But who?Youboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 19:14 pm40 B-C grade players. They are missing the A+ players to build around like a 35/100 hitter or a 18 game winner. When they get those players the rest will fall into place. How do they get them? SPEND THE $100m they cut from payroll after this season.
Team needs for 2026
Moderators: STLtoday Forum Moderators, Cards Talk Moderators
Re: Team needs for 2026
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: 06 Oct 2020 15:45 pm
Re: Team needs for 2026
I trust Bloom to find a SP and bat to target but will Dewitt spend it? That’s the question.bfib wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 22:54 pmBut who?Youboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 19:14 pm40 B-C grade players. They are missing the A+ players to build around like a 35/100 hitter or a 18 game winner. When they get those players the rest will fall into place. How do they get them? SPEND THE $100m they cut from payroll after this season.
Re: Team needs for 2026
First time I have ever heard Cranny say Arenado is gone. If that comes true in the next couple of days, Cranny is Dewitt and he is just having fun on here yanking our chains...Youboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 17:55 pmThen Segesse fills that hole. I am still pessimistic he accepts a trade anywhere but the Dodgers and now it will require the Cardinals to pay half his salary and no player in return or an outright DFA to get rid of him. He will have to be Fedde bad for that to happenCranny wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 17:51 pmArenado is probably gone.Youboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 17:42 pm Looking at possible trade returns and the roster for next year if Arenado Contreras and Gray use NTC
13 position players
Contreras
Burleson
Wetherholt
Donovan
Winn
Arenado
Nootbar
Scott
Walker
Gorman
Pages
Pozo
Hererra
Segesse in AAA
Rotation
Gray
McGreevy
Pallante
Libertore
?
BP not included
My point is there are too many bats and the need for SP is huge. Any trade using Helsley or a couple of players from above needs to return a SP preferably a young power arm in AAA. The match is clear. The Dodgers have 2 or 3 of them.
Follow up question. This team needs a regular lineup. Who is on the bench and do they belong there? For example a bench of Pozo Nootbar Gorman Burleson is wasting good young trade pieces
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 5746
- Joined: 01 Jul 2021 21:30 pm
Re: Team needs for 2026
The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 3997
- Joined: 06 Oct 2020 15:45 pm
Re: Team needs for 2026
To be competitive those peices must be a 35/100 bat, a 18 game winner and a dominant closer and setup guy. But they will have Arenado Nootbar Gorman Donovan Helsley Burleson all to trade and $100m in payroll to do it.JuanAgosto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 23:55 pm The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
Re: Team needs for 2026
They're not going to be competitive next year, at least not anymore competitive than they are this year. I don't expect much effort until after the lockout when they know what the new salary cap situation looks like.Youboughtit wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 02:14 amTo be competitive those peices must be a 35/100 bat, a 18 game winner and a dominant closer and setup guy. But they will have Arenado Nootbar Gorman Donovan Helsley Burleson all to trade and $100m in payroll to do it.JuanAgosto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 23:55 pm The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
Re: Team needs for 2026
People just don't want to accept that. I'm not projecting anything at this point. But Bloom is bright enough to understand the frustration in Cardinals Nation. A big part of that is the lack of transparency from the current regime. I expect him to reveal his short term and long term vision for building a functional roster and how he intends to do that. I assume a big part of that will be feeding the ML team with talent developed internally. I expect him to reveal how he intends to stock that system. I think we will get part of that answer with the impending trade deadline. I would be shocked if anything orher than the expiring contracts are moved. I will do a little dance if Arenado changes teamsalw80 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 05:37 amThey're not going to be competitive next year, at least not anymore competitive than they are this year. I don't expect much effort until after the lockout when they know what the new salary cap situation looks like.Youboughtit wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 02:14 amTo be competitive those peices must be a 35/100 bat, a 18 game winner and a dominant closer and setup guy. But they will have Arenado Nootbar Gorman Donovan Helsley Burleson all to trade and $100m in payroll to do it.JuanAgosto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 23:55 pm The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 13071
- Joined: 11 Aug 2023 16:20 pm
Re: Team needs for 2026
JJ to third is our biggest need. The second coming of Brett. That would give us an infield of Willy Donovan Winn JJ- best in defense- best in hitting, in MLBYouboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 17:42 pm Looking at possible trade returns and the roster for next year if Arenado Contreras and Gray use NTC
13 position players
Contreras
Burleson
Wetherholt
Donovan
Winn
Arenado
Nootbar
Scott
Walker
Gorman
Pages
Pozo
Hererra
Segesse in AAA
Rotation
Gray
McGreevy
Pallante
Libertore
?
BP not included
My point is there are too many bats and the need for SP is huge. Any trade using Helsley or a couple of players from above needs to return a SP preferably a young power arm in AAA. The match is clear. The Dodgers have 2 or 3 of them.
Follow up question. This team needs a regular lineup. Who is on the bench and do they belong there? For example a bench of Pozo Nootbar Gorman Burleson is wasting good young trade pieces
Burleson Scott Walker.
Need a staff Ace.
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 3194
- Joined: 25 May 2024 06:20 am
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 11723
- Joined: 23 May 2024 12:41 pm
Re: Team needs for 2026
Short list Top 3:
-RHH'er for the OF to go along w/I. Hererra and VSII
-#2 quality starting pitcher
-Closer (I'd have converted T. Hence by now, prepping him for a shot at the role next spring)
-RHH'er for the OF to go along w/I. Hererra and VSII
-#2 quality starting pitcher
-Closer (I'd have converted T. Hence by now, prepping him for a shot at the role next spring)
Re: Team needs for 2026
May as well fold up shop because the ticket sales aren't going to get better.Alex Reyes Cy Young wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 07:01 amMakes sense to balance to the attendance / projected ticket sales?
Re: Team needs for 2026
Agree.alw80 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 05:37 amThey're not going to be competitive next year, at least not anymore competitive than they are this year. I don't expect much effort until after the lockout when they know what the new salary cap situation looks like.Youboughtit wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 02:14 amTo be competitive those peices must be a 35/100 bat, a 18 game winner and a dominant closer and setup guy. But they will have Arenado Nootbar Gorman Donovan Helsley Burleson all to trade and $100m in payroll to do it.JuanAgosto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 23:55 pm The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 384
- Joined: 03 Oct 2021 07:11 am
Re: Team needs for 2026
Small market teams that need players with upside and cost control - you mean the cards don’t fit that mold?Youboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 18:00 pmGorman Walker Nootbar Burleson all would have market to a small market team because of cost control and upside. Go get a AA or AAA SP prospect in return to fill the void. Hitter for pitcher. A baseball tradescoutyjones2 wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 17:57 pmWhat good young trade pieces?Youboughtit wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 17:42 pm Looking at possible trade returns and the roster for next year if Arenado Contreras and Gray use NTC
13 position players
Contreras
Burleson
Wetherholt
Donovan
Winn
Arenado
Nootbar
Scott
Walker
Gorman
Pages
Pozo
Hererra
Segesse in AAA
Rotation
Gray
McGreevy
Pallante
Libertore
?
BP not included
My point is there are too many bats and the need for SP is huge. Any trade using Helsley or a couple of players from above needs to return a SP preferably a young power arm in AAA. The match is clear. The Dodgers have 2 or 3 of them.
Follow up question. This team needs a regular lineup. Who is on the bench and do they belong there? For example a bench of Pozo Nootbar Gorman Burleson is wasting good young trade pieces
Re: Team needs for 2026
I agree. And I couldn't imagine the DeWitts shelling out for big contracts after a season of lower revenue through TV, the turnstiles, and BPV. The FA signings will likely be a Maton type of contract and maybe a modest one year deal for an innings eater.alw80 wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 05:37 amThey're not going to be competitive next year, at least not anymore competitive than they are this year. I don't expect much effort until after the lockout when they know what the new salary cap situation looks like.Youboughtit wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 02:14 amTo be competitive those peices must be a 35/100 bat, a 18 game winner and a dominant closer and setup guy. But they will have Arenado Nootbar Gorman Donovan Helsley Burleson all to trade and $100m in payroll to do it.JuanAgosto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 23:55 pm The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.
Re: Team needs for 2026
Trading Arenado would be great but it's not like he's going to return anything of value, so it's only relevant in terms of roster construction.
They need to trade at least two of Donovan/Gorman/Burleson/Nootbaar/Pozo/Crooks for a TOR pitcher/prospect that will be available no later than 2027. That should be the primary goal of the offseason and if it's all they accomplish it'll be a success.
They need to trade at least two of Donovan/Gorman/Burleson/Nootbaar/Pozo/Crooks for a TOR pitcher/prospect that will be available no later than 2027. That should be the primary goal of the offseason and if it's all they accomplish it'll be a success.
-
- Forum User
- Posts: 5746
- Joined: 01 Jul 2021 21:30 pm
Re: Team needs for 2026
I think they could do it. But will they?Youboughtit wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 02:14 amTo be competitive those peices must be a 35/100 bat, a 18 game winner and a dominant closer and setup guy. But they will have Arenado Nootbar Gorman Donovan Helsley Burleson all to trade and $100m in payroll to do it.JuanAgosto wrote: ↑29 Jul 2025 23:55 pm The players listed in the OP cannot all return. If they do, then this 'reset' is the most dysfunctional process in sports history.
At least 1 of Gorman, Burleson, Nootbaar have to be moved. Donovan is probably traded.
A SP has to be signed or traded for.
A legitimate bat has to be obtained.
At least one reliever needs to be acquired.
With those moves, the Cardinals will be competitive.