C. Bloom now on 101.1 explaining the deal

[Youboughtit]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

No way he plays second this year. Wetherholt is not a 3B. He’s not a top 3 player on a WS contender. He’s a nice role player for a contender. 4th or 5th best player

[11WSChamps]

The most we got out of this video is a young man who's candid and can actually relay information without wearing a bow tie and acting like a jerk.

[Ozziesfan41]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

He’s a solid player without much speed and without much power he’s not going to score a lot of runs or drive in a lot of runs and he isn’t worth signing for 70+million for the cardinals. They should absolutely trade him but I don’t overvalue him enough to think they are going to get a massive haul for him

[imyourhuckleberry]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

He’s a solid player without much speed and without much power he’s not going to score a lot of runs or drive in a lot of runs and he isn’t worth signing for 70+million for the cardinals. They should absolutely trade him but I don’t overvalue him enough to think they are going to get a massive haul for him

The difference with a potential Donovan deal than with recent deals the Cardinals have had to make is that it appears, via multiple sources, that Donovan has a good deal of teams including contenders and\or big markets interested. If Bloom is a shrewd negotiator he should be able to get multiple teams bidding against each other and get a return which should exceed Donovan's actual value.

[Melville]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

That is 100% what they need. They desperately need to have and develop guys who can be All-Star level impact players.

Both these kids have very good size ... Fitts 6-3 230 and Clarke is 6-4 240 Not that all pitchers must be big but it sure helps usually on the velo .
You can't teach size.

Or extension.

[hugeCardfan]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

They won't be sending money with Donovan.

[ICCFIM2]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

He’s a solid player without much speed and without much power he’s not going to score a lot of runs or drive in a lot of runs and he isn’t worth signing for 70+million for the cardinals. They should absolutely trade him but I don’t overvalue him enough to think they are going to get a massive haul for him

The difference with a potential Donovan deal than with recent deals the Cardinals have had to make is that it appears, via multiple sources, that Donovan has a good deal of teams including contenders and\or big markets interested. If Bloom is a shrewd negotiator he should be able to get multiple teams bidding against each other and get a return which should exceed Donovan's actual value.

That is what I am thinking too, the return should exceed value.

Based on Baseball Trade Value, Donovan is $32M. The players we got back today, Richard Fitts, $7.5M and Brandon Clark, $16.2M totaling $23.7M exceeded what we sent to Boston by $13.1M. My expectation is that Donovan brings back 2 prospects that will both be rated in our top 5. I am hoping a SP and OF prospect, both of whom are ready to start the season at either Springfield or Memphis and not lower.

I am still a big fan of the Cards taking a chance on Dustin May in the free agent market. The good thing about bringing in higher level talent like this is if the Cards surprise people and are in a position to make the playoffs, they have a lot of prospect capital to improve the team in both 2026 and 2027. In any case, a fun start to the off season today.

[Bushiro]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Watching clips of him throwing it...one can easily see how nasty it is...big time bite at the back foot of a right handed hitter....and a lefty does stand a chance if he chases it...

[juan good eye]

makes me not want to go to a game for a few years

This move…this move makes you not want to go to a game for a few years. Interesting.

[JuanAgosto]

So Sonny Gray brought back two young pitchers. One a highly regarded prospect and the other a possible rotation option in 2026.

What does Bloom target in return for Donovan? More pitching or a bat? I hope its a positional prospect(s) return. Preferably a 3b or an OF. Then maybe focus on more pitching with potential Nootbaar and/or Arenado deals.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

makes me not want to go to a game for a few years

Sonny Gray was really packing the fans in the stands the last two years.

[3dender]

So Sonny Gray brought back two young pitchers. One a highly regarded prospect and the other a possible rotation option in 2026.

What does Bloom target in return for Donovan? More pitching or a bat? I hope its a positional prospect(s) return. Preferably a 3b or an OF. Then maybe focus on more pitching with potential Nootbaar and/or Arenado deals.

Maybe the best part about this deal is that he can now target the best player available with Donny/Burly/Crooks.

[2ninr]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

That is 100% what they need. They desperately need to have and develop guys who can be All-Star level impact players.

He also said all the guys were in the room when the trade was made, both off field (Strength & Conditioning, diet, ect...) and on field coaches.

TTE
(Total Team Effort)

I think that's huge Rock. Team effort. People do a better job when they feel they are part of and can make a difference. Mo had become a dictator. I can't imagine what it was like being one of his subjects. Heck, I bet Bloom even admits when a move or signing doesn't pan out. I believe poor public relations has played a big role in the overall decline of the organization. That's on DeWitt as well. Make Bloom your front man and keep the Bills away from the microphone.

[renostl]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

He’s a solid player without much speed and without much power he’s not going to score a lot of runs or drive in a lot of runs and he isn’t worth signing for 70+million for the cardinals. They should absolutely trade him but I don’t overvalue him enough to think they are going to get a massive haul for him

The difference with a potential Donovan deal than with recent deals the Cardinals have had to make is that it appears, via multiple sources, that Donovan has a good deal of teams including contenders and\or big markets interested. If Bloom is a shrewd negotiator he should be able to get multiple teams bidding against each other and get a return which should exceed Donovan's actual value.

What does exceeding his actual value means?

SG had actual value as a #2 ish SP. That has a very high demand. The Cardinals had to erase the highly backed loaded contract then received a return related to a SP.

What is Donovan? There is a limit to that value wise.
It gets increase some by his lower pay and some by having multiple teams but still there is limit due to an option B existing. We don't usually over pay for a Subaru. No insult intended.

You guys might not be that far apart in your expectations. After all a haul is subjective. I see no harm in upgrading Donovan if needed to upgrade his return by adding a piece. IMO, you may want to enhance the best trade chip in attempt for impact player potential.

[dugoutrex]

makes me not want to go to a game for a few years

Sonny Gray was really packing the fans in the stands the last two years.

not Sonny per say - just loyal fans who despise tanking - now it will be up to the tank crowd to keep the turnstiles moving!

[Goldfan]

Say's Clark has as much talent as any pitcher in the minor leagues, just has to be developed.

Knows he's far away from his ceiling but he could be elite if we can get him there

As Bloom stated, he has that grade 70 slider (Grade 70 is a plus plus rating on the scouts scale ) .
He has ability that cannot be taught is correct. His issues thus far has been health and command. He had those blisters so pitching guys need to work with him on ways to eliminate that . Command is also something that coaches can hope to deveiop. What you cannot teach is to throw that wipeout slide the way he does.
Will he become top shelf remains to be seen but the type talent you take a shot on for if he develops , you have a true gem.

Classis big payroll vs medium/low payroll trade. We are hoping the player will develop. They add to a contending team. I suspect the key is the money saved which will be spent on a starting pitcher.

Gray didn’t fit the 3-5 year rebuild plan but neither does Contreras or Arenado. Once one is gone I expect all 3 moves and things to be really hard to watch this year. Isn’t this want last year was supposed to be? Still going backwards.

That would be the best scenario assuming we can find trade partners. I wouldn't expect much for Arenado. Contreras a little more but remember even as a catcher on the Cardinals were willing to pay that much. He has value but not as much at 1B.

The problem with them is they are B grade players. Nice to have if you have 3 superstars. The cardinals have been trying to promote them as elite. Same problem the rest of roster. Missing the 3 superstars. To develop them it will take 5 plus seasons.

We don't have a future HOF player but Donovan is top 5 at second base. If they move him Bloom had better get a lot more than he got for Gray.

He’s a solid player without much speed and without much power he’s not going to score a lot of runs or drive in a lot of runs and he isn’t worth signing for 70+million for the cardinals. They should absolutely trade him but I don’t overvalue him enough to think they are going to get a massive haul for him

The difference with a potential Donovan deal than with recent deals the Cardinals have had to make is that it appears, via multiple sources, that Donovan has a good deal of teams including contenders and\or big markets interested. If Bloom is a shrewd negotiator he should be able to get multiple teams bidding against each other and get a return which should exceed Donovan's actual value.

What does exceeding his actual value means?

SG had actual value as a #2 ish SP. That has a very high demand. The Cardinals had to erase the highly backed loaded contract then received a return related to a SP.

What is Donovan? There is a limit to that value wise.
It gets increase some by his lower pay and some by having multiple teams but still there is limit due to an option B existing. We don't usually over pay for a Subaru. No insult intended.

You guys might not be that far apart in your expectations. After all a haul is subjective. I see no harm in upgrading Donovan if needed to upgrade his return by adding a piece. IMO, you may want to enhance the best trade chip in attempt for impact player potential.

I think these Trade Values are a close cousin to MR. WAR……..the 2 we received COULD never help a ML team going forward(injury history, unproven) and Gray could be a very productive 1.5-2 ML SP and help the Sox win a WS….what’s the value then?? What the $$$ value on that?? Doubt that real world on the field performance factors in to these “Trade Value” formulas….