Cardinals could shop Andre Pallante, projected to earn $7.5M in arbitration, as pitching prospects near the majors. Arizona's reported need for controllable starters makes the Diamondbacks a speculative fit if Chaim Bloom explores a trade. 🔄
Freddy Peralta is floated as a possible Cardinals free-agent target, but the writer is wary. His 2025 was down (career-low K%, highest FIP/xFIP), and a one-year deal looks unrealistic given projections of $125M+ over five years. 🚩
The Cardinals declined Ryne Stanek's $6 million option, sending him back to free agency and opening a bullpen vacancy. His 62 innings now need replacing, and Chaim Bloom's approach could signal how seriously the team plans to compete in 2027. 🔍
Back after a monthlong break, the GTBH podcast hosts unpack the Cardinals' offseason: Brant Brown is no longer hitting coach, Randy Flores is headed to Houston, and Ryne Stanek's declined option leaves his '27 status an open question. Gold Gloves also come up. 🎙️
Gold Glove shutout for St. Louis: JJ Wetherholt (2B), Masyn Winn (SS) and Michael McGreevy (P) were finalists, but all lost out. The NL winners were Brice Turang, Geraldo Perdomo and Nolan McLean. Always a bridesmaid. 🧤
Masyn Winn was a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop, but Geraldo Perdomo took the NL trophy. Michael McGreevy was also a finalist at pitcher, but Nolan McLean won. Both Cardinals went home without hardware. 🧤
MLB Trade Rumors (Cardinals): Cardinals Decline Ryne Stanek’s Club Option
Cardinals bench coach Daniel Descalso is floated as a top candidate to manage the Astros under new GM Randy Flores. Jon Jay, Ben Johnson, Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina also get mentions. Speculation only, nothing official. 🔍
Speculation: with ex-Cardinals assistant GM Randy Flores now running Houston, St. Louis could pursue Astros trade targets. Hunter Brown and Jeremy Pena would be big swings, while Jake Meyers is floated as a buy-low option. Nothing is agreed. 🤔
Two 2027 rotation paths for the Cardinals: sign a higher-upside free agent (Kris Bubic and Patrick Sandoval are floated), or rotate MLB-ready arms like Fitts, Molina, Hjerpe, Cinjtje and Roby. Both would require a Liberatore-sized opening. 🔄
Chaim Bloom's front office overhaul is nearly complete. Randy Flores became Houston's GM Friday, joining Mozeliak, LaRocque and Slater among the departures. Arrivals include Anuk Karunaratne, Joe Douglas and Matt Pierpont. A fresh-start rebuild. 🔄
Former Cardinals outfielder Tommy Pham, a six-year St. Louis veteran, elected free agency on Oct. 29. The White Sox acquired him from the Phillies for cash on Aug. 31 and used him in their ALDS run. His next stop is open. 🔎
Cardinals could pursue a low-risk, high-reward starter this offseason, with Shane Bieber floated as a prove-it candidate who could contend for ace status if healthy. Dustin May's deadline exit to Milwaukee leaves a rotation slot to fill. 🎯
An opinion piece argues the Cardinals should move on from Cade Winquest and Victor Scott II in 2027 to ease a roster surplus. Scott's speed hasn't translated because he rarely reaches first, and Nathan Church's solid 2026 makes him expendable.
A Skubal-to-St. Louis idea comes from ESPN's offseason fit list, which names the Cardinals as a second choice behind the Cubs. The payroll math works at an estimated $66 million for 2027, but the rebuild timeline and Chaim Bloom's tone make a signing unlikely. 🤔
Dustin May declined his mutual option and hits free agency, but a Cardinals reunion looks like a tough fit. St. Louis already rebuilt his value, so he's likely seeking a multi-year deal while the Cardinals eye one-year upside plays like Gallen, Bieber or Bubic. 🔄
ESPN floated free-agent ace Tarik Skubal as a possible Cardinals fit, citing a projected $66 million 2027 payroll. Still a pipe dream: his projected megadeal dwarfs St. Louis' biggest free-agent contract ever, and it doesn't match Chaim Bloom's approach. 🧢
Speculation: the Cardinals could chase bargain bullpen rebounds this offseason. One writer's targets are Bryan Abreu, Hunter Harvey, Caleb Thielbar and Matt Strahm, with Abreu the high-upside play and Harvey the cheap flier. Ryne Stanek's return is also predicted. 🧟
Speculation says Ivan Herrera could be a surprise Cardinals trade candidate this offseason, with Leo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez possibly pushing him out. He's 26 and controlled through 2029, which would make him valuable to suitors. Nothing is confirmed. 🤔
JJ Wetherholt, Leo Bernal and Joshua Baez impressed as 2026 rookies, and the Cardinals now need second-year jumps from all three. With Chaim Bloom leaning on young talent over big free-agent spending, the sophomore bar is high. 📈
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