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

[Lesson]

I agree with this approach but you have to be super flexible and not lock guys into roles (7th inning guy, 8th inning guy, 9th inning guy, etc). Or you have to be willing to shift these roles quickly. Because with this approach you will have a lot of question marks. With this approach you ride whoever is hot and quickly ditch whoever flops. This also means you need to have a lot of these arms since some will flop. Need the ability to stash some at AAA or the DL. But since the types of pitcher were are describing are cheap, cost is not a factor. Roster spots on the 40 man could be the issue though.

Regarding flexibility, I think that applies to everyone but the premier big $ reliever, who would be used in the most high pressure situations, whether closing or elsewhere. Think of how Andrew Miller was used in Cleveland and that's what I'd do for the best reliever.

For everyone else, flexibility would be necessary.

Concerning the 40 man roster, you're probably right, but I'd also have every starter in Memphis be a starter as opposed to a swing reliever to further define a delineation between BP and starting. Also wouldn't be afraid to churn through relievers in Memphis or the bottom of the roster throughout the season until you find a guy who is consistently average or above average.

[MinorLeagueGuy]

Its important to remember, if we're still talking about the prospect return, in regards to Hicks's worth that whatever team he goes to very likely wont have him closing. We ask that he, and his 5 BB per 9, close out games for a bottom feeding club. He is just going to be another mid-game reliever for a true contender that has a closer that doesnt walk the world. They can mitigate his flaws because the other facets of their game are strong enough to carry the load. [expletive], for a contender with a pen full of trusted arms, you can make Hicks your longman. The point is, that type of team can get Jordan for his fastball, bring him out when you're up 4-5 runs, and not worry about the walks.

I could see him closing for AZ. They have had a revolving door of closers.

*could

But their revolving door has better hinges. I'd bet they would continue to use a committee; Chafin is good, and so are a few of the other guys we've so recently witnessed. I mentioned contenders. But if we're being honest, this FO isn't creative enough to speak with ALL the teams that are in that group. It is explicitly why certain teams are being connected to us. Arizona isn't on that list of teams. These days, somebody would leak info if we were courting the Dbacks.

[Radbird]

USA Today: What five of MLB's top contenders need at the trade deadline

Consider the source, but looks like Cards and Dodgers could match up. I would say get whatever you can get back for Hicks and PDJ. Arenado’s not going anywhere and Dodgers don’t need Tommy now that Kiké’s back in town.

Dodgers: Infielder, reliever

Their well-publicized restraint this winter has been justified, as they’ve built a four-game lead in pursuit of their 11th NL West title in 12 seasons while keeping the books cleaner for a Shohei Ohtani bid.

But that winter restraint has created holes to fill. Most notably, the left side of the infield has thinned thanks to Gavin Lux’s ACL injury and rookie Miguel Vargas’s struggles. It’s not the best look defensively to put veterans Chris Taylor and Max Muncy at shortstop and third base, respectively, while glue guy Miguel Rojas now totes just a 49 adjusted OPS at short.

Meanwhile, a rotation ravaged by injuries is leaning heavily on three rookies, with no guarantees of Clayton Kershaw’s health and Julio Urias’s effectiveness going forward. Yet a mid-rotation starter likely won’t buttress the overall group appreciably; the better play might be an effective to elite reliever to ease the burden on high-leverage guys Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol, both ticketed for more than 70 appearances.

How big will the Dodgers go? They should have plenty of options to fit their desired scale, be it a big splash or maintaining their modest approach of last winter. Tuesday's acquisition of old friend Kiké Hernández fills the latter bill, but there's still room to improve in several areas.

Names to watch: Cardinals 3B Nolan Arenado, INF Paul DeJong, INF/OF Tommy Edman, RP Jordan Hicks

[jagtrader]

Media really wants Arenado on the Dodgers.

[MinorLeagueGuy]

They already got Kike back. So does that affect a need to grab PDJ?

[Magneto2.0]

They already got Kike back. So does that affect a need to grab PDJ?

They just got Amed Rosario

[cardsfantx]

They already got Kike back. So does that affect a need to grab PDJ?

They just picked up SS Amed Rosario from the guardians

[Magneto2.0]

Extension on deck...

[cardsfantx]

Awwwwww

Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out

K

Thx

Bye

[Famous Mortimer]

Awwwwww

Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out

K

Thx

Bye

Some of you act like certain Cardinals players cheated on your mothers.