So much to do; so little time

[Jatalk]

I continue to see posts detailing moves to create a competitive 2026 team. To do so seems like a lot to ask of Bloom and his team. My list of issues to resolve:

Build better starting rotation. There are several holes to fill.

Clear the clutter in the infield. JJ comes up. Several players competing for infield spots. Arenado is taking a roster spot he should not. Donovan should really be at second base IMO. There is some shuffling to do here.

What to do with Gorman and Walker. How do they fit?

Need a big right handed bat ( or two). Need to improve offense in outfield positions.

Need to continue to build depth on roster and in minor leagues

Gray, Arenado, WC NTC. If one or all agree to waive do you trade to fill some of the other holes? Do you keep with hopes of building around?

Do you retain manager and coaches?

Bloom has a long to do list.

[Cardinals4Life]

I continue to see posts detailing moves to create a competitive 2026 team. To do so seems like a lot to ask of Bloom and his team. My list of issues to resolve:

Build better starting rotation. There are several holes to fill.

Clear the clutter in the infield. JJ comes up. Several players competing for infield spots. Arenado is taking a roster spot he should not. Donovan should really be at second base IMO. There is some shuffling to do here.

What to do with Gorman and Walker. How do they fit?

Need a big right handed bat ( or two). Need to improve offense in outfield positions.

Need to continue to build depth on roster and in minor leagues

Gray, Arenado, WC NTC. If one or all agree to waive do you trade to fill some of the other holes? Do you keep with hopes of building around?

Do you retain manager and coaches?

Bloom has a long to do list.

Long? Yes.
Doable? Absolutely?
Will it happen? I have very little faith. Mainly because it requires $$

[Red7]

This is going to take time. The Cardinals are looking to rebuild along the lines of Tampa and Cleveland. Don’t expect a1996 or 2000 turnaround. They will be busy this offseason clearing a lot of the clutter. I think you’ll see a lot of new faces, but there are no blockbuster deals or FA signings on the horizon. If they are going to increase payroll significantly, it will not be before 2027. Payroll will remain flat as most of the savings will go to Sonny Gray who will make $35 million next year. Even if Gray, Contreras and Arenado waive their NTC’s, the team will be paying most, if not all, of their money.

[rockondlouie]

This is going to take time. The Cardinals are looking to rebuild along the lines of Tampa and Cleveland. Don’t expect a1996 or 2000 turnaround. They will be busy this offseason clearing a lot of the clutter. I think you’ll see a lot of new faces, but there are no blockbuster deals or FA signings on the horizon. If they are going to increase payroll significantly, it will not be before 2027. Payroll will remain flat as most of the savings will go to Sonny Gray who will make $35 million next year. Even if Gray, Contreras and Arenado waive their NTC’s, the team will be paying most, if not all, of their money.

Sadly......^^^THIS^^^

2025 = 2026

[OldRed]

This is going to take time. The Cardinals are looking to rebuild along the lines of Tampa and Cleveland. Don’t expect a1996 or 2000 turnaround. They will be busy this offseason clearing a lot of the clutter. I think you’ll see a lot of new faces, but there are no blockbuster deals or FA signings on the horizon. If they are going to increase payroll significantly, it will not be before 2027. Payroll will remain flat as most of the savings will go to Sonny Gray who will make $35 million next year. Even if Gray, Contreras and Arenado waive their NTC’s, the team will be paying most, if not all, of their money.

Even in Gunsmoke, Marshall Dillon didn't pay anyone to "Get Out of Dodge".

[Charles King]

This is going to take time. The Cardinals are looking to rebuild along the lines of Tampa and Cleveland. Don’t expect a1996 or 2000 turnaround. They will be busy this offseason clearing a lot of the clutter. I think you’ll see a lot of new faces, but there are no blockbuster deals or FA signings on the horizon. If they are going to increase payroll significantly, it will not be before 2027. Payroll will remain flat as most of the savings will go to Sonny Gray who will make $35 million next year. Even if Gray, Contreras and Arenado waive their NTC’s, the team will be paying most, if not all, of their money.

This is why I hate long term contracts. The last years are not worth it. Teams need to pay more the first years and less the last. Or not make long term deals

[ecleme22]

This is going to take time. The Cardinals are looking to rebuild along the lines of Tampa and Cleveland. Don’t expect a1996 or 2000 turnaround. They will be busy this offseason clearing a lot of the clutter. I think you’ll see a lot of new faces, but there are no blockbuster deals or FA signings on the horizon. If they are going to increase payroll significantly, it will not be before 2027. Payroll will remain flat as most of the savings will go to Sonny Gray who will make $35 million next year. Even if Gray, Contreras and Arenado waive their NTC’s, the team will be paying most, if not all, of their money.

I remember when Epstein took over the Cubs. Seemed like tons of clutter.

This team doesn’t have much clutter at all.

I’m hoping they release Nolan, but after that, it’s Gray for 1 year and WC for 2.

Not really seeing the clutter…

[Cranny]

Why are blockbuster trades off the table?

[CorneliusWolfe]

I continue to see posts detailing moves to create a competitive 2026 team. To do so seems like a lot to ask of Bloom and his team. My list of issues to resolve:

Build better starting rotation. There are several holes to fill.

Clear the clutter in the infield. JJ comes up. Several players competing for infield spots. Arenado is taking a roster spot he should not. Donovan should really be at second base IMO. There is some shuffling to do here.

What to do with Gorman and Walker. How do they fit?

Need a big right handed bat ( or two). Need to improve offense in outfield positions.

Need to continue to build depth on roster and in minor leagues

Gray, Arenado, WC NTC. If one or all agree to waive do you trade to fill some of the other holes? Do you keep with hopes of building around?

Do you retain manager and coaches?

Bloom has a long to do list.

Long? Yes.
Doable? Absolutely?
Will it happen? I have very little faith. Mainly because it requires $$

Agree with all. There is a cost for poor drafting and development and I doubt ownership is willing to pay the price. They’re going to try to fix the draft/develop problem, which must be done, but I think they will wait out that storm without supplemental freaa agent spending. Our only other hope is trading for cost controlled talent, and we’re shirt in chips

[CorneliusWolfe]

Why are blockbuster trades off the table?

Lack of prospect capital and roster players that anyone wants in return to meet the “blockbuster” criteria.

[45s]

Why are blockbuster trades off the table?

because the club doesn't have a single player who is remotely close to that level

[ecleme22]

Why are blockbuster trades off the table?

because the club doesn't have a single player who is remotely close to that level

Well, Cranny going to have to define what he means. Provide an example.

If he's implying the Cards should give up X prospects for a good player, that would be totally not in line with what the team should be doing.

[Cranny]

Why are blockbuster trades off the table?

because the club doesn't have a single player who is remotely close to that level

Well, Cranny going to have to define what he means. Provide an example.

If he's implying the Cards should give up X prospects for a good player, that would be totally not in line with what the team should be doing.

It is when there’s an excess of players/prospects at any position like catcher and 2B. To see possible deals, look at the players given up in the Goldschmidt and Arenado trades.

[45s]

Why are blockbuster trades off the table?

because the club doesn't have a single player who is remotely close to that level

Well, Cranny going to have to define what he means. Provide an example.

If he's implying the Cards should give up X prospects for a good player, that would be totally not in line with what the team should be doing.

agree....clear the clutter, then start gathering as many prospects/young players as possible......and then start sorting out those with a future

it's going to take awhile

[OldRed]

A long way to and a short time to get there.

[PadsFS07]

I continue to see posts detailing moves to create a competitive 2026 team. To do so seems like a lot to ask of Bloom and his team. My list of issues to resolve:

Build better starting rotation. There are several holes to fill.

Clear the clutter in the infield. JJ comes up. Several players competing for infield spots. Arenado is taking a roster spot he should not. Donovan should really be at second base IMO. There is some shuffling to do here.

What to do with Gorman and Walker. How do they fit?

Need a big right handed bat ( or two). Need to improve offense in outfield positions.

Need to continue to build depth on roster and in minor leagues

Gray, Arenado, WC NTC. If one or all agree to waive do you trade to fill some of the other holes? Do you keep with hopes of building around?

Do you retain manager and coaches?

Bloom has a long to do list.

I think trading the redundant players would be rather easy. Donovan/Nootbaar, Burleson/Herrera - Trade two of those and the clutter is cleared rather quickly. Donovan and Nootbaar are in their arb years so they likely trade them. I'd prefer they try to keep Herrera myself.

Baseball Trade Value has the quartet valued as Donovan - 23.4, Herrera - 22.0, Nootbaar - 20.2, Burleson - 13.5

Likewise, Walker will 100% be in AAA next year imo. It seems they are saving his option for just that reason.

So then you have LF open for Donovan, DH open for Herrera, Gorman can be the 'backup' for Arenado at 3B, Herrera at DH, Wetherholt at 2B, Winn at SS (move Wetherholt over), and Contreras at 1B. Maybe we can get someone for RF as I hope they don't stick Walker there or keep one of Burleson/Nootbaar in this scenario. Someone like Luis Robert would be fine.