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Exactly. "Rex" needs to take note of this.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:11 pmThe Cardinals could very well have half a dozen meaningful transactions in the next 60 days. It's way too early to talk about all we is and all we ain't.
Keep in mind that those transactions could also cause us to be less competitive next season. We just don't know yet.Cranny wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:22 pmExactly. "Rex" needs to take note of this.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:11 pmThe Cardinals could very well have half a dozen meaningful transactions in the next 60 days. It's way too early to talk about all we is and all we ain't.
Very true. With trades of Gray (4 fWAR), Donovan (3), Contreras (2), and Arenado (2), that’s a potential 11 gross fWAR (per FG’s 2026 projections) going out the door, with the Cardinals likely seeking mostly minor league talent in return. I’d be surprised if they attempt to acquire any meaningful number of wins in free agency. They’re probably going to lean heavily on hoped-for internal improvements for offsets on the other side of the ledger.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:27 pmKeep in mind that those transactions could also cause us to be less competitive next season. We just don't know yet.Cranny wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:22 pmExactly. "Rex" needs to take note of this.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:11 pmThe Cardinals could very well have half a dozen meaningful transactions in the next 60 days. It's way too early to talk about all we is and all we ain't.
Bloom will sign at least one starting pitcher for the rotationNYCardsFan wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:43 pmVery true. With trades of Gray (4 fWAR), Donovan (3), Contreras (2), and Arenado (2), that’s a potential 11 gross fWAR (per FG’s 2026 projections) going out the door, with the Cardinals likely seeking mostly minor league talent in return. I’d be surprised if they attempt to acquire any meaningful number of wins in free agency. They’re probably going to lean heavily on hoped-for internal improvements for offsets on the other side of the ledger.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:27 pmKeep in mind that those transactions could also cause us to be less competitive next season. We just don't know yet.Cranny wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:22 pmExactly. "Rex" needs to take note of this.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:11 pmThe Cardinals could very well have half a dozen meaningful transactions in the next 60 days. It's way too early to talk about all we is and all we ain't.
Given the significant number of innings they have to fill, I suspect you’re right about that. But I think it’s more likely to be an innings-eater, which is not going to add back much WAR—in other words, it will serve a purpose, but that primary purpose won’t be winning per se. Probably a Gibson/Mikolas-type, though I doubt they’ll sign Mikolas specifically.Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 16:28 pmBloom will sign at least one starting pitcher for the rotationNYCardsFan wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:43 pmVery true. With trades of Gray (4 fWAR), Donovan (3), Contreras (2), and Arenado (2), that’s a potential 11 gross fWAR (per FG’s 2026 projections) going out the door, with the Cardinals likely seeking mostly minor league talent in return. I’d be surprised if they attempt to acquire any meaningful number of wins in free agency. They’re probably going to lean heavily on hoped-for internal improvements for offsets on the other side of the ledger.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:27 pmKeep in mind that those transactions could also cause us to be less competitive next season. We just don't know yet.Cranny wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:22 pmExactly. "Rex" needs to take note of this.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 15:11 pmThe Cardinals could very well have half a dozen meaningful transactions in the next 60 days. It's way too early to talk about all we is and all we ain't.
It seems not many here are ready to accept this.craviduce wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 12:04 pm we're actively trying to not to compete. But that doesn't stop the team you put on the field from winning it's fair share of games. If they win, then that's great....but stay the course. Set yourself up with a plethora of prospects so you can put together a sustainable competitor starting maybe in 2027, but definitely in 2028.
Where's BD???? He teed you up!!!BrockFloodMaris wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 13:24 pmYes, we could compete this year, and it would be expensive, and we would probably lurk near the wild card and have a middle of the pack draft slot and not want to trade MLB assets to stock the farm, and we’d be stuck in the middle again.billybaseball wrote: ↑26 Nov 2025 12:00 pm The likelihood is slim but what could it look like?
Say we continue with trading Donovan, Arenado, Nootbaar, and Pages
Trade Donovan to the Dodgers for Sheehan. Sheehan is a top of the rotation pitcher
Nootbaar, Arenado and Pages to the Phillies for little return if Phillies take all or most of Arenado's contract. If we retain could get a top 10 pick.
Sign Michael King for 3/75m with opt outs. Front load it with 30m in the first year. If he pitches well and opts out the Cards get the draft pick back and a higher pick too. If he doesn't opt out we can keep him or trade him but the aav will be lower.
Sign Bo Bichette 7/200m. Play him at 2nd base. He had a major bounce back season and there are really no red flags to suggest it was a fluke.
Our payroll would still be well below what Dewitt normally spends even if we have to retain some on Arenado. Giving up two picks hurts but we have an extra CB pick coming this year.
Rotation
King
Sheehan
Liberatore
McGreevy
Fitts/Leahy
Very solid rotation and one of the best in baseball if King puts up 2024 like numbers.
BP
Swanson(cl)
Romero
O'Brien
Pallante
Graceffo
Blewitt
Raquet
Fitts/Leahy
Iffy BP but the Cardinals always seem to have a good BP somehow
Bichette
Wetherholt
Contreras
Burleson
Herrera
Gorman(DH)
Walker
Winn
Scott
The bottom four is weak but could improve but that top 5 would be all .800+OPS guys. Very good lineup.