Top 40 Trade Candidates

[TraveledLessRoad]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

My view is it was a three year ish remake, starting with the loss of Goldie. My position is by 2027 season, we should be entertaining.

My view is they can compete for a playoff spot next year. Add a top tier pitcher, put a run producer in left and strengthen the bullpen and they are a playoff contender. Get in and anything can happen. I hoping for big improvement from Walker and Scott. Trade Arenado or Donovan and bring up Whetherholt. Stick Liam in the rotation and let him run with it. This team is closer than people want to think.

I'll admit, I haven't done the math here. But, for everyone saying "we aren't increasing payroll," isn't there a way to add the types of players this poster is talking about, by unloading: Arenado, Gray, not re-signing Mikolas, and a few other things i'm probably not thinking about?

[renostl]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

The organization has said over and over it is not increasing payroll. 2026 is another rebuild. They are not making any major signings. It'll be one cost effective starting pitcher and maybe a reliever. They are not signing any major player that puts them in contention. THEY ARE FOCUSING ON BUILDING FROM WITHIN.

If you expect major changes this winter, you'll be very disappointed. But go ahead and wait for it.

Not attempting to argue at all, since I don't know, but what does not increasing payroll even mean?

What does your term major even mean. As only an example, would trading a Contreras package for
a Ward package be major and still within the not adding payroll parameters?

Cots had the 40 man at $155 million in 2025 down $50 million from 2024 resulting in $138 million OD payroll
that at years end was $134 million. They project an OD payroll of $113.9 million 26 man, $116.5 40 man.
That's obliviously before getting half off on NA or SG and however that does or doesn't play out.
The point being that even in the event they don't move those players, there is money there that can be added
and not increase payroll over 2025. They have room to add just to get to any payroll over the last decade.

I don't expect them to spend for the sake of reaching some magical number. I don't expect any big signings
or them attaching themselves to players with a shorter window. They do and will need pitching
for a while. A 2-4 year there wouldn't surprise me.

I'm not debating there won't be major signings at all or building from within process that will happen.
The budget though, and the process until the within players show, is a guess.

[renostl]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

My view is it was a three year ish remake, starting with the loss of Goldie. My position is by 2027 season, we should be entertaining.

My view is they can compete for a playoff spot next year. Add a top tier pitcher, put a run producer in left and strengthen the bullpen and they are a playoff contender. Get in and anything can happen. I hoping for big improvement from Walker and Scott. Trade Arenado or Donovan and bring up Whetherholt. Stick Liam in the rotation and let him run with it. This team is closer than people want to think.

I'll admit, I haven't done the math here. But, for everyone saying "we aren't increasing payroll," isn't there a way to add the types of players this poster is talking about, by unloading: Arenado, Gray, not re-signing Mikolas, and a few other things i'm probably not thinking about?

Miles, Matz, Fedde, Helsley made about $45 million. NA gets $5 less. SG and others get
raises. There's room, I don't expect any of it to go to players that don't match the teams window
though of a couple seasons out.

[CCard]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

My view is it was a three year ish remake, starting with the loss of Goldie. My position is by 2027 season, we should be entertaining.

My view is they can compete for a playoff spot next year. Add a top tier pitcher, put a run producer in left and strengthen the bullpen and they are a playoff contender. Get in and anything can happen. I hoping for big improvement from Walker and Scott. Trade Arenado or Donovan and bring up Whetherholt. Stick Liam in the rotation and let him run with it. This team is closer than people want to think.

I'll admit, I haven't done the math here. But, for everyone saying "we aren't increasing payroll," isn't there a way to add the types of players this poster is talking about, by unloading: Arenado, Gray, not re-signing Mikolas, and a few other things i'm probably not thinking about?

And why exactly would they not add payroll? They obviously have payroll they can add. Why do that to the fans? Bump payroll a bit, add some decent talent and make the playoffs.

[CCard]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

The organization has said over and over it is not increasing payroll. 2026 is another rebuild. They are not making any major signings. It'll be one cost effective starting pitcher and maybe a reliever. They are not signing any major player that puts them in contention. THEY ARE FOCUSING ON BUILDING FROM WITHIN.

If you expect major changes this winter, you'll be very disappointed. But go ahead and wait for it.

That building from within worked back before free agency, it doesn't work now. The days of stacking a bunch of talent in the minors to languish are gone. Rule 5 drafts and minor league free agents have changed the game. They still have players under their thumbs some, but arbitration has alleviated much of that. That's why the cry poor crowd makes no sense. You play the game to try to win. If you don't then what's the purpose? Even if by some miracle you manage to pull off your pie in the sky juggernaut of young cost controlled superstars, you're still going to have to pay them through arbitration. And if you won't pay them through that or free agency they will be gone and you'll be doing the same thing all over again. LOL....3 to 5 years at a time.

[CCard]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

My view is it was a three year ish remake, starting with the loss of Goldie. My position is by 2027 season, we should be entertaining.

My view is they can compete for a playoff spot next year. Add a top tier pitcher, put a run producer in left and strengthen the bullpen and they are a playoff contender. Get in and anything can happen. I hoping for big improvement from Walker and Scott. Trade Arenado or Donovan and bring up Whetherholt. Stick Liam in the rotation and let him run with it. This team is closer than people want to think.

It may be your view that they can compete next year with these moves, and maybe they could, but you haven't been listening- they aren't going that route. They have laid out a path that is different from that.

What path would that be? They've already cut payroll. They've already hired more coaches. They've already (supposedly) built new infrastructure in the minors. What exactly is stopping them from adding a couple of higher talent players? The fear of contending? It's a sick joke and a slap in the face to fans. Good luck with drawing 3 million anytime in the near future.

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

The organization has said over and over it is not increasing payroll. 2026 is another rebuild. They are not making any major signings. It'll be one cost effective starting pitcher and maybe a reliever. They are not signing any major player that puts them in contention. THEY ARE FOCUSING ON BUILDING FROM WITHIN.

If you expect major changes this winter, you'll be very disappointed. But go ahead and wait for it.

That building from within worked back before free agency, it doesn't work now. The days of stacking a bunch of talent in the minors to languish are gone. Rule 5 drafts and minor league free agents have changed the game. They still have players under their thumbs some, but arbitration has alleviated much of that. That's why the cry poor crowd makes no sense. You play the game to try to win. If you don't then what's the purpose? Even if by some miracle you manage to pull off your pie in the sky juggernaut of young cost controlled superstars, you're still going to have to pay them through arbitration. And if you won't pay them through that or free agency they will be gone and you'll be doing the same thing all over again. LOL....3 to 5 years at a time.

I dont disagree with your opinion of trying to win. But to answer your question of why not try, its all about money. A cheap roster allows for revenue even if ticket sales and attendance drops.

As for the 3 to 5 year windows, just look at Tampa Bay. That's the strategy they've used. And Bloom knows it well.

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

My view is it was a three year ish remake, starting with the loss of Goldie. My position is by 2027 season, we should be entertaining.

My view is they can compete for a playoff spot next year. Add a top tier pitcher, put a run producer in left and strengthen the bullpen and they are a playoff contender. Get in and anything can happen. I hoping for big improvement from Walker and Scott. Trade Arenado or Donovan and bring up Whetherholt. Stick Liam in the rotation and let him run with it. This team is closer than people want to think.

I'll admit, I haven't done the math here. But, for everyone saying "we aren't increasing payroll," isn't there a way to add the types of players this poster is talking about, by unloading: Arenado, Gray, not re-signing Mikolas, and a few other things i'm probably not thinking about?

And why exactly would they not add payroll? They obviously have payroll they can add. Why do that to the fans? Bump payroll a bit, add some decent talent and make the playoffs.

Pay attention to what the front office is saying. Every media person covering the organization is being told BDW has no intention of raising the payroll. Regardless of what you want, that is what they are doing.

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

So because some on here pay attention and understand what is being reported, we are stupid? Believing this organization will spend big when they repeatedly say they won't, is about as stupid as it gets.

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

My view is it was a three year ish remake, starting with the loss of Goldie. My position is by 2027 season, we should be entertaining.

My view is they can compete for a playoff spot next year. Add a top tier pitcher, put a run producer in left and strengthen the bullpen and they are a playoff contender. Get in and anything can happen. I hoping for big improvement from Walker and Scott. Trade Arenado or Donovan and bring up Whetherholt. Stick Liam in the rotation and let him run with it. This team is closer than people want to think.

Hahahaha. Yeah, Walker is going to do a 180 degree turnaround. Nothing has shown any indication he can or will. Wetherholt has yet to play an MLB game. And Doyle hasn't even pitched half a season in the minors.

All your fantasy is missing is Oli & Dusty magically morphing into LaRussa and Duncan.

[renostl]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

So because some on here pay attention and understand what is being reported, we are stupid? Believing this organization will spend big when they repeatedly say they won't, is about as stupid as it gets.

Any link to that 3-5 year timeline?
There's room between improving a roster and making major FA acquisitions.

He said "compete" and "no short cuts" at his press conference introduction. Again if it's WS are bust versus trying to make the playoffs
that word means different things to different fans.
What's 2026 payroll and what does it have to be in order to be considered attempting to compete?

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

So because some on here pay attention and understand what is being reported, we are stupid? Believing this organization will spend big when they repeatedly say they won't, is about as stupid as it gets.

Any link to that 3-5 year timeline?
There's room between improving a roster and making major FA acquisitions.

He said "compete" and "no short cuts" at his press conference introduction. Again if it's WS are bust versus trying to make the playoffs
that word means different things to different fans.
What's 2026 payroll and what does it have to be in order to be considered attempting to compete?

Setting a flat dollar payroll amount as the basis for competing isn't the way to look at it. This team needs a big impact bat, a top of the rotation starter, and at least one other starting pitcher. Getting that through free agency will push the payroll past what analysts are projecting the Cardinals to do. Projections are around $100 million tops. It'll take more to acquire what they need.

[CCard]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

The organization has said over and over it is not increasing payroll. 2026 is another rebuild. They are not making any major signings. It'll be one cost effective starting pitcher and maybe a reliever. They are not signing any major player that puts them in contention. THEY ARE FOCUSING ON BUILDING FROM WITHIN.

If you expect major changes this winter, you'll be very disappointed. But go ahead and wait for it.

That building from within worked back before free agency, it doesn't work now. The days of stacking a bunch of talent in the minors to languish are gone. Rule 5 drafts and minor league free agents have changed the game. They still have players under their thumbs some, but arbitration has alleviated much of that. That's why the cry poor crowd makes no sense. You play the game to try to win. If you don't then what's the purpose? Even if by some miracle you manage to pull off your pie in the sky juggernaut of young cost controlled superstars, you're still going to have to pay them through arbitration. And if you won't pay them through that or free agency they will be gone and you'll be doing the same thing all over again. LOL....3 to 5 years at a time.

I dont disagree with your opinion of trying to win. But to answer your question of why not try, its all about money. A cheap roster allows for revenue even if ticket sales and attendance drops.

As for the 3 to 5 year windows, just look at Tampa Bay. That's the strategy they've used. And Bloom knows it well.

Did Tampa Bay win something?

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

The organization has said over and over it is not increasing payroll. 2026 is another rebuild. They are not making any major signings. It'll be one cost effective starting pitcher and maybe a reliever. They are not signing any major player that puts them in contention. THEY ARE FOCUSING ON BUILDING FROM WITHIN.

If you expect major changes this winter, you'll be very disappointed. But go ahead and wait for it.

That building from within worked back before free agency, it doesn't work now. The days of stacking a bunch of talent in the minors to languish are gone. Rule 5 drafts and minor league free agents have changed the game. They still have players under their thumbs some, but arbitration has alleviated much of that. That's why the cry poor crowd makes no sense. You play the game to try to win. If you don't then what's the purpose? Even if by some miracle you manage to pull off your pie in the sky juggernaut of young cost controlled superstars, you're still going to have to pay them through arbitration. And if you won't pay them through that or free agency they will be gone and you'll be doing the same thing all over again. LOL....3 to 5 years at a time.

I dont disagree with your opinion of trying to win. But to answer your question of why not try, its all about money. A cheap roster allows for revenue even if ticket sales and attendance drops.

As for the 3 to 5 year windows, just look at Tampa Bay. That's the strategy they've used. And Bloom knows it well.

Did Tampa Bay win something?

Tampa made a World Series appearance in the last 5 years. StL hasn't been close.

Im not saying its a strategy i agree with. But it's more likely to be what Bloom follows compared to spending on big free agents this winter.

[renostl]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

So because some on here pay attention and understand what is being reported, we are stupid? Believing this organization will spend big when they repeatedly say they won't, is about as stupid as it gets.

Any link to that 3-5 year timeline?
There's room between improving a roster and making major FA acquisitions.

He said "compete" and "no short cuts" at his press conference introduction. Again if it's WS are bust versus trying to make the playoffs
that word means different things to different fans.
What's 2026 payroll and what does it have to be in order to be considered attempting to compete?

Setting a flat dollar payroll amount as the basis for competing isn't the way to look at it. This team needs a big impact bat, a top of the rotation starter, and at least one other starting pitcher. Getting that through free agency will push the payroll past what analysts are projecting the Cardinals to do. Projections are around $100 million tops. It'll take more to acquire what they need.

I'll agree with what they need.

I don't know if analyst know what the payroll will be. I have a guess as well as theirs that says it will
be similar to 2025 +/-. Even that is not everything since FA isn't the only way to get some of what is needed.

[JuanAgosto]

Cardinals will be trading for prospects or young players with 4-5 years of control. I don’t see any players on this list the Cards are likely to trade for.

Exactly. Goal is more like competing 3 to 5 years from now.

Screw off with that 3 to 5 year bullcrap. Where do you guys get that from? Stupidity is rampant among you. A couple of signings and this team makes the playoffs.

So because some on here pay attention and understand what is being reported, we are stupid? Believing this organization will spend big when they repeatedly say they won't, is about as stupid as it gets.

Any link to that 3-5 year timeline?
There's room between improving a roster and making major FA acquisitions.

He said "compete" and "no short cuts" at his press conference introduction. Again if it's WS are bust versus trying to make the playoffs
that word means different things to different fans.
What's 2026 payroll and what does it have to be in order to be considered attempting to compete?

Setting a flat dollar payroll amount as the basis for competing isn't the way to look at it. This team needs a big impact bat, a top of the rotation starter, and at least one other starting pitcher. Getting that through free agency will push the payroll past what analysts are projecting the Cardinals to do. Projections are around $100 million tops. It'll take more to acquire what they need.

I'll agree with what they need.

I don't know if analyst know what the payroll will be. I have a guess as well as theirs that says it will
be similar to 2025 +/-. Even that is not everything since FA isn't the only way to get some of what is needed.

Trading Gray and Contreras could help free up some money. If StL isn't eating a large portion of the contracts.