imyourhuckleberry wrote: ↑04 Aug 2025 14:16 pm
While I think the conversation will happen in a more professional, diplomatic way, it will happen.
His list could could\will also change based on who he sees as a contender for the next two seasons as well as who can guarantee him playing time.
More likely.
If Arenado finishes the season weakly and has lingering health issues it only makes sense to move on.
Having said that.....your mention of “professional/diplomatic” rings true. Players talk and the last thing the Cards need is bad PR in regard to the FO which could impact future negotiations with players.
Agree ! This 'accept a trade or be benched in 2026 as pinch hitter ' has never made sense to me. I think those that want to use a punitive tactic like that do not see the potential pitfalls down the road. I feel that the negative publicity league w would create would steer any free agents away from wanting to play for the Cardinals. Secondly , for the FO to threaten playing time for any player flies in the face of the concept ' the manager determines who is in the lineup ' each game. So if the FO not determining to our manager (whether Oli or someone else that Arenado would be strictly a bench bat ). If Oli is dismissed, what manager in his right mind would take the Cardinal job with that directive. Nobody worth their salt. Only a puppet would do that .
We want future top players WANT to play for the Cardinals not be leary of coming here .
I just feel some are being short-sighted on how this negatively could impact our organization for the future.
I believe Bloom, Arenado , and his agent will resolve this situation. Nado and his agent will expand his list in the offseason and Bloom will 'eat a lot more of the remaining salary than Mo was willing to do ' . Those two things will get another team to bite on Arenado.
The Cardinals are the 4th most attractive team in their own division - FA would much rather player in CHI, MIL or even CIN
The Cardinals have meddled in middle with FA, because the top guys don’t want to come here and BDW won’t pay for the top guys
They have signed (bleep) mid-level FA and been burned.
This whole PR, FA excuse shows how out of touch some fans are. Stop living in yesteryear
You are half right. BDW won't pay for the top guys. That's why high-end FAs don't come here. If the Cardinals offered the top free agents the top offers, they would come here more often than not.
Unrealistic…..the cards don’t have the resources to offer the top players the top offers..
You really think the cards can beat 765 mil for Soto?
Where did I say anything of the sort? I said "If the Cardinals offered the top free agents the top offers, they would come here more often than not."
Nowhere did I say the Cardinals could or would make the top offer for a top FA.
I was disputing that FAs would rather play in CHI, MIL or CIN. My point being, location\team preference may be a tie breaker if no real difference between contract offers, but the majority of FAs will, more often than not, take the top offer, regardless of where it is.
Ok….see where you were going…..and I agree
“It’s about the money, it’s always about the money”………..Lance Berkman
“When they say it's not about money, that means it's all about money."
Cards don't look like they will complete in 2026 or 2027 and 2027 may be a strike year anyway.
If you are looking to dump salary, you trade Arenado. You will not get any good prospects back even if you send quite a bit of cash with Arenado.
If you are looking to restock your farm system, you trade Donovan. You will get a haul of prospects back.
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Arenado for up to 2 more years. If he's not injured, he should play near average. Also, give the man more days off so he stays healthier.
Move on from Gorman, he cannot play 2B, SS, or 3B.
Fermin is out of options and his defense isn't much better than Gorman. Move on.
Saggese is fine as a backup 2B/SS/3B.
LF Burleson
CF Scott, Church
RF Nootbar for 2026, then maybe trade him.
Walker goes to AAA for 2026 and maybe earns the RF job for 2027 or maybe it is time to move on.
Arenado is not the thing killing this team. And as a human and a professional he merits respect from management. And will get it. Some of you on this forum forget these are PEOPLE in real life.
Yes it would be good for STL to move on from Nado but it would be worse to treat him like dung. If they have to wait until his contract runs out in 2027 OK do it. If they CAN trade him do it. Truth is he isn't good enough now for a contender to want him so live with the reality he is a Cardinal thru 2027 and he isn't hurting this team. But I would reduce his playing time. Need to see the new infield play. And MY infield of the future is JJW - Winn - Donovan - Contreras/Herrera.
And I would be playing the heck out of that lineup starting September when we are past losing JJs rookie status.
AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑04 Aug 2025 20:37 pm
Arenado is not the thing killing this team. And as a human and a professional he merits respect from management. And will get it. Some of you on this forum forget these are PEOPLE in real life.
Yes it would be good for STL to move on from Nado but it would be worse to treat him like dung. If they have to wait until his contract runs out in 2027 OK do it. If they CAN trade him do it. Truth is he isn't good enough now for a contender to want him so live with the reality he is a Cardinal thru 2027 and he isn't hurting this team. But I would reduce his playing time. Need to see the new infield play. And MY infield of the future is JJW - Winn - Donovan - Contreras/Herrera.
And I would be playing the heck out of that lineup starting September when we are past losing JJs rookie status.
This club is not deep enough to waste a roster spot for two years…
Just release him, and let him pursue whatever deal he can find…
AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑04 Aug 2025 20:37 pm
Arenado is not the thing killing this team. And as a human and a professional he merits respect from management. And will get it. Some of you on this forum forget these are PEOPLE in real life.
Yes it would be good for STL to move on from Nado but it would be worse to treat him like dung. If they have to wait until his contract runs out in 2027 OK do it. If they CAN trade him do it. Truth is he isn't good enough now for a contender to want him so live with the reality he is a Cardinal thru 2027 and he isn't hurting this team. But I would reduce his playing time. Need to see the new infield play. And MY infield of the future is JJW - Winn - Donovan - Contreras/Herrera.
And I would be playing the heck out of that lineup starting September when we are past losing JJs rookie status.
100% this.
Whether he is traded, released or kept, he's earned the respect due a professional. This doesn't mean he can't be spoken to to plainly and honestly. But there is a way to speak plainly and honestly, with respect. And there is a way to speak plainly and honestly while being a dick.
I'm sure the Cardinals will choose the former and leave the latter to the Cards Talk tough-guys.
It’s a business with an overpaid underperforming player that is blocking other players
It is a business. With professionals. Not whiny internet fans who think they have a clue how the business works. And they may have a serious conversation with Arenado but it won't be the bully boy talk posited on here.
Like I said in April they should have had this discussion after he killed the Astro deal. We don’t know what our other options are at 3rd as they have been blocked from playing by the self centered boat anchor Arenado.
