STLtoday.com

Derrick Goold will have his LIVE Q. & A. on STL.com this morning. Since Goold is the lead beat writer for the Cardinals and very well connected, it should be an interesting one with I'm sure a ton of questions to him regarding the Marmol contract extension

Goold wrote an article this morning and for those who do not subscribe here are a few things he discussed :

Marmol received a substantial raise in his new deal though not disclosed putlicly by the team.
Winn gave a 'boo' to Marmol as he entered the room.. then grinning at the manager. Oli laughed.
Both Oli and Winn are represented by the same agency , Roc Nation , which also currently included Albert Pujols.
Oli currently is the 3rd longest tenured manager in the N.L. only behind Dave Roberts and Torey Lovullo.
Marmol assisted in interviewing candidates for player development positions plus spotting candidates and recruiting them.

Just a few tidbits ..will add what the subscribers ask Goold about the team later today . Certainly there should be many questions regarding how the roster is shaping up for the regular season., expected moves to be made yet, etc.
Will report back later this afternoon. Have a great day !

Thanks for that

Derrick was asked about the ABS and if the catchers rather than pitchers will make the decision on when to challenge .
Derrick replies , he sees teams relying on the catcher to challenge and believes some teams will make a policy that 'no pitchers will call for a challenge'
That thinking comes from belief that pitchers are pretty biased of their locations and tend to think anything within a few inches is a strike !

Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

Good to hear

Libby
May
McG
Fitts

Should be inked in, barring injury, as the top four in the SR.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:05 pm

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

Good to hear

Libby
May
McG
Fitts

Should be inked in, barring injury, as the top four in the SR.

I'm pretty sure you can slot Leahy into that, too. In erasable ink. I don't think it's a 100% probability yet, but unless he craters or gets hurt, then he's in.

I'm guessing that probably makes Dobbins the 6th man in Memphis, Mathews #7. Pallante probably the sixth man in St. Louis, for times when you can't get a guy in Memphis right away.

You know? I dig it. It's not the flashiest rotation, but it feels a lot better and fresher than most of the rotations we've had this decade. Of course, all of this rides on health, which we should never bet on with SP's.

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

I liked both of the Boston trades.
I hope that they hit on both.

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:25 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:05 pm

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

Good to hear

Libby
May
McG
Fitts

Should be inked in, barring injury, as the top four in the SR.

I'm pretty sure you can slot Leahy into that, too. In erasable ink. I don't think it's a 100% probability yet, but unless he craters or gets hurt, then he's in.

I'm guessing that probably makes Dobbins the 6th man in Memphis, Mathews #7. Pallante probably the sixth man in St. Louis, for times when you can't get a guy in Memphis right away.

You know? I dig it. It's not the flashiest rotation, but it feels a lot better and fresher than most of the rotations we've had this decade. Of course, all of this rides on health, which we should never bet on with SP's.

I certainly want him over (GULP!) A. Pallante.

It likely is Leahy unless 1) he doesn't show the stamina to be effective for five innings or 2) Dobbins is 100% healthy and blowing 99+ MPH fastballs past hitters late in STing!

I like the SR too strummer, some upside there for sure.

rockondlouie wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:38 pm

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:25 pm

rockondlouie wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:05 pm

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

Good to hear

Libby
May
McG
Fitts

Should be inked in, barring injury, as the top four in the SR.

I'm pretty sure you can slot Leahy into that, too. In erasable ink. I don't think it's a 100% probability yet, but unless he craters or gets hurt, then he's in.

I'm guessing that probably makes Dobbins the 6th man in Memphis, Mathews #7. Pallante probably the sixth man in St. Louis, for times when you can't get a guy in Memphis right away.

You know? I dig it. It's not the flashiest rotation, but it feels a lot better and fresher than most of the rotations we've had this decade. Of course, all of this rides on health, which we should never bet on with SP's.

I certainly want him over (GULP!) A. Pallante.

It likely is Leahy unless 1) he doesn't show the stamina to be effective for five innings or 2) Dobbins is 100% healthy and blowing 99+ MPH fastballs past hitters late in STing!

I like the SR too strummer, some upside there for sure.

Definitely some upside. I don't think they're gonna turn into those horses that Seattle has developed (though we did steal their guy!), but I think a lot of them have solid mid rotation potential. Hopefully Doyle develops into that guy at the top.

No Pallante
No Pallante

No Pallante.
No Pallante.

renostl wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:25 pm

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

I liked both of the Boston trades.
I hope that they hit on both.

I think a lot will ride on whether Dobbins and Clarke can ever get and stay completely healthy enough to perform at a high level.

Carp4Cy wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 15:53 pm

renostl wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 13:25 pm

ramfandan wrote: ↑02 Mar 2026 12:57 pm Goold asked any player that impressed him

Fitts

Richard Fitts' first start was really impressive. One of the best first impressions I've seen down here in a while. He was just a bulldozer and that fastball looked like weighed 115 pounds considering the way the Mets swung. That was something. And the velocity was there too .

I liked both of the Boston trades.
I hope that they hit on both.

I think a lot will ride on whether Dobbins and Clarke can ever get and stay completely healthy enough to perform at a high level.

I think that plays a large part, but that Fajardo kid from the Contreras deal looks like he could have some promise, too. I think Aita (same trade) might have some value as well.

Would really love to see Dobbins make an impact, though. Clarke, too. We're overdue for young pitcher injury luck.

I also like we have Doyle and Cijntje who should be fast risers on the way . With the rebuild in full bloom (yes, pun intended ) , the veterans on our pitching staff better do well as they should be looking over their shoulders as they sure know Bloom will not be hesitant in going with youngsters.

Pallante was pretty good today. If he can pitch like he did in ‘24, I want him in the rotation and Leahy back in the pen. It would make the whole team so much better. If he pitches like he did last year, send him to Memphis until he figures it out.

More from Goold
Q. What would a successful season look like for Walker ?

A. Goold's reply :

A successful season for Walker would be more contact and more consistent contact for power. That doesn't have to come in the form of some breakout breakthrough 30-homer season. That can be 18 homers and a still a strong slugging. A successful season for Walker is improving upon his rookie season, getting back on that career arc, and showing improvement. That's key. He cannot have a stagnant year. Improvement in both decisions and outcome would be a successful season because it would put him back on track for that breakout season.