Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Welcome to STLtoday.com's forum for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Cards Talk Moderators

Carp4Cy
Forum User
Posts: 2299
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:38 pm

Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by Carp4Cy »

I'm not sure what's happening with Libby but I see Fedde starting tomorrow and Wed TBD? Are we slow rolling Libby as much as possible the rest of the way or is he going to hit an innings limit and be shut down? What then?

Will we be forced to keep Fedde and Mikolas in the rotation because the young arms aren't stretched out enough and Pallante is also hitting a wall?

Alternatively, are there MLB experienced SPs out there that we could trade for and control for 25, 26 and maybe beyond? Seems like it shouldn't be hard to find an upgrade to Mikolas somewhere out there.
BrummerStealsHome
Forum User
Posts: 2361
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:12 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by BrummerStealsHome »

I sure as hell hope not. They aren't that friggin' young and their arms can take it. It's their heads and hearts that need development, and they won't get that sitting on the bench.
Shady
On probation
Posts: 6271
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by Shady »

Hoping Roby comes off the 7-day injured list tomorrow for Memphis.
okcardfan
Forum User
Posts: 158
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:36 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by okcardfan »

On Sunday's postgame, Al Hrab said Libby's velocity and success had declined in his last eight starts, and mgt decided to give him a break. Al noted that Libby is on pace for the most innings ever, and the rest might be good now. In fact, Al said maybe they should have done this earlier, when it became apparent Libby's speed had declined. (Almost an open criticism of the decision-making! 8O )
Ronnie Dobbs
Forum User
Posts: 1190
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:17 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by Ronnie Dobbs »

I don't think they're shutting him down yet, but yes, if you know anything about Liberatore, then you know that he pitched about 145 innings in 2022, about 125 innings in 2023, and then 86 innings last year. He's at 100 innings now, so you have to be careful with him at this point, so they are apparently looking to give him some rest moving forward.

Of course, they could have done that earlier this season with a 6 man rotation, but that never happened. He was always due to hit a wall at some point due to the innings increase from last year, so not sure why they weren't a bit more proactive, but here we are.

But yea, unless a team wants to trade for them, that's probably going to mean that Fedde and Mikolas are going to continue to get starts. Someone has to fill the innings. I'd rather have them starting games in a losing season than blow out Liberatore's arm just to get him to throw some more innings.
An Old Friend
Forum User
Posts: 13127
Joined: 20 Nov 2018 23:31 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by An Old Friend »

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: 21 Jul 2025 13:17 pm I don't think they're shutting him down yet, but yes, if you know anything about Liberatore, then you know that he pitched about 145 innings in 2022, about 125 innings in 2023, and then 86 innings last year. He's at 100 innings now, so you have to be careful with him at this point, so they are apparently looking to give him some rest moving forward.

Of course, they could have done that earlier this season with a 6 man rotation, but that never happened. He was always due to hit a wall at some point due to the innings increase from last year, so not sure why they weren't a bit more proactive, but here we are.

But yea, unless a team wants to trade for them, that's probably going to mean that Fedde and Mikolas are going to continue to get starts. Someone has to fill the innings. I'd rather have them starting games in a losing season than blow out Liberatore's arm just to get him to throw some more innings.
The answer to “why” is always Mozeliak. What a disaster and absolute liability he became to this organization.

An aside… I’m kind of assuming his dumpster dive on Wilkerson is his planning to need innings from somewhere.
scoutyjones2
Forum User
Posts: 7816
Joined: 23 May 2024 14:43 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by scoutyjones2 »

Carp4Cy wrote: 21 Jul 2025 11:53 am I'm not sure what's happening with Libby but I see Fedde starting tomorrow and Wed TBD? Are we slow rolling Libby as much as possible the rest of the way or is he going to hit an innings limit and be shut down? What then?

Will we be forced to keep Fedde and Mikolas in the rotation because the young arms aren't stretched out enough and Pallante is also hitting a wall?

Alternatively, are there MLB experienced SPs out there that we could trade for and control for 25, 26 and maybe beyond? Seems like it shouldn't be hard to find an upgrade to Mikolas somewhere out there.
Jesus you're a Moran. Libby threw more innings in the first half of this year than previous season.
BrockFloodMaris
Forum User
Posts: 2458
Joined: 06 Aug 2019 16:06 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by BrockFloodMaris »

Carp4Cy wrote: 21 Jul 2025 11:53 am I'm not sure what's happening with Libby but I see Fedde starting tomorrow and Wed TBD? Are we slow rolling Libby as much as possible the rest of the way or is he going to hit an innings limit and be shut down? What then?

Will we be forced to keep Fedde and Mikolas in the rotation because the young arms aren't stretched out enough and Pallante is also hitting a wall?

Alternatively, are there MLB experienced SPs out there that we could trade for and control for 25, 26 and maybe beyond? Seems like it shouldn't be hard to find an upgrade to Mikolas somewhere out there.
I understand that many on here think that this is an outrage, but yes, the trend around MLB is to protect young pitchers health by limiting their innings. Yes, I understand that Nolan Ryan, Satchel Paige, Roger Clemens, blah blah blah 300 innings..... Whatever, I'm just the messenger.
Ronnie Dobbs
Forum User
Posts: 1190
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:17 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by Ronnie Dobbs »

An Old Friend wrote: 21 Jul 2025 13:23 pmThe answer to “why” is always Mozeliak. What a disaster and absolute liability he became to this organization.

An aside… I’m kind of assuming his dumpster dive on Wilkerson is his planning to need innings from somewhere.
Curtis Taylor has been good for Memphis. I'm not saying he'd do anything at the MLB level, but he could fill some innings. Plesac has been awful, but if you need innings, there's another option. I thought the same thing when I saw the Wilkerson signing. And of course, McGreevy has been there all season just waiting.

I don't get it. They could have worked this out some way.
11WSChamps
Forum User
Posts: 2921
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:35 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by 11WSChamps »

okcardfan wrote: 21 Jul 2025 12:40 pm On Sunday's postgame, Al Hrab said Libby's velocity and success had declined in his last eight starts, and mgt decided to give him a break. Al noted that Libby is on pace for the most innings ever, and the rest might be good now. In fact, Al said maybe they should have done this earlier, when it became apparent Libby's speed had declined. (Almost an open criticism of the decision-making! 8O )
I said this over month ago.

At some point he was going to have be shut down for a start or two because of his innings.
12xu
Forum User
Posts: 3452
Joined: 23 May 2024 15:46 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by 12xu »

They are giving Liberatore a long rest - his next start is scheduled for Saturday vs San Diego.
An Old Friend
Forum User
Posts: 13127
Joined: 20 Nov 2018 23:31 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by An Old Friend »

11WSChamps wrote: 21 Jul 2025 16:09 pm
okcardfan wrote: 21 Jul 2025 12:40 pm On Sunday's postgame, Al Hrab said Libby's velocity and success had declined in his last eight starts, and mgt decided to give him a break. Al noted that Libby is on pace for the most innings ever, and the rest might be good now. In fact, Al said maybe they should have done this earlier, when it became apparent Libby's speed had declined. (Almost an open criticism of the decision-making! 8O )
I said this over month ago.

At some point he was going to have be shut down for a start or two because of his innings.
Yep, a bunch of said this after his start on June 5th. Instead the org sent him out again on the 11th with a dead arm… and predictable results.

It took them SEVEN WEEKS to decide that maybe, in fact, thinking about easing up on the gas could be good for him.

Also recall ecleme ridiculing everyone suggesting a break… :lol:
Shady
On probation
Posts: 6271
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by Shady »

Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 12:01 pm Hoping Roby comes off the 7-day injured list tomorrow for Memphis.
I heard that, right now, Roby's injury doesn't appear to be serious. Good news for Roby and the organization.
craviduce
Forum User
Posts: 22551
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:11 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by craviduce »

Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 16:54 pm
Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 12:01 pm Hoping Roby comes off the 7-day injured list tomorrow for Memphis.
I heard that, right now, Roby's injury doesn't appear to be serious. Good news for Roby and the organization.
where did you hear this? Link the story, please.
Shady
On probation
Posts: 6271
Joined: 26 Nov 2022 15:39 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by Shady »

craviduce wrote: 21 Jul 2025 16:55 pm
Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 16:54 pm
Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 12:01 pm Hoping Roby comes off the 7-day injured list tomorrow for Memphis.
I heard that, right now, Roby's injury doesn't appear to be serious. Good news for Roby and the organization.
where did you hear this? Link the story, please.
The Memphis Redbirds play-by-play guy in a radio interview. I paraphrased it. I guess we'll see tomorrow.
craviduce
Forum User
Posts: 22551
Joined: 23 May 2024 13:11 pm

Re: Are we shutting down young arms early to save them for 2026?

Post by craviduce »

Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 17:00 pm
craviduce wrote: 21 Jul 2025 16:55 pm
Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 16:54 pm
Shady wrote: 21 Jul 2025 12:01 pm Hoping Roby comes off the 7-day injured list tomorrow for Memphis.
I heard that, right now, Roby's injury doesn't appear to be serious. Good news for Roby and the organization.
where did you hear this? Link the story, please.
The Memphis Redbirds play-by-play guy in a radio interview. I paraphrased it. I guess we'll see tomorrow.
and when did Alex say that?

I hope he's back, too...I hope this just a scheduled shut down to watch his innings....but we've been told nothing
Post Reply