最新杏吧原创

Welcome to the Thanksgiving week Cardinals chat here at .

There undoubtedly will be the usual maelstrom of fascinating questions, biting criticism, and incisive challenges from readers, but in keeping with the spirit of the week don't be afraid to sprinkle in something you're thankful.

I'll start.

I'm thankful for a fan base ravenous for baseball conversation year round and one that is both respectful of the history of baseball in 最新杏吧原创 and demanding because of that history. That's powerful blend, and it makes covering a club like the Cardinals in a city and region like 最新杏吧原创 a great opportunity for a baseball fan and baseball writer like me.

Aren't you already thankful I avoided Thanksgiving imagery in the above paragraph?

I cannot promise that will last.

Enough prelude. Let's get to the stuffing of this Cardinals chat.

As always, a real-time transcript of the chat will be available below the chat window. You'll be able to read questions and answers just as you any article here at on your mobile, your desktop, or your tablet. Questions are not edited for spelling or grammar. They are ignored for vulgarities and threats.

翱苍飞补谤诲!听

Bake21: Hey Derek. Most teams play their weakest defender in LF. The Cardinals have theirs in RF. Has there been any talk of moving Walker to LF.

DG: There have been questions about it -- from reporters like me. Often. Much to their chagrin. The answer has always been that Jordan Walker is more comfortable in right field. During a recent podcast with baseball writer Dayn Perry, I brought up another reason why the Cardinals have had him focus on right field. Let me offer you some statistics.

There were 11 outfielders with at least 1,000 innings in center, and they averaged 348 putouts.

There were nine LF with at least 1,000 innings there, and they averaged 251 putouts.

There were six RF with at least 1,000 innings there, and they averaged 252. And that is a lot closer than helps my illustration. But look deeper -- 10 center fielders had at least 300 putouts, two left fielders, and zero right fielders. The Cardinals had more putouts in RF than LF this past season, but overall the thinking is there are fewer baseballs hit to RF, fewer plays in RF, and that that would be a contributing reason for having a novice outfielder play out there.

One more thing: Jordan Walker has an excellent arm. When he played third base, scouts thought his arm was an asset there and compensated for other elements of his fielding. He has a strong arm that can be beneficial in right field. That too is a factor -- it's a spot where one of his skills can still stand out.

Millo Miller: Derrick, since Nolan Arenado has not demanded a trade as of now, but has given the Cardinals the ok to explore the market, would it be in the Cardinals best interest to keep him until the trade deadline next year? I know the contract might make this hard to do. Your thoughts?

DG: Sure seems like that would not the best route here. Not for the complexity of his contact. Not for the offer. And not to do the best thing for Arenado. How much you want the Cardinals to weigh in what's best for Arenado here can be debated, but they will take that into account as they have for players in the past. And why not give him a chance to start the season with a team, in a good spot to contend, and set up his family there and all of that ... Keep in mind, too, at the trade deadline -- what happens if you bank on that but there's no place appealing in his opinion?

RedbirdFarmhands: Hey Derrick do you think Boston could be a legit landing spot for Arenado

DG: There are reports that they plan to move Devers to first base to make room for Alex Bregman. Seems like that would also apply. I do not know if that's a landing spot that Arenado would approve. It would be a team that would take more time to figure out a trade because Boston is pursuing many free agents first.

Bboy Bird: DG, The Cardinals OF depth chart is heavily LH. Do you expect them to make a minor free-agent signing for an RH OF, perhaps a complement to Siani in CF? Thanks!

DG: That is definitely on their mind and could be a move later in the winter, or even during spring, more for their bench. They also see Jordan Walker as that RH OF, of course.

Let me quickly add: There is nothing wrong with having a lot of left-handed hitters. A lineup with left-handed production time and time and time again is better, deeper lineup as a result, and a left-handed presence (or few) sure seems essential to October success when you look at teams that do well in the playoffs.

Bake21: Regarding Walker in RF, that's a good point about the putouts. And I do think Walker is athletic enough and has a good arm. The issue is he terrible out there. He doesn't appear to track balls well at all. And if you're going to misplace a ball in LF it might only be one base, if you misplace a ball in RF it's more than likely two bases.

DG: Entirely fair, and that has been part of the questions for the Cardinals. When you think about how poor the defense was early in 2023, it was because of the outfield -- where misplays didn't cost 90 feet, they cost 180 feet.

Darrell M: Good morning Mr. Goold. I have very much enjoyed your Cardinals coverage over the years and would like to say thank you for all of your work.

DG: Thank you, Darrell. Much appreciated.

Duffy in CT: Mark Feinsand today wrote "Ryan Helsley is likely to be traded". Does he know something we do not know or is he speculating?

DG: That probably is a better question for him than for a chat here, because I'll just repeat to you our reporting on the subject. That seems like the best thing for me to do, no?

But here's the deal.

Mark Feinsand, an executive writer for MLB-dot-com, . Mark has been a friend for a long time and I'm thrilled he's joined our group of wax-pack writers.

He referenced the Cardinals "likely" trading Ryan Helsley as part of a piece tying one free agent to every team. Already he had a difficult task -- linking the Cardinals, who have publicly stated they won't do much shopping this winter, to that exact thing.

And then adding to that difficult -- his description was picked up without context by another outlet. A bold headline was slapped on it. And here we are again.

It's going to be a long winter of this, and I feel the frustration readers must have. Truly. And if you have any suggestions on how to combat that and helped readers, I'm eager to do so. Mark made his description very clear.

Just as I will mine.

I've spoken to multiple sources aware of the Cardinals conversations or directly involved in those conversations, and one walked away feeling the Cardinals are leaning toward keeping Helsley. Two others told me that the Cardinals are adopting that stance so that they will only trade him if overwhelmed by an offer.

There are teams calling the Cardinals making their bid for Helsley. So they'll have choices to sort through.

Duffy in CT: Giovanni to the Dodgers. Surprised?

DG: No.

Michael: Can you share any details about the upcoming writers' dinner in January?

DG: Absolutely. Thanks for asking. It is set for Jan. 19 here in 最新杏吧原创 at the Missouri Athletic Club downtown. Tickets go on sale Friday, and there will be news of who will be honored and other plans as Friday approaches. Here's a hint: Ryan Helsley will receive one of the headline awards, and our hope is to have a surprise and fitting guest there to present him with it.

Ken: Hi Derrick! Can you help me understand what鈥檚 happening with Nolan ? ( This reminds me of that song by the Clash ).Does he want to leave ? Does he want to stay ?

DG: All those questions are fair, Ken. And the answers are direct -- because it will depend on the offers the Cardinals get. Keep in mind that Arenado has not formally requested a trade, per multiple sources.

Wrote a whole reported, tightly sourced story about that -- and it's bit of shared history with what happened 2007 -- this past week. Best for me to guide you to that story then to rewrite all of the answers in it here.

Millo Miller: Derrick, were you surprised the Rays non-tendered D. Carlson? I feel sorry for the kid. He's young but just can't stay healthy and get on track.

DG: I was. Longtime chatters will know what I've written about Dylan Carlson's talent, ceiling, or however you want to phrase it. A switch-hitter with a good feel for the strike zone -- and capable of playing all three spots in the outfield. Sure seems like he needs a team that unlocks his offense and gives him the playing time to make it happen. He'll have suitors eager to do that.

Sam: Hi Derrick, happy thanksgiving! Do you have a sense of what kind of return the team is targeting with a potential trade of Helsley? High upside low level prospects? Near MLB players? Players currently on the other teams 26 man? similar question for Nado: how much money will the team kick in for a trade to get back a quality return instead of pure salary relief? Thanks!

DG: Great question, and the answer is that it will depend on the team on the other side of the conversation. The Cardinals can toggle between those two asks because a guiding goal for them in any of these conversations is stocking the prospect depth chart. That's what they want to do. And they want to do that at a variety of levels, if possible -- both prospects at the lower levels with higher ceilings and prospects on the brink of the majors with higher floors and clear routes to contribute. "Collecting depth" or "collecting talent" are the phrases used by the Cardinals' front office. In these deals, it's likely they try to accumulate several players who fit each of the descriptions: predictably close to the majors, high upside but young and farther away, and pitching.

As for Arenado. There is $74 million remaining on his contract, and some of that money will be covered by the Rockies (who owe payments for 2025 and 2026). The Cardinals are on the hook for all of his 2027 salary, which was a year they added during the conversations to make the trade. That year is $15 million, and if past precedent means anything interested teams are going to point out that the Cardinals added that so the should pay it. The Cardinals feel -- and they're not alone in this, based on conversations I've had with non-Cardinals folks -- that Arenado's deal has value that will be clear when some of the free agents sign. And it's a shorter commitment.

Cardinals are not looking for pure salary relief.

They're looking for the right fit for them and if it's an agreeable fit for Arenado, too.

MS Bird Brain: One reason I've remained a long time Cardinal fan is that they value the team culture as a factor along with the business side. No it doesn't trump business, but it is a big factor that keeps me as a fan. Nolan Arenado has turned down millions of dollars because he wanted to stay in 最新杏吧原创. As far as we know he has not asked to be traded. As a fan, if they trade him, they better improve the on the field team enough to show that the culture factor was included. If it's just about money, I will be deeply ashamed of them.

DG: This obviously has been a topic of conversation for me with lots of people in the past few weeks, and I can write again what I've attempted to convey. From the article above: "(New 'clarity' on their finances) allows them to explore deals that gives the club a favorable return and the veteran player a favorable destination to win, if possible."

Bob the Subscriber: Without revealing your ballot, what're your thoughts on the HoF ballot this year?

DG: I just got it in the mail. Haven't had a chance to five into the usual research I do. There are some holdovers that I've voted for in past years, so I'll start with them, and see how much room I have, and then re-rank them all to see who fits in the 10 spots.

Here is one sure thing: I will eagerly rush to put an X beside Ichiro Suzuki. Cannot wait be one of the voters who pave his way into Cooperstown.

Mike: Good morning! We know that the cardinals want to go younger, do you see them trying to ADD any younger major league talent on the pitching side this offseason or at the trade deadline?

DG: Oh, absolutely. That is always a good goal for any team -- but, yes, it's an area where the Cardinals can, will focus, need to focus. However you want to phrase it. Building pitching depth is an area of focus for them -- and that's not just acquiring players (it's a big part of it), but it's also about building the support staff, facilities, and so on to improve development, too.

Bob the Subscriber: Gotcha, thnaks. So should we expect an Arenado trade (if it happens at all) to occur later in the off-season?

DG: At last check, the Cardinals expect the pace of the market to pick up at the winter meetings -- or going into the winter meetings. That is, of course, echoed by the reporters about the Soto courtship. Given that Bregman is available to teams interested in adding a 3B, and given that a few of the teams with an eye on Bregman first have to figure out where Soto signs ... you can see how all of these conversations are linked and where the Cardinals may have to wait for movement elsewhere to get the best offer they can take to Arenado.

November Rain: Would the Cardinals consider trading Gorman or Walker if blown away by an offer?

DG: Yes.

Cards Fan 1941: Derek, I look forward to your column and podcasts. You recently mentioned a hitters machine that can be programmed for a particular pitcher, At $800k, that is a big investment. Do the Cardinals seem interested?

DG: They have two of them. They have one at Busch Stadium that the big-leaguers use, and they have one in Jupiter, at the complex down there.

Initially in the podcast, when I was asked if the Cardinals had a Trajekt machine, I said no. I was wrong. I did ask about it during the season, and may have misunderstood the answer or asked the wrong person. That's on me to figure out, and I'm being candid with you here. I subsequently learned that they had two. And I've updated and corrected the podcast to reflect that.

Chris: Which team could be the 2025 version of the Royals leveraging what I expect will be a heavy buyers market in the free agent pool given all the revenue issues?

DG: Detroit Tigers.

Bob the Subscriber: I understand that Sasaki is unlikely to sign here. But is the team going to make a pitch to him?

DG: They usually do, yeah. Just to make sure they don't wonder. They want to be told no. That's pretty standard for the Cardinals and other teams. If you don't try, you don't know for sure. You want to hear the no.

CJ: There seem to be a lot more online "news" outlets nowadays that pump out clickbait headlines that read "cards pursuing x or y superstar" with no sources cited. As a legitimate reporter yourself, how does that impact the work that you do and is there anything you or the PD can do to stop it or raise awareness to fans?

DG: What we've seen elsewhere is aggregation devours the reporters providing the info for aggregation. The Post-Dispatch invests heavily in coverage of the Cardinals and Blues and Mizzou, and does so with dedicated reporters and clear standards of practice. And that needs the support of subscribers. It's an issue if that reporter or reporting is skimmed or misrepresented -- and I hope that readers, like you, recognize it and seek out the media outlets that invest the coverage and offer you clear and concise attribution and accountability. I get that rumors and speculation are entertaining, but more and more and more we're seeing speculation become what fans remember, not the hard, tangible reported facts. There is a lot of coverage out there coming from sites that are taking from reporters on site, from outlets that pay to have professionals in place to cover the team, and the Post-Dispatch is not alone in that when it comes to the Cardinals. What happens if readers don't value the difference ... We can all see where that leads, because we've already seen media outlets close or change, from august publications like Sports Illustrated to newspapers throughout the country.

Raising awareness, as you say, is key. I'm trying to do that. Doesn't always play well on Xwitter, of course. But I'll keep trying.

Thanks for the compliment.

chico: Happy Thanksgiving,DG,you're the reason that I subscribe to the Post. Just one question:What does a special assistant to the President do? Then,what does the Assistant GM do then? I'm confused.

DG: Thank you for subscribing. This is a great question, and a lot of it has to do with what you'd call an organizational flow chart. For a team that has a president of baseball operations -- president puts that person on the same level as president of business operations -- there is usually a vice president or senior vice president who is the GM. Most folks just know his/her title as GM, not the VP part. But the VP part puts them in the organizational chart, right? Assistant GMs would then be one tier below, and increasingly they oversee specific silos of baseball ops -- draft, minors, analytics, etc. Starting to see the tree? I'm sure there are examples in other industries. In newspapers, it's executive editor, section editors, deputy editors, and then on into the writers from senior writers to lead writers to columnists, etc. Now an assistant or special assistant to the GM is one who reports to the GM, and same for the assistant or special assistant to the President. That usually is someone who contributes to all facets of the organization without running one specific one. An example would be when Alan Benes was a special assistant and did scouting, or when Chaim Bloom had a similar title and spent the past year auditing the minor-league system. Special assistant is a broader title that can lead to broader responsibilities. Hope that helps.

Ron: When will we hear more on coach hiring and farm director

DG: It was supposed to be soon. Likely next week, unless it's before Wednesday. A check last week was that it's still near-term. They want to put together a sizeable amount of the staff and then announce. They were still doing some offers/interviews.

Chris: I was surprised to read in your past chats or a report, I forget, that the Cardinals are still thinking of trying Liberatore as a starter. He was so effective in the bullpen and could grow into the next closer. Why not commit him to that path given his past struggles in the rotation?

DG: Mostly because a left-handed starter is so valuable to teams and the Cardinals (and others) see Liberatore's upside as a starter, even if his immediate role for the Cardinals is relief. They don't want to limit his potential. They've seen how that goes, too. Recently.

ud: Brendan Rodgers non tendered in Colorado. He looks like s pretty useful second baseman. Why would they let him go? I don't see us going after him but he'd be an upgrade at that position.

DG: Cost. He was about to get a third crack at arbitration and see a raise. The Rockies made the determination that his production for them was not likely to be worth the cost to them. And they did try to trade him and shopped him around before making the move. Teams were reluctant to part with much because they could read the Rockies' intentions and why not just wait for him to become a free agent and not tied to the arbitration process. His salary set by the market, not the argument. Also: Pretty telling that Rockies go from that choice to signing Kyle Farmer.

Davel: Hi Derrick and thanks to you along with the rest of the P-D baseball writers for great reporting. What are you hearing about the chances of Ken Boyer finally getting elected to the HOF?

DG: That discussion, that vote is going to happen pretty soon -- right on the eve of the winter meetings. I do not yet know if Boyer will have a strong advocate in the room. That is usually what it takes. He has a strong case, of course, and just needs a strong advocate to make it in the room. Looking at the list of other candidates, sure does appear it's going to be a difficult bid to get 75% of the voters. The other names on the Classic Era ballot: Dave Parker, Tommy John, Dick Allen, John Donaldson, Steve Garvey, Vic Harris, and Luis Tiant. Parker has a strong case, and so does former Cardinal Dick Allen and there's a lot of growing support for Tommy John. It's going to be in the room where it happens.

Matt S: Are the Cardinals looking to clear a path for Mcgreevy by trading one of Mikolas or Matz?

DG: They are exploring those talks, yes, and not just for the purpose of clearing a way for McGreevy. They see there already is a path for him to start. There are teams at least intrigued by Matz. We'll see if that manifests into offers.

Mike: I have been a little suprised over the past several years not to see the Cardinals more active in the Japanese player market, or exciting international players in general, is that something you see changing with Bloom?

DG: They have certainly tried. They positioned themselves to make several offers over the past few years, and just have been outbid. They hired a full-time scout in Japan who had strong relationships with the reps there and familiarity with the teams. Matt Slater has spent years developing and advocating for relationships and scouting there in Japan. They've signed a handful of players from there, some of them are U.S. players who went abroad only to return and sign with the Cardinals. There is also Won-Bin Cho from Korea, and he's one of the Cardinals top prospects and their first amateur signed of Asia. Chen-Wei Lin is also a top prospect for the Cardinals and could zoom up the rankings in 2025. He was signed out of Taipei for $500,000, and at 6-7 he sports a 97 mph fastball. So, on the horizon, there are players coming from that activity.

JolietDave: I bought opening day tickets last Wednesday as a 鈥渟o called鈥� VIP. I am closer to the field and at lower cost than the past few years.,Seems the lower attendance last year has made the message of unhappy fans clear?

DG: Ownership has said as much, yep. And actions suggest that too

Jim from DeBary FL: Didn't Matt Slater leave the organization? Will that have a negative impact on their Asian relationships? Who will be taking his place.

DG: He did leave the organization, yes. He was an advocate for the talent in Asia. How this sorts out will be clear as Bloom puts his group together. Assistant general manager Moises Rodriguez continues to be heavily involved in overseeing the international amateur scouting.

Travis W: I am thankful that there will be a direct-to-customer option to watch the Cardinals in 最新杏吧原创 next year. Despite the product on the field possibly being worse next year, I'll easily watch 3x as many games now

DG: Every scenario with the broadcast situation will ultimately be better for fans. It may not be immediate and it will come at a cost, but it access will be better. That's where this is headed.

Ron the usher: Happy Thanksgiving to all at the O-D. On those days when rain bad weather is threatening, what is the decision-making process on whether or not to play, and who makes these decisions?

DG: Major League Baseball and the clubs make that decision with MLB more involved than ever over the past few years on whether a game is ppd or played. And coming out of 2020, MLB and the clubs have sought to be more proactive with those calls, sometimes making them a day in advance or in the morning before a night game. Once a ballpark is open, however, MLB and the clubs will try to have that game played, and if it's the final meeting between the teams it could be a long night of trying to make that happen.

Twister18: Miles Mikolas in a high leverage relief role next year, crazy or crazy smart? He can get his fastball into the upper 90's and has good secondary pitches.

DG: Would have to strike out more batters for that to make sense, given the modern makeup of bullpens and leverage spots. Missing bats is what teams want. Missing bats is repeatedly what the Cardinals say they seek for those roles.

RedbirdFarmhands: hey derrick do they have an order of who they may want to trade first. Is Arenado first priority then Helsley or is there not a a certian order they priotirite

DG: They do not. They can a) multitask and b) aim for the best offer when they think they can get it because they've shed salary to a point where it doesn't have to be a trade driven by dropping costs.

Ryan: What I struggle with to connect the dots is how/why the Cards FO thinks that they鈥檒l be able to compete in the NL next year and why a player like Arenado or Gray thinks they can. I mean, they just don鈥檛 have the starting pitching. Gray sure. Pallante as a #4 you bet. But posturing Fedde, Mikolas and Matz as #鈥檚 2, 3 & 5 you just can鈥檛 win 90+ with that. Maybe McGreevy pulls a Wacha or Buehler rookie year. But that鈥檚 asking a lot. Unfortunately they don鈥檛 have the staff. And what else is close as SP鈥檚 are 4鈥檚&5鈥檚 that will be on inning limits. Guess we should buckle up for 5 1/3 of 5.25 ERA ball from Lizard King.

DG: They do play in the NL Central, still.

Jim: Do you have any sense of what level the Cards would like to start Wetherholt at the beginning of the season? Do you think he gets an invite (even if its a cup of coffee to get aclimated) to spring training?

DG: It does seem likely that he'll get an invite to spring training -- or at least make an appearance at some point during spring training with the big-league club. So, if not invited for the start of it, you'll see him in Grapefruit League games (maybe even a start?) at some point during spring. As far as what level he'll start at? With a new farm director coming in and new leadership for the development, I don't have past practice to base an answer on, and I'm eager to get a chance to talk with them about their philosophy. The Cardinals liked to advance a player during the season, so might start him at High-A and then plan on midseason to Double-A. The new group might have a new approach and see where his spring takes him or seek to challenge him with an aggressive promotion. The internal view is that he's an advanced hitter -- one that fits the description of reaching Class AA at some point in 2025 and could be one of the reps for the Cardinals in the Arizona Fall League a year from now.

Taguchi99: Hi Derrick, it feels like the Cardinals are pleasantly surprised that they've already cut payroll to the point where they no longer NEED to trade to cut salary. But all the decisions to this point have been entirely in their control (FA, options, etc.) Does this attitude have more to do with the outcome of the TV deal? Seems like the cuts may not be as deep as we've braced for?

DG: It is entirely the TV deal and getting certainty there. When the offseason started they were looking at all sorts of possibilities -- Diamond Sports Group liquidizing and deals vanishing along with that revenue; a steep cut in broadcast rights as they jumped to MLB Media, as the Reds are faced with; or some cut from their expected deal that would at least be more revenue than either of the previous two scenarios. They got that done at a cut of 23%. At one point they were workshopping what would happen with a 40% cut or worse. So, it is entirely getting that deal done and knowing what it looks like for 2025.

Aaron Knopf: Thanks for the book recommendation of 鈥淗ow High We Go in the Dark鈥� in your recent podcast with Dayn Perry. I wasn鈥檛 familiar with the title or the author, but it鈥檚 a great read so far. Maybe you could add a regular 鈥渨hat I鈥檓 reading鈥� segment to the BPIB.

DG: I would like to start a Best Book Club in Baseball. Is there any 最新杏吧原创 store interested? Drop me a line.

Bryan C: Is there any exciting news from the Cardinals you can share to make us less boarded so far this off season? I hope you and your family has a Happy Thanksgiving.

DG: The sleeve logo from City Connect jerseys that features the arch and fleur-de-lis with the STL initials is under consideration for a more prominent spot in the Cardinals' look for 2025. It could be on one of the team's official hats, which would mean it pops up in spring or batting practice. That's probably exciting for the uniform devotees.

Mike: I don't know if you can write in candidates for the HOF ballot, but if you only end up with 9 (or less) selections on your ballot, I'd hope you'd write in Dale Murphy. A travesty (like Boyer) that he isn't in the Hall yet. And a further travesty that he wasn't on the Classic Era Ballot this year...but, alas, we have Steve Garvey on there. He of 38 career WAR.

DG: Write-in candidates are not permitted. There is no line for it, and there is no way to do that. The ballot is likely to be thrown out. If write-in candidates were allowed, you can bet there would have been many writers from decades ago who wrote in Pete Rose. That didn't happen.

Murphy is a strong candidate for look from one of the eras committees, and here's hoping he gets it. He's never appeared on a ballot that I received.

MS Bird Brain: I've seen some '24 WAR estimates for free agent SPs now on the market. With the intangibles he brought, in almost any revenue scenerio it was simply a bad business decision to let go of Gibson. They won't be able to replace those wins and innings for the value they already had.

DG: I did try to point that out as the decision approached. It would be a telling move.

It was.

MS Bird Brain: Charley Hustle a lock this year?

DG: He is not up for consideration because he's on the permanently ineligible list.

Cardinals make the signing of Jose Barrero official.

It's a minor-league deal with invite to spring.

larry harnly: Larry harnly is there a chance mo will try to sign kittredge. he could be the closer if helsley is traded. i am thankful for these chats and your podcasts.

DG: As of right now, the Cardinals do not plan to make a bid for Kittredge's return, and he expects to sign elsewhere.

Mike: This is more of an opinion question, but if you could pick a player to exceed expectations next year, who would it be?

DG: Given the expectations for the Cardinals that I see in these comments and questions and my email inbox, it sure seems like I could pick anyone and likely be right. Expectations are pretty low it seems. So, finding the resonant answer here is tricky. I'll try.

Paul Goldschmidt.

Mike: If you'll indulge me, let's talk a bit about Pete Rose. Like you, I'm a "put them in with transgressions on the plaque" type of guy. I hear on the interwebs and with friends the argument that, "Pete knew he couldn't get into the Hall when he accepted his punishment". However, this is factually untrue. He accepted his ban from baseball in 1989. However, the Hall didn't change the rules until 1991 -- in direct response to Pete Rose then being eligible for the ballot for the first time. Would he have made a different decision -- or specifically sought to remain eligible in his settlement with MLB -- if the rules had been in place in 1989?

DG: That is a fair question -- but not to ask me. I don't know, nor do I have much background talking with Rose to crawl inside his thoughts and give you any kind of answer at all. Your best bet? Probably to see if someone actually asked him that question. There have been many great articles about him and his view of things, especially from writers there in Cincinnati for the Cincinnati Enquirer and The Athletic. I have not yet seen the documentary. It's on my list to watch this offseason so I can see how well C. Trent Rosecrans does in it. So if Rose touches on this topic in it -- I'll find out then. I won't even try to guess his thoughts.

Craig: I love that. Now I wish they would add more players names on these City Connect jerseys. Masyn Winn for example. My 10 year old son really wants one. They are missing a real marketing opportunity, and revenue!

DG: Yes, Cardinals need more Winn merch in general at the ballpark from what I hear.

mikemk: Do you see boras throwing a wrench into the post season by holding out on his FAs untill spring training again?

DG: Some of his clients may not sign until spring training. That's always likely -- not just with him, but with this market. As far as the headliners? The general sense from many in the game is that the winter meetings are going to be a bonanza of Boras. Brace yourself.

Darron: It seems like Alec Burleson is one of the best young hitters on the roster, but most of the talk is centered around him being a platoon bat vs. right handers. Do the Cardinals feel that he has reached his ceiling? It seems like "letting the kids play" could include an opportunity for Burley to figure it out vs. lefties. (Although I'll admit his .514 OPS last year vs. lefties is pretty rough)

DG: The Cardinals do not feel that he's reached his ceiling. You've done a classic job of answering your own question. I'll only note that the platoon talk with Burleson was about 1B/DH and was not like a strict platoon, just a description of how he and Contreras could appear at the same positions and be in the same lineup.

SE Steve: Derrick, greetings from SE Colorado. You think Rockies want Noland back? I bet Dick would pay another $50 million and toss in Doyle and couple 1st rounders (hehehe).

DG: Some teams rebuild. The Cardinals reset. The Rockies just seem stuck on repeat.

Ken: Derrick if they move Miles and Matz . Who will take their place ? That leave two starters

DG: McGreevy will take one spot. Maybe Liberatore takes another. Or the Cardinals continue to say they might circle back to Kyle Gibson about returning. That is a possibility, too.

Matt S: Once the Cardinals decide who they plan on trading or keeping, is there any chance they sign players on one year deals looking for a prove it deal? Then, they could trade that player at the deadline.

DG: Yes, there is. They are doing some of that with the minor moves, and they'll look at some of those moves for big-leaguers, too. Don't expect to be wowed by the moves. But they'll look for such additions, yes.

pugger: I'm curious what 'your' thoughts are in terms of keep/trade Helsley... Isn't it logical to take a 30 y/o reliever, coming off a great year, but also has had multiple injuries, on a team that is in a stated 'retool' to trade that player and try to obtain a solid building block for the long haul?? I don't see the logic in keeping a player like that.. It would be different if he were a rotation centerpiece, or a solid everyday hitter.. Closers change literally during the year. Like Luke Weaver of the Yankees... Cardinals need long term assetts, as they are building for the long term...

DG: I don't know why you put 'your' in quotes.

Have we entered an era of the chat where I need to say at the start that AI is not writing these answers? If it sounds like AI is writing these answers, then blame the writer, not question his 'humanity.'

Closing is a volatile business, and you outline the situation well. Trading a closer at the highest value makes sense for a team that is pivoting into a 'reset,' and that's what they're calling it so it's why you see it in quotes. Any way, trying to maximize the return is a good strategy, and that is where the Cardinals would be Helsley. It's a similar spot that the Yankees were in with Chapman or Miller, and in 2016 at the deadline they flipped both of those elite relievers into talent at the trade deadline. Which is part of the calculus here. The Cardinals have to determine if they might get more for him at the deadline, and if the risk of keeping him and risk of injury is worth the potential payoff.

There is also another factor here, and it's one that you should keep in mind.

Helsley is arbitration eligible.

That means that he and the Cardinals have until early January to agree on a salary or they will swap figures. The Cardinals are file-and-trial. If they swap figures, they'll go to the arbiter.

As you know arbitrations hearings can get feisty. Some players come out of them frustrated, irritated, etc. Tyler O'Neill said he could not sleep heading toward his. Helsley said he was irked by some of the things the Cardinals rep said about his performance in the hearing.

Stay with me here. There's a payoff.

If you're a team interested in Helsley, then you trade for him now with the intent to sign him before that hearing -- because why would you want his first experience with a new team to be a confrontation in arbitration.

Or, just let the Cardinals do that.

Have the hearing.

Set his salary.

Then make the trade and be the new team that brought him to a better spot.

You want to know if/when/how they might trade Helsley, consider the arbitration schedule.

I know it's not sexy and thrilling and its not generating fun, crazy, wild rumors of his trade now. But, hey, it's pragmatic. Wouldn't you wait if you were an interested team?

marpdagn: Hey Derrick. Any chance we see a hit and run once in a while next year? Maybe a stolen base or two? I long for the days of Whiteyball.

DG: Yes, you will see both of those things.

Probably several times. Likely even in the same game.

Brad: There's a hot new St Louis band called The Band Feel. Opened for ZZ Top recently. Check'em out, Derrick.

DG: Thanks for the heads up. Also need a new theme song for the podcast. Got to find a band interested in doing that ...

SE Steve: Derrick, do you get the sense we are riding out this year until Bloom takes over POBO. Cards have the TV deal, so why not be active in free agency. It just feels weird this offseason.

DG: Who else is active in free agency other than the Angels? The Cardinals have explained why they're not going after the headliners. You are welcome to disagree. The TV was a major part, but not the only part of that decision.

SE Steve: Derrick, what is going to happen with Tampa Bay? Seems like the area can not settle on a new stadium. Seems like that team is begging to move now.

DG: I don't know. I suggest you check out of the coverage from Marc Topkin at the Tampa Bay Times. He's got all the details and is a superb baseball writer.

Thomas: The diamondbacks are looking to shed Monty, and they need relievers. Odds we send Matz and Helsley and get Monty and a prospect in return? Could a bigger package that nets Jake McCarthy be had?

DG: I don't see that scenario as likely at all. The Cardinals don't seem to be aching for a reunion with Montgomery. There are reports from Arizona outlets about the Diamondbacks are considering trading McCarthy. Cardinals seem more likely to streamline their outfield choices at this point, not add another one to the mix, as appealing as McCarthy might be.

marpdagn: With the coming reset, do you see the Cards being active in the Rule 5 draft?

DG: No more so than usual. They've often looked into the Rule 5 draft to take a specific type of player or a pitcher with a specific upside pitch. They'll do the same this year.

Carbondale Mike: Lets say Cardinals trade Helsley and Arenado for near ready or ready prospects and dont trade for any known bat or starter making the rotation gray, fedde, pallante, and the 4th/5th a choice of mcgreevy, mathews, hence, liberatore... Do you think this team is a better rotation and lineup than past season if you were a betting man?

DG: I am not a betting man.

The lineup could be better. The rotation would have more questions -- and that could turn out well, but we've seen it more likely to leave the Cardinals gasping for innings when they need them to contend.

SE Steve: maybe even a bunt

DG: Don't get greedy.

marpdagn: Agree with Pugger. Makes no sense to keep Helsley with their stated intent to reset.

DG: Noted.

marpdagn: Seems like the Cards are in a tough spot with Walker. If they keep him and let him play this year and he doesn't hit, his value craters more than it already has. Would they trade him now in a package for one of Seattle's young starters?

DG: They aren't eager to trade Jordan Walker. They would listen if that's the conversation that the Mariners want to have. No indication Seattle is seeking that talk.

alabama cards fan: Derrick, too bad you dont make commissions or bonus based on how many subscribers you are responsible for.....I bet more than anyone ! Does the rebuild make you more likely to look at other situations, or are you still happy in the Lou?

DG: Ha. Thanks for the kind words. I like the framing of the question, too. The nest empty now, kid off to college. But I'm hoping to stay and see this thing through as long as The Lou will have me.

Mark1082: Hey Derrick, thanks for the chat! Who do the Cardinals view as their catcher of the future? Herrera, Crooks, Bernal or even Pages? Or too soon to tell? I think that's a big question to answer don't you?

DG: The answer is ... yes.

They see one or two from that list as their catchers of the future, and they're thrilled to be in a position here they can let performance dictate that -- or what offers they get for those talents shape that choice. They have high expectations for Crooks, and they are really intrigued by what he could bring in the coming two years to the majors. He's also complement for either of the catchers already there. And I'm glad you brought up Bernal. Some see him as the best of the group you've listed.

It is a big question for the Cardinals.

They don't want to miss on the answer in the way they have with outfielders, and they don't want to miss on the chance to utilize this depth to make other deals.

Honestly, this could be one of the first defining decisions for the Bloom front office.

Brad: Hey Derrick, Happy Thanksgiving and always enjoy your chats. I'm all in on 'letting the kids play' and finally seeing what we have. My concern is that this regime won't go 'all in'. I'd love to see them go with VS2 in CF, commit a rotation spot to both Pallante and McGreevy and give the overwhelming majority of the C starts to Herrera. Do you think they'll go all in and really let the kids play?

DG: The Cardinals' habit is to come just shy of all-in. You could argue Contreras at first base is an example of that. I have argued that past decisions with signing starting pitchers has been that. It does seem like they're going to at least hit 2 of the 3 things you'd like to see. Victor Scott II is going to get a chance to make that decision for the Cardinals with his play in spring training.

CF is going to be a competitive spot for the Cardinals this spring, and it does not appear like it's going to be a duel just between Scott and Michael Siani. We'll see.

Bob the Subscriber: What kind of off-season work are Walker and Gorman doing to get their bats back on track? thanks!

DG: New hitting coach Brant Brown has been in contact with the hitters. Walker has been in Jupiter working there at the facility, and getting input from the Cardinals coaches. Gorman is in Arizona, where he's working at a facility there, and he has done so with a plan put together by the Cardinals and now added to by Brown.

Jojo Disco: I know DeWitt III highlighted fan engagement as a focus for next year. I have an idea; they should create a new character as a Fredbird counterpart named Larry the Lame Duck, as a nod to the theme of this coming season and the many people/players in the organization in that situation . He could walk around the stadium with a bag full of old giveaways they had in storage and hand them out to fans.

DG: This season is going to be a gas.

Cards fan in Bama: Hi DG, happy thanksgiving week to you and the folks at the Post Dispatch ! i know we are all hungry for trade news regarding the home team, but wouldn't it be just as prudent to hang on to some of these guys in the rumor mills until the trade deadline next year ? i mean if they are playing .500 ball in July or a little above, that looks a whole lot different than 10 games under and out of the race. Maybe the FO has a little more clarity by then of the roster going forward and what they really need to target besides just more depth or redundancy ?

DG: There is a definitely something to taking this approach, and I like how you positioned it about using the season like they describe -- to create playing time and see what develops. And then see where the needs are. That makes some sense. It does come with some risk -- because you have the chance for injury, the chance for the market to shift, any of that stuff come the trade deadline.

You do hint at something that the Cardinals and others looking at the Cardinals are wondering: What if these moves -- similar to the moves the Brewers made a year ago -- reveal a better team? There is at least some conversation on how they could position themselves to add at the deadline. To do that they would have to also know what they had -- and they would through the production. Which is the best answer they could get.

Capstone: Cards have in past oscillated between needing a left-handed bat to a right-handed bat. They simply need an OF bat that can consistently slug and hit 25+ HR/year over a sustained period AND play defense. Noot has tools but health and performance meant he has not done it; Burleson tailed off as league caught up. Cards CF'ers have been defense-first for a decade. Chase Davis is at least two years away, even if he progresses. Even if Nado stays, doesn't look like they have enough power; they don't have elite base-stealers; pitching is iffy. Not clear Cards have an identity. As a 60+ years fan, sure hope they engineer a better team.

DG: Of all the things the Cardinals could acquire, somewhere on that list is identity.

That 2022 certainly captured the imagination of fans with Albert Pujols' pursuit of 700. But did the team? I think it's been a real fascinating part of the past few years -- that the Cardinals haven't really seized the city with charisma. I don't know why that is. It cannot only be losing. It could be the staleness that we've discussed. But at the same time the Cardinals did add Nolan Arenado in that time, did have two MVP candidates at the same time, and neither were Albert Pujols, and so on. So, why haven't the Cardinals inspired that buzz?

Identity would be a good addition.

Not as impactful as a 30-homer outfielder from somewhere -- internally or externally -- but definitely important.

Heck, maybe can get both of those things with the same person.

Craig: Derrick, what do the Cardinals see as Gorman's primary reason for struggling last season? Is it mechanical, pitch selection, mental or some combination? I've always thought he has trouble keeping his head down/eye on the ball with the way his front foot is not aligned with his back foot and seems to pull his body (and head) towards right field. I'm no hitting guru obviously, but it seems really hard to hit that way.

DG: Swing path, mostly. That would be fall into mechanics, but also touch on the other categories you mention. He had returned to a swing that the upward slant that just made it difficult for him to reach pitches at the top of the zone, and teams just seized on it. I spoke with a few scouts through the year about what they saw and how Gorman just made it difficult on himself with a swing path that left him vulnerable. The Cardinals coaches and Gorman worked on it, and that was part of the move back to the minors. The adjustment just didn't happen in the majors, and opponents seized.

bo: Derrick- i dont understand the signing of barrero . He is a career under .200 hitter whose fielding metrics have not been good . He is 26 if the cards are truly all in on their prospects why sign this guy to take one of their places at triple a.

DG: They need a backup shortstop -- either to take over at Memphis when Saggese makes the big-league team, or to be there as a reliable fielder to spell Masyn Winn. Also, they don't really want to only play two shortstops all of spring trainng.

JoJo Disco: Sorry - I've sent this in a couple times but I just need to know. I鈥檓 still not understanding the math with the Cardinals approach to 2025. You reported that the amended TV deal lops off $17.3m a year in revenue for the Cardinals and Gray is due a $15m raise in 2025. Add another couple million dollars for additional instructors and let鈥檚 call the total $35m. They have carved almost $70m off last year鈥檚 payroll, more than enough to absorb the TV shortfall and Gray鈥檚 increase, and still leave them $30m+ ahead. And that doesn鈥檛 even contemplate an Arenado or Helsley trade. Where is that money going and why isn鈥檛 it being redeployed into the major league club?

DG: Let's do this.

1) You're already operating with more information than the Cardinals had when they held the press conference to disclose their offseason plans.

2) With that more information -- really the TV deal, but also the drop in salaries -- the Cardinals have also talked about adjusting some of their approach, and not looking at trades as a way to shed salary, rather as a chance to seek the deals that are best for them and maybe appealing to the players.

To use your phrase: The math has changed.

3) I'm not really sure where there's a question or any misunderstanding other than you wanted them to comment in early November as if they had the information of late November. This is pretty common. Hindsight fuels a lot of questions when fans have more info than the team did when it made the call. That's the gig.

When you have to make the decision, you don't always know how it's going to turn out.

When you judge the decision, a lot of times it's already happened.

3) Where is the money going? Well, some of it is going to expanded staff, expanded facilities, and upgraded tech -- all of the advertised investments in minors that were discussed. Some of it will go to free agents yet to sign. Some of it, ownership said, will be targeted for additions later to outfit a team built on youth.

Some of it will go to raises due players. You mentioned Gray. That's the significant one, but not the only raise.

Some of it won't be spent.

The Cardinals have said they'll have a smaller payroll than 2024. They've advertised that, and they have not backed off that. How much less they have adjusted because they know more today than they did three weeks ago.

4) You've left out the biggest unknown they're facing.

Ticket sales.

They have long tied payroll to ticket revenue, and they acknowledge that ticket sales will be slow -- for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the past two seasons and the standings.

Cool?

Ed AuBuchon: The key to the Cardinal reset is Gorman and Walker. Without them meeting their potential free agent signings will be expensive.

DG: Can definitely make that case.

Jrmomo1000: Happy Thanksgiving

DG: Thank you. And same to you.

Jrmomo1000: Do you think they are done trading now that the payroll is better.

DG: I still expect them to pursue trades and likely make at least one.

Mr Boondy: Watching both the Blues and City SC be aggressive with coaching changes and adding players to become better, just makes the Cardinals negligence worse. Very bad look

DG: Does it? Could somebody elaborate on this? I'm quite curious, and I don't really have a view or opinion on this other than wanting to know more why? Because it sure seems like the NHL is too fickle and I'm still learning the MLS landscape for coaches. MLB tends to be less volatile, less fickle, and now it seems like you want it to be more so? That would be different for the whole game, no?

Jrmomo1000: Would you use the young pitchers in the bullpen

DG: Sure. I think that has been and can be a valuable part of development, for sure.

Jim from DeBary FL: I read your possible timeline of a trade of Helsey. But if the situation is awaiting the resolution of the arbitration hearing, doesn't that mean a trade during spring training. Isn't thar when the arbitration hearings are conducted?

DG: Thank you for pointing that out. Starting to see why some folks in the know think they'll keep him unless it's a deal that a team just has to get done?

mystic: Are the Cardinals cognizant of how they are compared to other teams like the Blues? The Blues are also in a rebuild but aren't throwing in the towel and are actually trying to make their team better NOW. Do the Cards realize how bad they look in comparison?

DG: The Cardinals are cognizant of the Blues, yes. They have a good relationship from a business standpoint, a link with their broadcast partner and future broadcast plans, and they also exist together in this same bubble when it comes to perception.

I don't know if the Cardinals share your opinion for the Blues or the comparison of the two teams.

I cannot speak for them.

I do not agree with it.

The Blues are not off to a good start this year. Full stop. They have not been in the playoffs since the same year the Cardinals were last in the playoffs, and they have only once been out of the first round of the playoffs since winning the Stanley Cup in 2019. Similarly, the Cardinals have not won a playoff round since that fall, in 2019. So, again where are the differences? I guess one difference is that more NHL teams make the playoffs than MLB teams, and still the Blues have not been there the past two years.

That's splitting percentages.

The Cardinals have not once said they're "throwing in the towel." If that's your view of their actions, then cool -- you could totally make that point and defend that opinion. Just as someone could make the point and defend the opinion that the Blues aren't doing enough to make their team better.

Or they're too late to do so.

Either way, let's just be blunt about a few things from your comparison.

The Blues are doing things now because their season is going on now. They have games to win, time to change their trajectory. The Cardinals do not have games to play, any standings to change. So, there is still a lot of time for the Cardinals to give some sense of their direction, some sense of where they're throwing the towel, to use your phrase. They don't play tomorrow. The Blues play tonight.

I think there is something about the Blues messaging. I think there is something about the grace purchased by the 2019 Stanley Cup -- the first and only in Blues' history. If it was their 11th, I would imagine there wouldn't be as much patience. And that is ultimately where I see the difference in the two teams.

Blues have solid messaging that fans respond to, and the Cardinals haven't had that same resonance.

Maybe that's because expectations are higher for the Cardinals.

As they should be.

Jrmomo1000: I wonder if they could trade miles and matz for Montgomery

DG: That's not likely to happen.

Brad: curious what you're thinking here.... is this Noot, with Donovan in left, or are you thinking they'll bring someone in from the outside?

DG: The Cardinals current view of their outfield is Nootbaar in left, Siani in center, and Walker in right.

Ed AuBuchon: The Cardinals always project their outfield. Never seems to workout !

DG: It's been an issue, yes, in recent years.

Brad: "The Cardinals current view of their outfield is Nootbaar鈥� " yes, understood. I was just asking about your response saying it's not just a competition between Sianni and VS2 in CF. Was curious what you meant by that.

DG: Gotcha! OK. That didn't come through in the question. That's the tech, not you. Thanks for coming back with more details.

Yes, Nootbaar would be in the CF conversation. We'll see how much. That's something that will be discussed more in the coming month, and we'll get a sense by watching the playing time in spring.

50Umpire: Some of the trade proposals I have read were so far out that the guy writing about must before the Team trading with... 2 or 3 of our Best young guys for 1 guy regardless who it is in most case to me would be out of the question. No idea where MO's mind might be & hope Bloom is got a say in it as it will impact him REAL soon...:):)

DG: Bloom has a say in any of the deals that would impact the team he's inheriting. Mozeliak said that, almost using those words, during I conversation I had with him following the presser. That had not changed by the time they got to the GM meetings and were having several conversations in tandem, discussions in duo. However you want to phrase that.

Mozeliak is going to be the public face of the organization and do a lot of the media access for the coming year. But don't read that as Bloom not being involved in the answers.

Brad: MLB laid out their Top 25 Prospects today: JJ Wetherholt is #13 a tick behind Bazzana.

DG: MLB-dot-com, yes. Draft spot matters. They'll be jockeying for a higher ranking this time next year.

JoJo Disco: Thank you for the detailed answer. However, ticket sales are a self-fulfilling prophecy. The Cardinals operated like they were a utility for years, the last two seasons have informed them that they are in fact a luxury item when they under-deliver because of minimal effort to acquire top-shelf talent.

DG: Ticket sales are not a self-fulfilling prophecy in the sense that good teams generate good ticket sales. It was a pretty good playoff bound team for the Cardinals that did not sell out a playoff game, you'll remember.

April has an outsized effect on ticket sales, as many teams, including the Cardinals, will tell you, and then explain. Performance in April -- off to a strong start -- tends to goose ticket sales down the road, and a good April can even help a team sell tickets despite a disappointing June. But a hot July? Well, that may not generate much when it comes to ticket sales, and a late run like say winning 18 games as school starts and budgets have been made an entertainment dollars spent doesn't generate the ticket boost like a compelling April will. Keep that in mind as April arrives.

The utility analogy is compelling, and I appreciate the layers to it. Baseball is in the entertainment industry, and throughout the economy we have seen shifting entertainment tastes and spending. No different here. People with fewer entertainment dollars to spend are being more selective with how they spend them. And that is a real factor for the Cardinals.

A real followup question -- and it's one I've asked and will ask again -- is whether the Cardinals could spend on the quality of team to invite spending from fans to see that team. Would an investment on the front end bring support from the fans? That's always part of the business proposition, and I wonder how the team sees its fans right now -- would they respond to spending, or are they skeptical?

bo: Derrick - to answer your question on the blues approach they saw a top coach available and fired their current coach to get arguably one of the best coaches in hockey. The cards have stuck with a guy who the last 2 years has had a very poor record and their are certainly potential managers with better track records out there .Maybe the cards think he is a better manager than the other guys out there but i would disagree. As to adding players the Blues went out and got arguably 2 of the best young players available as RFAs . that would be akin to the cards going on the international market and signing the top guys [not just a bunch of lesser FA] which they have also never done .

DG: I get what you're saying. I couple of thoughts: Again, the NHL has a culture of being fickle with coaches, and I felt some of the comments from the Blues about having a coach grow with young players vs. a coach already set to lead young players were interesting. That said, MLB doesn't really have that same fickleness with managers, outside of it seems White Sox and Miami, and if you want the Cardinals to be more like them, then cool, that would certainly be something to cover. Again, I hear where you're coming from on this -- but what's the example? Chasing Francona or chasing Schumaker this winter? That is still different than what the Blues did because it's not in-season, in-stride, so does that make the Cardinals less urgent?

One thing is clear, the Cardinals have a different view of their manager than you or others. And that's going to happen. But their actions are most revealing when it comes to their opinion, and check out there actions as you've detailed. Must say everything about how they view the manager, whether you or I agree with them or not.

bo: Derrick -if the cards spent to get a Soto i think yes there would be an uptick in ticket sales , spending on the Lynn's , Gibson's etc may have kept some season ticket holders last year but not new sales

DG: Would there be enough tickets sold to cover the cost of Soto? Interesting homework for the evening.

All of that supposes that Soto has any interest at all of coming to the Cardinals when he has these other teams in other markets vying for him. So how much would the Cardinals have to top the Yankees offer to woo him? Scott Boras' fondness for the Cardinals only goes so far ...

Ed AuBuchon: I thought it was a bad look for the Blues to fire Drew Bannister. They were just waiting for the coach they really wanted to be available.

DG: Thank you for pointing that out. I have enjoyed Matthew DeFranks' coverage of the change and learned a lot from it.

JoJo Disco: Must see players is a pretty good start. And when I say must see I don't mean past relics rolled out to ping our nostalgia, I mean young and exciting talent. Winn is a terrific starting point but he doesn't have the cache of a masher like Soto yet. A dominant starter would also do wonders. Now at the risk of contradicting myself I think a guy named Max on a 1-year deal would get people down there every 5 days.

DG: That is correct ... In one major-league season Masyn Winn, a shortstop with a gifted glove, has yet to equal the production or impact of Juan Soto, the most talented hitter of his generation.

What are we doing here?

Can we come up with comparisons that aren't rigged so you can always claim to be disappointed?

The Cardinals traded for the best all-around player in the National League ahead of the 2021 season. And you didn't even bring that up as a ticket-mover. Why that move isn't brought up more is fascinating. Guess it doesn't fit the narratives that persist, even without roots, in some corners here.

Clearly the chat and social media are not adequate representatives of what moves tickets.

50Umpire: HI Derrick, Good info But are the Cardinals in a hurry to do anything before Christmas.. Let things play out a bit & then make some "Educated Decisions" ..I would Hope... Thought trade Contras (sp) would have made more since than moving to 1st base & block Burly & Baker..& resigning Gibson or Lynn won't be a bad Idea...Thanks Happy Turkey Day!!1

DG: That's possible. Cardinals feel that there will be a pick up in the pace of their conversations by the winter meetings, and even some activity there or coming out of the meetings. That's their feel.

Tyler: It's easy to hope this "reset" produces multiple starters for years to come - maybe even a star or two. I'm certainly hoping for that to be the case - but what happens if we experience the worst-case scenario? What's the plan for 2026 if the kids can't play? Surely we wouldn't double down and let the kids play again?

DG: This is a great question and it's one that doesn't yet have an answer, but it's one worth watching and always including in the discussion. Well done, Tyler. And in a lot of ways it's the question. If the Cardinals do not get the production they expect from players they are counting on longterm, then what kind of team does Chaim Bloom inherit other than one he has to overhaul from the start.

As I think more about this question it would really put the Cardinals in this spot: Not a build-upon or build-up or build-better, but a true and complete rebuild that they cannot run from or call a reset. They would have to confront it.

DCG: DG, Knowing you get tons of questions and and many (most?) don't make the chat, I'm going to try again with one that I really want to get your response to because it's something I've begun to wonder about and you brought it up on a recent BPIB. Are the Cardinals truly all in on this reset? I don't mean selling off all big contract and tanking. But so far, it does feel like a half-measure, which is a word you used on the podcast. If the season began today (yes, I know it doesn't), the only real difference is Contreras at first. The starting staff seems immune to the reset even with letting Gibson and Lynn gone. It's still mostly older vets. So, do you believe the Cardinals would be fine starting next season with what they have as of today? If so, is the reset simply about money reallocation and giving Walker and Gorman more time to develop without threat of benching/demotion?

DG: Money was clearly a major driver in their early decisions, and I would push back slightly on the idea that the rotation is largely the same. It's changed. And there's a spot in it for Pallante. The Cardinals aren't talking about him competing for a spot, like they would have with a similar young pitcher in past seasons. I think -- and I made this case in the podcast -- you could argue that the Cardinals remain in the middle, just shifting to the other side of it. Some of that has to do with the TV deal getting done at the amount it did, leaving them in a different spot than they had to brace for. The last thing you mention is no small thing. Gorman got a long look this past season. Walker did not get that same look, and while he was a starter for a long time in 2023, there's still a sense that the Cardinals aren't as patient with prospects as some other teams who are then rewarded with production. They do seem prepared to do that at catcher, in the outfield, and at second with someone. Oh, and often at DH, too. That is the shift. And it does seem like they're not willing to completely pull out of the idea of contending, even if they want to reduce the expectations or weight placed on the team to do so.

Thomas: Do you think the Cardinals will have any interest in non-tendered players? Kyle Finnegan could be a good addition with an adjustment to his pitch mix.

DG: Yes. That's a good name to keep in mind.

Max: As a BPIB listener since day one (and baseball nerd that gets alerts when new episodes drop), I just wanted to shout out the past two episodes as being really stellar. The episode with Dayn Perry was especially enjoyable and I think it's important to hear from a fan every now and then. The one with Rob Bradford was excellent as well, especially the conversation about how the Cards never went past their puke point.

Has your reporting ever found that there were advocates for signing Harper in the FO? His personality (not to mention skills) is something the team just hasn't had in a awhile and I remember thinking at the time that he would've been a perfect Cardinal for the edge he could've given the team.

DG: Thank for listening. There were advocates, yes. And there were discussions. But if you recall how that offseason unfolded, the pursuit of Paul Goldschmidt quickly dominated their interests and they wanted to move fast to do so. When they pulled that off, it became about keeping him too. The Cardinals really thought that Goldschmidt was the best fit for them -- and the kind of player is rarely available to them and would not be in free agency. Once that deal took place, they kind positioned as getting their guy and not engaging in the pursuit of Harper. They did not see their chances of signing him as strong as say some on Harper's side did. Maybe that was leverage. Maybe that was just trying to pull another bidder into the mix, sure. But certainly some of the things Harper said then and later about his free agency would have suggested the Cardinals as a fit. Once Goldschmidt was done, did not hear much from the Cardinals about Harper, and that checked out with them not really participating in the bidding.

pugger: Derrick.. Just wanted to say thanks for the chats and bringing us good information to take in, even debate it a little bit.. I was saddened to read in your last chat someone who not only took a jab at you, but the late great Rick Hummel. I respect that you put all opinions out there... But, I found the comment in such poor taste and just infuriating.. Disagreeing is fine, debate is fine.. But to stoop to such levels.. Shows you how openly disrespectful behavior, and frankly, infantile behavior, are becoming the norm.... I don't always agree with you, and that's part of the fun in having a spirited convo/debate... Here's hoping there's more of that, and less idiocy in the chats.. Thanks again Derrick!!

DG: Thank you for the note. Enjoy the holiday.

marpdagn: Sure seems like a good time to try to find an ace, or at least a number two starter. Would Nootbaar/Siani or Donovan/Siani be enough to persuade the Mariners to part with one of their young guns?

DG: The Cardinals would really like that ace to emerge from within their system. Neither of those deals would draw the Mariners into moving one of their starters.

Britt: Derrick, On thing I'm thankful for are these weekly chats to get more insight into our favorite club. Thank you!

There's been mention on many of the trade questions over the past few chats about the 'Cardinals being overwhelmed by an offer' to trade someone. How likely is it that anyone is going to overwhelm them with an offer since it seems like, most???, all???, front offices want to win the trade nowadays. Doesn't that seem to contradict the way baseball is operating these days that overwhelming offers are few and far between?

DG: A contender looking at the bullpen and seeing a hole in the ninth inning and a lot of loses leaking in the back end would be motivated to add a sure thing, and that would definitely lead to a strong offer. That's possible. Right now: It's that kind if position and Ryan Helsley had that kind of year.

Duffy in CT: Thanks for all your chats. We appreciate all the time you devote to them.Just an opinion not a question. With the youth movement, Helsley is the Cards most reliable player. Wins will certainly be dear and a lock down closer will help the youth-their confidence and incentive to do their part. Plus there is no obvious repla event closer.

DG: Here is the other side of the discussion that has been laced through this chat about when to keep, when to move, and what to get in return for an ace closer.

mrr: Thank you for doing the chat(which, to my understanding, is a STL today innovation for sports writers), and the wonderful posting of the transcript below!!! I'm thankful for both of those!! Now for the questions--if the cardinals do hire additional instruction field staff (which will be focused on the minor leagues), how do those young players recently promoted (Herrera and Walker, for example) get "caught up" to an acceptable level? Would you see those additional resources at the major league level this year? Finally, have there been any names announced for these instructional positions? Thank you, as always, and have a wonderful holiday

DG: This is an interesting question. I will give it a go here, because I think I can answer this.

A lot of what the Cardinals want to do in the minors already is available in the majors, or at least something similar. The expanded staff? The Cardinals have done that over the past few years in the majors, and they've done it again this winter. The expanded tech? Well, for hitters, it's been there either in the hitting barn in Jupiter, or at the cages in STL. So, it's not a matter of the players now in the majors "catching up" -- they've had a lot of this. But it's also about the Cardinals offering them greater support to, not to catch up, but to get ahead. This about raising the entire organization, so I don't think the players who are in the majors are going to be overlooked here or miss out on things, because they've already had this or they're going to get it too.

There have been not been official hires for some of the roles, no. Those are expected soon.

DCG: DG, In terms of the reset and chance to see what they young players can do, this weirdly seems to apply only to the position players. As of now, they starting staff would by four 30 year olds (Gray, Mikolas, Fedde, Matz) and Pallante (who turns 27 next season). Mean while, years are burning off Graceffo, and McGreevey, and Thompson is quietly already 27. They've really wasted his career with the yoyo-ing of roles and opportunity. Anyone, I don't really see the reset plan re: pitching. What is it?

DG: You outlined it. But you need to add Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby. And Quinn Mathews. And Cooper Hjerpe. They're in the mix, too. Lei down the road, and others.

Iowa dude: Thanksgiving, Thankful that it's the final week of November and yet you commit to this chat. Very much appreciate that. Question: Hard to replace Helsley's performance. Why not offer new deal with big increase for 2025 plus 2 more years? Trading Nado -- if that happens -- I assume, frees up a lot more $ as they retool for 2026.

DG: If there was going to be an extension conversation, sure seemed like this past spring was the time to do it. Helsley told me he was open to that conversation, and the timing seemed right with the potential then of what did happen. Now, not sure either side has motivation for that. Helsley could strike it rich as a free agent with a repeat, and it could end with a contender depending on how the Cardinals season goes. Cardinals don't want to commit in that role until they know more about what the coming years look like and the actual pace of their "reset," not the expected or planned.

Jim from DeBary FL: Derrick, I always look forward to your chats. The only one I'm willing to spend the hours it takes to monitor. I know I'm getting more of the facts from reporting, and not speculating fantasy. I'm hoping the Cards can swing a good deal for Helsey. Relief pitchers are such a volatile position, and he is currently at his peak. With Drew Rom outrighted to Memphis, is he exposed to the Rule 5 draft?

DG: He is, yes.

November Rain: Your recent podcast was awesome - thanks for chatting with the guy from Boston. Lot's of similarities between the two 21st C juggernauts. So, I'm thinking about the stress Mo put himself under with the new operating philosophy he launched at the end of year presser. With Contreras and Gray wanting to remain in St Louis, will Moe regret his "let the kids play reset" for the organization if he can't trade Arenado? Really, if Nolan A. remains on the Cards exactly what "kids" are going to have opportunities? Also factor in that Mikolas and Matz may stick around, too, which greatly affects the young pitchers. In order to have a true reset Mo needs to move the older veterans. I'd say that's some serious stress. How about you?

DG: I could completely see what you mean with the rotation, and that numbers there don't lie. That said, it usually takes 8-9 starters to get through a season, right, so the innings will be there. I don't see the same roadblock that you do at third base with Nolan Arenado. We can agree to disagree. I don't see his return as some block to the growth of some young player, not one the Cardinals couldn't find a way to work around that would still benefit the young player.

MS Bird Brain: Hey DG. At the risk of being sappy I am very thankful for all the fun and life lessons I have received as a life-long Cardinal fan. There is a reason they have the BFinBB. As a given for my question I say that the Cards have a core need for some right-handed damage in their lineup in general, and their outfield in particular. In looking at the available free-agents, there are surprisingly few options in the price range they will shop in. That leaves trade options and in-house options. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject in general, but here is my question: What surprises could we see in ST for non-grass right swinging defenders out there trying to get noticed shagging flies? Some I wonder about are Saggese and Herrerra. We can probably rule out Baker? How about Prieto? Are you seeing or hearing anything along those lines?

DG: Definitely not hearing any such things about Herrera or Baker. Cardinals have gone out of their way this winter to say that Herrera is going to get a run at catcher, alongside and in tandem with Pages. The outfield thing is quite literally far from what they've described. Saggese, yes, that's a possibility. Have not heard that about Prieto, but honestly that's because I haven't asked. The reason why I haven't asked is because the Cardinals have talked about trying to streamline their choices in the outfield (again) and get playing time for Nootbaar, Siani, and Walker. Maybe it's just me, but when that is the answer to the question and we've been asking it for so many years about outfielders not getting their chance -- Arozarena leaps to mind, maybe Thomas, too -- then it seems disingenuous to make that point over and over and over again and then when they say, OK, here is the priority group, start asking about the possibility of adding more to the mix by moving infielders out there, too.

Donald N: Good morning Derrick; Why is Andrew Kittridge returning apparently not on Cards radar? Guy pitched his arm off and with some new/young arms in rotation, strong bull pen more important than ever. I guess money, is that the only factor? Thanks and Happy Holidays to you and your family. Donald L

DG: Money is the factor, yes. They expect that he'll get a better offer out there than they are willing to make, and they're right.

chico: Does the fact that the TV and on demand situation has been cleared up in any way help the Cardinals plan a budget regarding the team?

DG: Helps a bunch. Gives what ownership told me was "clarity" they did not have a few weeks ago.

DCG: Derrick, I try to listen to each podcast, and I'm not sure if it was the last one or the one before that, but you asked the question that really has me concerned: Are the Cardinals in danger of continuing their trend of half-measures by repeating that with their youth push. As excited as I was when they announced the new direction, as of now (and I get that it's early), with the decision of Gray and Contreras to stay, they will will have an old rotation and almost the exact same lineup minus PG. If that's how it ends up, then all that press conference really meant was they will lower payroll (fine with me) and give Walker all the time he needs to prove himself. Other than that, status quo. If they don't trade NA, then what has really changed other than money allocation?

DG: Since you asked, and I just want to make clear, this is a list of what changed, not advocacy that it was a lot or even a measure of how much was changed.

The rotation changed.

The bullpen has changed.

The catching situation changed.

First base has changed.

The hitting coach changed. The outfield coach changed. And there will be another member of Marmol's coaching staff yet to come.

So there have been changes, and each of the above changes with the exception of first base has been a change toward youth or a setup to give support to that youth.

The question becomes of it's not everywhere, is it enough? Or, because it's not everywhere is the better for the youth to thrive?

As we look into the winter, I'm starting think that it's a lot like what I wrote about the Blues. This isn't just about clearing innings and starts for youth. That's part of it, and that may even be the guiding compass. But it also seems like the Cardinals are trying to do something that will be difficult.

Lower expectations.

Alright, just updated the transcript below this window -- and it turns out to be 100 more inches of questions and answers. Guess I got a little carried away in the past hour.

And that prompted a look at the clock.

Time to move on to some other assignments and a few other spots on the to-do list today. It's already dark, and it was coffee time when this thing started.

Thanks for the great and challenging questions. This was a good conversation, and as always I'm intrigued by the themes that developed. Many of them from this chat are worth revisiting as the winter unfolds -- and even as July arrives and there are standings and there are games and the urgency for change can be measured from the Cardinals in the same circumstance as the Blues.

Enjoy the holiday. Travel safe. The chat will return just in time for turkey sandwiches next Monday.

-

The week after adjusting their roster to protect prospects and define their depth, the Cardinals continued that annual addition of minor league deals to fill organizational openings with the signing of a rival's former top prospect.

The Cardinals formally announced a minor league agreement with infielder Jose Barrero on Monday afternoon, a week or so after reaching a deal with the shortstop who was Cincinnati's No. 1 prospect entering the 2022 season. He was their opening day shortstop in 2023.

Viewed as a slick fielder, Barrero's offense hasn't kept pace, and the Reds moved him off the roster when peers surpassed him.

Barrero, now 26, played 139 games for the Reds in the majors and has a .186/.242/.255 slash line through four different seasons. In 2023, he began the year as the Reds' starting shortstop, and through 46 games that year, he had his best stretch of production, with a .218 average, a .295 on-base percentage and a .619 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) through 149 plate appearances.

In around 600 innings at shortstop from 2022-23 in the majors, Barrero registered a minus-7 defensive runs saved, per FanGraphs.

A native of Havana, Cuba, Barrero was one of the Reds' high-dollar signings from the international free-agent marketplace within the past decade. They outbid other teams with a $5 million offer, and within a few years, Barrero stood out within Cincinnati's organization for his potential. He represented the Reds in the 2021 Futures Game. Baseball America ranked him the No. 33rd prospect in all of the minors entering the 2022 season, and BA also had him No. 1 within the Reds organization.

That put him ahead of No. 2 Hunter Greene, No. 3 Nick Lodolo and No. 4 Elly De La Cruz. In a projection of the Reds' 2025 lineup, Baseball America had Barrero at shortstop and electrifying talent De La Cruz at third base.

This past March, the Reds placed Barrero on waivers, and the Rangers picked him up. He played 49 games at Class AAA Round Rock and hit .188/.277/.345 for a .622 OPS. His season was abbreviated by an injury that ultimately put him on the 60-day injured list. He did not play after an on-field collision, and journalist Francys Romero reported that Barrero had to have his spleen removed as a result of the collision.

This month, Barrero had the right to choose minor league free agency and did.

Now healthy, Barrero has been playing in the Dominican Republic's winter league. For Estrellas and its manager Fernando Tatis Sr., Barrero hit .238 with a .360 on-base percentage and a .492 slugging percentage through his first 21 games and 71 plate appearances.

So far this offseason, the Cardinals have acquired depth at two spots they and many other clubs usually go shopping for this time of year: pitching and middle infield. The Cardinals claimed right-hander Roddery Munoz off waivers from Miami, and they signed right-hander Michael Gomez to a minor league deal.

Gomez and Barrero both received invites to major league spring training as part of their new contracts.

Minor league deals mean the player is not on the 40-player roster.

This past week, the Cardinals did not present a contract to right-hander Adam Kloffenstein, allowing him to become a free agent. The Cardinals presented contracts to every other member of the 40-player roster who was not already signed for the 2025 season. They have two openings on the 40-player roster. The Cardinals opted to keep infielder Jose Fermin as depth at multiple positions, and Barrero adds a challenger for that same role with the possibility of backing up at shortstop.

Barrero also gives the Cardinals a shortstop at Class AAA Memphis as prospect Thomas Saggese makes his bid for the big league club.

With the exception of the Los Angeles Angels and their beat-the-rush signings of a few free agents, the hot stove has yet to warm this winter. A lot of attention has been on the courtship of Juan Soto. Throughout Major League Baseball, the expectation is that activity will accelerate into a flurry around the annual winter meetings, which are set to start Dec. 9 in Dallas.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told the Post-Dispatch recently that the "pace" of his conversations with other teams and free agents are pointing toward activity at the winter meetings.聽

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A little more than a year after the Cardinals acquired right-handed pitcher and minor-league prospect Adam Kloffenstein, they鈥檝e dropped him from their 40-man roster. The Cardinals made the move roughly five months after Kloffenstein made his major-league debut in Alabama.

Kloffenstein, 24, spent his first full season in the Cardinals organization as a starting pitcher with Triple-A Memphis. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound former third-round draft pick made 17 starts in the minors this year, and he posted a record of 4-5 with a 4.74 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched). He struck out 73 batters and walked 41 in 89鈪� innings.

The Cardinals acquired Kloffenstein on July 30, 2023, just ahead of the MLB trading deadline. He and right-handed pitcher Sem Robberse came to the them from Toronto in the deal that sent pitcher Jordan Hicks to the Blue Jays. Hicks became a free agent at the end of the 2023 season and signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent last winter.

Major League Baseball teams had until 7 p.m. (最新杏吧原创 time) on Friday to offer 2025 contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man roster. If teams did not tender a contract to a player on their roster, that player became a free agent. That doesn鈥檛 prevent the player from returning to the organization that non-tendered him on a minor-league deal, but the player is free to sign a major-league or minor-league contract with any club.

Kloffenstein made his major-league debut at Rickwood Field, in Birmingham, Ala., against the Giants on June 20. He pitched one scoreless inning in relief and retired the side in order in a 6-5 Cardinals win. Kloffenstein went on the injured list for Memphis with a shoulder ailment on July 24. He did not appear in a game after July 9.

Earlier this week, the Cardinals added outfielder Matt Koperniak as well as right-handed pitchers Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby and Matt Svanson to their 40-man roster. All four had to be added by Tuesday to keep them from being exposed to the Rule 5 Draft.

The Cardinals also sent left-hander Drew Rom outright to Triple-A Memphis as part of their roster moves on Tuesday. That left them with 39 players on their 40-man roster. They now have 38 players on their roster.

The Cardinals tendered contracts to all six arbitration-eligible players, led by All-Star closer Ryan Helsley 鈥� who made franchise history this year with his MLB-best 49 saves.

Helsley, an all-MLB selection who received votes for the NL Cy Young award, can become a free agent after the 2025 season. He has gone through salary arbitration in the past, and he lost his case in 2023. He and the club agreed to a deal that avoided arbitration last winter.

Other arbitration-eligible Cardinals include, infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan, outfielder Lars Nootbaar, relief pitcher JoJo Romero, relief pitcher John King and starting pitcher Andre Pallante.

The room on the Cardinals鈥� 40-man roster could be used to add players either through free agency or trade without having to bump a current player off the roster to clear space. Roster space is not required to add a player on a minor-league deal, but players who have major-league contracts must go onto the club鈥檚 40-man roster.

Last season, the Cardinals non-tendered four players off of their roster including catcher Andrew Knizner, outfielder/first baseman Juan Yepez and pitchers Dakota Hudson and Jake Woodford.

All four appeared in the majors for other teams this past season, though Yepez and Woodford initially signed minor-league deals.

Rays don鈥檛 keep Carlson

Elsewhere, the Tampa Bay Rays non-tendered former Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson. At one time a highly-regarded prospect who enjoyed a successful rookie season in 2021, Carlson had been with the Rays since the Cardinals swapped him for relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong at this year鈥檚 trading deadline. The Cardinals designated Armstrong for assignment in late August.

The overall free-agent market got slightly bigger with Friday鈥檚 deadline. One hundred seventy-four major-league players who were under contract at the end of the season became available via free agency on November 4, per the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Since then, several players have signed major-league and minor-league contracts. However, the pool of available players has grown with players being non-tendered.

That free-agent group reportedly now includes Chicago Cubs infielder and former Chicago White Sox first-round draft pick Nick Madrigal, Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman and infielder Patrick Wisdom, Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Hunter Stratton and outfielders Connor Joe and Bryan De La Cruz, White Sox outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and former All-Star Austin Hays, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jacob Webb, Blue Jays two-time All-Star relief pitcher Jordan Romano and Washington Nationals All-Star relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan among others.

Another NL Central club, the Cincinnati Reds executed a trade that sent infielder and 2021 NL Rookie of the Year Jonathan India and outfielder Joey Wiemer to the Kansas City Royals for starting pitcher Brady Singer.

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Two things can be true at once.

Considering the blues that have accompanied this Blues season, feeling fired up about the boldness of a sudden coaching change is valid.

Drew Bannister, out. Jim Montgomery, in.

A first-time head coach who wasn鈥檛 off to a hot start in his first full season at the wheel has been swapped for a proven, established winner who had a strong previous connection to the team. What鈥檚 not to like?

But I can鈥檛 help but feel a little bad for Bannister, who 鈥� let鈥檚 call it what it is 鈥� got the very short end of this hockey stick. Bannister caught no breaks, and now he joins the all-time list of 最新杏吧原创 pro sports coaching short-timers. His brief body of work in this area is borderline historic, even for the quick-trigger NHL.

Fellow Blues short-timer Mike Yeo outlasted Bannister by 57 games. If you don鈥檛 count Mike Babcock, who in 2023 managed to get himself canned by Columbus before he even coached in a game, Bannister became fastest firing of a non-interim NHL coach since Ron Rulston lasted only 20 games for Buffalo after it decided to drop his interim tag entering the 2013-14 season.

For a league obsessed with the coaching blame game, Bannister now stands as a decade鈥檚 fastest ejection. Ouch.

Unlike some coaches on the STL short-timer list, Bannister won鈥檛 be labeled as committing some cardinal (or Cardinals) sin, like former Cardinals manager Vern Rapp, who went 89-90 through 1977-78. Rapp was a stickler for grooming habits, something that clashed with the popular style among players at the time, notably that of key reliever Al Hrabosky. Rapp only lasted 17 games into his second season.

There are, unsurprisingly, plenty on the short-timers list who clashed with management, then quickly disappeared, the most recent being former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt (252-199 from 2018-21). He was in line for a contract extension, then got fired instead.

Bannister and the Blues didn鈥檛 have headline-generating beef, at least not of the publicly aired variety. His biggest crime other than the team鈥檚 slow start appears to have been ... not being Montgomery. It was wild to see how quickly Blues fans connected the dots to Boston鈥檚 questionable firing of Montgomery with Bannister鈥檚 suddenly hot seat. Turned out Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was way ahead of them.

Bannister can perhaps best relate to short-timer list member Bud Wilkinson.

Following former Blues coach Craig Berube, the only man to lead the team to a Stanley Cup championship, was a hard assignment. You never want to be the guy who follows The Guy. You want to be the guy who follows the guy who followed The Guy. Bannister鈥檚 burden just became Montgomery鈥檚 reward.

Wilkinson experienced something similar to Bannister. The Oklahoma college coaching great was tasked with replacing legendary Don Coryell with the football Cardinals in 1978 for a team that was cutting costs. He lasted only 29 games, going 9-20 over his two seasons.

When a legend leaves the building, it鈥檚 usually wise to bet the under on the replacement鈥檚 tenure.

Among his new peers on the list he never wanted to make, Bannister can find some solace in being one of the bigger winners. Though not quite in Shildt territory, Bannister鈥檚 overall 39-31-6 record should get some extra points because of the adversity it included that was beyond his control. He was called up to a cool reception after the questioned firing of Berube. He got some solid results from a flailing team last season, convincing the Blues to drop his interim tag.

But his first full crack at the gig was immediately scrambled by Robert Thomas鈥� ankle fracture, which doesn鈥檛 explain away this season鈥檚 9-12-1 start but certainly contributed to it.

And even with those difficulties, Bannister still won more than he lost overall. It鈥檚 a significant difference from, say, short-timer list members and failed 最新杏吧原创 Rams coaches Scott Linehan (11-25 between 2006-08) and Steve Spagnuolo (10-38 between 2009-11).

Point is, Bannister is deserving of a second shot, fairer shot somewhere else. Here鈥檚 hoping he gets one. After all, some of the members on this list have gone on to do impressive things somewhere else.

Spagnuolo has become one of the most decorated defensive coordinators in NFL history and could win yet another Super Bowl with his Kansas City Chiefs this season. Shildt once again received National League manager of the year consideration for his 93-win season with the Padres.

Bannister鈥檚 largely forgettable blip with the Blues may not be the end of his story, especially if a team out there with young talent decides to give him an easier introduction and a little more time.

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Bob Costas has been presented with enough awards over his illustrious broadcasting career to seemingly fill the tractor-trailer convoy that hauls the equipment for a Taylor Swift concert, a list that includes 29 Emmys (becoming the only person to be honored in sports, news and entertainment). He also has been named national sportscaster of the year eight times and has been inducted into a multitude of announcing halls of fame.

Costas, who got his start in 最新杏吧原创 in 1974 when he was hired out of Syracuse University by legendary KMOX (1120 AM) general manager Robert Hyland to call games of the American Basketball Association鈥檚 Spirits of 最新杏吧原创, is in the Missouri and 最新杏吧原创 sports halls as well as having a spot on the 最新杏吧原创 Walk of Fame. Those honors celebrate his highest-level achievements in broadcasting a wide array of sports in a network career, mostly at NBC, that now is winding down. He recently announced his retirement from doing baseball play-by-play, which had been the one sport he still was calling at age 72.

Costas has shined from broadcasting football to basketball as well as in his record run as prime-time network television host of 11 Olympic Games, plus his branching out to host in-depth shows focusing on entertainment and news in addition to athletics.

But baseball always has been No. 1 to him, thus his most cherished honor to date is receiving the Ford C. Frick Award 鈥� presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting that includes recognition in the sport鈥檚 Hall of Fame, an accolade he received in 2018. But there is about to be a co-leader at the top of his list, the Musial Award he is to be given Saturday night at Stifel Theatre in 最新杏吧原创. He is to be introduced by comedian and actor Billy Crystal, a longtime friend.

The gala, named after Cardinals legend and good guy Stan Musial, salutes sportsmanship, class and character and is being recorded to be shown nationally by CBS (KMOV, Channel 4, locally) on Dec. 29. Costas is being honored with the lifetime achievement award for sportsmanship, to be hailed that night.

鈥淚 appreciate them all,鈥� Costas said of his many honors. 鈥淏ut the two most meaningful to me are the Frick Award and this one.鈥�

Marc Schreiber, president of the event鈥檚 organizer, the 最新杏吧原创 Sports Commission, said Costas long has been on the list of candidates to receive the award.

鈥淚t was time for us to extend that invitation,鈥� he said.

Making it special for Costas is that he had a fond relationship with Musial, and as a longtime 最新杏吧原创an Costas knows how important he was to the region. Costas delivered the eulogy at Musial鈥檚 funeral, in 2013 in 最新杏吧原创, a speech in which he became quite emotional.

鈥淭here is nobody who in the most positive way exemplifies baseball in 最新杏吧原创 more than Stan,鈥� Costas said, pointing out that many have come and gone since Musial retired in 1963.

Adding to the importance of the honor for Costas is having the town as his home base for decades after his career sprouted nationally, the place his children grew up. He left in 2012, and now he and wife Jill Sutton have homes in Newport Coast, California, and his native New York. But he often returns to 最新杏吧原创, where he has championed many charitable endeavors over the years聽鈥� notably for Cardinal Glennon Children鈥檚 Hospital.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a 最新杏吧原创 award, it鈥檚 a national award,鈥� Schreiber said. 鈥淏ut there鈥檚 something to be said for Bob鈥檚 connection to 最新杏吧原创. It鈥檚 the pinnacle honor coming from a community where he has meant so much.鈥�

Costas鈥� deep local roots plus his admiration of Musial could lead to another instance in which he might have to gather himself.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know, it depends on the moment,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f it just happens, it happens.鈥�

Play-by-play ends

Costas鈥� announcement early this month that he is relinquishing baseball play-by-play duties, which he began doing for NBC in 1980 and in recent years for MLB Network and TBS, came because he thought he was losing a couple miles per hour off his proverbial broadcasting fastball.

His adroit weaving of facts, historical references, humor and interesting and sometimes obscure tidbits with the nuts-and-bolts pitch-by-pitch descriptions, all in eloquent fashion, elevated his broadcasts to the highest echelon. You could count on finding out something you didn鈥檛 know when he was on the air.

So Costas, a perfectionist, did not want to stay too long.

鈥淚 had felt I wasn鈥檛 consistently able to hit my own standards,鈥� he told the Post-Dispatch. 鈥�... I couldn鈥檛 do it as deftly as before.鈥�

He expounded on it in a conversation with Tom Verducci on MLB Network when addressing his decision on Nov. 4.

鈥淚 knew for more than a year that this would be the end of it,鈥� Costas said. 鈥�... I felt that I couldn鈥檛 consistently reach my past standard. It might have been individual games or stretches within games or moments in games that it was just the same as it was in the 1990s or the early 21st century, but I couldn鈥檛 string enough of them together.

鈥淚 have too much regard for the game and the craft and for whatever my own standard has been to hit beneath my lifetime batting average.鈥�

He added:

鈥淚 just knew that there was something about the game 鈥� a kind of romance, mythology, but beyond that, generational connections that those moments deserved something more than just the bare-bone facts. And I think that for a long time, I could do that. And then toward the end, I felt that I couldn鈥檛 do that quite as well.

鈥� ... Words matter. Not just functional words, but words that have a little touch of elegance to them. That鈥檚 what you strive for. ... I just hoped to end on a grace note.鈥�

Still on the air

Costas told the Post-Dispatch he had not intended to make a formal announcement about leaving play-by-play, at least not yet, but said he couldn鈥檛 lie when The Athletic鈥檚 Andrew Marchand heard about it and asked him to confirm.

But there was a residual benefit to the news slipping out 鈥� he said it was 鈥渧ery heartening, all the appreciation in print and on the air鈥� that he received, something akin to a guy hearing nice things being said about him at his funeral.

鈥淭here was an upside to it that I hadn鈥檛 intended,鈥� he said.

Costas isn鈥檛 done broadcasting, though. He remains a contributor to MLB Network in an emeritus role and perhaps other similar opportunities could arise at some point. But make no mistake, an era is over. Costas鈥� days of doing play-by-play have ended, five decades after they began in 最新杏吧原创.

His final call came across the state, in Kansas City, in Game 4 of an American League Division Series when the New York Yankees beat the Royals 3-1 to advance in the playoffs. That was eight days short of the 50th anniversary of his first Spirits call, the season opener they lost to the Memphis Sounds 97-92 on Oct. 18, 1974, at The Arena.

While that half-century bookending might seem like a tidy way to finish his play-by-play days, Costas said that symmetry played no role in his decision.

鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 even thought about it,鈥� he said.

He simply thought the time was right to end an epic run.

On Saturday he will be honored for much more than his vast on-air accomplishments.

Schreiber said he is happy the Sports Commission 鈥渃an recognize Bob鈥檚 connection to sportsmanship and how he has represented 最新杏吧原创,鈥� that it is fitting that after receiving so many broadcasting accolades that this time it will be 鈥渁bout his character, his class, his approachability, his needed voice of civility.

鈥淥ver time he has made us better sports. ... That鈥檚 what the Musial Awards are all about.鈥�

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Shohei Ohtani punctuated the Los Angeles Dodgers鈥� dominance in 2024 by winning the National League MVP award in a season when the two-way star served as a full-time designated hitter and produced historic offensive output for the eventual World Series champions.

Ohtani, who has a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA in 86 starts on the mound, did not pitch this past season following elbow surgery in September 2023. The Dodgers signed him this winter to a 10-year, $700 million free-agent deal, knowing he would not pitch in 2024.

The Japanese baseball marvel responded with the first season of at least 50 home runs and at least 50 stolen bases in MLB history. He became the first designated hitter to earn the MVP award. Ohtani won the award unanimously. He has now won three MVP awards, two in the American League and now one in the NL.

Ohtani, 30, is the only player to win the AL MVP and NL MVP in consecutive seasons. He鈥檚 now the second player to win MVP honors in both the NL and AL. He joined Hall of Famer Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVP in both leagues.

Ohtani led the NL in home runs (54), RBIs (130), runs scored (134), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646) and OPS (1.036). He also ranked second in the league in hits (197), batting average (.310), walks (81) and stolen bases (59).

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor received 23 of 30 second-place votes to finish as the runner-up. Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte finished third in the NL voting.

Former Cardinals slugger and current member of the Atlanta Braves Marcell Ozuna finished fourth. Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras finished fifth. No member of the Cardinals received votes.

New York Yankees center fielder Aaron Judge won the AL MVP unanimously. It鈥檚 the second MVP award for Judge. Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. garnered all 30 second-place votes to finish as the runner-up, while Judge鈥檚 teammate Juan Soto finished third in the voting.

Ohtani helped pace the Dodgers to the best record in the best record in Major League Baseball with 98 wins, and the Dodgers鈥� championship gave them the eighth in franchise history. They鈥檙e now three behind the Cardinals for the most World Series championships for an NL franchise.

Ohtani, the prize of last year鈥檚 free-agent class, joined the Dodgers鈥� collection of stars after planting his flag as the most unique force in the majors while with the Los Angeles Angels.

The Dodgers鈥� three best position players were each acquired from other organizations after establishing themselves as stars. Mookie Betts won an MVP for his original organization, the Boston Red Sox. Likewise, Freddie Freeman earned an MVP award for the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers traded for Betts and signed Freeman as a free agent.

The Dodgers鈥� ability to collect multiple highly regarded and highly compensated players from around the majors led Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas to disparagingly describe that club鈥檚 approach as 鈥渃heckbook baseball鈥� during spring training.

As the Cardinals focus their attention on establishing a strong foundation based on homegrown players and a thriving player development pipeline, the NL MVP race provides a clear indication of the immense impact produced by shrewd and targeted player acquisitions.

Lindor, who ranked second among NL shortstops in outs above average, had two Gold Gloves, a Platinum Glove and two Silver Slugger awards by the time the Mets swung a trade for him in January 2021.

This season, Lindor registered a slash line of .273/.344/.500 with 33 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 152 games. A former first-round pick of the Cleveland Guardians , Lindor finished the season tied for the sixth-most home runs in the NL, and he came up one stolen base shy of a 30-30 season.

Marte, the Diamondbacks switch-hitter, began his career with the Seattle Mariners. He came to the Diamondbacks as part of a trade that sent Taijuan Walker to the Mariners in November 2016.

This season, Marte led primary second basemen in home runs (36), RBIs (95) and wins above replacement (WAR) as calculated by (6.3).

Two of the three American League MVP finalists, Judge and Witt, have spent their entire professional careers with the organizations that drafted them. Their original franchises signed them to long-term contracts.

The Cardinals鈥� most recent NL MVP winner came in 2022 when Paul Goldschmidt captured the award. Albert Pujols is the Cardinals鈥� most recent homegrown MVP. He earned the honor three times (2005, 2008, 2009).

In the past 15 seasons, Cardinals who received MVP votes include Nolan Arenado (2022), Carlos Beltran (2012), Lance Berkman (2011), Matt Carpenter (2013, 2015, 2018), Allen Craig (2012, 2013), Jason Heyward (2015), Matt Holliday (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014), Yadier Molina (2011, 2012, 2013, 2016), Tyler O鈥橬eill (2021), Jhonny Peralta (2014), Tommy Pham (2017), Kolten Wong (2019), Goldschmidt (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) and Pujols (2010, 2011).

Carpenter, Molina, Craig, Pham, Pujols and Wong were all players drafted by the Cardinals.

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During the past two decades in Major League Baseball, only the Houston Astros have won pennants and appeared in more World Series than the Cardinals and Boston. Two of baseball's most accomplished and celebrated franchises have won four pennants each and faced each other twice in the World Series, both of them won by the BoSox.

The ties that bind go beyond shared Octobers these days as both clubs, perennial contenders for most of baseball's current era, are trying to find their footing and return to their postseason expectations.

Rob Bradford captured the connection in a brand new Best Podcast in Baseball.

"Both franchises are starving to find the certainty," he said.

Bradford, the , joins the next-best baseball podcast to discuss the shared traits of the Cardinals and Red Sox聽鈥� and the one link that is about to define the Cardinals future. Bradford, the Red Sox reporter at WEEI in Boston, covered Chaim Bloom's tenure atop Boston's baseball operations, and Bradford talks through how the pressures and decisions on Bloom look different in hindsight.

With Best Podcast in Baseball host and baseball writer Derrick Goold, Bradford discusses how Bloom's time at Fenway Park gives a glimpse into how he'll do when he takes over baseball ops at Busch Stadium a year from now.

Bradford, .

Which it isn't.

And this lively conversation about it aims to show why, right down to a tattoo promise Bradford and Kelly made that has now come due.

This podcast has been updated to correct information during a discussion on the technology teams are using to outfit and attract players. The Cardinals have two Trajekt machines, which are advanced hitting devices at a high cost with a waiting list, as explained in the podcast. One is located at the team's spring training and player development facility in Jupiter, Florida, and the other is at Busch Stadium for the major-league hitters. The initial in the podcast of them being one of the teams without one was incorrect, and that info has been addressed. All the rest that follows remains correct.聽 聽 聽

The Best Podcast in Baseball, sponsored by Closets by Design of 最新杏吧原创, is a production of the 最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch, , and baseball writer Derrick Goold.

By fielding trade interest in All-Star Nolan Arenado, Cardinals revisit hot-corner history

Seventeen years after dealing Scott Rolen, Cardinals are gauging trade interest in another star fielder. While some similarities, there is a significant difference.

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Before he could pack up the suite at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and begin to pick up the pieces following Tony La Russa鈥檚 comments on Scott Rolen鈥檚 trade request, John Mozeliak knew one of his first moves as Cardinals general manager would also be one of his most difficult.

Nearly 17 years ago, reporters sat in the club鈥檚 hotel room and asked Mozeliak about La Russa鈥檚 statements that he took Rolen鈥檚 request 鈥渧ery personal鈥� and he saw no need to 鈥渁ccommodate Scott.鈥� Post-Dispatch baseball writer Joe Strauss reported the comments 鈥渟eemingly ended any hope for a diplomatic resolution.鈥�

Mozeliak had a cornerstone player eager to leave with millions left on a contract and a no-trade clause, and he was about to turn this bind into a trade for an All-Star, everyday player. All within a few months of a promotion.

Welcome to the 鈥渂ig chair,鈥� as execs call it.

Here were the Cardinals, in Mozeliak鈥檚 first winter meetings leading baseball operations, exploring potential trades for their All-Star third baseman 鈥� a future Hall of Famer.

And as the Cardinals near Mozeliak鈥檚 final winter meetings at the helm, here they are again.

Over the past week, the Cardinals continued reaching out to a few clubs and gauging interest in trading for All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado, multiple sources told the Post-Dispatch. If any of these talks produce an appealing deal that could place Arenado with an championship-chasing or contending team, the Cardinals plan to present that to their third baseman, who has millions left on his contract and a no-trade clause.

While there are notable similarities between the two situations 17 years apart, there is also a massive difference: the tone.

Arenado has not requested a trade, sources confirmed.

Arenado, 33, pursued a trade from Colorado to the Cardinals ahead of the 2021 season and reworked his contract and dropped his no-trade clause to make it possible. For example: He agreed to defer salary owed by the Rockies and by the Cardinals though did so interest-free for the Cardinals. The eight-time All-Star has three years and $74 million remaining on his contract. Its complexity, like cost, is a factor in any discussions.

Meanwhile in the marketplace, several contending teams who could shop for a third baseman, like the Phillies and Yankees, are involved in wooing free-agent megastar Juan Soto with reports of in-person meetings.

Arenado is coming off a full season with a career-low .394 slugging percentage. He hit .272, played 152 games and was deft defensively as a finalist for what would have been his 11th Gold Glove Award. Only Brooks Robinson has more at third.

The Cardinals advertised a 鈥渞eset鈥� for 2025. Their plan is to 鈥済o young鈥� and reduce payroll with an eye toward the future. Mozeliak approached veteran players with no-trade clauses and explained the shift in approach after they came to the club, as Arenado did, with the intent to contend annually. Mozeliak explained he would explore trades if a player wished.

The Cardinals are not motivated entirely by shedding salary after declining options, trimming $30 million in potential spending for 2025, and securing a new, though reduced, broadcast agreement for the next few seasons. Ownership said the team has payroll "clarity." That allows them to explore deals that gives the club a favorable return and the veteran player a favorable destination to win, if possible.聽

Willson Contreras told the Cardinals he wanted to stay in 最新杏吧原创 and would relocate from catcher to first base. Sources described how pitcher Sonny Gray expressed a preference to remain with the Cardinals as well. When he signed a three-year, $75-million deal a year ago this month, Gray chose the Cardinals over a strong offer from Arizona and interest from Cincinnati because of their history and proximity to his home outside of Nashville.聽

Mozeliak declined to disclose any specifics from his talks with other players or interested teams.

鈥淩ight now, we鈥檝e publicly stated our strategy,鈥� Mozeliak said Wednesday. 鈥淲e鈥檙e going to allow some time for that to develop and what it might end up looking like. For now, I imagine this pace will take us into the winter meetings.鈥�

Those begin Dec. 9 in Dallas.

The reflection now with 17 years ago isn鈥檛 just at third base.

鈥淭his is a tricky, confusing time for the franchise,鈥� Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bernie Miklasz wrote for the Dec. 6, 2007, edition. He elaborated with ellipses for effect: 鈥淭he Cardinals aren鈥檛 terrible ... and they aren鈥檛 good. The Cardinals aren鈥檛 in full rebuilding mode ... but an overhaul is required.鈥�

Coming off a losing season in 2007, the Cardinals made a change atop baseball operations and named Mozeliak general manager. They also signed Hall of Fame manager La Russa to a two-year extension. Rolen and Mozeliak were already close, and the third baseman requested a trade. His request became public. One year removed from winning a World Series championship together, a manager and player鈥檚 frayed relationship had come apart.

鈥淪peaking with Scott, and he basically said that 鈥業 consider you a friend, but I want out,鈥欌�� Mozeliak recalled. 鈥淭hat was tough to hear. I thought the club that we had in 鈥�07 鈥� because of injuries and other factors, we underachieved. Even keeping this group together we had a chance to be better in 2008. Of course, nowhere was I thinking he would want out at that point. I was surprised. Needless to say, the next two or three months became quite singularly focused on how to make that work.鈥�

A potential trade with Milwaukee stalled.

A tenuous truce as the winter meetings in Nashville approached led Mozeliak to predict Rolen would remain a Cardinal for 2008.

La Russa鈥檚 comments on the final full day of the meetings upset that.

鈥淪peaking for me ... there鈥檚 absolutely no intention to accommodate Scott,鈥� La Russa said at a gathering with reporters. 鈥淚 mean, that鈥檚 not how you run an organization. The idea is to accommodate the 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals, our team, our responsibility to our players and to the competition. ... If that deal isn鈥檛 one that helps us, (it) should not be made.鈥�

The Cardinals had limited leverage, and any interested team knew it.

Rolen wanted to go to a contender. The Cardinals wanted to reassert they were one.

鈥淭hat was the big test,鈥� Mozeliak said Wednesday when asked about the trade talks that followed. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want to move him for future value. It was really about: How can we keep this team moving forward?鈥�

The Cardinals found commonality with birds of another feather.

At the same time Rolen wanted a trade, All-Star third baseman Troy Glaus privately approached the Blue Jays about moving away from Toronto鈥檚 artificial turf. He OK鈥檇 a deal to the Cardinals, and when Toronto included cash, a swap of third basemen was complete. In Rolen, the Jays got a multiple-time All-Star and World Series champion who already won seven of his eight Gold Gloves. In Glaus, the Cardinals got a multiple-time All-Star and World Series champion who had twice hit 40 homers in a season.

Glaus had two years remaining on his contract and had one full, healthy season for the Cardinals. He hit 27 homers with 99 RBIs on the strength of an .856 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS), and he finished in the top three in voting for the Gold Glove at third.

Injuries limited Glaus to 29 at-bats in 2009. That same season, the return from Mozeliak鈥檚 first trade as GM debuted in the majors: third baseman David Freese.

Rolen spent a full season with Toronto before going to Cincinnati via trade and reuniting with executive Walt Jocketty, who originally acquired him for the Cardinals. Rolen was twice an All-Star with the Reds, and he retired after the 2012 season.

In July 2023, Rolen was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

He鈥檚 wearing a Cardinals cap on his plaque.

That induction weekend at Cooperstown, New York, the Cardinals threw a party for Rolen.

Mozeliak and La Russa were both in attendance to celebrate alongside him.

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Following four injury-limited seasons preceded by a stretch of dominance while in the American League, a healthy 2024 earned Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale the accolade that evaded him in seven consecutive All-Star seasons.

On Wednesday, Sale was named the National League鈥檚 Cy Young Award winner, the first time he鈥檚 won the award. Sale鈥檚 2024 campaign included an All-Star nod and a pitching Triple Crown in the National League. The 35-year-old, who went 18-3 with a 2.83 ERA and 224 strikeouts, received 26 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers鈥� Association of America, beating out finalists Zack Wheeler of the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes.

Wheeler finished second with four first-place votes, while Skenes, the National League鈥檚 Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award winner, was third in voting with one second-place vote.

Sale鈥檚 win topped an NL field that included Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley, who was ninth in voting and the lone primary reliever in the NL to appear on ballots. Helsley appeared on three ballots in the voting, garnering one fourth-place vote and two fifth-place votes.

While working from a traditional closer鈥檚 role after a forearm injury hampered him in 2023, Helsley set the Cardinals franchise record for saves with a major league-leading 49 in 53 opportunities. Helsley鈥檚 save total surpassed the 48 Trevor Rosenthal collected as a Cardinal in 2015. The next pitcher closest to Helsley in saves in 2024 was Cleveland鈥檚 Emmanuel Clase, who notched 47 in 50 attempts for the Guardians and finished third in voting for the American League Cy Young award.

An All-Star in 2024, Helsley sported a 2.04 ERA and struck out 79 batters as he set career highs in appearances (65) and innings pitched (66 1/3). His innings total surpassed his total during his All-Star season in 2022, when he logged 64 2/3frames across 54 games.

Following a blown save in his first appearance of the season, Helsley converted a franchise-record 31 consecutive saves. That streak lasted from April 2 to June 2. It was broken on July 5 in an extra-innings road win vs. the Nationals during which Helsley pitched the 10th inning and allowed the automatic runner to score.

The second All-Star season put Helsley alongside Hall of Famers Lee Smith and Bruce Sutter as the only Cardinals closers to be named to multiple All-Star teams.

Along with the All-Star selection, Helsley earned a first-team All-MLB selection alongside Clase and the Trevor Hoffman Reliever of the Year Award, the latter of which is bestowed upon the NL鈥檚 top bullpen arm.

Helsley will be eligible for arbitration this winter and is estimated to receive a raise of around $4 million. He is viewed as a top trade candidate for a Cardinals club that is heading into an organizational 鈥渞eset鈥� in 2025.

In recent years, the highest a primary reliever finished in BBWAA voting for the NL鈥檚 top pitching award was fifth place in 2017. Former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen received two third-place votes, five fourth-place votes and six fifth-place votes that year after he notched 47 saves and posted a 1.32 ERA in 68 1/3 innings.

The Braves acquired Sale last December in a trade with the Red Sox that sent young shortstop Vaugh Grissom back to Boston. A seven-time All-Star 鈥� five of which came as a member of the White Sox 鈥� and a 2018 World Series champion with the Red Sox, Sale received AL Cy Young votes in each of his All-Star seasons from 2012 to 2018. The lefty finished within the top six in voting each time, including a second-place finish in 2017 with the Red Sox and a third-place finish in 2014 during his time with the White Sox.

As injuries limited Sale to 151 innings from 2020 to 2023, Sale totaled 177 2/3 frames.

Wheeler, 34, went 16-7 with a 2.57 ERA in 200 innings. He was one of four pitchers across MLB in 2024 to reach the 200-inning plateau. The righty struck out 224 batters while leading the NL with 0.96 walks and hits per inning pitched. Wheeler鈥檚 .192 batting average allowed also led the NL.

Skenes, 22, went 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and struck out 170 batters in 133 innings for the Pirates. He was named the NL Rookie of the Year on Monday with 23 first-place votes. The former first overall pick from the 2023 MLB draft debuted in the majors on May 11, sported a 1.90 ERA through his first 11 big league starts and was the NL starting pitcher in the All-Star Game.

Other NL pitchers to receive Cy Young votes this year include Dylan Cease (San Diego Padres ), Shota Imanaga (Chicago Cubs), Logan Webb (San Francisco Giants), Michael King (Padres), Hunter Greene (Cincinnati Reds), Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies), Reynaldo Lopez (Braves), Sean Manaea (New York Mets) and Aaron Nola (Phillies).

In the American League, Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal unanimously claimed the AL Cy Young Award 鈥� the first Cy Young win of his career. Skubal received all 30 first-place votes to beat finalists Clase and Kansas City鈥檚 Seth Lugo.

Like his lefty counterpart did in the NL, the left-handed Skubal, 28, won the pitching Triple Crown in his league as he went 18-4 with a 2.39 ERA and strikeouts 228. He totaled a career-high 192 innings.

Royals Seth Lugo finished behind Skubal for the AL hardware after he went 16-9 and posted a 3.00 ERA in 206 2/3 innings in 33 starts.

Clase, the Mariano Rivera Award winner as the AL鈥檚 top reliever, maintained a 0.61 ERA in 74 1/3 innings. Clase, 26, was the first primary reliever to be a Cy Young finalist in either league since 2008.

Other AL pitchers who appeared on writers鈥� ballots include Cole Ragans (Royals), Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles), Logan Gilbert (Seattle Mariners), Framber Valdez (Houston Astros), Kirby Yates (Texas Rangers), Yusei Kikuchi (Astros), and Cade Smith (Guardians).

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Former Cardinals manager Mike Shildt has found a new home as a manager in the National League with the San Diego Padres, but that didn鈥檛 prevent him from getting beat out by a member of his old NL Central Division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers, for recognition.

First-year Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy won a decisive vote for the NL Manager of the Year award. He became the first manager in Brewers history to win the award dating back to when the Baseball Writers Association of America began voting in 1983. Seven previous times, Brewers managers finished second in Manager of the Year voting.

Murphy received 27 of 30 first-place votes. Shildt, the runner-up, received one first-place vote as did New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and the Philadelphia Phillies鈥� Rob Thomson. Shildt received 19 second-place votes. Mendoza finished third, followed by Arizona鈥檚 Torey Lovullo, Thomson, Atlanta鈥檚 Brian Snitker, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol.

Keith Law of The Athletic, a former Toronto Blue Jays executive, selected Marmol third on his ballot.

This season, the Cardinals went 83-79 鈥� 12 more wins than in 2023. Preseason projections gave the Cardinals 83 to 85 wins. They played 51 one run games and posted a 29-22 mark in those contests. Of their 162 games, 107 were decided by three runs or fewer.

The Cardinals were the only team in the majors with a negative run differential 鈥� they scored 47 fewer runs than they allowed 鈥� to post a winning record. They were also the first Cardinals team since 1975 to post a winning record with a negative run differential.

Cleveland Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt won American League Manager of the Year honors in a field that included AL Central skippers A.J. Hinch of the Detroit Tigers and Matt Quatraro of the Kansas City Royals.

Murphy, who replaced his former protege Craig Counsell when Counsell left to manage the Chicago Cubs, guided his club to the NL Central title and a 93-69 record in his first season as manager.

Murphy, 65, spent 25 years as a college head coach, including posts at Notre Dame (1988-94) and Arizona State (1995-2009).

He won 1,000 games as a college coach before he managed minor league clubs in the Padres farm system from 2011 through 2015. Murphy served as the Padres鈥� interim manager during the 2015 season. He replaced Bud Black as manager there on June 16, 2015. The Padres went 42-54 under Murphy that season.

Murphy became the Brewers bench coach in 2016 and reunited with Counsell, who played for Murphy at Notre Dame.

The Brewers were expected to win 79 games by the preseason PECOTA projections. They went into the season having traded ace pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles, and they had Brandon Woodruff, another top-line pitcher, sidelined for the entire season as he recovered from shoulder surgery.

Injury also limited their closer Devin Williams, a 最新杏吧原创-area native, to just 22 games. Williams earned his second Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year award in 2023. Meanwhile star slugger Christian Yelich, a former MVP, played in just 73 games before he had season-ending back surgery.

The Brewers used 17 different starting pitchers this past season, but their overall team ERA (3.65) ranked fifth-best in the majors despite the key absences from their staff. They also led the NL in bullpen ERA (3.11). They also had the sixth-best scoring offense in the majors (4.80 runs per game). Rawlings awarded the Brewers the NL Gold Glove team recognition for a second consecutive season.

The Brewers, who went 8-5 against the Cardinals this season, won the NL Central by 10 games over the Cubs and Cardinals. They led the division from May 10 through the end of the regular season. They lost the NL Wild Card Series to the Mets in three games.

Shildt won NL Manager of the Year in 2019, his first full season as the Cardinals manager. He took over as manager in July 2018 after he鈥檇 been Mike Matheny鈥檚 bench coach. Shildt led the Cardinals to a 41-28 record for the rest of 2018.

Shildt鈥檚 Cardinals clubs won 91 games and a division title in 2019, 30 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season and then 90 games in 2021. The Cardinals made three playoff appearances during his tenure, and he compiled a record of 252-199 in his first stint as a manager in the majors.

The Cardinals fired him following the 2021 season for what president of baseball operations John Mozeliak described as 鈥減hilosophical differences.鈥�

Shildt spent two seasons as a senior adviser with the Padres. In November 2023, Shildt signed a two-year contract to replace Bob Melvin as manager after Melvin left to become manager of the San Francisco Giants.

In his first season as skipper of the Padres, Shildt led his new club to 93 wins and through the NL Wild Card Series before falling to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Voting for the NL Manager of the Year took place prior to the start of the playoffs.

The 93-win regular season marked an 11-win improvement from the previous season despite the loss of All-Star outfielder and Silver Slugger Award winner Juan Soto, All-Star closer Josh Hader and Cy Young Award-winning starting pitcher Blake Snell.

Earlier this month, the Padres and Shildt agreed to a two-year contract extension to make him the club鈥檚 manager through 2027.

Martinez will remain with Reds

Nick Martinez, a 34-year-old right-handed pitcher, decided to delay hitting the free-agent market and instead accepted the qualifying offer from the Cincinnati Reds to remain with the club in 2025.

By accepting the qualifying offer, Martinez secured a salary of $21.05 million next season from the Cardinals鈥� NL Central Division foes. Martinez turned in the best season of his career in 2024. He went 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 42 games (16 starts) with a 1.026 WHIP and a 6.44-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He struck out 116 batters and walked just 18 in 142鈪� innings.

By giving Martinez the qualifying offer, the Reds assured they would have received a compensatory draft pick if Martinez declined the offer and signed with another team. Martinez was the lone player to accept the qualifying offer of the 12 who received them from their teams.

Players who declined offers from their previous teams included infielder Willy Adames (Brewers), first baseman Pete Alonso (New York Mets), third baseman Alex Bregman (Houston Astros), Burnes (Orioles), pitcher Max Fried (Atlanta Braves), outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (Dodgers), pitcher Sean Manaea (Mets), pitcher Nick Pivetta (Boston Red Sox), outfielder Anthony Santander (Orioles), pitcher Luis Severino (Mets), Soto (New York Yankees) and first baseman Christian Walker (Arizona Diamondbacks).

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Ahead of an organizational 鈥渞eset鈥� expected to give their young talent major league opportunities, the Cardinals added two of their top pitching prospects and two 2024 minor league standouts to their 40-man roster ahead of the deadline to protect Rule 5 draft-eligible players.

Right-handers Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby 鈥� two of the organization鈥檚 top-rated arms 鈥� right-handed reliever Matt Svanson and outfielder Matt Koperniak were added to the Cardinals鈥� 40-man roster ahead of Tuesday鈥檚 5 p.m. (最新杏吧原创 time) roster deadline.

In a corresponding move, left-hander Drew Rom was outrighted to Class AAA Memphis, leaving the Cardinals鈥� 40-man roster at 39 players.

Hence, Roby, Svanson and Koperniak each would have been eligible to be selected by another organization in the Dec. 11 Rule 5 draft had the Cardinals not made the moves.

Ranked as the top pitching prospect in the Cardinals system at the start of 2024, Hence went 4-3 with a 2.71 ERA in 20 Class AA starts in 2024. He struck out 109 batters, allowed 1.07 walks plus hits per inning and was named Texas League pitcher of the year despite the injuries keeping him to 79 2/3 innings.

The limitations came a year after injuries limited Hence to a career-high 96 innings while splitting time in Class High-A and Class AA during the 2023 minor league season.

This year, Hence maintained a 3.14 ERA through his first 10 starts before discomfort in his chest, shoulder and back limited him, forcing early exits from June 5 and June 23 starts. Following his June 23 outing, Hence did not return to a game until July 27. The 22-year-old gradually rebuilt his workload upon his return and maintained a 1.52 ERA across 23 2/3 innings through that process before his final start of 2024, which came on Sept. 11, ended after 1 1/3 innings for what appeared to be injury precautions.

Since being selected by the Cardinals with the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 draft, Hence has maintained a 3.28 ERA in 236 innings and struck out 303 batters across four minor league seasons.

The Cardinals acquired Roby at the 2023 trade deadline from the Texas Rangers in the Jordan Montgomery deal, which also brought back infield prospect Thomas Saggese, who debuted in the majors in September, and left-handed reliever John King.

A year after a shoulder injury kept Roby to 58 1/3 innings in the regular season while in the Rangers and Cardinals systems, a shoulder injury limited the right-hander to 38 1/3 innings in 2024.

Roby went 2-2 with a 6.75 ERA across seven Class AA starts before landing on the injured list in late May. He totaled 33 1/3 innings and struck out 25.3% of the batters he faced but surrendered 10 home runs in that stretch. Six of the 10 home runs he allowed came in his first three starts of the season.

He totaled five innings in three rehab appearances during August and September with Class Low-A Palm Beach before the minor league seasons wrapped.

Roby has logged 223 1/3 innings, 269 strikeouts and maintained a 4.76 ERA in 52 games (51 starts) since making his minor league debut in 2021.

Both Hence and Roby have yet to pitch above Class AA but have each shown the promise of top pitching prospects when healthy. The roster additions keep them protected and a call away from the majors as they continue their respective development.

Koperniak, a former undrafted free agent from NCAA Division III Trinity College in Connecticut, batted .309 with a .370 on-base percentage in 122 Class AAA games this past season. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder set career highs in batting average, home runs (20), doubles (28), slugging percentage (.512) and on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) with an .882 mark. Among qualified Class AAA hitters, Koperniak ranked sixth in batting average and 13th in OPS, per FanGraphs.

The offensive success earned Koperniak honors on the International League All-Star team as a designated hitter.

Across four minor league seasons since debuting in 2021, Koperniak has a .298/.373/.461 slash line. The 2024 season was his first full season in Class AAA after playing in 99 games at the level in 2023. Defensively, Koperniak has spent most of his time in left field, where he has a .992 fielding percentage for his minor league career.

The Cardinals acquired Svanson at the 2023 trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays in the Paul DeJong deal. During his first full season in the Cardinals system, the righty had a 2.69 ERA, stuck out 59 batters in 63 2/3, and successfully converted all 27 of his regular-season save attempts for a Springfield (Missouri) club that set a franchise record in wins with 79.

Following the end of the minor league season, Svanson continued to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, where he was one of eight Cardinals prospects to receive an invite.

While in the fall league, the 25-year-old had a 6.75 ERA in 10 2/3 innings of relief. Svanson鈥檚 arsenal, which is sinker-heavy and includes a sweeping slider and a cutter, aided him to strike out 15 of the 45 batters he faced. His command limited walks to just two.

A former 13th-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2021, Svanson has a 3.01 ERA in 133 minor league games. He鈥檚 notched 229 strikeouts in 215 innings. He鈥檚 yet to pitch above Class AA.

With the moves to protect Hence, Roby, Koperniak and Svanson, some notable Cardinals minor leaguers left unprotected from the Rule 5 draft include right-handers Andre Granillo and Ian Bedell.

Granillo, 24, had a 3.88 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 65 innings as a reliever between Class AA and Class AAA in 2024. In 21 games (19 starts), Bedell was 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA in time at Class AA and Class AAA last season. The Mizzou product struck out 110 batters and logged 107 2/3 despite missing more than a month due to injury.

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