Goold Pitcher News

[Cardinals4Life]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

[Talkin' Baseball]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

You're going to be unhappy for awhile.

[renostl]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

It wasn't said that it was going down either, just
a very common opinion, that I thought had some challenges
to doing.

Still, no reason to be surprised if indeed it does drop some
for IF they are successful in moving any of the NTC guys along with the
approximately $45 million that left in MM, SM, EF, RH etc. that would
then enter the spending for a quick fix that Bloom said won't be done.

They won't spend to just get to whatever X is the budget but there is
some pressure to get some fans to return. BD3 did say "we get it, we heard you"
in regard to attendance at Blooms introduction. Will they just let more
apathy in 2026?

[BrockFloodMaris]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

Because spending definitely equates to success, right? I mean just look at the Mets. They spend gobs of cash every year, and they...wait a minute...

[Cardinals4Life]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

Because spending definitely equates to success, right? I mean just look at the Mets. They spend gobs of cash every year, and they...wait a minute...

Brock,

That's a pretty stupid comment! Asking the Cardinals to spend 180M on payroll (something they have done before) is not asking them to spend like the Mets. Quit acting like it is. That's not what I am asking for.

But to answer your question, no, spending money doesnt guarantee success, but it definitely gives you a MUCH better chance at it. You can't argue that.

[Cardinals4Life]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

You're going to be unhappy for awhile.

Yep. Have been with the product for several years, now.

[BrockFloodMaris]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

Because spending definitely equates to success, right? I mean just look at the Mets. They spend gobs of cash every year, and they...wait a minute...

Brock,

That's a pretty stupid comment! Asking the Cardinals to spend 180M on payroll (something they have done before) is not asking them to spend like the Mets. Quit acting like it is. That's not what I am asking for.

But to answer your question, no, spending money doesnt guarantee success, but it definitely gives you a MUCH better chance at it. You can't argue that.

I agree that spending increases the chance that a team goes to the playoffs. The problem I have with spending just for the sake of spending is that there are idiot spenders out there, like Mo, who squandered hundreds of millions and hamstrung the team for years to come. Hopefully Bloom is a much smarter spender than Mo.

Once Bloom develops a core lineup and a core rotation, I think the DeWitts will buck up to fill them out.

[Cardinals4Life]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

Because spending definitely equates to success, right? I mean just look at the Mets. They spend gobs of cash every year, and they...wait a minute...

Brock,

That's a pretty stupid comment! Asking the Cardinals to spend 180M on payroll (something they have done before) is not asking them to spend like the Mets. Quit acting like it is. That's not what I am asking for.

But to answer your question, no, spending money doesnt guarantee success, but it definitely gives you a MUCH better chance at it. You can't argue that.

I agree that spending increases the chance that a team goes to the playoffs. The problem I have with spending just for the sake of spending is that there are idiot spenders out there, like Mo, who squandered hundreds of millions and hamstrung the team for years to come. Hopefully Bloom is a much smarter spender than Mo.

Once Bloom develops a core lineup and a core rotation, I think the DeWitts will buck up to fill them out.

Agree Mo sucked and wasted lots of money. But we aren't hamstrung. Not even close. That's the narrative they want us to buy. That we have to get rid of Nado, Gray, Contreras just to have room to spend any. That is completely false. We have a TON of money off the books this year and a TON of payroll space. People keep saying that you can't buy your way out.....well I think a couple of nice FA signings, a couple decent trades, coupled with our youth we currently have would make a dang good team! Still have a payroll of 180M and still able to keep developing our young, homegrown guys.

[ramfandan]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

Because spending definitely equates to success, right? I mean just look at the Mets. They spend gobs of cash every year, and they...wait a minute...

…yeah wait a minute.. and the teams that don’t spend much are always sub.500 in the standings. Just look at the Brewers… wait a second minute…

[renostl]

To me it’s just sickening the way that the DeWitts won’t go that little extra to put a winning team on the field. I understand that Mo misspent a lot of their money and has put them in a hole, but where is all the dry powder we heard was there for years. None of it was ever spent! None! We always hear that there is money available for the right deal, but that deal never materializes!
I won’t say nobody, because there are always a few who want the Cardinals to spend stupid money, but very few Cardinal fans expect ownership to spend like the Dodgers, Mets and others. However, to spend like the Pirates, Rays, Reds, and teams like them is a slap in the true Cardinals fans’ faces. The Cardinals should be able to outspend those teams as well as the Brewers, and field a highly competitive team! Hopefully Bloom will make better decisions than Mo did and spend the DeWitts money more wisely, so they’ll be apt to let go of more of it! I want my Grandkids to experience what it’s like to watch the Cardinals in the playoffs and World Series, and be excited about the team, the way I use to be!

Well said.

What's sad is that is the narrative they are pushing - don't have money to spend - and a lot of people (including many on here) just accept that as fact. It's ridiculous for the ST. LOUIS CARDINALS to have a payroll this low and act like they HAVE to shed Sonny Gray just to have enough money to spend a little.

Absolutely ZERO reason payroll cannot be $180 M (honestly should be closer to 200M). I mean we aren't in 2015 anymore. Get real!!!

I haven't heard them say that they "can't" spend on players. What they have said is that they "won't" spend on players at that level right now. I believe them. I was a little stunned to hear Bloom say publicly that he thought the payroll might be similar to last year. That was new- and at least to me- unexpected.

Last year's payroll was pathetic, too, though. Not acceptable for this franchise. Period.

Because spending definitely equates to success, right? I mean just look at the Mets. They spend gobs of cash every year, and they...wait a minute...

Brock,

That's a pretty stupid comment! Asking the Cardinals to spend 180M on payroll (something they have done before) is not asking them to spend like the Mets. Quit acting like it is. That's not what I am asking for.

But to answer your question, no, spending money doesnt guarantee success, but it definitely gives you a MUCH better chance at it. You can't argue that.

C4L, your ask is a totally reasonable ask, IMO.
I've posted similar.

What I don't know is would it make sense to continue to spend in 2024
or 2025. When people ask this question, they get called names when it appears
they are supporting these actions.

Not true in my case. I can see times when spending good money after bad needs
to get an adjustment. That signing a guy would indeed kick a can down the road but
this roster has needed and needs more help than a couple signings that will just age
while the roster is transformation. JMO.

I'll give them the last couple. Actually happy that MO didn't lock anyone up
Giving Bloom the perfectly clean slate that he has and see what he does with it.
Of course that clean slate is clear for a reason.

[Goldfan]

If ‘26 is a “Wait til Lockout over to do anything” year…..then why would BDW/Bloom sign a FA SP this offseason??
Seriously fellas…..all we hear on this forum is Lockout…..BDW won’t spend to after CBA…..Lockout
But now you’re bantering around signing a FA SP……why??? To fill a rotation?? Use what you have…..

[WaltsSuccessor]

“The #Cardinals are shopping for at least a starter.
The #stlcards are also entertaining offers for their best starter.

What gives?

Chaim Bloom had a lot to say today ...”

Goold indicating that Gray is being shopped while Bloom in market for another SP??
If looking to dump Gray’s contract why even bother with another FA SP?

Just a guess, because the free agent type starting pitchers Bloom is looking at are NOT in the $25-$35M range like Gray currently .
Even with paying off a good amount on the Gray contract and getting a lower price starter , Bloom can also end up with a pitchr much younger than Sonny that he can either A. flip for prospect later or B. Have a younger starter for the long term. Gray's days are numbered and Bloom looking to the long term .

Who is mid range FA SP that will be appreciably better than internal options?

What internal options are you talking about? We have Libby and McGreevy then a bunch of unknowns/junk.

If you go into 2026 with a rotation of Libby, McGreevy, Pallante, and some combo of Leahy/Matthews/Svanson/Graceffo/Roby... they will lose 110 games in front of 900,000 fans. That's a AAA rotation.

You can find plenty of FA SP that are better than those last 3.

[WaltsSuccessor]

“The #Cardinals are shopping for at least a starter.
The #stlcards are also entertaining offers for their best starter.

What gives?

Chaim Bloom had a lot to say today ...”

Goold indicating that Gray is being shopped while Bloom in market for another SP??
If looking to dump Gray’s contract why even bother with another FA SP?

Just a guess, because the free agent type starting pitchers Bloom is looking at are NOT in the $25-$35M range like Gray currently .
Even with paying off a good amount on the Gray contract and getting a lower price starter , Bloom can also end up with a pitchr much younger than Sonny that he can either A. flip for prospect later or B. Have a younger starter for the long term. Gray's days are numbered and Bloom looking to the long term .

Who is mid range FA SP that will be appreciably better than internal options?

And since you ask, here are two buckets....

Older vets probably looking at 1-2 year deals better than our internal options:
- Aaron Civale
- Merrill Kelly
- Martin Perez
- Jose Quintana
- Marcus Stroman

Younger guys with more upside, coming off a down/injured year - but their bounce back is a better bet than our internal options:
- Walker Buehler
- Nestor Cortes
- Zach Eflin
- German Marquez
- Chris Paddack

"But Walt, none of those guys are very good."

Yes, but that's how baaaaad our internal options are. You need 1-2 of them to cover innings. Even a guy like Matthews who is talented isn't ready to come make 30 MLB starts next season.

[renostl]

If ‘26 is a “Wait til Lockout over to do anything” year…..then why would BDW/Bloom sign a FA SP this offseason??
Seriously fellas…..all we hear on this forum is Lockout…..BDW won’t spend to after CBA…..Lockout
But now you’re bantering around signing a FA SP……why??? To fill a rotation?? Use what you have…..

The lockout or a strike?
Depends on the presentation. I do think that teams have outcomes of either baked
into their budgets along with the thought that it will end.

There's a large range when we speak about spending. Forget the debate of what the Cards
might spend for a minute.

Would the current Cardinals win a bid for a player that can demand >$25 million on the free
market without overspending in either dollars or term?

Which FA players of 2023-2025 do we feel the Cards missed out on that would have been "wise"
contracts with knowledge that where they did go may have just increased their own bid.

[Stlcardsblues]

“The #Cardinals are shopping for at least a starter.
The #stlcards are also entertaining offers for their best starter.

What gives?

Chaim Bloom had a lot to say today ...”

Goold indicating that Gray is being shopped while Bloom in market for another SP??
If looking to dump Gray’s contract why even bother with another FA SP?

Because Gray's salary for next season is $35 MM. Their target for a new SP will be a pitcher with a much lower price. Obviously.

Why even bother…..everyone says its a throwaway year…..fill from within….another Lynn/Gibson year can be had via AAA or BP

We don’t have enough starters in the minors close enough to ready to take the innings of Gray, Fedde and Mikolas. They are going to need cheap short term starters until guys are ready/recovered from injury.

2025 was a massive setback (mostly do to injury and Matthews taking a step backwards) for the higher level pitching.

They are going to have to go outside the organization for one year deals, hope guys from the minors are pushing at the door at the deadline then flip those vets at the deadline.

[renostl]

“The #Cardinals are shopping for at least a starter.
The #stlcards are also entertaining offers for their best starter.

What gives?

Chaim Bloom had a lot to say today ...”

Goold indicating that Gray is being shopped while Bloom in market for another SP??
If looking to dump Gray’s contract why even bother with another FA SP?

Just a guess, because the free agent type starting pitchers Bloom is looking at are NOT in the $25-$35M range like Gray currently .
Even with paying off a good amount on the Gray contract and getting a lower price starter , Bloom can also end up with a pitchr much younger than Sonny that he can either A. flip for prospect later or B. Have a younger starter for the long term. Gray's days are numbered and Bloom looking to the long term .

Who is mid range FA SP that will be appreciably better than internal options?

And since you ask, here are two buckets....

Older vets probably looking at 1-2 year deals better than our internal options:
- Aaron Civale
- Merrill Kelly
- Martin Perez
- Jose Quintana
- Marcus Stroman

Younger guys with more upside, coming off a down/injured year - but their bounce back is a better bet than our internal options:
- Walker Buehler
- Nestor Cortes
- Zach Eflin
- German Marquez
- Chris Paddack

"But Walt, none of those guys are very good."

Yes, but that's how baaaaad our internal options are. You need 1-2 of them to cover innings. Even a guy like Matthews who is talented isn't ready to come make 30 MLB starts next season.

SG gets another $5 in 2027 to go away.

This aligns with my thoughts.

It also doesn't include what could be brought back in any
trades that might bolster those internal options.