For the "trade everybody" crowd

[ScotchMIrish]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

Interesting. Thanks for putting forth a lineup and staff. Have you heard the Cardinals are considering converting Leahy to a starter or is that what you would do? If he could give them 5 innings that would be an upgrade.

[Cardinals4Life]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

[rockondlouie]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

Interesting. Thanks for putting forth a lineup and staff. Have you heard the Cardinals are considering converting Leahy to a starter or is that what you would do? If he could give them 5 innings that would be an upgrade.

Not JA but yes, the talk has been Leahy could get a shot at starting next year.

Can't be any worse than A. Pallante.

[Bad14]

Who would you keep and build around leaving aside the no trade deal players. What does your 2026 rotation and lineup look like?

Hererra
&
Libby

JJW + Doyle when called up.

I'd deal anyone else in the right trade.

2026 Rotation:

-Gray
-Libby
-McGreevy
-ACQUIRED STARTER via trade
-Leahy

Curious why Libby is a keeper

[Carp4Cy]

What the 2028 roster looks like is more important.

The 2028 roster isn’t going to be the first year for anyone important unless we sign them as a FA. And if so, why not a year or 2 sooner?

[alw80]

What the 2028 roster looks like is more important.

The 2028 roster isn’t going to be the first year for anyone important unless we sign them as a FA. And if so, why not a year or 2 sooner?

Its likely the first year they'll really try and compete again.

[JuanAgosto]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

[Youboughtit]

Who would you keep and build around leaving aside the no trade deal players. What does your 2026 rotation and lineup look like?

Wetherholt Winn Mathews McGreevy Doyle Crooks Bernal Hererra are keepers not sure which catcher so I would keep both. Keep your best RH bat. Everyone else is available with the intent of adding more to that list.

[Youboughtit]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

.500 and 3rd place in division at best. Any injuries and last place

[Cardinals4Life]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

Correct. This vision of having a homegrown, cost-controlled player at every position leading us to the WS is lunacy!

[Youboughtit]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

Correct. This vision of having a homegrown, cost-controlled player at every position leading us to the WS is lunacy!

All but 4 of the Brewers (the team everyone is using as a low market contender) are FA and from trades. The system to tank for picks is gone. Completely through the draft is impossible. There must be key trades and some big FA signings

[renostl]

Who would you keep and build around leaving aside the no trade deal players. What does your 2026 rotation and lineup look like?

Wetherholt Winn Mathews McGreevy Doyle Crooks Bernal Hererra are keepers not sure which catcher so I would keep both. Keep your best RH bat. Everyone else is available with the intent of adding more to that list.

I see that you are one that keeps Hererra.
I often ask others, what is most likely to happen in the Cardinals quest to find a RHB in the outfield when
assuming no major change there.
Will Herrera field equal or above Walker likely
or is
Walker hitting equal or above Herrera likely
Depending on how soon the Cardinals wish to wait on
things evolving, which makes the most sense to wait on?

[ScotchMIrish]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

Probably true with a new guy stepping in to run the baseball operation. I don't see DeWitt going wild but I see him adding a respectable starting pitcher. Gray has had some hiccups this season and that won't get better with age. I think we more than 1 starting pitcher FA but 1 is probably more likely.

I haven't looked to see who will be available.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

Correct. This vision of having a homegrown, cost-controlled player at every position leading us to the WS is lunacy!

All but 4 of the Brewers (the team everyone is using as a low market contender) are FA and from trades. The system to tank for picks is gone. Completely through the draft is impossible. There must be key trades and some big FA signings

This is insightful, and generally true, but the Brewers don't make big free agent signings. They sign Rhys Hoskins and Jose Quintana.

[Cardinals4Life]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

Probably true with a new guy stepping in to run the baseball operation. I don't see DeWitt going wild but I see him adding a respectable starting pitcher. Gray has had some hiccups this season and that won't get better with age. I think we more than 1 starting pitcher FA but 1 is probably more likely.

I haven't looked to see who will be available.

Yep, we need 2 legit bats and at least 1 legit SP.
Probably need a closer now too

If they would get the 2 bats and 1 SP through FA, and let Bloom trade for a #2 or #3 with some of the redundant pieces, this "rebuild" could be complete by the start of next season. Folks, it ain't that hard!
Unfortunately, the skill isn’t the issue. It's an owner who has gone cheap and is preventing the Cards from being good.

[ScotchMIrish]

Wetherholt 3b
Herrera. LF
Donovan. 2b
Contreras. 1b
Nootbaar RF
Winn. SS
Gorman. DH
Pozo. C
Scott. CF

Bench
Burleson (getting plenty pt at 1b, LF, DH)
Walker (Platoon in RF)
Sagese
Crooks (platoon with Pozo)

Rotation.
Gray.
Liberatore.
Addition.
McGreevy.
Leahy

Bullpen
Pallante
King
Graceffo
Svanson
Addition
O'Brien
Romero

No offense Juan, but that lineup SUCKS!!!

It is what they have and will stick with. DeWitt isn't signing a top free agent bat. And they have too many with low trade value.

Yeah probably right. Problem is they are going to HAVE to add a MOTO and a TOR arm from outside the organization.

I think JJ is a great hitter. Is he a MOTO bat, though? I don’t know, but probably not yet.

If we wait, Sonny will be gone then you need to replace him as well.

This ownership SUCKS!

I could see them adding a free agent SP this offseason. Probably a middle to lower rotation guy. They could attempt to trade for another SP or reliever.

As for a moto bat, I don't see DeWitt spending for one. Even though he could & should. I do not think adding a bat hurts the rebuild. If anything, it stabilizes the organization by letting the young guys fall into other spots in the lineup.

Probably true with a new guy stepping in to run the baseball operation. I don't see DeWitt going wild but I see him adding a respectable starting pitcher. Gray has had some hiccups this season and that won't get better with age. I think we more than 1 starting pitcher FA but 1 is probably more likely.

I haven't looked to see who will be available.

Yep, we need 2 legit bats and at least 1 legit SP.
Probably need a closer now too

If they would get the 2 bats and 1 SP through FA, and let Bloom trade for a #2 or #3 with some of the redundant pieces, this "rebuild" could be complete by the start of next season. Folks, it ain't that hard!
Unfortunately, the skill isn’t the issue. It's an owner who has gone cheap and is preventing the Cards from being good.

With the tv deal and attendance I don't see that happening. Maybe I'll be proven wrong.