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Whatashame wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025 19:51 pm These scenarios are I guess fun to talk about but they are just that. That Dodgers trade idea was a CT invention because someone went to BTV and concocted it. IF that trade was available to us how many here believe that it wouldn’t have already happened. The third Boston trade idea was also a CT concoction using BTV. I guess they are fun to think about but we shouldn’t take them too seriously.

Patience is a virtue and I don’t have a lot of it but all we can do is wait and see what happens. I hope the market for Donovan is what is being proposed on here. If we get a starting pitcher, a starting 3B, a starting outfielder plus a good pitching prospect from the Dodgers for Donovan + then sign me up but we should realize that these “proposals” are CT inventions with little supporting evidence.

The only evidence we kinda have was the Woo article that said that Seattle and SF were the front runners for Donovan and she mentioned the players she heard were involved in those discussions. The SF proposal wasn’t very good. The Seattle proposal was interesting but most wanted a little more. As tough as it is to wait and see, it’s all we can do.

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 15:42 pm

Whatashame wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025 19:51 pm These scenarios are I guess fun to talk about but they are just that. That Dodgers trade idea was a CT invention because someone went to BTV and concocted it. IF that trade was available to us how many here believe that it wouldn’t have already happened. The third Boston trade idea was also a CT concoction using BTV. I guess they are fun to think about but we shouldn’t take them too seriously.

Patience is a virtue and I don’t have a lot of it but all we can do is wait and see what happens. I hope the market for Donovan is what is being proposed on here. If we get a starting pitcher, a starting 3B, a starting outfielder plus a good pitching prospect from the Dodgers for Donovan + then sign me up but we should realize that these “proposals” are CT inventions with little supporting evidence.

The only evidence we kinda have was the Woo article that said that Seattle and SF were the front runners for Donovan and she mentioned the players she heard were involved in those discussions. The SF proposal wasn’t very good. The Seattle proposal was interesting but most wanted a little more. As tough as it is to wait and see, it’s all we can do.

What is BTV?

cardinalsfan27 wrote: ↑27 Dec 2025 14:57 pm Call up the Dodgers and see if they’d want Donny and JoJo for Andy Pages. Trade Pedro Pages or Crooks, Nado and $10 million to Philly for Alec Bohm. Sign Randall Grichuk to be the 4th OFer and play against lefties. Sign one of John Means or Tyler Mahle to flip for prospects at the deadline. Sign a lefty reliever, one of Joey Lucchesi or Danny Coulombe. Start Walker in AAA.

Catcher: Herrera/Crooks or Pages
1st: Burly/Gorman
2nd: JJ/Gorman
3rd: Bohm/Gorman
SS: Winn
LF: Noot
CF: Victor Scott
RF: Pages
DH: Gorman/Bohm

1. Grichuk (corner OF/DH)
2. Crooks
3. Saggese (2nd, 3rd, SS)
4. Fermin

1. May
2. Means/Mahle
3. Libby
4. McGreevy
5. Leahy/Fitts (Dobbins when he’s back from injury)

LR: Pallante
LR: Graceffo
MR: Fernandez
MR: Pushard
MR: Leahy/Fitts
SU: Lucchesi or Coulombe
SU: O’Brien/Svanson
CL: O’Brien/Svanson

If they aren’t in the race at the deadline then trade Bohm, Noot, May, Means/Mahle and Lucchesi/Coulombe for prospects to make way for whoever’s ready to take their spots.

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 12:43 pm

2ninr wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 12:07 pm

Cardinalss4Ever wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 10:32 am

2ninr wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025 19:30 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025 18:07 pm

2ninr wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025 17:03 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑28 Dec 2025 09:31 am You all don't want to read about all the things I would be looking into yet this offseason!

Au contraire monsieur

At this writing there are 46 days until pitchers and catchers report, and 50 days until full squad workouts begin. If I’m completing the offseason my way, I’m still talking with all the teams seeing what moves can be made.

If I were given only one move to make, it would be this: Brendan Donovan (32.5), Lars Nootbaar (11.9), and JoJo Romero (4.1) to the Dodgers for Mike Sirota (21.4), River Ryan (14., Alex Freeland (5.5), and Adam Serwinowski (4.5). Sirota (all 3 OF spots) would go to AA, Ryan would go into the ML rotation, Freeland would be the starting 3B, or play a utility role for now, and Serwinowski would go to AA where he would compete with Clarke, Doyle, and maybe Tanner Franklin to see who can throw a baseball through a wall first. This does address each area the Dodgers need without giving up anyone they will ever miss. This move alone would be a good offseason for the Cardinals, but deals are tough to do and it probably won’t happen. (The thread is allowing me to do things my way though, and I’ve tried to be fair)
If that can’t be arranged, I would ask the following teams about Donovan:
Boston for Kyson Witherspoon and Marcus Phillips
Seattle for Jurrangelo Cijntje and ___________.
Detroit for Josue Briceno and Franyerber Montilla.
Kansas City for ________.

Who else? I’m not determined to trade Alec Burleson (21.5), but would ask the Mets about him for Carson Benge (23.3). I tossed around the idea with Craviduce awhile back about this and potentially even giving up our Round A Comp pick to do this. Benge is a ML ready OF who plays primarily CF, but could go to a corner.

If Nootbaar can’t go to LA, I would ask around. There are teams needing OF help.
Texas for RHP Caden Scarborough. Ready for AA.
Tampa for ________.
Pittsburgh for LHP Hunter Barco.

Arenado to the Diamondbacks, Angels, Athletics, or Mariners.

There is too much undecided here to say exactly what the 26 man roster would be.

The Pitching
Rotation of Liberatore, May, McGreevy, Ryan if we can get him, and a free agent. I would try to sign either Quintana, or Mahle. Probably Quintana because he has been more durable. Not instead of, but in addition to, I would inquire about signing Jordan Montgomery to a 1 year 1-2M deal with incentives. He won’t pitch until June or July, but by then we may have injuries (May?), or a pitcher like Ryan or Leahy may be on an innings limit. Since, I’m completing the offseason my way, I’m figuring on Leahy in the bullpen, Fitts and/or Dobbs as multi inning reliever/spot starters, and Pallante will be mercifully re-homed.

Position player signings:
Randall Grichuck was mentioned and he makes a ton of sense. Mike Tauchmann is a LHH OF who can play all 3 spots. He would give some lineup options as well.

Other players I am open to moving; Andre Pallante, Jimmy Crooks or Pedro Pages, Nolan Gorman, Cesar Prieto, Pete Hansen, Chase Davis, and maybe even Ixan Henderson for the right package.

My wild guess;
C- Herrera, Pages/Crooks
1B-
2B-Wetherholt
SS- Winn
3B-Freeland
LF- Herrera, Grichuck, Tauchmann
CF- Scott
RF- Walker
Rotation; Liberatore, May, Quintana, McGreevy, Ryan, Montgomery
Bullpen; Svanson, O’Brien, Fitts, Dobbs, Z Thompson, LHRP, Graceffo, ________

Of course I like the trade with the Dodgers. Now find Arenado a home and we are good.

Burleson + throw in for Carson Benge, yes please.

Combo platter for Andy Pages, again, yes please.

Other Ideas

Noot plus Crooks
Tampa Bay Rays
#14 - Brailer Gurrero OF - Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 50
+ Round B Comp Balance pick

Texas Rangers
#6 - Alejandro Rosario - RHP - Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Splitter: 60 | Control: 60 | Overall: 45
#19 - Paulino Santana - OF- Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 60 | Arm: 45 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Donovan & Romero
Detroit Tigers
#4 - Bryce Rainer - SS/3B - Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 55 | Arm: 70 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55


Seattle Mariners
#4 Ryan Sloan - RHP - Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 55 | Overall: 55
+ Round A comp balance pick

Yes yes yes. Clearly theres deals we would like. How did Rosario go to a 45 oa with all the rest better?

I would love to have Alejandro Rosario in the system, however for now he is recovering from TJ surgery and is not expected to pitch this season.

BleedingBleu wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 17:03 pm

cardinalsfan27 wrote: ↑27 Dec 2025 14:57 pm Call up the Dodgers and see if they’d want Donny and JoJo for Andy Pages. Trade Pedro Pages or Crooks, Nado and $10 million to Philly for Alec Bohm. Sign Randall Grichuk to be the 4th OFer and play against lefties. Sign one of John Means or Tyler Mahle to flip for prospects at the deadline. Sign a lefty reliever, one of Joey Lucchesi or Danny Coulombe. Start Walker in AAA.

Catcher: Herrera/Crooks or Pages
1st: Burly/Gorman
2nd: JJ/Gorman
3rd: Bohm/Gorman
SS: Winn
LF: Noot
CF: Victor Scott
RF: Pages
DH: Gorman/Bohm

1. Grichuk (corner OF/DH)
2. Crooks
3. Saggese (2nd, 3rd, SS)
4. Fermin

1. May
2. Means/Mahle
3. Libby
4. McGreevy
5. Leahy/Fitts (Dobbins when he’s back from injury)

LR: Pallante
LR: Graceffo
MR: Fernandez
MR: Pushard
MR: Leahy/Fitts
SU: Lucchesi or Coulombe
SU: O’Brien/Svanson
CL: O’Brien/Svanson

If they aren’t in the race at the deadline then trade Bohm, Noot, May, Means/Mahle and Lucchesi/Coulombe for prospects to make way for whoever’s ready to take their spots.

I like Andy Pages, but what should we take from the fact he is absolutely terrible in the Playoffs?

.114/.151/.214/.365 w/17 SO in 24 Playoff Games.

Sure, lots of experience before the age of 25 and he was very good last season. However, he is surrounded by studs and his value may have peaked?

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑27 Dec 2025 14:04 pm Mine is to trade Pages and Arenado for the best prospects I can get.

Sign Harrison Bader to be our 4th outfielder / Right Hander that hits lefties well
Sign Max Scherzer on a one year contract to provide the pitching staff veteran leadership and an old bulldog mentality.
Keep Jo Jo Romero and Brendan Donovan.


2025 Roster - Play Off Potential

SP - Liberatore
SP - May
SP - Scherzer
SP - McGreevy
SP - Gibbons
Depth
(Fitts, Pallante, Leahy, Matthews, Clarke, Doyle )

BP - Swanson
BP - Romero
BP - O’Brien
BP - Leahy
BP - Graceffo
BP - Raquel
BP - Thompson
BP - Pallante


C - Herrera
1B - Burleson
2B - Wetherholt
3B - Donovan
SS - Winn
LF - Nootbaar
CF - Scott
RF - Walker
DH - Gorman / Bader

Bench
Bader, Saggase, Fermin, Prieto

Cardly wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 19:52 pm So Nootbar is not in top trade shape right now. Heels…
Arenado is not a hot commodity after a down year.
Jojo - why trade if you are going out to sign Chafin or someone like that to replace? I guess you get a prospect for Jojo…then add Chafin and deal him at the deadline for another tee ball boy.
Donovan - the Mariners won’t blink. Should the Cards revisit Boston? How about keeping until the deadline?

Could be a boring rest of the winter! All blow and no show!

BleedingBleu wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 18:06 pm

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑27 Dec 2025 14:04 pm Mine is to trade Pages and Arenado for the best prospects I can get.

Sign Harrison Bader to be our 4th outfielder / Right Hander that hits lefties well
Sign Max Scherzer on a one year contract to provide the pitching staff veteran leadership and an old bulldog mentality.
Keep Jo Jo Romero and Brendan Donovan.


2025 Roster - Play Off Potential

SP - Liberatore
SP - May
SP - Scherzer
SP - McGreevy
SP - Gibbons
Depth
(Fitts, Pallante, Leahy, Matthews, Clarke, Doyle )

BP - Swanson
BP - Romero
BP - O’Brien
BP - Leahy
BP - Graceffo
BP - Raquel
BP - Thompson
BP - Pallante


C - Herrera
1B - Burleson
2B - Wetherholt
3B - Donovan
SS - Winn
LF - Nootbaar
CF - Scott
RF - Walker
DH - Gorman / Bader

Bench
Bader, Saggase, Fermin, Prieto

I can certainly respect the idea of Max Scherzer joining the Pitching Staff, but it’s league minimum with a chance to flip at the Deadline.

Have him be a glorified instructor at Spring Training. Give the fans someone to root for at Home. Limit his Starts to just at those at Home. Then, move him to open up his Roster Spot for a deserving MiLB Promotion.

Bushiro wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 20:59 pm Trade Donovan and jojo for the best package bloom can get
Trade Arenado but don't give him away
Sign Quintana
Dangle Liberatore...and see what young RH power hitting OF might be available ..
Burleson and ? for benge

Cardinals1964 wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 23:04 pm

Bushiro wrote: ↑29 Dec 2025 20:59 pm Trade Donovan and jojo for the best package bloom can get
Trade Arenado but don't give him away
Sign Quintana
Dangle Liberatore...and see what young RH power hitting OF might be available ..
Burleson and ? for benge

They don’t need any return on Arenado. They need rid of him and will have to pay to do it.
Are you talking about Jose Quintana? Why? Why trade Sonny Gray and then want Quintana? Then you want trade a young Libatore? Lmfao.

cardinalsfan27 wrote: ↑27 Dec 2025 14:57 pm Call up the Dodgers and see if they’d want Donny and JoJo for Andy Pages. Trade Pedro Pages or Crooks, Nado and $10 million to Philly for Alec Bohm. Sign Randall Grichuk to be the 4th OFer and play against lefties. Sign one of John Means or Tyler Mahle to flip for prospects at the deadline. Sign a lefty reliever, one of Joey Lucchesi or Danny Coulombe. Start Walker in AAA.

Catcher: Herrera/Crooks or Pages
1st: Burly/Gorman
2nd: JJ/Gorman
3rd: Bohm/Gorman
SS: Winn
LF: Noot
CF: Victor Scott
RF: Pages
DH: Gorman/Bohm

1. Grichuk (corner OF/DH)
2. Crooks
3. Saggese (2nd, 3rd, SS)
4. Fermin

1. May
2. Means/Mahle
3. Libby
4. McGreevy
5. Leahy/Fitts (Dobbins when he’s back from injury)

LR: Pallante
LR: Graceffo
MR: Fernandez
MR: Pushard
MR: Leahy/Fitts
SU: Lucchesi or Coulombe
SU: O’Brien/Svanson
CL: O’Brien/Svanson

If they aren’t in the race at the deadline then trade Bohm, Noot, May, Means/Mahle and Lucchesi/Coulombe for prospects to make way for whoever’s ready to take their spots.