The biggest gamble would be staying pat

[Shady]

You're not trading to compete today, you're trading to possibly compete in a year, or probably two.

Trading to compete today would cost you precious farm pieces that we can't afford to lose right now.

Agree. But savvy maneuvering could still keep the team in contention for a wildcard this season.

playing better can get the team in contention of a WC . Winn and Contreras need help. They're not getting it.

in order to get better you have to trade the bad with Farm Prospects.

That's a dumb move for a team trying to rebuild. Leaving Bloom a cluster frick isn't in the Cards

Shady’s recurring “theory” (articulated in countless repetitive threads) is the Dodgers—who have one of the best FOs in baseball—are somehow champing at the bit to trade a dollar for 50 cents.

at least he's not clamoring for Biles, Biels, Beils, Blies, Bleis from the Red Sox...I don't think I could take another one of those trading Nado for 2 of the Red Sox top 10. Or the pitchers that didn't exist with the Yankees.

Be nice, Guru. We all are aware that you are CT Majesty.

[desertrat23]

They’re not making the playoffs this year. Sell what you need to so you’re better for 2026.

If they keep guys they should move in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle and squeaking into a WC, fans should storm the place with pitchforks.

[Absolut]

With dubious starting pitching, inconsistent offense and some potential FAs.

Ideally, the Cardinals do some selling and still stay competitive for a wildcard this season. It could be done with some savvy maneuvering.

please, explain this "savvy maneuvering"

I'm intrigued

It’s where you maneuver. But with savvy. Don’t stand pat, awkwardly or maneuver clumsily. But savvy maneuvers like a cocktail waitress with a tray full of drinks at happy hour through a crowd.

[craviduce]

You're not trading to compete today, you're trading to possibly compete in a year, or probably two.

Trading to compete today would cost you precious farm pieces that we can't afford to lose right now.

Agree. But savvy maneuvering could still keep the team in contention for a wildcard this season.

playing better can get the team in contention of a WC . Winn and Contreras need help. They're not getting it.

in order to get better you have to trade the bad with Farm Prospects.

That's a dumb move for a team trying to rebuild. Leaving Bloom a cluster frick isn't in the Cards

Shady’s recurring “theory” (articulated in countless repetitive threads) is the Dodgers—who have one of the best FOs in baseball—are somehow champing at the bit to trade a dollar for 50 cents.

You don't seem to understand that the Dodgers are willing to pay a lot to win a World Series. Not just sneak in as a wildcard.

The Dodgers are going to trade us their Starting CF and RF, their backup 1B, their Catcher, 3 starting pitchers, and an injured player better than Noot? And all we have to do is give them is VS2, Pozo, Noot, Burleson, Mikolas, Gray, and Pallante?

[Shady]

Trading expiring contracts to fill holes. Obtain a RH bat or pitching.

Bingo. And getting some salary relief by maneuvering some NTCs. In Arenado's case, opening up a needed position.

[craviduce]

With dubious starting pitching, inconsistent offense and some potential FAs.

Ideally, the Cardinals do some selling and still stay competitive for a wildcard this season. It could be done with some savvy maneuvering.

please, explain this "savvy maneuvering"

I'm intrigued

It’s where you maneuver. But with savvy. Don’t stand pat, awkwardly or maneuver clumsily. But savvy maneuvers like a cocktail waitress with a tray full of drinks at happy hour through a crowd.

[Shady]

With dubious starting pitching, inconsistent offense and some potential FAs.

Ideally, the Cardinals do some selling and still stay competitive for a wildcard this season. It could be done with some savvy maneuvering.

please, explain this "savvy maneuvering"

I'm intrigued

Trading potential free agents for something that will not only plug in some holes this season but help for the future. As well as maneuvering some NTCs. Which could be tough.

in theory...yeah, sure. But in reality... what teams would give you better players than the ones we'd be trading? Which team is going to take Mikolas, Pallante, and Gray and give us back better?

Further, who is taking on Pozo, Burleson, Walker and VS2 and giving us back better?

Burleson would probably get a really good pitcher or pitching prospect. But I just don't see the organization wanting to let an outstanding hitter like him go, right now.

[sikeston bulldog2]

With dubious starting pitching, inconsistent offense and some potential FAs.

Ideally, the Cardinals do some selling and still stay competitive for a wildcard this season. It could be done with some savvy maneuvering.

please, explain this "savvy maneuvering"

I'm intrigued

It’s where you maneuver. But with savvy. Don’t stand pat, awkwardly or maneuver clumsily. But savvy maneuvers like a cocktail waitress with a tray full of drinks at happy hour through a crowd.

I don’t get it. Teams will not give us better than what we give. And as for getting that bat, there are 390 positions filled on 30 rosters. 390 hitters. Where is that OF bat amongst that 390.

Go on, find it.

[thetank2]

They are 1.5 ges out for the Wildcard. If you don't get value in return don't make the trade for AAAA players.

[scoutyjones2]

There are crafty deals to be made that not only helps for the future. But for the present. Three team deals are a possibility.

I love how you post a thread then quote yourself...so sad

Name the crafty deals.I know you can't

[craviduce]

Trading expiring contracts to fill holes. Obtain a RH bat or pitching.

Bingo.

that's not a Savvy Move...that's a move that people on here have been clamoring for....the only debate there was our return from the expiring contracts...you get better prospects back than a veterans

[Shady]

Trading expiring contracts to fill holes. Obtain a RH bat or pitching.

Bingo.

that's not a Savvy Move...that's a move that people on here have been clamoring for....the only debate there was our return from the expiring contracts...you get better prospects back than a veterans

You missed this part. "And getting some salary relief by maneuvering some NTCs. In Arenado's case, opening up a needed position". That would take "savvy maneuvering". It's been done before.

[craviduce]

With dubious starting pitching, inconsistent offense and some potential FAs.

Ideally, the Cardinals do some selling and still stay competitive for a wildcard this season. It could be done with some savvy maneuvering.

please, explain this "savvy maneuvering"

I'm intrigued

Trading potential free agents for something that will not only plug in some holes this season but help for the future. As well as maneuvering some NTCs. Which could be tough.

in theory...yeah, sure. But in reality... what teams would give you better players than the ones we'd be trading? Which team is going to take Mikolas, Pallante, and Gray and give us back better?

Further, who is taking on Pozo, Burleson, Walker and VS2 and giving us back better?

Burleson would probably get a really good pitcher or pitching prospect. But I just don't see the organization wanting to let an outstanding hitter like him go, right now.

yeah, he's okay this year, not bad. But right now, he's worse than the starting 1B and worse than the starting DH. That's makes him expendable. Get a prospect back who might help in 2 years

[NYCardsFan]

Shady’s recurring “theory” (articulated in countless repetitive threads) is the Dodgers—who have one of the best FOs in baseball—are somehow champing at the bit to trade a dollar for 50 cents.

You don't seem to understand that the Dodgers are willing to pay a lot to win a World Series. Not just sneak in as a wildcard.

Funny, I wrote about that precise thing in a reply to you just yesterday. But of course you completely ignored it because you were too busy spamming the forum with additional repetitive, attention-seeking threads. You don’t care about “baseball talk,” you just want attention.

The Dodgers could very well be the team that pays handsomely (player/players traded) for Helsley.

Why? The Dodgers have one of the best FOs in baseball—certainly better and more sophisticated than the Cardinals’. Why would they agree to exchange a dollar for 50 cents?

The exploitable arbitrage with the Dodgers is that a win in LA is worth more than in St. Louis. That works to the Cardinals’ advantage, but it only goes so far. Sorry, but the Cardinals aren’t even close to getting someone like De Paula (whom you’ve mentioned several times as a target—34.1 BTV) unless they dip (deeply) into their cost-controlled assets.

By the way, you might want to check the standings—the Dodgers are in no danger of “sneaking in as a wildcard.”

[Shady]

With dubious starting pitching, inconsistent offense and some potential FAs.

Ideally, the Cardinals do some selling and still stay competitive for a wildcard this season. It could be done with some savvy maneuvering.

please, explain this "savvy maneuvering"

I'm intrigued

Trading potential free agents for something that will not only plug in some holes this season but help for the future. As well as maneuvering some NTCs. Which could be tough.

in theory...yeah, sure. But in reality... what teams would give you better players than the ones we'd be trading? Which team is going to take Mikolas, Pallante, and Gray and give us back better?

Further, who is taking on Pozo, Burleson, Walker and VS2 and giving us back better?

Burleson would probably get a really good pitcher or pitching prospect. But I just don't see the organization wanting to let an outstanding hitter like him go, right now.

yeah, he's okay this year, not bad. But right now, he's worse than the starting 1B and worse than the starting DH. That's makes him expendable. Get a prospect back who might help in 2 years

He's also the team's #3 or #4 batter in the team's lineup, right now. Who do you replace that with without hurting the team somewhere else? You still don't see Burleson's value, production/salary-wise.

[craviduce]

Trading expiring contracts to fill holes. Obtain a RH bat or pitching.

Bingo.

that's not a Savvy Move...that's a move that people on here have been clamoring for....the only debate there was our return from the expiring contracts...you get better prospects back than a veterans

You missed this part. "And getting some salary relief by maneuvering some NTCs. In Arenado's case, opening up a needed position".

who is going to give us salary relief and also give us a better players than Nado? Who is going to give us those Top of the Rotation starters you've promised?

saying "3 team deal", doesn't mean we automatically get all the things we want in a trade. I don't think you understand how trading works. We keep coming back to the Princess Bride.... I don't think that word means you think it means