Quando, quando, quando, quando

[The Nard]

Like that old Italian love song, timing may mean more than you think, when it comes to off-season FA acquisitions. Mozeliak was a master at the waiting game, hoping for a price drop, even up to Spring training itself. More recently, many other organizations play the waiting game as well, especially when it comes to prime pitchers.

But there’s a cost to this approach. The “best” free agents, particularly power hitters, may be long gone by February, usually to the richer teams. But pitchers that are signed by new teams late in the spring, are usually not at their peak until sometime late in the season, if ever. Thirdly, it f course, is fan interest

So let’s play advisor to Bloom. What’s your acquisition strategy for a power bat, and a 1 or 2 starter, needed desperately for the Cards to compete in 2026? Sign early or wait?

[Red7]

Like that old Italian love song, timing may mean more than you think, when it comes to off-season FA acquisitions. Mozeliak was a master at the waiting game, hoping for a price drop, even up to Spring training itself. More recently, many other organizations play the waiting game as well, especially when it comes to prime pitchers.

But there’s a cost to this approach. The “best” free agents, particularly power hitters, may be long gone by February, usually to the richer teams. But pitchers that are signed by new teams late in the spring, are usually not at their peak until sometime late in the season, if ever. Thirdly, it f course, is fan interest

So let’s play advisor to Bloom. What’s your acquisition strategy for a power bat, and a 1 or 2 starter, needed desperately for the Cards to compete in 2026? Sign early or wait?

In case you weren’t listening the first 1,000 times: the Cardinals are not looking for a quick fix or turnaround. They are not going to compete in 2026. IF, they’re to be taken at their word, they’re looking to build for the long term. While they may, in fact, be busy this offseason, don’t look for that MOTOB or TOR in 2026.

[Jatalk]

Like that old Italian love song, timing may mean more than you think, when it comes to off-season FA acquisitions. Mozeliak was a master at the waiting game, hoping for a price drop, even up to Spring training itself. More recently, many other organizations play the waiting game as well, especially when it comes to prime pitchers.

But there’s a cost to this approach. The “best” free agents, particularly power hitters, may be long gone by February, usually to the richer teams. But pitchers that are signed by new teams late in the spring, are usually not at their peak until sometime late in the season, if ever. Thirdly, it f course, is fan interest

So let’s play advisor to Bloom. What’s your acquisition strategy for a power bat, and a 1 or 2 starter, needed desperately for the Cards to compete in 2026? Sign early or wait?

I’m afraid you may be way ahead of yourself on this. Not sure any big moves made; maybe, but I’m thinking doubtful.

[BrummerStealsHome]

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball

[The Nard]

Like that old Italian love song, timing may mean more than you think, when it comes to off-season FA acquisitions. Mozeliak was a master at the waiting game, hoping for a price drop, even up to Spring training itself. More recently, many other organizations play the waiting game as well, especially when it comes to prime pitchers.

But there’s a cost to this approach. The “best” free agents, particularly power hitters, may be long gone by February, usually to the richer teams. But pitchers that are signed by new teams late in the spring, are usually not at their peak until sometime late in the season, if ever. Thirdly, it f course, is fan interest

So let’s play advisor to Bloom. What’s your acquisition strategy for a power bat, and a 1 or 2 starter, needed desperately for the Cards to compete in 2026? Sign early or wait?

I’m afraid you may be way ahead of yourself on this. Not sure any big moves made; maybe, but I’m thinking doubtful.

Any team that doesn’t add during the off-season degrades, and that rapidly. Why waste a year? I’d want them to be more competitive in 2026, and I believe that Bloom is thinking the same.

But back to my theoretical question: is it better to get the best FA available sooner, or play a waiting game?

[The Nard]

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball

Ai di la!

[BrockFloodMaris]

Like that old Italian love song, timing may mean more than you think, when it comes to off-season FA acquisitions. Mozeliak was a master at the waiting game, hoping for a price drop, even up to Spring training itself. More recently, many other organizations play the waiting game as well, especially when it comes to prime pitchers.

But there’s a cost to this approach. The “best” free agents, particularly power hitters, may be long gone by February, usually to the richer teams. But pitchers that are signed by new teams late in the spring, are usually not at their peak until sometime late in the season, if ever. Thirdly, it f course, is fan interest

So let’s play advisor to Bloom. What’s your acquisition strategy for a power bat, and a 1 or 2 starter, needed desperately for the Cards to compete in 2026? Sign early or wait?

I’m afraid you may be way ahead of yourself on this. Not sure any big moves made; maybe, but I’m thinking doubtful.

Any team that doesn’t add during the off-season degrades, and that rapidly. Why waste a year? I’d want them to be more competitive in 2026, and I believe that Bloom is thinking the same.

But back to my theoretical question: is it better to get the best FA available sooner, or play a waiting game?

Yes, by all means, let's add during this off season. But, not for the 2026 MLB roster, rather for the 2027 and 2028 MLB rosters. Bloom will certainly add, but he will be adding talent to the MiLB rosters. Think Palm Beach, Peoria, Springfield, maybe Memphis.

[ramfandan]

Each move Bloom makes is for the long-term success of the team . If any of the initial moves this offseason results in the Cardinals playing better in 2026 great but Bloom is NOT going into the offseason concentrating on 2026 major league team.

It’s quite possible the loss of certain veterans could result in a younger team winning LESS games than the 2025 team.

[greyhawk]

Each move Bloom makes is for the long-term success of the team . If any of the initial moves this offseason results in the Cardinals playing better in 2026 great but Bloom is NOT going into the offseason concentrating on 2026 major league team.

It’s quite possible the loss of certain veterans could result in a younger team winning LESS games than the 2025 team.

i don't think bloom will be allowed to do much spending until after the next bargaining agreement -- it could be a long year before an off year.

[Slip Kid]

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball

Ai di la!

My mother (RIP) was a huge Engelbert Humperdink fan, and back in the day would play his LP's over and over. I still remember his version of that song, it is still burned into my memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2etakoV-rg

[CorneliusWolfe]

Like that old Italian love song, timing may mean more than you think, when it comes to off-season FA acquisitions. Mozeliak was a master at the waiting game, hoping for a price drop, even up to Spring training itself. More recently, many other organizations play the waiting game as well, especially when it comes to prime pitchers.

But there’s a cost to this approach. The “best” free agents, particularly power hitters, may be long gone by February, usually to the richer teams. But pitchers that are signed by new teams late in the spring, are usually not at their peak until sometime late in the season, if ever. Thirdly, it f course, is fan interest

So let’s play advisor to Bloom. What’s your acquisition strategy for a power bat, and a 1 or 2 starter, needed desperately for the Cards to compete in 2026? Sign early or wait?

I’m afraid you may be way ahead of yourself on this. Not sure any big moves made; maybe, but I’m thinking doubtful.

Any team that doesn’t add during the off-season degrades, and that rapidly. Why waste a year? I’d want them to be more competitive in 2026, and I believe that Bloom is thinking the same.

But back to my theoretical question: is it better to get the best FA available sooner, or play a waiting game?

How dare you want to “win-now”. Haven’t you heard? We must lose, and I mean [fork]ing lose miserably, for many, many years, without even trying, especially not for a playoff berth.

Then….in an instant, and completely out of nowhere…BAM!! World Series Champions!

Our golden god prospects will be so badass they won’t even need playoff experience. They just need to keep losing, as much as possible, until we have the opposition right where we want them so we can spring our trap. Establishing a consistent and sustainable losing culture is key to building a championship team.

[jcgmoi]

My mother (RIP) was a huge Engelbert Humperdink fan

I'm sure your mom had many other redeeming qualities.

[82birds]

Each move Bloom makes is for the long-term success of the team . If any of the initial moves this offseason results in the Cardinals playing better in 2026 great but Bloom is NOT going into the offseason concentrating on 2026 major league team.

which is why Willson and Sonny could join Nado in waiving their NTCs

[C-Unit]

Ok I'll play

Sign Ryan O'Hearn, Walker Buehler.

That's two acquisitions that you can bring back for 2027 if you like em, or you can flip em at the 2026 deadline.

[Absolut]

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball
Think about baseball

Ai di la!

My mother (RIP) was a huge Engelbert Humperdink fan, and back in the day would play his LP's over and over. I still remember his version of that song, it is still burned into my memory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2etakoV-rg

Best version

https://youtu.be/aaTb89xf2Z0

[The Nard]

Ok I'll play

Sign Ryan O'Hearn, Walker Buehler.

That's two acquisitions that you can bring back for 2027 if you like em, or you can flip em at the 2026 deadline.

Actually, I could go for that. I think Buehler is due, once past this coming-off-injury season.