Barksdale's People wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 16:09 pm
In another thread here people are lamenting that the time to sell Helsley for the best return was the last deadline or the offseason. Romero will be no different a year from now when the choice becomes pay a reliever for age 30 and beyond or trade him for less than you could have gotten earlier.
I would’ve thought three years worth of examples would be enough but I guess there are some fans who still believe Mo and company when he says that they believe we’re close.
We’re not. The only thing that makes the Cardinals anything more than a fun story with a low postseason ceiling in ‘26 is serious investment. We know that won’t happen, so instead of hoping for 4-5 simultaneous breakouts next year let’s get ahead of the game for once.
This.
Trading Romero is pretty obvious, especially in what has proven to be an insanely good seller's market for relievers. Blue Jays are another team that really need to improve their BP.
But for whatever (asinine) reason it appears Mo's not even considering it.
RH coming off 2 excellent of 3 years and mlb lead and franchise record should have gotten you legit prospect. Jo Jo only gets you a guy who will barely ever sniff MLB. JoJo worth way more as a cardinal.
smilinjoefission wrote: ↑31 Jul 2025 09:31 am
He's a FA in 2027, Cards won't be ready by then, so of course you trade him especially since he's having a strong season...sell high.
Yep. And people were ready to DFA him with the way he started this year. Also, there are very few just consistently good relievers. JoJo has been pretty good for us, but this year is a career year. I agree with you. They probably aren't going to compete next year, so if you can get something good for him, I think you gotta trade him.
Barksdale's People wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 16:09 pm
In another thread here people are lamenting that the time to sell Helsley for the best return was the last deadline or the offseason. Romero will be no different a year from now when the choice becomes pay a reliever for age 30 and beyond or trade him for less than you could have gotten earlier.
I would’ve thought three years worth of examples would be enough but I guess there are some fans who still believe Mo and company when he says that they believe we’re close.
We’re not. The only thing that makes the Cardinals anything more than a fun story with a low postseason ceiling in ‘26 is serious investment. We know that won’t happen, so instead of hoping for 4-5 simultaneous breakouts next year let’s get ahead of the game for once.
Agree with an exception.
Cards are paper thin with LHRP in just getting through 2025.
Unless that doesn't matter or they get something back today, they
can wait for the off season you mentioned.
smilinjoefission wrote: ↑31 Jul 2025 09:31 am
He's a FA in 2027, Cards won't be ready by then, so of course you trade him especially since he's having a strong season...sell high.
Yep. And people were ready to DFA him with the way he started this year. Also, there are very few just consistently good relievers. JoJo has been pretty good for us, but this year is a career year. I agree with you. They probably aren't going to compete next year, so if you can get something good for him, I think you gotta trade him.
He was actually even better in 2023, just a lot of people didn't notice. He's been a good to great relief pitcher for the last few years.
Barksdale's People wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 16:09 pm
In another thread here people are lamenting that the time to sell Helsley for the best return was the last deadline or the offseason. Romero will be no different a year from now when the choice becomes pay a reliever for age 30 and beyond or trade him for less than you could have gotten earlier.
I would’ve thought three years worth of examples would be enough but I guess there are some fans who still believe Mo and company when he says that they believe we’re close.
We’re not. The only thing that makes the Cardinals anything more than a fun story with a low postseason ceiling in ‘26 is serious investment. We know that won’t happen, so instead of hoping for 4-5 simultaneous breakouts next year let’s get ahead of the game for once.
Agree with an exception.
Cards are paper thin with LHRP in just getting through 2025.
Unless that doesn't matter or they get something back today, they
can wait for the off season you mentioned.
I wish I trusted them to do that in the offseason. I already made that mistake with Helsley last winter though. More likely they hold, which I do understand but don’t agree with, and we recycle these Helsley threads next year with Romero. Or worse yet JoJo shows us just how volatile relievers are and we get nothing a la Fedde.
CCard wrote: ↑30 Jul 2025 07:31 am
Hmmm.....Probably your best left handed reliever who is only 28 years old for some other teams lottery tickets from the minors. Pass. Good lefty relievers are worth their weight in gold. If you want to win in the next couple of years you hold on to players like this. The name of the game is pitching. Don't sell for other teams riff raff that aren't ready to compete in the MLB.
The problem is that the Cards aren’t ready to be a contender next year. Also relievers are historically volatile so in those circumstances trading him now would most likely be the smart move for the right return.
He's just the kind of reliever you don't trade. 28 years old and very good. Unless you plan on losing for multiple years, he's a player you need to win. No one knows if the Cards will contend next year. Hell, the Brewers were struggling for much of the season until they ran off that incredible win streak. I've never liked the idea of planning to fail and teams that do "rebuilds or resets" or whatever they want to call it are essentially planning to lose. It's an insult to fans that hope for their team to win.
You know the Cards could sign any of these relievers in free agency and have them back on the roster for 2026, right?
Unless you think there is a possibility of making a playoff run in 2025 it’s foolish to hold on to any player with an expiring contract.
EDIT - my bad, just saw Romero isn’t a free agent until 2027. Id still trade him for the right return but I see your point now
.
Sure, if they were blown away. But you don't just give a really good lefty away for some minor league ticket. Especially if he won't be a free agent.
