Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Not sure what they will do, but here is how I see the rotation- I think they need to sign at least one more guy, and I would pursue two. For me, if they are healthy, May, Liberatore, and McGreevy are locks for the rotation.
For the first signing I would lean toward Jose Quintana or Tyler Mahle. Quintana isn't flashy but he is solid and consistent. Consistently healthy and consistently competitive. Mahle probably has more upside, but comes with significant health risk. I suppose if I had to choose between the two, I would select Quintana. He would give them four starters.
The last rotation slot is a competition between Fitts, Matthews, Leahy, or perhaps is filled by a new acquisition. I would like to see Fitts be a spot starter, long man out of the bullpen, or be able to fill in for injuries. It is simply not possible to be as injury-free as the rotation was last year. I hope Leahy goes back to the bullpen. I would not hand a spot to Mathews until he demonstrates health and control. Who knows about an acquisiton?
The other starting pitcher I would try to sign would be Jordan Montgomery. I don't think he will be ready until maybe June. He is there to backfill the rotation in the event of poor health, or poor performance, especially from the fifth starter. If they sign him they might want to consider a 2-year deal if that is possible.
These additions are not costly, insure depth and innings, and could be flipped at the deadline- not just because we are out of the race, but because we have young pitchers coming along in their development, or regaining health. They also have a young fireballer, left-hander who I have heard is pretty good. We'll see.
Oh yes, and if another organization has interest in Pallante, please move him. He's not in my conversation.
I have no love for Pallante. I just want his innings. Do we spend 10-15million for his innings? I don't know. I can't fathom giving his innings to Leahy. They're a even swap at best...I think Leahy is done after his 2nd or 3rd inning as a starter.
We'll see....I wouldn't be upset either way...2026 is a known for us
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Not sure what they will do, but here is how I see the rotation- I think they need to sign at least one more guy, and I would pursue two. For me, if they are healthy, May, Liberatore, and McGreevy are locks for the rotation.
For the first signing I would lean toward Jose Quintana or Tyler Mahle. Quintana isn't flashy but he is solid and consistent. Consistently healthy and consistently competitive. Mahle probably has more upside, but comes with significant health risk. I suppose if I had to choose between the two, I would select Quintana. He would give them four starters.
The last rotation slot is a competition between Fitts, Matthews, Leahy, or perhaps is filled by a new acquisition. I would like to see Fitts be a spot starter, long man out of the bullpen, or be able to fill in for injuries. It is simply not possible to be as injury-free as the rotation was last year. I hope Leahy goes back to the bullpen. I would not hand a spot to Mathews until he demonstrates health and control. Who knows about an acquisiton?
The other starting pitcher I would try to sign would be Jordan Montgomery. I don't think he will be ready until maybe June. He is there to backfill the rotation in the event of poor health, or poor performance, especially from the fifth starter. If they sign him they might want to consider a 2-year deal if that is possible.
These additions are not costly, insure depth and innings, and could be flipped at the deadline- not just because we are out of the race, but because we have young pitchers coming along in their development, or regaining health. They also have a young fireballer, left-hander who I have heard is pretty good. We'll see.
Oh yes, and if another organization has interest in Pallante, please move him. He's not in my conversation.
I have no love for Pallante. I just want his innings. Do we spend 10-15million for his innings? I don't know. I can't fathom giving his innings to Leahy. They're a even swap at best...I think Leahy is done after his 2nd or 3rd inning as a starter.
We'll see....I wouldn't be upset either way...2026 is a known for us
In the past if they had Pallante they would see him as a part of the rotation. Maybe things are different now. I hope so. I see Fitts as the complete replacement for Pallante. That's who he is to me. If they trade Pallante, they can't try to use him.
IndCard75 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:31 pm
The SP are…
Libby
McGreevy
May
Pallante
Leahy
Fitts
In my opinion
Move Pallante to the bottom of the list as the swingman and I agree. They will sign a veteran reliever who can pitch 2 innings 2-3 times a week. That will alleviate some of the innings crunch.
The bullpen is starting to get a bit crowded.
Leahy/Pallante
JoJo(if he isn't dealt)
Kent
Pushard
Graceffo
Fernandez
Svanson
O'Brien
Roycroft
Granillo
Raquet
Not that there's a ton of quality in that group(and it's extremely righty heavy), but it's a fair number of arms.
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
Oh, you mean with our sub 100M payroll? Lol
The only way the cardinals would be able to get Fairbanks is to grossly over pay for him which they won’t do. He’s good enough he will have no shortage of contending teams after him and he will won’t to sign with one of them
Don't disagree. But for someone to say we can't afford him is incorrect.
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Does it make sense to view Mathews, Henderson and Mautz as guys the Cards are going to try and give 5-10 starts each in 2026? It gives them experience which will give them a idea of what they still need to work on. If they succeed they get more. But, just revolve them through the rotation during the season to give each of them innings. In your view is that an effective way to help finish there development? My hope is after 2026, they give each of these guys enough opportunity, the starting rotation situation is much clearer going into 2027.
We probably disagree on Leahy a bit, who I think both earned innings last year and he appears to understand how to use his stuff to get outs. I am looking forward to seeing if he can convert that into being a starter. Pitching takes a long time to learn. I don't really care that he is a late bloomer, I do care if he can be effective. Finding a guy internally is a great way to unlock value that you don't have to pay for. In particular for a 17th round draft pick. If he succeeds, you won the lottery. If not, just put back in the pen.
5-10 starts? I don't see why not...it'll be good for them. 2026 is experimental year for the Cards. So...experiment.
As for Leahy...I guess my bias is based off AA/AAA #'s for 2 years, he was apart of the worst pitching staff in the history of the minor leagues in 2021....and why they removed him from being a starter. 1 time through the batting order, that's what he got you, and then HR allowed collapse. He pitches 88 innings last year, and we're all the sudden wanting to make him a starter again.... 8 and 6 ERA is real thing.
Keep him as a long reliever...the 2026 rotation is going to need as many long relievers as they can get. 1 time through the order is all you're going to get from him. That's the max he gave you last year....I don't understand some fans rallying around him....other than they want a different flavor and will settle for anything other than Pallante.
Again...though, it's an experimentation year...so...try him at starter, I guess?
It's an optimistic view to see 150 IPs out of any of these guys IMO. I'd feel the same even with Gray around.
They need 7,8, 9 guys to get through the season .
Leahy being tried at SP is a ways from earning it.
Currently I don't see issue. If both Leahy and Pallante end up in the rotation at the same time then injury is in play, in which case they'll need depth.
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
Oh, you mean with our sub 100M payroll? Lol
Has nothing to do with it. How much money do you think a player would want to go to a rebuilding team? It would cost 25% over what he's worth.
Just laughing at the comments that we can't afford somebody. As low as our payroll is, we could literally afford ANYBODY! Not saying we should, just pointing out how laughably low our payroll will be.
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Not sure what they will do, but here is how I see the rotation- I think they need to sign at least one more guy, and I would pursue two. For me, if they are healthy, May, Liberatore, and McGreevy are locks for the rotation.
For the first signing I would lean toward Jose Quintana or Tyler Mahle. Quintana isn't flashy but he is solid and consistent. Consistently healthy and consistently competitive. Mahle probably has more upside, but comes with significant health risk. I suppose if I had to choose between the two, I would select Quintana. He would give them four starters.
The last rotation slot is a competition between Fitts, Matthews, Leahy, or perhaps is filled by a new acquisition. I would like to see Fitts be a spot starter, long man out of the bullpen, or be able to fill in for injuries. It is simply not possible to be as injury-free as the rotation was last year. I hope Leahy goes back to the bullpen. I would not hand a spot to Mathews until he demonstrates health and control. Who knows about an acquisiton?
The other starting pitcher I would try to sign would be Jordan Montgomery. I don't think he will be ready until maybe June. He is there to backfill the rotation in the event of poor health, or poor performance, especially from the fifth starter. If they sign him they might want to consider a 2-year deal if that is possible.
These additions are not costly, insure depth and innings, and could be flipped at the deadline- not just because we are out of the race, but because we have young pitchers coming along in their development, or regaining health. They also have a young fireballer, left-hander who I have heard is pretty good. We'll see.
I would still like to see the Cardinals find a way to land River Ryan from the Dodgers for one of the rotation spots.
I dont think May is going to move them up many slots.
He’s going to bring in more arms and more will be at Memphis if help is needed it’s not going to be like last season when stupid mo had to keep running the same worthless starters out there all season he will have depth to bring up Replacements or skip starts
Considering Dustin May is completely unreliable with health Pallante is completely unreliable with production, the cardinals need two more guys to compete for a rotation spot. If Quin is considered one, then that’s one. But they need 8 guys with the ability to make a start
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
Well there is 162 nine inning games. That’s 1458 started innings. Per a five man rotation, that’s about 286 innings per. Six man 243. At ten starters it’s still 145 innings each.
I see this as an unlocked or hidden strategic opportunity. Instead of counting on 7 guys with huge loads, use ten and lower the load by 40 percent.
What this does. Reduces injury. Reduces fatigue. Fresher deeper into season.
