Bloom does have some trade chips at catcher

[Melville]

If a team is looking to trade for an established major league catcher, then Pages would be the most likely. If Herrera shows over the winter that he is capable of being the starting catcher, I think the Cards would trade Pages. Crooks will get some starts when Herrera DH. Cards could also keep Pozo as a reserve catcher. I don't think Bloom will trade the switch hitting catcher Bernal who is one of the best young prospects in the organization and one of the best catcher prospects in all of baseball.

I don't think he will either.
But it would be the right move if it brought the necessary quality starting pitcher or outfielder in return.

[Jobu's Rum]

If a team is looking to trade for an established major league catcher, then Pages would be the most likely. If Herrera shows over the winter that he is capable of being the starting catcher, I think the Cards would trade Pages. Crooks will get some starts when Herrera DH. Cards could also keep Pozo as a reserve catcher. I don't think Bloom will trade the switch hitting catcher Bernal who is one of the best young prospects in the organization and one of the best catcher prospects in all of baseball.

I don't think he will either.
But it would be the right move if it brought the necessary quality starting pitcher or outfielder in return.

Unless its Paul Skenes, trading Bernal isnt worth it

[2ninr]

If a team is looking to trade for an established major league catcher, then Pages would be the most likely. If Herrera shows over the winter that he is capable of being the starting catcher, I think the Cards would trade Pages. Crooks will get some starts when Herrera DH. Cards could also keep Pozo as a reserve catcher. I don't think Bloom will trade the switch hitting catcher Bernal who is one of the best young prospects in the organization and one of the best catcher prospects in all of baseball.

I don't think he will either.
But it would be the right move if it brought the necessary quality starting pitcher or outfielder in return.

The ONLY reason Bloom would trade Bernal is if he doesn’t evaluate him as highly as everyone else.

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

If a team is looking to trade for an established major league catcher, then Pages would be the most likely. If Herrera shows over the winter that he is capable of being the starting catcher, I think the Cards would trade Pages. Crooks will get some starts when Herrera DH. Cards could also keep Pozo as a reserve catcher. I don't think Bloom will trade the switch hitting catcher Bernal who is one of the best young prospects in the organization and one of the best catcher prospects in all of baseball.

I don't think he will either.
But it would be the right move if it brought the necessary quality starting pitcher or outfielder in return.

The ONLY reason Bloom would trade Bernal is if he doesn’t evaluate him as highly as everyone else.

100% - No reason to trade him. I would think they want to trade the guys who have the most trade value and whose service time has started.

[Hoosier59]

Here’s my take on the Cardinals’ catching situation, and it’s pure speculation on my part.
Herrera wants to catch, and he showed this past season to be one of their best offensive players, especially hitting right handed. So, it can’t hurt the team to give him that opportunity, but if he doesn’t work out there, there needs to be a secondary plan. Maybe he continues to DH some, maybe play some LF, maybe some 1st base, if Contreras is traded, or a combination of them all. His bat is needed, so they will find someplace for him to play.
Pages is valued by the team. To me he's a perfect secondary catcher, but he can hold down the position until one of the younger guys steps forward. There’s a possibility another team might also value him and so he could be included in a trade. He probably won’t bring back a lot on his own but added in a package he could sweeten the return.
Pozo had some big pinch hits, but not so much when he started. His catching isn’t strong either. He’s a cool story, but that only goes so far. I’m not sure he figures into their future plans.
Crooks is a good defensive catcher, and has produced runs in the minors. He struggled in his brief call up, I don’t consider that to be his norm. With him hitting left handed, I could see some kind of a platoon next year with him sharing catching duties with either Pages, or Herrera. I do believe he will eventually hit and be a pretty good RBI man.
Bernal had somewhat of a down year offensively and they probably would like to give him another year at AA to see if he doesn’t rebound some.
Drod is really young, but has a lot of promise. He could be their future behind the plate, but that’s a few years down the road, most likely.
If a catcher is traded, it will most likely be either Pages, or Crooks, but that’s probably only if they think Herrera can handle the job.

[thetank2]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/ca ... 00cbd&ei=5

Took a great mind to figure out that the Cards have some good catching prospects. I mean it's just been mentioned a few thousand times in past few months.

The topic is regarding potential "trade chips", dip.

Everyone on the team is a potential trade chip, you dip. My comment, which you must not understand was that you are just bringing up the same old crud. over and over, hey that's a new name for , the stuck record dips...

Let me simplify the OP topic for you. So how would you handle the current catcher situation? Who stays, who do you try to use a a trade chip/chips in the off season? No article or past discussion involved. Just your personal opinion.

I'm going to the local food truck that is selling bbq today

[TheFantasyStud]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

[Melville]

Here’s my take on the Cardinals’ catching situation, and it’s pure speculation on my part.
Herrera wants to catch, and he showed this past season to be one of their best offensive players, especially hitting right handed. So, it can’t hurt the team to give him that opportunity, but if he doesn’t work out there, there needs to be a secondary plan. Maybe he continues to DH some, maybe play some LF, maybe some 1st base, if Contreras is traded, or a combination of them all. His bat is needed, so they will find someplace for him to play.
Pages is valued by the team. To me he's a perfect secondary catcher, but he can hold down the position until one of the younger guys steps forward. There’s a possibility another team might also value him and so he could be included in a trade. He probably won’t bring back a lot on his own but added in a package he could sweeten the return.
Pozo had some big pinch hits, but not so much when he started. His catching isn’t strong either. He’s a cool story, but that only goes so far. I’m not sure he figures into their future plans.
Crooks is a good defensive catcher, and has produced runs in the minors. He struggled in his brief call up, I don’t consider that to be his norm. With him hitting left handed, I could see some kind of a platoon next year with him sharing catching duties with either Pages, or Herrera. I do believe he will eventually hit and be a pretty good RBI man.
Bernal had somewhat of a down year offensively and they probably would like to give him another year at AA to see if he doesn’t rebound some.
Drod is really young, but has a lot of promise. He could be their future behind the plate, but that’s a few years down the road, most likely.
If a catcher is traded, it will most likely be either Pages, or Crooks, but that’s probably only if they think Herrera can handle the job.

The pitching staff kicked Herrera out from behind the plate each of the last 2 years - and it took only a month each time.
The pitching staff will do it again in 2026 if STL tries to force Herrera into the job yet another time.
It is extremely unlikely the team will do so.
He has thrown own a laughably bad 6 attempted baserunners in 81 chances.
He has a terrible reputation in game calling and pitch framing.
He has been a professional catcher for 9 years - and is nowhere near the minimum standard necessary for the role.
And since the Cardinals are currently planning to lean heavily on young pitchers next year it would be unthinkable to put them in the hands of Herrera.
Only a complete idiot would plan for Herrera to be the 2026 starter - and Bloom does not strike me as a complete idiot.
Odds are north of 90% that Pages/Crooks will be the primary tandem.
There really isn't much choice - unless they trade for another option (and yes, there may well be an interesting one available).

[Melville]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

So, you believe the Cardinals want to give Herrera a shot at being the primary starting catcher - hoping he will magically transform in his 10th professional year at the position?

[Talkin' Baseball]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

So, you believe the Cardinals want to give Herrera a shot at being the primary starting catcher - hoping he will magically transform in his 10th professional year at the position?

He is the new left fielder.

[Melville]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

So, you believe the Cardinals want to give Herrera a shot at being the primary starting catcher - hoping he will magically transform in his 10th professional year at the position?

He is the new left fielder.

We are in agreement that Herrera needs to attempt to become a LF.
Of course, I have been correctly saying that for the past 4 seasons and the Cardinals have not been bright enough to see the obvious.
What a waste of time, and incompetent display of roster management, it has been.
Hopefully Bloom is smarter than his predecessor.
It is an awfully low bar....

[Talkin' Baseball]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

So, you believe the Cardinals want to give Herrera a shot at being the primary starting catcher - hoping he will magically transform in his 10th professional year at the position?

He is the new left fielder.

We are in agreement that Herrera needs to attempt to become a LF.
Of course, I have been correctly saying that for the past 4 seasons and the Cardinals have not been bright enough to see the obvious.
What a waste of time, and incompetent display of roster management, it has been.
Hopefully Bloom is smarter than his predecessor.
It is an awfully low bar....

He needs to do more than try. He needs to succeed.
1) Catching is not an option.
2) He's too young to solely DH.
3) He's too athletic to solely DH.
4) No one on the roster should have DH as their primary position.

[Hoosier59]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

So, you believe the Cardinals want to give Herrera a shot at being the primary starting catcher - hoping he will magically transform in his 10th professional year at the position?

As I said, there needs to be a secondary plan. To the Cardinals, the secondary plan could be their #1 plan, but just placating Herrera until Spring training, when they tell him to go to left field. With all the young catching options there is no need to settle on an inferior option. 2026 is going to be another see what we have and development season, so there could be several different looks.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Trade Pages and Pozo
2026 Herrera / Crooks combo
2027 Crooks / Bernal combo

I think the Cardinals are going to give Herrera a shot to be a catcher this year. If it doesn’t work out they’ll know move him on to DH or another position next year and make room for Bernal.

Pages isn’t good enough as a defensive only catcher (Arm and blocked ball) to invest more time in.
Pozo needs coniditioning and a place to allow him time to see how his bat plays over a full season. We are not going to give him that.

So, you believe the Cardinals want to give Herrera a shot at being the primary starting catcher - hoping he will magically transform in his 10th professional year at the position?

As I said, there needs to be a secondary plan. To the Cardinals, the secondary plan could be their #1 plan, but just placating Herrera until Spring training, when they tell him to go to left field. With all the young catching options there is no need to settle on an inferior option. 2026 is going to be another see what we have and development season, so there could be several different looks.

Agree with all of this.