redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
So you think signing 1pitcher would vault them into contention after the numerous times you have pointed out the entire starting lineup was created to tank?
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
So you think signing 1pitcher would vault them into contention after the numerous times you have pointed out the entire starting lineup was created to tank?
TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 15:17 pm
If we are going to sign one of these guys to a 1-2 year deal, we may as have just kept Sonny Gray. Now, if they wanted to sign one to a longer term deal, to usher in and through a rebuild, maybe i'd be down for that
Maybe
SG was owed $35M for 2026 and at least $5M for 2027 if bought out.
Currently he still cost them $20M but they saved $20M have a rotation piece for 6 years and whatever the prospect piece becomes. If they spend that other $20M they turn SG into 2 SPs this season plus what say Gallen becomes or if he were flipped.
Lol at the thought that either of those pitchers would sign a pillow deal with the Cardinals. If it got to the point where they were unable to get a long term contract they would have a lot better options for a pillow deal.
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
So you think signing 1pitcher would vault them into contention after the numerous times you have pointed out the entire starting lineup was created to tank?
Reading comprehension. Did I say 1 pitcher?
Nice deflection. OK both picthers. Now where are we at with that starting lineup? The one that you have pointed out numerous times that has been created just a tank and get high lottery picks?
if either take a one yr deal at a reduced rate it will be for a team they think will win a lot of games and thereby making them more attractive next off season. would you really take a one year prove it deal with a team not expected to compete?
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
So you think signing 1pitcher would vault them into contention after the numerous times you have pointed out the entire starting lineup was created to tank?
Reading comprehension. Did I say 1 pitcher?
Nice deflection. OK both picthers. Now where are we at with that starting lineup? The one that you have pointed out numerous times that has been created just a tank and get high lottery picks?
Sure they aren't a powerhouse lineup. But there aren't a lot of runs being scored by anyone in the playoffs, because top tier pitching takes over. Especially in a short series. Look at how much difference that Yoshinobu Yamamoto made for the Dodgers. I doubt they win the World Series without him.
It is a non issue question. This teams statements and moves have proven they are all in on adding down the road talent, and right now, younger talent to compete. 2026 is not about bloated contracts, aging veterans and some how sneaking into a wild card round. They are trying to build a core group of young players that are going to win, or lose on their own terms. These guys are being given the chance to either perform or hit the road. Those that prove their worth get contracts and positions. Those that don't get a ticket out of town one way or another. Stop thinking that they are trying to win with missing pieces, and understand they want to win for years to come with guys that make the best case. It is a gamble, and people need to understand that they are not LA or NY. They are not going to maintain a $150 mill payroll or even approach it unless they know they are in the NLCS every year competing. Those days are gone when players like Pujols left town. This is a mid market team that hopes to once in a while catch lightning in a bottle as they say. Bloom is creating an environment of come to the big leagues and be a star or move on until they have built back a core group of players like the Edmonds, Rolen, Pujols trio that win championships. Except these guys will be all home grown and learning to win together. This team will never be able to sign a Shohei, Soto or any other guy that gets to make $30mill+ a year. It is crippling to the teams ability to maintain a healthy payroll and future success. LA may win a few championships now but in a few years they will be crying to get rid of those deferred contracts. it is what it is.
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
Contending for what? Getting both does not put them close to World Series contenders.
TopofthePerch wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 19:52 pm
Lol at the thought that either of those pitchers would sign a pillow deal with the Cardinals. If it got to the point where they were unable to get a long term contract they would have a lot better options for a pillow deal.
greyhawk wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 20:34 pm
if either take a one yr deal at a reduced rate it will be for a team they think will win a lot of games and thereby making them more attractive next off season. would you really take a one year prove it deal with a team not expected to compete?
They don't have to sign for a reduced rate.
$22M -$27M with opt outs. The player will get to remove the QO at the very least and try FA again.
No team will balk at what remains of the $25M if he is pitching well down the stretch and somebody will need him.
There's risk but it's easily under what the team purged in SG and NA alone not touching the WC savings and next season is comically low, drop May if needed.
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
So you think signing 1pitcher would vault them into contention after the numerous times you have pointed out the entire starting lineup was created to tank?
Reading comprehension. Did I say 1 pitcher?
Nice deflection. OK both picthers. Now where are we at with that starting lineup? The one that you have pointed out numerous times that has been created just a tank and get high lottery picks?
Sure they aren't a powerhouse lineup. But there aren't a lot of runs being scored by anyone in the playoffs, because top tier pitching takes over. Especially in a short series. Look at how much difference that Yoshinobu Yamamoto made for the Dodgers. I doubt they win the World Series without him.
So the Cardinals tanked lineup would do what? Make the playoffs? World Series? I’m not sure what you mean.
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
So you think signing 1pitcher would vault them into contention after the numerous times you have pointed out the entire starting lineup was created to tank?
Reading comprehension. Did I say 1 pitcher?
Nice deflection. OK both picthers. Now where are we at with that starting lineup? The one that you have pointed out numerous times that has been created just a tank and get high lottery picks?
Sure they aren't a powerhouse lineup. But there aren't a lot of runs being scored by anyone in the playoffs, because top tier pitching takes over. Especially in a short series. Look at how much difference that Yoshinobu Yamamoto made for the Dodgers. I doubt they win the World Series without him.
So the Cardinals tanked lineup would do what? Make the playoffs? World Series? I’m not sure what you mean.
Obviously I'm talking of BEFORE they tanked. At least they would have a chance. Without the playoffs, what's the point of even playing the games?
redbirdfan51 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2026 13:33 pm
Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.
The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.
Contending for what? Getting both does not put them close to World Series contenders.
Getting into the playoffs and having a strong 1-2 punch is all that is required. It gives them a chance to do something special. I must remind you that the Cards were not favored in probably the last 6 world series they've been in.
