STLtoday.com

Good morning.

Imagine a job that requires you to take a year to observe the company, then gives you full control on moves based on your assessments. Heaven.

As we sit on the eve of game 100, I believe, we can see some trends. No longer early.

Pitching. A very decent assortment of young arms moving forward. I think McG and Pallante stick, but Pallante is what NCAA basketball would call as - last man in. He’s dangling. His future in STL depends on his next ten starts.
Doyle. How quick. 2027?

Infield. I keep Donovan at second. GG caliber, league leading hitter. You trade him, you won’t get his play in return. Some players you just don’t trade. He’s one.

Winn. Keeper. When he grows up more, shots to right center will become common. Think Edgar.

Third. JJ nothing better. GG power bat at the corner.

First. Several can play it. Not a point of contention except for lack of power.

Catchers- minors.

Outfield. Scott stays. When he grows, his bat will play for average. Defense is second to none.

Left and right. A mess. This is where Bloom needs to excel. Corner outfield. If that includes Walker fine, but he too is hanging by the short hairs.

What does he do. Bloom. One league level Ace. One thumper in corner outfield spot. One up and coming pitcher- Doyle?

I think other than the NTC, several will exit stage right both at deadline and off season.

As expected in a scenario like this.

Thoughts

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 07:25 am Good morning.

Imagine a job that requires you to take a year to observe the company, then gives you full control on moves based on your assessments. Heaven.

As we sit on the eve of game 100, I believe, we can see some trends. No longer early.

Pitching. A very decent assortment of young arms moving forward. I think McG and Pallante stick, but Pallante is what NCAA basketball would call as - last man in. He’s dangling. His future in STL depends on his next ten starts.
Doyle. How quick. 2027?

Infield. I keep Donovan at second. GG caliber, league leading hitter. You trade him, you won’t get his play in return. Some players you just don’t trade. He’s one.

Winn. Keeper. When he grows up more, shots to right center will become common. Think Edgar.

Third. JJ nothing better. GG power bat at the corner.

First. Several can play it. Not a point of contention except for lack of power.

Catchers- minors.

Outfield. Scott stays. When he grows, his bat will play for average. Defense is second to none.

Left and right. A mess. This is where Bloom needs to excel. Corner outfield. If that includes Walker fine, but he too is hanging by the short hairs.

What does he do. Bloom. One league level Ace. One thumper in corner outfield spot. One up and coming pitcher- Doyle?

I think other than the NTC, several will exit stage right both at deadline and off season.

As expected in a scenario like this.

Thoughts

Good, logical post.

Great analogy and I would add Bloom has to strike gold in the starting pitching department (besides just Liam).

bluecard04 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:03 am Great analogy and I would add Bloom has to strike gold in the starting pitching department (besides just Liam).

Yea. I mentioned only two, we need six. Good input.

No mention of Herrera or Liberatore. Where do they fit in your scenario?

Team of overall average talent at best. No threats in the mound or at the plate.

Minor league cupboard is bare.

Sell it all.

"full control" ???

well, I guess we will find out

peterman'srealitytour wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:17 am No mention of Herrera or Liberatore. Where do they fit in your scenario?

If I didn’t mention them, then I figure they can move. I simply for got about Libby and IH as I got fixated on defense positions.

You are correct. Libby McG Pallante Doyle

Herrera DH

Donovan Winn Scott.

Young cornerstones.

45s wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:21 am "full control" ???

well, I guess we will find out

As much as the position will allow. I’m thinking more risky adventures. Like investment. More risk more returns

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:24 am

45s wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:21 am "full control" ???

well, I guess we will find out

As much as the position will allow. I’m thinking more risky adventures. Like investment. More risk more returns

if the position continues to be subject to the whims and wishes of ownership, the P R department, the ticket office......well, meet the new boss, same as the old boss

if he is given complete autonomy in baseball decisions, there is reason to be optimistic.......

we will see

45s wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:31 am

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:24 am

45s wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:21 am "full control" ???

well, I guess we will find out

As much as the position will allow. I’m thinking more risky adventures. Like investment. More risk more returns

if the position continues to be subject to the whims and wishes of ownership, the P R department, the ticket office......well, meet the new boss, same as the old boss

if he is given complete autonomy in baseball decisions, there is reason to be optimistic.......

we will see

Yes well put.

I don't disagree really with anything you say, Dog. You didn't mention manager. And that pitching you talked about is a big deal. If it was the first day of st tomorrow you have a huge problem. Only 1 guy, 2 counting Gray, that you really want to start the season with. Pallante has regressed badly. And that outfielder(s) we need are a problem. Bloom has a big chore still in front of him. Is Westerholt's arm 3rd base worthy? Theres just a lot left to do to expect relevancy before 27'.

Hopefully Bloom can influence ownership to invest in cutting edge technology to enhance player development.

2ninr wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:36 am I don't disagree really with anything you say, Dog. You didn't mention manager. And that pitching you talked about is a big deal. If it was the first day of st tomorrow you have a huge problem. Only 1 guy, 2 counting Gray, that you really want to start the season with. Pallante has regressed badly. And that outfielder(s) we need are a problem. Bloom has a big chore still in front of him. Is Westerholt's arm 3rd base worthy? Theres just a lot left to do to expect relevancy before 27'.

Good input. I agree with your assessment.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:59 am

2ninr wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 08:36 am I don't disagree really with anything you say, Dog. You didn't mention manager. And that pitching you talked about is a big deal. If it was the first day of st tomorrow you have a huge problem. Only 1 guy, 2 counting Gray, that you really want to start the season with. Pallante has regressed badly. And that outfielder(s) we need are a problem. Bloom has a big chore still in front of him. Is Westerholt's arm 3rd base worthy? Theres just a lot left to do to expect relevancy before 27'.

Good input. I agree with your assessment.

I would add, get a serious manager and pitching coach. Guys with a proven track record. Pay them. They don't make much more than a bench player at today's rates. At the very least get a younger guy like Skippy. If Hererra can play LF that would help. You can buy one corner OFer or perhaps get one via trade of young assets. Noot has little value and JW's value is slipping by the month. Gorman... meh. So trade capital will be someone like Donnie or one of your minor league catchers. There are a couple of OFers in the minor league system with promise, but they are not even in AAA yet. Big jump, probably not next season.

The rotation will feature Libby and..? Will Doyle be ready? Probably not next season... Pallante is nothing, maybe SG is still here, but he is a #2. McG? Well he will get his shot next season. The AAA cupboard is pretty bare on the SP front. So Bloom needs to find a couple of good SPs and maybe Doyle appears sometime next season.

I fire Marmol and Blake and get good guys in there for the rebuild. The problem is guys like SG and Nado and WC (I believe) have no trade clauses. Guys you want to move on from potentially, like JW, Burley, Noot, Gorman, etc... have little trade value until they actually produce in the bigs. Other teams may take a flyer, but you won't get more than a lottery ticket in return. Now if you had excess starting pitching, and could deal one guy who was a top 3 SP with a few years of control, then you would get a nice haul. We don't have that....nor do most other teams.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑20 Jul 2025 07:25 am Good morning.

Imagine a job that requires you to take a year to observe the company, then gives you full control on moves based on your assessments. Heaven.

As we sit on the eve of game 100, I believe, we can see some trends. No longer early.

Pitching. A very decent assortment of young arms moving forward. I think McG and Pallante stick, but Pallante is what NCAA basketball would call as - last man in. He’s dangling. His future in STL depends on his next ten starts.
Doyle. How quick. 2027?

Infield. I keep Donovan at second. GG caliber, league leading hitter. You trade him, you won’t get his play in return. Some players you just don’t trade. He’s one.

Winn. Keeper. When he grows up more, shots to right center will become common. Think Edgar.

Third. JJ nothing better. GG power bat at the corner.

First. Several can play it. Not a point of contention except for lack of power.

Catchers- minors.

Outfield. Scott stays. When he grows, his bat will play for average. Defense is second to none.

Left and right. A mess. This is where Bloom needs to excel. Corner outfield. If that includes Walker fine, but he too is hanging by the short hairs.

What does he do. Bloom. One league level Ace. One thumper in corner outfield spot. One up and coming pitcher- Doyle?

I think other than the NTC, several will exit stage right both at deadline and off season.

As expected in a scenario like this.

Thoughts

1. Fire The Marmot and entire staff - disgraceful how unprepared the team is to play baseball.
2. Trade Lars The Human Sushi-baar (3 years too late), Herrera (yes, I am right about this as well - he is not who many have been fooled into believing and the time to move him is now, when other organizations may be equally fooled), and Walker.
3. If N/A refuses to be traded again, let him know he is the 26th man on the roster and play him accordingly.
4. Enter 2026 with an outfield of Donovan in LF, Scott in CF (on a short leash), and Burleson in RF - and add a high quality ASG level RH bat to the mix.
5. Gorman, Winn, Wetherholt, Saggese to handle 3B/22/2B.
6. Contreras at 1B.
7. Pages / Pozo return - but being pushed by Crooks (Note: if STL's reported interest in Murphy is real, it might be worth investigating further - I can provide the added perfect analysis later in the thread if requested).
8. Gray, Liberatore, and McGreevy can make up 3 of the 5 rotation spots for 2026, but the team will need to add 2 more arms (one of which could be acquired this month from Miami).
9. Mathews should be ready to take some turns in the #6 rotation spot and Doyle should be on track for some time in 2027.
Bottom line.
The team is ridiculously easy to fix.
I could do so in less than 30 days - as could anyone who understands this game.
All that is required is the intelligence and the will.
Mo possesses neither.
We shall see if Bloom does.