ramfandan wrote: ↑30 Dec 2025 07:50 am
From reports, Mariners/Cardinals have had ‘lengthy’ trade discussions but thus far Seattle unwilling to include a MLB starting type pitcher in the deal though they appear to be wiling to part ways with a top prospect switch-pitcher Cjntje.
Possibly Bloom could bring a 3rd team into the mix who has a key player that Bloom would want added to the deal and have Seattle send a trade piece to that team so Bloom gets the added player he desires.
3-way blockbuster trades do happen in MLB.
Maybe Bloom could orchestrate one to get his ‘haul’ for Donovan.
PS Not only does Donovan go to Seattle but another Cardinal player could be involved to the 3rd team.
There is no logjam between STL and SEA.
Bloom is negotiating with multiple teams right now - and those conversations are complicated by the fact that many of those teams are also in talks regarding Bregman, Marte, Bichette, Suarez, Arraez, Okamoto, and others.
The market for Donovan is far from being sorted out currently.
Bloom has no requirement to settle any negotiations with Seattle at this time.
He can do so at the time of his choosing.
Reminds me of that OldRed OP from like 2 weeks ago. The title was like “Maybe teams don’t want any Cardinal players” because it had been like 10 days since a trade.
Your post is on point. There are a lot of moving parts, and STL/Seattle are in no hurry to get this done NOW.
ramfandan wrote: ↑30 Dec 2025 07:50 am
From reports, Mariners/Cardinals have had ‘lengthy’ trade discussions but thus far Seattle unwilling to include a MLB starting type pitcher in the deal though they appear to be wiling to part ways with a top prospect switch-pitcher Cjntje.
Possibly Bloom could bring a 3rd team into the mix who has a key player that Bloom would want added to the deal and have Seattle send a trade piece to that team so Bloom gets the added player he desires.
3-way blockbuster trades do happen in MLB.
Maybe Bloom could orchestrate one to get his ‘haul’ for Donovan.
PS Not only does Donovan go to Seattle but another Cardinal player could be involved to the 3rd team.
My take. The team is following the Dodgers model of hoarding pitchers. Dodgers had more starters on IL than we have starting.
Fresh healthy power arms is where he is headed. Means starters innings will be limited. That’s good. Staff is young, so they go 5-6 innings, bring in the power.
This only really works if we can get a lead during those 5-6 innings.
A. can the starters limit the damage until we get to the power arms
b. can this lineup produce runs AT ALL?
ramfandan wrote: ↑30 Dec 2025 07:50 am
From reports, Mariners/Cardinals have had ‘lengthy’ trade discussions but thus far Seattle unwilling to include a MLB starting type pitcher in the deal though they appear to be wiling to part ways with a top prospect switch-pitcher Cjntje.
Possibly Bloom could bring a 3rd team into the mix who has a key player that Bloom would want added to the deal and have Seattle send a trade piece to that team so Bloom gets the added player he desires.
3-way blockbuster trades do happen in MLB.
Maybe Bloom could orchestrate one to get his ‘haul’ for Donovan.
PS Not only does Donovan go to Seattle but another Cardinal player could be involved to the 3rd team.
My take. The team is following the Dodgers model of hoarding pitchers. Dodgers had more starters on IL than we have starting.
Fresh healthy power arms is where he is headed. Means starters innings will be limited. That’s good. Staff is young, so they go 5-6 innings, bring in the power.
This only really works if we can get a lead during those 5-6 innings.
A. can the starters limit the damage until we get to the power arms
b. can this lineup produce runs AT ALL?
You don’t need a lead. You just need to be ‘close.’
ramfandan wrote: ↑30 Dec 2025 07:50 am
From reports, Mariners/Cardinals have had ‘lengthy’ trade discussions but thus far Seattle unwilling to include a MLB starting type pitcher in the deal though they appear to be wiling to part ways with a top prospect switch-pitcher Cjntje.
Possibly Bloom could bring a 3rd team into the mix who has a key player that Bloom would want added to the deal and have Seattle send a trade piece to that team so Bloom gets the added player he desires.
3-way blockbuster trades do happen in MLB.
Maybe Bloom could orchestrate one to get his ‘haul’ for Donovan.
PS Not only does Donovan go to Seattle but another Cardinal player could be involved to the 3rd team.
My take. The team is following the Dodgers model of hoarding pitchers. Dodgers had more starters on IL than we have starting.
Fresh healthy power arms is where he is headed. Means starters innings will be limited. That’s good. Staff is young, so they go 5-6 innings, bring in the power.
This only really works if we can get a lead during those 5-6 innings.
A. can the starters limit the damage until we get to the power arms
b. can this lineup produce runs AT ALL?
You don’t need a lead. You just need to be ‘close.’
Assuming we get some clutch hitters who can break thru against other teams top relief arms.
scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑30 Dec 2025 08:29 am
Is a Hurdy Gurdy trade a blockbuster?
For the Cardinals he is. Especially if Romero and possible minor league players are added to the deal.
But we get your point!
Why not one of our prized catchers. We only have 5 ish.
we have 2. Jury is out on Rainiel. As improved as he was last year, his bar was very, very low entering 2025. He has a ways to go before he gets into the conversation with Bernal and Crooks defensively. And he doesn't have to, his bat is what will play.
Pages, Pozo, and Herrera aren't prized catchers. Pages is the best of that bunch. The pitching staff is highly comfortable with him. You need your other positions to pick up the slack offensively
Only in our minds do we have a plethora of prized catchers. LHP...yes, there are too many in our system....that's your current and future trade pieces.
Nice write. Ok. We have two prized. Remove Herrera as he goes to left or DH. So we have two, pozo, and raniel.
Wouldn’t one of the two with Donovan push the needle whatsoever. If not- Crooks or Pages will.
I get what your inferring, Sikes....but Pozo won't ever move the needle on a trade. He wouldn't put it over the top. Maybe, and I'm stretching here, but maybe Pages could. However, I feel Pages is important to the pitching staff in 2026. After 2026, trade him. As much as I believe Crooks is an above average catcher with a good arm, I don't want him taking the entire load of catching responsibilities in 2026...not even half...at least to start the year. If it works out that he takes 3/4 because of his play, then come the trade deadline move Pages. For now....I trust Pages with the pitching staff. We need to move off Pages' bat as a measuring stick to his quality as a catcher...we're not striving to compete right now, we're rebuilding...and the Pitching staff is more important than our offensive frustrations. Get on the OF to pick up Pages slack in the lineup.
Pages bat is just fine if he is the best option defensively. If he can be a .230 hitter with 15 HRs and 50-60ish rbis and play above average defense, the he should stick.
IMHO, I don't know why St Louis would insist on MLB-ready starting pitching.
They should gladly accept good pitching prospects (or outfield prospects) who won't be MLB ready until late 2027 or even later.
They have quite a few #5 starters now after adding May, Dobbins, Fitts. They don't care if they they are mostly below average MLB pitchers in 2026-27; they at least can cover the innings.
What Mel said... There are a lot of balls in the air right now and it will sort out by ST. He doesn't have to trade Donovan. It is not a situation where he is some clubhouse cancer or vastly overpaid contract. It will sort. Patience....
ramfandan wrote: ↑30 Dec 2025 07:50 am
From reports, Mariners/Cardinals have had ‘lengthy’ trade discussions but thus far Seattle unwilling to include a MLB starting type pitcher in the deal though they appear to be wiling to part ways with a top prospect switch-pitcher Cjntje.
Possibly Bloom could bring a 3rd team into the mix who has a key player that Bloom would want added to the deal and have Seattle send a trade piece to that team so Bloom gets the added player he desires.
3-way blockbuster trades do happen in MLB.
Maybe Bloom could orchestrate one to get his ‘haul’ for Donovan.
PS Not only does Donovan go to Seattle but another Cardinal player could be involved to the 3rd team.
We find out how good Bloom is now. 6 weeks until pitchers and catchers report.
