 mil closer for one more year you could trade at some point for a prospect.

I'm not saying he is worth that much in a vacuum. Just that he might pass on it.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

IMO Moe is still running the show and therefore a relief pitcher.

[Barking Lion]

- This team is currently in the playoffs as a WC and may stay there in the second half. But this team is also very thin on talent. We need to continue to build toward a team that will compete for five seasons or more. Therefore-

-There is no good reason to overpay for Helsley next year or hang on to players with expiring contracts. Trade them for the best offer. Look for young talent or, if Pittsburgh will give him up, see what it would take to get Bryan Reynolds. He is the solution you want in corner OF for for the next 3-4 seasons. His contract is reasonable and he plays hard. If you need to throw in Gorman, so be it.

-Arenado will not approve a trade. Write him at 3b in ink. And he is not a bad option.

-I am pleasantly surprised at how well Oli has kept the team together, but I can't help but look to Yadi or Albert for young player development.

-Several players are spot fillers who could be traded for the right offer- Noot most prominently.

[JuanAgosto]

Deadline moves i would like to see:

1. A really good starting pitcher.
2. A lights-out reliever (or two).
3. A run producing right-handed bat.
4. Mo to be nowhere near any decisions being made.

[cardsfaninla]

1. Sell almost anyone from major league roster who is worth something ... listen to offers and jump on any really good ones.
2. Dump others for anything we can get
3. If we can't dump consider dfa for a few pitchers

4. do not buy anything - do not trade any good prospects

I won't say "don't lipstick this pig" ... too harsh .. they aren't as bad as previous years. How about "don't try to make this 6 look like an 8 just to lose in the first round (if they make it at all)"

From a glass half empty lifelong Cards fan.