STLtoday.com

12xu wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:54 pm

Melville wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:58 pm And now, for a badly needed dose of reality.
Urias was dumped by 2 teams last season.
He landed, at age 31, in the dead-end Mexican league.
He had no other opportunities from an MLB club - only STL has any interest.
So, who and what is he?
Why sign him?
In his 5 year career, he reached 400 PA's one time.
Never started more than 84 games at one position in a season.
Ridiculous to think STL signed him to start at any position.
They did not.
He was signed for 3 precise reasons.
One, utility depth piece and injury insurance for 100 games.
Two, cheap potential trade piece at the summer deadline if he has not completely crashed.
Three, since Bloom failed to achieve any talent for Donovan who is remotely close to appearing in MLB as a position player, Urias is a poor man's RH version of Donovan's role as an infielder.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

It may be that you are correct, but they should not have offered him a Major League contract. If there was no other interest from any other MLB team as you claim, they should have not have offered him anything but a minor league deal.
This seems like the kind of dumb decision similar to a John Mozeliak move.

ecleme22 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:20 pm

Mort Gage wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 14:25 pm

Melville wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:58 pm And now, for a badly needed dose of reality.
Urias was dumped by 2 teams last season.
He landed, at age 31, in the dead-end Mexican league.
He had no other opportunities from an MLB club - only STL has any interest.
So, who and what is he?
Why sign him?
In his 5 year career, he reached 400 PA's one time.
Never started more than 84 games at one position in a season.
Ridiculous to think STL signed him to start at any position.
They did not.
He was signed for 3 precise reasons.
One, utility depth piece and injury insurance for 100 games.
Two, cheap potential trade piece at the summer deadline if he has not completely crashed.
Three, since Bloom failed to achieve any talent for Donovan who is remotely close to appearing in MLB as a position player, Urias is a poor man's RH version of Donovan's role as an infielder.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

2.2 bWAR in just 391 PAs. He hasn't played SS in four years but plays the other three IF spots. 11 HRs last year so he has a little pop. Likely starts in AAA as a quality depth piece to cover for injuries.

Ramon starts in AAA? Seriously doubt that.

Basil Shabazz wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 11:07 am

CorneliusWolfe wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 11:02 am

Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑20 Feb 2026 17:45 pm I’ve liked blooms so far but this would be kind of a stupid move

Makes no sense. Fermin or Sagesse couldn’t provide a .675 OPS?? He has a good glove but wrong side of 30 and creates blockage.

A one year signing creates “blockage”? lol

It does not. If Saggese hits, he’ll play, if not, the defense will play. If Urias stinks, he’ll be DFA’d. This signing is 3B security for if Gorman can’t figure it out. Urias has a great glove at 3B and as Cardinal fans, we should appreciate how valuable that is.

An infield defense of Urias, Winn, JJW, Burly… may be one of the best in the league.

ecleme22 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:20 pm

Mort Gage wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 14:25 pm

Melville wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:58 pm And now, for a badly needed dose of reality.
Urias was dumped by 2 teams last season.
He landed, at age 31, in the dead-end Mexican league.
He had no other opportunities from an MLB club - only STL has any interest.
So, who and what is he?
Why sign him?
In his 5 year career, he reached 400 PA's one time.
Never started more than 84 games at one position in a season.
Ridiculous to think STL signed him to start at any position.
They did not.
He was signed for 3 precise reasons.
One, utility depth piece and injury insurance for 100 games.
Two, cheap potential trade piece at the summer deadline if he has not completely crashed.
Three, since Bloom failed to achieve any talent for Donovan who is remotely close to appearing in MLB as a position player, Urias is a poor man's RH version of Donovan's role as an infielder.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

2.2 bWAR in just 391 PAs. He hasn't played SS in four years but plays the other three IF spots. 11 HRs last year so he has a little pop. Likely starts in AAA as a quality depth piece to cover for injuries.

Ramon starts in AAA? Seriously doubt that.

cardstatman wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 17:09 pm

ecleme22 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:20 pm

Mort Gage wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 14:25 pm

Melville wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:58 pm And now, for a badly needed dose of reality.
Urias was dumped by 2 teams last season.
He landed, at age 31, in the dead-end Mexican league.
He had no other opportunities from an MLB club - only STL has any interest.
So, who and what is he?
Why sign him?
In his 5 year career, he reached 400 PA's one time.
Never started more than 84 games at one position in a season.
Ridiculous to think STL signed him to start at any position.
They did not.
He was signed for 3 precise reasons.
One, utility depth piece and injury insurance for 100 games.
Two, cheap potential trade piece at the summer deadline if he has not completely crashed.
Three, since Bloom failed to achieve any talent for Donovan who is remotely close to appearing in MLB as a position player, Urias is a poor man's RH version of Donovan's role as an infielder.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

2.2 bWAR in just 391 PAs. He hasn't played SS in four years but plays the other three IF spots. 11 HRs last year so he has a little pop. Likely starts in AAA as a quality depth piece to cover for injuries.

Ramon starts in AAA? Seriously doubt that.

Ramon Urias cannot be sent to AAA without becoming a free agent. He's on the team now. Starter or bench is the question.

Cards hope he plays well enough to be traded at the deadline. He was a deadline trade last year (but not for a significant prospect).

Scott, Burleson, and Pages haven't been able to hit LHP so IMHO this may be the best team now...
C Pages/Pozo
1B Burleson/Gorman
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Urias
LF Nootbar/Velazquez
CF Scott/Fermin
RF Walker
DH Herrera

AAA Saggese, Church, Crooks (these 3 fill in for injuries)

Church plays LF for Nootbar until he's ready.
IMHO, Velazquez is a better corner OF than Saggese or Fermin. Fermin needs to learn CF to play against LHP.

cardstatman wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 17:09 pm

ecleme22 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 15:20 pm

Mort Gage wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 14:25 pm

Melville wrote: ↑21 Feb 2026 12:58 pm And now, for a badly needed dose of reality.
Urias was dumped by 2 teams last season.
He landed, at age 31, in the dead-end Mexican league.
He had no other opportunities from an MLB club - only STL has any interest.
So, who and what is he?
Why sign him?
In his 5 year career, he reached 400 PA's one time.
Never started more than 84 games at one position in a season.
Ridiculous to think STL signed him to start at any position.
They did not.
He was signed for 3 precise reasons.
One, utility depth piece and injury insurance for 100 games.
Two, cheap potential trade piece at the summer deadline if he has not completely crashed.
Three, since Bloom failed to achieve any talent for Donovan who is remotely close to appearing in MLB as a position player, Urias is a poor man's RH version of Donovan's role as an infielder.
Easy.
Obvious.
Correct.

2.2 bWAR in just 391 PAs. He hasn't played SS in four years but plays the other three IF spots. 11 HRs last year so he has a little pop. Likely starts in AAA as a quality depth piece to cover for injuries.

Ramon starts in AAA? Seriously doubt that.

Ramon Urias cannot be sent to AAA without becoming a free agent. He's on the team now. Starter or bench is the question.

Cards hope he plays well enough to be traded at the deadline. He was a deadline trade last year (but not for a significant prospect).

Scott, Burleson, and Pages haven't been able to hit LHP so IMHO this may be the best team now...
C Pages/Pozo
1B Burleson/Gorman
2B Wetherholt
SS Winn
3B Gorman/Urias
LF Nootbar/Velazquez
CF Scott/Fermin
RF Walker
DH Herrera

AAA Saggese, Church, Crooks (these 3 fill in for injuries)

Church plays LF for Nootbar until he's ready.
IMHO, Velazquez is a better corner OF than Saggese or Fermin. Fermin needs to learn CF to play against LHP.