STLtoday.com

I found this to be a good article with videos of 5 pretty high-upside projection:

https://redbirdrants.com/5-exciting-pit ... n-trades/6

All interesting but will be disappointed if Bloom can’t do better for Donovan

Lagrange probably has too much RP risk, but getting one of the others, plus some, would be the minimum I'd be looking for in a Donovan trade.

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:14 am All interesting but will be disappointed if Bloom can’t do better for Donovan

+1

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:14 am All interesting but will be disappointed if Bloom can’t do better for Donovan

If he could obtain both Cameron and Chourio from KC for Donovan I would be pleased. Cameron ready to start in '26, and 18 year old Chourio for the future.

82birds wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:02 am I found this to be a good article with videos of 5 pretty high-upside projection:

https://redbirdrants.com/5-exciting-pit ... n-trades/6

not saying these are my five but rather the article writer's five.

still, it is intriguing to me the Rob Cerfolio should know the Cleveland system inside out and Matt Pierpont should know the Mariners system inside out.

and Bloom should know the Red Sox and Rays inside out.

82birds wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:02 am I found this to be a good article with videos of 5 pretty high-upside projection:

https://redbirdrants.com/5-exciting-pit ... n-trades/6

The priority should now be targeting a quality outfield bat who has reached MLB already or a rookie ready to step into the lineup on opening day.

12xu wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 09:17 am

Jatalk wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:14 am All interesting but will be disappointed if Bloom can’t do better for Donovan

If he could obtain both Cameron and Chourio from KC for Donovan I would be pleased. Cameron ready to start in '26, and 18 year old Chourio for the future.

Yes 2026 ready is important to me

I like the idea of this LaGrange kid with the Yanks

TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:46 am I like the idea of this LaGrange kid with the Yanks

+1000

Love that the one article stated how the Cardinals of the early 2010's always seemed to have good young pitching coming up, and, IMO, at least part of that was the heavy emphasis on pitching in the MLB draft, particularly early in the draft. They(randy/mo/Dewitt) should never have deviated from that philosophy. It should be a constant philosophy in all aspects of player procurement, with the exception being the early 1st round "best player available", or any time they see a "undervalued player" fall to them, then take the position player.

Otherwise, draft position players by a philosophy heavily favored by system positional need, as opposed to best position player available, lower on the draft order, say starting around the 5th or. 6th pick. That way you get the best pool of pitching talent to choose from, which is what you need to be a successful MLB franchise. Period. We can discuss everything else a eam needs (offense, defense, etc.), but it has to, and always has had to, start with good pitching.

You make exceptions for the offense when the market dictates, and do the best you can at acquiring positional talent, with the caveat you will never choose hitters over pitchers when it isn't clear cut that the hitter is a much better value. Obviously, the international market needs to be more heavily utilized, and obviously the system has to be top notch to produce the best prospects. But, in general, try to make your best players your pitchers. Yes, boring, low scoring games, with nothing but doubles(lots of doubles), singles, small ball, and the occasional home run, with hopefully a team comradery that emphasizes picking up your teammates with timely hitting and unselfish baseball.

I know this is a lot, sorry 82cards, but I am really just trying to point out how happy I am that the new leadership seems to be going back to a pitching first philosophy. Doesn't mean they aren't trying to find great hitters and defenders, as well. Just that they value pitching first, as they should, and as every winning Cardinals team has throughout our history, with some of the LaRussa teams bordering on offense first, but Dave Duncan giving even those teams a pitching first edge, in my mind.

Go Cards!

82birds wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:17 am and Bloom should know the Red Sox and Rays inside out.

Bloom hasn’t been with the rays for 6 years and they literally have new ownership. I doubt he knows, nor should he know the rays inside out

Melville wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:31 am

82birds wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:02 am I found this to be a good article with videos of 5 pretty high-upside projection:

https://redbirdrants.com/5-exciting-pit ... n-trades/6

The priority should now be targeting a quality outfield bat who has reached MLB already or a rookie ready to step into the lineup on opening day.

That might be ideal but what if the team with the best return is a pitcher a universal commodity that is good anywhere?
Take the highest return imo

renostl wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 18:08 pm

Melville wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 11:31 am

82birds wrote: ↑21 Dec 2025 08:02 am I found this to be a good article with videos of 5 pretty high-upside projection:

https://redbirdrants.com/5-exciting-pit ... n-trades/6

The priority should now be targeting a quality outfield bat who has reached MLB already or a rookie ready to step into the lineup on opening day.

That might be ideal but what if the team with the best return is a pitcher a universal commodity that is good anywhere?
Take the highest return imo

Fair point.