Depends, there are quite a few options out there in free agency. Ten years ago they could have been viewed as possible landing spots, but I'm not sure that is true anymore. Mo has been quite adept at spending money for past performance on a host of players. He can't seem to within reason accurately evaluate likely depreciating talent on other teams and even our own.

I have no hope that will change as long as he is running things.

That said, theoretically there are several starting pitching options that could make sense. They won't be able to get Cole or Strasburg, and probably not Wheeler. However I wouldn't mind them kicking the tires on Bumgardner or Hamels as long as it is reasonable.

Rendon would make a lot of sense, but they still owe Carpenter three years. Donaldson was a clear miss last year and will probably cash in on his big year with the Braves.

If they had signed Donaldson instead of Goldy and NOT extended Carpenter there would be lots of options this year.

The overstocked outfield are not names that are going to bring great value in return (maybe Carlson, which would be asinine).

So, no probably not going to change much from outside.
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He can hit but he's a DH so when you put him in that group his hitting doesn't look all that great.

If you were going to trade him you would have done it last season, but I don't even remember if the Cardinals seriously considered it. His OPS+ this season was 97. The DH average OPS+ hovers around 110.
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Sadly, yes. While the division win and playoff series win were fun, they put off rebuilding by a year.
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Pretty much. Not shocking at all that an inconsistent,veteran laden team of underperformers (coaching) took advantage of a weak division, played well in one series and shit the bed the next. But, hey those LCS participation shirts...
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Veteran under-performers and you blame coaching?:-)
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Some 2020 payroll highlights:

• $146 million committed.
• But, that doesn't include 14 players who are on the roster that will need to be paid too. Flaherty, Hudson, Hicks etc.
• Paying Carpenter $18.5 million. Also the same in 2021.
• Dexter Fowler $16.5 million
• Brett Cecil $7.5 million
• Goldy $26 million yearly for the next 5 years.
• We are also paying Leake $4 million
• If Ozuna takes the QO, est $17.5 million

Thanks to Mo for over paying most of these players. Guess-estimated $160 - $170 million payroll without changing anything. 5th highest in baseball.

So what can we do? Trade Fowler and Carpenter for "A" level lottery prospects. Pay 1/2 their salary to the other team. We can probably get more out of that $16 million we save from some other player. But, the main reason is to just move on from aging under performing players. You just need one team to think they can fix them. Thinking Angels for Fowler. Carp to some low level AL team with cash issues.

Otherwise, thanks to Mo making players feel comfortable, we don't have any money. We cant expect to have a top 5 payroll. It's unrealistic to think Dewitt is going to go that high.
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I still can't believe that Carpenter extension
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Next year needs to be a farewell tour. Sign Waino to 1/10 and have him go out with Yadi.

Give all the AAAA OF enough rope to hang themselves, then see if you have any wheat.

Give Helsley and Gomber a shot in the rotation. Eat the Fowler deal. If Miller shows life, trade him to a team needing lefty help immediately.

Edman is going to have a much worse year next year. Prepare yourself for it, because his batted ball luck won't hold. Carpenter stays on the bench. Period.

Don't rush Csrlson. Do all that and next year will be a success.
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That $2M buyout to decline his option sure would look nice.
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Interesting proposal coming about the minor league systems
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stor...-league-teams/
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Sounds like you are talking somewhat of a rebuild. I can't say I disagree. If they were to cut ties with Fowler, I would make a qualifying offer to Ozuna (he probably won't accept, but even if he does it is for one year, which buys you some time on Carlson). That leaves Bader, ONeill, Arozarena and Lane to fight it out for the other outfield spots. I would also try to find an AL fit for Martinez. He limits our bench options too much, especially if they continue to run Molina out there day and and day out.

If you keep Carp benched who plays third everyday? Do you even try to upgrade over there?
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You guys know damn well what SHOULD be done.
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Carlos Martinez has surgery on his pitching shoulder. Mo says it was minor surgery and will be ready for spring training. Soooo expect him back at mid season and again unable to throw more than 50 pitches at a time.
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Rumor has it the surgery went exceedingly well. He's throwing the ball with authority with increased command and velocity and he's set to sign a multi-year extension.
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:-) damn good onion take. Enough truth with parody. Yet, depressing at the same time.
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