DFW Cards Fan wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 14:44 pm
I mean, it is pretty bad, but that's okay. That rotation will lose 90-100 games. But since we got that 13th pick making us eligible for the lottery again in 2027, it's not the worst outcome in the world. And if even one of them proves they can be a good piece for the next 5 years with Doyle et al, future draft picks, and potential salary redeployment into FAs, the future can look good.
It might be bad, it might not. You have 5 hungry guys with another half dozen chasing them for MLB rotation spots. Needing to perform to keep your spot is a lot of motivation to perform well instead of relying on your contract to keep your spot. Some will fold under the pressure, but at least 2-3 should emerge as rotation holders for years to come. Then the Cards just need to hit on 2 more of the half dozen in the chase to have a decent rotation. I think this is exactly where the Cards should be.
Great point regarding some real competition for a change.
And finally we get to see some different guys vying for spots in the rotation.
I think the starting pitching will pleasantly surprise.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 13:46 pm
Dustin May
Matthew Liberatore
Michael McGreevy
Richard Fitts
Hunter Dobbins
Kyle Leahy
Andre Pallante
Quinn Mathews
Not a bad group to have heading into January. I'm guessing Bloom is still possibly looking to add another, more established player. Not much upside, but you have to build a base. I guess May and Libertore have the ability to be a #2 type. It will be interesting to see if Liberatore can take that next step this year or if he is going to remain a back of the rotation guy. Leahy and Pallante are what they are, but it's nice to have some guys in reserve who can step in and fill innings, if needed. And hopefully Mathews can figure it out this year. I didn't include the Mautz, Hence, Hjerpe, Henderson, or Hansen, but those are some more back of the rotation types who could potentially fill in when needed at some point during the year.
Of course you don't want your rotation to look like this 3 years from now. You gotta hope that Doyle and some of the higher upside guys work out. But for a team who had one of the most expensive rotations in baseball the last couple of years, despite not getting good production, it is nice to have some young, controllable (4-6 years for most of those guys) guys who you can count on to do the job that you pay a lot of money for a Lance Lynn or Kyle Gibson or Miles Mikolas to do.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 13:46 pm
Dustin May
Matthew Liberatore
Michael McGreevy
Richard Fitts
Hunter Dobbins
Kyle Leahy
Andre Pallante
Quinn Mathews
Not a bad group to have heading into January. I'm guessing Bloom is still possibly looking to add another, more established player...
I think he's done. He spoke a few days ago about looking to add one more starter in trade/FA, and I think Dobbins is it.
Personally I think this rotation stands to be better than last year. Sure you don't have the Gray upside, but you need two injuries before you get to Pallante, and nobody should be as bad as Fedde/Mikolas. And let's be real about Gray, he was awful in several starts too. Then there's the potential for Mathews or even Doyle/Mautz to make an appearance as the year goes on.
I bet he’s not. Needs a reliable innings guy. Dobbins tore his ACL in July so he’s not going to be ready at the beginning of the season.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 13:46 pm
Dustin May
Matthew Liberatore
Michael McGreevy
Richard Fitts
Hunter Dobbins
Kyle Leahy
Andre Pallante
Quinn Mathews
Not a bad group to have heading into January. I'm guessing Bloom is still possibly looking to add another, more established player. Not much upside, but you have to build a base. I guess May and Libertore have the ability to be a #2 type. It will be interesting to see if Liberatore can take that next step this year or if he is going to remain a back of the rotation guy. Leahy and Pallante are what they are, but it's nice to have some guys in reserve who can step in and fill innings, if needed. And hopefully Mathews can figure it out this year. I didn't include the Mautz, Hence, Hjerpe, Henderson, or Hansen, but those are some more back of the rotation types who could potentially fill in when needed at some point during the year.
Of course you don't want your rotation to look like this 3 years from now. You gotta hope that Doyle and some of the higher upside guys work out. But for a team who had one of the most expensive rotations in baseball the last couple of years, despite not getting good production, it is nice to have some young, controllable (4-6 years for most of those guys) guys who you can count on to do the job that you pay a lot of money for a Lance Lynn or Kyle Gibson or Miles Mikolas to do.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 13:46 pm
Dustin May
Matthew Liberatore
Michael McGreevy
Richard Fitts
Hunter Dobbins
Kyle Leahy
Andre Pallante
Quinn Mathews
Not a bad group to have heading into January. I'm guessing Bloom is still possibly looking to add another, more established player...
I think he's done. He spoke a few days ago about looking to add one more starter in trade/FA, and I think Dobbins is it.
Personally I think this rotation stands to be better than last year. Sure you don't have the Gray upside, but you need two injuries before you get to Pallante, and nobody should be as bad as Fedde/Mikolas. And let's be real about Gray, he was awful in several starts too. Then there's the potential for Mathews or even Doyle/Mautz to make an appearance as the year goes on.
I bet he’s not. Needs a reliable innings guy. Dobbins tore his ACL in July so he’s not going to be ready at the beginning of the season.
Cardinals will sign another veteran pitcher who will be just that
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 13:46 pm
Dustin May
Matthew Liberatore
Michael McGreevy
Richard Fitts
Hunter Dobbins
Kyle Leahy
Andre Pallante
Quinn Mathews
Not a bad group to have heading into January. I'm guessing Bloom is still possibly looking to add another, more established player...
I think he's done. He spoke a few days ago about looking to add one more starter in trade/FA, and I think Dobbins is it.
Personally I think this rotation stands to be better than last year. Sure you don't have the Gray upside, but you need two injuries before you get to Pallante, and nobody should be as bad as Fedde/Mikolas. And let's be real about Gray, he was awful in several starts too. Then there's the potential for Mathews or even Doyle/Mautz to make an appearance as the year goes on.
I bet he’s not. Needs a reliable innings guy. Dobbins tore his ACL in July so he’s not going to be ready at the beginning of the season.
Cardinals will sign another veteran pitcher who will be just that
I wouldn’t mind that, and deploying a 6 man rotation.
Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Dec 2025 13:46 pm
Dustin May
Matthew Liberatore
Michael McGreevy
Richard Fitts
Hunter Dobbins
Kyle Leahy
Andre Pallante
Quinn Mathews
Not a bad group to have heading into January. I'm guessing Bloom is still possibly looking to add another, more established player...
I think he's done. He spoke a few days ago about looking to add one more starter in trade/FA, and I think Dobbins is it.
Personally I think this rotation stands to be better than last year. Sure you don't have the Gray upside, but you need two injuries before you get to Pallante, and nobody should be as bad as Fedde/Mikolas. And let's be real about Gray, he was awful in several starts too. Then there's the potential for Mathews or even Doyle/Mautz to make an appearance as the year goes on.
I bet he’s not. Needs a reliable innings guy. Dobbins tore his ACL in July so he’s not going to be ready at the beginning of the season.
Cardinals will sign another veteran pitcher who will be just that
Can you ensure that its another losing record 5.00ERA fella…..I’d hate to have to change my sentence structure.
