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Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

^^^^This.
Wallace Wade Moon

VegasSully wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:34 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

That’s being a little over optimistic. He will likely be older than that.

VegasSully wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:34 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

That remains to be seen kool-aid drinker.

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

Good post Nighthawk! Absolutely true!

Hoosier59 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:36 pm

VegasSully wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:34 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

That’s being a little over optimistic. He will likely be older than that.

agree Hoosier
sadly true

Was kind of hoping we’d have kept Donovan.
But....sounds like they made a good deal.

CCard wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:50 pm

VegasSully wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:34 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

That remains to be seen kool-aid drinker.

What does your Ouija Board and Magic 8 Ball say about the deal?

Cusecards wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 21:15 pm

CCard wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:50 pm

VegasSully wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:34 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

That remains to be seen kool-aid drinker.

What does your Ouija Board and Magic 8 Ball say about the deal?

It shows a baby crying oh no that’s when he looks in the mirror

Ozziesfan41 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 21:17 pm

Cusecards wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 21:15 pm

CCard wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:50 pm

VegasSully wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:34 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

On a happier note, the Cardinals got an excellent return for a Donovan, a player who will be 31 years by the time the Cardinals are in their next competitive window.

That remains to be seen kool-aid drinker.

What does your Ouija Board and Magic 8 Ball say about the deal?

It shows a baby crying oh no that’s when he looks in the mirror

At least they’ve chosen the correct “venue”
for voicing their opinions.
The anonymous nature of their babbling is their best friend.
I’d imagine they’d get laughed out of the building if they were babbling in public?

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

Donovan was the guy I always enjoyed watching. Real gamer who hits the freaking ball where it is pitched, knows what two strikes means, knows how to move runners, how to take what is given and poke a single somewhere. Takes a professional AB, each and every time. Not a gold glover at any position, but plays LF, 3B, and 2B at above average level. Not fleet of foot, but a decent baserunner. Just a guy you love to have on your team... I totally understand why he was dealt, but I will miss watching him. I hope to really enjoy watching JJW play this year. May he have a great rookie season, and may Donovan get deep into the AL playoffs with the M's.

The reality of the offseason was we actually traded the St Louis Cardinals for the Memphis Redbirds.

bccardsfan wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 21:33 pm

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

Donovan was the guy I always enjoyed watching. Real gamer who hits the freaking ball where it is pitched, knows what two strikes means, knows how to move runners, how to take what is given and poke a single somewhere. Takes a professional AB, each and every time. Not a gold glover at any position, but plays LF, 3B, and 2B at above average level. Not fleet of foot, but a decent baserunner. Just a guy you love to have on your team... I totally understand why he was dealt, but I will miss watching him. I hope to really enjoy watching JJW play this year. May he have a great rookie season, and may Donovan get deep into the AL playoffs with the M's.

+1.

BleedingBleu wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 21:34 pm The reality of the offseason was we actually traded the St Louis Cardinals for the Memphis Redbirds.

Great and accurate insight.

nighthawk wrote: ↑02 Feb 2026 20:31 pm Of all the players on the Cards roster, Donovan was the one player who exemplified the type of player the Cards were once quite proficientt in drafting and developing. A gamer, fundamentally sound, who was good to great in all aspects of play. A player that George Kissell could work with and bring out the best. Alas, such talent would have been wasted in a multi year rebuild.

Reminiscent of Wally Moon whose talents were wasted in the 1950s until he was traded to the Dodgers. Jose Cruz was another - talent wasted as the Cards struggled to find themselves in the 1970s.

The Cardinals got to where they were in '25 because
-they couldnt' draft and develop
-when they did develep someone they traded them away for a veteran and they became an allstar elsewhere

-and now the all stars we actually have drafted and developed and kept on our own (Helsley, Donny) have to be traded because drafting and developing all stars isn't enough by itself and you have to eventually spend too much to keep them.

There's the irony.

We've traded 5 former all stars since the ASG. I get that Bloom got all he could here, but Will the return reap 5 future all stars among them? If not, where do they come from? This is less about whether we got adequate "return" from specific trades and more about whether we have or ever will reload sufficiently from Goldy, Nado in their MVP primes, Wainwright in his prime, Albert DHing to a .900 OPS, and Yadi who still an AS in the not too distant past, and several others as well including everyone we just traded.
Just how far can prospects take us and when do we start taking other steps?