The elephant in the room

[ScotchMIrish]

We would like to dump and rebuild. Candidates for trade are those who are underperforming and/or aging with big contracts. The other 29 teams can look at the numbers and see the same thing we see. Nootbar, Gorman, Walker, most of the starting pitchers. We won't get anything in return.

The other option is to trade those who are performing. Donovan, Winn, Burleson, Hererra. We get something in return and hope the prospect turns out to be as good as the guy we traded. This isn't easy which is why teams like the Pirates are constantly struggling. They have been dumping and rebuilding for 30 years.

[mattmitchl44]

I don't expect the Cardinals to be looking to trade young players who have 3+ years of team control remaining at this point.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I don't expect the Cardinals to be looking to trade young players who have 3+ years of team control remaining at this point.

Is three years a magic number.

[mattmitchl44]

I don't expect the Cardinals to be looking to trade young players who have 3+ years of team control remaining at this point.

Is three years a magic number.

IMO, 3+ years means that they are still within the window where the Cardinals could start really competing again in 2027 or 2028. Those are guys the Cardinals need to hold on to and build around more than trade at this point. If they don't think they make enough progress in 2026, and competing starts to look like 2028 or 2029, maybe they look to trade some additional guys after the 2026 season.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I don't expect the Cardinals to be looking to trade young players who have 3+ years of team control remaining at this point.

Is three years a magic number.

IMO, 3+ years means that they are still within the window where the Cardinals could start really competing again in 2027 or 2028. Those are guys the Cardinals need to hold on to and build around more than trade at this point. If they don't think they make enough progress in 2026, and competing starts to look like 2028 or 2029, maybe they look to trade some additional guys after the 2026 season.

Exactly what I asked for. Thanx.

[ScotchMIrish]

I don't expect the Cardinals to be looking to trade young players who have 3+ years of team control remaining at this point.

I agree and you don't get as much in return for a guy with 1 or 2 years left. Point being this isn't easy to do.

[ScotchMIrish]

I don't expect the Cardinals to be looking to trade young players who have 3+ years of team control remaining at this point.

Is three years a magic number.

IMO, 3+ years means that they are still within the window where the Cardinals could start really competing again in 2027 or 2028. Those are guys the Cardinals need to hold on to and build around more than trade at this point. If they don't think they make enough progress in 2026, and competing starts to look like 2028 or 2029, maybe they look to trade some additional guys after the 2026 season.

You trade the guys who aren't making progress. These are no longer prospects where other teams can dream about what they might be in MLB. They are known and aren't making progress in MLB. Unlikely to get much in return.

[ecleme22]

We would like to dump and rebuild. Candidates for trade are those who are underperforming and/or aging with big contracts. The other 29 teams can look at the numbers and see the same thing we see. Nootbar, Gorman, Walker, most of the starting pitchers. We won't get anything in return.

The other option is to trade those who are performing. Donovan, Winn, Burleson, Hererra. We get something in return and hope the prospect turns out to be as good as the guy we traded. This isn't easy which is why teams like the Pirates are constantly struggling. They have been dumping and rebuilding for 30 years.

STEP 1: Trade NA, SG, BD, maybe WC and longshot: AB.
STEP 2: Sign minimum two starters to 1 year contracts. Maybe two other players to 1 year contracts.
STEP 3: If the team sucks at the TDL, flip those vets, along with maybe other players on the roster.

That's it.

As far as trading LN, NG and JW, no point unless they are blocking someone (which they are not) or you package them in another trade. But getting them off the team is not a top priority w the current team makeup.

[Talkin' Baseball]

For the first time in 18 years the Cardinals have someone different making decisions. The new guy sees things differently than the old guy. He wants to do things differently using different methods and approaches to re-structure the roster, and the whole franchise really. Our track record the past 10 years says loud and clear that something of this sort needs to happen. Why the anxiety? Change can be a good thing.

[Cardly]

Number of years the player is available is an important thing for sure.

More important though, is the quality of the player with those years. There is a reason the Cards are letting those guys go!

There are two ways forward for the Cards. They slow path of draft, grow and play. The other is supplement with quality free agents. They can get some free agents this year but they seem to not care about stepping ahead any time soon. 5-7 years and maybe they get there.

[sikeston bulldog2]

For the first time in 18 years the Cardinals have someone different making decisions. The new guy sees things differently than the old guy. He wants to do things differently using different methods and approaches to re-structure the roster, and the whole franchise really. Our track record the past 10 years says loud and clear that something of this sort needs to happen. Why the anxiety? Change can be a good thing.

Changes. Change taking places, put yourself to the ground; capitalize on this good fortune. One word can bring you round- changes.

Yes.

[rockondlouie]

D. Gould said at least two AL teams (Rangers/???) interested in trading for Noot before his heel issue.

Multiple teams would take a shot on N. Gorman but the return would be minimal.

Same w/J. Walk.

They won't bring back much but teams would roll the dice on Gorman/Walker and deal a decent prospect for Noot.

[Hoosier59]

We would like to dump and rebuild. Candidates for trade are those who are underperforming and/or aging with big contracts. The other 29 teams can look at the numbers and see the same thing we see. Nootbar, Gorman, Walker, most of the starting pitchers. We won't get anything in return.

The other option is to trade those who are performing. Donovan, Winn, Burleson, Hererra. We get something in return and hope the prospect turns out to be as good as the guy we traded. This isn't easy which is why teams like the Pirates are constantly struggling. They have been dumping and rebuilding for 30 years.

STEP 1: Trade NA, SG, BD, maybe WC and longshot: AB.
STEP 2: Sign minimum two starters to 1 year contracts. Maybe two other players to 1 year contracts.
STEP 3: If the team sucks at the TDL, flip those vets, along with maybe other players on the roster.

That's it.

As far as trading LN, NG and JW, no point unless they are blocking someone (which they are not) or you package them in another trade. But getting them off the team is not a top priority w the current team makeup.

It’s not an if! You trade all those guys and they will definitely suck! You can’t trade all of our best hitters and expect to be competitive. Not to mention the stress and aggravation that the remaining players will feel! Winn, and Wetherholt and others will feel more pressure to produce and will do worse!

[scoutyjones2]

I thought this would be about Pozo

[ecleme22]

We would like to dump and rebuild. Candidates for trade are those who are underperforming and/or aging with big contracts. The other 29 teams can look at the numbers and see the same thing we see. Nootbar, Gorman, Walker, most of the starting pitchers. We won't get anything in return.

The other option is to trade those who are performing. Donovan, Winn, Burleson, Hererra. We get something in return and hope the prospect turns out to be as good as the guy we traded. This isn't easy which is why teams like the Pirates are constantly struggling. They have been dumping and rebuilding for 30 years.

STEP 1: Trade NA, SG, BD, maybe WC and longshot: AB.
STEP 2: Sign minimum two starters to 1 year contracts. Maybe two other players to 1 year contracts.
STEP 3: If the team sucks at the TDL, flip those vets, along with maybe other players on the roster.

That's it.

As far as trading LN, NG and JW, no point unless they are blocking someone (which they are not) or you package them in another trade. But getting them off the team is not a top priority w the current team makeup.

It’s not an if! You trade all those guys and they will definitely suck! You can’t trade all of our best hitters and expect to be competitive. Not to mention the stress and aggravation that the remaining players will feel! Winn, and Wetherholt and others will feel more pressure to produce and will do worse!

1. They might not suck. A full season from JJ and Herrera, as well as the growth of other players and some short-term FAs might surprise. It's not like we are getting rid of prime Rolen and Edmonds...
2. Winn and JJ aren't stupid. They've seen '23-'25 teams and understand what rebuilding a team looks like...

[Clubmaker2]

If you trade SG your team could possibly totally collapse.

Most money saved, will get pocketed. Bloom will get to use a little of it somehow but If they somehow unload NA and SG, do you really think Dewitt will have a 200 mil payroll in 2027?