4 simple moves to fix the team for 2026

[ZouMiz2424]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

[3dender]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

[ZouMiz2424]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

[3dender]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

If they're smart they will start Walker in AAA next year and not promote him until he shows he can do some actual slugging.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

If they're smart they will start Walker in AAA next year and not promote him until he shows he can do some actual slugging.

This. Walker has one more minor league option. I'm okay with Walker starting the year in St Louis if he is the best right fielder they have, but we can't do next year what we did this year. In spring training he needs to "make" the team and if he doesn't, they need to use the minor league option. If they use the minor league option they shouldn't bring him back unless his play forces them to. If he doesn't get to that point they have some hard decisions to make the following winter.

[3dender]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

If they're smart they will start Walker in AAA next year and not promote him until he shows he can do some actual slugging.

This. Walker has one more minor league option. I'm okay with Walker starting the year in St Louis if he is the best right fielder they have, but we can't do next year what we did this year. In spring training he needs to "make" the team and if he doesn't, they need to use the minor league option. If they use the minor league option they shouldn't bring him back unless his play forces them to. If he doesn't get to that point they have some hard decisions to make the following winter.

100%

[ramfandan]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

[Cusecards]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

[ClassicO]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

I appreciate the OP's effort to look for something to help quickly, and yes, these moves would be significant.

You're low on Story at 2/30. Story has a one-time after this season. He's set for $25M/year in 2026-2027 if he doesn't opt out, so he would want more than 2/$50M!

So I'm not sure they would spend $60M/yr. - or more - for both Story and Tucker, especially if they have to eat a lot of Arendo's contract, which they'd have to do to sign Story.

Gorman is a DH. Walker may end up one as well, if he hits enough. Burly's a DH. That's a lot of DHs. Someone has to go.

[An Old Friend]

They should prioritize Dylan Cease

[JuanAgosto]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

[An Old Friend]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

2B or 3B is going to be filled by Wetherholt. Inquiring on Ketel Marte would make a lot of sense.

There’s no way I see them actually doing this, but adding Dylan Cease & Ketel Marte with Wetherholt coming up would be a massive push in the right direction.

[Francis Park Thug]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

I would never put Walker in another new position he has never played.

[Absolut]

Saw a report projecting Tucker at 400m

[Catfish4U]

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

So....... you want to pay 34 year old Arenado close to $50 million to go away and........ replace him by paying 3 year old Muncy $30 million? I also would not want to pay Tucker $300 million and watch him into his mid 30's!

[cardinalsfan27]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

2B or 3B is going to be filled by Wetherholt. Inquiring on Ketel Marte would make a lot of sense.

There’s no way I see them actually doing this, but adding Dylan Cease & Ketel Marte with Wetherholt coming up would be a massive push in the right direction.

It would take a lot to get Marte. They’d want JJ.