Bloom strategy

[Goldfan]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

[rockondlouie]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

[Goldfan]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

Ludwick and Brown gave it a try with Walker……with the ML hitting coach voicing public frustration with Walkers effort and acceptance to being coached. I’m not really sure what you do with that at this point….Unless Bloom’s guys carry around magic fix everything hitting wands.
Both may still the aura of youth and turning it around……don’t waste that and prove to the other 29 ML clubs that they’re totals busts
With Gorman they attempted to close his swing last season and he had zero power. He went back to the open stance and the same Low contact once in while HR….they are what they are…..Whatever glimmer of hope was the initial burst of energy when they first arrived BEFORE the book was clear on them.

[rockondlouie]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

Ludwick and Brown gave it a try with Walker……with the ML hitting coach voicing public frustration with Walkers effort and acceptance to being coached. I’m not really sure what you do with that at this point….Unless Bloom’s guys carry around magic fix everything hitting wands.
Both may still the aura of youth and turning it around……don’t waste that and prove to the other 29 ML clubs that they’re totals busts
With Gorman they attempted to close his swing last season and he had zero power. He went back to the open stance and the same Low contact once in while HR….they are what they are…..Whatever glimmer of hope was the initial burst of energy when they first arrived BEFORE the book was clear on them.

Of the two I have less confidence in Walker.

If they'd use Gorman strictly at DH (88 PA: 6 HR/.247 .330 .519 .849 ), then I think he could become a solid hitter.

Problem with that is they have too many (I. Hererra, Burleson) others who's best spot is DH too.

[Goldfan]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

Ludwick and Brown gave it a try with Walker……with the ML hitting coach voicing public frustration with Walkers effort and acceptance to being coached. I’m not really sure what you do with that at this point….Unless Bloom’s guys carry around magic fix everything hitting wands.
Both may still the aura of youth and turning it around……don’t waste that and prove to the other 29 ML clubs that they’re totals busts
With Gorman they attempted to close his swing last season and he had zero power. He went back to the open stance and the same Low contact once in while HR….they are what they are…..Whatever glimmer of hope was the initial burst of energy when they first arrived BEFORE the book was clear on them.

Of the two I have less confidence in Walker.

If they'd use Gorman strictly at DH (88 PA: 6 HR/.247 .330 .519 .849 ), then I think he could become a solid hitter.

Problem with that is they have too many (I. Hererra, Burleson) others who's best spot is DH too.

When Gorman keeps his head on the ball and doesn’t fly open he usually has success……but he can’t consistently do that. What is this, year 5?

[Carp4Cy]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

He hasn't put any word out there on Winn.

[Carp4Cy]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

Ludwick and Brown gave it a try with Walker……with the ML hitting coach voicing public frustration with Walkers effort and acceptance to being coached. I’m not really sure what you do with that at this point….Unless Bloom’s guys carry around magic fix everything hitting wands.
Both may still the aura of youth and turning it around……don’t waste that and prove to the other 29 ML clubs that they’re totals busts
With Gorman they attempted to close his swing last season and he had zero power. He went back to the open stance and the same Low contact once in while HR….they are what they are…..Whatever glimmer of hope was the initial burst of energy when they first arrived BEFORE the book was clear on them.

Of the two I have less confidence in Walker.

If they'd use Gorman strictly at DH (88 PA: 6 HR/.247 .330 .519 .849 ), then I think he could become a solid hitter.

Problem with that is they have too many (I. Hererra, Burleson) others who's best spot is DH too.

I don't think we can extrapolate 88 ABs of platoon time at DH that were cherry picked to give him the most favorable pitching matchups to anything close to a full season across all MLB. Oli's ipad gave him that .849.

[rockondlouie]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

Ludwick and Brown gave it a try with Walker……with the ML hitting coach voicing public frustration with Walkers effort and acceptance to being coached. I’m not really sure what you do with that at this point….Unless Bloom’s guys carry around magic fix everything hitting wands.
Both may still the aura of youth and turning it around……don’t waste that and prove to the other 29 ML clubs that they’re totals busts
With Gorman they attempted to close his swing last season and he had zero power. He went back to the open stance and the same Low contact once in while HR….they are what they are…..Whatever glimmer of hope was the initial burst of energy when they first arrived BEFORE the book was clear on them.

Of the two I have less confidence in Walker.

If they'd use Gorman strictly at DH (88 PA: 6 HR/.247 .330 .519 .849 ), then I think he could become a solid hitter.

Problem with that is they have too many (I. Hererra, Burleson) others who's best spot is DH too.

I don't think we can extrapolate 88 ABs of platoon time at DH that were cherry picked to give him the most favorable pitching matchups to anything close to a full season across all MLB. Oli's ipad gave him that .849.

I won't disregard a .519 slg%/.849 OPS as being meaningless.

If you want a larger SS, then for his career at DH:

258 PA
15 HR's
.478 slg%
.796 OPS

And doesn't every Manager try to "cherry pick" favorable pitching matchups for his hitters?

His best spot is DH and he's been a good one.

[Carp4Cy]

And doesn't every Manager try to "cherry pick" favorable pitching matchups for his hitters?

His best spot is DH and he's been a good one.

Not if they are everyday starters. Then they face every pitcher in MLB and their stats adjust accordingly.

Now if we want to keep Gorman as a PT DH, then maybe you have a point, but is 6 HRs against the pitchers he hits off of the best worth a roster spot? Feels like a Curt Ford type role - maybe that provides enough value, maybe not.

[ramfandan]

As for a 'Bloom strategy ' , I think how aggressive he is depends on the player. For the NTC clause, he may pull the trigger quicker than normal as in those deals he will have to pony up some big $$$ to trade the guys( ie. Nado & Gray ) . Due to that , the number of teams interested are fewer and Bloom could jump early . However, for a Donovan he would have more interested teams so he can be less aggressive there. We all know Donovan is Bloom's biggest trade chip. Good versatile player with 2 years left prior to free agency at a lower salary . those 3 factors will make Donovan a valuable commodity by teams . So Bloom is going to let teams bid and if it gets down to two teams work those two finalists to pony up even more on a final offer. So I would guess that is a deal that he can maneuver to his advantage. The old ' I don't have to trade this player right now' plays into his leverage.

[Detroit Louie]

Gorman, and definitely Walker are at their trade lows. There is no good reason to trade them in the off season. Best you could get is a comparable promising prospect who busted their time for another team (which could be okay if the front office chooses the right one). If Walker doesn't progress by the end of Spring Training, he should start the season in the minors. Gorman's power keeps him on the roster, and if he does not produce, you could trade him for low value at the deadline or DFA him.

Basically, Nootbaar is in the same situation as Gorman. See how he does this year, with an eye towards trading him at the deadline if anything materializes.

I don't see them trading Winn or Burleson.

All I can say is that I'm so happy that it is not Mozeliak who is making the decisions, finally. I'm certainly willing to give Bloom and his team some slack in making moves as they start their tenure in the front office.

[renostl]

Gorman, and definitely Walker are at their trade lows. There is no good reason to trade them in the off season. Best you could get is a comparable promising prospect who busted their time for another team (which could be okay if the front office chooses the right one). If Walker doesn't progress by the end of Spring Training, he should start the season in the minors. Gorman's power keeps him on the roster, and if he does not produce, you could trade him for low value at the deadline or DFA him.

Basically, Nootbaar is in the same situation as Gorman. See how he does this year, with an eye towards trading him at the deadline if anything materializes.

I don't see them trading Winn or Burleson.

All I can say is that I'm so happy that it is not Mozeliak who is making the decisions, finally. I'm certainly willing to give Bloom and his team some slack in making moves as they start their tenure in the front office.

Bloom has had a couple years of watching players in the organization
along with getting information from others who are working with these
players.

Their assessments of not just Walker and Gorman but the rest too could be a
lot different than others have had. Maybe they don't see it as selling low as much
as seeing them with a lower ceiling.
Let others bet on the upside if Bloom and Co. don't see it.

[rockondlouie]

And doesn't every Manager try to "cherry pick" favorable pitching matchups for his hitters?

His best spot is DH and he's been a good one.

Not if they are everyday starters. Then they face every pitcher in MLB and their stats adjust accordingly.

Now if we want to keep Gorman as a PT DH, then maybe you have a point, but is 6 HRs against the pitchers he hits off of the best worth a roster spot? Feels like a Curt Ford type role - maybe that provides enough value, maybe not.

Well of course, but are we talking about an everyday starter at 3rd base in Gorman or a platoon DH?

[renostl]

I think Bloom is already way ahead of schedule having put the word out through all of MLB that he's OPEN for BUSINESS.

And he's got a long list of players to sell:

NADO
Gray
WillyC (not likely)
Donny
Burleson (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Winn (not likely unless overwhelmed)
Noot (not likely until he's rehabbed his trade value, then dealt mid season)
Catching (major and minor league)
Minor leaguers not named (JJW, Doyle, Mathews or Ra-Rod)

Gorman and Walker are absent from your list. Understand their value is low…….but all should be on table….perhaps they’re throw in’s for a package deal

I don't see either being dealt (YET!) GF

They're cheap ($3.5M approx. for both) and Bloom may want to first see if HIS GUYS can get their career back on track.

Couple that with the fact they have near zero stand alone trade value other than returning a couple low level suspects and there's no reason for either to be dealt UNLESS some GM comes calling w/a solid offer.

I'd start the year with Walker at AAA and Gorman at 3B/DH.

JMO

Ludwick and Brown gave it a try with Walker……with the ML hitting coach voicing public frustration with Walkers effort and acceptance to being coached. I’m not really sure what you do with that at this point….Unless Bloom’s guys carry around magic fix everything hitting wands.
Both may still the aura of youth and turning it around……don’t waste that and prove to the other 29 ML clubs that they’re totals busts
With Gorman they attempted to close his swing last season and he had zero power. He went back to the open stance and the same Low contact once in while HR….they are what they are…..Whatever glimmer of hope was the initial burst of energy when they first arrived BEFORE the book was clear on them.

Of the two I have less confidence in Walker.

If they'd use Gorman strictly at DH (88 PA: 6 HR/.247 .330 .519 .849 ), then I think he could become a solid hitter.

Problem with that is they have too many (I. Hererra, Burleson) others who's best spot is DH too.

I don't think we can extrapolate 88 ABs of platoon time at DH that were cherry picked to give him the most favorable pitching matchups to anything close to a full season across all MLB. Oli's ipad gave him that .849.

To me the bigger issue is that we are taking an extremely streaky player who is struggling
or working on things and then saying he did well or bad because he had a certain position.

At this point Gorman should be as comfortable @2B as anywhere on the field.
That's where his OPS has been .670 over the last 2 seasons and was .666 this season. Consistent.

It's optimistic of Rock and I understand that beats being negative everyday. It's JMO
that if 2B is distracting him in the batters box there are other issues. 3B, I'll buy
a little.

[ramfandan]

I realize a lot of interesting banter on current players and the 2026 spots for them etc. I do wonder though in Bloom's rebuild how many of our current starters will be on the 2028 team (Bloom's 3rd year into the Rebuild ) . Currently of the 9 positional starters , Masyn Winn is the only player I see as a lock . Both corner OF will be different . Scott is iffy in CF .. could be a young Mitchell in 2028 if he blossoms.
Gorman, Donovan, and Contreras all bye bye for the 2028 team and as for Catcher , that's up for grabs. Most likely a new guy there too.

The 2028 Bloom Cardinals will look nothing like the current roster not even close. At least that is my opinion.