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looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 18:06 pm
by 82birds
I found this to be a very very interesting article.
One other thing he didn't address which I think he could/should have: the at-that-time expired CBA.
but, a really good article.
https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/st-louis-c ... et-tougher
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 19:19 pm
by zuck698
Lots of trading here in the near future for sure. Bloom will earn the big bucks with these tough decisions. Myself, I could only see 3 of the 16 that I would care less if they go. The others are not so easy. Have to trade them or lose them article.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 19:35 pm
by ramfandan
Only one thing is clear ... it will be 'churn , baby, churn ' for next year's roster.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 20:14 pm
by cardstatman
There will likely be no time for trades next offseason.
Lockout probably starts 01 Dec and goes until February at least.
Since we already decided to tank, we should trade Romero now and Nootbar either now or at the trade deadline.
We will also have May and Stanek to trade at the deadline.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 20:25 pm
by Dicktar2023
Next winter, we will be saying that 2027 is a make-or-break season for Walker and Gorman.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 20:44 pm
by Ozziesfan41
Dicktar2023 wrote: ↑06 Feb 2026 20:25 pm
Next winter, we will be saying that 2027 is a make-or-break season for Walker and Gorman.
Yea lol last season it was sure Gorman sucked in 2024 but we are giving him a runway season to see what he can do he sucked again now it’s just kidding 2026 is his runway season to see what he can do. Then in 2027 it will be he’s still young can’t give up on that kind of power because some player broke out year ago with a similar skill set
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 06 Feb 2026 21:22 pm
by Carp4Cy
I'm looking forward to it, but not because we have to make decisions about Zach Thompson and his ilk yet again. Even those we leave unprotected seem to make their way right back to us because no one else wants them.
I'm excited that we will FINALLY know what we have, and also know that we lack at several spots and be forced to start addressing the immediate future at the MLB level.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 07:43 am
by earp
Smells like the RAMS!
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 07:55 am
by Ace
I don't think it's as complicated as it appears (unless I'm missing something here).e There's still a large amount of dead weight on the 40 man roster -
Guys who likely won't see 2027 - Ryan Fernandez, Justin Bruihl, Andre Pallante, Matt Pushard, Nick Raquet, JoJo Romero, Dustin May, Chris Roycroft, Yohel Pozo, Jose Fermin, Cesar Prieto, Bryan Ramos, Bryan Torres.
Ryne Stanek has an option for 2027, so they may or may not pick this up.
Also, guys like who may or may not be in long terms plans - Church, Walker, Saggese, Gorman, Crooks, Svanson, Roby, O'Brien, Leahy, Graceffo.
And than you add in some of the "names" they added that will allow for these "tougher" decisions...rule 5 guys, reliever prospects, etc:
Skylar Hales, Tyler Bradt, Mason Burns, Michael Watson, Zack Thompson, Scott Blewitt.
It actually appears the Cardinals have the exact opposite of what the article indicates. They have a large amount of flexibility, largely due to the lack of current MLB contracts, to decide which key pieces they want to include in the 40 man roster in the 2026.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 08:04 am
by Mort Gage
The Cardinals' salary commitments for '27 are a whopping 500K on a May option buyout. Stanek has a 6mm team option but no buyout. Everyone else is a FA after this season or Arb/Pre-Arb. If nothing else the Cardinals should have MLB's cleanest books after the next CBA.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 08:22 am
by 82birds
Mort Gage wrote: ↑07 Feb 2026 08:04 am
The Cardinals' salary commitments for '27 are a whopping 500K on a May option buyout. Stanek has a 6mm team option but no buyout. Everyone else is a FA after this season or Arb/Pre-Arb. If nothing else the Cardinals should have MLB's cleanest books after the next CBA.
good point
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 08:23 am
by Jatalk
Thanks good read. I think he may be pushing a little hard on Doyle. I also have to wonder if he missed some trade opportunities this year but I’m not smart enough to know.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 08:28 am
by Banner29
Mort Gage wrote: ↑07 Feb 2026 08:04 am
The Cardinals' salary commitments for '27 are a whopping 500K on a May option buyout. Stanek has a 6mm team option but no buyout. Everyone else is a FA after this season or Arb/Pre-Arb. If nothing else the Cardinals should have MLB's cleanest books after the next CBA.
Imagine for a second if the new CBA has a salary floor in it…..
That next offseason would be WILD
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 09:06 am
by rockondlouie
Ace wrote: ↑07 Feb 2026 07:55 am
I don't think it's as complicated as it appears (unless I'm missing something here).e There's still a large amount of dead weight on the 40 man roster -
Guys who likely won't see 2027 -
Ryan Fernandez, Justin Bruihl, Andre Pallante, Matt Pushard, Nick Raquet, JoJo Romero, Dustin May, Chris Roycroft, Yohel Pozo, Jose Fermin, Cesar Prieto, Bryan Ramos, Bryan Torres.
Ryne Stanek has an option for 2027, so they may or may not pick this up.
Also, guys like who may or may not be in long terms plans -
Church, Walker, Saggese, Gorman, Crooks, Svanson, Roby, O'Brien, Leahy, Graceffo.
And than you add in some of the "names" they added that will allow for these "tougher" decisions...rule 5 guys, reliever prospects, etc:
Skylar Hales, Tyler Bradt, Mason Burns, Michael Watson, Zack Thompson, Scott Blewitt.
It actually appears the Cardinals have the exact opposite of what the article indicates. They have a large amount of flexibility, largely due to the lack of current MLB contracts, to decide which key pieces they want to include in the 40 man roster in the 2026.
Spot on Ace
The only L-T guys I see on that list who are for sure here in 2027:
-Svanson
-O'Brien
-Leahy
Possibly if they perform in 2026 only because they make no money:
-Fermin
-Saggese
On their last leg:
-Gorman
-Walker
-Pallante
-Pages/Crooks (due to the logjam of better talent behind them)
The rest are a bunch of "meh" players no one would miss.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 09:28 am
by bretto12
Keep in mind that MLB is talking about adding two teams and realigning the divisions. Adding two teams removes a lot of the decision making from the 40 man. I have not heard any rumors about manning the new teams, but I "think" each team got to protect, something like 15 to 18 players, and then the new teams draft from the MLB rosters. I think when they lost a player they got to protect 2 more.
If anyone has any better info, I would appreciate any corrections, because there as been a few years since the last expansion.
Re: looking ahead to NEXT offseason
Posted: 07 Feb 2026 09:41 am
by dugoutrex
Dicktar2023 wrote: ↑06 Feb 2026 20:25 pm
Next winter, we will be saying that 2027 is a make-or-break season for Walker and Gorman.
lol - genius!