Still think door not completely closed on Contreras playing elsewhere in 2026

[ramfandan]

I know Contreras A. has a NTC and B. has expressed an interest to remain with the Cardinals though did leave the door slightly ajar in his meeting with Bloom .

As Bernie M. states in a podcast , it is a complex situation with the NTC, plus the $$ remaining for his final 2 years .

I have thought of a scenario where Contreras may reconsider his position. In the next 6 weeks, Gray, Arenado, Donovan, and another one or two starters from 2025 are gone AND (this is the key part ) if a contending team has a major injury to a productive 1st baseman might Contreras rethink waiving his NTC . The contending type team may want a Contreras with his good right-handed bat with some power plus a guy who has shown he can handle the defensive work around the bag.
If this could possibly happen in spring training , I would think Contreras could bite and be willing to leave the Cardinals. I feel Bloom would not hesitate to trade him and even pay some of his $$. Your thoughts ?
Possibly some free agent movement of 1st basemen like Pete Alonso could impact other teams needs at 1st base too.

[Talkin' Baseball]

I know Contreras A. has a NTC and B. has expressed an interest to remain with the Cardinals though did leave the door slightly ajar in his meeting with Bloom .

As Bernie M. states in a podcast , it is a complex situation with the NTC, plus the $$ remaining for his final 2 years .

I have thought of a scenario where Contreras may reconsider his position. In the next 6 weeks, Gray, Arenado, Donovan, and another one or two starters from 2025 are gone AND (this is the key part ) if a contending team has a major injury to a productive 1st baseman might Contreras rethink waiving his NTC . The contending type team may want a Contreras with his good right-handed bat with some power plus a guy who has shown he can handle the defensive work around the bag.
If this could possibly happen in spring training , I would think Contreras could bite and be willing to leave the Cardinals. I feel Bloom would not hesitate to trade him and even pay some of his $$. Your thoughts ?
Possibly some free agent movement of 1st basemen like Pete Alonso could impact other teams needs at 1st base too.

I think he will be gone before New Year's Day.

[ramfandan]

I know Contreras A. has a NTC and B. has expressed an interest to remain with the Cardinals though did leave the door slightly ajar in his meeting with Bloom .

As Bernie M. states in a podcast , it is a complex situation with the NTC, plus the $$ remaining for his final 2 years .

I have thought of a scenario where Contreras may reconsider his position. In the next 6 weeks, Gray, Arenado, Donovan, and another one or two starters from 2025 are gone AND (this is the key part ) if a contending team has a major injury to a productive 1st baseman might Contreras rethink waiving his NTC . The contending type team may want a Contreras with his good right-handed bat with some power plus a guy who has shown he can handle the defensive work around the bag.
If this could possibly happen in spring training , I would think Contreras could bite and be willing to leave the Cardinals. I feel Bloom would not hesitate to trade him and even pay some of his $$. Your thoughts ?
Possibly some free agent movement of 1st basemen like Pete Alonso could impact other teams needs at 1st base too.

I think he will be gone before New Year's Day.

I would not be surprised either. I commend Contreras for saying he would like to be here to help mentor the younger guys coming up . I also think that come conclusion of the Winter Meetings , if he sees a team that no longer has Gray, Arenado, Donovan, and other starters , he may have a new realization that Bloom would rather have Contreras play elsewhere (not that Bloom does not value his play and effort but that his age does not fit in with Bloom's rebuild plans ).

[Whatashame]

I have mentioned a couple of times before that I think it’s 60/40 that he is traded. I believe there is a market for him and his remaining contract isn’t that difficult to swallow. Some of his value may be whether he would consider returning to at least catching on a part time basis for the team who would want him.

I could see him staying but that would require someone else definitely having to be traded. Contreras playing 1B takes a spot that could be played by others (Burleson, Herrera, Gorman). The picture will clear up as the winter moves on. Is Arenado traded? Is Donovan traded? How about Burleson, Gorman, Nootbaar? As things stand today the current lineup would look something like
C Crooks/Herrera/Pages
1B Contreras
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
LF Nootbaar
CF Scott
RF Burleson
DH Gorman
This assumes Arenado is moved but plenty of questions with Donovan/Nootbaar/Gorman and Burleson.

Most of us are watching and waiting to see what Blooms vision is for this team. One more trade like with Gray, bringing back a couple of high end pitching prospects would be great and start to define what the lineup will look like. Many think Donovan is the move but maybe Contreras is the moveable piece. Heck, maybe both. Moving Gray, Arenado, Donovan AND Contreras would clear all onerous contracts and open up payroll.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I expect him gone by Christmas.

[C-Unit]

I have mentioned a couple of times before that I think it’s 60/40 that he is traded. I believe there is a market for him and his remaining contract isn’t that difficult to swallow. Some of his value may be whether he would consider returning to at least catching on a part time basis for the team who would want him.

I could see him staying but that would require someone else definitely having to be traded. Contreras playing 1B takes a spot that could be played by others (Burleson, Herrera, Gorman). The picture will clear up as the winter moves on. Is Arenado traded? Is Donovan traded? How about Burleson, Gorman, Nootbaar? As things stand today the current lineup would look something like
C Crooks/Herrera/Pages
1B Contreras
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
LF Nootbaar
CF Scott
RF Burleson
DH Gorman
This assumes Arenado is moved but plenty of questions with Donovan/Nootbaar/Gorman and Burleson.

Most of us are watching and waiting to see what Blooms vision is for this team. One more trade like with Gray, bringing back a couple of high end pitching prospects would be great and start to define what the lineup will look like. Many think Donovan is the move but maybe Contreras is the moveable piece. Heck, maybe both. Moving Gray, Arenado, Donovan AND Contreras would clear all onerous contracts and open up payroll.

Seems like the Gray move is a strong signal of what's to come. Bloom alluded to that move backing up exactly what he talked about in September. Gray was agreeable enough to go to Boston, whereas many fans assumed he would limit his choices to a Midwest team. Bloom has acted with purpose. 90% chance or more Contreras is soon to follow, and he spoke in an agreeable tone as well.

Of your bold list, I imagine Bloom wants to move all 4. Now, on your projected lineup, factor in that Nootbaar is expected to miss time to start the season.

I guess Walker will get a clear job. And with Burleson at 1st, there could even be another OF spot open and I don't think Church is the answer even in a rebuild situation. In that scenario I think there would be a veteran stopgap piece brought in (one who could be tradeable at the deadline). Saggese would get more playing time too. It could be a pretty thin looking team.

C Crooks/Pages(trade?)/Pozo/Herrera
1B Burleson
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Saggese
LF O'Hearn? Etc. / Herrera
CF Scott
RF Walker
DH Herrera/Gorman

I want to add that I don't think there's a guarantee Pages can't improve in 2026. And for all the Pozo hype, he finished the year with a .637 OPS (78 ops+). I wouldn't be mad about keeping Pages around personally.

[ScotchMIrish]

I know Contreras A. has a NTC and B. has expressed an interest to remain with the Cardinals though did leave the door slightly ajar in his meeting with Bloom .

As Bernie M. states in a podcast , it is a complex situation with the NTC, plus the $$ remaining for his final 2 years .

I have thought of a scenario where Contreras may reconsider his position. In the next 6 weeks, Gray, Arenado, Donovan, and another one or two starters from 2025 are gone AND (this is the key part ) if a contending team has a major injury to a productive 1st baseman might Contreras rethink waiving his NTC . The contending type team may want a Contreras with his good right-handed bat with some power plus a guy who has shown he can handle the defensive work around the bag.
If this could possibly happen in spring training , I would think Contreras could bite and be willing to leave the Cardinals. I feel Bloom would not hesitate to trade him and even pay some of his $$. Your thoughts ?
Possibly some free agent movement of 1st basemen like Pete Alonso could impact other teams needs at 1st base too.

I think he will be gone before New Year's Day.

That would be best for the team.

[C-Unit]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

[ramfandan]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

I am wondering if OF Joshua Baez will start out as the Cardinals 4th OF this year and end up starting quite a few games this year.
The kid has both power and speed.

[C-Unit]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

I am wondering if OF Joshua Baez will start out as the Cardinals 4th OF this year and end up starting quite a few games this year.
The kid has both power and speed.

I don't see why they'd need to skip a level with him, start his clock early for this team. Maybe a Sept Call-Up.

[Whatashame]

I have mentioned a couple of times before that I think it’s 60/40 that he is traded. I believe there is a market for him and his remaining contract isn’t that difficult to swallow. Some of his value may be whether he would consider returning to at least catching on a part time basis for the team who would want him.

I could see him staying but that would require someone else definitely having to be traded. Contreras playing 1B takes a spot that could be played by others (Burleson, Herrera, Gorman). The picture will clear up as the winter moves on. Is Arenado traded? Is Donovan traded? How about Burleson, Gorman, Nootbaar? As things stand today the current lineup would look something like
C Crooks/Herrera/Pages
1B Contreras
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
LF Nootbaar
CF Scott
RF Burleson
DH Gorman
This assumes Arenado is moved but plenty of questions with Donovan/Nootbaar/Gorman and Burleson.

Most of us are watching and waiting to see what Blooms vision is for this team. One more trade like with Gray, bringing back a couple of high end pitching prospects would be great and start to define what the lineup will look like. Many think Donovan is the move but maybe Contreras is the moveable piece. Heck, maybe both. Moving Gray, Arenado, Donovan AND Contreras would clear all onerous contracts and open up payroll.

Seems like the Gray move is a strong signal of what's to come. Bloom alluded to that move backing up exactly what he talked about in September. Gray was agreeable enough to go to Boston, whereas many fans assumed he would limit his choices to a Midwest team. Bloom has acted with purpose. 90% chance or more Contreras is soon to follow, and he spoke in an agreeable tone as well.

Of your bold list, I imagine Bloom wants to move all 4. Now, on your projected lineup, factor in that Nootbaar is expected to miss time to start the season.

I guess Walker will get a clear job. And with Burleson at 1st, there could even be another OF spot open and I don't think Church is the answer even in a rebuild situation. In that scenario I think there would be a veteran stopgap piece brought in (one who could be tradeable at the deadline). Saggese would get more playing time too. It could be a pretty thin looking team.

C Crooks/Pages(trade?)/Pozo/Herrera
1B Burleson
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Saggese
LF O'Hearn? Etc. / Herrera
CF Scott
RF Walker
DH Herrera/Gorman

I want to add that I don't think there's a guarantee Pages can't improve in 2026. And for all the Pozo hype, he finished the year with a .637 OPS (78 ops+). I wouldn't be mad about keeping Pages around personally.

I don’t think that Contreras has a 90% chance of being traded but I do believe it’s likely. 60/40, 70/30, hard to put an exact percentage on it but I can see an avenue where it’s probable. I think Pozo is just a place holder or injury cover until Bernal or Rodriguez (a little further away) are ready. Don’t see a spot for him. My guess is Herrera works hard over the winter to improve his catching and he gets 30-40 games to show the Cardinals what he can do.

IF the Cardinals do trade Arenado, Contreras, Gray and Donovan, I’m not sure that Nootbaar Is also moved. It may come down to Nootbaar or Donovan depending on the return. Moving all 5 plus maybe a Romero and a Gorman are lots of bodies moving.

I saw where people have mentioned O’Hearn as a pickup but with the possibility of a lineup with Crooks, Burleson, Wetherholt, Scott and Gorman I don’t see another LH bat. We have needed a RH hitting OFer for years and if we are adding an OFer I think he will be a RH hitter, preferably one that can play CF. We are asking a lot of Scott, especially since he has so much to prove.

I see Walker starting the year in AAA. He is the RH outfield bat we need to add but there’s so much to prove. All of this is just guesswork though until we see the returns from the players we move.

[11WSChamps]

I have mentioned a couple of times before that I think it’s 60/40 that he is traded. I believe there is a market for him and his remaining contract isn’t that difficult to swallow. Some of his value may be whether he would consider returning to at least catching on a part time basis for the team who would want him.

I could see him staying but that would require someone else definitely having to be traded. Contreras playing 1B takes a spot that could be played by others (Burleson, Herrera, Gorman). The picture will clear up as the winter moves on. Is Arenado traded? Is Donovan traded? How about Burleson, Gorman, Nootbaar? As things stand today the current lineup would look something like
C Crooks/Herrera/Pages
1B Contreras
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
LF Nootbaar
CF Scott
RF Burleson
DH Gorman
This assumes Arenado is moved but plenty of questions with Donovan/Nootbaar/Gorman and Burleson.

Most of us are watching and waiting to see what Blooms vision is for this team. One more trade like with Gray, bringing back a couple of high end pitching prospects would be great and start to define what the lineup will look like. Many think Donovan is the move but maybe Contreras is the moveable piece. Heck, maybe both. Moving Gray, Arenado, Donovan AND Contreras would clear all onerous contracts and open up payroll.

Seems like the Gray move is a strong signal of what's to come. Bloom alluded to that move backing up exactly what he talked about in September. Gray was agreeable enough to go to Boston, whereas many fans assumed he would limit his choices to a Midwest team. Bloom has acted with purpose. 90% chance or more Contreras is soon to follow, and he spoke in an agreeable tone as well.

Of your bold list, I imagine Bloom wants to move all 4. Now, on your projected lineup, factor in that Nootbaar is expected to miss time to start the season.

I guess Walker will get a clear job. And with Burleson at 1st, there could even be another OF spot open and I don't think Church is the answer even in a rebuild situation. In that scenario I think there would be a veteran stopgap piece brought in (one who could be tradeable at the deadline). Saggese would get more playing time too. It could be a pretty thin looking team.

C Crooks/Pages(trade?)/Pozo/Herrera
1B Burleson
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Saggese
LF O'Hearn? Etc. / Herrera
CF Scott
RF Walker
DH Herrera/Gorman

I want to add that I don't think there's a guarantee Pages can't improve in 2026. And for all the Pozo hype, he finished the year with a .637 OPS (78 ops+). I wouldn't be mad about keeping Pages around personally.

It's already a thin team.

[Whatashame]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

That lineup, if nothing is added, is weak. Saggese can’t be counted on as the everyday 3B. He hasn’t shown us anything yet to think he could give us daily production.

The outfield still needs help and hopefully Scott can cover tons of ground. I believe the infield will be fine but if we add anything, we need an everyday RH outfield bat.

[mattmitchl44]

Hopefully it is wide open.

[dugoutrex]

I have mentioned a couple of times before that I think it’s 60/40 that he is traded. I believe there is a market for him and his remaining contract isn’t that difficult to swallow. Some of his value may be whether he would consider returning to at least catching on a part time basis for the team who would want him.

I could see him staying but that would require someone else definitely having to be traded. Contreras playing 1B takes a spot that could be played by others (Burleson, Herrera, Gorman). The picture will clear up as the winter moves on. Is Arenado traded? Is Donovan traded? How about Burleson, Gorman, Nootbaar? As things stand today the current lineup would look something like
C Crooks/Herrera/Pages
1B Contreras
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Donovan
LF Nootbaar
CF Scott
RF Burleson
DH Gorman
This assumes Arenado is moved but plenty of questions with Donovan/Nootbaar/Gorman and Burleson.

Most of us are watching and waiting to see what Blooms vision is for this team. One more trade like with Gray, bringing back a couple of high end pitching prospects would be great and start to define what the lineup will look like. Many think Donovan is the move but maybe Contreras is the moveable piece. Heck, maybe both. Moving Gray, Arenado, Donovan AND Contreras would clear all onerous contracts and open up payroll.

Norman is a 1st baseman now?

[C-Unit]

2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
1B Burleson
LF Herrera
DH Gorman
RF Walker
3B Saggese
C Crooks Pages Pozo
CF Scott II

That lineup, if nothing is added, is weak. Saggese can’t be counted on as the everyday 3B. He hasn’t shown us anything yet to think he could give us daily production.

The outfield still needs help and hopefully Scott can cover tons of ground. I believe the infield will be fine but if we add anything, we need an everyday RH outfield bat.

CF Wetherholt
3B Donovan
2B Bichette
DH Schwarber
1B Contreras
C Herrera
RF Tucker
LF Burleson
SS Winn