Would you rather...?

[Cardinals4Life]

Just for fun. We know cheapo DeWitt won't do these, but I think these options could work and make us contenders.

This offseason, would you rather.....

1.) Add Eugenio Suarez and Kyle Tucker

2.) Add Eugenio Suarez and Framber Valdez


Lineup and Rotation with #1:

Donovan LF
Wetherholt 2B
Tucker RF
Suarez 3B
Contreras 1B
Herrera DH
Crooks C
Winn SS
Scott II CF

Gray
Liberatore
McGreevy
Pallante
Mathews


Lineup and Rotation with #2:

Donavan LF
Wetherholt 2B
Herrera DH
Suarez 3B
Conteras 1B
Walker RF
Crooks C
Winn SS
Scott II CF

Valdez
Gray
Liberatore
McGreevy
Pallante/Mathews

*Caveat - Both rotations could also have a new mid-rotation type if we were to trade away some unneeded pieces (Noot, Burly, Gorman).

[opti mist]

Since the Cardinals have come this far in the rebuild and given the uncertainty of the CBA, if I were the owner, I probably would not sign any long-term big contract free agents in 2026. Instead, I would look for one-year contracts, emphasizing pitching. 2026 may be a rough year.

Opti

[JohnnyMO]

Opti is right, but to the original question - I would take both hitters. But neither option is quite enough. They would need Suarez, Tucker or Schwarber, and Valdez to be a contender.

[woofy25]

Why sign a 35yr old to anything over 1yr? Goldschmidt and Arenado and general baseball knowledge should tell us not to entertain that unless the cardinals were already contenders and a repeat performance of 2025 would be icing on the cake, not putting most of their eggs in that basket.

[Cardinals4Life]

Opti is right, but to the original question - I would take both hitters. But neither option is quite enough. They would need Suarez, Tucker or Schwarber, and Valdez to be a contender.

Exactly. Cards never go all the way. Always a piece or 2 short. That's rhe Cardinal Way.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Opti is right, but to the original question - I would take both hitters. But neither option is quite enough. They would need Suarez, Tucker or Schwarber, and Valdez to be a contender.

Schwarber is the most economical masher in baseball. His current contract has been 20M per year. His next contract won't be much more than that because he pretty much has to be the DH. His next contract won't be long because of his age. His numbers probably wouldn't be as good if he didn't play half his games in the bandbox in Philadelphia, but he can hit anywhere. All he does is mash. It's interesting that when the Cubs broke up their core they kept Bryant, Baez, Rizzo, and Contreras an extra year and non-tendered Schwarber. He's been more productive than all of them.

[Cardinals4Life]

Since the Cardinals have come this far in the rebuild and given the uncertainty of the CBA, if I were the owner, I probably would not sign any long-term big contract free agents in 2026. Instead, I would look for one-year contracts, emphasizing pitching. 2026 may be a rough year.

Opti

Opti,

I have heard a lot about the CBA and a possibility of no baseball. Explain to me the reasons for no big contracts before that.

[Talkin' Baseball]

It's quite possible that they come out of the CBA with some sort of salary cap. There are teams that will start out hopelessly over the cap. It's hard to know what the rules will be for them to get worked under the cap, but what if for 2-3 years you didn't have to compete with the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Padres, Cubs, etc... for free agents. How far under the cap would you want to be going into that?

[Cardinals4Life]

It's quite possible that they come out of the CBA with some sort of salary cap. There are teams that will start out hopelessly over the cap. It's hard to know what the rules will be for them to get worked under the cap, but what if for 2-3 years you didn't have to compete with the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Padres, Cubs, etc... for free agents. How far under the cap would you want to be going into that?

I see. So you're thinking is that if they negotiate a salary cap (ex. 300M), and then a team is already over that cap (ex. Dodgers) that they wouldn't be able to compete for free agents, thereby giving the Cards more of a chance?

If that's the case, then a couple of questions:

1.) Is that a fallacy to think that there will be a salary cap?
2.) Why would teams agree to that if they know they are over the cap?
3.) Even if that scenario unfolded, do we really think DeWitt will still spend $$$ in free agency?

Also, what if we signed a player to a big deal in the offseason, then a year later there's no baseball? What happens to that year in the contract?

[Talkin' Baseball]

It's quite possible that they come out of the CBA with some sort of salary cap. There are teams that will start out hopelessly over the cap. It's hard to know what the rules will be for them to get worked under the cap, but what if for 2-3 years you didn't have to compete with the Dodgers, Yankees, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Padres, Cubs, etc... for free agents. How far under the cap would you want to be going into that?

I see. So you're thinking is that if they negotiate a salary cap (ex. 300M), and then a team is already over that cap (ex. Dodgers) that they wouldn't be able to compete for free agents, thereby giving the Cards more of a chance?

If that's the case, then a couple of questions:

1.) Is that a fallacy to think that there will be a salary cap?
2.) Why would teams agree to that if they know they are over the cap?
3.) Even if that scenario unfolded, do we really think DeWitt will still spend $$$ in free agency?

Also, what if we signed a player to a big deal in the offseason, then a year later there's no baseball? What happens to that year in the contract?

1) I don't know if it's a fallacy to think there will be a cap, or not. I know they are going to try hard and it will be the issue that keeps baseball locked down for a while.
2) Some of them will bristle, but in the end they may kill their sport altogether if they don't get some semblance of parity.
3) DeWitt might not be a top spender, but if they implement a cap they will probably also implement a floor. The Cardinals might surprise us in a scenario like this. Who knows?

I assume if baseball doesn't get played, players won't get paid.

[rbirules]

Do i have to choose an option with a 34 year old 3B? I'd much rather have Tucker and Valdez.

[opti mist]

Since the Cardinals have come this far in the rebuild and given the uncertainty of the CBA, if I were the owner, I probably would not sign any long-term big contract free agents in 2026. Instead, I would look for one-year contracts, emphasizing pitching. 2026 may be a rough year.

Opti

Opti,

I have heard a lot about the CBA and a possibility of no baseball. Explain to me the reasons for no big contracts before that.

You would have pretty much a clean slate and maximum salary flexibility to adapt to whatever the new rules are. If there is some form of salary cap forcing high $$ teams to shed payroll, you would be well positioned to take advantage. There will be new rules.

[JuanAgosto]

BDW isn't spending for Tucker or Suarez. Doubtful for Valdez as well.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Since the Cardinals have come this far in the rebuild and given the uncertainty of the CBA, if I were the owner, I probably would not sign any long-term big contract free agents in 2026. Instead, I would look for one-year contracts, emphasizing pitching. 2026 may be a rough year.

Opti

Opti,

I have heard a lot about the CBA and a possibility of no baseball. Explain to me the reasons for no big contracts before that.

You would have pretty much a clean slate and maximum salary flexibility to adapt to whatever the new rules are. If there is some form of salary cap forcing high $$ teams to shed payroll, you would be well positioned to take advantage. There will be new rules.

It probably would be advantageous to wait for the new rules before extending current Cardinals.

[Cardinals4Life]

Since the Cardinals have come this far in the rebuild and given the uncertainty of the CBA, if I were the owner, I probably would not sign any long-term big contract free agents in 2026. Instead, I would look for one-year contracts, emphasizing pitching. 2026 may be a rough year.

Opti

Opti,

I have heard a lot about the CBA and a possibility of no baseball. Explain to me the reasons for no big contracts before that.

You would have pretty much a clean slate and maximum salary flexibility to adapt to whatever the new rules are. If there is some form of salary cap forcing high $$ teams to shed payroll, you would be well positioned to take advantage. There will be new rules.

It probably would be advantageous to wait for the new rules before extending current Cardinals.

So we have to waste another season of baseball?
This is EXACTLY how Pirate fans feel. Perpetual losing, kicking the can down the road, never an end in sight.
Always an excuse.

[Cardinals4Life]

Since the Cardinals have come this far in the rebuild and given the uncertainty of the CBA, if I were the owner, I probably would not sign any long-term big contract free agents in 2026. Instead, I would look for one-year contracts, emphasizing pitching. 2026 may be a rough year.

Opti

Opti,

I have heard a lot about the CBA and a possibility of no baseball. Explain to me the reasons for no big contracts before that.

You would have pretty much a clean slate and maximum salary flexibility to adapt to whatever the new rules are. If there is some form of salary cap forcing high $$ teams to shed payroll, you would be well positioned to take advantage. There will be new rules.

Okay. Thanks. I understand that point. I just hate WASTING another season. Ugggghhhh. Always an excuse!!