Mozeliak: "Some Changes" Coming For Cardinals, But Not A Rebuild

[jagtrader]

You could get 12 years of player control of potential contributors from another organization or you can extend an oft-injured, often ineffective reliever at his highest price.

[jagtrader]

One way to build a better bullpen is to accumulate as many big arms as possible. That should be a focus of this deadline. Then you’re not complaining your bullpen stinks because your 33-year-old Rule 5 pick got hurt.

[WAR God]

crazy...trade him and get prospects

Then you can sign him in the offseason if you want

Why risk losing him as a FA when you can extend him and likely at a more reasonable rate to allocate $ elsewhere for 2024?

This is the correct take. Not saying the cards should do this, but this is the upside.

Hard disagree. Trade him while his stock is high and see what lottery tickets you can get in return.

Relievers are the most volatile commodity in baseball. For the Cardinals, they seem to be especially short-lived. Sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, Hicks will soon turn back into a pumpkin with a 105 mph fastball as soon as he's extended.

Honestly - when was the last time a Cardinal reliever was effective and healthy for 2+ seasons in a row? Jason Motte, 10+ years ago?

You just know the Cardinals are still dreaming on Hicks as a starter.

[Lesson]

Honestly - when was the last time a Cardinal reliever was effective and healthy for 2+ seasons in a row? Jason Motte, 10+ years ago?

Brebbia 2017-2019.

[Mdcardfan60]

crazy...trade him and get prospects

Then you can sign him in the offseason if you want

Why risk losing him as a FA when you can extend him and likely at a more reasonable rate to allocate $ elsewhere for 2024?

This is the correct take. Not saying the cards should do this, but this is the upside.

Hard disagree. Trade him while his stock is high and see what lottery tickets you can get in return.

Relievers are the most volatile commodity in baseball. For the Cardinals, they seem to be especially short-lived. Sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, Hicks will soon turn back into a pumpkin with a 105 mph fastball as soon as he's extended.

Honestly - when was the last time a Cardinal reliever was effective and healthy for 2+ seasons in a row? Jason Motte, 10+ years ago?

Trevor Rosenthal had a good 3 year run from 13-15.

[Magneto2.0]

Relief pitching is so weird. Because they're the most volatile in year to year performance, but they are a necessity to have a good one in modern baseball.

Having a lights out bullpen is probably more important than have an elite rotation in modern baseball. Because unless you have Cole (and maybe 2-3 others), for the most part, even your best pitcher is only going 6 most nights.

[Popeye_Card]

crazy...trade him and get prospects

Then you can sign him in the offseason if you want

Why risk losing him as a FA when you can extend him and likely at a more reasonable rate to allocate $ elsewhere for 2024?

This is the correct take. Not saying the cards should do this, but this is the upside.

Hard disagree. Trade him while his stock is high and see what lottery tickets you can get in return.

Relievers are the most volatile commodity in baseball. For the Cardinals, they seem to be especially short-lived. Sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, Hicks will soon turn back into a pumpkin with a 105 mph fastball as soon as he's extended.

Honestly - when was the last time a Cardinal reliever was effective and healthy for 2+ seasons in a row? Jason Motte, 10+ years ago?

Trevor Rosenthal had a good 3 year run from 13-15.

Rosenthal was pretty poor in 2014 for a reliever/closer. 5.4 BB/9, 1.408 WHIP.

[jagtrader]

Hicks has a 5.2 BB/9 and 1.5 WHIP.

[Lesson]

Trevor Rosenthal had a good 3 year run from 13-15.

Rosenthal was pretty poor in 2014 for a reliever/closer. 5.4 BB/9, 1.408 WHIP.

Hence why I am citing Brebbia as the answer to your question.

[Socnorb11]

Hicks has a 5.2 BB/9 and 1.5 WHIP.

I suspect that other teams see this, too.