Bloom will listen to interest for Donovan and Noot

[NYCardsFan]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

Timing and planning horizon. He’s entering his more expensive arb years, inching closer to free agency. If Bloom concludes the team/org isn’t that close to sustainable competitiveness (the standard he articulated in the press conference), then he has to efficiently manage his assets. As you’ve pointed out, the Cardinals can’t compete with the big market clubs on payroll, so ruthless, clear-eyed asset allocation is a must. That means making hard choices and sometimes letting go of popular players “a year too early rather than a year too late,” as Branch Rickey famously once said.

I think pretty much everyone likes Donovan, but if this turns out to be a multi-year rebuild, it makes sense to monetize his surplus value now—I.e., not allow it to depreciate with time—and convert it into assets more in line with the time horizon of the plan.

[bgwinn01]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

Agree with this. Keep Donovan. Pretty sure Noot will be gone.

[icon]

Donovan is not a foundational piece now, nor will he be in the future. So he can be moved. And no, he won't sign an extension for a home town discount, by all accounts. Let him test free agency after 2 years with another team. Cash in the chips.

[icon]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

Agree with this. Keep Donovan. Pretty sure Noot will be gone.

Noot is not the kind of leader I want.

[Idaho Cards]

For me, how Bloom handles the Donovan situation will be the litmus test for his ability to build a WINNING roster. Donovan is a player that's value can't be determined solely on his metrics/stats. He is the type of player that the old regime didn't value enough. Donovan is a winner, I believe he would thrive in the post-season!!! If we deal him, the haul would need to be substantial

My prediction is that most Card fans will be disappointed in the return for Noot. I think there are a lot of Noot's out there already on rosters . He's a JAG (just another guy)

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

As I see it, the Cards will build around Winn, Wetherholt, and Herrera. Although Gorman is 25 and Walker only 23, their current low return value now versus their potential will keep them on the roster. Neither one one should be penciled in as sure starters. They will need to compete for starting jobs. ST and how they start the season may determine where they end up next season. Victor Scott is very valuable defensively, but not sure the Cards can carry his weak bat. The OF really needs more thump. Josh Baez and Chase Davis are perhaps their best OF prospects, but they may need more seasoning. It will be interesting to see what Bloom does to improve the OF. The biggest challenge will come to rebuilding the pitching staff. If the Cards trade Gray, the only other sure starters are Lib and McGreevy. None the less , there is a lot of work to be done before next season.

Good post agree with most of this.

[sp25]

Dear Mr. Bloom,

I would like to offer to drive Lars Nootbaar to the airport.

Sincerely,
sdaltons

I call shotgun!
That clown can’t be out of here soon enough.

I would like to extend my services to packing up his place.

Noot can go to LA, where he can be the bag man for Ohtani's bets.

Did you mean Ohtani's "bets" or "bats"?

[Bomber1]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

BD will be a FA in 2028.
BD's trade value is good.

Don't worry, the young guys can live without Donovan. We have a whole league of young players thriving without Donovan. LOL

Every team needs a veteran example to follow. Especially someone who shows them how to prepare mentally and physically for a long major league season. If it’s not Donovan, whom many refer to as a leader, whom do you propose, Ecleme?

Cranny you can’t just designate someone a “leader”. And if Donovan is a leader, he sure didn’t help prevent the silly baserunnng mistakes. Nor did he help prevent outfielders throwing to the wrong base. Not did he help prevent the clueless approaches at the plate by so many Cardinals.

I like Donovan. But if he can help bring back a player Bloom believes will help the club more then he should be traded.

Other leaders will emerge regardless of whether Donovan is here or not.

I’m not designating Donovan as a leader. Others have. It’s pretty much common knowledge. Lot of articles have been written about it. Not just anyone can step into that role.

I didn’t say that you designated Donovan as a leader. When you said “if it’s not Donovan, whom do you propose?” you asked Ecleme to designate someone.

So as usual you completely miss the entire point of someone else’s post.

Carry on.

[Bomber1]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

Timing and planning horizon. He’s entering his more expensive arb years, inching closer to free agency. If Bloom concludes the team/org isn’t that close to sustainable competitiveness (the standard he articulated in the press conference), then he has to efficiently manage his assets. As you’ve pointed out, the Cardinals can’t compete with the big market clubs on payroll, so ruthless, clear-eyed asset allocation is a must. That means making hard choices and sometimes letting go of popular players “a year too early rather than a year too late,” as Branch Rickey famously once said.

I think pretty much everyone likes Donovan, but if this turns out to be a multi-year rebuild, it makes sense to monetize his surplus value now—I.e., not allow it to depreciate with time—and convert it into assets more in line with the time horizon of the plan.

Great and sensible post NY.

[Mort Gage]

Donovan is entering his age 29 season with two years of control. He is like Edman in that they have greater value as complementary players on contenders. The Cardinals needed both to be stars and they just aren't that. Since this reset/rebuild looks like a multi-year process I'd prefer they trade both.

[KeeptheRamsinSTL]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

It might not make sense but it makes cents. Donovan is going to make a lot more after arbitration than a younger player. DeWitt is going super cheap in 2026.

[Cranny]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

It might not make sense but it makes cents. Donovan is going to make a lot more after arbitration than a younger player. DeWitt is going super cheap in 2026.

Donovan sets a great example for the younger players.
I didn’t miss anyone’s point. I simply like having guys like Donovan around. He leaves it all on the field.

[renostl]

For me, how Bloom handles the Donovan situation will be the litmus test for his ability to build a WINNING roster. Donovan is a player that's value can't be determined solely on his metrics/stats. He is the type of player that the old regime didn't value enough. Donovan is a winner, I believe he would thrive in the post-season!!! If we deal him, the haul would need to be substantial

My prediction is that most Card fans will be disappointed in the return for Noot. I think there are a lot of Noot's out there already on rosters . He's a JAG (just another guy)

Certainly a sound direction.
Any of these moves can be connected. Even both Nootbaar and Donovan can be IF Donovan is
penciled in as the new left fielder.

IMO, every good team has a Donovan on it. A solid vet who maybe tops out at a $10-$12 million AAV. Deciding whether or not
to keep Donovan should be attached obviously to the return but also to the prediction of how long that you see him as being
good. 32 y/o, 34 y/o? 33 y/o is a full 5 seasons from now. He could be a part of a much-improve team or part of helping
improve the team. IF they're thinking is NOT the latter why not attempt to sign him with an extension that covers him to 32-34
that takes advantage of those 2 cheap arb years? IMO he'd still be easily tradeable IF Donovan agrees for anything in that $8-$12
range as long as he continues to be productive. I could understand either approach.

Noot is a bit different. I've got fatigue in his current game. To me he played at times like he was trying not to get hurt.
His production regressed. Mel calling him a 4th OFer seems accurate today. The issues or two-fold. 1. the Cards currently still
don't have 3 OFers better. IF he was designated as a #4 that hurts very little. 2. OF production, MLB production is down.
Lars .686 OPS ranks #16 among qualifying MLB leftfielders. Next to Kwan #15, Gurriel #14. As a 4th OFer it is OKay and at the same
time I am fatigued, this was his season to step up and he did not.

[ecleme22]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

It might not make sense but it makes cents. Donovan is going to make a lot more after arbitration than a younger player. DeWitt is going super cheap in 2026.

Donovan sets a great example for the younger players.
I didn’t miss anyone’s point. I simply like having guys like Donovan around. He leaves it all on the field.

Other players set good examples

[Cusecards]

I don’t WANT to trade Donovan. At the moment he to me is one of our better positional players.
So yes I’d rather move on from Noot, Arenado, etc.
But....the Cards may not have the luxury of keeping him if a deal arises that makes the team better.
And that holds for anyone.

[renostl]

Donovan’s a leader both on and off the field. Keep him.

No, you at least listen to offers...

Why trade a player who’s an excellent example to the younger guys coming up? Doesn’t make sense. Measure the intangibles lost, not just another body (with promise) coming in.

It might not make sense but it makes cents. Donovan is going to make a lot more after arbitration than a younger player. DeWitt is going super cheap in 2026.

Donovan sets a great example for the younger players.
I didn’t miss anyone’s point. I simply like having guys like Donovan around. He leaves it all on the field.

Other players set good examples

True.
He's productive.
119 OPS this season 117 for his career. To me he projects well.
I fully understand either approach with BD although I think it is an either or
thing and should be done this off season.