Some out of the box considerations as the trade deadline looms

[JuanAgosto]

Most likely any deal StL makes will involve trading free agents to be. I look for Matz, Fedde, Maton, and Helsley to be dangled.

I also look for one of Nootbaar, Burleson, Gorman, or Walker to be available. Granted, Walker will probably have to be part of a package. Any move involving this group will clear space for prospects.

This is a sensible plan. Outside of Helsley and Maton, none of these potential trades severely impacts their (slim) playoff chances this year. You remain competitive while building for the future.

[renostl]

Most likely any deal StL makes will involve trading free agents to be. I look for Matz, Fedde, Maton, and Helsley to be dangled.

I also look for one of Nootbaar, Burleson, Gorman, or Walker to be available. Granted, Walker will probably have to be part of a package. Any move involving this group will clear space for prospects.

This is a sensible plan. Outside of Helsley and Maton, none of these potential trades severely impacts their (slim) playoff chances this year. You remain competitive while building for the future.

Trading Walker, Gorman and to lesser extent Nootbaar at the TD seems like buying to me. Money or little control is coming back with the exception of something MO hasn't done a larger trade. Otherwise I tend to think those are offseason trades if moved.

Burleson could be desired by a buyer I guess as well as the pitchers you mentioned, the veterans or Herrera and Donovan if teams come knocking.

What we don't know is how the inner workings are going. Does the team see either Walker or Gorman the same in their progress, not progressing, or is one showing signs of wanting to keep that player.

[HorseTrader]

My out of the box idea is trading Burleson to a contender for a RH AAA OF who will ready by '26. If that's out of the box.

As long as Shady goes with Burly. One way ticket, no returns accepted

[Adam2]

As the trade deadline nears. As he should be, I'm sure Mo is contemplating long and hard as to what to do with both Walker and Gorman. Has Herrera and Burleson made Walker expendable? And has Wetherholt made Gorman expendable?

This isn't outside the box, this has been discussed on here by other posters many many times. But I do think Walker is working his way towards expendable

[rockondlouie]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

[JuanAgosto]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

Wow! That's very aggressive. No way Mo has the guts to do that. But it'd create a lot of buzz amongst us fans. And that is what this team needs.

[Shady]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

The Cardinals could get more than that for a combo of Winn and Burleson. Arguably, the Cardinals top defensive player and their best hitter.

[rockondlouie]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

Wow! That's very aggressive. No way Mo has the guts to do that. But it'd create a lot of buzz amongst us fans. And that is what this team needs.

Not Mo, Bloom this offseason!

Won't happen but w/JJW getting the bulk of his time at SS (I get it, no need for anyone to chime in) I thought it would be fun to show shaddy what a real "outside the box" move looks like.

That said, I'd make that deal.

[rockondlouie]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

The Cardinals could get more than that for a combo of Winn and Burleson. Arguably, the Cardinals top defensive player and their best hitter.

Nope

And not even close to their best hitter(s) since I didn't mention I. Hererra, B. Donovan or WIllyC.

A cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher (think B. Woo type) would be a great return for Winn & Burly.

[JuanAgosto]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

Wow! That's very aggressive. No way Mo has the guts to do that. But it'd create a lot of buzz amongst us fans. And that is what this team needs.

Not Mo, Bloom this offseason!

Won't happen but w/JJW getting the bulk of his time at SS (I get it, no need for anyone to chime in) I thought it would be fun to show shaddy what a real "outside the box" move looks like.

That said, I'd make that deal.

Bloom coming in and orchestrating a Whitey overhaul would be a very eventful and exciting winter.

[rockondlouie]

Outside the box is packaging M. Winn & A. Burleson for a cost/multi year controlled #2 starting pitcher.

Wow! That's very aggressive. No way Mo has the guts to do that. But it'd create a lot of buzz amongst us fans. And that is what this team needs.

Not Mo, Bloom this offseason!

Won't happen but w/JJW getting the bulk of his time at SS (I get it, no need for anyone to chime in) I thought it would be fun to show shaddy what a real "outside the box" move looks like.

That said, I'd make that deal.

Bloom coming in and orchestrating a Whitey overhaul would be a very eventful and exciting winter.

Mo has made an absolute MESS out of the roster, I'd love to see Bloom pull a "Whitey" and overhaul it too!

[FrankTheTank]

Good stuff. What about the rumors of trading for Kyle Stowers? Maybe Walker in the deal.

Stowers is a great young talent, but he is a lefty bat, and the Cardinals have lots of those. BUT - he is 27 and CHEAP, so not sure the Marlins will trade him because he is so cheap, plus he has 4 years of arbitration years ahead ('26 - '29) before becoming a free agent in '30. $768,200 - what a steal for a young, all-star outfielder. Now if you sign him to a contract and buy out those arb years, then giggity. It will most likely cost us Walker +.
https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcaf ... s+contract

[Futuregm2]

Good stuff. What about the rumors of trading for Kyle Stowers? Maybe Walker in the deal.

Stowers is a great young talent, but he is a lefty bat, and the Cardinals have lots of those. BUT - he is 27 and CHEAP, so not sure the Marlins will trade him because he is so cheap, plus he has 4 years of arbitration years ahead ('26 - '29) before becoming a free agent in '30. $768,200 - what a steal for a young, all-star outfielder. Now if you sign him to a contract and buy out those arb years, then giggity. It will most likely cost us Walker +.
https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcaf ... s+contract

Cardinals need a LH middle of the order bat as much as a RH one. I actually think a LH bat makes more sense that you could put 4th in the lineup.

2026
1. Donovan/Winn
2. Wetherholt
3. Herrera
4. LH Power bat
5. Contreras
6. Burleson/Gorman
7. Winn/Donovan/someone else
8. Pages/Crooks/Pozo
9. Scott

Then hopefully Joshua Baez and/or Rainiel Rodriguez is ready/already productive by the time Contreras’s option is worth a consideration after 2027 to take over as the 5th hitter.

Not sure that Stowers would be available though, but the idea that the power bat we get has to be RH is something I disagree with.

[Quincy Varnish]

As the trade deadline nears. As he should be, I'm sure Mo is contemplating long and hard as to what to do with both Walker and Gorman. Has Herrera and Burleson made Walker expendable? And has Wetherholt made Gorman expendable?