Three Free Agents

[JohnnyMO]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

[rockondlouie]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

If money is not object:

1 - Tarik Skubal (SP)
2 - Seiya Suzuki (LF/DH)
3 - Bo Bichette (3B)

[greyhawk]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

If money is not object:

1 - Tarik Skubal (SP)
2 - Seiya Suzuki (LF/DH)
3 - Bo Bichette (3B)

Bichette has a player option for $42million next year --- i can't see him getting anywhere close to that the way he is playing so far this season.

[rockondlouie]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

If money is not object:

1 - Tarik Skubal (SP)
2 - Seiya Suzuki (LF/DH)
3 - Bo Bichette (3B)

Bichette has a player option for $42million next year --- i can't see him getting anywhere close to that the way he is playing so far this season.

He has an opt out, you're likely correct but since we're playing "fantasy" baseball I have him opting out!

(And that Mutt team could bring down any player, he'd been a 121 wRC+ prior to going to NYC!)

[JohnnyMO]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

If money is not object:

1 - Tarik Skubal (SP)
2 - Seiya Suzuki (LF/DH)
3 - Bo Bichette (3B)

Money really shouldn’t be an object, plenty of room on the payroll. I thought about Bichette and like him better than Chisholm but I’m assuming he does not opt out. Suzuki is a good choice but I feel like we have more guys who could potentially hit at the big league level than pitch. Have to add two pitchers imo

[sp25]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

I want no part of Chisholm, he is a disruption.

[C-Unit]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

I want no part of Chisholm, he is a disruption.

I don't think the juice is worth the squeeze there either

[craviduce]

Skubal is having Stage 1 Cooper Hjerpe Denial surgery. He'll accept reality in 2 years and have Stage 3 Cooper Hjerpe Denial surgery and miss 12-18 months recovering


for now he's chosen for the elbow scope and missing most of the rest of the season, which will lead to Stage 2 and missing 4 months to "rest" the elbow next season.

[C-Unit]

Bloom did spend on free agents in his Boston days. Yoshida and Story. Therefore it should be in his playbook to do so here if Bill allows it. It would be a perfect team to add-on to. I need to go look for myself what the choices are.

Not a free agent, but I have wondered about the idea of trading for Corey Seager. There were whispers last offseason after they dealt Semien. If Texas was willing to take on some of the money, Seager might be an interesting addition. He would be 33, on the back half of that deal. However he has still be an elite hitter with Texas. You might only get 120 games out of him, but should still be a wRC+ above 120. He would fit the description of both a veteran presence as well as a middle of lineup bat when healthy. And figure with the depth we have we would be able to cover 3B when he is out. It might workout to be a perfect playing time split to get guys like Fermin etc the right amount of playing time. Eventually, you might see Jesus Baez challenging.

2B Wetherholt
LF Herrera
1B Burleson
RF Walker
3B Seager
DH Rainiel Rodriguez
CF Baez
C Bernal
SS Winn

This is one lineup possibility. Now it would be totally understandable to go after a safer, more healthier player. 3B or CF (to put Baez in LF and keep Herrera at C/DH) could both be positions to upgrade.

[Strummer Jones]

I stay away from Skubal. That's more risk than I would want to take on. And also no on Imanaga...too old.

The pitching market kinda scares me. Skubal will get the most money--he should--but I don't know if I want to pay all that money for pitching. Injuries are a risk no matter who or what they play, but I don't like making that bet.

Depending on Peralta's market, I could be interested. Some injuries, but I don't expect him to cost near as much. I'm gonna toe the party line on this one, but I think it's better to develop your #1 than pay for one. If Michael King opts out, I'd be interested. I like Gausman, but if I feel like Imanaga is too old, then Gausman is DEFINITELY too old. I would roll the dice on David Bednar to have a hammer in the 9th.

I like the year after's class much better for pitching. Gore, Gilbert, Steele, Alcantara, Lodolo if he gets his act together.

On the position player side...I don't see anyone in an area of need who really helps us. I guess you've got Bichette at third...I don't know how he's looked at third base, but he's not known for having a good glove. And at any rate, for being a bat-first guy, he's sure not showing much there.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I stay away from Skubal. That's more risk than I would want to take on. And also no on Imanaga...too old.

The pitching market kinda scares me. Skubal will get the most money--he should--but I don't know if I want to pay all that money for pitching. Injuries are a risk no matter who or what they play, but I don't like making that bet.

Depending on Peralta's market, I could be interested. Some injuries, but I don't expect him to cost near as much. I'm gonna toe the party line on this one, but I think it's better to develop your #1 than pay for one. If Michael King opts out, I'd be interested. I like Gausman, but if I feel like Imanaga is too old, then Gausman is DEFINITELY too old. I would roll the dice on David Bednar to have a hammer in the 9th.

I like the year after's class much better for pitching. Gore, Gilbert, Steele, Alcantara, Lodolo if he gets his act together.

On the position player side...I don't see anyone in an area of need who really helps us. I guess you've got Bichette at third...I don't know how he's looked at third base, but he's not known for having a good glove. And at any rate, for being a bat-first guy, he's sure not showing much there.

Again like all ideas, who do you get. Great roll up.

[C-Unit]

I stay away from Skubal. That's more risk than I would want to take on. And also no on Imanaga...too old.

The pitching market kinda scares me. Skubal will get the most money--he should--but I don't know if I want to pay all that money for pitching. Injuries are a risk no matter who or what they play, but I don't like making that bet.

Depending on Peralta's market, I could be interested. Some injuries, but I don't expect him to cost near as much. I'm gonna toe the party line on this one, but I think it's better to develop your #1 than pay for one. If Michael King opts out, I'd be interested. I like Gausman, but if I feel like Imanaga is too old, then Gausman is DEFINITELY too old. I would roll the dice on David Bednar to have a hammer in the 9th.

I like the year after's class much better for pitching. Gore, Gilbert, Steele, Alcantara, Lodolo if he gets his act together.

On the position player side...I don't see anyone in an area of need who really helps us. I guess you've got Bichette at third...I don't know how he's looked at third base, but he's not known for having a good glove. And at any rate, for being a bat-first guy, he's sure not showing much there.

I agree that the Cardinals should be big players in that pitching class. It would be wise to spend on an ace like Logan Gilbert or Sandy Alcantara. That way the Cardinals can allow Doyle, Franklin, and Cjintje to develop at their own pace without the pressure of needing to step in and fill the ace role.

I wonder what SP are out there that might be able to be had in a trade. Ideally, a veteran #3 or better that could be had for 2-3 more seasons.

[renostl]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

I doubt any deviation happens with position players.
In your noted 3B situation, it can also be covered from within. A WCS can have
Gorman dropped in the order to the #7 spot or Jordan brought up, JJ moved etc.

IMO it's all about TOR pitching and the pen. I'd keep Jo Jo for the reasoning
of his consistency from the left side. Need a RHP for the pen. Should be about
as easy as falling to find a Stanek upgrade, probably also from within, Soriano?
but even IF he works never can have too many.

At this moment, I'd go Alcantara, Jo Jo, and a solid RHRP, Hels?
, I haven't explored the FA market well enough yet.

[JohnnyMO]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

I doubt any deviation happens with position players.
In your noted 3B situation, it can also be covered from within. A WCS can have
Gorman dropped in the order to the #7 spot or Jordan brought up, JJ moved etc.

IMO it's all about TOR pitching and the pen. I'd keep Jo Jo for the reasoning
of his consistency from the left side. Need a RHP for the pen. Should be about
as easy as falling to find a Stanek upgrade, probably also from within, Soriano?
but even IF he works never can have too many.

At this moment, I'd go Alcantara, Jo Jo, and a solid RHRP, Hels?
, I haven't explored the FA market well enough yet.

Indications are Jordan isn’t going to cut it defensively at 3rd. Outside of trying to move Walker back, which I would absolutely not do just after he figures out how to hit, I don’t see any good internal options there.

I don’t understand the allure with Sandy. He hasn’t looked good for a while now.


Edit - I really like Parades from Houston and he is a free agent after 2027. Maybe they can wait until then or get creative with a trade and resign scenario.

[Youboughtit]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

Yankees fans will tell you Chisholm cannot play 3B. They wanted him too but he was horrible. Wetherholt would have to move.

[Carp4Cy]

The Cardinals are closer than anyone thought and have plenty of money to spend going into next year assuming the CBA gets done. Let’s assume they sell Noot, May, and Romero at the deadline to stock the farm. What 3 free agents would you sign to make the Cards contenders next year? I’m choosing Skubal and Imanaga for the rotation and Chisholm for the infield.


Skubal
Imanaga
Libby
Mcgreevy
Matthews/Pallantr

C) Crooks/Herrera
1B) Burly
2B) Wetherholt
3B) Chisholm
SS) Winn
LF) Baez
CF) Church
RF) Walker
DH) Herrera/Rodriguez/Jordan

Bullpen I hold on to OBrien and Graceffo and look for pieces on the trade market and in free agency.

I doubt any deviation happens with position players.
In your noted 3B situation, it can also be covered from within. A WCS can have
Gorman dropped in the order to the #7 spot or Jordan brought up, JJ moved etc.

IMO it's all about TOR pitching and the pen. I'd keep Jo Jo for the reasoning
of his consistency from the left side. Need a RHP for the pen. Should be about
as easy as falling to find a Stanek upgrade, probably also from within, Soriano?
but even IF he works never can have too many.

At this moment, I'd go Alcantara, Jo Jo, and a solid RHRP, Hels?
, I haven't explored the FA market well enough yet.

That would be sad if we don't go after Any position players. Our lineup is not good enough. Sure our top 4 are producting well overall, but the lineup is not nearly long enough. On those nights when the opposing pitcher shuts down our top 6, then the bottom 3 become auto-outs - see last night (only Burly's HR against the SP), and a few other recent games we've been nearly no hit into the bullpen innings. We have plenty of room to improve externally at CF/OF even if Baez becomes an instant star (church would make a pretty great 4th OFer and right now we don't even have 4 true OFers), and 3B - Gorman just isn't going to turn into a 4-6 WAR guy over there, ever. And C - hopefully that can come internally but Bloom does need to figure out what we've got. Seen enough of Pages to know he's not the WS MVP type of the future. How many playoff teams would he even start on?