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3rd & 7 37yd

Next big move being Trade!! We have 55 outfieders. Pitching seems a litte weak . If not a 1 or 2 starter then another back of Bulpen guy woud help.

by Ken 1/20/2023 6:48:05 PM
Once the Cardinals figure out which outfielders they want to go forward with, moving some of them to filling a pitching need would make sense.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 6:48:44 PM
I heard an interview with Keith Tkachuck. He likes that his boys have an edge and a lot of PIM. He thinks it's great to score a lot of goals and have a lot of penalty minutes (PIM). That used to be a badge of honor in the league right---a lot of PIM. I never understood why that is or was? Do you? Isn't it a negative thing giving the other team a PP?

by Roy Hobbs 1/20/2023 6:49:04 PM
Playing with an edge puts the other team off its game. It creates turnovers along the way and opportunities in front of the net. It draws penalties from the other side. That edge, if kept under control, can create a net gain.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 6:50:32 PM
The Soto sweepstakes last summer showed the Cards have the prospect capital to trade for anyone who comes available. They also have too many dudes, with 10 guys at least trying to vie for 3 outfield and 1 DH spot. As you pointed out earlier this week, Mo doesn't seem interested in going fishing with the Marlins for a starter, so when does a deal happen and for what? And why wait until the deadline when prices are at their highest to make a move?

by Bobo's Pet Monkey 1/20/2023 6:54:06 PM
Here is the Cardinals' starting rotation today:
Miles Mikolas: 12-13, 3.29 ERA in 2022.
Adam Wainwright: 11-12, 3.71 ERA in 2022
Jordan Montgomery: 9-6, 3.48 ERA in 2022.
Jack Flaherty: 11-8, 2.75 ERA in 2019
Steven Matz: 14-7, 3.82 ERA in 2021
Dakota Hudson: 16-7, 3.74 ERA in 2019.
At this moment there isn't a crying need for another mid-level starter. That can change quickly. The guys Miami is offering up would fit somewhere into the pack above. As we all know, that pack usually shrinks due to injury or failure.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 6:54:20 PM
Last week I suggested trading DeJong to the Red Sox for a reliever and you totally dismissed that the Red Sox would be interested. I read an article that said the Red Sox had inquired about DeJong because they are desperate for middle infielders. So there was a conversation, at least.

by Stan the Fan 1/20/2023 6:54:54 PM
I assume the Red Sox are smarter than to give up assets for a guy who is in the midst of a a years-long downturn. But if they are not that smart then, sure, the Cardinals would love to deal and create payroll space for something else.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 6:56:22 PM
You listed the cards starting rotation earlier with 6 guys, if, i know its a big if, they all stay healthy who goes to the bullpen?

by brandon 1/20/2023 6:56:37 PM
Of the six, Hudson likely has the least standing if they are all pitching at the same level. Dakota's underlying metrics have always been a cause for concern.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 6:57:26 PM
I remember LaRussa’s biggest concern over his last couple seasons was his message growing stale to the clubhouse. Is DeWitt’s message growing stale with the fan base?

by Ringo 1/20/2023 6:57:32 PM
The Cardinals drew 3.3 million fans last season, so I'm guessing the answer is no.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 6:57:52 PM
What world is the NHL living in when Tarasenko is the Blues representative?

by Jon 1/20/2023 6:58:55 PM
Last season was the sixth straight campaign where he scored 33 or more goals when healthy. He has standing in the league.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:00:20 PM
Jeff,

It was reported at the WWU that the Cards did pursue a "veteran LH bat" but obviously weren't able to close the deal. Any idea or reporting or speculation on who that player was?

Secondly, all Cards fans should realize that the FO is not going to paint themselves into corners by revealing too much information, but doesn't it make sense to not make any moves/trades until after what you see in Spring Training. i.e. does Walker make the team as an OF, before trading Carlson, O'Neil or even Burleson/Yepez.

The only player that would not be missed would be Yepez - that could fit the bill for a young hitter than Miami is seeking, but don't think that would be enough to land Lopez or Lazardo...

What's your take?

by Saytreykid 1/20/2023 7:01:24 PM
I can't help you on the left-handed hitter. There was lots of speculation about guys like Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto and Joc Pederson, but Pederson accepted his qualifying offer in San Francisco and the other two got rich deals.
As for the current outfield competition and potential trades, I noted earlier that the Cardinals could wait until it sorts its outfielders through competition before dealing one. And the team could wait until it has an acute pitching need to make a trade for a hurler.
As for Yepez, I see him having value here as a DH and occasional first baseman. If he has to play regularly in the outfield again this season, that will mean that other things went wrong.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:09:15 PM
Do you view bringing pitchers up directly from AA or lower as stunting their potential growth as starters? MO commented about Graceffo as a power BP arm. He seems to have the potential to be a very good starter. Other pitchers they brought up early, Hicks, Rosenthal, might have become good starters if allowed to develop their repertoire in the minors. Given the acute need for starters in 2024, using Graceffo in this role in 2023 seems short sighted.

by ICCFIM 1/20/2023 7:20:06 PM
I agree that grasping for Gordon Graceffo or Michael McGreevy in a relief role could blunt their development as starting pitchers. Right now the team has a full bullpen and there are still useful depth relievers unsigned in the marketplace. Why miss with player development needlessly?
And, yes, the Cardinals would like them, Tink Hence and Cooper Hjerpe to all develop as starters. The cost of even mid-level veteran pitching in the market has gotten crazy.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:24:07 PM
Cards signed Zuniga and picked up Rodriguez in Rule 5 draft. Both seem suited to relief. What's your assessment? about their making and sticking in the roster? Meanwhile, Cards let Alex Reyes go, injury history, cost, roster spot, change of scenery candidate. Are Zuniga and Rodriquez that much better or are they lottery tickets?

by Cards fan exiled in DC 1/20/2023 7:24:29 PM
I'd say they are lottery tickets. The Cardinals need to stock Memphis with guys who could develop into fill-ins, as James Naile and Packy Naughton did last season.
Right now I'd stack up the bullpen this way:
Ryan Helsley
Giovanny Gallegos
Jordan Hicks
Andre Pallante
Genesis Cabrera
Jake Woodford
Chris Stratton
Zack Thompson
One of the six returning starters could slide to the bullpen too,, so there would be a surplus within the 13-pitcher limit when everybody is healthy. Given that, cracking the bullpen will be tough for the depth guys brought in.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:28:23 PM
Does/can Perunovich replace Krug on defense/PP if the Blues want to go younger in the offseason - or does Krug have a no-trade protectino of any kind?

by Saytreykid 1/20/2023 7:29:36 PM
A healthy Scott Perunovich could become a reasonable facsimile of Torey Krug. But Krug does have no-trade protection

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:31:30 PM
Provorov didn't wear the Pride colors on Flyers Pride night. Philadelphia is a well known liberal bastion cannot have gone over well with that city. So right now is the time to trade Krug for him.

by Roy Hobbs 1/20/2023 7:31:45 PM
Well, Krug has no-trade protection and I can't imagine he would agree to a move to the terrible Flyers, who face a major rebuild under the iron fist of John Tortorella.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:32:48 PM
Cardinal fans can begin the watch for 2023 playoff tickets -- the team just signed free-agent catcher Tres Barrera!

by FlaCardinal 1/20/2023 7:34:02 PM
He might be a decent No. 4 catcher to help hold the fort in Memphis.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:34:28 PM
Are you hearing ROR, Barbie to Toronto for Knies, Kerfoot and their number 1 pick. Possibly Engvall as a throw in. That's a nice trade for the Note.

by Roy Hobbs 1/20/2023 7:35:31 PM
That's the sort of return that is standard for a good player with an expiring contract. Contenders make such trades, so their first-round picks are late and therefore less painful to trade. Kerfoot would be the kind a player the Blues could use to fill out a lineup while retooling on the fly.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:39:01 PM
Has Reyes signed elsewhere or is his career likely over?

by Cards fan exiled in DC 1/20/2023 7:39:31 PM
Alex Reyes' career is not over. The Marlins are among the teams to show some interest. Unless he suffers still another setback, he will be a classic no-risk, buy low guy to take a ride on.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:41:04 PM
Everyone wants a Schwarber type hitter at the top of the lineup. I would like to see the stats on how a real slash and run guy does against that type. It would have to be a real deep dive figuring in how old school pressure effects the total game not just one at bat

by JWHelp 1/20/2023 7:42:59 PM
I'm old, so I'm old school on that front too. I like the idea of having some speed to go with on-base skills in the leadoff spot. The Cardinals still embraced the running game last season and I hope they stick with it because it makes the product more appealing to watch.
Analytics are great and the numbers guys have made game management smarter overall. But there are times, in the moment, where applying pressure on a defense while trying to energize an offense and rattle the other pitcher makes sense.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:47:27 PM
The Blues Cap looks impossibly tight next year even without O'Reilly and Tarasenko returning. Doesn't that almost force the Blues to trade both of them. The Krug deal looks like an albatross right now. This team has held up remarkably well without those veterans. But, Mr. Thomas was suggesting the cap does not even leave room for Barbashev next year. Given his relatively modest dollars and all the things he does for the team, if they are going to start losing guys like him as well, how long will the retool last? Could they really afford to give the contracts they gave to Kyrou and Thomas if the team is this restricted cap wise?

by ICCFIM 1/20/2023 7:47:57 PM
Yes, a team can always afford to pay the going rate for young star forwards on the top two lines. If that means that a third-linger getting into his earning years becomes expendable along with forwards getting into their 30s, then so be it. That's life in the cap world.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:50:03 PM
And . . . Miami Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez if off the market, on his way to the Twins in a trade for infielder Luis Arraez and prospects. So fans can quit constructing hypothetical trades for him.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:53:27 PM
by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:55:10 PM
Dan Caesar in his column suggested that Danny Mac could possible be back in a few years if he gets his life in order. With all due respect THAT'S RIDICULOUS!

by Ed 1/20/2023 7:56:32 PM
As my colleague noted, Danny Mac created a lot of goodwill with his many charitable endeavors. And he is good at what he does. But, yes, he put himself into an extremely difficult situation.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 7:57:53 PM
Jeff,

Thanks for the great chats!

The Marlins are not going to be able to compete in the NL East until they add some pop to their everyday lineup. That being said, it may be time for them to part with Sandy Alcantara. Perhaps a package of O'Neill, Carlson, Gorman, Hence, and Liberatore would get their attention? Your thoughts...

by BamaBob 1/20/2023 8:00:49 PM
I haven't seen any indication that the Marlins are willing to move Alcantara. They just added an on-base machine in their deal that sent Pablo Lopez to the Twins, so that is a step in the right direction for the offense. They have other pitching to trade for some outfield pop.

by Jeff Gordon 1/20/2023 8:03:14 PM