A couple of FA names to consider

[mattmitchl44]

Ryan O'Hearn - in particular if the Cardinals were to include Nootbaar in a trade, I wouldn't mind them checking in on O'Hearn. If he goes for his estimated. 2 yrs./$24-$27 million ($12-$13.5 million AAV), he might be an affordable veteran bat on a short deal that could add some depth to the lineup vs. RHPs.

Cody Ponce - a SP who went overseas, projects to get like 2 yrs./$16 million ($8 million AAV) at age 32, but saw a big one season jump to 12+ K/9 in the KBO last year. Could be a sneaky Eric Fedde like return to MLB, at least for part of a season and then dealt in 2026.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Ryan O'Hearn - in particular if the Cardinals were to include Nootbaar in a trade, I wouldn't mind them checking in on O'Hearn. If he goes for his estimated. 2 yrs./$24-$27 million ($12-$13.5 million AAV), he might be an affordable veteran bat on a short deal that could add some depth to the lineup vs. RHPs.

Cody Ponce - a SP who went overseas, projects to get like 2 yrs./$16 million ($8 million AAV) at age 32, but saw a big one season jump to 12+ K/9 in the KBO last year. Could be a sneaky Eric Fedde like return to MLB, at least for part of a season and then dealt in 2026.

This is where Bloom makes his mint- proactively improvement. Meaning- these two might not be the players by name, but are the type players he is searching for. And he won’t wait. When he is satisfied he closes the deal. Regardless of market.

That is a major change in business.

[Jatalk]

Ryan O'Hearn - in particular if the Cardinals were to include Nootbaar in a trade, I wouldn't mind them checking in on O'Hearn. If he goes for his estimated. 2 yrs./$24-$27 million ($12-$13.5 million AAV), he might be an affordable veteran bat on a short deal that could add some depth to the lineup vs. RHPs.

Cody Ponce - a SP who went overseas, projects to get like 2 yrs./$16 million ($8 million AAV) at age 32, but saw a big one season jump to 12+ K/9 in the KBO last year. Could be a sneaky Eric Fedde like return to MLB, at least for part of a season and then dealt in 2026.

Hearn sort of sounds like a right handed Burleson? Primarily first baseman. I would really like a true outfielder.

Ponce would be worth a look. We need arms but primarily in pen.

[scoutyjones2]

OHearn is just another meh LH hitter...not needed. Brings nothing.

[Jatalk]

Ryan O'Hearn - in particular if the Cardinals were to include Nootbaar in a trade, I wouldn't mind them checking in on O'Hearn. If he goes for his estimated. 2 yrs./$24-$27 million ($12-$13.5 million AAV), he might be an affordable veteran bat on a short deal that could add some depth to the lineup vs. RHPs.

Cody Ponce - a SP who went overseas, projects to get like 2 yrs./$16 million ($8 million AAV) at age 32, but saw a big one season jump to 12+ K/9 in the KBO last year. Could be a sneaky Eric Fedde like return to MLB, at least for part of a season and then dealt in 2026.

Hearn sort of sounds like a right handed Burleson? Primarily first baseman. I would really like a true outfielder.

Ponce would be worth a look. We need arms but primarily in pen.

Sorry he’s a lefty. Don’t need another one.

[C-Unit]

O'Hearn works if you trade Nootbaar, also would be a great backfill if Contreras is traded. Might be an ideal piece to have depending on how many players we deal off our ML roster. I don't think left-handed vs right-handed matters as much for what we are doing for 2026.

[An Old Friend]

Ryan O'Hearn - in particular if the Cardinals were to include Nootbaar in a trade, I wouldn't mind them checking in on O'Hearn. If he goes for his estimated. 2 yrs./$24-$27 million ($12-$13.5 million AAV), he might be an affordable veteran bat on a short deal that could add some depth to the lineup vs. RHPs.

Cody Ponce - a SP who went overseas, projects to get like 2 yrs./$16 million ($8 million AAV) at age 32, but saw a big one season jump to 12+ K/9 in the KBO last year. Could be a sneaky Eric Fedde like return to MLB, at least for part of a season and then dealt in 2026.

So against RHP, you're going O'Hearn at 1B and Burleson corner OF, or one of them at DH? O'Hearn is particularly bad in the OF and I'd think Burleson should be starting at 1B or DH most of the time against RHP.

[mattmitchl44]

Ryan O'Hearn - in particular if the Cardinals were to include Nootbaar in a trade, I wouldn't mind them checking in on O'Hearn. If he goes for his estimated. 2 yrs./$24-$27 million ($12-$13.5 million AAV), he might be an affordable veteran bat on a short deal that could add some depth to the lineup vs. RHPs.

Cody Ponce - a SP who went overseas, projects to get like 2 yrs./$16 million ($8 million AAV) at age 32, but saw a big one season jump to 12+ K/9 in the KBO last year. Could be a sneaky Eric Fedde like return to MLB, at least for part of a season and then dealt in 2026.

So against RHP, you're going O'Hearn at 1B and Burleson corner OF, or one of them at DH? O'Hearn is particularly bad in the OF and I'd think Burleson should be starting at 1B or DH most of the time against RHP.

I would at least be willing to try O'Hearn in LF vs. RF. I haven't watched him play, but I'd at least hope he would be a marginally better athlete in the OF than Burleson.

[Strummer Jones]

Call me gunshy, but I hope we don't go back into the Asian leagues for reformed MLB pitchers. I've seen enough of the Drew VerHagens, Miles Mikolases, and Erick Feddes...which was a Chisox move, I know.

I just don't know of any MLB-er who's come back stateside after moonlighting in East Asia who has sustained their success there. Or even being above average. Miles was about the best, and by measure of ERA+, he was still below average in four of his seven seasons here. Not to mention the season he sat out and the season where he was literally just one tic above average.

[jbrach]

the cards should look for nothing but young players in trades and draft and overseas signings...there is zero point in signing middle of the road players at this point

[mattmitchl44]

Call me gunshy, but I hope we don't go back into the Asian leagues for reformed MLB pitchers. I've seen enough of the Drew VerHagens, Miles Mikolases, and Erick Feddes...which was a Chisox move, I know.

I just don't know of any MLB-er who's come back stateside after moonlighting in East Asia who has sustained their success there. Or even being above average. Miles was about the best, and by measure of ERA+, he was still below average in four of his seven seasons here. Not to mention the season he sat out and the season where he was literally just one tic above average.

The problem wasn't signing Mikolas originally for 2 yrs./$15.5 million. The problem was falling in love with him to soon and giving him a 4 yr./$68 million extension AND THEN another extension that stretched that for two more years.

[12xu]

I have posted this before, but I will repeat: The Cardinals should sign FA OF Miguel Andujar.......soon. He could probably be signed to a short term contract for less than $8 MM per year. He had a strong comeback season for the Reds last year, and plays RF and LF well, can also fill in at 3B. Good power, not big strikeout prone.

[ecleme22]

Call me gunshy, but I hope we don't go back into the Asian leagues for reformed MLB pitchers. I've seen enough of the Drew VerHagens, Miles Mikolases, and Erick Feddes...which was a Chisox move, I know.

I just don't know of any MLB-er who's come back stateside after moonlighting in East Asia who has sustained their success there. Or even being above average. Miles was about the best, and by measure of ERA+, he was still below average in four of his seven seasons here. Not to mention the season he sat out and the season where he was literally just one tic above average.

The problem wasn't signing Mikolas originally for 2 yrs./$15.5 million. The problem was falling in love with him to soon and giving him a 4 yr./$68 million extension AND THEN another extension that stretched that for two more years.

That second extension can only be classified as weird.

I’ve said this before, but sometimes Mo acted as if he were scared of the offseason hot stove.

Why extend MM before his last season of his contract even started? And keep in mind, the man was spotty his first 5 years here.

Just weird…

[AZ_Cardsfan]

the cards should look for nothing but young players in trades and draft and overseas signings...there is zero point in signing middle of the road players at this point

I disagree. There is a reason to sign some guys that aren't really young and maybe come from overseas. In a rebuild there are several ways to improve. One is sign guys who show upside but everyone is leery of. You get them cheap and if they make good you flip them at the break.

There is also the factor made really clear by Bloom in this statement:

""""“Not to put them in the way of any of our youth, but to make sure we have the right insulation up and down that rotation,” Bloom said. “We want to create some competition. We want to make sure we have options. And that we allow our young guys to flourish while making sure that next wave that we hope is coming doesn’t get pressed into service before it’s their time. We want to make sure they’re ready for the highest level of baseball before we throw them into the fire. So we will look to add to our rotation — whether it’s more youth or a veteran — as the winter goes on.”""""

[scoutyjones2]

I have posted this before, but I will repeat: The Cardinals should sign FA OF Miguel Andujar.......soon. He could probably be signed to a short term contract for less than $8 MM per year. He had a strong comeback season for the Reds last year, and plays RF and LF well, can also fill in at 3B. Good power, not big strikeout prone.

Lol. No. He's nothing special. Had good stats last year because he played in Cincy

[ecleme22]

the cards should look for nothing but young players in trades and draft and overseas signings...there is zero point in signing middle of the road players at this point

Fun little secret: you can flip vets for prospects.