Yeah but what good is a pen in a year we aren’t competing. The typical thought is bullpen pitchers aren’t projectable from year to year. Too random.
These ARE young pitchers to build around Carp, I don't buy the reliever "year to year" theory like some.
These are three solid, young cost controlled arms w/strikeout ability.
Having them in place gives Bloom a leg up as he adds pieces.
They are a 2025 "success story" along w/I. Hererra.
They also stepped it up after the trades and did as good or better job than the pitchers who were considered better. It had to build their confidence tremendously and that’s a good thing for their roles going forward. I’d call it a win.
Sure did CW!
Having three backend, cost controlled pen' pieces in place for 2026 is a boon for Bloom.
Hoosier59 wrote: ↑19 Sep 2025 22:00 pm
Offensively the Cardinals have some good pieces, but really lack that strong #4 hitter. There isn’t one currently on the roster, and I don’t see one in the minor leagues either. If they can come up with a decent starting rotation to go with their bullpen, maybe they can get by without a #4 hitter, but even the great teams of the 80’s had Jack Clark and George Hendrick. Successful teams have to have that guy that just knows how to drive in runs.
Josh Baez is the great hope in the minors to be the MOTOB. He does seem to get lift on the ball too...
To the poster who criticized Herrera's numbers, had he not been hurt, his full season numbers extrapolate to around 25-30 HRs and 90-100 RBIs. He really is giving us Matt Holliday type production. If Baez continues to develop, we may have the twin towers in the middle of the lineup we need. If Wetherholdt, Donovan and Burleson continue to hit 280/350/425 type production, then they have a good core to work around. They just then need someone like a Scott and Winn to up there OBP so these other guys can drive them in. Or they may need to add a bat from the outside. But, there is potential for next year to be better than people think if Baez can force his way onto the roster by say July. I don't want them to make the same mistake they made with Walker with him, which is to skip AAA.
He was hurt last year too. Around the league there are dozens and dozens of players who hit 25 30 40 and a couple with 50+ HR without getting hurt or in spite of being hurt. Ivan still has something to prove.
I’m not saying he’s bad, just that there are a Lot of players out there at and above his level that aren’t on our team.
