Per John Denton of MLB--Bloom looking to rid himself of the Contreras Contract

[BrockFloodMaris]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

I did not read “looking to rid himself of the Contreras Contract” anywhere in that article. In fact, I read no mention of finance, just several references to rebuilding the roster and a movement to youth with an eye on the future.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I hope they send a lot of money with Contreras and Arenado and get some prospects back.
If not, they are just saving Dewitt money and not quickening the rebuild.

Wouldn’t get your hopes up to get something very good for Arenado. They’ll eat money on the deal, but it isn’t going to result in much return. He hasn’t been very good for a few years. Contreras, though, has proved himself a capable 1B and has continued to be a solid bat. He’ll get something pretty good, depending on how he deals with his NTC.

But why wouldn’t you expect them to eat some money? They just did it with Gray.

[Bully4you]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

I did not read “looking to rid himself of the Contreras Contract” anywhere in that article. In fact, I read no mention of finance, just several references to rebuilding the roster and a movement to youth with an eye on the future.

You have to read between the lines.
Can you do that, because I can.
If you can't, that's okay.
Because I did it for you.
You can thank me later.

[Bully4you]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

Nothing really new it that.
Bloom has been very clear about the possibility - and the return for Contreras (2 years of control and a below-market contract) could be as high or higher than that for Donovan.
And it would be ironically full circle.
I was the only person on the planet who correctly predicted on the day Conteras was signed that he would be moved to 1B when PG's contract expired.
Everyone without exception said I was wrong - but obviously I was correct.
And now, if Bloom does trade Contreras, the primary reason (other than the return) would be to help accommodate a move to 1B for Herrera (no serious-minded person believes for a moment STL believes he can be a starting MLB catcher long-term) in a time share with Burleson.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.
(Again.)

At this point with a complete rebuild it would be a smart move.
As you suggested, Herrera to 1b would be ideal.
I saw him in LF and I'd rather Burleson play that spot.
Herrera is either a 1b man or a DH.
I guess they'll explore catcher, but we all know he's a dud there too.

[Bully4you]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

That leaves us with...

• Gray replaced by Fitts
• Contreras replaced by Burleson
• Arenado replaced by Gorman or Fermin or Saggese
• Donovan replaced by Wetherholt
• Probably can't trade Nootbar because of his health. They could wait until the trade deadline or after the season.
• I wonder if Romero is on the trading block. They could wait until the trade deadline.

DH Herrera
C Pages (backup Pozo)
1B Burleson
2B Wetherholt (could be Saggese or Torres or Fermin on opening day)
SS Winn
3B Gorman or Fermin or Saggese
LF Nootbar or Fermin or Torres
CF Scott
RF Church or Torres or Nootbar or Walker


So... still poor overall OF, poor 3B, and poor overall pitching. Same as before.
Probably will try to pick up some cheap pitching depth just before spring training.

I hope they send a lot of money with Contreras and Arenado and get some prospects back.
If not, they are just saving Dewitt money and not quickening the rebuild.

Basically, it leaves us with a AAA team or thereabouts.

[Bully4you]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

Good news. Take his contract and his drama elsewhere.

He's a fighter.
I'd like Tommy Pham to confront him one day.

[ScotchMIrish]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

Good news. Take his contract and his drama elsewhere.

He's a fighter.
I'd like Tommy Pham to confront him one day.

I haven't seen him fight. I see him starting something and whining when his teammates don't fight. He did the same thing with the Cubs and I doubt they want him back.

[OldRed]

If they are in a true rebuild Contreras has to go.

[rockondlouie]

Nothing really new here from Denton since it's been well reported for months WillyC is available, WillyC will listen and WillyC holds the NTC and said he wants to stay.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Now wants to trade Contreras, Arenado and Donovan.
Can you say Fire Sale.....
Incoming.

If he moves all these guys payroll might be lowest in the NL Central.

https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles ... 5_43136105

I did not read “looking to rid himself of the Contreras Contract” anywhere in that article. In fact, I read no mention of finance, just several references to rebuilding the roster and a movement to youth with an eye on the future.

You have to read between the lines.
Can you do that, because I can.
If you can't, that's okay.
Because I did it for you.
You can thank me later.

"Reading between the lines" or confirming your own narrative about DeWallet? Dry powder? Cheap cheap cheap? You portray yourself as having an enlightened perspective, when in fact, it is quite old, cliched, and tired. Confirmation bias is pretty easy to spot. When you are a hammer, the whole world is a nail.

[cardstatman]

I hope they send a lot of money with Contreras and Arenado and get some prospects back.
If not, they are just saving Dewitt money and not quickening the rebuild.

Wouldn’t get your hopes up to get something very good for Arenado. They’ll eat money on the deal, but it isn’t going to result in much return. He hasn’t been very good for a few years. Contreras, though, has proved himself a capable 1B and has continued to be a solid bat. He’ll get something pretty good, depending on how he deals with his NTC.

But why wouldn’t you expect them to eat some money? They just did it with Gray.

Agree that Arenado won't bring back much even if they eat nearly his entire salary. Smarter to trade Donovan and Gorman and keep Arenado IMHO. IMHO we don't have an MLB ready realistic 3B prospect. I'd put both Fermin and Saggese ahead of Gorman but they are probably utility players rather than future MLB third basemen.

Agree that the Sonny Gray trade seems to confirm that Bloom understands eating salary is like buying draft picks. Good news!