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Join Cardinals beat writer Rick Hummel for his live chat, 2 p.m.

Bring your Cardinals questions and comments to Monday’s 2 p.m. live chat.

3rd & 7 37yd

Some hope, yes. But Molina will be catching as many games as he is able to.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:48:13 PM
My gut tells me the FO ends up with Evoaldi and Odorizzi. Keeps their top 5 prospects in tack. Try and limp in this year, but this winter could be the time to really shop for starters with ammo to make a better deal.

by Ryan 8/1/2022 8:48:34 PM
I don't consider Eovaldi and Odorizzi "limping in." Those are legitimate acquisitions. For now. The off-season is another matter.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:49:31 PM
Happy Monday, Commish.
With every passing day, I'm more concerned that the Cards will make a mis-guided trade for the overrated one-dimensional "outfielder" Juan Soto. It would make a big publicity splash, and a lot of fans would get excited...but Soto (bad runner, bad fielder) is a 5-win player per 600 plate appearances according to both Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference, not 7 or 8, and therefore only represents a mere 2-win upgrade over Carlson in right field. In brief, Soto hits like a superstar but is merely a star.

The Cards need pitching, pitching, pitching, Commish! Not an overhyped and overpriced designated hitter! Thanks for letting me vent.

by Brian Jordan was 2X the player Bo Jackson was 8/1/2022 8:50:09 PM
You're welcome. But, judging by the questions and comments today, Soto is the most talked about non-Cardinal (so far) in chat history.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:51:02 PM
It's crazy that anyone would ask when Walker & Winn are moving up to Triple-A. They're both 20 years old! And they didn't even turn 20 until March and May! For heaven's sake, they are both younger than Albert Pujols was when he played *two* levels below that in Low-A Peoria some 22 seasons ago. Let's give the kids a little time to mature.

My question, Rick. Has any reporter questioned Marmol about the wisdom of batting Dylan Carlson at leadoff? After his 0-5 yesterday, Dylan is hitting a nightmarish .162/.224/.206 in the leadoff role this year. It's been 76 terrible trips to the plate. I say put the young man back into an RBI slot like 5th or 6th where he is clearly much more comfortable. Thanks for the chat, Commish!

by Silver King 8/1/2022 8:54:27 PM
The Cardinals haven't found that spark at the top of the lineup. Edman floundered and Carlson has lately, too. The only other option might be Donovan.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:55:55 PM
I'd just like to state for the record that I was advocating the Cards signing Carlos Rodon in the offseason. This rotation issue could have been much less significant, without a prospect cost, and the FO could put more of a focus on Soto now.

Thought Mo' had me on speed dial, but clearly he must have lost my number when he got a new phone...

by Phil 8/1/2022 8:57:19 PM
Or maybe you got a new phone.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:58:10 PM
Why is Montas touted as such a game changing piece for a rotation? Guy is 29 and including this season only thrown 100+ innings twice. Shoulder issues to boot. I just don’t see why he is the hyped pitcher ahead of some other available names?

by BoiseCardsFan 8/1/2022 8:58:14 PM
Baseball's best team, the Yankees, must think something is there. They just acquired him from Oakland.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:58:50 PM
With the Hader trade, seems like the Padres are all in this year and would love to get Soto before the Dodgers (their main rival), I think this increases the odds of the Padres getting him and then we can focus on pitching.

by Saytreykid 8/1/2022 8:59:01 PM
Regardless of what is happening elsewhere, the Cardinals' priority should be pitching anyway.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 8:59:49 PM
What pitcher out there makes the most sense? I like MadBum and then Thor because I doubt it would take many prospects and Dewitt is making huge $$$ from Albert and Yadis last tour. Do you really think Mo has that many prospects to spare? Goldy, Bader and O'Neil will be gone by 2025. Thanks for the chats Commish!

by Jimmy 8/1/2022 9:00:00 PM
I am OK with either Bumgarner or Syndergaard because I feel few top prospects would be involved.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:00:54 PM
Wouldn’t Washington be foolish not to trade Soto right now? If they wait and trade him in the off season or deadline this time next year they won’t get near as much will they?

by AustinTx 8/1/2022 9:01:20 PM
Washington might be able to do the best deal now for Soto, with teams probably over-paying.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:02:09 PM
So - the Cubs are in town tomorrow. Is Contreras with them? If not, where do you think he ends up?

by Andy 8/1/2022 9:03:12 PM
I can see Contreras being a New York Met by tomorrow night.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:03:43 PM
Does San Diego still have the prospects to make a Soto deal after obtaining Hader?

by Scott 8/1/2022 9:03:48 PM
I believe they do because they didn't send many prospects to Brewers for Hader but did send their closer, Rogers.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:04:23 PM
Did Mr. Know it all Bernie mention that Soto's defense may have gone down due to the last place club he plays for, bet not!

by east side 8/1/2022 9:04:53 PM
Defensive skills shouldn't depend on what team for which you perform. You either make plays or you don't

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:05:46 PM
Shohei Ohtani is incredibly talented. And this is his 5th year as a starting pitcher in the majors and he has pitched a TOTAL of fewer than 300 innings. He is amazing, but he is not Babe Ruth, or even Bullet Rogan or Bob Caruthers. Not until Shohei shows me some ability to stay on the mound. (Ruth in contrast threw over 1,000 innings with a 2.05 ERA in the four years he was a starter, age 20-23. That ERA was 3rd in MLB behind Walter Johnson and Old Pete Alexander.)

I love Ohtani, but the Cards need reliable innings. Lots and lots of innings, if at all possible.

by Silver King 8/1/2022 9:06:10 PM
Ohtani isn't gong anywhere right now.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:06:32 PM
If Waino does not reach 200 wins, do you see him returning next year?

by Gregg 8/1/2022 9:06:46 PM
I do. Wainwright still is a quality major league pitcher.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:07:43 PM
What kind of trade value do you think Tyler O'Neil has at this point? Might he interest the nationals in a potential Soto deal- not as the headliner of course, but as one of the 4-5 pieces this deal would take? Carlson is far to valuable to this team to include, but Soto would essentially replace TO.

by Paul 8/1/2022 9:07:55 PM
O'Neill isn't as valuable a trade piece as he would be if he could stay healthy. But, then again, maybe you wouldn't consider trading him if he could play a full season. He is a talent.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:08:54 PM
I've seen a lot of speculation about Dylan Carlson being part of a trade package for Soto. Under different circumstances, I could see it, but right now, he's their only CF. With Bader nowhere near healthy, is it possible for Carlson to be dealt? Who would play CF? Edman?

by DCG 8/1/2022 9:09:29 PM
Or Nootbaar.. Neither is what the Cardinals have in mind for everyday duty in center field. .

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:10:04 PM
Why did the Brewers trade Hader?

by Faus 8/1/2022 9:12:59 PM
Hader allowed runs in six of 11 outings in July, including six runs in one appearance. He is arbitration eligible after this season and a free agent after next season. Devin Williams and/or Rogers might be just fine as replacements. Don't feel badly for Brewers.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:14:38 PM
O’Neill can’t stay on the field and isn’t crushing the ball while he is playing can we please get a look at burleson before he gets traded for some third rate pitcher

by Brandon 8/1/2022 9:14:49 PM
When the dust settles after tomorrow night, Burleson's future with the Cardinals this season might be on the front burner.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:15:53 PM
Hi Rick. If Marmol did not want Hudson to go a third time through a lineup, isn't that the same as saying he doesn't think he's a starter? The Nationals are one of the worst teams in the league. Am I off base here?

by Bill Morrow 8/1/2022 9:17:02 PM
It would have been different if the third time through the lineup occurred in the sixth inning. But this was only the fifth and Hudson had only seven to 10 pitches remaining from the 90 quasi limit set for him.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:18:47 PM
Rick,

I admire Soto tremendously as a player, but why put all your future into one player when you can spread out the risk over numerous players with numerous varied talents including several that Soto does not possess i.e. hitting, defense, speed - stealing of bases, etc. Doesn't make sense to mortgage the future for one player.

Secondly, the Cards need pitching, more importantly power pitching - you know people that can miss bats/strike good hitters out during the season and more importantly post-season.

Who is the Cards next great ace/strikeout pitcher? Graceffo, Hence? They might have to trade for one before waiting that long.

by Saytreykid 8/1/2022 9:19:24 PM
But Graceffo might be less than a year away. i

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:19:44 PM
Commish, what are the Cards going to do for a serviceable catcher next year. Hopefully they won’t get caught with their chest protector down.

by Stan the Fan 8/1/2022 9:19:48 PM
The Cardinals will have to sign--or trade for--a No. 1 type catcher before next season although I would like to see Herrera get a longer look next spring.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:21:03 PM
More a comment. I wouldn't trade any of our young prospects right now—especially for Soto. Judge is a once-in-a-lifetime, not Soto. Gorman is Soto+ in a year or two years, needs to better on D.
We are not in a dire situation. Many will say I'm way off, but I want to know we have a darn good chance to win it all if we trade away what is needed in this market for one and a half good arms.
I say take the long approach. Maybe we see our pitching staff recover in the second half and make it to the NLCS or the WS. Maybe we don't. Regardless, pay the big bucks in the off-season for needed talent to fill our holes and keep our young players to grow.

by Dan R 8/1/2022 9:21:46 PM
Not sure about that Soto+ prediction. But this starting staff has to be better than it is or there will be no significant playoff advancement, if even the Cardinals get into the playoffs.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:23:41 PM
Commish: What's the deal behind Matt Carpenter's resurgence in NY? Was he a lazy butt in St. L as long as he had a big contract? Is he getting better coaching now? I have a brother who is a Yankees fan who texts me every day about how wonderful Carpenter is. It's driving me crazy. What happened?

by NJ fan 8/1/2022 9:24:10 PM
He worked hard on refining his swing in the off-season. And Carp is playing in Yankee Stadium, which is the best possible spot for his swing and his power. Good for him.

by rhummel 8/1/2022 9:24:55 PM