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I'm thinking about players to keep going forward.
Sure, there are some nice pieces to keep.
But if a team were to approach Bloom asking for any player and willing to pay an excellent price?
I'd say with the state of this roster, anyone would be fair game to be traded.
Maybe even dare I say JJ Wetherholt.
My guess is most will have a list including the following:

1. JJ
2. Winn
3. Doyle
4. Herrera
5. Donovan
6. Mathews

Winn plays elite defense at the most important position on the field. His offense plays. You don't trade him. You extend him. (Think if you would trade Yadi?) They aren't trading Westerholt or Doyle. The rest should be available for the right deal.

I think this is true for any mlb team considering you qualify with “excellent price” being paid.

Jatalk wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 06:53 am I think this is true for any mlb team considering you qualify with “excellent price” being paid.

Maybe not untouchable, but Winn, Wetherholt, Herrera, and Doyle would be hard to replace. Anyone else would be much easier to replace.

Not even close.

Bully4you wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 03:28 am I'm thinking about players to keep going forward.
Sure, there are some nice pieces to keep.
But if a team were to approach Bloom asking for any player and willing to pay an excellent price?
I'd say with the state of this roster, anyone would be fair game to be traded.
Maybe even dare I say JJ Wetherholt.
My guess is most will have a list including the following:

1. JJ
2. Winn
3. Doyle
4. Herrera
5. Donovan
6. Mathews

"Chaim-trying-to-make-this team-better-Bloom" will not trade top tier prospects such as Wetherholt or Mathews.
Nor is McGreevy going anywhere since the rotation next year is already threadbare.
Highly unlikely that Graceffo and Svanson are going anywhere for the same reason - and one may be needed to emerge as a closer.
Leahy's shocking emergence this year may out him in the same general category as "protected pitching".
So yes, there are untouchable players from STL's perspective.
Let's look at the rest.
Winn is probably very close to "untouchable" - whether that should be the case in another matter.
Bloom understands leadership - and Contreras in unquestionably the unchallenged leader of the team.
That, and his no-trade clause, would make it very difficult to move him.
Same is true of Gray.
Gorman is the only true power bat in the entire organization - and Bloom will be reluctant to move him unless there is an offer he simply can't pass.
Burleson and Herrera have a good chance to be reliable lineup support pieces for several years - and as a result Bloom won't be eager to trade either one.
Everyone else is likely under strong consideration to be moved.
Not all will be of course, but they surely will be available.

There's no such thing as an untouchable player. Every player on every team is available for the right price. The Cardinals have a few players where it would take a decent price for me to move them but there's no player where the price would be exorbitant.

rbirules wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:23 am There's no such thing as an untouchable player. Every player on every team is available for the right price. The Cardinals have a few players where it would take a decent price for me to move them but there's no player where the price would be exorbitant.

I mostly agree, but I would keep Winn and JJ and build the infield around them. Provided JJ actually can hit in the bigs. The rest of the team is not untouchable. WC and Gray are probably "untradeable" due to NTCs. The same applies to Nado at this point. I like IH and would like to keep him and the same with Donnie, but I am certainly listening to offers. Walker and Gorman have the rest of the season to impress, but I would part with both in the right deal(s). I agree with Mel on the pitching. The cupboard is bare so you have to hang on to some of them. We are a season or two away unless ownership wants to spend some money to fill holes on the big club. Otherwise we wait for guys to develop. Even if JJ were to turn into Pujols lite, there is not enough starting pitching, and little in the OF to be a serious contender...yet.

Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Rock buddy, we almost never disagree! But I would keep Winn and build that infield around he and JJ...

OK, I edited... I keep Winn because I want a roster where he can play his D and the lineup is so good he can bat 7 or 8!

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Libby wouldn’t be untouchable in my book.

Over his last 13 starts he has a 4.50 ERA and barely ever strikes anyone out. He has 46 K’s in 68 IP with 80 hits given up and 20 walks. A 6.09 K/9, 2.65 BB/9, and 10.59 H/9.

I wouldn’t be necessarily looking to move him, but he definitely wouldn’t be untouchable.

bccardsfan wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:52 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Rock buddy, we almost never disagree! But I would keep Winn and build that infield around he and JJ...

No sweat bcc, I always respect your (everyone's) opinions.

But I'd deal Winn if he brought back a #2 starter w/control.

I can live w/JJ at SS & Donny at 2B if Bloom could land that quality #2 starter.

Futuregm2 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:53 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Libby wouldn’t be untouchable in my book.

Over his last 13 starts he has a 4.50 ERA and barely ever strikes anyone out. He has 46 K’s in 68 IP with 80 hits given up and 20 walks. A 6.09 K/9, 2.65 BB/9, and 10.59 H/9.

I wouldn’t be necessarily looking to move him, but he definitely wouldn’t be untouchable.

I think he's got so strong upside.

He wasn't put into the rotation until late in spring training and appears to be running low on fuel.

Give him the full winter to train as a starter and I bet you'll think like me next season.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:55 am

bccardsfan wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:52 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Rock buddy, we almost never disagree! But I would keep Winn and build that infield around he and JJ...

No sweat bcc, I always respect your (everyone's) opinions.

But I'd deal Winn if he brought back a #2 starter w/control.

I can live w/JJ at SS & Donny at 2B if Bloom could land that quality #2 starter.

Good stance. But I won’t trade an everyday SS who makes my infield a league best. I build with him JJ Herrera Donovan Walker.

Now add a bat and a TOr and a manager, we compete.

sikeston bulldog2 wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:58 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:55 am

bccardsfan wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:52 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Rock buddy, we almost never disagree! But I would keep Winn and build that infield around he and JJ...

No sweat bcc, I always respect your (everyone's) opinions.

But I'd deal Winn if he brought back a #2 starter w/control.

I can live w/JJ at SS & Donny at 2B if Bloom could land that quality #2 starter.

Good stance. But I won’t trade an everyday SS who makes my infield a league best. I build with him JJ Herrera Donovan Walker.

Now add a bat and a TOr and a manager, we compete.

And the Cardinals won't trade him either (unless Bloom is overwhelmed w/an offer, but I'd bet he'll listen).

This is just all fun "what would you do" chat.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:55 am

bccardsfan wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:52 am

rockondlouie wrote: ↑07 Aug 2025 08:45 am Hererra
&
Libby

Those are the only two w/big upside that I'd hang on to.

I'd deal any of the other ML rostered players in the right trade.

(This list doesn't include any minor league players, of course JJ & Doyle are off limits too)

Rock buddy, we almost never disagree! But I would keep Winn and build that infield around he and JJ...

No sweat bcc, I always respect your (everyone's) opinions.

But I'd deal Winn if he brought back a #2 starter w/control.

I can live w/JJ at SS & Donny at 2B if Bloom could land that quality #2 starter.

Winn is now top 20 (T-18th) in all of baseball in fWAR btw at 3.6.

He’s #1 in all of baseball in OAA with +20. He’s got the best defensive rating of any non-catcher in baseball. 3rd overall among all of defenders. Patrick Bailey and Alejandro Kirk are the two catchers ahead of him.

I’d keep Winn and JJ and you’ve got a solid shot at having the best MIF in baseball in a couple years.