17 days til Spring Training... Bernie weighs in on Donovan

[ramfandan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crYFVQ6nxqs

St. Louis Cardinals still have a major decision looming. Bernie explains why Chaim Bloom is holding firm on Brendan Donovan trade talks, and why patience might be the smartest move.

[rockondlouie]

What many of us have been saying since seasons end, no need to rush a deal.

C. Bloom is under not urgent time frame to deal Donny.

He holds all the cards (or at least one Card) and can wait for one of the other POBO/GM's to blink.

If they want Donny, then pay up.

The "worse case" is we keep a solid player.....re-visit midseason....wash/rinse/repeat again after the 2026 season.

Sure his trade value is at it's max right now.

But better no trade than accepting low value just to satisfy the immediate gratification crowd.

JMO

[82birds]

thnx for the link Dan.
nothing new but still fun to see Bernie

[Hooking]

Bernie is a dope.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

This isn't like last years idiocy of holding Helsley and Fedde. Both had all the warning signs but would have brought back solid prospects. Instead we held them and got nothing for Fedde and little for Helsley (although Jesus Baez MIGHT emerge as a player).

But Donovan isn't the same. Yes, I would LIKE to see Bloom cash him in at his real trade value now. I do not believe it will go up or that he will surpass his normal performance. But I also believe he will be fine and could be flipped at the AS break if no fair deal is offered now. I believe there is more pressure on contenders like SF and SEA to add him than there is for STL to move him now.

[ramfandan]

This isn't like last years idiocy of holding Helsley and Fedde. Both had all the warning signs but would have brought back solid prospects. Instead we held them and got nothing for Fedde and little for Helsley (although Jesus Baez MIGHT emerge as a player).

But Donovan isn't the same. Yes, I would LIKE to see Bloom cash him in at his real trade value now. I do not believe it will go up or that he will surpass his normal performance. But I also believe he will be fine and could be flipped at the AS break if no fair deal is offered now. I believe there is more pressure on contenders like SF and SEA to add him than there is for STL to move him now.

Yes, trade deadline is always an option but waiting til then has risk . Donovan could have injury that would diminish his value or even make other teams pass on him . He had that month long injury late in 2025. Donnie is healthy now .. waiting does have risk involved . If possible I would prefer to trade him now rather than wait and 'hope' he is healthy then.

[dugoutrex]

Bernie weighs ... only about 240 now - is he on the 'fat shot' ?

[Carp4Cy]

This isn't like last years idiocy of holding Helsley and Fedde. Both had all the warning signs but would have brought back solid prospects. Instead we held them and got nothing for Fedde and little for Helsley (although Jesus Baez MIGHT emerge as a player).

But Donovan isn't the same. Yes, I would LIKE to see Bloom cash him in at his real trade value now. I do not believe it will go up or that he will surpass his normal performance. But I also believe he will be fine and could be flipped at the AS break if no fair deal is offered now. I believe there is more pressure on contenders like SF and SEA to add him than there is for STL to move him now.

Meanwhile SF just signed a bat in Bader. Why trade prospects that anyone would actually want when you can sign a FA?

But their won’t be any free agents available at the trade deadline

[imetsatchelpaige]

Bernie weighs ... only about 240 now - is he on the 'fat shot' ?

There is a debate on this site about whether you are 11 or 14. Can you enlighten us?

[Cusecards]

Hey I realize it’s January and CT needs something to talk about.
But...I don’t get the daily angst over whether we trade Donovan or not? If he stays? Great...I like him.
If he’s dealt? Hope we get very good value in return.

[82birds]

This isn't like last years idiocy of holding Helsley and Fedde.

true
idiot MO took the idiocy with him, thank goodness

[Dicktar2023]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crYFVQ6nxqs

St. Louis Cardinals still have a major decision looming. Bernie explains why Chaim Bloom is holding firm on Brendan Donovan trade talks, and why patience might be the smartest move.

Let me guess Bernie's take...

Chaim Bloom would be stupid--STUPID!!!--to trade Donovon unless the right deal comes along. But if the right deal comes along, then he'd be stupid not to. Either way, you're stupid. Now, buy some boner pills.

Something like that?

[dugoutrex]

Bernie weighs ... only about 240 now - is he on the 'fat shot' ?

There is a debate on this site about whether you are 11 or 14. Can you enlighten us?

lol - so witty

[bfib]

What many of us have been saying since seasons end, no need to rush a deal.

C. Bloom is under not urgent time frame to deal Donny.

He holds all the cards (or at least one Card) and can wait for one of the other POBO/GM's to blink.

If they want Donny, then pay up.

The "worse case" is we keep a solid player.....re-visit midseason....wash/rinse/repeat again after the 2026 season.

Sure his trade value is at it's max right now.

But better no trade than accepting low value just to satisfy the immediate gratification crowd.

JMO

We don’t know what value has been offered. You are assuming it’s low value when it very likely is not.

If Bloom does not get Donovan traded it will have been a massive failure of an offseason. He was always the one piece that could have netted legitimate value to the club moving forward and every day he stays on the club past opening day the value goes down.

[Talkin' Baseball]

What many of us have been saying since seasons end, no need to rush a deal.

C. Bloom is under not urgent time frame to deal Donny.

He holds all the cards (or at least one Card) and can wait for one of the other POBO/GM's to blink.

If they want Donny, then pay up.

The "worse case" is we keep a solid player.....re-visit midseason....wash/rinse/repeat again after the 2026 season.

Sure his trade value is at it's max right now.

But better no trade than accepting low value just to satisfy the immediate gratification crowd.

JMO

We don’t know what value has been offered. You are assuming it’s low value when it very likely is not.

If Bloom does not get Donovan traded it will have been a massive failure of an offseason. He was always the one piece that could have netted legitimate value to the club moving forward and every day he stays on the club past opening day the value goes down.

I think your statement about his value is spot on. Trust that the front office also knows this. He will be traded.

[rockondlouie]

What many of us have been saying since seasons end, no need to rush a deal.

C. Bloom is under not urgent time frame to deal Donny.

He holds all the cards (or at least one Card) and can wait for one of the other POBO/GM's to blink.

If they want Donny, then pay up.

The "worse case" is we keep a solid player.....re-visit midseason....wash/rinse/repeat again after the 2026 season.

Sure his trade value is at it's max right now.

But better no trade than accepting low value just to satisfy the immediate gratification crowd.

JMO

We don’t know what value has been offered. You are assuming it’s low value when it very likely is not.

If Bloom does not get Donovan traded it will have been a massive failure of an offseason. He was always the one piece that could have netted legitimate value to the club moving forward and every day he stays on the club past opening day the value goes down.

I'm not "assuming" anything.

It's obvious Bloom has NOT received an offer he's willing to accept (re: low value) but the fact he hasn't made a trade.

We know from the three deals he's already made (Gray/WillyC/NADO) that he's not afraid to pull the rigger when he's got the deal he wants.

NOT a "massive failure" in any way, shape or form if he were to just make a trade for a poor return to make you happy.

And you have no idea if "every day he stays on the club past opening day the value goes down".

Plenty of time to make a deal between now and the trading deadline.