Jim Bowden

[opti mist]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

You are right. I take everything he says with a large grain of salt.

[Melville]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

Three corrections.
Gray is on track to be an All-Star.
The team has a massive urgent need for a quality, productive RH outfield bat.
They have huge financial resources but prefer to not spend.

[musicman]

He is almost never right about anything.

[hugeCardfan]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

Not my favorite guy, but, I think he pegged this one right on the money.

[Strummer Jones]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

Not my favorite guy, but, I think he pegged this one right on the money.

Agreed. I quibble with some of that, but the overarching take home point is true. This isn't the team to mortgage for. But it is one to let the young guys keep doing their thing and build on experience.

That said, I definitely think we need another reliever and probably some bench help, but I don't think either of those will cost a lot in money or prospects.

[hmoss859]

Jim Bowden is a blow hard

[hugeCardfan]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

Not my favorite guy, but, I think he pegged this one right on the money.

Agreed. I quibble with some of that, but the overarching take home point is true. This isn't the team to mortgage for. But it is one to let the young guys keep doing their thing and build on experience.

That said, I definitely think we need another reliever and probably some bench help, but I don't think either of those will cost a lot in money or prospects.

Yeah. I'd try to get bench help from within. But, we could use a good reliever. That might materialize without much trade cost if a loaner is being paid too handsomely and the non competitive team wants out.

[Ozziesfan41]

While Bowden is wrong about most things he’s right about Mo Mo doesn’t do significant at the deadline bare minimum

[Stlcardsblues]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

The correct move is trading the pending free agents. Mo, will instead trade prospects for mediocre fill in players on expiring contracts setting the team back on its reset.

[Barking Lion]

I recognize the writing of few journalists. So I have no comment on Bowden except to say that writing an article about the trade prospects/future/etc. of each team is clickbaitish and so pulls little weight with me.

All that said, to his point--

1). The Cards are an overachieving team right now. They have decent talent that has played well, but are not a contender for a wild card. They have to win their division and I am not confident they can go deep in the playoffs. I expect a return to the pack, perhaps .500 the rest of the way. Which means -

2). Whether they trade or not should be totally dependent on plans for the next two-three seasons. For example, is Fedde a #2 or #3 next year? Then he should be re-upped, otherwise trade him. The addition of a veteran of bat, stud starter, etc. for one season is a waste of development time. This team is not one or two players away from winning it all.

3). So they should mostly stand pat.

[rockondlouie]

"...nor do they appear to have the financial resources"

B
S


DeWallet could easily afford any player in MLB (outside of S. Ohtani) but he refuses to spend what's needed for star players anymore (Goldy/NADO may be it for a while).

[82birds]

Of the Athletic and MLB Network

I know some on here don't like him. I do, because he is not afraid to make trade predictions and start discussions. In a recent article in the Athletic, Bowden discusses each contending team and identifies trade targets to fill the most pressing need. Here is his take on the Cardinals.

St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest need: “We just have to play”

The Cardinals have been one of the biggest surprise teams in baseball and appear to be legitimate postseason contenders. And it’s interesting how they’ve been getting the job done — with solid consistency in the starting rotation and lineup, from top to bottom. Outside of second baseman Brendan Donovan, they don’t appear to have another All-Star on the team, and yet everyone seems to contribute just enough to win games. The Cardinals don’t have any glaring needs, nor do they appear to have the financial resources or top prospects they’d want to trade to make a splash at the deadline. So, if nothing changes between now and then and they stay in the race, don’t expect big moves from their front office. Instead, the Cardinals want their young major-league players to continue to develop and could follow that path rather than look for reinforcements. For that reason, I did not list trade targets for them at this point.

full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/641455 ... eeds-2025/

Opti

Three corrections.
Gray is on track to be an All-Star.
The team has a massive urgent need for a quality, productive RH outfield bat.
They have huge financial resources but prefer to not spend.

certainly agree on a quality, productive RH outfield bat.
but that likely will have to wait for Bloom/offseason

[bccardsfan]

"...nor do they appear to have the financial resources"

B
S


DeWallet could easily afford any player in MLB (outside of S. Ohtani) but he refuses to spend what's needed for star players anymore (Goldy/NADO may be it for a while).

The team needs BP help more than anything. I am quite sure the pen has lost close to 10 games this season so far. We just witnessed 2 in a row. I am not sure how to get it, but the team needs one or two decent set up guys, and RH has to get it together quickly..... Not sure what trades can be made, but that is what is hurting the team the most. Let Gorman and Walker just play.

[rockondlouie]

"...nor do they appear to have the financial resources"

B
S


DeWallet could easily afford any player in MLB (outside of S. Ohtani) but he refuses to spend what's needed for star players anymore (Goldy/NADO may be it for a while).

The team needs BP help more than anything. I am quite sure the pen has lost close to 10 games this season so far. We just witnessed 2 in a row. I am not sure how to get it, but the team needs one or two decent set up guys, and RH has to get it together quickly..... Not sure what trades can be made, but that is what is hurting the team the most. Let Gorman and Walker just play.

IF they do ADD and not subtract, then I've been saying the same thing..........add to the pen'.

Between R. Fernandez and Roycrap I'd bet you'd get half your ten.

[scoutyjones2]

LoL. No glaring needs?

Relievers, hitters (how many below average OPS+ Hitters can you field every game?), strike out pitcher, HR threat

Will there be more than 1 hitter with an OPS above 800 by the end of the year?