Bernie M. : Why Chaim Bloom MUST trade Brendan Donovant

[ramfandan]

From STL Sports Central

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzEM5v4nr_s Time: 25 min. 50 sec.

Bernie argues that while it hurts to lose a leader , trading Donovan might be the smartest move for the franchise rebuild.

[Ozziesfan41]

I agree 100% trading him good prospects would provide more for the team than what his leadership would bring to the team

[ScotchMIrish]

He made one mistake. He said Wetherholt's best position is second base. Wetherholt played 61 games at shortstop and only 20 at second base. He might play second base because shortstop is blocked but that's not his best position.

[brock118]

Trading high was a concept lost on Mo

[renostl]

Depends on the return.
The success of the return
Whether there are other possibilities to get
a similar return like Burleson
And
What is the time-line of this projected rebuild

This team can afford this roster and any of players
that provide production

[CardsBest]

I am all for trading Donovan, Noot, Gorman, Contreras. I would have a big neon sign down town on Busch Stadium saying open for business. I would post them in the bargain swap section of the newspaper.

I like Donovan and Contreras but they dont fit the timeline and will age out. Noot I thought could turn into something but injuries and the production I have seen when healthy has me ready to trade. Gorman I have never thought much about even when everyone was enamored with his power. I always saw huge holes in his swing, lack of contact, and huge slumps that have now become his ceiling.

[Hoosier59]

I’ve been steadfast in my opinion on not trading Donovan. I still do not want him traded, however, Bernie makes some good points as why they should. The reality is that the Cardinals aren’t going to suddenly change their minds and go for it all in 2026. They just aren’t! As bad as some us want them to and think they should, they aren’t going to do so. Bill DeWitt is determined to cut payroll to Historic lows! He is not going to try and compete in the current conditions that exist in MLB! His heart isn’t in it to spend that much money. If, a big if, the collect bargaining agreement is changed to more align with Bill’s way of thinking, then he may consider to start trying to win again. If there aren’t enough changes to suit him, then I think he sells the team, at least his part.
Now, back to Brendan Donovan, if then, the Cardinals aren't going to try and win anytime soon, then, yes they need to trade him. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. However, as Bernie states, Bloom has to receive a high return! Don’t settle for anything less!
There isn’t a such thing as a “ can’t miss prospect “ but Bloom needs to come as close as possible on this trade.
Time will tell!

[Carp4Cy]

I’ve been steadfast in my opinion on not trading Donovan. I still do not want him traded, however, Bernie makes some good points as why they should. The reality is that the Cardinals aren’t going to suddenly change their minds and go for it all in 2026. They just aren’t! As bad as some us want them to and think they should, they aren’t going to do so. Bill DeWitt is determined to cut payroll to Historic lows! He is not going to try and compete in the current conditions that exist in MLB! His heart isn’t in it to spend that much money. If, a big if, the collect bargaining agreement is changed to more align with Bill’s way of thinking, then he may consider to start trying to win again. If there aren’t enough changes to suit him, then I think he sells the team, at least his part.
Now, back to Brendan Donovan, if then, the Cardinals aren't going to try and win anytime soon, then, yes they need to trade him. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. However, as Bernie states, Bloom has to receive a high return! Don’t settle for anything less!
There isn’t a such thing as a “ can’t miss prospect “ but Bloom needs to come as close as possible on this trade.
Time will tell!

That's why I'd much rather trade Donny for a known quantity than a "can't miss" prospect. Get the youngest future star who is already producing in MLB who can help us at a position of need NOW, AND be here for years. Like an Andy Pages.

The risk adjusted expected return of a young but proven MLB player is almost always going to bring us better value in a Donovan type trade than the risk adjusted expected return of a "can't miss" prospect.

[Hoosier59]

I’ve been steadfast in my opinion on not trading Donovan. I still do not want him traded, however, Bernie makes some good points as why they should. The reality is that the Cardinals aren’t going to suddenly change their minds and go for it all in 2026. They just aren’t! As bad as some us want them to and think they should, they aren’t going to do so. Bill DeWitt is determined to cut payroll to Historic lows! He is not going to try and compete in the current conditions that exist in MLB! His heart isn’t in it to spend that much money. If, a big if, the collect bargaining agreement is changed to more align with Bill’s way of thinking, then he may consider to start trying to win again. If there aren’t enough changes to suit him, then I think he sells the team, at least his part.
Now, back to Brendan Donovan, if then, the Cardinals aren't going to try and win anytime soon, then, yes they need to trade him. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. However, as Bernie states, Bloom has to receive a high return! Don’t settle for anything less!
There isn’t a such thing as a “ can’t miss prospect “ but Bloom needs to come as close as possible on this trade.
Time will tell!

That's why I'd much rather trade Donny for a known quantity than a "can't miss" prospect. Get the youngest future star who is already producing in MLB who can help us at a position of need NOW, AND be here for years. Like an Andy Pages.

The risk adjusted expected return of a young but proven MLB player is almost always going to bring us better value in a Donovan type trade than the risk adjusted expected return of a "can't miss" prospect.

That makes sense, but it sounds like the Cardinals are looking more for pitching, and that’s where it gets dicey!
If they go for a known player, say Miller, Kirby, or Gilbert of Seattle, those guys are going to be real expensive, real soon. That is unless the new agreement changes that. The Cardinals aren’t going to resign those guys unless it does. That’s why I think they are looking for younger pitchers, with years of control, but how often do those players actually pan out? Injuries happen, a lot, and many just don’t turn out as they otherwise project. If Bloom could secure another Wainwright, well that would be fantastic, but what are the odds of that happening?

[renostl]

I’ve been steadfast in my opinion on not trading Donovan. I still do not want him traded, however, Bernie makes some good points as why they should. The reality is that the Cardinals aren’t going to suddenly change their minds and go for it all in 2026. They just aren’t! As bad as some us want them to and think they should, they aren’t going to do so. Bill DeWitt is determined to cut payroll to Historic lows! He is not going to try and compete in the current conditions that exist in MLB! His heart isn’t in it to spend that much money. If, a big if, the collect bargaining agreement is changed to more align with Bill’s way of thinking, then he may consider to start trying to win again. If there aren’t enough changes to suit him, then I think he sells the team, at least his part.
Now, back to Brendan Donovan, if then, the Cardinals aren't going to try and win anytime soon, then, yes they need to trade him. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. However, as Bernie states, Bloom has to receive a high return! Don’t settle for anything less!
There isn’t a such thing as a “ can’t miss prospect “ but Bloom needs to come as close as possible on this trade.
Time will tell!

That's why I'd much rather trade Donny for a known quantity than a "can't miss" prospect. Get the youngest future star who is already producing in MLB who can help us at a position of need NOW, AND be here for years. Like an Andy Pages.

The risk adjusted expected return of a young but proven MLB player is almost always going to bring us better value in a Donovan type trade than the risk adjusted expected return of a "can't miss" prospect.

There are guesses of the time-line as to when the Cardinals might be more competitive. The more proven players implies a player that is past rookie status. How much is gained in such a trade when Donovan may actually be able to play the position of that acquired player?
SP's with upside are premium, may need more than Donovan. C seems full, CF perhaps.
Not a challenge just trying to think it through to see what your idea looks like. Donovan isn't going to any team that isn't going for it. It almost has to be a redundancy player like Duran in Boston?

[Carp4Cy]

I’ve been steadfast in my opinion on not trading Donovan. I still do not want him traded, however, Bernie makes some good points as why they should. The reality is that the Cardinals aren’t going to suddenly change their minds and go for it all in 2026. They just aren’t! As bad as some us want them to and think they should, they aren’t going to do so. Bill DeWitt is determined to cut payroll to Historic lows! He is not going to try and compete in the current conditions that exist in MLB! His heart isn’t in it to spend that much money. If, a big if, the collect bargaining agreement is changed to more align with Bill’s way of thinking, then he may consider to start trying to win again. If there aren’t enough changes to suit him, then I think he sells the team, at least his part.
Now, back to Brendan Donovan, if then, the Cardinals aren't going to try and win anytime soon, then, yes they need to trade him. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. However, as Bernie states, Bloom has to receive a high return! Don’t settle for anything less!
There isn’t a such thing as a “ can’t miss prospect “ but Bloom needs to come as close as possible on this trade.
Time will tell!

That's why I'd much rather trade Donny for a known quantity than a "can't miss" prospect. Get the youngest future star who is already producing in MLB who can help us at a position of need NOW, AND be here for years. Like an Andy Pages.

The risk adjusted expected return of a young but proven MLB player is almost always going to bring us better value in a Donovan type trade than the risk adjusted expected return of a "can't miss" prospect.

There are guesses of the time-line as to when the Cardinals might be more competitive. The more proven players implies a player that is past rookie status. How much is gained in such a trade when Donovan may actually be able to play the position of that acquired player?
SP's with upside are premium, may need more than Donovan. C seems full, CF perhaps.
Not a challenge just trying to think it through to see what your idea looks like. Donovan isn't going to any team that isn't going for it. It almost has to be a redundancy player like Duran in Boston?

Good points. That's why I'm suggesting Pages - he can play CF and hit 27 HRs and he's only 24. And we have Zero good OFers. (Even Donny will never be a 4 WAR player playing only in LF - he doesn't have the bat for LF.) We have to acquire some from outside. But yes there's the issue that the Dodgers might never give him up, even for Donovan.

Alternatively we could trade Donny to a contender and acquire a player from another tanking team in a 3 way trade.

[JuanAgosto]

Trading high was a concept lost on Mo

Most things were a lost concept to that putz.

[Poojols]

He made one mistake. He said Wetherholt's best position is second base. Wetherholt played 61 games at shortstop and only 20 at second base. He might play second base because shortstop is blocked but that's not his best position.

Playing more games at one spot doesn't necessarily correlate to being a player's best position. It could be many factors that go into that decision. Actually it's somewhat common that college/minor league players start out at SS and move to 3B or 2B meaning that their best position is in fact not SS.

[renostl]

I’ve been steadfast in my opinion on not trading Donovan. I still do not want him traded, however, Bernie makes some good points as why they should. The reality is that the Cardinals aren’t going to suddenly change their minds and go for it all in 2026. They just aren’t! As bad as some us want them to and think they should, they aren’t going to do so. Bill DeWitt is determined to cut payroll to Historic lows! He is not going to try and compete in the current conditions that exist in MLB! His heart isn’t in it to spend that much money. If, a big if, the collect bargaining agreement is changed to more align with Bill’s way of thinking, then he may consider to start trying to win again. If there aren’t enough changes to suit him, then I think he sells the team, at least his part.
Now, back to Brendan Donovan, if then, the Cardinals aren't going to try and win anytime soon, then, yes they need to trade him. I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. However, as Bernie states, Bloom has to receive a high return! Don’t settle for anything less!
There isn’t a such thing as a “ can’t miss prospect “ but Bloom needs to come as close as possible on this trade.
Time will tell!

That's why I'd much rather trade Donny for a known quantity than a "can't miss" prospect. Get the youngest future star who is already producing in MLB who can help us at a position of need NOW, AND be here for years. Like an Andy Pages.

The risk adjusted expected return of a young but proven MLB player is almost always going to bring us better value in a Donovan type trade than the risk adjusted expected return of a "can't miss" prospect.

There are guesses of the time-line as to when the Cardinals might be more competitive. The more proven players implies a player that is past rookie status. How much is gained in such a trade when Donovan may actually be able to play the position of that acquired player?
SP's with upside are premium, may need more than Donovan. C seems full, CF perhaps.
Not a challenge just trying to think it through to see what your idea looks like. Donovan isn't going to any team that isn't going for it. It almost has to be a redundancy player like Duran in Boston?

Good points. That's why I'm suggesting Pages - he can play CF and hit 27 HRs and he's only 24. And we have Zero good OFers. (Even Donny will never be a 4 WAR player playing only in LF - he doesn't have the bat for LF.) We have to acquire some from outside. But yes there's the issue that the Dodgers might never give him up, even for Donovan.

Alternatively we could trade Donny to a contender and acquire a player from another tanking team in a 3 way trade.

Pages is a great target. I think that the Cards would have to add to Donovan to get him and LA get a Tucker or Bellinger.
They need catching behind Smith and RP. Not impossible. Duran probably goes for pitching if dealt. Seattle. Yeah it's a narrow path.

Prospects are more available from contenders.
I get the downside. Choose wisely.

[rockondlouie]

Best trade chip

Highest return likely in any deal C. Bloom makes this winter/next season

Two years from free agency

29 yrs old in January/2026

Outstanding player/person but by the time Bloom gets this ship turned in the right direction he'd likely be gone via FA and they'd have nothing to show for him.

Easy decision, he has to be traded.

[ecleme22]

Best trade chip

Highest return likely in any deal C. Bloom makes this winter/next season

Two years from free agency

29 yrs old in January/2026

Outstanding player/person but by the time Bloom gets this ship turned in the right direction he'd likely be gone via FA and they'd have nothing to show for him.

Easy decision, he has to be traded.

Me last offseason: they should consider trading Donovan.
You: no way! BD is the team leader! Lock him up, Mo!