STLtoday.com

Posted: **19 Nov 2025 18:59 pm**

Melville wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:55 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 13:06 pm
ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:34 am
Banner29 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:24 am
Strummer Jones wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 09:30 am I'm a little surprised. But in a weird way it's encouraging.

Blaze was a pretty well known Bloom guy. Seems he's not letting favorites get in the way of roster decisions.
This is a good way to look at it. The only reason any of us know his name now is because he came through trade, which naturally makes any prospect stand out more. Had he been drafted by the Cardinals, high chance nobody here would even recognize the name and think anything of it.

Likely the rest of the league sees it that way and he doesn’t get picked up. Especially with hot not ready he is for big league at bats.

And even if he doesn’t get picked up the chances are he never amounts to much, and he just ends up being a guy traded for a 34 year old left reliever that all of us couldn’t wait to get rid of for most of his contract. Not exactly a premium prospect we squandered
I doubt the Matz trade was contract related.
According to Sporttrac the Sox were on the hook for $4M of Matz's 2025 salary. Given the state of the organization, this was certainly a money saving move by BDW/Mo.
Yes, of course.

Was part of it money? Yes. But I think the walk year/ getting prospects made the trade a no brainer. Even if he was only owed 250k.

Posted: **19 Nov 2025 19:03 pm**

ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:59 pm
Melville wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:55 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 13:06 pm
ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:34 am
Banner29 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:24 am
Strummer Jones wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 09:30 am I'm a little surprised. But in a weird way it's encouraging.

Blaze was a pretty well known Bloom guy. Seems he's not letting favorites get in the way of roster decisions.
This is a good way to look at it. The only reason any of us know his name now is because he came through trade, which naturally makes any prospect stand out more. Had he been drafted by the Cardinals, high chance nobody here would even recognize the name and think anything of it.

Likely the rest of the league sees it that way and he doesn’t get picked up. Especially with hot not ready he is for big league at bats.

And even if he doesn’t get picked up the chances are he never amounts to much, and he just ends up being a guy traded for a 34 year old left reliever that all of us couldn’t wait to get rid of for most of his contract. Not exactly a premium prospect we squandered
I doubt the Matz trade was contract related.
According to Sporttrac the Sox were on the hook for $4M of Matz's 2025 salary. Given the state of the organization, this was certainly a money saving move by BDW/Mo.
Yes, of course.
Was part of it money? Yes. But I think the walk year/ getting prospects made the trade a no brainer. Even if he was only owed 250k.

Money might have been a tiny part of it but vey tiny. Cardinals Weren’t winning anything he was in his walk year and he’s definitely not a guy you would want to invest in with an extension so like you said it’s a no brainer

Posted: **19 Nov 2025 20:17 pm**

ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:59 pm
Melville wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:55 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 13:06 pm
ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:34 am
Banner29 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:24 am
Strummer Jones wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 09:30 am I'm a little surprised. But in a weird way it's encouraging.

Blaze was a pretty well known Bloom guy. Seems he's not letting favorites get in the way of roster decisions.
This is a good way to look at it. The only reason any of us know his name now is because he came through trade, which naturally makes any prospect stand out more. Had he been drafted by the Cardinals, high chance nobody here would even recognize the name and think anything of it.

Likely the rest of the league sees it that way and he doesn’t get picked up. Especially with hot not ready he is for big league at bats.

And even if he doesn’t get picked up the chances are he never amounts to much, and he just ends up being a guy traded for a 34 year old left reliever that all of us couldn’t wait to get rid of for most of his contract. Not exactly a premium prospect we squandered
I doubt the Matz trade was contract related.
According to Sporttrac the Sox were on the hook for $4M of Matz's 2025 salary. Given the state of the organization, this was certainly a money saving move by BDW/Mo.
Yes, of course.
Was part of it money? Yes. But I think the walk year/ getting prospects made the trade a no brainer. Even if he was only owed 250k.

Agree that getting something is usually better than nothing.

Posted: **19 Nov 2025 20:23 pm**

Melville wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 20:17 pm
ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:59 pm
Melville wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 18:55 pm
Carp4Cy wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 13:06 pm
ecleme22 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:34 am
Banner29 wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 11:24 am
Strummer Jones wrote: ↑19 Nov 2025 09:30 am I'm a little surprised. But in a weird way it's encouraging.

Blaze was a pretty well known Bloom guy. Seems he's not letting favorites get in the way of roster decisions.
This is a good way to look at it. The only reason any of us know his name now is because he came through trade, which naturally makes any prospect stand out more. Had he been drafted by the Cardinals, high chance nobody here would even recognize the name and think anything of it.

Likely the rest of the league sees it that way and he doesn’t get picked up. Especially with hot not ready he is for big league at bats.

And even if he doesn’t get picked up the chances are he never amounts to much, and he just ends up being a guy traded for a 34 year old left reliever that all of us couldn’t wait to get rid of for most of his contract. Not exactly a premium prospect we squandered
I doubt the Matz trade was contract related.
According to Sporttrac the Sox were on the hook for $4M of Matz's 2025 salary. Given the state of the organization, this was certainly a money saving move by BDW/Mo.
Yes, of course.
Was part of it money? Yes. But I think the walk year/ getting prospects made the trade a no brainer. Even if he was only owed 250k.
Agree that getting something is usually better than nothing.

+1

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 16:01 pm**

https://redbirdrants.com/cardinals-pros ... s-decision

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 16:12 pm**

They protected Roycroft...that alone should tell you something...new boss, same as old boss. What people are ignoring is yes Jordan hit below .200 with the AAA Cards, but he drove in 37 runs in 41 games. He's producing nearly a run per game, that has to mean something. And he's only 22. Meanwhile Roycroft is 28 and can't pitch at the MLB level. If he is an important piece of your club then something is wrong with your club.

Will someone pick Jordan? Maybe...but if they don't you just alienated him for no reason. Did the Cards honestly believe someone would pick up Roycroft? Maybe for a pick-up BB game since he's like 10 foot tall, but he ain't no MLB pitcher.

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 16:47 pm**

Roycroft has been a head-scratcher for two years

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 17:01 pm**

Jordan Blaze has potential, just hasn't arrived yet. I am hoping he remains part of the Cards farm system for another year to better gage what he is. If he turns out a right hand power bat, with some corner infield skills, all the better.

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 17:31 pm**

82birds wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 16:47 pm Roycroft has been a head-scratcher for two years

Indeed. Why he is protected is beyond any of us....

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 18:19 pm**

wschreiber wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 17:01 pm Jordan Blaze has potential, just hasn't arrived yet. I am hoping he remains part of the Cards farm system for another year to better gage what he is. If he turns out a right hand power bat, with some corner infield skills, all the better.

^ well said, IMO

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 18:26 pm**

bccardsfan wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 17:31 pm
82birds wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 16:47 pm Roycroft has been a head-scratcher for two years
Indeed. Why he is protected is beyond any of us....

Guys get blinded by shiny things sometimes.
Velocity is the shiny object with
the thought of they'll make him better.

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 21:04 pm**

renostl wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 18:26 pm
bccardsfan wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 17:31 pm
82birds wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 16:47 pm Roycroft has been a head-scratcher for two years
Indeed. Why he is protected is beyond any of us....
Guys get blinded by shiny things sometimes.
Velocity is the shiny object with
the thought of they'll make him better.

Remember Michel Cleto...threw triple digits when it was rare, but had zero control and just couldn't pitch, he threw. Roycroft is a thrower, not a pitcher, except now everyone throws hard. He is easily the easiest pitcher to replace, yet for some reason Mo Jr. decided he's that important we can't risk losing him. I was thinking 2028-2029 when the Cards turn it around, but if the GM is thinking this way maybe early 2030s. This isn't a "(bleep) we should have protected Blaze", this is a "(bleep) why are we protecting Roycroft" rant...but that Blaze one will haunt us if he's picked, just the way it goes.

Posted: **20 Nov 2025 21:13 pm**

smilinjoefission wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 21:04 pm
renostl wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 18:26 pm
bccardsfan wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 17:31 pm
82birds wrote: ↑20 Nov 2025 16:47 pm Roycroft has been a head-scratcher for two years
Indeed. Why he is protected is beyond any of us....
Guys get blinded by shiny things sometimes.
Velocity is the shiny object with
the thought of they'll make him better.
Remember Michel Cleto...threw triple digits when it was rare, but had zero control and just couldn't pitch, he threw. Roycroft is a thrower, not a pitcher, except now everyone throws hard. He is easily the easiest pitcher to replace, yet for some reason Mo Jr. decided he's that important we can't risk losing him. I was thinking 2028-2029 when the Cards turn it around, but if the GM is thinking this way maybe early 2030s. This isn't a "(drat) we should have protected Blaze", this is a "(drat) why are we protecting Roycroft" rant...but that Blaze one will haunt us if he's picked, just the way it goes.

I had forgotten Cleto
for good reason

Posted: **21 Nov 2025 10:26 am**

Be interesting to see if someone gives Mike Antico a look. Had a .786 OPS despite playing in a lousy hitters park. Has borderline elite speed (181 milb steals and only 25 CS) and is a very good defensive outfielder. Could fit on someone's roster pretty well as a fourth outfielder/defensive replacement/pinch runner.

I wish the Cardinals had given him a real shot. I'm not sure he isn't a better option than VSII. Not quite the same speed, but a better hitter.

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