Strummer Jones wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 09:28 am
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…
They did that all the time - Mikolas, Carpenter, Molina, Goldschmidt, etc. - and never really learned.
For guys over 30, you have to get that information from the last year you already have them under contract - to see how well they play and how healthy they are at the end of it - before you think about re-upping them.
12xu wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 10:00 am
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.
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
That kind of money for a 32 yr old seems steep for a rebuilding team. They have a glut of 1B/DH/corner OF guys. If they were to pursue a bench bat I'd look for a cheap RH OF on a one year deal.
Ponce? Sure, he could be in the mix. They will need a low cost inning eater or two who could be flipped in July.
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
That kind of money for a 32 yr old seems steep for a rebuilding team. They have a glut of 1B/DH/corner OF guys. If they were to pursue a bench bat I'd look for a cheap RH OF on a one year deal.
Ponce? Sure, he could be in the mix. They will need a low cost inning eater or two who could be flipped in July.
Why would Bloom want to sign O’Hearn. A left hand hitting 1stbaseman? I’d be willing to bet the farm, that he isn’t as sure handed or has a stronger throwing arm than Burleson in the outfield either! For a guy preaching Rebuild, Rebuild, Rebuild why would you want O’Hearn either? Uh better options out there, who also hit right handed.
Better yet why not just keep, Donovan? He will cost less money than O’Hearn, plays better defense than O’Hearn, at multiple positions, and is a better hitter than O’Hearn!
Hoosier59 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 21:54 pm
Why would Bloom want to sign O’Hearn. A left hand hitting 1stbaseman? I’d be willing to bet the farm, that he isn’t as sure handed or has a stronger throwing arm than Burleson in the outfield either! For a guy preaching Rebuild, Rebuild, Rebuild why would you want O’Hearn either? Uh better options out there, who also hit right handed.
Better yet why not just keep, Donovan? He will cost less money than O’Hearn, plays better defense than O’Hearn, at multiple positions, and is a better hitter than O’Hearn!
As noted, I predicated O'Hearn on trading Burleson, expecting to station O'Hearn in LF at lease vs. RHPs. O'Hearn's career OPSs are .642 vs. LHPs and .759 vs. RHPs, although he was significantly better in 2025 (.832 vs. LHPs and .795 vs. RHPs).
Some of CT has been clamoring for the Cardinals to at least make a show of trying "to compete" in 2026, so signing a guy who might give you another .800 OPS bat in the middle of the order would seem to do that.
And you're trading Donovan to obtain prospects for 2027, 2028, 2029. O'Hearn is just a short term bridge (and one you might even be able to trade in July 2026 for more prospects).
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
Pass on RoH who turns 33 yrs old mid 2026 season, another LHHer w/little power would be a waste of $12-13.5M AAV.
RoH Career:
.252 .321 .421 .743
Noot Career:
.242 .341 .406 .747
I'd rather keep Noot.
No way I'd give Ponce an $8M AAV, he's unproven in MLB (career: 20 G/2 GS: 5.86 ERA).
Hoosier59 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 21:54 pm
Why would Bloom want to sign O’Hearn. A left hand hitting 1stbaseman? I’d be willing to bet the farm, that he isn’t as sure handed or has a stronger throwing arm than Burleson in the outfield either! For a guy preaching Rebuild, Rebuild, Rebuild why would you want O’Hearn either? Uh better options out there, who also hit right handed.
Better yet why not just keep, Donovan? He will cost less money than O’Hearn, plays better defense than O’Hearn, at multiple positions, and is a better hitter than O’Hearn!
As noted, I predicated O'Hearn on trading Burleson, expecting to station O'Hearn in LF at lease vs. RHPs. O'Hearn's career OPSs are .642 vs. LHPs and .759 vs. RHPs, although he was significantly better in 2025 (.832 vs. LHPs and .795 vs. RHPs).
Some of CT has been clamoring for the Cardinals to at least make a show of trying "to compete" in 2026, so signing a guy who might give you another .800 OPS bat in the middle of the order would seem to do that.
And you're trading Donovan to obtain prospects for 2027, 2028, 2029. O'Hearn is just a short term bridge (and one you might even be able to trade in July 2026 for more prospects).
Notice an error above - predicated O'Hearn on trading Nootbaar.
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
Pass on RoH who turns 33 yrs old mid 2026 season, another LHHer w/little power would be a waste of $12-13.5M AAV.
RoH Career:
.252 .321 .421 .743
Noot Career:
.242 .341 .406 .747
I'd rather keep Noot.
No way I'd give Ponce an $8M AAV, he's unproven in MLB (career: 20 G/2 GS: 5.86 ERA).
PASS ON BOTH, C. Bloom can do better.
You would certainly not be signing Ponce based on what he last did in MLB back in 2021.
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
Pass on RoH who turns 33 yrs old mid 2026 season, another LHHer w/little power would be a waste of $12-13.5M AAV.
RoH Career:
.252 .321 .421 .743
Noot Career:
.242 .341 .406 .747
I'd rather keep Noot.
No way I'd give Ponce an $8M AAV, he's unproven in MLB (career: 20 G/2 GS: 5.86 ERA).
PASS ON BOTH, C. Bloom can do better.
You would certainly not be signing Ponce based on what he last did in MLB back in 2021.
I get it, said "he's unproven in MLB" which acknowledged he pitched overseas.
I think Bloom can do better for that kind of money, I'd rather see him take a flyer on D. May or spend that kind of money on T. Mahle.
TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 12:49 pm
I'd take a flyer on Andujar
We would have our new "you never know" guy. It is what out last Andujar always said.
May or Mahle before Andujar for my preference. Hope Bloom calls up the Twins to see if Joe Ryan is availalbe. Good bounce back season last year and could get him at a reasonable cost, I would think. Twins are always trying to save money and they only have 2 more years of control before he is gone due to affordability and they got some younger guys able to replace him. Would give us a decent number 3 with future 2 potential.
TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑28 Nov 2025 12:49 pm
I'd take a flyer on Andujar
We would have our new "you never know" guy. It is what out last Andujar always said.
May or Mahle before Andujar for my preference. Hope Bloom calls up the Twins to see if Joe Ryan is availalbe. Good bounce back season last year and could get him at a reasonable cost, I would think. Twins are always trying to save money and they only have 2 more years of control before he is gone due to affordability and they got some younger guys able to replace him. Would give us a decent number 3 with future 2 potential.
I would like to to see Bloom take a shot at all three you mentioned.
12xu wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 10:00 am
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.
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
There are 780 players on rosters. 26 times 30 teams. 390 are pitchers.
That leaves 390 position players. Minus 60 catchers that’s 330. Minus SS, second base, and first base, allowing two per team, that’s another 180. Making the pool of eligible players at about 150 players.
mattmitchl44 wrote: ↑27 Nov 2025 08:35 am
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.
There are 780 players on rosters. 26 times 30 teams. 390 are pitchers.
That leaves 390 position players. Minus 60 catchers that’s 330. Minus SS, second base, and first base, allowing two per team, that’s another 180. Making the pool of eligible players at about 150 players.
That about it.
When will the clouds all blow it away? When will the good people have their say? Now I hope you're still around to see the day. Take a while,think about it!
One of the most underrated Aerosmith's songs from a mostly unknown album Bulldog. What was your thoughts on that album?
