Goold chat 11a.m, today

[Cardinals4Life]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

Gosh, Marmol is an idiot! Sure, using that philosophy with Walker sounds good in theory. Problem is he hasnt succeeded, really, at the AAA level. The part about "he could go back and succeed without change" is not based in reality. This is another reason Marmol hasn't a clue!

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Some here want to sell Nado just to sell even if theres no return and no big savings because they don't like him as a player. I disagree. I still like watching him play 3rd over Gorman.

I love Arenado. He was one of my favorite players before we traded for him. And I still like watching him play 3B still. It’s a thing of beauty. But that’s about all I like seeing him do at this point, and I hate to say that. And I’m selling him no matter what this off-season and expect nothing back, even if we eat a bunch of money. It’s the right thing to do.

[82birds]

Some here want to sell Nado just to sell even if theres no return and no big savings because they don't like him as a player. I disagree. I still like watching him play 3rd over Gorman.

I love Arenado. He was one of my favorite players before we traded for him. And I still like watching him play 3B still. It’s a thing of beauty. But that’s about all I like seeing him do at this point, and I hate to say that. And I’m selling him no matter what this off-season and expect nothing back, even if we eat a bunch of money. It’s the right thing to do.

agree RD.
he was a highlight reel player at 3B.
sad his best days are behind him.

[3dender]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

Gosh, Marmol is an idiot! Sure, using that philosophy with Walker sounds good in theory. Problem is he hasnt succeeded, really, at the AAA level. The part about "he could go back and succeed without change" is not based in reality. This is another reason Marmol hasn't a clue!

Exactly. It's just not a true statement to say "he could succeed without change" in AAA... there's no evidence that he is capable of doing that since he has literally never done it. A truly delusional line of thinking from guys earning a ton of money to make these decisions.

[sdaltons]

Going from Goldschmidt to Contreras at 1B was not the defensive hit I was expecting and our overall infield defense remained very good.

We will not get so lucky at 3B. Not sure I love the idea of eating money just to move him and getting (bleep) in return.

[renostl]

Grown tired of this Arenado business.

Eat what money you have too get a low level prospect and be done with it.

The franchise is worth far more than you paid for it.

Leave the crumbs and for Christ sake move on.

The situation is the same as last season.

Look at it from the controlling force, NA. He gets one shot at picking correctly
one shot. He wants the highest rated team in his eyes to come calling.
All while wanting more than where he is.
Difficult to say yes to LAA if Boston is still a possibility
or however the man see's it on his list, or tiers.

Was he really wrong about Houston? debatable at least.

[82birds]

Going from Goldschmidt to Contreras at 1B was not the defensive hit I was expecting and our overall infield defense remained very good.

We will not get so lucky at 3B. Not sure I love the idea of eating money just to move him and getting (bleep) in return.

agree, JJ aside, as I see his best position being 2B

[renostl]

Going from Goldschmidt to Contreras at 1B was not the defensive hit I was expecting and our overall infield defense remained very good.

We will not get so lucky at 3B. Not sure I love the idea of eating money just to move him and getting (bleep) in return.

At the very least one can say that NA wants out
as much as the teams would like to trade him. It was the
same last season. He isn't "demanding" a trade, he is politely
asking for one.

[renostl]

Going from Goldschmidt to Contreras at 1B was not the defensive hit I was expecting and our overall infield defense remained very good.

We will not get so lucky at 3B. Not sure I love the idea of eating money just to move him and getting (bleep) in return.

agree, JJ aside, as I see his best position being 2B

Why

[2ninr]

Thx a lot RFdan, look forward to your updates!

Sorry toi hear about J. Walk since I've been strongly in the "Memphis camp".

I agree that he should be in Memphis or maybe even Springfield. My opinion is almost opposite the organization. I am in favor of him having some success than moving up. However, this had been the organizations stance since thwe end of the season, so it's no surprise.

Yes , it

has been there stance. One can argue both ways and have valid points. The Cardinals seem to feel strongly that for Walker to make the changes necessary to be successful , it has to be vs. major league caliber pitching. As Goold pointed out, the team feels he could have success in the minors without makng those changes since he would be facing lesser caliber pitching and that would not benefit him for the majors.

With him reaching his first arbitration year after this season , this truly is his make or break year to show the Cardinals should retain him .

I try to look at both sides of things-especially when it's professional people verses mine. You learn things that way. Anyway, I see their point and hope they're right.

[ramfandan]

Q asked : Why didn't the Cardinals lower season ticket prices for 2026 ?

Goold reply :

They did lower prices some places. They raised them in other places. Some season tickets had a significant reduction, I've been told by buyers, and others saw a significant rise. Overall, the average was slightly up. But that's season tickets. You're going to see less demand for tickets, and the dynamic pricing they use is going to adjust so you'll see ticket prices likely drop in 2026 just because the demand isn't there. We'll see that closer to the season.

[ramfandan]

That's the conclusion of the Goold chat today . Hope those who checked out this thread got a few tidbits from Derrick.
Aprreciate those that replied with comments on the various topics.
Enjoyed giving some cliff notes to the extensive chat.

RFdan

[ClassicO]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

Gosh, Marmol is an idiot! Sure, using that philosophy with Walker sounds good in theory. Problem is he hasnt succeeded, really, at the AAA level. The part about "he could go back and succeed without change" is not based in reality. This is another reason Marmol hasn't a clue!

Agree. I've posted several times about Walker not having great success at AAA - in parts of three seasons there with 529 PAs - .257/.331/.414/.745.
He needs to prove he can hit there.

[HOUCARD]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

It’s official!!! Another year of Walker being an auto out in our ML lineup so HE CAN WORK ON HITTING ML PITCHERS!!!

You speak as though you think the Cards will be competitive. I don't so, I agree with their approach. If they send him down and he hits, they may be married to him for another year. If he can't hit ML pitching this year, with the adjustments, adios.

[Goldfan]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

It’s official!!! Another year of Walker being an auto out in our ML lineup so HE CAN WORK ON HITTING ML PITCHERS!!!

You speak as though you think the Cards will be competitive. I don't so, I agree with their approach. If they send him down and he hits, they may be married to him for another year. If he can't hit ML pitching this year, with the adjustments, adios.

So year 4 will be the final look see? Last year was just a preliminary look see…..at a .200 clip. Has he ever dominated a full AAA season? A little confused as to his placement…he’s been so good at AAA but looks like a clueless lost puppy at the MLB level but he must be tested here once again after a full .200 hitting season

[Bushiro]

Thx a lot RFdan, look forward to your updates!

Sorry toi hear about J. Walk since I've been strongly in the "Memphis camp".

I agree that he should be in Memphis or maybe even Springfield. My opinion is almost opposite the organization. I am in favor of him having some success than moving up. However, this had been the organizations stance since thwe end of the season, so it's no surprise.

Yes , it

has been there stance. One can argue both ways and have valid points. The Cardinals seem to feel strongly that for Walker to make the changes necessary to be successful , it has to be vs. major league caliber pitching. As Goold pointed out, the team feels he could have success in the minors without makng those changes since he would be facing lesser caliber pitching and that would not benefit him for the majors.

With him reaching his first arbitration year after this season , this truly is his make or break year to show the Cardinals should retain him .

They obviously changed their minds because he was sent to the minors before....to learn how to hit the ball in the air more