Will Bloom pull off 'blockbuster' trade at Winter Meetings or prior to spring training ?

[ramfandan]

First , the term 'blockbuster' certainly can be subjective argument. What one person may view as a 'blockbuster' may be seen as 'no big deal' to another.
So I am using the MLB media , specifically MLB Network , to label the deal 'blockbuster' .
For example , if Brendan Donovan would be traded by Bloom does the fact an All Star player of 2025 ,earn the 'blockbuster' designation.
A trade of Nolan Arenado , though high name recognition, would not alone be a 'blockbuster' most would agree.
If Sonny Gray was packaged with other Cardinal major league roster players , might that earn 'blockbuster' ?

I am thinking Bloom will make some deal MLB Network 'insiders' ( Heyman, Morosi, Olney ,Nightengale etc . ) designate as a blockbuster. What about you ?

[Ozziesfan41]

I would say no. I could be wrong and it’s nothing against bloom but I just don’t see him having the players to pull off a block buster deal. He has some nice players like Donovan and burly who could possibly be traded but neither of them will bring back a block buster return and he isn’t going to be trading many if any prospects that could bring back a block buster return.

[greyhawk]

Doesn't a blockbuster require currently significant major league players going in both directions?? If i choose to believe that definition, then i don't expect a blockbuster because i don't believe the cardinals will ask for anything but prospects in return albeit perhaps highly regarded ones depending on who is traded away.

[TraveledLessRoad]

If it weren't for this potential work-stoppage in 2027, I'd lean towards them doing something substantial (trade or FA signing) just to get butts in the seats. But, b/c of the unknowns related to how big of a stoppage there will or won't be, they'd probably be wise to just do very little. From a business standpoint, that's how I'd approach it, anyway

[ramfandan]

Doesn't a blockbuster require currently significant major league players going in both directions?? If i choose to believe that definition, then i don't expect a blockbuster because i don't believe the cardinals will ask for anything but prospects in return albeit perhaps highly regarded ones depending on who is traded away.

Very good post , Greyhawk ! Does there need to be significant major leaguers going both ways to be a blockbuster ?
Let me use a hypothetical (and ridiculous ) trade using minor leaguers of Cardinals since we know them best .

Let's say a team trades two 31 year old starting players (one or both who made an All Star team possibly ) and the other team traded 3 minor leaguers ( Wetherholt, Doyle and Rodriguez ) in return ( remember I said ridiculous but two name players for 3 minor leaugers. Could that be a blockbuster trade ?
Fans of the team receiving no major leaguers in return may say . Wow, we traded two very good players and got back 3 minior leaguers .. Holy (bleep) !
Baseball insiders may say What a steal getting JJ, Doyle, and Rodriguez !
As you state, may not get blockbuster designation though ?

[Cardly]

The Cards seem intent on trading anyone over 23 who would in other seasons interest fans attention.

So, the return on their medium trade chips will bring about a couple of C level prospects or possibly a single B level prospect in return.

Translated: The Cards will field a AA, AAA and AAAA roster of basically minor league talent this season. They will sprinkle in just enough mediocre veteran starting pitchers to cover the never ending innings that the rookies can't cover because they don't have stamina to do so at this point in their young careers.

70 wins? 75 wins?

[rockondlouie]

S. Gray + B. Donovan + a catcher for ??????

Would be a blockbuster!

[greyhawk]

Doesn't a blockbuster require currently significant major league players going in both directions?? If i choose to believe that definition, then i don't expect a blockbuster because i don't believe the cardinals will ask for anything but prospects in return albeit perhaps highly regarded ones depending on who is traded away.

Very good post , Greyhawk ! Does there need to be significant major leaguers going both ways to be a blockbuster ?
Let me use a hypothetical (and ridiculous ) trade using minor leaguers of Cardinals since we know them best .

Let's say a team trades two 31 year old starting players (one or both who made an All Star team possibly ) and the other team traded 3 minor leaguers ( Wetherholt, Doyle and Rodriguez ) in return ( remember I said ridiculous but two name players for 3 minor leaugers. Could that be a blockbuster trade ?
Fans of the team receiving no major leaguers in return may say . Wow, we traded two very good players and got back 3 minior leaguers .. Holy (bleep) !
Baseball insiders may say What a steal getting JJ, Doyle, and Rodriguez !
As you state, may not get blockbuster designation though ?

good points and hindsight is a beautiful thing.... doyle alexander for some kid named john smoltz ? Lary Anderson for some blocked kid named jeff bagwell? Bob Sykes for a nothing burger named willie mcgee?? It probably comes down to the eye of the beholder --- on this board most fans know alot about teams minor leaguers and prospects, but is that truly the case for a large % of fans?

[greyhawk]

S. Gray + B. Donovan + a catcher for ??????

Would be a blockbuster!

what if the return is 3-4 top prospects?? still a blockbuster?

[Jatalk]

No blockbuster trades by any definition.
Fairer question would be any blockbuster free agent signings?
The answer to that is no also.

[rockondlouie]

S. Gray + B. Donovan + a catcher for ??????

Would be a blockbuster!

what if the return is 3-4 top prospects?? still a blockbuster?

For that package hawk', the return needs to be a young, cost controlled starting pitcher w/years of control.

I don't really want prospects/suspects for those two unless they're in a teams Top 10 and are major league ready in 2026, 2027 at the latest.

But yea, MLBN/ESPN would consider dealing Gray + Donny in any package a "blockbuster".

[Dan in PA]

Question: why are we concerned about a work stoppage in 2027 when it comes to player acquisition? No baseball means no salaries, right?

[TraveledLessRoad]

Question: why are we concerned about a work stoppage in 2027 when it comes to player acquisition? No baseball means no salaries, right?

I'm not savvy enough to fully understand it. But, I think in a nutshell, the outcome of the what gets negotiated out of the stoppage might have implications on certain things that could matter substantially to certain franchises with not as a high a payroll ceiling. Salary caps, arbitration eligibility changes, changes to how much people can make, etc. Hence, it's not so much about the stoppage itself, but what manifests as a result of the negotiations that take place

[Goldfan]

Question: why are we concerned about a work stoppage in 2027 when it comes to player acquisition? No baseball means no salaries, right?

I'm not savvy enough to fully understand it. But, I think in a nutshell, the outcome of the what gets negotiated out of the stoppage might have implications on certain things that could matter substantially to certain franchises with not as a high a payroll ceiling. Salary caps, arbitration eligibility changes, changes to how much people can make, etc. Hence, it's not so much about the stoppage itself, but what manifests as a result of the negotiations that take place

I would bet there will be no outcome that saves the small/mid markets and eliminates the big boys from spending their money like some might hope

[scoutyjones2]

Neither

[JuanAgosto]

I think Bloom makes three trades this winter. None will fit the blockbuster category.

Donovan for?
Arenado for?
And a surprise trade.