Bloom studying possibility of trades within the division.

[ramfandan]

Derrick Goold asked Bloom his feelings about intra-division trades .

“It’s something I definitely want to have some more internal conversations about just to understand,” Bloom said. “Any time you’re new in a situation, you want to understand some of the history that exists. There may be somethings that haven’t happened for a reason that you don’t know unless you ask.”

As we know, the previous history has been sparse. A team was reluctant to send a prospect within the division that they could possibly face for the next 6 years in exchange for a veteran , for example. One thing that has changed lately is that the new scheduling format has teams playing fewer intra-division games.

Pirates GM Ben Cherington : Totally opened to it,” said Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said when asked for his view on dealing within the division. “I think for us we’d rather there be more trade possibilities and not less. We don’t want to minimize anything. I have encountered some teams who just prefer not to do that. For the Pirates? We have no issue with it.”

The Pirates have a starter, right-hander Mitch Keller, who meets some of the traits the Cardinals are looking for in their search for a rotation addition. Donovan and arguably a few members of the Cardinals’ outfield depth are a fit for Cincinnati. It’s more difficult to see the Cardinals and Cubs lining up for a trade, but there’s still time.

And, Bloom said, there are reasons for practices to change.

“There are obviously other factors there,” Bloom said. “That said, if you believe in what you’re doing, you should be willing to do it anywhere, including within the division.”

After reading the quotes of Bloom in the article, he is keeping an open-mind and studying the issue. I would have been shocked to see an intra-division trade prior to reading the article. Now , I would go from 'shocked' to 'surprised ' I guess.

As Bloom stated, if you believe in what you are doing, you should be able to do it (trade ) anywhere, including within the division.

PS A Cubs-Cardinals trade would still be shocking to me . Trading with the Pirates, Red, or Brewers would be surprised but not shocked.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Derrick Goold asked Bloom his feelings about intra-division trades .

“It’s something I definitely want to have some more internal conversations about just to understand,” Bloom said. “Any time you’re new in a situation, you want to understand some of the history that exists. There may be somethings that haven’t happened for a reason that you don’t know unless you ask.”

As we know, the previous history has been sparse. A team was reluctant to send a prospect within the division that they could possibly face for the next 6 years in exchange for a veteran , for example. One thing that has changed lately is that the new scheduling format has teams playing fewer intra-division games.

Pirates GM Ben Cherington : Totally opened to it,” said Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said when asked for his view on dealing within the division. “I think for us we’d rather there be more trade possibilities and not less. We don’t want to minimize anything. I have encountered some teams who just prefer not to do that. For the Pirates? We have no issue with it.”

The Pirates have a starter, right-hander Mitch Keller, who meets some of the traits the Cardinals are looking for in their search for a rotation addition. Donovan and arguably a few members of the Cardinals’ outfield depth are a fit for Cincinnati. It’s more difficult to see the Cardinals and Cubs lining up for a trade, but there’s still time.

And, Bloom said, there are reasons for practices to change.

“There are obviously other factors there,” Bloom said. “That said, if you believe in what you’re doing, you should be willing to do it anywhere, including within the division.”

After reading the quotes of Bloom in the article, he is keeping an open-mind and studying the issue. I would have been shocked to see an intra-division trade prior to reading the article. Now , I would go from 'shocked' to 'surprised ' I guess.

As Bloom stated, if you believe in what you are doing, you should be able to do it (trade ) anywhere, including within the division.

PS A Cubs-Cardinals trade would still be shocking to me . Trading with the Pirates, Red, or Brewers would be surprised but not shocked.

It’s like kissing your cousin. Something doesn’t feel right. Seems almost dirty.

But to your point, one sixth of the trading pool exist within the division. If this were a fishing tournament one wouldn’t care where they cast their line so long as the possibility exists to catch a big fish.

[mattmitchl44]

You never want to exclude getting the best deal possible.

[ramfandan]

You never want to exclude getting the best deal possible.

Very true ! One thing we did learn from this article , the Pirates GM certainly is open to it in our division . How the other three teams view it is unknown .

Imagine Bloom calling POBO Matt Arnold of the Brewers . 'Hi Matt ! Chaim Bloom of the Cardinals here ! We understand from the GM meetings you may seek a 'power bat' in your lineup . We could be willing to part with Nolan Gorman . ' Matt : 'Oh that's interesting , Chaim. We hadn't thought about trading within the division. What did you have in mind for a return on Gorman ? Chaim" Well , Jackson Chourio crossed our mind !
Matt , are you serious ? Gorman for Chourio . Bloom Well not straight up 1 for 1 of course , We would add Jordan Walker to the deal so you have an OF to replace Chourio ! Click ! Hello, Matt ! Think we have been disconnected . Hello Hello !

[sikeston bulldog2]

You never want to exclude getting the best deal possible.

Very true ! One thing we did learn from this article , the Pirates GM certainly is open to it in our division . How the other three teams view it is unknown .

Reminds me of an old saying- keep your friends close; keep your enemies closer.

[billybaseball]

Donovan would be a good fit for the Pirates. They have the type of farm you'd love to raid too

[scoutyjones2]

Fear of facing the traded piece seems a defeatest attitude. Shows you have no faith that you got a quality piece back.

[scoutyjones2]

Donovan would be a good fit for the Pirates. They have the type of farm you'd love to raid too

What would you like to see come back from them?

[ecleme22]

Donovan would be a good fit for the Pirates. They have the type of farm you'd love to raid too

What would you like to see come back from them?

Either way, that would be a horrible fit for the pirates.

[scoutyjones2]

Donovan would be a good fit for the Pirates. They have the type of farm you'd love to raid too

What would you like to see come back from them?

Either way, that would be a horrible fit for the pirates.

Why?

[Ronnie Dobbs]

“There are obviously other factors there,” Bloom said. “That said, if you believe in what you’re doing, you should be willing to do it anywhere, including within the division.”

Absolutely. Glad to hear it. Of course it's one thing to say you're not scared and another to actually make the trade, but this should be the attitude. Overall, I am a Mo fan, but it does seem like he let fear of making a wrong decision prevent him from taking chances. I want my organization confident in what they're doing, even if they make some wrong decisions along the way.

[ScotchMIrish]

Tampa and Boston were in a division. What's there to study?

Bloom makes some puzzling comments.

[rockondlouie]

PS A Cubs-Cardinals trade would still be shocking to me . Trading with the Pirates, Red, or Brewers would be surprised but not shocked.

Lou Brock

Bruce Sutter

I like dealing w/the scrubbies!

[billybaseball]

Donovan would be a good fit for the Pirates. They have the type of farm you'd love to raid too

What would you like to see come back from them?

They just had a prospect blow up in the AFL. Valdez. He was generally considered a fringe top 10 prospect in their system before so maybe him. But they have a ton of pitching to chose from also.

[rockondlouie]

Donovan would be a good fit for the Pirates. They have the type of farm you'd love to raid too

What would you like to see come back from them?

They just had a prospect blow up in the AFL. Valdez. He was generally considered a fringe top 10 prospect in their system before so maybe him. But they have a ton of pitching to chose from also.

Braxton Ashcraft

[Goldfan]

Not sure why it matters with balanced schedule