Goold chat 11a.m, today

[ramfandan]

For those with questions or wish to get latest from Post lead writer.

[ramfandan]

Will be listening to see if Goold is hearing any new trade tidbits prior to the Winter Meetings. WIll post later if anything new is discussed in his chat .
Check back in a couple hours.
Ramfandan

[ramfandan]

Goold was asked whether Bloom had a good idea what teams Nado has approved to be traded to ?

Good reply :

The two have talked about this often and both sides believe they do, yes. At last check, Chaim Bloom and his staff is doing a lot of the canvassing of the market and then, when necessary, bringing the info back to Arenado and his group. Arenado has both expanded the group of teams he'd consider as well as said he'll consider what surfaces from Bloom's conversations. At the moment, the availability of free agent third basemen -- Bregman and Suarez, for example -- is going to slow this market ... just as we saw last year with Boston. That was an agreeable place for Arenado but the Sox had a bid for Bregman. If Cubs sign Bregman or Tigers for that matter, then it sure seemed like Arenado would be Boston bound. Bregman chose Boston, then chose to opt-out, and it's the same as it was 12 months ago for a lot of parties.

[ramfandan]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

[rockondlouie]

Thx a lot RFdan, look forward to your updates!

Sorry to hear about J. Walk since I've been strongly in the "Memphis camp".

[ramfandan]

What will the Cardinals focus on in 2026 draft ? best available, pitching, power bat ?


Goold reply :

Always best available. That's pretty standard across MLB these days. Where the Cardinals pick after the lottery will reveal a lot and if they'll have a shot at one of the top-end shortstops available.

[2ninr]

Thx a lot RFdan, look forward to your updates!

Sorry toi hear about J. Walk since I've been strongly in the "Memphis camp".

I agree that he should be in Memphis or maybe even Springfield. My opinion is almost opposite the organization. I am in favor of him having some success than moving up. However, this had been the organizations stance since thwe end of the season, so it's no surprise.

[ramfandan]

Thx a lot RFdan, look forward to your updates!

Sorry toi hear about J. Walk since I've been strongly in the "Memphis camp".

I agree that he should be in Memphis or maybe even Springfield. My opinion is almost opposite the organization. I am in favor of him having some success than moving up. However, this had been the organizations stance since thwe end of the season, so it's no surprise.

Yes , it

has been there stance. One can argue both ways and have valid points. The Cardinals seem to feel strongly that for Walker to make the changes necessary to be successful , it has to be vs. major league caliber pitching. As Goold pointed out, the team feels he could have success in the minors without makng those changes since he would be facing lesser caliber pitching and that would not benefit him for the majors.

With him reaching his first arbitration year after this season , this truly is his make or break year to show the Cardinals should retain him .

[11WSChamps]

Grown tired of this Arenado business.

Eat what money you have too get a low level prospect and be done with it.

The franchise is worth far more than you paid for it.

Leave the crumbs and for Christ sake move on.

[Carp4Cy]

Grown tired of this Arenado business.

Eat what money you have too get a low level prospect and be done with it.

The franchise is worth far more than you paid for it.

Leave the crumbs and for Christ sake move on.

Some here want to sell Nado just to sell even if theres no return and no big savings because they don't like him as a player. I disagree. I still like watching him play 3rd over Gorman.

[ramfandan]

Q asked : Would it be better to trade JoJo at deadline than this winter ?

Goold Reply :

A reliever like Romero in the midst of a strong season would definitely command a strong return at the deadline. You make a good point. But there are different elements in play this winter. The risk is always there about going into the season and counting on health or the volatility of the role. Teams make deals in the winter when there are more teams bidding because more teams believe they have a chance to win than at the deadline. That is in play here. Plus, the free-agent market is light on lefty options so there's even more attention give him. That's adding to the idea of getting good return now.

So Goold feels more likely JoJo would be moved this winter.

[Dewey Kuey]

I like this about Walker. Time for him to either be a major league player or not. This will give us some more answers if he can do it on the big club. If he hasn't shown this by all star break, then time to cut bait and move on to someone else. Hopefully Bloom realizes this with Gorman too and he is moved and out of the way by ST. He has had enough chances imo.

[Goldfan]

Goold asked about possiblity Walker being sent to Memphis Note: This topic has come up frequently on CT chat with some supporting Walker playing in Memphis in 2026

Goold's reply :

The Cardinals do not share your opinion based on their answers over and over again when this has been asked and discussed. Manager Oli Marmol probably had the most detailed explanation of it -- and he didn't limit the answer to Walker, but used Walker as an example. He said what Walker needed to work on, what adjustments he needed to make were not going to happen in the minors because he's not going to face the same kind of competition and demands at that level. He could succeed without change and thus reinforce just staying status quo, rather than being challenged to adjust, to improve, etc. at the major-league level.


t's also part of why you're going to sense some urgency from Walker and the Cardinals about his place with the team. He only has one option year remaining. He's on the brink of arbitration eligibility. These two things really put a clock on the Cardinals getting the most from him and him finding a spot with the team. Yes, that's in the major-league lineup. And, yes, the Cardinals are advertising that he's going to get that opportunity. They're not out of the runway era just yet.

It’s official!!! Another year of Walker being an auto out in our ML lineup so HE CAN WORK ON HITTING ML PITCHERS!!!

[rockondlouie]

Thx a lot RFdan, look forward to your updates!

Sorry toi hear about J. Walk since I've been strongly in the "Memphis camp".

I agree that he should be in Memphis or maybe even Springfield. My opinion is almost opposite the organization. I am in favor of him having some success than moving up. However, this had been the organizations stance since thwe end of the season, so it's no surprise.

Hopefully that's only Oli's opinion and once C. Bloom see's him still struggling this spring (and we all hope he doesn't but.......) he tickets him for Memphis.

[rockondlouie]

Q asked : Would it be better to trade JoJo at deadline than this winter ?

Goold Reply :

A reliever like Romero in the midst of a strong season would definitely command a strong return at the deadline. You make a good point. But there are different elements in play this winter. The risk is always there about going into the season and counting on health or the volatility of the role. Teams make deals in the winter when there are more teams bidding because more teams believe they have a chance to win than at the deadline. That is in play here. Plus, the free-agent market is light on lefty options so there's even more attention give him. That's adding to the idea of getting good return now.

So Goold feels more likely JoJo would be moved this winter.

JoJo is at his HIGHEST value NOW!

Don't risk him taking a step back.

Couple him w/Donny and get that young starting pitcher.

[82birds]

Goold was asked whether Bloom had a good idea what teams Nado has approved to be traded to ?

Good reply :

The two have talked about this often and both sides believe they do, yes. At last check, Chaim Bloom and his staff is doing a lot of the canvassing of the market and then, when necessary, bringing the info back to Arenado and his group. Arenado has both expanded the group of teams he'd consider as well as said he'll consider what surfaces from Bloom's conversations. At the moment, the availability of free agent third basemen -- Bregman and Suarez, for example -- is going to slow this market ... just as we saw last year with Boston. That was an agreeable place for Arenado but the Sox had a bid for Bregman. If Cubs sign Bregman or Tigers for that matter, then it sure seemed like Arenado would be Boston bound. Bregman chose Boston, then chose to opt-out, and it's the same as it was 12 months ago for a lot of parties.

I haven't heard any chatter about that but, if true, I'd not be happy (Bregman as a Cub)