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TopofthePerch wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 07:53 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 07:40 am

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 07:37 am

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

I think it's less of a logjam than you might think. Pages is a backup, period. Herrera is iffy to even stick at catcher. Crooks is young and has a lot of potential, but it's no guarantee he is anything other than a backup either. And in today's it's a 60-40 to 50-50 split. The days of the ironman catcher are over.

I think you can pretty easily carry all three, mainly because of Herrera. I think he's your best candidate to DH if he isn't catching. Even if he does catch, you can do some kind of rotation where he and Crooks get into the rotation. And although I am trying to stay positive on Herrera's ability to catch, it's far from guaranteed. And if he can't, problem solved.

Or just trade Pages. Not sure if he has options, but you can also send him down. You have Pozo catching in Memphis, so he's a fine backup if Pages is not on the team and one of Crooks or Herrera get hurt. I like Pages as a backup, but he's easily the most disposable of the three.

Nice write. I think Pages hits ok. Wanna trade? Him and Romero would pair nicely. Then the logjam eases.

I completely agree and with the news that Nootbar is close to ready for opening day makes me think you should float interest in him out there. Maybe they can make something work with those pieces to help bloom add what he is looking for

bccardsfan wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:18 pm

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

We are deepest and catcher and middle infielders. Romero and a catching prospect is certainly possible. Not sure what you would get that would really help. I suppose you might get a AAA OF prospect ready to get a shot at the show. That is what we need. You will not get a proven starting major league OFer worth a lot, unless they are in the walk year.

ecleme22 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 07:17 am

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

I think it's a tad early to have anxiety about young catchers.

Maybe Bloom gets an offer he can't refuse. But I'm guessing he doesn't have the same "blocking!" anxiety Mo did, which was the primary rationale behind the Randy trade, and played a part in the Gallen/Sandy trade.

Clubmaker2 wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 08:21 am you have more catchers than MLB playing time for the next 3 years, and maybe only one outfielder for 3 spots.....If your talent evaluation is so bad you cant trade what you have too much of for what you have way to little of, then just close up show and learn to make coffees.

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 23:20 pm

Melville wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:32 pm

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:20 pm

bccardsfan wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:18 pm

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

We are deepest and catcher and middle infielders. Romero and a catching prospect is certainly possible. Not sure what you would get that would really help. I suppose you might get a AAA OF prospect ready to get a shot at the show. That is what we need. You will not get a proven starting major league OFer worth a lot, unless they are in the walk year.

Yeah I'm just trying to figure out the logjam at catcher now that they're determined Herrera will catch.

They are not determined to have Herrera catch.
At most, Bloom will give him a courtesy look - with no real intention of Herrera sticking.

Then why do it?

It makes no sense unless Herrera has made it known he doesn't want to be relegated to DHing 80% of the time.

As far as I know he hasn't been using an OFers glove in the off season getting tutelage there so what is the end game here and shouldn't there be a definitive plan for perhaps the best RH bat in the organization at this time?

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 23:20 pm

Melville wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:32 pm

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:20 pm

bccardsfan wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:18 pm

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

We are deepest and catcher and middle infielders. Romero and a catching prospect is certainly possible. Not sure what you would get that would really help. I suppose you might get a AAA OF prospect ready to get a shot at the show. That is what we need. You will not get a proven starting major league OFer worth a lot, unless they are in the walk year.

Yeah I'm just trying to figure out the logjam at catcher now that they're determined Herrera will catch.

They are not determined to have Herrera catch.
At most, Bloom will give him a courtesy look - with no real intention of Herrera sticking.

Then why do it?

It makes no sense unless Herrera has made it known he doesn't want to be relegated to DHing 80% of the time.

As far as I know he hasn't been using an OFers glove in the off season getting tutelage there so what is the end game here and shouldn't there be a definitive plan for perhaps the best RH bat in the organization at this time?

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 07:37 am

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

I think it's less of a logjam than you might think. Pages is a backup, period. Herrera is iffy to even stick at catcher. Crooks is young and has a lot of potential, but it's no guarantee he is anything other than a backup either. And in today's it's a 60-40 to 50-50 split. The days of the ironman catcher are over.

I think you can pretty easily carry all three, mainly because of Herrera. I think he's your best candidate to DH if he isn't catching. Even if he does catch, you can do some kind of rotation where he and Crooks get into the rotation. And although I am trying to stay positive on Herrera's ability to catch, it's far from guaranteed. And if he can't, problem solved.

Or just trade Pages. Not sure if he has options, but you can also send him down. You have Pozo catching in Memphis, so he's a fine backup if Pages is not on the team and one of Crooks or Herrera get hurt. I like Pages as a backup, but he's easily the most disposable of the three.

11WSChamps wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 08:38 am

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 07:37 am

11WSChamps wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 22:15 pm One of the young catchers? Maybe package one of them with Romero?

Where are they all going to play and get AB's?

Do we carry Herrera, Pages and one other catcher out of camp?

I think it's less of a logjam than you might think. Pages is a backup, period. Herrera is iffy to even stick at catcher. Crooks is young and has a lot of potential, but it's no guarantee he is anything other than a backup either. And in today's it's a 60-40 to 50-50 split. The days of the ironman catcher are over.

I think you can pretty easily carry all three, mainly because of Herrera. I think he's your best candidate to DH if he isn't catching. Even if he does catch, you can do some kind of rotation where he and Crooks get into the rotation. And although I am trying to stay positive on Herrera's ability to catch, it's far from guaranteed. And if he can't, problem solved.

Or just trade Pages. Not sure if he has options, but you can also send him down. You have Pozo catching in Memphis, so he's a fine backup if Pages is not on the team and one of Crooks or Herrera get hurt. I like Pages as a backup, but he's easily the most disposable of the three.

Five will get you ten when the smoke clears Pages will wind up doing the bulk of the catching at least the first half of the season.

The Cardinals love this guy and you can see a connection with his teammates.

I understand Bloom doesn't have to trade anyone but you can almost count on Pages sticking around and being one of the two guys whoever that will be who gets a good share of playing time.

ramfandan wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 21:36 pm Many at camp believe Chaim has at least one more move this spring. Of course, most speculation goes to JoJo Romero .
In one article I read, it was discussed whether a trade would be better at the 'deadline' vs. prior to the season.
A case for trading him now was that relievers can be quite volatile in their perfromance from year to year (they remember Helsley slump) and of course injury risk factors into the decision also. JoJo had a lot of ground balls for outs n 2025 . Sometimes those same grounders the next year find the holes rather than the gloves at a high rate .
Thus some feel trade JoJo while he is both healthy and coming off a very good 2025.
If not JoJo , do you think Chaim has any other player he would trade prior to March ?

RunSup wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 09:29 am A 3-way,...

Noot shows he is close. Then,...
Noot to Houston for Paredes
Paredes to Boston for Witherspoon
Add whatever fluff to make that happen.

Then deal Romero for ML ready outfield depth

Bloom doesn't talk to me.

11WSChamps wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 08:38 amFive will get you ten when the smoke clears Pages will wind up doing the bulk of the catching at least the first half of the season.

The Cardinals love this guy and you can see a connection with his teammates.

I understand Bloom doesn't have to trade anyone but you can almost count on Pages sticking around and being one of the two guys whoever that will be who gets a good share of playing time.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑13 Feb 2026 08:58 am

ramfandan wrote: ↑12 Feb 2026 21:36 pm Many at camp believe Chaim has at least one more move this spring. Of course, most speculation goes to JoJo Romero .
In one article I read, it was discussed whether a trade would be better at the 'deadline' vs. prior to the season.
A case for trading him now was that relievers can be quite volatile in their perfromance from year to year (they remember Helsley slump) and of course injury risk factors into the decision also. JoJo had a lot of ground balls for outs n 2025 . Sometimes those same grounders the next year find the holes rather than the gloves at a high rate .
Thus some feel trade JoJo while he is both healthy and coming off a very good 2025.
If not JoJo , do you think Chaim has any other player he would trade prior to March ?

I've been saying this a lot but it's my belief that JoJo is a solo deal won't being back a prospect who will ever make an impact here.

I'd keep him, then possibly bundle him mid season w/...Noot?...or Pages? for a better return.

If I'm Bloom, then I'm not dealing him in a solo deal unless some team bowls me over w/their offer.