I need a Melville assessment and grading of this years off season.

[ramfandan]

Let's be clear about the picks.

Not only is it 2 Comp B picks.

It is more slot money that will allow for them to adjust strategy within those 1st 100 picks.

That is being dismissed a little and it shouldn't be.

Yes, I believe that $1.2 M for each of those two added picks . As you pointed out, more opportunities to adjust strategy . Ex.You can have some extra dollars to possibly lure a HS kid to forego a college gig and to sign directly with our club.

Good post !

[dugoutrex]

currently, we are much much worse than last season

This team played 162 games last year.

82 of those 162 games (over half) were started by Miles Mikolas, Andre Pallante, and Erick Feede.

Tough for me to conceive that they are "much much worse" than that.

you forget how good they were until they weren't - we were 9 games over in June before the collapse

this year's team will be in collapse mode on opening day!

[blueboys69]

currently, we are much much worse than last season

This team played 162 games last year.

82 of those 162 games (over half) were started by Miles Mikolas, Andre Pallante, and Erick Feede.

Tough for me to conceive that they are "much much worse" than that.

you forget how good they were until they weren't - we were 9 games over in June before the collapse

this year's team will be in collapse mode on opening day!

Counter argument would be:

the team was 9 games over in June inspite of Miles, Pallante, and Feede. And no longer having run them out there will be an advantage to the Cardinals. If nothing else from a mental standpoint, to not see one of those guys give up 2 in the 1st.

I cannot argue we are better off. Just don't think we are much worse.

[dugoutrex]

currently, we are much much worse than last season

This team played 162 games last year.

82 of those 162 games (over half) were started by Miles Mikolas, Andre Pallante, and Erick Feede.

Tough for me to conceive that they are "much much worse" than that.

you forget how good they were until they weren't - we were 9 games over in June before the collapse

this year's team will be in collapse mode on opening day!

Counter argument would be:

the team was 9 games over in June inspite of Miles, Pallante, and Feede. And no longer having run them out there will be an advantage to the Cardinals. If nothing else from a mental standpoint, to not see one of those guys give up 2 in the 1st.

I cannot argue we are better off. Just don't think we are much worse.

no, it was the pitching - the staff was top 10 the first 9 weeks or so, weren't you watching?

[ShakeyWalton]

I can't answer for Melville but at the moment we have some names on a piece of paper for Gray, Arenado, Contreras and Donovan. We don't know how any of them will turn out. Could be hall of famers. Could flop. I understand not getting much for Gray, Arenado and Contreras but I thought would get more for Donovan.

A 5'11" ambidextrous pitcher, 2 outfielders and a round B draft pick. I thought we'd get more. Maybe we did get more and I just don't recognize it but it looks to me like instead of getting one or two solid prospects we got a group of guy hoping one or two would pan out.

How it looks to me as well.

[renostl]

lol - ME-ville thinks the team is better than last year - that girl ain't right!

I would not be at all surprised if they finish with a better record.

Addition by subtraction.

EDIT- I also wouldn't be surprised if they lose 100 games. lol

currently, we are much much worse than last season

Maybe,

Seattle is more likely to be worse this year than last than the Cardinals.
A lot went right for them. Polanco's 2025 will be difficult for BD, as will
Raleigh's.

Who overachieved in 2025?

The thought that each player will play worse in 2026 is as narrow of thinking
as that they will all play better.

Donovan may have been the only player that was a top 10 at his position that was
dealt. His replacement has the talent to surpass his production as does a secondary option.
Gray was productive in 2025, we'll see his 2026. Miles, Fedde, Matz, 2025 Hels, all
seem replaceable.

[renostl]

I can't answer for Melville but at the moment we have some names on a piece of paper for Gray, Arenado, Contreras and Donovan. We don't know how any of them will turn out. Could be hall of famers. Could flop. I understand not getting much for Gray, Arenado and Contreras but I thought would get more for Donovan.

A 5'11" ambidextrous pitcher, 2 outfielders and a round B draft pick. I thought we'd get more. Maybe we did get more and I just don't recognize it but it looks to me like instead of getting one or two solid prospects we got a group of guy hoping one or two would pan out.

How it looks to me as well.

Seems to be an embraced approach.

They acknowledge that they cannot predict future production even
in the first round of the draft. A realistic self-assessment. It would improve
their odds if they had multiple first rounders. They take that approach when
trading for prospects. Best player available, redundancy doesn't matter.

Totally different than acquiring a trade or FA signing for the 26 spots.

[Melville]

lol - ME-ville thinks the team is better than last year - that girl ain't right!

That was prior to the Donovan trade.
I was right.
And I am right now when I say the deal changes the projection for 2026.
As I said with perfect analysis all along, the best option was to keep Donovan.
And, I said that if Bloom was dead set on trading him, it should be as part of a larger package to improve the team both short term and long term.
Bloom failed in that and his strategy in the Donovan deal is extremely questionable.
Now, we need to see what happens over the next 6 weeks.
The rotation is better than a year ago, the infield will be better than a year ago, and the bullpen showed down the stretch last year that is should be capable in 2026.
The outfield is a mess.
DH is empty.
And The Marmot must not be permitted to be stupid at the catcher position.
In a few weeks, I will provide you with the most accurate assessment of the team going into 2026 than you will find anywhere, anytime, from anyone.

[Melville]

I'll hop in here as a Melville proxy until he shows up. Generally-

Liked the deals for Arenado and Sonny
Didn't love the deal, nor the return for Contreras, but understood it and can live with it
Didn't like what we got for Donovan at all. Thinks the players we received were redundant to what we already have (the two position players at least). Doesn't seem to be too excited about the X-Man pitcher we got either. Undersized, not a great Milb track record. Essentially thought Chaim went quantity over quality and is pretty much just blindly throwing darts at the board hoping to get lucky with a bullseye.

Easy
Obviously
Correctly interpreted

Very nicely done!
But be careful.
Some here will believe I wrote those words.

[Melville]

I want it straight from the horse's mouth.
What does Mel think.
Because I think this was a disastrous off season.
I give Bloom a D- bordering on F.
Anyone could have done what he did.
[/quote

A+ for moving N/A.
B+ on the Gray trade.
B on signing May.
C+ on the Contreras trade (I would have kept him until July at a minimum.
D- on the Donovan trade - by trading for an odd fitting assortment of long shots rather than acquiring MLB ready talent, Bloom needlessly surrendered the season (barring any addition) for little more than a far off dream unlikely to ever come to fruition - Bloom will need a huge amount of dumb luck for this move to be a win.
Obviously, if Bloom was dead set in trading Donovan he should have put together a package which would have produced return to improve the team both short term and long term.
And, if he fails to add a quality RH bat before opening day, than non-move would merit an F.
Bottom line: too soon for a final grade.
Let's see what decisions are made between now and opening day.

Thanks for posting.
You are much more diplomatic than I.
I think this off season has been a disaster.
Just selling it all off at bargain prices and receiving the other team's junk.
I guess one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Prospects are a losing bet in my opinion.
They've gone all in on prospects and nothing else.
Manager is the same.
No meaningful additions.
Just a throw in the towel mentality.

I agree that the failure to leverage Donovan to improve the roster immediately and the failure (so far) to address the massive need for a RH bat currently outweigh the other moves.
Stupid and unnecessary to punt the 2026 season if that is what Bloom is up to.
It also would completely contradict his prior statements - which would immediately damage his credibility.
Let's see what happens over the next 6 weeks.

Who will shocked when you get around to claiming to know more than Bloom about how the Cardinals should be run?

Let's get the context correct, shall we?
For several years I said that "I know Mo better than Mo knows Mo" - which, of course, was true.
He was THAT predictable - I knew his thoughts before he thought them.
Concerning Bloom, let's give him fair opportunity - and me as well.
He will undoubtedly be more intelligent, more flexible, more creative, and more capable of course correction than Super Slo Mo ever was.
Which will make my task more difficult - though I am clearly up for the challenge.
Will I eventually know Bloom better the Bloom knows Bloom?
I hope not - because that would indicate another Mo-like disaster.
Let's see what happens.

[Melville]

D- on the Donovan trade - by trading for an odd fitting assortment of long shots rather than acquiring MLB ready talent, Bloom needlessly surrendered the season (barring any addition) for little more than a far off dream unlikely to ever come to fruition - Bloom will need a huge amount of dumb luck for this move to be a win.
Obviously, if Bloom was dead set in trading Donovan he should have put together a package which would have produced return to improve the team both short term and long term.
And, if he fails to add a quality RH bat before opening day, than non-move would merit an F.
Bottom line: too soon for a final grade.
Let's see what decisions are made between now and opening day.

What is odd fitting about these guys? A live arm with upside. And a boom or bust teenage outfielder?

What am I missing? You wanted to pieces to fit perfectly? I think it is pretty obvious he is stockpiling the system. Some will make it. Some will be traded. Some won't make it.

At least there is direction.

We are in a new era of roster management and talent acquistion of Cardinals baseball. It's a place we really have not been before. It is going to take sometime to get use to. But, this feels a lot like the Brewers to me. And having lived in Wisconsin the last decade, I've had a firsthand look.

As I have explained, odd-fitting because all Bloom accomplished was to acquire more of what he already had and added nothing to improve short term or long term.
5 long shots are 5 long shots.
Bloom already had that.

[Melville]

I can't answer for Melville but at the moment we have some names on a piece of paper for Gray, Arenado, Contreras and Donovan. We don't know how any of them will turn out. Could be hall of famers. Could flop. I understand not getting much for Gray, Arenado and Contreras but I thought would get more for Donovan.

A 5'11" ambidextrous pitcher, 2 outfielders and a round B draft pick. I thought we'd get more. Maybe we did get more and I just don't recognize it but it looks to me like instead of getting one or two solid prospects we got a group of guy hoping one or two would pan out.

You recognize this perfectly.

[Melville]

currently, we are much much worse than last season

This team played 162 games last year.

82 of those 162 games (over half) were started by Miles Mikolas, Andre Pallante, and Erick Feede.

Tough for me to conceive that they are "much much worse" than that.

Bulls-eye.

[Melville]

I can't answer for Melville but at the moment we have some names on a piece of paper for Gray, Arenado, Contreras and Donovan. We don't know how any of them will turn out. Could be hall of famers. Could flop. I understand not getting much for Gray, Arenado and Contreras but I thought would get more for Donovan.

A 5'11" ambidextrous pitcher, 2 outfielders and a round B draft pick. I thought we'd get more. Maybe we did get more and I just don't recognize it but it looks to me like instead of getting one or two solid prospects we got a group of guy hoping one or two would pan out.

How it looks to me as well.

Remarkably good eyesight.

[Melville]

I want it straight from the horse's mouth.

I appreciate and endorse your anatomical selection!
There were less flattering options available to you.

[greyhawk]

D- on the Donovan trade - by trading for an odd fitting assortment of long shots rather than acquiring MLB ready talent, Bloom needlessly surrendered the season (barring any addition) for little more than a far off dream unlikely to ever come to fruition - Bloom will need a huge amount of dumb luck for this move to be a win.
Obviously, if Bloom was dead set in trading Donovan he should have put together a package which would have produced return to improve the team both short term and long term.
And, if he fails to add a quality RH bat before opening day, than non-move would merit an F.
Bottom line: too soon for a final grade.
Let's see what decisions are made between now and opening day.

What is odd fitting about these guys? A live arm with upside. And a boom or bust teenage outfielder?

What am I missing? You wanted to pieces to fit perfectly? I think it is pretty obvious he is stockpiling the system. Some will make it. Some will be traded. Some won't make it.

At least there is direction.

We are in a new era of roster management and talent acquistion of Cardinals baseball. It's a place we really have not been before. It is going to take sometime to get use to. But, this feels a lot like the Brewers to me. And having lived in Wisconsin the last decade, I've had a firsthand look.

As I have explained, odd-fitting because all Bloom accomplished was to acquire more of what he already had and added nothing to improve short term or long term.
5 long shots are 5 long shots.
Bloom already had that.

but as previously pointed out --- none of these guys will have an impact likely this year or next so does it matter if they are repetitive in the system? That is why you stockpile talent so you can trade from any surplus that presents itself. We need to wait and see if Bloom and his talent advisors have correctly identified players who will/might become major leaguers.