4 simple moves to fix the team for 2026

[blackinkbiz]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

If they're smart they will start Walker in AAA next year and not promote him until he shows he can do some actual slugging.

This. Walker has one more minor league option. I'm okay with Walker starting the year in St Louis if he is the best right fielder they have, but we can't do next year what we did this year. In spring training he needs to "make" the team and if he doesn't, they need to use the minor league option. If they use the minor league option they shouldn't bring him back unless his play forces them to. If he doesn't get to that point they have some hard decisions to make the following winter.

Wish they'd done that this year. Regardless, I've lost all faith in Walker. Kid can't square up a fastball to save his life. Elite-level bat speed my *ss.

[82birds]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

+1+

[Cusecards]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

From what I read Bloom has had success with developing farm systems.
The Cards badly need to upgrade and develop in their system.
2024 & 2025 drafts look promising. Hopefully those picks develop and more to follow?

[ICCFIM2]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

This is exactly how the Cards got themselves into this situation to begin with, they traded talent, received / signed aging players in return onto a team not good enough to win. The above team is better than what we have, but has aging talent at 3B, an overpay in RF and a pitching staff not good enough to win. If we can all be patient and wait 1 more year, the Gray contract will be gone. The Cards might be enticed to buy out Arenado if they cannot trade him before 2027. Donovan will still be good. I would like to see them trade a bunch of the current ML roster and try to get 2 Woo level pitchers. Hopefully Doyle will be strong by 2027. Then they can have 2 of Libby, McGreevy and Matthews as the 4 and 5 starters. That is a staff good enough to win. Wetherholdt, Winn, Donovan and maybe Herrera at 1B. Scott or Church in CF and either players that emerge in LF and RF or Burleson plus a big free agent signing. But, Tucker I do not want yet. Story and Muncy I never want.

[Goldfan]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

This is exactly how the Cards got themselves into this situation to begin with, they traded talent, received / signed aging players in return onto a team not good enough to win. The above team is better than what we have, but has aging talent at 3B, an overpay in RF and a pitching staff not good enough to win. If we can all be patient and wait 1 more year, the Gray contract will be gone. The Cards might be enticed to buy out Arenado if they cannot trade him before 2027. Donovan will still be good. I would like to see them trade a bunch of the current ML roster and try to get 2 Woo level pitchers. Hopefully Doyle will be strong by 2027. Then they can have 2 of Libby, McGreevy and Matthews as the 4 and 5 starters. That is a staff good enough to win. Wetherholdt, Winn, Donovan and maybe Herrera at 1B. Scott or Church in CF and either players that emerge in LF and RF or Burleson plus a big free agent signing. But, Tucker I do not want yet. Story and Muncy I never want.

If Tucker is signed he’ll be here for awhile……this team doesn’t compete without at least one productive bat in OF

[HorseTrader]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

1- Reports are that Tucker will get around $400 mill, even if NO offers top $300 mill why would he come to St. Louis instead of say Dodger, Mets, Yankees,...?

2- Seattle has pretty consistently stated they aren't trading their starters, so what makes you think they would take Noot and Donovan when some other team will offer a JJ plus Donovan plus top pitching prospect plus another somebody

On #3 Dodgers hold a team option on Muncy for $10 mill fair chance they will keep him. Story is NOT a free agent so we can't just sign him plus last time he played 3rd was 19 games in 2015. Not sure either of those two is that big upgrade over Arenado/Gorman/Donovan/JJ for next year

4- Ok trade him but the return does matter to some extent. We know that it won't be a super return but half way decent A league prospect or a former good pitching prospect working back from TJ surgery would be nice.

So you want to start the year with a rookie catcher as your #1 catcher?

[jbrach]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

personally I wouldnt sign anyone for 10 yrs but certainly not tucker...people here amaze me...arendado is 34 and we cant give him away yet this guy wants to commit to 10 yrs of tucker until 38....no matter how many of these contracts become complete disasters people can olny look ahead and year in calling to sign 10 yr deals without thinking of the disaster down the road

[Talkin' Baseball]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

personally I wouldnt sign anyone for 10 yrs but certainly not tucker...people here amaze me...arendado is 34 and we cant give him away yet this guy wants to commit to 10 yrs of tucker until 38....no matter how many of these contracts become complete disasters people can olny look ahead and year in calling to sign 10 yr deals without thinking of the disaster down the road

True words.

[JuanAgosto]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

From what I read Bloom has had success with developing farm systems.
The Cards badly need to upgrade and develop in their system.
2024 & 2025 drafts look promising. Hopefully those picks develop and more to follow?

Yes, Bloom was hired to strengthen the farm system. It is something BDW has wanted to do for a decade. But Johnny bow ties was inept and let the minor league system deteriorate. Its astonishing that someone could be so bad at their job and not be fired. Its one thing to have a weak farm system if you sign any free agents that fill needs. Mozeliak has been exceptionally bad at that too. The man is a lazy, arrogant, inept, fool. Bloom should be a great change.

[TopofthePerch]

This will not happen with our current ownership, but here is what I'd do.

1) Sign Kyle Tucker. He is having a down year in Chicago, but I think he could be had for 10/300. That would take him to his age 38 season. I don't think it's risky, he's really good, not sure what went wrong for him in Chicago though.

2) Trade Noot + Donovan to Seattle for 1 of their SP's. Woo, Giilbert, Kirby, Bryce Miller...

3) Sign Muncy or Story to play 3B. 2/30 would get either, maybe 2/35.

4) Find a way to deal Arenado, return doesn't matter.

These moves don't make us world beaters, and the rotation isn't great but I think they'd compete for a WC spot.

2B - Wetherholt
SS - Winn
RF - Tucker
3B Story/Muncy
DH - Herrera/Burly
1B - Contreras/Burly
LF - Walker
C - Crooks
CF - Scott

SP - Woo/Gilbert/Kirby/Miller
SP - Gray
SP - Libby
SP - Matthews
SP - McGreevy

10 and 300 Time and time again those contracts end up being bad. You would be paying a lot of bad money for declining years.

[Cusecards]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

From what I read Bloom has had success with developing farm systems.
The Cards badly need to upgrade and develop in their system.
2024 & 2025 drafts look promising. Hopefully those picks develop and more to follow?

Yes, Bloom was hired to strengthen the farm system. It is something BDW has wanted to do for a decade. But Johnny bow ties was inept and let the minor league system deteriorate. Its astonishing that someone could be so bad at their job and not be fired. Its one thing to have a weak farm system if you sign any free agents that fill needs. Mozeliak has been exceptionally bad at that too. The man is a lazy, arrogant, inept, fool. Bloom should be a great change.

Fingers crossed.
Cards do have money to spend on FA’s but have to be judicious.
Especially in developing pitching!

[butsir01]

Lemme get this straight, the majority owner wanted to strengthen the farm system for ten years but it got weaker?

[jbrach]

Saw a report projecting Tucker at 400m

good, let some stupid team do something that stupid

[JuanAgosto]

Seems like some are seeking a 1 year fix for the Cardinals.
Feel they will be very disappointed if they think a few moves will fix things. 2026 will be just the start of the changes.
This rebuild is going to take more time than one year.

Bloom/Cerfolio will be attempting to improve the team for the long term.

Those with limited patience will be quite frustrated.
Sure some on CT will evaluate Bloom after the Winter Meetings and make a final determination on his POBO ability based on that.

For me, I am looking forward to hearing what his long term plan is to make Cardinals playoff competitive again. That should come in early November.

+1

Let's hope Bloom doesn't perform a Mozeliak and finish his offseason work in early November. A trade or trades must be made to acquire at least one starting pitcher. And not the Mo version of a starter. We need a bonafide upper rotation guy. After that, a bat would help. Preferably at one of 2b, 3b, or OF.

From what I read Bloom has had success with developing farm systems.
The Cards badly need to upgrade and develop in their system.
2024 & 2025 drafts look promising. Hopefully those picks develop and more to follow?

Yes, Bloom was hired to strengthen the farm system. It is something BDW has wanted to do for a decade. But Johnny bow ties was inept and let the minor league system deteriorate. Its astonishing that someone could be so bad at their job and not be fired. Its one thing to have a weak farm system if you sign any free agents that fill needs. Mozeliak has been exceptionally bad at that too. The man is a lazy, arrogant, inept, fool. Bloom should be a great change.

Fingers crossed.
Cards do have money to spend on FA’s but have to be judicious.
Especially in developing pitching!

Adding one starter helps. Two are needed but I dont see it happening. I think they get a starter through trade.

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

Why are you assuring Walker a starting spot but not Gorman, who is a significantly better hitter?

I just don't see any chance that the team doesn't give Walker 1 more year. Not saying it is right or wrong, but they are going to play him every day in 2026. Also, from what we have seen from Gorman at 3b, you cannot play him everyday at that position.

Muncy is not very good at third either, and they won't want to pay what it takes to sign either Munch or Story.

[Quincy Varnish]

10/300 doesn’t touch Kyle Tucker