Keep Arenado Unless or Until...

[Carp4Cy]

BDW is ready to replace him with a new star 3b, which most likely would be 2027. We need someone who can approach replacing his 2022 level production, not his floor. And when healthy Arenado is still our best option at 3b. As I posted in another thread - just opening up playing time for Gorman to field like a statue and go on long cold streaks does not make us better.

Option 1 - we trade Arenando for a bucket of balls AND eat effectively all or nearly all his remaining salary. This is the most likely outcome and doesn't help us one bit. Gorman will be entering his 5TH year in MLB. He isn't suddenly going to become a GG or even above average. And his bat makes up for nothing. He's a negative WAR player this year. He just doesn't have the Bat or Glove for 3b. And there is no significant $ savings that can be reinvested elsewhere or saved for future years (not that salary savings ever actually get reinvested in the future though some like to think its possible).

Option 2 - since his salary is basically a fully sunk cost, and we don't have better options in house, and BDW doesn't want to spend more on a better option for at least another year, keep NA for 2026, see what happens. His trade value isn't going to drop any futher. Meanwhile it could go up if he re-establishes his health, and hits like he did in April and part of May. And we get to benefit from the superior glove for another year while waiting for this CBA to resolve. Then if 2027 is lockout year, we don't pay NA for that year anyway (or anyone else for that matter). Or if the CBA is resolved, then we can start spending and find the 2027 version of someone like Eugenio Suarez - an established positive WAR 3b who can actually hit 30/100 or even 49/50 HRs in a good year. Because that is what we need long term, not a Gorman who can only maybe hit 30 HRs once if all the stars align and he never has a cold streak all year. Then we move NA then when there's a lot less left on his contract and maybe his TV is actually worth a little bit.

Option 3 - trade him for Anthony Rendon or similar. I'm sure even Mo could swing a trade for another bad contract. That would clear NA's salary. But its likely a terrible idea (though we do have some success with former Angels rejuvianting their careers here.)

[Jobu's Rum]

You do NOT want Rendon, not only does he suck and not care, he has a terrible attitude on top of it. Might as keep keep Nado for one more year. At LEAST he shows some signs of fight. MAYBE Trout though and even thats a stretch

[3dender]

Your Option 1 is wrong: If they just get a bucket of balls they won't have to eat salary... he's a 1-2 WAR player, worth 8-16M, and he's earning 16M + 15M his last two years. His contract won't be that far underwater the next two years, if at all (e.g. he has some sort of resurgence and becomes a 2-3 WAR player).

So for trading him they can either get nothing and clear his salary, or eat a big chunk of it and get a prospect or two. The latter is clearly what they should do, because not only are they getting prospects but they're also gaining roster flexibility for JJ Wetherholt, Saggese, Donovan, and whichever other infielders they keep.

[Talkin' Baseball]

Your Option 1 is wrong: If they just get a bucket of balls they won't have to eat salary... he's a 1-2 WAR player, worth 8-16M, and he's earning 16M + 15M his last two years. His contract won't be that far underwater the next two years, if at all (e.g. he has some sort of resurgence and becomes a 2-3 WAR player).

So for trading him they can either get nothing and clear his salary, or eat a big chunk of it and get a prospect or two. The latter is clearly what they should do, because not only are they getting prospects but they're also gaining roster flexibility for JJ Wetherholt, Saggese, Donovan, and whichever other infielders they keep.

There is also 12M in deferred money the Cardinals owe.

[Carp4Cy]

Your Option 1 is wrong: If they just get a bucket of balls they won't have to eat salary... he's a 1-2 WAR player, worth 8-16M, and he's earning 16M + 15M his last two years. His contract won't be that far underwater the next two years, if at all (e.g. he has some sort of resurgence and becomes a 2-3 WAR player).

So for trading him they can either get nothing and clear his salary, or eat a big chunk of it and get a prospect or two. The latter is clearly what they should do, because not only are they getting prospects but they're also gaining roster flexibility for JJ Wetherholt, Saggese, Donovan, and whichever other infielders they keep.

We wouldn't end up with a prospect that makes us better though. It would just be another cast-off that the other GMs knows the good and bad on and is willing to give up and then the CT fans will try to justify how another JAG is a "win" in the trade even though we save no $.

We might be able to trade him for another salaried vet that isn't Rendon, who could help us some if we are lucky. But that's probably a best case scenario. Prospects are so overvalued right now that we can't get ahead trying to move NA for one. Heck, we got him for frikken Austin Gomber(s) during his prime. We mostly just need to give up on that and find our own prospects in the draft AND international markets.

[rockondlouie]

BDW is ready to replace him with a new star 3b, which most likely would be 2027. We need someone who can approach replacing his 2022 level production, not his floor. And when healthy Arenado is still our best option at 3b. As I posted in another thread - just opening up playing time for Gorman to field like a statue and go on long cold streaks does not make us better.

Option 1 - we trade Arenando for a bucket of balls AND eat effectively all or nearly all his remaining salary. This is the most likely outcome and doesn't help us one bit. Gorman will be entering his 5TH year in MLB. He isn't suddenly going to become a GG or even above average. And his bat makes up for nothing. He's a negative WAR player this year. He just doesn't have the Bat or Glove for 3b. And there is no significant $ savings that can be reinvested elsewhere or saved for future years (not that salary savings ever actually get reinvested in the future though some like to think its possible).

Option 2 - since his salary is basically a fully sunk cost, and we don't have better options in house, and BDW doesn't want to spend more on a better option for at least another year, keep NA for 2026, see what happens. His trade value isn't going to drop any futher. Meanwhile it could go up if he re-establishes his health, and hits like he did in April and part of May. And we get to benefit from the superior glove for another year while waiting for this CBA to resolve. Then if 2027 is lockout year, we don't pay NA for that year anyway (or anyone else for that matter). Or if the CBA is resolved, then we can start spending and find the 2027 version of someone like Eugenio Suarez - an established positive WAR 3b who can actually hit 30/100 or even 49/50 HRs in a good year. Because that is what we need long term, not a Gorman who can only maybe hit 30 HRs once if all the stars align and he never has a cold streak all year. Then we move NA then when there's a lot less left on his contract and maybe his TV is actually worth a little bit.

Option 3 - trade him for Anthony Rendon or similar. I'm sure even Mo could swing a trade for another bad contract. That would clear NA's salary. But its likely a terrible idea (though we do have some success with former Angels rejuvianting their careers here.)

Mo's gone very soon Carp, he won't be the one making any more trades...........TG!

[imadangman]

Well Arenado at this point is not a star 3B. All that matters is getting Donovan and Wetherholt (and maybe Gorman) to all get time on the infield together. Gorman may be a statue at 3B, but Donovan is also able to play there and it would be a good spot for Donovan with Wetherholt at 2B.

[Goldfan]

NA checks no boxes for what the Cards are or where they’re going. He need to move on

[Dicktar2023]

Option 3 - trade him for Anthony Rendon or similar. I'm sure even Mo could swing a trade for another bad contract. That would clear NA's salary. But its likely a terrible idea (though we do have some success with former Angels rejuvianting their careers here.)

[Carp4Cy]

NA checks no boxes for what the Cards are or where they’re going. He need to move on

And trading him won't help either if we eat all the salary anyway. Just makes 2026 uglier if Gorman is the next in line.

[ramfandan]

As Arenado cited in his postgame comments, the Cardinals want younger guys to play.
No point in keeping a mid 30’s declining player who will be retiring in a couple years .
You don’t rebuild a team with older players .

[Goldfan]

NA checks no boxes for what the Cards are or where they’re going. He need to move on

And trading him won't help either if we eat all the salary anyway. Just makes 2026 uglier if Gorman is the next in line.

I really don’t get this “eating salary” angle…..NA will be paid by BDW whether or not he’s on the team…..if traded perhaps a little salary relief will be seen. But he’s a productive player now….you think an older NA will improve??? He’s done.
So those saying we don’t want to eat salary are really saying we’ll keep a poor playing at a starting position rather than a better option.
Donovan
JJ
This season we had to watch Miles and Fedde because BDW was paying them to lose games??? Insane

[Cusecards]

Well....the vibe I got from yesterday is that he is most likely to leave.
If so....most seem to agree that:
*Eating less salary in the deal? Expect far less in talent return.
*Eating more salary increases likely talent return?

We’ll see how they balance it. And of course the NTC hangs over everything!

[IndCard75]

BDW is ready to replace him with a new star 3b, which most likely would be 2027. We need someone who can approach replacing his 2022 level production, not his floor. And when healthy Arenado is still our best option at 3b. As I posted in another thread - just opening up playing time for Gorman to field like a statue and go on long cold streaks does not make us better.

Option 1 - we trade Arenando for a bucket of balls AND eat effectively all or nearly all his remaining salary. This is the most likely outcome and doesn't help us one bit. Gorman will be entering his 5TH year in MLB. He isn't suddenly going to become a GG or even above average. And his bat makes up for nothing. He's a negative WAR player this year. He just doesn't have the Bat or Glove for 3b. And there is no significant $ savings that can be reinvested elsewhere or saved for future years (not that salary savings ever actually get reinvested in the future though some like to think its possible).

Option 2 - since his salary is basically a fully sunk cost, and we don't have better options in house, and BDW doesn't want to spend more on a better option for at least another year, keep NA for 2026, see what happens. His trade value isn't going to drop any futher. Meanwhile it could go up if he re-establishes his health, and hits like he did in April and part of May. And we get to benefit from the superior glove for another year while waiting for this CBA to resolve. Then if 2027 is lockout year, we don't pay NA for that year anyway (or anyone else for that matter). Or if the CBA is resolved, then we can start spending and find the 2027 version of someone like Eugenio Suarez - an established positive WAR 3b who can actually hit 30/100 or even 49/50 HRs in a good year. Because that is what we need long term, not a Gorman who can only maybe hit 30 HRs once if all the stars align and he never has a cold streak all year. Then we move NA then when there's a lot less left on his contract and maybe his TV is actually worth a little bit.

Option 3 - trade him for Anthony Rendon or similar. I'm sure even Mo could swing a trade for another bad contract. That would clear NA's salary. But its likely a terrible idea (though we do have some success with former Angels rejuvianting their careers here.)

I agree with keeping him versus eating a bunch of salary and or not getting anything back. He still plays above average defensively.
If Herrera plays 80 games at catcher Gorman can DH instead of playing 3B. If we are able to move him in a fair deal then I put Wetherholt at 3B. If NA is still here in 26 then Donovan is probably traded with Wetherholt going to 2B.

[renostl]

NA checks no boxes for what the Cards are or where they’re going. He need to move on

And trading him won't help either if we eat all the salary anyway. Just makes 2026 uglier if Gorman is the next in line.

I really don’t get this “eating salary” angle…..NA will be paid by BDW whether or not he’s on the team…..if traded perhaps a little salary relief will be seen. But he’s a productive player now….you think an older NA will improve??? He’s done.
So those saying we don’t want to eat salary are really saying we’ll keep a poor playing at a starting position rather than a better option.
Donovan
JJ
This season we had to watch Miles and Fedde because BDW was paying them to lose games??? Insane

You don't get it because you understand money.

Cards have a $34 million business expense. Any coupon for that expense
is a savings. Difficult for me to think that any of the select few that might want him
would see $10 million/year as prohibited. Cards save $20 million in
thar case.

Which means little to me if not reinvested.

[Decker57]

If they can unload Arenado why wouldn't they? The cardinals likely won't be a real contender for at least a couple more years and all Arenado is doing is blocking other possible players.
The cardinals need a couple power guys and possibly in a year or two if they are better maybe Bloom could pull off a trade for a guy that can fulfill that problem.