Free Agent pitchers Gallen and Valdez

[redbirdfan51]

Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.

[12xu]

Neither of those pitchers will sign with the Cardinals.

[Adam2]

Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.

No, i don't know the numbers on Gallen, but espn's most recent projection has Valdez at 180 over 6 after Ranger Suarez just got 130 over 5. It just doesn't line up financially or time line wise

[CCard]

Valdez and Gallen are still unsigned.With the reduction in payroll, could Bloom make a play for either one? Could be a good strategy if one is signed to a one or two year deal, either could be traded at the deadline with the probability the Cards may well have no chance of making the playoffs. Acquiring pitching is the position that is most desired by contenders going into the stretch of the season. Cards could possibly get a high prospect in return.

The Cards have the payroll room to sign both and it would vault them into contention. Of course that's a dream because DeWitt wants to lose right now.

[DewittDaman11]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

[mattmitchl44]

With the risk of injury, no SP who can get a 4 or 5 yr. deal, even if it is for slightly less than they might want, should ever sign a 1 year deal.

[pitchingandefense]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

If Gallen were open to signing the 4/$80M contract predicted by MLBTR, he would be a great addition to what the Cardinals are doing. He is just entering his age 30 season and pitchers are aging better than hitters in the current MLB environment. The contract would be a discount on a pitcher of his ability because of his poor 4.83 ERA in 2025. Interestingly, one of his comps on Baseball Reference is Sonny Gray, who had his own poor season in 2018 with an ERA of 4.90. Gray has bounced back to pitch more than 1000 innings since that season with an ERA of 3.51. A contract like that would put him at the front of a young rotation as they open their competitive window in 2027.

As for the draft pick compensation, it wouldn't sting quite as much for the Cards because they would be giving up their third pick instead of second due to the fact they were designated as recipients of revenue sharing this year. The larger question isn't if Gallen fits with the Cards (both short and long term), but would Gallen want to join a young team that is still at least a year away from competing?

Your suggestion of Bassitt is also a good one, especially on a one year deal that could allow him to be dealt at the deadline.

[DewittDaman11]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

If Gallen were open to signing the 4/$80M contract predicted by MLBTR, he would be a great addition to what the Cardinals are doing. He is just entering his age 30 season and pitchers are aging better than hitters in the current MLB environment. The contract would be a discount on a pitcher of his ability because of his poor 4.83 ERA in 2025. Interestingly, one of his comps on Baseball Reference is Sonny Gray, who had his own poor season in 2018 with an ERA of 4.90. Gray has bounced back to pitch more than 1000 innings since that season with an ERA of 3.51. A contract like that would put him at the front of a young rotation as they open their competitive window in 2027.

As for the draft pick compensation, it wouldn't sting quite as much for the Cards because they would be giving up their third pick instead of second due to the fact they were designated as recipients of revenue sharing this year. The larger question isn't if Gallen fits with the Cards (both short and long term), but would Gallen want to join a young team that is still at least a year away from competing?

Your suggestion of Bassitt is also a good one, especially on a one year deal that could allow him to be dealt at the deadline.

Huh, thanks for the info on the draft pick loss, I hadn't realized. You're right, a 3rd round pick isn't near as bad. I would be all for Gallen on the contract you mentioned, if he was interested. I loved him as a Cardinals prospect, and was very disappointed when we traded him. Hopefully, he isn't mad at the Cardinals for "giving up on him", as he was at least traded for a good player.

[DewittDaman11]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

If Gallen were open to signing the 4/$80M contract predicted by MLBTR, he would be a great addition to what the Cardinals are doing. He is just entering his age 30 season and pitchers are aging better than hitters in the current MLB environment. The contract would be a discount on a pitcher of his ability because of his poor 4.83 ERA in 2025. Interestingly, one of his comps on Baseball Reference is Sonny Gray, who had his own poor season in 2018 with an ERA of 4.90. Gray has bounced back to pitch more than 1000 innings since that season with an ERA of 3.51. A contract like that would put him at the front of a young rotation as they open their competitive window in 2027.

As for the draft pick compensation, it wouldn't sting quite as much for the Cards because they would be giving up their third pick instead of second due to the fact they were designated as recipients of revenue sharing this year. The larger question isn't if Gallen fits with the Cards (both short and long term), but would Gallen want to join a young team that is still at least a year away from competing?

Your suggestion of Bassitt is also a good one, especially on a one year deal that could allow him to be dealt at the deadline.

Of course, ironically, Gallen was a 3rd round pick, lol!

[pitchingandefense]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

If Gallen were open to signing the 4/$80M contract predicted by MLBTR, he would be a great addition to what the Cardinals are doing. He is just entering his age 30 season and pitchers are aging better than hitters in the current MLB environment. The contract would be a discount on a pitcher of his ability because of his poor 4.83 ERA in 2025. Interestingly, one of his comps on Baseball Reference is Sonny Gray, who had his own poor season in 2018 with an ERA of 4.90. Gray has bounced back to pitch more than 1000 innings since that season with an ERA of 3.51. A contract like that would put him at the front of a young rotation as they open their competitive window in 2027.

As for the draft pick compensation, it wouldn't sting quite as much for the Cards because they would be giving up their third pick instead of second due to the fact they were designated as recipients of revenue sharing this year. The larger question isn't if Gallen fits with the Cards (both short and long term), but would Gallen want to join a young team that is still at least a year away from competing?

Your suggestion of Bassitt is also a good one, especially on a one year deal that could allow him to be dealt at the deadline.

Of course, ironically, Gallen was a 3rd round pick, lol!

Lol, darn the bad luck

[TraveledLessRoad]

If we are going to sign one of these guys to a 1-2 year deal, we may as have just kept Sonny Gray. Now, if they wanted to sign one to a longer term deal, to usher in and through a rebuild, maybe i'd be down for that

[redbirdfan51]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

[redbirdfan51]

Unfortunately, both of those pitchers have a qualifying offer attached to them. I would be shocked for that reason alone if Bloom signed either of them. Maybe if the Cardinals were looking to sign one of them to a longer term contract it might be worth it, but, I suspect they would be looking for a shorter term, higher value contract if they were at all interested. I could be wrong, but, for whatever reason I don't think Bloom would be very likely to part with a draft pick at this point in the "build/rebuild". Those are the only 2 remaining free agents with a QO attached to them. That's why I would prefer Bassitt, if possible. He's a tier down, probably, from those two, but no QO. And he's still pretty good. If Bassitt stays unsigned much longer, we might be able to get him short term for 15mil per, maybe a 1-2 year deal.

Actually, I would prefer your suggestion of signing a Basset rather than losing a future draft choice. I would like to see Bloom acquire another quality young starting pitcher to compete in the 20226, rotation . Perhaps that could be done with another trade involving Donovan, Pages and/or Noot .

[brock118]

Heard the Cubs were close to signing Gallen.

[Cardly]

Do you think Gallen’s best days are behind him?

[brock118]

Do you think Gallen’s best days are behind him?

They were just going over him on MLB Network and they said it looked like his last starts of the season he figured things out again and was pitching like he did before. So he might be a good get for a team at a reduced rate.