Join columnist Jeff Gordon for his live St. Louis sports chat at 1 p.m. Friday
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Jeff: You really like the Cardinals' young talent, and there's a lot to like. So, do you really believe it would be wise to give up any of it to acquire pitching for this particular team? The question really is, do you believe that any one they could acquire would give them a shot at a title? Because if not, then it's a waste. I realize many fans would whine, but I would completely accept a response from the FO that said nothing out there was worth the price. I think what the Cardinals need to come to grips with, though, is that the expanded playoffs reduces the amount and quality of talent that will move in-season. They need to be more aggressive in the off-season to counteract this. It doesn't feel like they've really adjusted to the new age when so many more teams are in the playoff hunt as the deadline nears. The amount of young talent the Cardinals currently have is exceedingly rare, and they need to be wise with how they decide to employ those assets. Chasing mediocre starters just to get into a watered down playoffs isn't the way to go. -
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has Pastrnak wore out his time in Boston? In the Athletic it had a Tarasenko for Pastrnak trade. I think the Blues would have to throw something else Boston way to make that trade. Boston must be in a rebuild after this season. Pastrnak in a Blues sweater would look awful nice for the next 7 years. How much cash would it take? 56 for 7 or about 60?
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Hi Jeff, I have really enjoyed your articles over the years and will miss them. I’m an older person and used sports on the air all the time, But recently they took it off-line and I can’t get it on my iPad or iPhone so I’m going to cancel my subscription because I’ve missed too many things already. But that doesn’t take away any of your fine articles and talks you’ve had over the years and I really enjoyed them and I will miss the post and you quite a bit. Not really a question just wanted to say goodbye thanks for the memories
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The Big 12 seems willing to add to its number, despite the dilution of per-school revenue. There is speculation about 24 teams. That is a sticking point for the SEC, which eyes the bottom line. That's why I suggest that down the road the SEC could subtract as well as add, since the Alabamas and Texas A&Ms might not want to share with more members and the SEC may want a Clemson or Florida State.
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I am pretty sure Goldy & Arrenado have trade protection in their deals, but regardless of all the useless trade proposals being floated, we should be able to get some pitching (top end for top prospects) or lower end for lower tier prospects.
In the offseason we need to add some top end pitching and probably a new catcher too. FO does not do well in free agents signings, a bit better in trades, but player development is where they shine...
Our top end prospects are not going to lose value over the next few months, O'Neil will rebound and Bader comes back healthy - those trade chips will be of higher value in the offseason.
Trade when you assets are highest and seen for what they are for a change MO/FO.... -
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You say that you are more interested in what the team does in the offseason. That’s a reasonable point of view, but the team went in short handed in 2021 also. So there should have been an adjustment for 2022. What’s happened to the pitching this year shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. It was possible things could have gone better, but nothing that has happened should surprise anyone. I’ll admit I don’t read every article that comes out from you paper. Could you point me in the right direction to find your articles calling out the Cardinals for their lack of action this offseason?
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This was the most recent example, from the midseason report cards.
Cardinals report cards: Field staff thrives, but team's frugal offseason shows
STLtoday.comFirst-year manager Oliver Marmol and his field staff have had a strong season so far, especially considering the team's injuries. But what if the organization had spent more money? -
Mo never had a fastball for free agents signings (except Carlos Betran - that was just what we needed after losing Pujols) has faired a bit better in trades including Goldsmidt and Arrenado(thanks CO for not firing your dumb GM until after this trade - MO found a good mark there) but overall has relied on player development and that's a strength.
Speaking of CO, does Bard interest Cards as a reliever and who do you see at the best trade partners for the Cards in the next few days? -
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Where's the Cardinals pitching depth? Oh Mo traded it away (Cy Young favorite) to the Marlins for an outfielder who due to well known injury couldn't even reach the infield? While the Brewers got Yelich for a lot less a month later? Shildt wins 17 in a row and Mo's monstrous ego fires him? MO MUST GO!! Let me here ya Cardinals Nation MO MUST GO!!!!
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Thanks for chatting, Gordo.
Do you think there's ever been a team in the division era (1969-present, for you kids out there) that missed the playoffs despite having TWO future Hall-of-Famers having their very best season at the same time? I feel like Marmol has very badly mis-managed this roster in terms of pitching responsibilities and lineups, Gordo. He gave zero starts to Jake Woodford -- in fact bizarrely relegating him to mopup garbagetime eunuch -- while giving 13 combined starts to Naughton, Oviedo, Thompson, and Hicks (just 43 innings and 6.85 ERA in those 13 starts). He's also given Juan Yepez, MLB's worst defensive player according to the metrics at Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference, 70% of his starts in the field rather than at DH. I think the Birds desperately need a new manager, Jeff. -
Oliver Marmol has done a great job of keeping the Cardinals viable in the face of myriad injuries. He's had to put guys in less-than-optimal spots defensively out desperation, really. While I agree that Jake Woodford should have gotten a better look at this level, nothing he has done at Memphis (1-3, 4.06 ERA) suggests he would have elevated this team to greatness.
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It looks like Goldschmidt and Arenado lost 3 days pay with the restricted list instead of 2. They both were on it for 3 days. My question is does Arenado lose 3 days pay from his $35 million contract or does he lose from the $6 million deferred portion or does he lose from the deferred portion less the $5,570,500 the Rockies paid as well?
Follow up, when other teams like the Rockies send money for the player, does the team get that in a lump sum or does the sending team pay that portion of his contract? -
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Gordo,
Totally agree with your take on not submitting to the allure or "madness" of Soto chase.
The Cardinals are risk averse, so why mortage your future for one player? Doesn't make sense.
The system is the strength, don't weaken it with one move.
We need good/great pitching for the following reasons:
* pitcher park
*to have success in postseason
*to match up against the Brewers to win the division
*to move Pallente back to the bullpen to deepen the bullpen
We also need more bullepen pieces but probably won't shop in the expensive aisle, so here's some ideas, please let me know what you think:
* Matt Moore LH reliever from TX should not cost a lot of prospect capital - McFarland is done
*Trade Sosa or DeJong for some prospects for making further/other trades or a bullpen arm
*Trade Yepez and some other hitters to Miami for Lopez - they want good young hitters
DH bats and outfielders should be easy to replace, but Dylan Carlson project to be an every day CF - i.e. can he handle it? Please advise -
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Jeff I realize prospects are only prospects until they prove it. But will Jordan Walkers “how good can he be” factor prevent the Cardinals from including him in ANY trade? It’s been 21 years since a young slugger fell into their laps? Is he even in that conversation? Thanks
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in regards to a nine digit revenue decrease...they also had 9 digit reduction in expenses (salaries of 71 million in 2020).
Did covid hurt the Cards more than other teams? The Cards have slid from 6th in total payroll to 12th...and the on-field performance has followed..... -
According to Forbes, the Cardinals had a negative $34 million in operating revenue due to the pandemic. Here is the breakdown:
St Louis Cardinals on the Forbes MLB Team Valuations List
ForbesSt Louis Cardinals #7 on the Forbes MLB Team Valuations List -
I understand the Cards will not spend a lot of starters in free agency, but we will need starters next year as well and they won't spend on free agents, so why not make the trade now for a starter like Lopez, Montas or Skubal that will last past this year for impact....
Trade DeJong and/or Sosa for prospects, bring up Burleson and see what you have and trade Dickerson for whatever you can get for him. -
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The Yankees traded for an outfielder even though they are almost guaranteed to make the playoffs. I’ll be surprised if they are the only division leader that makes a trade. Why would they do that? It’s almost like other front offices acknowledge there is a random element to the playoffs, but still make moves to stack the odds in their favor. That’s crazy, right?
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The Cards are on pace for 85-77, which would be the 2nd-worst record of Mozeliak's 15-year tenure. And this despite career years from both of the anti-vaccine boys, and tremendous years from Mikolas, Waino, and Ryan Helsley. I can't help feeling that the extremely young/inexperienced manager has hindered the team. Marmol's refusal to use "small ball" strategy in even the most obvious situations. (Small ball is generally stupid early in games, and stupid with good hitters at the plate, and stupid when trailing. But *sometimes* it's the *smartest* thing a team can do.)
More specifically, there's been 18 times this season, Gordo, when the club was tied in the 8th inning or later and had the chance to either (1)steal a base with Bader or Edman; (2)sac bunt with a bad hitter or a slumping Edman; or (3)attempt a safety squeeze to score the go-ahead or winning run, with a bad hitter or slumping Edman at the plate. On only 1 of 18 occasions did the team try "small ball." Marmol hasn't managed the team like a tactician; he's managed like a guy with a grudge against traditional tactics -- and it has cost the team multiple wins in my opinion. Thanks for letting me vent, Jeff! -
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Gordo - Busch stadium is like Forest Park or the Zoo, as long as it is accessible people will show up. But that shouldn't be the barometer for whether or not this team pushes harder. DeWitt doesn't need to pay it forward but nothing lasts forever, just like when A-B owned it.
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A-B quit caring about baseball and put a truly dreadful product on the field. The Cardinals keep drawing because they have a good team every year and they wisely market their history. Would fans pour into the stadium to see a Pirates-level team year after year? I find it hard to believe.
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Sorry, Faus, but Ozuna was not an "RBI" machine in FL. His totals for full-seasons there: 85, 44, 76, 124. His OPS: three seasons below .800, one monster season. The Cardinals chose to believe the outlier season would be the norm. For what they gave up, it was second-guessed at the time deservedly so.