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Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
by Cardly
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
by 82birds
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 18:00 pm
by craviduce
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 18:28 pm
by Whatashame
I’m hoping for one more veteran signing to give the team a fighters chance. Outside of Liberatore, everyone else is a question mark. McGreevy was fine but this is his first full year. Fitts, Leahy, Pallante have questions until they can start answering them. May has upside but there’s questions to. I hope Matthews comes out guns blazing but that’s just another question. If he does we will figure it out but we shouldn’t count on that.
Maybe someone comes back in a trade, its still December, but even though we aren’t winning a World Series next year there’s nothing wrong with acquiring another starter, FA or trade, to at least stabilize the rotation.
Losing Maton, Helsley, trading Romero and possibly losing Leahy to the rotation is a big chunk out of that bullpen. The payroll will be down again so money shouldn’t be an issue. Even adding another starter will give lots of opportunities to everyone. Let’s not start the season strained.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 18:31 pm
by ramfandan
More pitching forthcoming.. May is the first addition
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 18:31 pm
by IndCard75
The SP are…
Libby
McGreevy
May
Pallante
Leahy
Fitts
In my opinion
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 18:53 pm
by ICCFIM2
IndCard75 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:31 pm
The SP are…
Libby
McGreevy
May
Pallante
Leahy
Fitts
In my opinion
Move Pallante to the bottom of the list as the swingman and I agree. They will sign a veteran reliever who can pitch 2 innings 2-3 times a week. That will alleviate some of the innings crunch.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:06 pm
by Cusecards
craviduce wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:00 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Agree 100%!
I like the potential competition.
Of course if some team offers that “meaningful” starter for someone like Donovan you jump on it.
Mathews could certainly make his case in ST?
Leahy??
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:11 pm
by CorneliusWolfe
The candidates for the rotation aren’t much to get excited about, but they’re all better than Pallante.
Why that experiment ever happened in the first place made no sense.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:12 pm
by Cardinals4Life
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we
won't be able to afford him.
Oh, you mean with our sub 100M payroll? Lol
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:16 pm
by Ozziesfan41
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 19:12 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we
won't be able to afford him.
Oh, you mean with our sub 100M payroll? Lol
The only way the cardinals would be able to get Fairbanks is to grossly over pay for him which they won’t do. He’s good enough he will have no shortage of contending teams after him and he will won’t to sign with one of them
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:28 pm
by ICCFIM2
craviduce wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:00 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Does it make sense to view Mathews, Henderson and Mautz as guys the Cards are going to try and give 5-10 starts each in 2026? It gives them experience which will give them a idea of what they still need to work on. If they succeed they get more. But, just revolve them through the rotation during the season to give each of them innings. In your view is that an effective way to help finish there development? My hope is after 2026, they give each of these guys enough opportunity, the starting rotation situation is much clearer going into 2027.
We probably disagree on Leahy a bit, who I think both earned innings last year and he appears to understand how to use his stuff to get outs. I am looking forward to seeing if he can convert that into being a starter. Pitching takes a long time to learn. I don't really care that he is a late bloomer, I do care if he can be effective. Finding a guy internally is a great way to unlock value that you don't have to pay for. In particular for a 17th round draft pick. If he succeeds, you won the lottery. If not, just put back in the pen.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:37 pm
by RamFan08NY
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 19:12 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we
won't be able to afford him.
Oh, you mean with our sub 100M payroll? Lol
Has nothing to do with it. How much money do you think a player would want to go to a rebuilding team? It would cost 25% over what he's worth.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:45 pm
by Talkin' Baseball
craviduce wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:00 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Not sure what they will do, but here is how I see the rotation- I think they need to sign at least one more guy, and I would pursue two. For me, if they are healthy, May, Liberatore, and McGreevy are locks for the rotation.
For the first signing I would lean toward Jose Quintana or Tyler Mahle. Quintana isn't flashy but he is solid and consistent. Consistently healthy and consistently competitive. Mahle probably has more upside, but comes with significant health risk. I suppose if I had to choose between the two, I would select Quintana. He would give them four starters.
The last rotation slot is a competition between Fitts, Matthews, Leahy, or perhaps is filled by a new acquisition. I would like to see Fitts be a spot starter, long man out of the bullpen, or be able to fill in for injuries. It is simply not possible to be as injury-free as the rotation was last year. I hope Leahy goes back to the bullpen. I would not hand a spot to Mathews until he demonstrates health and control. Who knows about an acquisiton?
The other starting pitcher I would try to sign would be Jordan Montgomery. I don't think he will be ready until maybe June. He is there to backfill the rotation in the event of poor health, or poor performance, especially from the fifth starter. If they sign him they might want to consider a 2-year deal if that is possible.
These additions are not costly, insure depth and innings, and could be flipped at the deadline- not just because we are out of the race, but because we have young pitchers coming along in their development, or regaining health. They also have a young fireballer, left-hander who I have heard is pretty good. We'll see.
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:47 pm
by craviduce
ICCFIM2 wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 19:28 pm
craviduce wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:00 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Does it make sense to view Mathews, Henderson and Mautz as guys the Cards are going to try and give 5-10 starts each in 2026? It gives them experience which will give them a idea of what they still need to work on. If they succeed they get more. But, just revolve them through the rotation during the season to give each of them innings. In your view is that an effective way to help finish there development? My hope is after 2026, they give each of these guys enough opportunity, the starting rotation situation is much clearer going into 2027.
We probably disagree on Leahy a bit, who I think both earned innings last year and he appears to understand how to use his stuff to get outs. I am looking forward to seeing if he can convert that into being a starter. Pitching takes a long time to learn. I don't really care that he is a late bloomer, I do care if he can be effective. Finding a guy internally is a great way to unlock value that you don't have to pay for. In particular for a 17th round draft pick. If he succeeds, you won the lottery. If not, just put back in the pen.
5-10 starts? I don't see why not...it'll be good for them. 2026 is experimental year for the Cards. So...experiment.
As for Leahy...I guess my bias is based off AA/AAA #'s for 2 years, he was apart of the worst pitching staff in the history of the minor leagues in 2021....and why they removed him from being a starter. 1 time through the batting order, that's what he got you, and then HR allowed collapse. He pitches 88 innings last year, and we're all the sudden wanting to make him a starter again.... 8 and 6 ERA is real thing.
Keep him as a long reliever...the 2026 rotation is going to need as many long relievers as they can get. 1 time through the order is all you're going to get from him. That's the max he gave you last year....I don't understand some fans rallying around him....other than they want a different flavor and will settle for anything other than Pallante.
Again...though, it's an experimentation year...so...try him at starter, I guess?
Re: Dustin May and who else covers the multitude of innings?
Posted: 13 Dec 2025 19:50 pm
by Talkin' Baseball
Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 19:45 pm
craviduce wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 18:00 pm
82birds wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:35 pm
Cardly wrote: ↑13 Dec 2025 17:32 pm
The Cards are surely looking to add one more veteran starter to cover a season worth of innings.
Quintana?
Mahle?
Montgomery?
Someone from the Mariners?
There has to be another veteran arm on the way from some place.
Bullpen…Fairbanks?
agree on another starter coming from some source.
Fairbanks I think is in such demand we won't be able to afford him.
I wouldn't count on a meaningful starter...what if Quinn Mathews has a stellar spring training? Back to his 2024 ways? I'd throw him in the rotation. You would have May, McGreevy, Liberatore, Pallante, Fits, Mathews vying for innings. Maybe one of Henderson, Mautz, or even Hansen can insert to cover innings midseason if they perform well enough in Memphis.
If we sign another pitcher it's a Minor League contract where they can elect FA by April 10th or something if they don't make the 26man out of camp.
Not sure what they will do, but here is how I see the rotation- I think they need to sign at least one more guy, and I would pursue two. For me, if they are healthy, May, Liberatore, and McGreevy are locks for the rotation.
For the first signing I would lean toward Jose Quintana or Tyler Mahle. Quintana isn't flashy but he is solid and consistent. Consistently healthy and consistently competitive. Mahle probably has more upside, but comes with significant health risk. I suppose if I had to choose between the two, I would select Quintana. He would give them four starters.
The last rotation slot is a competition between Fitts, Matthews, Leahy, or perhaps is filled by a new acquisition. I would like to see Fitts be a spot starter, long man out of the bullpen, or be able to fill in for injuries. It is simply not possible to be as injury-free as the rotation was last year. I hope Leahy goes back to the bullpen. I would not hand a spot to Mathews until he demonstrates health and control. Who knows about an acquisiton?
The other starting pitcher I would try to sign would be Jordan Montgomery. I don't think he will be ready until maybe June. He is there to backfill the rotation in the event of poor health, or poor performance, especially from the fifth starter. If they sign him they might want to consider a 2-year deal if that is possible.
These additions are not costly, insure depth and innings, and could be flipped at the deadline- not just because we are out of the race, but because we have young pitchers coming along in their development, or regaining health. They also have a young fireballer, left-hander who I have heard is pretty good. We'll see.
Oh yes, and if another organization has interest in Pallante, please move him. He's not in my conversation.