What would make the cardinals be competitive next year

[Ordinary Man]

Unless Bloom is gonna turn into some combination of Walt Jocketty and Whitey Herzog, I don't think it can be done.

[Cardinals4Life]

Being reasonable what do you think the cardinals could do either by free agent signings or trades to make them competitive next year?

I think getting a true #1 or #2 starter and a impact outfield bat would go a long way but both of those would not come cheap if they were available by free agency or very costly and very difficult to get by way of trade.

Honestly, if they would spend money like normal ($180M) they could right the ship in 1 offseason. EASILY! Now of course they won't do this, because they are going cheap (no other way to spin it!). But here is what you could do to be super competitive in 1 offseason.

1.) New Manager/Pitching Coach
*My choice: Albert and Yadi

2.) Trade Arenado

3.) Sign Eugenio Suarez to a shorter term deal to play 3B.

4.) Sign Framber Valdez or Dylan Cease to be your ace.

5.) Trade away any/all of Gorman, Nootbaar, Burleson plus some prospects for a #3 type pitcher. Can include one of Pages/Pozo too.

6.) Re-sign Phil Maton

7.) Acquire a new lefty reliever for the pen.

8.) Bring up Wetherholt and Crooks to start the year.

New rotation:

1.) Valdez/Cease
2.) Gray
3.) New Trade Acquisition
4.) Liberatore
5.) McGreevy

*Mathews nearing in the future and hopefully Doyle soon after. This rotation would play.

Lineup:

1.) Donovan LF
2.) Wetherholt 2B
3.) Herrera DH
4.) Suarez 3B
5.) Contreras 1B
6.) Winn SS
7.) Walker RF
8.) Crooks C
9.) Scott II CF

Bench:
Church OF
Saggese UT IF
Pozo/Pages C
Blaze Jordan 3B/1B

*Much more balanced lineup (R/L), more of a strong middle of the order, and decent blend of speed/power.

Pen:
O'Brien
Romero
Leahy
Svanson
Granillo
Graceffo
Maton - bring him back
Newly acquired lefty

*I like the look of some young power arms here with vets like Romero and Maton (brought back), plus a new lefty. Could be a strong Pen!


So essentially 2 big signings (Suarez and an Ace) plus a trade for a #3 guy. Then a couple of pen signings and a couple of youngsters coming up (J.J. and Crooks). And of course deal away some clutter.

Chaim, if you need help, give me a shout out. Let's get this done this winter!!!

[ICCFIM2]

1. Losing Mozeliak.
2. Ditching Marmol.
3. Shuttling Dusty back to college.
4. Increasing payroll to acquire pitching & a moto bat.

Payroll back to top 11 like 2006-2011. That will be $215m and currently projected at $75m. $140m will get Tucker and 2 TORSP. Trade 3-4 of the OF/2B/DH abundance to fix bullpen

$75 million payroll in 2026 MLB. How pathetic. DeWitt is milking the customers.

$75m currently on roster. Lower if they trade Areanado

Unreal. And a 15% increase on season tickets. Terrible business model.

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/_/year/2026


I was wrong. Currently $69m committed and most of it is to Gray Contreras and Arenado

Spotrac only takes into account players under contract. So all $69M of that is to Gray Contreras and Arenado.

Gorman, Liberatore and Burleson are Arb1 this winter. Wouldn't shock me if Gorman is traded. Burleson and Liberatore likely add $4M.

Nootbar, Donovan and Pallante are Arb2 this winter. I am guessing Nootbar is traded. Donovan may get $5.5M, Pallante $3M So that is $8.5M.

Romero and King are Arb 3 this winter. I expect King will be DFA so they don't have to pay him. Romero $3.5M.

So $16M + $69M = $85M. They then need 18 more players to fill out the roster. Lets say 16 of them are pre-arb that is $12.5M and say two veteran relieves at $2M each so $4M or $16.5M. That brings payroll to $101.5M If they can get rid of Arenado, that brings payroll in at $76.5M That certainly gives a lot of room for free agents. But, I expect none other than 2 veteran bullpen pieces.

[ICCFIM2]

Being reasonable what do you think the cardinals could do either by free agent signings or trades to make them competitive next year?

I think getting a true #1 or #2 starter and a impact outfield bat would go a long way but both of those would not come cheap if they were available by free agency or very costly and very difficult to get by way of trade.

Honestly, if they would spend money like normal ($180M) they could right the ship in 1 offseason. EASILY! Now of course they won't do this, because they are going cheap (no other way to spin it!). But here is what you could do to be super competitive in 1 offseason.

1.) New Manager/Pitching Coach
*My choice: Albert and Yadi

2.) Trade Arenado

3.) Sign Eugenio Suarez to a shorter term deal to play 3B.

4.) Sign Framber Valdez or Dylan Cease to be your ace.

5.) Trade away any/all of Gorman, Nootbaar, Burleson plus some prospects for a #3 type pitcher. Can include one of Pages/Pozo too.

6.) Re-sign Phil Maton

7.) Acquire a new lefty reliever for the pen.

8.) Bring up Wetherholt and Crooks to start the year.

New rotation:

1.) Valdez/Cease
2.) Gray
3.) New Trade Acquisition
4.) Liberatore
5.) McGreevy

*Mathews nearing in the future and hopefully Doyle soon after. This rotation would play.

Lineup:

1.) Donovan LF
2.) Wetherholt 2B
3.) Herrera DH
4.) Suarez 3B
5.) Contreras 1B
6.) Winn SS
7.) Walker RF
8.) Crooks C
9.) Scott II CF

Bench:
Church OF
Saggese UT IF
Pozo/Pages C
Blaze Jordan 3B/1B

*Much more balanced lineup (R/L), more of a strong middle of the order, and decent blend of speed/power.

Pen:
O'Brien
Romero
Leahy
Svanson
Granillo
Graceffo
Maton - bring him back
Newly acquired lefty

*I like the look of some young power arms here with vets like Romero and Maton (brought back), plus a new lefty. Could be a strong Pen!


So essentially 2 big signings (Suarez and an Ace) plus a trade for a #3 guy. Then a couple of pen signings and a couple of youngsters coming up (J.J. and Crooks). And of course deal away some clutter.

Chaim, if you need help, give me a shout out. Let's get this done this winter!!!

Suerez is going to get more than 1 year and no way do the Cards go there. They also are not going to sign a TOR. I expect trades of Nootbar/Gorman/catcher will bring us a very good ML ready SP prospect. Leahy will get a shot.

Rotation
Gray
New Trade Acquisition
Liberatore
McGreevy
Leahy
With Doyle and Mathews on the way hopefully.

I agree with your bullpen, but they will need to add one more veteran to replace Leahy.

I agree with your line-up except move Wetherholdt to 3B, Donovan to 2B and add Burleson back to the team. See my comment above on payroll.

The team the Cards had this year competed until the SP imploded in July. If New Trade Acquisition is a real #2 and Wetherholdt provides above average defense at 3B and can hit to say an 850 OPS, this team should be above 500 next year. It could also be poised to win in 2027. Payroll is completely cleared and they should certainly know what they need to compete. If Doyle becomes the stud we hope for and they can get another good SP in a trade, then they need another MOTOB and maybe 1 more SP if Mathews does not become that.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Being reasonable what do you think the cardinals could do either by free agent signings or trades to make them competitive next year?

I think getting a true #1 or #2 starter and a impact outfield bat would go a long way but both of those would not come cheap if they were available by free agency or very costly and very difficult to get by way of trade.

An Ace. Need a stopper plus winner. An Ace. Then a proven bat. Then one of Walker or Herrera must blossom. That would put us in the game.

[Talkin' Baseball]

It's tough to be reasonable AND be competitive next year. I'm going to shoot for MORE competitive. Any free agent signing is going to be modest-probably only one year. They should make the following players available: Lars Nootbaar, Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, Jimmy Crooks, Chase Davis, and Andre Pallante. They should trade several of these players, not as a dump, but for value- primarily young major league ready, or near ready pitching. We pick at these guys because we see them regularly, but they have trade value. It is the most significant thing that could be done to be more competitive next season.

[earp]

Re: What would make the cardinals be competitive next year?

1. MLB Ballclub
2. After that falls into place
(think back-1/2 year Whitey took over BAD BAD-next year as GM/Manager, let's do that again!

[Jatalk]

I’m not sure being competitive next year is realistic. There is just too much to do in one season. Especially considering payroll.

But my first priority is a big bat and good fielding outfielder. I’m concerned Donovan is going to be pushed to the outfield. We need him at second base

Then I would like to solve third base. Potential players at third are a disaster. My priority at that position is defense and a player that stays healthy. I would obviously like a big bat.

Pitching will not be solved in one season. That is why I am emphasizing defense and hopefully improved offense.

[rockondlouie]

-C. Bloom/R. Ceffolio

-Fire Oli and most of his coaching staff, bring in an experience Manager

-$160M payroll

-Thin out the clutter at certain positions and of LHHers

-DFA and move on from players who are JAG's

-Make some smart trades/free agent signings

-Those would include acquiring at least one SP, OFer and 3rd baseman if NADO is dealt

-Promote the h e l l out of JJW

[Youboughtit]

1. Losing Mozeliak.
2. Ditching Marmol.
3. Shuttling Dusty back to college.
4. Increasing payroll to acquire pitching & a moto bat.

Payroll back to top 11 like 2006-2011. That will be $215m and currently projected at $75m. $140m will get Tucker and 2 TORSP. Trade 3-4 of the OF/2B/DH abundance to fix bullpen

$75 million payroll in 2026 MLB. How pathetic. DeWitt is milking the customers.

$75m currently on roster. Lower if they trade Areanado

Unreal. And a 15% increase on season tickets. Terrible business model.

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/_/year/2026


I was wrong. Currently $69m committed and most of it is to Gray Contreras and Arenado

Spotrac only takes into account players under contract. So all $69M of that is to Gray Contreras and Arenado.

Gorman, Liberatore and Burleson are Arb1 this winter. Wouldn't shock me if Gorman is traded. Burleson and Liberatore likely add $4M.

Nootbar, Donovan and Pallante are Arb2 this winter. I am guessing Nootbar is traded. Donovan may get $5.5M, Pallante $3M So that is $8.5M.

Romero and King are Arb 3 this winter. I expect King will be DFA so they don't have to pay him. Romero $3.5M.

So $16M + $69M = $85M. They then need 18 more players to fill out the roster. Lets say 16 of them are pre-arb that is $12.5M and say two veteran relieves at $2M each so $4M or $16.5M. That brings payroll to $101.5M If they can get rid of Arenado, that brings payroll in at $76.5M That certainly gives a lot of room for free agents. But, I expect none other than 2 veteran bullpen pieces.

So last place and 1m fans. Owners choice. If he wants the 3.2m and value of franchise to continue to increase he needs to spend that $100-$125m to obtain players fans will pay to watch.

[Melville]

"What would make the cardinals be competitive next year"?
Me.

[bccardsfan]

"What would make the cardinals be competitive next year"?
Me.

OH, I didn't know you could play a corner OF spot with above average D and have an OPS north of .850. Or perhaps you are a #1 SP? Maybe you can play GG D at third and mash? Oh right, you can do all three.....

[Melville]

"What would make the cardinals be competitive next year"?
Me.

OH, I didn't know you could play a corner OF spot with above average D and have an OPS north of .850. Or perhaps you are a #1 SP? Maybe you can play GG D at third and mash? Oh right, you can do all three.....

Nope.
But as I have correctly stated many times, I could fix the team in less than 30 days.
Easily.
So could many competent people.
STL's missing ingredients are "skill and will" and the leadership level.
Easy enough to put that in place.

[StlMike1969]

Look I get it. Posters want to see a let's go for it approach based on some news worthy signings or trades. You have to be realistic however and come back down to earth with your expectations. They are not going to spend any sizable money until after the impending lockout. There has to be a winner on the whole salary cap issue. Teams like the Dodgers are abusing the current situation and the deferments need to be capped or ended. Small market teams are getting money but not spending it. So that needs to change also. This will take some time and change the landscape of any existing deals prior to. Hence the reason the Cards are waiting to spend. What will most likely happen.

1. Bloom sends all coaches and management packing.
2. Bloom hires a new staff with the attitude they will spend 2026 evaluating and coaching what is still remaining from 2025.
3. The off season will see some guys traded for prospects. In the mean time they will sign some run of the mill guys that are easily replaced when youth starts tearing it up in the minors.

What Bloom will not want to do is have a fire sale and watch 2 or 3 guys go to other teams for prospects or a mid range starter and then those guys tear it up elsewhere, without giving his new staff a chance to mold and shape them. This is why 2026 will be a continuation of this year with a few new faces. Then CBA happens then they can spend some money feeling pretty good about what they have kept for the future.

About 3/4th's of the league operates on the premise of bringing along their own prospects until they get to be too expensive. The other 1/4 feeds off the the other 3/4th's and spend like sailors in a hoochie house after 6 months at sea. This needs to get balanced some how. They cannot keep letting players demand $40 mill a season and half a billion dollars while other teams can barely spend $125 mill for a whole team. it is getting outrageous and bad for the game. I get a player wants to get paid but there has to be a limit. It eventually filters down to fans just not spending $on their product and the game falling even more in popularity.

[ramfandan]

If spending more $$$ is the answer to bring more fans to Busch Stadium, then how can Brewers spend far less and bring more fans to their games. They win with young speedy defensive type players.
Yelich is there one big exception .

[Rojo Johnson]

If there’s any truth to Bill waiting to see what the results of the ’26 negotiations over the fate of baseball will be, then nothing can or will be done for next year. He’s not going to commit to much of anything that will make an immediate impact on next year’s season. He’s already a little bit pregnant so there’s no use thinking he’s going to go full tilt on next season.