Winter Meetings underway

[todd-parker]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

[ramfandan]

Last night on the MLB show they put up a graphic showed not much action on the Monday .

According to Moroni, the trade market for 2nd basemen infielders may happen first as the teams wanting power bat in trade will wait to see how FA big bats Tucket, Schwarber,etc. shake out first.
If that’s true, then Donovan could be one of first moves.

[rockondlouie]

I'll guess Donny goes first since the demand for him is great and the offers (likely) have been submitted or will be this week.

[Hoosier59]

I was going to start a thread about the Cardinals off-season moves and everyone’s predictions, but I’ll use this one.
So, yep, Donovan is going to be traded, but there are so many teams evolved it’s pretty hard to predict which team he ends up going to. The return for him would seem to be a high level pitching prospect, and then another player not rated quite as high.
By trading Donovan the Cardinals look to be getting a possible front line starter, if not for this season, surely by 2027.

Lars Nootbaar, doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. They say they don’t want to sell low on him ( due to his surgery) , but I think it has more to do with not wanting to get rid of all of their most popular players at the same time. He may be popular with kids, and the average fan, who just like to chant “ Nooooooooot “ every time he comes up or makes a good play! Anyway, I don’t think Noot gets traded until at least the trade deadline.

JoJo will probably be moved, but I’d be surprised if it’s by himself. I think he’ll be attached to another player to increase the return.
Possibly Donovan, Arenado, or Contreras.
Arenado will be moved, but the return will be negligible. The Cardinals just want him gone, and with as much payroll as the acquiring team will accept.

Burleson, and Hererra are going no where, unless the Cardinals are completely blown away.
Nobody wants Scott, unless he were to be added in with another trade, and that’s scenario is pretty slim.

The Cardinals’ catching is an area of strength, but I wonder if they are ready to move on from any of them yet. I don’t think the Cardinals view Pages as the future catcher, but Oli loves him, and are any of the younger guys ready to step in there? They say they are going to give Herrera another shot at catching, but I doubt they will move Pages to open up the position for him. They will want to keep Pages when or if Herrera fails. Is Crooks ready? He didn’t exactly look like it in September, but it was a small sample size. For him to stick with the club in April, he’ll have to have an outstanding Spring. I think he is a good enough catcher defensively to stay there, and he has always produced runs with his bat. Will they move Pages and let Herrera and Crooks share catching duty, with Pozo as insurance, I guess it’s possible, just not very probable. There would have to be a team that really wanted Pages and willing to pay up to get him. My guess is that Herrera gets a chance, with Pages as a second, and Crooks starting in AAA. Pozo may be the third catcher on the team as well.
I’ll be really surprised if Gorman, or Walker are traded. Both, unless injured will be in the opening day lineup. Chaim said that what Walker needs to work on, he can’t do in the minors. So, unless he is really awful this Spring, he’s in the Cardinals outfield.

So, in review, players that will be traded are; Donovan, Arenado, Romero, and Contreras. With the possibility of Pages, Crooks, and a few other possible minor leaguers.

[82birds]

I was going to start a thread about the Cardinals off-season moves and everyone’s predictions, but I’ll use this one.
So, yep, Donovan is going to be traded, but there are so many teams evolved it’s pretty hard to predict which team he ends up going to. The return for him would seem to be a high level pitching prospect, and then another player not rated quite as high.
By trading Donovan the Cardinals look to be getting a possible front line starter, if not for this season, surely by 2027.

Lars Nootbaar, doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. They say they don’t want to sell low on him ( due to his surgery) , but I think it has more to do with not wanting to get rid of all of their most popular players at the same time. He may be popular with kids, and the average fan, who just like to chant “ Nooooooooot “ every time he comes up or makes a good play! Anyway, I don’t think Noot gets traded until at least the trade deadline.

JoJo will probably be moved, but I’d be surprised if it’s by himself. I think he’ll be attached to another player to increase the return.
Possibly Donovan, Arenado, or Contreras.
Arenado will be moved, but the return will be negligible. The Cardinals just want him gone, and with as much payroll as the acquiring team will accept.

Burleson, and Hererra are going no where, unless the Cardinals are completely blown away.
Nobody wants Scott, unless he were to be added in with another trade, and that’s scenario is pretty slim.

The Cardinals’ catching is an area of strength, but I wonder if they are ready to move on from any of them yet. I don’t think the Cardinals view Pages as the future catcher, but Oli loves him, and are any of the younger guys ready to step in there? They say they are going to give Herrera another shot at catching, but I doubt they will move Pages to open up the position for him. They will want to keep Pages when or if Herrera fails. Is Crooks ready? He didn’t exactly look like it in September, but it was a small sample size. For him to stick with the club in April, he’ll have to have an outstanding Spring. I think he is a good enough catcher defensively to stay there, and he has always produced runs with his bat. Will they move Pages and let Herrera and Crooks share catching duty, with Pozo as insurance, I guess it’s possible, just not very probable. There would have to be a team that really wanted Pages and willing to pay up to get him. My guess is that Herrera gets a chance, with Pages as a second, and Crooks starting in AAA. Pozo may be the third catcher on the team as well.
I’ll be really surprised if Gorman, or Walker are traded. Both, unless injured will be in the opening day lineup. Chaim said that what Walker needs to work on, he can’t do in the minors. So, unless he is really awful this Spring, he’s in the Cardinals outfield.

So, in review, players that will be traded are; Donovan, Arenado, Romero, and Contreras. With the possibility of Pages, Crooks, and a few other possible minor leaguers.

nice synopsis ^
not so sure Contreras gets traded though

[kyace]

I think Donovan gets traded within 48 hours. My guess is the Dodgers or Mariners with the Mariners the most likely team. I think Jo Jo gets moved to the Yankees. Arenado will take a while unless the Angels make a quick move.

[Carp4Cy]

Last night on the MLB show they put up a graphic showed not much action on the Monday .

According to Moroni, the trade market for 2nd basemen infielders may happen first as the teams wanting power bat in trade will wait to see how FA big bats Tucket, Schwarber,etc. shake out first.
If that’s true, then Donovan could be one of first moves.

Are all the agents at the meetings actively negotiating with GMs in person?

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

I'm going with Donovan to Seattle on Wednesday for Ryan Sloan. There might be a second prospect down the list and/or money going to Sea.

is that specific enough?

[Carp4Cy]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

I'm going with Donovan to Seattle on Wednesday for Ryan Sloan. There might be a second prospect down the list and/or money going to Sea.

is that specific enough?

Why so low? MattMitch keeps saying we need (nearly) MLB ready

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

I'm going with Donovan to Seattle on Wednesday for Ryan Sloan. There might be a second prospect down the list and/or money going to Sea.

is that specific enough?

Why so low? MattMitch keeps saying we need (nearly) MLB ready

I'm not sure you ever really understand MM position on this stuff but it doesn't matter to me. Ryan Sloan could be a #1-2 starting pitcher in a year or two. That kind of talent and upside is valuable. Also not sure how much you think a 117 OPS+ career hitter with 2 years of control is worth.

Consider this - would you trade Liam Doyle for Donovan if you wanted a Donovan for years? Doyle is ranked #36 (2025 rankings) with a total of 3.2 IPs as a professional at age 21. Sloan is ranked #44 at age 19 with 82 IPs in the pros. I won't be shocked if the new rankings boost him up above Doyle.

Maybe I am aiming low. Up to Bloom to figure it out.

[rockondlouie]

Last night on the MLB show they put up a graphic showed not much action on the Monday .

According to Moroni, the trade market for 2nd basemen infielders may happen first as the teams wanting power bat in trade will wait to see how FA big bats Tucket, Schwarber,etc. shake out first.
If that’s true, then Donovan could be one of first moves.

Are all the agents at the meetings actively negotiating with GMs in person?

100%

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Last night on the MLB show they put up a graphic showed not much action on the Monday .

According to Moroni, the trade market for 2nd basemen infielders may happen first as the teams wanting power bat in trade will wait to see how FA big bats Tucket, Schwarber,etc. shake out first.
If that’s true, then Donovan could be one of first moves.

Are all the agents at the meetings actively negotiating with GMs in person?

100%

My bet is each team has a hospitality suite with booze and nibbles. And probably the bigger agents as well. Some of the deals probably get done face to face.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

I'm going with Donovan to Seattle on Wednesday for Ryan Sloan. There might be a second prospect down the list and/or money going to Sea.

is that specific enough?

Why so low? MattMitch keeps saying we need (nearly) MLB ready

I'm not sure you ever really understand MM position on this stuff but it doesn't matter to me. Ryan Sloan could be a #1-2 starting pitcher in a year or two. That kind of talent and upside is valuable. Also not sure how much you think a 117 OPS+ career hitter with 2 years of control is worth.

Consider this - would you trade Liam Doyle for Donovan if you wanted a Donovan for years? Doyle is ranked #36 (2025 rankings) with a total of 3.2 IPs as a professional at age 21. Sloan is ranked #44 at age 19 with 82 IPs in the pros. I won't be shocked if the new rankings boost him up above Doyle.

Maybe I am aiming low. Up to Bloom to figure it out.

I finally figured out how to see trade value per baseballtradevalues.com.

Sloan 14.1
Bautista 9.1
Donovan 32

Yeah maybe I am aiming low.

[12xu]

Rumor has it that Mo and Girsch showed up and claimed they were representing the Savannah Bananas.......

[Carp4Cy]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

I'm going with Donovan to Seattle on Wednesday for Ryan Sloan. There might be a second prospect down the list and/or money going to Sea.

is that specific enough?

Why so low? MattMitch keeps saying we need (nearly) MLB ready

I'm not sure you ever really understand MM position on this stuff but it doesn't matter to me. Ryan Sloan could be a #1-2 starting pitcher in a year or two. That kind of talent and upside is valuable. Also not sure how much you think a 117 OPS+ career hitter with 2 years of control is worth.

Consider this - would you trade Liam Doyle for Donovan if you wanted a Donovan for years? Doyle is ranked #36 (2025 rankings) with a total of 3.2 IPs as a professional at age 21. Sloan is ranked #44 at age 19 with 82 IPs in the pros. I won't be shocked if the new rankings boost him up above Doyle.

Maybe I am aiming low. Up to Bloom to figure it out.

the 19 yo part is the issue. He's not going to be ready in a year. Probably not in 2 and certainly not a #1 SP by then.

Its nice to have prospects born after 2006 in the system, but we need to fill a LOT of holes from the generation ahead of that to compete before 2030.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

Time for some wheelin' and dealin' at the MLB Winter Meetings happening in beautiful Orlando, Florida.

So which Cardinal gets dealt first? Donovan, Arenado, or "other" (Contreras, Lars, etc.)?

I'm going with Donovan to Seattle on Wednesday for Ryan Sloan. There might be a second prospect down the list and/or money going to Sea.

is that specific enough?

Why so low? MattMitch keeps saying we need (nearly) MLB ready

I'm not sure you ever really understand MM position on this stuff but it doesn't matter to me. Ryan Sloan could be a #1-2 starting pitcher in a year or two. That kind of talent and upside is valuable. Also not sure how much you think a 117 OPS+ career hitter with 2 years of control is worth.

Consider this - would you trade Liam Doyle for Donovan if you wanted a Donovan for years? Doyle is ranked #36 (2025 rankings) with a total of 3.2 IPs as a professional at age 21. Sloan is ranked #44 at age 19 with 82 IPs in the pros. I won't be shocked if the new rankings boost him up above Doyle.

Maybe I am aiming low. Up to Bloom to figure it out.

the 19 yo part is the issue. He's not going to be ready in a year. Probably not in 2 and certainly not a #1 SP by then.

Its nice to have prospects born after 2006 in the system, but we need to fill a LOT of holes from the generation ahead of that to compete before 2030.

Yes he is young. But some guys pitch in the majors at 20-21. Whatever. He is the kind of player I want to add. If Donovan should return him AND more I'm jelly.