Bloom on the course for this season

[Cusecards]

Abdicating responsibility to win this season for HOPES of better chances in the future is stupid. This year might be that lightening in the bottle and every “perfect” year in the future could be disappointments. Is he here to win or write the script of some narrative in his head? No one saying trade away every viable prospect for a vet but making one move that could help push this team in to the playoffs shouldn’t be so easily dismissed the first of MAY. There are no guarantees with any of this. If 2026 is the Cards season then play to WIN

You've nailed it with this unique concept that a team should try to "WIN." .

I'm sure Bloom would love to have your insight.

PS - would you rather win more games this year and reduce the chance to win the World Series in future years? Not I. It's all about the ring. Bloom's plan is designed for that. Just a guess, but I think you're heavily in debt.

Here is the unspoken problem with the thought process sacrifice now to win in 3-4 years. When that window you are all waiting on opens, Winn, Burleson, Walker, Gorman, Liberatore, and Herrera will be entering free agency territory. Do you think BDW is signing them to big deals? Nope. He brought Bloom in to run the Rays model. Once a guy nears free agency, trade him. Any potential window with this group is 1 to 2 years. And then you better hope Bloom nails those trades.

The Cardinals can be, and will need to be, more aggressive at locking up their young players to relatively low cost long term deals. They should be talking to at least Weatherholt, Winn, Herrera, and Burleson already, and Walker soon if not already.

^^^^^
This.

And there are no quick fixes.
Goldfan and others who want immediate gratification refuse to offer a solution. What moves can Bloom make this year to win a WS? Or are you weenies whose major hope in life is to have the Birds get a wild card spot and go out quickly?
They are afraid to propose a trade or a potential FA acquisition because they know they'll be mocked when they try (and fail miserably).

I think we ALL have Goldfan figured out.
For the record I’ve asked him MULTIPLE times including the other day in this thread for SPECIFIC MOVES that Bloom should make NOW.
I’ve gotten crickets!
He has no solutions....just whining and complaining.
SMH

Two moves I’d make right now is to recall both Torres and Crooks. Torres is 4-4 today, and Crooks has been on base all 5 times. 3 walks, 2 hits, one his 11th HR. 3 more RBI’s. Oh, and no strike outs for those who keep bashing him!
By the Cardinals not recalling either these players is all you need to know as to how determined they are to win this year. It’s not a priority.

I could see those moves happening!

[hugeCardfan]

Bloom isn't going to stray from the L-T plan.

He'll deal D. May and likely Noot, JoJo and O'Brien.

That said, this should NOT PREVENT him from adding a bullpen piece or two via trades that don't involve players he see's having a role in the L-T plan.

I'm NOT Talking a high priced closer or $12M A. Miller type or (gulp) B. Cecil, rather a P. Maton or JoJo type who came at a low cost.

Sorry rock. I think you are dead wrong about O'Brien. Makes no sense to release the best reliever on the team with 5 years of control.

No sweat HC

The reason you deal O'Brien is 1) with all the injuries around MLB to closers he'll be a super hot commodity, 2) he's got four years of control after this season meaning the return could be really good and 3) he's going to be 32 yrs before STing opens in 2027 meaning he doesn't fit the L-T plan.

Of course he fits the long term plan rock. He is cheap and has 5 years of contract control. That's the very definition of the long term plan.

Age?

As of early May 2026, several veteran relievers aged 33 or older are leading or competing for closing roles, relying on experience, high-velocity, and proven track records.

[Aroldis Chapman (38 years old, Red Sox): Turned back the clock to become "fantasy gold" in 2025, elite in 2026, and is considered one of the best closers in the league due to improved command and continued high velocity.

[Raisel Iglesias (36 years old, Braves): Despite being in his mid-30s, he remains a top-tier closer, starting the 2026 season with multiple saves and a 0.00 ERA through his first few appearances.

[Kenley Jansen (38 years old, Tigers): Approaching 500 career saves, the veteran continues to be a reliable, high-leverage option in 2026.

[Carlos Estévez (33 years old, Royals): A key 2025 saves leader who entered his age-33 season with strong expectations to continue closing for Kansas City.

[Kyle Finnegan (34 years old, Tigers/Nationals): Recorded 38 saves in 2025 and continued to be a proven closer option in 2026.

[Trevor Megill (32-33 years old, Brewers): While he was 32 at the end of 2025, his role as a primary 2025 closer and 2026 contender places him among this veteran group.

At some point, trading veterans for prospects is just kicking the can down the road. Sure a player could get hurt, but, you keep players for their utility and hope they stay healthy. You don't trade them because they could get hurt.

I hear the argument for getting blown away in a trade. Teams don't usually trade their future for a current need. They trade from their excess and that doesn't lend so much to being "blown away". Don't trade a really effective current player with 5 years of control for prospects...or loaners.

It isn't like we won't be competitive for a couple years. We have players who are ready to compete now. Finally Walker, Gorman and Herrera have traction. Church is turning heads. Winn, Weatherholt are great defensively and getting it done offensively. Burleson too. Catching is there and beating down the door. The last thing we want to do is undermine the one weakness...pitching. Sure, trade the veterans closing on FA...Nootbarr, Romero etc. Not our stud closer. What do ya hate about 19 K's and one BB?

Ryan Helsey (O's), Josh Hader (Astros), Raisel Iglesias (Braves), Pete Fairbanks (Marlins), Edwin Diaz (Dodgers), Kenley Jansen (Tigers), Kirby Yates (Angels) and Carlos Esteves (Royals) just a few big name RP"s on the IL.

You mentioned Megill/33 yrs old on 12/5 who's a good example of what can happen:

2025
2.49 ERA
30 Saves

2026
6.00 ERA

And certainly NOT trading O'Brien because he might get hurt (that was just one of the possible negatives that could affect his trade value) but rather because he's having a good season and will bring back a valuable prospect.

You say teams, "Teams don't usually trade their future for a current need. They trade from their excess and that doesn't lend so much to being "blown away".

Yet the A's acquired De Vries, the #3 overall prospect in baseball, from the San Diego Padres in a package for All-Star closer Mason Miller.

Now O'Brien certainly isn't in Miller's class but this shows the return for a good closer can indeed be great.

For example:

-The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Tony Watson to the Dodgers in 2017 for O'Neil Cruz

-The New York Yankees received Glaybar Torres, then a top-30 prospect, from the Chicago Cubs in July 2016 for Aroldis Chapman.

-The Boston Red Sox landed both Jason Varitek and Derick Lowe from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for closer Heathcliff Slocumb.

-Seattle acquired Jarred Kelenic, a top-tier outfield prospect, along with Justin Dunn from the Mets in 2018 for closer Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó.

-The best deal I could find was the Houston Astros received prospect Jeff Bagwell from the Red Sox in 1990 for reliever Larry Andersen.

I'm just telling you O'Brien could be the Cardinals best trade chip (unless D. May puts up another two months of strong starts like his last four) and the L-T plan is to use older players like O'Brien to acquire younger (potential) talent.

I'm not screaming from the mountain tops to "trade them all".

This isn't my "game plan", it's the Cardinals.

I'm just reading the tea leaves and I can see this is the route BDWJr wants C. Bloom to take, build as much young talent as possible via trades and the draft.

And yet.... We have no example of trading a player who is excelling at his position, playing for the minimum, and has 5 years of contract control. I think it's your idea rock much more so than that of the Cardinals. Agree to disagree.

100% NOT my idea, it's the Cardinals (re: Gray-NADO-WillyC).

See ya' at the trade deadline and if he's not traded I certainly won't be upset.

The Cardinals have consistently traded expensive players with a year or two left on the contract. That made sense and we've gotten some interesting prospects in the deals. I don't think O'Brien fits as a comparison or in any trading plans. Of course, if somehow we would be blown away by an offer anything is possible. Just wouldn't hold my breath.

Bloom certainly won't just give him away at the deadline, he could easily wait for the offseason.

But he's not going to go away from the L-T plan and a great trade asset like O'Brien who doesn't fit the long term due to his age could add yet another strong prospect to the system.

Listen to this Bloom interview huge and you'll see where I'm coming from:

https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-hot- ... haim-bloom

Interview not found. In any event, you talk like O'Brien is old. 31 isn't old. Sure he could be traded. But, that isn't something they've been doing consistently. An O'Brien type trade doesn't have precedence.

[Ozziesfan41]

Bloom isn't going to stray from the L-T plan.

He'll deal D. May and likely Noot, JoJo and O'Brien.

That said, this should NOT PREVENT him from adding a bullpen piece or two via trades that don't involve players he see's having a role in the L-T plan.

I'm NOT Talking a high priced closer or $12M A. Miller type or (gulp) B. Cecil, rather a P. Maton or JoJo type who came at a low cost.

Sorry rock. I think you are dead wrong about O'Brien. Makes no sense to release the best reliever on the team with 5 years of control.

No sweat HC

The reason you deal O'Brien is 1) with all the injuries around MLB to closers he'll be a super hot commodity, 2) he's got four years of control after this season meaning the return could be really good and 3) he's going to be 32 yrs before STing opens in 2027 meaning he doesn't fit the L-T plan.

Of course he fits the long term plan rock. He is cheap and has 5 years of contract control. That's the very definition of the long term plan.

Age?

As of early May 2026, several veteran relievers aged 33 or older are leading or competing for closing roles, relying on experience, high-velocity, and proven track records.

[Aroldis Chapman (38 years old, Red Sox): Turned back the clock to become "fantasy gold" in 2025, elite in 2026, and is considered one of the best closers in the league due to improved command and continued high velocity.

[Raisel Iglesias (36 years old, Braves): Despite being in his mid-30s, he remains a top-tier closer, starting the 2026 season with multiple saves and a 0.00 ERA through his first few appearances.

[Kenley Jansen (38 years old, Tigers): Approaching 500 career saves, the veteran continues to be a reliable, high-leverage option in 2026.

[Carlos Estévez (33 years old, Royals): A key 2025 saves leader who entered his age-33 season with strong expectations to continue closing for Kansas City.

[Kyle Finnegan (34 years old, Tigers/Nationals): Recorded 38 saves in 2025 and continued to be a proven closer option in 2026.

[Trevor Megill (32-33 years old, Brewers): While he was 32 at the end of 2025, his role as a primary 2025 closer and 2026 contender places him among this veteran group.

At some point, trading veterans for prospects is just kicking the can down the road. Sure a player could get hurt, but, you keep players for their utility and hope they stay healthy. You don't trade them because they could get hurt.

I hear the argument for getting blown away in a trade. Teams don't usually trade their future for a current need. They trade from their excess and that doesn't lend so much to being "blown away". Don't trade a really effective current player with 5 years of control for prospects...or loaners.

It isn't like we won't be competitive for a couple years. We have players who are ready to compete now. Finally Walker, Gorman and Herrera have traction. Church is turning heads. Winn, Weatherholt are great defensively and getting it done offensively. Burleson too. Catching is there and beating down the door. The last thing we want to do is undermine the one weakness...pitching. Sure, trade the veterans closing on FA...Nootbarr, Romero etc. Not our stud closer. What do ya hate about 19 K's and one BB?

Ryan Helsey (O's), Josh Hader (Astros), Raisel Iglesias (Braves), Pete Fairbanks (Marlins), Edwin Diaz (Dodgers), Kenley Jansen (Tigers), Kirby Yates (Angels) and Carlos Esteves (Royals) just a few big name RP"s on the IL.

You mentioned Megill/33 yrs old on 12/5 who's a good example of what can happen:

2025
2.49 ERA
30 Saves

2026
6.00 ERA

And certainly NOT trading O'Brien because he might get hurt (that was just one of the possible negatives that could affect his trade value) but rather because he's having a good season and will bring back a valuable prospect.

You say teams, "Teams don't usually trade their future for a current need. They trade from their excess and that doesn't lend so much to being "blown away".

Yet the A's acquired De Vries, the #3 overall prospect in baseball, from the San Diego Padres in a package for All-Star closer Mason Miller.

Now O'Brien certainly isn't in Miller's class but this shows the return for a good closer can indeed be great.

For example:

-The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Tony Watson to the Dodgers in 2017 for O'Neil Cruz

-The New York Yankees received Glaybar Torres, then a top-30 prospect, from the Chicago Cubs in July 2016 for Aroldis Chapman.

-The Boston Red Sox landed both Jason Varitek and Derick Lowe from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for closer Heathcliff Slocumb.

-Seattle acquired Jarred Kelenic, a top-tier outfield prospect, along with Justin Dunn from the Mets in 2018 for closer Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó.

-The best deal I could find was the Houston Astros received prospect Jeff Bagwell from the Red Sox in 1990 for reliever Larry Andersen.

I'm just telling you O'Brien could be the Cardinals best trade chip (unless D. May puts up another two months of strong starts like his last four) and the L-T plan is to use older players like O'Brien to acquire younger (potential) talent.

I'm not screaming from the mountain tops to "trade them all".

This isn't my "game plan", it's the Cardinals.

I'm just reading the tea leaves and I can see this is the route BDWJr wants C. Bloom to take, build as much young talent as possible via trades and the draft.

And yet.... We have no example of trading a player who is excelling at his position, playing for the minimum, and has 5 years of contract control. I think it's your idea rock much more so than that of the Cardinals. Agree to disagree.

100% NOT my idea, it's the Cardinals (re: Gray-NADO-WillyC).

See ya' at the trade deadline and if he's not traded I certainly won't be upset.

The Cardinals have consistently traded expensive players with a year or two left on the contract. That made sense and we've gotten some interesting prospects in the deals. I don't think O'Brien fits as a comparison or in any trading plans. Of course, if somehow we would be blown away by an offer anything is possible. Just wouldn't hold my breath.

Bloom certainly won't just give him away at the deadline, he could easily wait for the offseason.

But he's not going to go away from the L-T plan and a great trade asset like O'Brien who doesn't fit the long term due to his age could add yet another strong prospect to the system.

Listen to this Bloom interview huge and you'll see where I'm coming from:

https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-hot- ... haim-bloom

Interview not found. In any event, you talk like O'Brien is old. 31 isn't old. Sure he could be traded. But, that isn't something they've been doing consistently. An O'Brien type trade doesn't have precedence.

I doubt they trade him but this is blooms first season in charge he might do it even if mo never did

[hugeCardfan]

Bloom isn't going to stray from the L-T plan.

He'll deal D. May and likely Noot, JoJo and O'Brien.

That said, this should NOT PREVENT him from adding a bullpen piece or two via trades that don't involve players he see's having a role in the L-T plan.

I'm NOT Talking a high priced closer or $12M A. Miller type or (gulp) B. Cecil, rather a P. Maton or JoJo type who came at a low cost.

Sorry rock. I think you are dead wrong about O'Brien. Makes no sense to release the best reliever on the team with 5 years of control.

No sweat HC

The reason you deal O'Brien is 1) with all the injuries around MLB to closers he'll be a super hot commodity, 2) he's got four years of control after this season meaning the return could be really good and 3) he's going to be 32 yrs before STing opens in 2027 meaning he doesn't fit the L-T plan.

Of course he fits the long term plan rock. He is cheap and has 5 years of contract control. That's the very definition of the long term plan.

Age?

As of early May 2026, several veteran relievers aged 33 or older are leading or competing for closing roles, relying on experience, high-velocity, and proven track records.

[Aroldis Chapman (38 years old, Red Sox): Turned back the clock to become "fantasy gold" in 2025, elite in 2026, and is considered one of the best closers in the league due to improved command and continued high velocity.

[Raisel Iglesias (36 years old, Braves): Despite being in his mid-30s, he remains a top-tier closer, starting the 2026 season with multiple saves and a 0.00 ERA through his first few appearances.

[Kenley Jansen (38 years old, Tigers): Approaching 500 career saves, the veteran continues to be a reliable, high-leverage option in 2026.

[Carlos Estévez (33 years old, Royals): A key 2025 saves leader who entered his age-33 season with strong expectations to continue closing for Kansas City.

[Kyle Finnegan (34 years old, Tigers/Nationals): Recorded 38 saves in 2025 and continued to be a proven closer option in 2026.

[Trevor Megill (32-33 years old, Brewers): While he was 32 at the end of 2025, his role as a primary 2025 closer and 2026 contender places him among this veteran group.

At some point, trading veterans for prospects is just kicking the can down the road. Sure a player could get hurt, but, you keep players for their utility and hope they stay healthy. You don't trade them because they could get hurt.

I hear the argument for getting blown away in a trade. Teams don't usually trade their future for a current need. They trade from their excess and that doesn't lend so much to being "blown away". Don't trade a really effective current player with 5 years of control for prospects...or loaners.

It isn't like we won't be competitive for a couple years. We have players who are ready to compete now. Finally Walker, Gorman and Herrera have traction. Church is turning heads. Winn, Weatherholt are great defensively and getting it done offensively. Burleson too. Catching is there and beating down the door. The last thing we want to do is undermine the one weakness...pitching. Sure, trade the veterans closing on FA...Nootbarr, Romero etc. Not our stud closer. What do ya hate about 19 K's and one BB?

Ryan Helsey (O's), Josh Hader (Astros), Raisel Iglesias (Braves), Pete Fairbanks (Marlins), Edwin Diaz (Dodgers), Kenley Jansen (Tigers), Kirby Yates (Angels) and Carlos Esteves (Royals) just a few big name RP"s on the IL.

You mentioned Megill/33 yrs old on 12/5 who's a good example of what can happen:

2025
2.49 ERA
30 Saves

2026
6.00 ERA

And certainly NOT trading O'Brien because he might get hurt (that was just one of the possible negatives that could affect his trade value) but rather because he's having a good season and will bring back a valuable prospect.

You say teams, "Teams don't usually trade their future for a current need. They trade from their excess and that doesn't lend so much to being "blown away".

Yet the A's acquired De Vries, the #3 overall prospect in baseball, from the San Diego Padres in a package for All-Star closer Mason Miller.

Now O'Brien certainly isn't in Miller's class but this shows the return for a good closer can indeed be great.

For example:

-The Pittsburgh Pirates traded Tony Watson to the Dodgers in 2017 for O'Neil Cruz

-The New York Yankees received Glaybar Torres, then a top-30 prospect, from the Chicago Cubs in July 2016 for Aroldis Chapman.

-The Boston Red Sox landed both Jason Varitek and Derick Lowe from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for closer Heathcliff Slocumb.

-Seattle acquired Jarred Kelenic, a top-tier outfield prospect, along with Justin Dunn from the Mets in 2018 for closer Edwin Díaz and Robinson Canó.

-The best deal I could find was the Houston Astros received prospect Jeff Bagwell from the Red Sox in 1990 for reliever Larry Andersen.

I'm just telling you O'Brien could be the Cardinals best trade chip (unless D. May puts up another two months of strong starts like his last four) and the L-T plan is to use older players like O'Brien to acquire younger (potential) talent.

I'm not screaming from the mountain tops to "trade them all".

This isn't my "game plan", it's the Cardinals.

I'm just reading the tea leaves and I can see this is the route BDWJr wants C. Bloom to take, build as much young talent as possible via trades and the draft.

And yet.... We have no example of trading a player who is excelling at his position, playing for the minimum, and has 5 years of contract control. I think it's your idea rock much more so than that of the Cardinals. Agree to disagree.

100% NOT my idea, it's the Cardinals (re: Gray-NADO-WillyC).

See ya' at the trade deadline and if he's not traded I certainly won't be upset.

The Cardinals have consistently traded expensive players with a year or two left on the contract. That made sense and we've gotten some interesting prospects in the deals. I don't think O'Brien fits as a comparison or in any trading plans. Of course, if somehow we would be blown away by an offer anything is possible. Just wouldn't hold my breath.

Bloom certainly won't just give him away at the deadline, he could easily wait for the offseason.

But he's not going to go away from the L-T plan and a great trade asset like O'Brien who doesn't fit the long term due to his age could add yet another strong prospect to the system.

Listen to this Bloom interview huge and you'll see where I'm coming from:

https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-hot- ... haim-bloom

Interview not found. In any event, you talk like O'Brien is old. 31 isn't old. Sure he could be traded. But, that isn't something they've been doing consistently. An O'Brien type trade doesn't have precedence.

I doubt they trade him but this is blooms first season in charge he might do it even if mo never did

You're right. When I mentioned lack of precedence, I meant since Chaim has been here. I have taken a few CT fans to task who think Chaim would be true to form when trading O'Brien. I see no evidence of that. The way Walker, Wetherholt, Herrera, Winn, Burleson and Church are playing we may be competitive as early as next year. To do that we need to improve on pitching, not trade the closer. Sure, trade Nootbarr, even JJ on his last year, but keep O'Brien, not just to finish the year, but to be there next year when we might have even more depth after some FA forays.