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He will get a solid return based on his modest contract and versatility.
Your insight is amazingly intuitive - on both points.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:07 pmWhat level of RHH are you targeting? Matthews and Bernal have a lot of upside so we’d need a commensurate return. Andy Pages?Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Also what was Blooms first mistake ? Oli?
A position with which I am quite familiar.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:13 pmAlways enjoy hearing your take on things, but we are far, far apart on this one.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Yes - Herrera needs to move to another position - I have been saying that for 4 seasons.ICCFIM2 wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:11 pmBernal should be the catcher of the future. Herrera can be the RF bat they need in the OF. They still need another bat after that. I don't tknow that any of the other pieces you suggest get said bat because they are all depth pieces. The reason to trade Donovan is you might get two shots at a bat prospect, for example getting both Montoya and Montes from Seattle if the Cards include Romero in that deal. I am also fine with the Cards keeping Donovan. In which case, they will need to add via the free agent route since their OF prospects outside of Josh Baez are terrible.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
I suspect time will be unkind to you on these points.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:57 pmA position with which I am quite familiar.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:13 pmAlways enjoy hearing your take on things, but we are far, far apart on this one.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Ultimately, folks nearly always come around.
I agree he would help every team in baseball including the Cardinals. If they can't get good return then keep him.AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 16:24 pm I will disagree 100% with the OP. Donovan improves every team in baseball. No he is not the #3 hitter with 40 HR power. No he is not the Skubal ace pitcher. Those would bring a huge haul in trade. But Donovan day to day improves every team in baseball.
Every potential challenger for a title in 2026-2027 is improved at low cost adding Donovan. That cost part matters to most teams. And the longer they have him the more value he brings. Waiting until the break is a big mistake. There is no indication that he will suddenly break out and add value. There is more chance he will have a slow 1st half or get injured. I expect none of the above I expect the same level of performance.
They need to cash him in before spring training starts. I don't expect a "haul" but I do expect a prospect with a high ceiling and a wild card or two in return. This is the smart move. IMO.
With a 95%+ accuracy rate, I like my odds.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 20:38 pmI suspect time will be unkind to you on these points.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:57 pmA position with which I am quite familiar.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:13 pmAlways enjoy hearing your take on things, but we are far, far apart on this one.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Ultimately, folks nearly always come around.
Hot take, brother.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
I think this is the correct take. Unless they trade for a 22 year old who is already an MLB ace level starter, we're going to hear a lot of (bleep).
Merry Christmas to you too.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 20:57 pmWith a 95%+ accuracy rate, I like my odds.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 20:38 pmI suspect time will be unkind to you on these points.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:57 pmA position with which I am quite familiar.Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:13 pmAlways enjoy hearing your take on things, but we are far, far apart on this one.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Ultimately, folks nearly always come around.
It doesn't hurt that I am already proven right on one of these two.
But enough of that.
Merry Christmas.
You’re not smart ehWhatashame wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 16:13 pm That may be how you feel but I think the baseball world looks at Donovan a little bit differently. No one says he’s an Aaron Judge or a Shohei Ohtani but there’s obviously a market for a player of Donovan’s pedigree. I’m as anxious as anyone to see how his market unfolds. I think now is the perfect time to move him IF that’s what the Cardinals want to do.
The thing is that the Cardinals don’t have to move him if they don’t want to. They put a value on him and if someone meets it great and if they can’t get what they think he’s worth then they don’t have to move him.
I mostly believe that if you are going to move a player, the winter is the best time while your options aren’t limited. I do think that with no deadlines that things sometimes drag on longer than we would like. My only question is will the Cardinals be able to get what they think he’s worth.
Consistency is your calling card Mel. We have to get an above average ml catcher out of the cache of prospects we have. Bernal is the best defensively and a switch hitter. Rain Rod is likely to switch positions. I just don't see them gambling with a current strength that is young cost controlled and high ceiling. I don't disagree that we are going to need a rh corner outfielder. But I think it's a buy when we start spending again. Merry Christmas MelMelville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 19:02 pmYes - Herrera needs to move to another position - I have been saying that for 4 seasons.ICCFIM2 wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:11 pmBernal should be the catcher of the future. Herrera can be the RF bat they need in the OF. They still need another bat after that. I don't tknow that any of the other pieces you suggest get said bat because they are all depth pieces. The reason to trade Donovan is you might get two shots at a bat prospect, for example getting both Montoya and Montes from Seattle if the Cards include Romero in that deal. I am also fine with the Cards keeping Donovan. In which case, they will need to add via the free agent route since their OF prospects outside of Josh Baez are terrible.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Like it or not, Bernal is the expendable catcher.
Crooks is next up and Rodriguez in on the way.
The best way to acquire young, controlled, quality players is to trade a young, controlled, quality player.
Bernal is that guy.
Merry Christmas.2ninr wrote: ↑25 Dec 2025 09:15 amConsistency is your calling card Mel. We have to get an above average ml catcher out of the cache of prospects we have. Bernal is the best defensively and a switch hitter. Rain Rod is likely to switch positions. I just don't see them gambling with a current strength that is young cost controlled and high ceiling. I don't disagree that we are going to need a rh corner outfielder. But I think it's a buy when we start spending again. Merry Christmas MelMelville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 19:02 pmYes - Herrera needs to move to another position - I have been saying that for 4 seasons.ICCFIM2 wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:11 pmBernal should be the catcher of the future. Herrera can be the RF bat they need in the OF. They still need another bat after that. I don't tknow that any of the other pieces you suggest get said bat because they are all depth pieces. The reason to trade Donovan is you might get two shots at a bat prospect, for example getting both Montoya and Montes from Seattle if the Cards include Romero in that deal. I am also fine with the Cards keeping Donovan. In which case, they will need to add via the free agent route since their OF prospects outside of Josh Baez are terrible.Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Like it or not, Bernal is the expendable catcher.
Crooks is next up and Rodriguez in on the way.
The best way to acquire young, controlled, quality players is to trade a young, controlled, quality player.
Bernal is that guy.
You think Andy Pages would be a fair return for BD? No way they make that trade.Carp4Cy wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 18:07 pmWhat level of RHH are you targeting? Matthews and Bernal have a lot of upside so we’d need a commensurate return. Andy Pages?Melville wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 17:51 pm No team needs Donovan more than STL does.
The CORRECT BASEBALL DECISION is to keep him at least until July and extend him before then if possible.
He needs to move to LF and act as depth insurance at 3b/2b/SS for at least the first 100 games in 2026.
STL should float Mootbaar, Walker, Romero, Bernal, Mathews, Hence, Saggese as trade pieces.
Put together a package from that group to acquire the RH outfield bat I alone have been correctly calling for each and every year over the past decade.
But, it seems Bloom is dead set on doing the wrong thing and appears on the verge of moving Donovan.
It will be his 2nd significant mistake.
That said, he has made some good moves so far and I cannot reasonably expect him or anyone to match my own record of performance in analyzing the best course of action.
Let's see what happens.
Also what was Blooms first mistake ? Oli?
Donovan would certainly improve any team in baseball. But, wouldn’t any of our starters improve any team in baseball? If all of our starting position players would not improve any team, this team is really in need of a rebuild.AZ_Cardsfan wrote: ↑24 Dec 2025 16:24 pm I will disagree 100% with the OP. Donovan improves every team in baseball. No he is not the #3 hitter with 40 HR power. No he is not the Skubal ace pitcher. Those would bring a huge haul in trade. But Donovan day to day improves every team in baseball.
Every potential challenger for a title in 2026-2027 is improved at low cost adding Donovan. That cost part matters to most teams. And the longer they have him the more value he brings. Waiting until the break is a big mistake. There is no indication that he will suddenly break out and add value. There is more chance he will have a slow 1st half or get injured. I expect none of the above I expect the same level of performance.
They need to cash him in before spring training starts. I don't expect a "haul" but I do expect a prospect with a high ceiling and a wild card or two in return. This is the smart move. IMO.