Will Bloom do something similar to the Betts trade with Donovan?

[ScotchMIrish]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

I don't know enough about Bernal but Nootbaar brings nothing in return. Same with Walker. Mathews walked 74 in 99 innings. The only potential bright spot is if Bloom is changing the overbearing front office knows everything attitude and possibly Walker will revert to his rookie year before they sent him down to change/ruin his swing. Nootbaar would be a trade simply to clear a roster spot. Could Mathews learn how to throw strikes? Doubt he will bring much in return until and unless he does.

Arenado would be to clear roster space. Unless they can hit a home run in a Donovan trade I'd keep him with an infield of Donovan, Winn, Wetherholt and Contreras or Hererra or Burleson at 1B depending on possible trades.

I believe Contreras would bring good return. Gray is still a legit starter although no longer an ace but his contract is probably going to get him traded.

[Strummer Jones]

Dodgers - depends on how they handle moving Muncy, who is a 10 yr vet. Would love to have Pages in Cardinal OF.

Philies - tolerate Bohm at 3B. Would be great to get either Crawford - OF or Wood - pitcher.

But as a poster stated - you have to give to get. IF dealing with either Dodgers or Phils at least make it a trade that Cards get MLB talent in return.

I'd love to see these guys come to STL in a deal for Arenado, but I just don't see it happening. I think LA goes for that infielder coming over from Japan. Murakami, I think? If that somehow fails, which I think is unlikely, I could see them targeting Arenado as a "get me over" option until something better comes along. I guess Muncy's a free agent now?

I'd be cool with taking Bohm for Arenado, but I think they can probably finagle something better than Arenado for Bohm. Maybe not much better, but much cheaper. I don't see a world where we can swipe Crawford or Wood from them.

[renostl]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

Then why is it entertained as a thought?

I wondered about this for a while. A team that needs pitching getting rid of someone who can pitch.
A someone who has such a backloaded contract that money or a significant value will need to
be added. It is a 1 year contract.

Save $20-$25 million on SG along with $17.7 for Miles, $12.5 for Matz, $7.5 Fedde, and $8.2 with Hels.
That's $65.9-$70.9 million. Sonny is only good for 1 season and will need replaced. He is only 1 SP
when he needs to be 2 or 3.

Is having to get 3 SPs with $65-70 million better or worse than having to get 2 SPs with $45 million
based on the expenditures of 2025? Acknowledging not all money has to be spent, SG is only 1 SP, and
with creativity there MIGHT be a return for Gray, a top 3 SP.

It may not be either of our paths, but there is upside.
Imagine adding say Noot to the deal.

[ecleme22]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

When did he indicate this?

[Melville]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

Then why is it entertained as a thought?

I wondered about this for a while. A team that needs pitching getting rid of someone who can pitch.
A someone who has such a backloaded contract that money or a significant value will need to
be added. It is a 1 year contract.

Save $20-$25 million on SG along with $17.7 for Miles, $12.5 for Matz, $7.5 Fedde, and $8.2 with Hels.
That's $65.9-$70.9 million. Sonny is only good for 1 season and will need replaced. He is only 1 SP
when he needs to be 2 or 3.

Is having to get 3 SPs with $65-70 million better or worse than having to get 2 SPs with $45 million
based on the expenditures of 2025? Acknowledging not all money has to be spent, SG is only 1 SP, and
with creativity there MIGHT be a return for Gray, a top 3 SP.

It may not be either of our paths, but there is upside.
Imagine adding say Noot to the deal.

The sole purpose in moving him would be to save payroll in 2026.
It would not improve the team because his return would not be great given the dollars involved
Far better to have someone with his track record on hand to mentor Liberatore, McGreevy and others next season.
That would have true value to the team
If they want to trade him, July would make far more sense assuming he is pitching fairly well.
Return would be higher than now.

[renostl]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

Then why is it entertained as a thought?

I wondered about this for a while. A team that needs pitching getting rid of someone who can pitch.
A someone who has such a backloaded contract that money or a significant value will need to
be added. It is a 1 year contract.

Save $20-$25 million on SG along with $17.7 for Miles, $12.5 for Matz, $7.5 Fedde, and $8.2 with Hels.
That's $65.9-$70.9 million. Sonny is only good for 1 season and will need replaced. He is only 1 SP
when he needs to be 2 or 3.

Is having to get 3 SPs with $65-70 million better or worse than having to get 2 SPs with $45 million
based on the expenditures of 2025? Acknowledging not all money has to be spent, SG is only 1 SP, and
with creativity there MIGHT be a return for Gray, a top 3 SP.

It may not be either of our paths, but there is upside.
Imagine adding say Noot to the deal.

The sole purpose in moving him would be to save payroll in 2026.
It would not improve the team because his return would not be great given the dollars involved
Far better to have someone with his track record on hand to mentor Liberatore, McGreevy and others next season.
That would have true value to the team
If they want to trade him, July would make far more sense assuming he is pitching fairly well.
Return would be higher than now.

I think that there is a position to appreciate that having the flexibility of more
money may have benefits. Say for sake of argument they spend it all, save nothing.
They get a middle rotation or even a #5 in a different trade. $65 million allows
for a lot more flexibility than $45. They won't be reupping SG and 3-4 months of season
has as much risk as reward built into it.

The offseason IMO has more possibilities in trading. Teams are attempting to set rosters with
some certainty vs adjusting the at the TD. Some big spender may fall

[renostl]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

I don't know enough about Bernal but Nootbaar brings nothing in return. Same with Walker. Mathews walked 74 in 99 innings. The only potential bright spot is if Bloom is changing the overbearing front office knows everything attitude and possibly Walker will revert to his rookie year before they sent him down to change/ruin his swing. Nootbaar would be a trade simply to clear a roster spot. Could Mathews learn how to throw strikes? Doubt he will bring much in return until and unless he does.

Arenado would be to clear roster space. Unless they can hit a home run in a Donovan trade I'd keep him with an infield of Donovan, Winn, Wetherholt and Contreras or Hererra or Burleson at 1B depending on possible trades.

I believe Contreras would bring good return. Gray is still a legit starter although no longer an ace but his contract is probably going to get him traded.

Objectively, what would be thought of a GM with a $110 million or a $150 million
dollar payroll if he went out and paid Gray $40 million for 1 year?

Fill in whatever dollars you want for the Cardinals 2026 payroll but whatever
is used unless its $175 or more, there's not much logic to it.

[Melville]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

Then why is it entertained as a thought?

I wondered about this for a while. A team that needs pitching getting rid of someone who can pitch.
A someone who has such a backloaded contract that money or a significant value will need to
be added. It is a 1 year contract.

Save $20-$25 million on SG along with $17.7 for Miles, $12.5 for Matz, $7.5 Fedde, and $8.2 with Hels.
That's $65.9-$70.9 million. Sonny is only good for 1 season and will need replaced. He is only 1 SP
when he needs to be 2 or 3.

Is having to get 3 SPs with $65-70 million better or worse than having to get 2 SPs with $45 million
based on the expenditures of 2025? Acknowledging not all money has to be spent, SG is only 1 SP, and
with creativity there MIGHT be a return for Gray, a top 3 SP.

It may not be either of our paths, but there is upside.
Imagine adding say Noot to the deal.

The sole purpose in moving him would be to save payroll in 2026.
It would not improve the team because his return would not be great given the dollars involved
Far better to have someone with his track record on hand to mentor Liberatore, McGreevy and others next season.
That would have true value to the team
If they want to trade him, July would make far more sense assuming he is pitching fairly well.
Return would be higher than now.

I think that there is a position to appreciate that having the flexibility of more
money may have benefits. Say for sake of argument they spend it all, save nothing.
They get a middle rotation or even a #5 in a different trade. $65 million allows
for a lot more flexibility than $45. They won't be reupping SG and 3-4 months of season
has as much risk as reward built into it.

The offseason IMO has more possibilities in trading. Teams are attempting to set rosters with
some certainty vs adjusting the at the TD. Some big spender may fall

IF STL moves Gray this off-season, they will need to buy down 10-15M to get anything of value in return.
By waiting until July, there would only be around 13M still due.
Plenty of teams in the hunt for a playoff spot would find that far more attractive than the 35M due currently.
Now, you would need to hunt for a trade partner.
In July, if he is pitching well, teams will be lined up.
Strategically, STL would be far better positioned by waiting.
They would get as much or more return and not have to eat payroll to any significant degree.
All while keep a quality pitcher and mentor in their rotation for 100 games next season.
Honestly, this isn't even a close call.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I don't see them combining Donovan to reduce loss on trading Gray or other large contract. Couple of reasons. We need more talent in the farm and that doesn't get the same return.

The other is Nado, Gray and Contreras are all within reason cost wise. yes, Gray is a negative but it isn't the massive negative of say Price when BOS combined him with Betts. They can find a playoff contender that needs a #2 pitcher and STL can throw in some money and get back a maybe prospect.

I see Bloom tearing down this team to the studs the next couple of months and adding 2-3 realistic prospects doing so. Also predict a LOT of whining around here because the resulting team for 2026 isn't going tobe pretty. Not unless DeWitt and co decide to spend money to bring the fans back. And I don't think they are willing to spend as much as it would take to make this a contender next year.

[renostl]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

Then why is it entertained as a thought?

I wondered about this for a while. A team that needs pitching getting rid of someone who can pitch.
A someone who has such a backloaded contract that money or a significant value will need to
be added. It is a 1 year contract.

Save $20-$25 million on SG along with $17.7 for Miles, $12.5 for Matz, $7.5 Fedde, and $8.2 with Hels.
That's $65.9-$70.9 million. Sonny is only good for 1 season and will need replaced. He is only 1 SP
when he needs to be 2 or 3.

Is having to get 3 SPs with $65-70 million better or worse than having to get 2 SPs with $45 million
based on the expenditures of 2025? Acknowledging not all money has to be spent, SG is only 1 SP, and
with creativity there MIGHT be a return for Gray, a top 3 SP.

It may not be either of our paths, but there is upside.
Imagine adding say Noot to the deal.

The sole purpose in moving him would be to save payroll in 2026.
It would not improve the team because his return would not be great given the dollars involved
Far better to have someone with his track record on hand to mentor Liberatore, McGreevy and others next season.
That would have true value to the team
If they want to trade him, July would make far more sense assuming he is pitching fairly well.
Return would be higher than now.

I think that there is a position to appreciate that having the flexibility of more
money may have benefits. Say for sake of argument they spend it all, save nothing.
They get a middle rotation or even a #5 in a different trade. $65 million allows
for a lot more flexibility than $45. They won't be reupping SG and 3-4 months of season
has as much risk as reward built into it.

The offseason IMO has more possibilities in trading. Teams are attempting to set rosters with
some certainty vs adjusting the at the TD. Some big spender may fall

IF STL moves Gray this off-season, they will need to buy down 10-15M to get anything of value in return.
By waiting until July, there would only be around 13M still due.
Plenty of teams in the hunt for a playoff spot would find that far more attractive than the 35M due currently.
Now, you would need to hunt for a trade partner.
In July, if he is pitching well, teams will be lined up.
Strategically, STL would be far better positioned by waiting.
They would get as much or more return and not have to eat payroll to any significant degree.
All while keep a quality pitcher and mentor in their rotation for 100 games next season.
Honestly, this isn't even a close call.

He is owed $40 million dollars. Even if your math is correct in saying that only $13 million is left that would mean the Cardinals paid him $27 million to be a mentor for 4 months.
Pay $15 million save $25 a solid pitcher who might be able to mentor can be found for $25/year, there still $45 left for whatever. No risk of poor performance. No risk of injury.
There are honestly 2 options

[Talkin' Baseball]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

Then why is it entertained as a thought?

I wondered about this for a while. A team that needs pitching getting rid of someone who can pitch.
A someone who has such a backloaded contract that money or a significant value will need to
be added. It is a 1 year contract.

Save $20-$25 million on SG along with $17.7 for Miles, $12.5 for Matz, $7.5 Fedde, and $8.2 with Hels.
That's $65.9-$70.9 million. Sonny is only good for 1 season and will need replaced. He is only 1 SP
when he needs to be 2 or 3.

Is having to get 3 SPs with $65-70 million better or worse than having to get 2 SPs with $45 million
based on the expenditures of 2025? Acknowledging not all money has to be spent, SG is only 1 SP, and
with creativity there MIGHT be a return for Gray, a top 3 SP.

It may not be either of our paths, but there is upside.
Imagine adding say Noot to the deal.

The sole purpose in moving him would be to save payroll in 2026.
It would not improve the team because his return would not be great given the dollars involved
Far better to have someone with his track record on hand to mentor Liberatore, McGreevy and others next season.
That would have true value to the team
If they want to trade him, July would make far more sense assuming he is pitching fairly well.
Return would be higher than now.

I think that there is a position to appreciate that having the flexibility of more
money may have benefits. Say for sake of argument they spend it all, save nothing.
They get a middle rotation or even a #5 in a different trade. $65 million allows
for a lot more flexibility than $45. They won't be reupping SG and 3-4 months of season
has as much risk as reward built into it.

The offseason IMO has more possibilities in trading. Teams are attempting to set rosters with
some certainty vs adjusting the at the TD. Some big spender may fall

IF STL moves Gray this off-season, they will need to buy down 10-15M to get anything of value in return.
By waiting until July, there would only be around 13M still due.
Plenty of teams in the hunt for a playoff spot would find that far more attractive than the 35M due currently.
Now, you would need to hunt for a trade partner.
In July, if he is pitching well, teams will be lined up.
Strategically, STL would be far better positioned by waiting.
They would get as much or more return and not have to eat payroll to any significant degree.
All while keep a quality pitcher and mentor in their rotation for 100 games next season.
Honestly, this isn't even a close call.

He is owed $40 million dollars. Even if your math is correct in saying that only $13 million is left that would mean the Cardinals paid him $27 million to be a mentor for 4 months.
Pay $15 million save $25 a solid pitcher who might be able to mentor can be found for $25/year, there still $45 left for whatever. No risk of poor performance. No risk of injury.
There are honestly 2 options

Indeed.

[govman]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

"The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again."

when did STL "trade N/A"?

[Mort Gage]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

"The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again."

when did STL "trade N/A"?

I guess he's referring to the Houston trade Arenado passed on. Coming off a year of poor attendance, and lower BPV revenue, I wonder what appetite the DeWitts would have to toss in cash to move the NTC crew. Maybe the question that defines this offseason.

[renostl]

By no means am I comparing Betts and Donovan in terms of trade value but Bloom coupled Betts with David Price who was making $32 million a year with 2 years remaining on his contract and his talent had fallen to far below that number.

Could Donovan be coupled with either Arenado or Gray to try to get the other team to take on a lot of salary? Perhaps in the deal we get a prospect and some international signing money and with the money saved we sign a free agent?

That would diminish the return for Donovan which would defeat the purpose of dealing him to begin with.

100% correct but that's exactly what he did with Betts and he has indicated he is looking to deal Gray and Arenado along with Donovan.

The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again.
N/A is owed less now than he was then, and exactly as I predicted N/A realized the blunder he made in refusing to report.
He will gladly leave this time.
As for Gray, the CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him.
There is zero upside to trading him this off-season.
The correct trade pieces are Mootbaar (as I alone have correctly advised for the past 4 seasons), Walker, Mathews, and Bernal - along with a handful of others who could complement assorted trade packages.
Donovan should move to LF and be offered a reasonable 3 year extension - and if he does not sign it, he should be moved in July.
This stuff ain't hard.
We are about to learn if Bloom is smart enough to see it.

"The way to trade N/A is to simply eat money.
STL traded him once already and can easily do so again."

when did STL "trade N/A"?

I guess he's referring to the Houston trade Arenado passed on. Coming off a year of poor attendance, and lower BPV revenue, I wonder what appetite the DeWitts would have to toss in cash to move the NTC crew. Maybe the question that defines this offseason.

They owe money going forward. Off the top of my head some $80 million to SG and NA. Paying $30 million of that means they turned a $80 million dollars debt into a $30 debt. How is that a terrible event and that doesn't include a more creative things where they get something in return?

[Ronnie Dobbs]

When did he indicate this?

Good question. I don't remember it.

[mattmitchl44]

All I have is an opinion, we'll have to see, but I say no. Not only will he not package a bad contract with Donovan to get rid of the bad contract, I'm saying they will include enough money with the bad contracts to get better prospect returns.

+1

Run the payroll of players actually on the Cardinals' roster for 2026 back to $100 million in order to send $50 million with Arenado, Gray, Contraras to get a better return in prospects.