WillyC wants to stay here per J. Hayes

[Just Whit]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

There are more hurdles to deal Gray than there are WC or NA.
Gray and the ridiculously back loaded contract looks almost impossible to deal. $40 million?
Cards can use pitching and will be looking for more. I don't know they will look for 1B or 3B
even if WC and NA were moved.

Any team that plays in heat or an outdoor stadium would be wise to stay away from Sonny. What a horrible freakin' contract. Yet another classic Mozeliak move. It's just shocking how bad the majority of his acquisitions are.

It wasn't a bad contract. Must complain about Mo.

[CorneliusWolfe]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

There are more hurdles to deal Gray than there are WC or NA.
Gray and the ridiculously back loaded contract looks almost impossible to deal. $40 million?
Cards can use pitching and will be looking for more. I don't know they will look for 1B or 3B
even if WC and NA were moved.

Any team that plays in heat or an outdoor stadium would be wise to stay away from Sonny. What a horrible freakin' contract. Yet another classic Mozeliak move. It's just shocking how bad the majority of his acquisitions are.

It wasn't a bad contract. Must complain about Mo.

I agree it wasn’t too bad considering the cost of even a solid #3/4 starter. It sure would’ve been nice though to not be so backloaded. Now it’s going to be hard to move unless just a salary dump situation with no real prospect return.

[mattmitchl44]

If the Cardinals commit to rebuilding, they should look to trade Gray, Arenado, Contreras, and probably Donovan. Eat as much of their salary as you can and get the most you can get in return.

Donovan is close, he's going on 29 and could be part of a resurgence in 3 or 4 years. But he's probably worth more to them right now in prospects.

[2ninr]

If the Cardinals commit to rebuilding, they should look to trade Gray, Arenado, Contreras, and probably Donovan. Eat as much of their salary as you can and get the most you can get in return.

Donovan is close, he's going on 29 and could be part of a resurgence in 3 or 4 years. But he's probably worth more to them right now in prospects.

This is where we find out if Bill is cheap or if Bill is shrewd. Is he trying to save $ or is he being proactive in a new model for player procurement and development that doesn't demand outbidding teams with deeper pockets.

[rockondlouie]

Per The Cat today

WillyC has spoken to C. Bloom and told him he "likes a challenge" and wants to stay.

If Bloom found a trade that benefits both sides, then he'd listen.

But sounds like Willy's not going to waive and will be here in 2026.

I wonder if Contreras likes that he isn't playing catcher any longer. A lot of teams would move him back behind the plate. At his age he might not want that.

Contreras only has a full no trade clause for 2026. After next season he can turn in a list of the 10 teams that he wants to block a trade to. Bloom should ask Contreras for the top teams that he would be interested in going to. Maybe Contreras would waive his no trade if he was able to go to his top 2 or 3 teams that he would be interested in since he knows in 2027 he could end up with some teams that he doesn't want to get traded to.

I know I would!

No more getting beat up and melting behind the plate in that St. Louis heat.

He's made it clear he'll listen this offseason so he may indeed waive if he likes the fit.

[blackinkbiz]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

There are more hurdles to deal Gray than there are WC or NA.
Gray and the ridiculously back loaded contract looks almost impossible to deal. $40 million?
Cards can use pitching and will be looking for more. I don't know they will look for 1B or 3B
even if WC and NA were moved.

Any team that plays in heat or an outdoor stadium would be wise to stay away from Sonny. What a horrible freakin' contract. Yet another classic Mozeliak move. It's just shocking how bad the majority of his acquisitions are.

It wasn't a bad contract. Must complain about Mo.

For the record, before 2023, I thought Mo haters were whiners and whackos. I mean, how could you complain about a team that's a perennial playoff team? But they saw the writing on the wall before the other shoe fell? Not sure I used that metaphor correctly and I mixed it but anyways! They were right, the cancerous seed of bad decisions had been planted years before, and now we see the fruits of its horrendousness.

It's just the backloading of a pitcher who's clearly over the hill, who can't pitch in heat, and is nowhere near the ace-like cash he'll be paid next season. It's insane how much these guys make, even when you just compare it to a league like the NHL. Anyways, a mid-4's ERA for a a guy making 35 mil who can't compete when it's too hot out... bleh!

[82birds]

If the Cardinals commit to rebuilding, they should look to trade Gray, Arenado, Contreras, and probably Donovan. Eat as much of their salary as you can and get the most you can get in return.

Donovan is close, he's going on 29 and could be part of a resurgence in 3 or 4 years. But he's probably worth more to them right now in prospects.

the "Donovan question" will be extremely interesting at the very least.

[45s]

He will be 34 next season..

Typically, teams do not rebuild around highly paid players on the wrong side of 30.

What you say is true. I like Willson, and I don't mind if he is still here next year. He is still productive. I do think they will try to trade him. If I had to give a yes, or no, as to whether a deal gets done- I say yes. What say you?

very respectfully sir...

roster decisions should not be made based on who the followers like

that philosophy is one of the reasons the club is in the shape it is ........too many "fan favorites" have littered the rosters for too long

build the best roster for now, and more importantly the future

if the club begins the win, the followers will like the new guys just fine...

so yes........thank you Willson....but C ya later..

[rockondlouie]

I don't understand the hate from some for WillyC.

I'd take nine of him in my lineup any day.

(And no way is he "over paid" and yes he does have some solid trade value should Bloom find a deal they both like and Willy waives the NTC)

[Melville]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

(Applause)

Indeed.
W/C says he wants to be a leader.
Exact opposite of what Goldschmidt and N/A said.
Zero question that is what the organization needs.
But there is a valid question.
How much is another team willing to give STL in exchange?

Another team would let them dump his salary on them because as you (and only you!) correctly pointed out lol, his contract is actually a bargain.

No good prospect return though, unless the team wants to cover a significant portion of his salary, effectively buying a better prospect.

Only two factions will see this as a bad development, those who love nothing more than BDW saving money and those suffering from Burly fever.

He has more value than most think.
Not only does his remaining AAV have appeal, but the limited 2-year commitment is exactly what a lot of teams will covet.
He will cost a small fraction of what middle order FA bats Tucker, Schwarber, and Bellinger will command - who are all LH.
Outside of Suarez, there's not much to pick from among RH bats.
There could not be a better time for STL to shop him - and the return would be significant.
Not advocating that he be traded.
Simply providing 100% accurate, agenda-free, bias-free analysis.

Lol…I’d expect nothing less! You do raise a good point in the 2 year contract length. I forgot about that which does make him more appealing for a team looking for a good bridge player. Same logic could applied in the case for the Cardinals retaining him too.

There is indeed an argument in favor of keeping him.
If Bloom's goal is to aim for 85-86 wins next year, while simultaneously building a foundation for something better long-term, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION would be to keep Contreras for at least one more season and possibly for both.
On the other hand, if STL simply wants to dump contract and dollars, they will find it easier to trade Contreras than Gray and could go in that direction.
Since I could easily fix the organization in 30 days or less and therefore see no reason to forfeit next season, I would retain him - unless the trade offer was overwhelming with starting pitching talent.

Your 30 day claim is quite bold, but luckily your consulting skills won’t be required as the organization is already fixed. Mo is retiring.

One question though, why would any GM “aim for 85-86 wins”? I have argued against those who say a wildcard is worthless, in that I think it is natural evolution to experience at least a short phase of mediocrity on the road back to contention. Not to mention fighting your way back to the top is an invaluable experience to young players.

But I do agree that you don’t “build for a wildcard” either. You sensibly use all resources available and exhaust all avenues to improve, then turn the revised roster loose and let the chips fall where they may, as opposed to any form of tanking. Would that have fit your 30 day plan?

Bloom has 2 options.
Conclude the team cannot compete in the near term and therefore do a complete reset in necessary (meaning no expectation of competing for a W/C next year).
Or conclude the team currently has the resources to play +.500 ball and needs just a few changes to do so in the short term - while building a higher ceiling pipeline for the long term (this approach would produce an expectation of winning 85-86 wins as soon as next season).
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is the latter.
(Of course, one important factor either way is whatever DeWitt has already shared internally as to the 3-5 year payroll budget.)
With the latter choice being the 100% correct analysis, then yes, the organization can quite easily be fixed in 30 days or less.
As I was first and best to understand and explain - and as has been widely accepted here over time as others have heeded my advice to keep reading and keep learning - the actions required are clear and obvious.
1. Fire The Marmot and his staff - and replace with an experienced battle proven crew.
2. Retain Gray, Liberatore, and McGreevy - while adding two very solid starting pitchers (acknowledging risk of injury to pitchers can upset any well made plan).
3. Acquire a ASG quality middle order RH hitting corner outfielder.
Very, very easily accomplished in a 30-day window from late November through late December, through trade and FA opportunities.
Expendable pieces to accomplish this would include, but not limited to, Bernal, Mathews, Crooks, Padilla, Hence, C. Davis, Mootbaar (as I alone correctly advised in each of the past 4 years), Donovan (I would not want to see that, but the return could make it worth considering), Herrera (most won't like to see his name listed but unless the team moves him to LF it is the right thing to do), Saggese (though he does profile well as a super-utility), Prieto (time is up), Gorman (a popular choice for many but trading him would almost certainly quickly prove to be a strategic blunder), Scott, and Walker (again, some risk but I think the organization is ready to move on).
There is a lot of redundancy to work from - particularly with Wetherholt, Doyle, Joshua Baez, and maybe even Henderson showing progress and perhaps not far from contributing at the MLB level and backfilling for some of those who depart.
Plenty of pieces to mix-n-match to acquire what is needed.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

[45s]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

(Applause)

Indeed.
W/C says he wants to be a leader.
Exact opposite of what Goldschmidt and N/A said.
Zero question that is what the organization needs.
But there is a valid question.
How much is another team willing to give STL in exchange?

Another team would let them dump his salary on them because as you (and only you!) correctly pointed out lol, his contract is actually a bargain.

No good prospect return though, unless the team wants to cover a significant portion of his salary, effectively buying a better prospect.

Only two factions will see this as a bad development, those who love nothing more than BDW saving money and those suffering from Burly fever.

He has more value than most think.
Not only does his remaining AAV have appeal, but the limited 2-year commitment is exactly what a lot of teams will covet.
He will cost a small fraction of what middle order FA bats Tucker, Schwarber, and Bellinger will command - who are all LH.
Outside of Suarez, there's not much to pick from among RH bats.
There could not be a better time for STL to shop him - and the return would be significant.
Not advocating that he be traded.
Simply providing 100% accurate, agenda-free, bias-free analysis.

Lol…I’d expect nothing less! You do raise a good point in the 2 year contract length. I forgot about that which does make him more appealing for a team looking for a good bridge player. Same logic could applied in the case for the Cardinals retaining him too.

There is indeed an argument in favor of keeping him.
If Bloom's goal is to aim for 85-86 wins next year, while simultaneously building a foundation for something better long-term, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION would be to keep Contreras for at least one more season and possibly for both.
On the other hand, if STL simply wants to dump contract and dollars, they will find it easier to trade Contreras than Gray and could go in that direction.
Since I could easily fix the organization in 30 days or less and therefore see no reason to forfeit next season, I would retain him - unless the trade offer was overwhelming with starting pitching talent.

Your 30 day claim is quite bold, but luckily your consulting skills won’t be required as the organization is already fixed. Mo is retiring.

One question though, why would any GM “aim for 85-86 wins”? I have argued against those who say a wildcard is worthless, in that I think it is natural evolution to experience at least a short phase of mediocrity on the road back to contention. Not to mention fighting your way back to the top is an invaluable experience to young players.

But I do agree that you don’t “build for a wildcard” either. You sensibly use all resources available and exhaust all avenues to improve, then turn the revised roster loose and let the chips fall where they may, as opposed to any form of tanking. Would that have fit your 30 day plan?

Bloom has 2 options.
Conclude the team cannot compete in the near term and therefore do a complete reset in necessary (meaning no expectation of competing for a W/C next year).
Or conclude the team currently has the resources to play +.500 ball and needs just a few changes to do so in the short term - while building a higher ceiling pipeline for the long term (this approach would produce an expectation of winning 85-86 wins as soon as next season).
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is the latter.
(Of course, one important factor either way is whatever DeWitt has already shared internally as to the 3-5 year payroll budget.)
With the latter choice being the 100% correct analysis, then yes, the organization can quite easily be fixed in 30 days or less.
As I was first and best to understand and explain - and as has been widely accepted here over time as others have heeded my advice to keep reading and keep learning - the actions required are clear and obvious.
1. Fire The Marmot and his staff - and replace with an experienced battle proven crew.
2. Retain Gray, Liberatore, and McGreevy - while adding two very solid starting pitchers (acknowledging risk of injury to pitchers can upset any well made plan).
3. Acquire a ASG quality middle order RH hitting corner outfielder.
Very, very easily accomplished in a 30-day window from late November through late December, through trade and FA opportunities.
Expendable pieces to accomplish this would include, but not limited to, Bernal, Mathews, Crooks, Padilla, Hence, C. Davis, Mootbaar (as I alone correctly advised in each of the past 4 years), Donovan (I would not want to see that, but the return could make it worth considering), Herrera (most won't like to see his name listed but unless the team moves him to LF it is the right thing to do), Saggese (though he does profile well as a super-utility), Prieto (time is up), Gorman (a popular choice for many but trading him would almost certainly quickly prove to be a strategic blunder), Scott, and Walker (again, some risk but I think the organization is ready to move on).
There is a lot of redundancy to work from - particularly with Wetherholt, Doyle, Joshua Baez, and maybe even Henderson showing progress and perhaps not far from contributing at the MLB level and backfilling for some of those who depart.
Plenty of pieces to mix-n-match to acquire what is needed.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Perhaps it’s obvious

Perhaps it’s correct

Easy??? Getting an experienced, veteran manager to come to Stl is likely a challenge…..

That quality outfielder you suggest could prove difficult as well…..the club does not have many quality prospects to trade….unless you are willing to sacrifice the future for a short term quick fix…

Quality free agents have many options…..stl is not particularly attractive right now….unless Dewitt is going to over pay…….not much chance of that…

Easy to blue sky solutions……dealing with reality can be a problem

[Melville]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

(Applause)

Indeed.
W/C says he wants to be a leader.
Exact opposite of what Goldschmidt and N/A said.
Zero question that is what the organization needs.
But there is a valid question.
How much is another team willing to give STL in exchange?

Another team would let them dump his salary on them because as you (and only you!) correctly pointed out lol, his contract is actually a bargain.

No good prospect return though, unless the team wants to cover a significant portion of his salary, effectively buying a better prospect.

Only two factions will see this as a bad development, those who love nothing more than BDW saving money and those suffering from Burly fever.

He has more value than most think.
Not only does his remaining AAV have appeal, but the limited 2-year commitment is exactly what a lot of teams will covet.
He will cost a small fraction of what middle order FA bats Tucker, Schwarber, and Bellinger will command - who are all LH.
Outside of Suarez, there's not much to pick from among RH bats.
There could not be a better time for STL to shop him - and the return would be significant.
Not advocating that he be traded.
Simply providing 100% accurate, agenda-free, bias-free analysis.

Lol…I’d expect nothing less! You do raise a good point in the 2 year contract length. I forgot about that which does make him more appealing for a team looking for a good bridge player. Same logic could applied in the case for the Cardinals retaining him too.

There is indeed an argument in favor of keeping him.
If Bloom's goal is to aim for 85-86 wins next year, while simultaneously building a foundation for something better long-term, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION would be to keep Contreras for at least one more season and possibly for both.
On the other hand, if STL simply wants to dump contract and dollars, they will find it easier to trade Contreras than Gray and could go in that direction.
Since I could easily fix the organization in 30 days or less and therefore see no reason to forfeit next season, I would retain him - unless the trade offer was overwhelming with starting pitching talent.

Your 30 day claim is quite bold, but luckily your consulting skills won’t be required as the organization is already fixed. Mo is retiring.

One question though, why would any GM “aim for 85-86 wins”? I have argued against those who say a wildcard is worthless, in that I think it is natural evolution to experience at least a short phase of mediocrity on the road back to contention. Not to mention fighting your way back to the top is an invaluable experience to young players.

But I do agree that you don’t “build for a wildcard” either. You sensibly use all resources available and exhaust all avenues to improve, then turn the revised roster loose and let the chips fall where they may, as opposed to any form of tanking. Would that have fit your 30 day plan?

Bloom has 2 options.
Conclude the team cannot compete in the near term and therefore do a complete reset in necessary (meaning no expectation of competing for a W/C next year).
Or conclude the team currently has the resources to play +.500 ball and needs just a few changes to do so in the short term - while building a higher ceiling pipeline for the long term (this approach would produce an expectation of winning 85-86 wins as soon as next season).
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is the latter.
(Of course, one important factor either way is whatever DeWitt has already shared internally as to the 3-5 year payroll budget.)
With the latter choice being the 100% correct analysis, then yes, the organization can quite easily be fixed in 30 days or less.
As I was first and best to understand and explain - and as has been widely accepted here over time as others have heeded my advice to keep reading and keep learning - the actions required are clear and obvious.
1. Fire The Marmot and his staff - and replace with an experienced battle proven crew.
2. Retain Gray, Liberatore, and McGreevy - while adding two very solid starting pitchers (acknowledging risk of injury to pitchers can upset any well made plan).
3. Acquire a ASG quality middle order RH hitting corner outfielder.
Very, very easily accomplished in a 30-day window from late November through late December, through trade and FA opportunities.
Expendable pieces to accomplish this would include, but not limited to, Bernal, Mathews, Crooks, Padilla, Hence, C. Davis, Mootbaar (as I alone correctly advised in each of the past 4 years), Donovan (I would not want to see that, but the return could make it worth considering), Herrera (most won't like to see his name listed but unless the team moves him to LF it is the right thing to do), Saggese (though he does profile well as a super-utility), Prieto (time is up), Gorman (a popular choice for many but trading him would almost certainly quickly prove to be a strategic blunder), Scott, and Walker (again, some risk but I think the organization is ready to move on).
There is a lot of redundancy to work from - particularly with Wetherholt, Doyle, Joshua Baez, and maybe even Henderson showing progress and perhaps not far from contributing at the MLB level and backfilling for some of those who depart.
Plenty of pieces to mix-n-match to acquire what is needed.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Perhaps it’s obvious

Perhaps it’s correct

Easy??? Getting an experienced, veteran manager to come to Stl is likely a challenge…..

That quality outfielder you suggest could prove difficult as well…..the club does not have many quality prospects to trade….unless you are willing to sacrifice the future for a short term quick fix…

Quality free agents have many options…..stl is not particularly attractive right now….unless Dewitt is going to over pay…….not much chance of that…

Easy to blue sky solutions……dealing with reality can be a problem

There are only 2 necessary ingredients for organizational success.
Will.
And skill.
Over the course of my career in consulting with hundreds of clients, I have learned that it is more common for leaders to possess skill.
It is less common to own the will.
A truly competent leader could fix the STL organization is 30 days or less.
That is not blue sky.
It is the reality.
We will soon learn just how much will Bloom and DeWitt actually have.

[CorneliusWolfe]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

(Applause)

Indeed.
W/C says he wants to be a leader.
Exact opposite of what Goldschmidt and N/A said.
Zero question that is what the organization needs.
But there is a valid question.
How much is another team willing to give STL in exchange?

Another team would let them dump his salary on them because as you (and only you!) correctly pointed out lol, his contract is actually a bargain.

No good prospect return though, unless the team wants to cover a significant portion of his salary, effectively buying a better prospect.

Only two factions will see this as a bad development, those who love nothing more than BDW saving money and those suffering from Burly fever.

He has more value than most think.
Not only does his remaining AAV have appeal, but the limited 2-year commitment is exactly what a lot of teams will covet.
He will cost a small fraction of what middle order FA bats Tucker, Schwarber, and Bellinger will command - who are all LH.
Outside of Suarez, there's not much to pick from among RH bats.
There could not be a better time for STL to shop him - and the return would be significant.
Not advocating that he be traded.
Simply providing 100% accurate, agenda-free, bias-free analysis.

Lol…I’d expect nothing less! You do raise a good point in the 2 year contract length. I forgot about that which does make him more appealing for a team looking for a good bridge player. Same logic could applied in the case for the Cardinals retaining him too.

There is indeed an argument in favor of keeping him.
If Bloom's goal is to aim for 85-86 wins next year, while simultaneously building a foundation for something better long-term, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION would be to keep Contreras for at least one more season and possibly for both.
On the other hand, if STL simply wants to dump contract and dollars, they will find it easier to trade Contreras than Gray and could go in that direction.
Since I could easily fix the organization in 30 days or less and therefore see no reason to forfeit next season, I would retain him - unless the trade offer was overwhelming with starting pitching talent.

Your 30 day claim is quite bold, but luckily your consulting skills won’t be required as the organization is already fixed. Mo is retiring.

One question though, why would any GM “aim for 85-86 wins”? I have argued against those who say a wildcard is worthless, in that I think it is natural evolution to experience at least a short phase of mediocrity on the road back to contention. Not to mention fighting your way back to the top is an invaluable experience to young players.

But I do agree that you don’t “build for a wildcard” either. You sensibly use all resources available and exhaust all avenues to improve, then turn the revised roster loose and let the chips fall where they may, as opposed to any form of tanking. Would that have fit your 30 day plan?

Bloom has 2 options.
Conclude the team cannot compete in the near term and therefore do a complete reset in necessary (meaning no expectation of competing for a W/C next year).
Or conclude the team currently has the resources to play +.500 ball and needs just a few changes to do so in the short term - while building a higher ceiling pipeline for the long term (this approach would produce an expectation of winning 85-86 wins as soon as next season).
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is the latter.
(Of course, one important factor either way is whatever DeWitt has already shared internally as to the 3-5 year payroll budget.)
With the latter choice being the 100% correct analysis, then yes, the organization can quite easily be fixed in 30 days or less.
As I was first and best to understand and explain - and as has been widely accepted here over time as others have heeded my advice to keep reading and keep learning - the actions required are clear and obvious.
1. Fire The Marmot and his staff - and replace with an experienced battle proven crew.
2. Retain Gray, Liberatore, and McGreevy - while adding two very solid starting pitchers (acknowledging risk of injury to pitchers can upset any well made plan).
3. Acquire a ASG quality middle order RH hitting corner outfielder.
Very, very easily accomplished in a 30-day window from late November through late December, through trade and FA opportunities.
Expendable pieces to accomplish this would include, but not limited to, Bernal, Mathews, Crooks, Padilla, Hence, C. Davis, Mootbaar (as I alone correctly advised in each of the past 4 years), Donovan (I would not want to see that, but the return could make it worth considering), Herrera (most won't like to see his name listed but unless the team moves him to LF it is the right thing to do), Saggese (though he does profile well as a super-utility), Prieto (time is up), Gorman (a popular choice for many but trading him would almost certainly quickly prove to be a strategic blunder), Scott, and Walker (again, some risk but I think the organization is ready to move on).
There is a lot of redundancy to work from - particularly with Wetherholt, Doyle, Joshua Baez, and maybe even Henderson showing progress and perhaps not far from contributing at the MLB level and backfilling for some of those who depart.
Plenty of pieces to mix-n-match to acquire what is needed.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Perhaps it’s obvious

Perhaps it’s correct

Easy??? Getting an experienced, veteran manager to come to Stl is likely a challenge…..

That quality outfielder you suggest could prove difficult as well…..the club does not have many quality prospects to trade….unless you are willing to sacrifice the future for a short term quick fix…

Quality free agents have many options…..stl is not particularly attractive right now….unless Dewitt is going to over pay…….not much chance of that…

Easy to blue sky solutions……dealing with reality can be a problem

I thought the exact same thing while reading his response. Obvious, correct, but likely not so easy.

[45s]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

(Applause)

Indeed.
W/C says he wants to be a leader.
Exact opposite of what Goldschmidt and N/A said.
Zero question that is what the organization needs.
But there is a valid question.
How much is another team willing to give STL in exchange?

Another team would let them dump his salary on them because as you (and only you!) correctly pointed out lol, his contract is actually a bargain.

No good prospect return though, unless the team wants to cover a significant portion of his salary, effectively buying a better prospect.

Only two factions will see this as a bad development, those who love nothing more than BDW saving money and those suffering from Burly fever.

He has more value than most think.
Not only does his remaining AAV have appeal, but the limited 2-year commitment is exactly what a lot of teams will covet.
He will cost a small fraction of what middle order FA bats Tucker, Schwarber, and Bellinger will command - who are all LH.
Outside of Suarez, there's not much to pick from among RH bats.
There could not be a better time for STL to shop him - and the return would be significant.
Not advocating that he be traded.
Simply providing 100% accurate, agenda-free, bias-free analysis.

Lol…I’d expect nothing less! You do raise a good point in the 2 year contract length. I forgot about that which does make him more appealing for a team looking for a good bridge player. Same logic could applied in the case for the Cardinals retaining him too.

There is indeed an argument in favor of keeping him.
If Bloom's goal is to aim for 85-86 wins next year, while simultaneously building a foundation for something better long-term, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION would be to keep Contreras for at least one more season and possibly for both.
On the other hand, if STL simply wants to dump contract and dollars, they will find it easier to trade Contreras than Gray and could go in that direction.
Since I could easily fix the organization in 30 days or less and therefore see no reason to forfeit next season, I would retain him - unless the trade offer was overwhelming with starting pitching talent.

Your 30 day claim is quite bold, but luckily your consulting skills won’t be required as the organization is already fixed. Mo is retiring.

One question though, why would any GM “aim for 85-86 wins”? I have argued against those who say a wildcard is worthless, in that I think it is natural evolution to experience at least a short phase of mediocrity on the road back to contention. Not to mention fighting your way back to the top is an invaluable experience to young players.

But I do agree that you don’t “build for a wildcard” either. You sensibly use all resources available and exhaust all avenues to improve, then turn the revised roster loose and let the chips fall where they may, as opposed to any form of tanking. Would that have fit your 30 day plan?

Bloom has 2 options.
Conclude the team cannot compete in the near term and therefore do a complete reset in necessary (meaning no expectation of competing for a W/C next year).
Or conclude the team currently has the resources to play +.500 ball and needs just a few changes to do so in the short term - while building a higher ceiling pipeline for the long term (this approach would produce an expectation of winning 85-86 wins as soon as next season).
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is the latter.
(Of course, one important factor either way is whatever DeWitt has already shared internally as to the 3-5 year payroll budget.)
With the latter choice being the 100% correct analysis, then yes, the organization can quite easily be fixed in 30 days or less.
As I was first and best to understand and explain - and as has been widely accepted here over time as others have heeded my advice to keep reading and keep learning - the actions required are clear and obvious.
1. Fire The Marmot and his staff - and replace with an experienced battle proven crew.
2. Retain Gray, Liberatore, and McGreevy - while adding two very solid starting pitchers (acknowledging risk of injury to pitchers can upset any well made plan).
3. Acquire a ASG quality middle order RH hitting corner outfielder.
Very, very easily accomplished in a 30-day window from late November through late December, through trade and FA opportunities.
Expendable pieces to accomplish this would include, but not limited to, Bernal, Mathews, Crooks, Padilla, Hence, C. Davis, Mootbaar (as I alone correctly advised in each of the past 4 years), Donovan (I would not want to see that, but the return could make it worth considering), Herrera (most won't like to see his name listed but unless the team moves him to LF it is the right thing to do), Saggese (though he does profile well as a super-utility), Prieto (time is up), Gorman (a popular choice for many but trading him would almost certainly quickly prove to be a strategic blunder), Scott, and Walker (again, some risk but I think the organization is ready to move on).
There is a lot of redundancy to work from - particularly with Wetherholt, Doyle, Joshua Baez, and maybe even Henderson showing progress and perhaps not far from contributing at the MLB level and backfilling for some of those who depart.
Plenty of pieces to mix-n-match to acquire what is needed.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

Perhaps it’s obvious

Perhaps it’s correct

Easy??? Getting an experienced, veteran manager to come to Stl is likely a challenge…..

That quality outfielder you suggest could prove difficult as well…..the club does not have many quality prospects to trade….unless you are willing to sacrifice the future for a short term quick fix…

Quality free agents have many options…..stl is not particularly attractive right now….unless Dewitt is going to over pay…….not much chance of that…

Easy to blue sky solutions……dealing with reality can be a problem

I thought the exact same thing while reading his response. Obvious, correct, but likely not so easy.

I seldom bash other posters….but…our friend Melville is not as knowledgeable as he believes…

[Bomber1]

If the Cardinals commit to rebuilding, they should look to trade Gray, Arenado, Contreras, and probably Donovan. Eat as much of their salary as you can and get the most you can get in return.

Donovan is close, he's going on 29 and could be part of a resurgence in 3 or 4 years. But he's probably worth more to them right now in prospects.

You forgot Nootbaar.

And I agree regarding Donovan. Trade him.

[Bomber1]

I think it's refreshing a player wants to stay in StL so much. He's not hurting our budget since we're shedding massive budget once Nado and Gray are traded and Mikolas leaves, and we won't be spending on FA's, so who cares, let him stay and mentor. I think this is a good thing, makes me like him more

There are more hurdles to deal Gray than there are WC or NA.
Gray and the ridiculously back loaded contract looks almost impossible to deal. $40 million?
Cards can use pitching and will be looking for more. I don't know they will look for 1B or 3B
even if WC and NA were moved.

Any team that plays in heat or an outdoor stadium would be wise to stay away from Sonny. What a horrible freakin' contract. Yet another classic Mozeliak move. It's just shocking how bad the majority of his acquisitions are.

It wasn't a bad contract. Must complain about Mo.

For the record, before 2023, I thought Mo haters were whiners and whackos. I mean, how could you complain about a team that's a perennial playoff team? But they saw the writing on the wall before the other shoe fell? Not sure I used that metaphor correctly and I mixed it but anyways! They were right, the cancerous seed of bad decisions had been planted years before, and now we see the fruits of its horrendousness.

It's just the backloading of a pitcher who's clearly over the hill, who can't pitch in heat, and is nowhere near the ace-like cash he'll be paid next season. It's insane how much these guys make, even when you just compare it to a league like the NHL. Anyways, a mid-4's ERA for a a guy making 35 mil who can't compete when it's too hot out... bleh!

Glad you have seen the light regarding John Mozeliak. He is terrible and has been for 10 years.