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Heck, the team has many question its asking of itself here -- and the search for answers is just beginning. They'll get a few weeks here to have a head start on the offseason plan that then spring into action with decisions that follow the end of the World Series and conversations that will start to reveal themselves in November at the GM meetings in Las Vegas. There's a lot to consider and discuss in the weeks leading up to those events.

I'm sure you've got opinions and plenty of questions, I'll do my best to type fast and provide answers, not always in that order.

Let me get the file started so that this chat be read easily on tablets, mobiles, and desktops, and then we'll plunge right into the Mosh Pit of Inquiry.

As always, the transcript will be available below in (near) real-time, and questions are not edited for content, spelling, or grammar. They are ignored for vulgarities and threats of violence to anyone.

Chat, ahoy!

Chris: What are the chances that Walker begins the year in Memphis in 2026?

DG: Low. Quite low. Very low. At this point, it would be more likely he'd begin the year with another organization if this is how the Cardinals see his 2026 beginning.

Chris: what are your thoughts regarding how to best manage his development?

DG: I found Chaim Bloom's description informative and intriguing when it came to how "important" this offseason is for Jordan Walker. He was -- and has been -- trying to make changes to his approach, pitch recognition, and swing while competing at the highest level and seeing pitchers just exploit those weaknesses over and over and over and over, and no wonder he would race back to the comforts of old habits just to have the taste of some success. He got caught in that nebulous between area, and that was an awful spot to be. Limited success. Scarce reward for lots of work behind the scenes to improve. Bloom's point was how this winter removes the box score, removes the stats, and the results are confined to the changes, not the scoreboard. The team wants to see how that alleviates the stress, helps Walker break from the habits he'd seek for results, and then what becomes of that work. It sure seems like this is the offseason where the Cardinals continue the investment of time with Walker to make the most of their investment in money and their belief of his talent.

Snipes: Hoping to see Cardinals post season grades article soon, thanks.

DG: Jeff Gordon retired recently, and that was his area of expertise. He did that annually, and it reflected his view, his opinion, and his style. His Tipsheet and grades will be missed, for sure.

jm: IMO both Nootbar and Donovan will be on the trade block because of their age

DG: The Cardinals will engage teams to see their interest in both players, and the Cardinals will listen to offers.

Joe: Is this a bit like the Astros when Luhnow took over? Trying to bridge the fans from Bagwell & Biggio to new players?

DG: I don't see the similarity. Houston plunged its expectations of winning to zero -- and its TV ratings followed to zero. That's not a model the Cardinals want to follow, or feel they can with their fan base or their revenue flow. Plus, all o that coincided with the Astros moving to the American League and getting incentives to do that. That's not coming for the Cardinals, nor would I expect you to want that.

I don't see any similarity at all.

jm: Do we have enough backup catchers to support Herrara to trade a few??

DG: That is an area of depth for the Cardinals at the moment that other teams have asked about. There is always a call on available catchers each spring, and the Cardinals have two or three that other teams are wondering what they'll do as they all arrive on the roster. Remember the Cardinals must protect Bernal this winter from the Rule 5 draft -- and they will. That puts as many as five catchers (Crooks, Herrera, Pages, Pozo, and Bernal) on the 40-player roster. It's likely they look to remove Pozo and re-sign him to a deal off the roster, and then hang with four catchers on the 40 to prepare for what Herrera can show at the position with arm health and a winter of work.

Drapery man: Why is Marmol coming back? Bloom shoud put his choice in and not waste another season with him. Players do not care for him based on the way he publicly handled Tyler and Wilson.

DG: Brace yourself: After working with and getting to know Oli Marmol over the past year, and specifically during their regular meetings and meals during the regular season., Bloom decided that Marmol is his choice. This has been a relationship both sides were able to grow, especially coming out of the trade deadline and seeing how they shifted to the direction Bloom wanted to go, and the input/instruction that Marmol and his staff brought to that. In talking with writers after his televised presser, Bloom acknowledged the idea of talking with Marmol about an extension so that he doesn't go into a year with the clock ticking on his final year. That is something Bloom acknowledged while also complimenting Marmol and the staff for seeing the team through to this point.

Baseball writer Daniel Guerrero did an excellent job exploring this topic and their relationship. Find it here.

Tom: Why not do for him like Joshua Baez

DG: In general terms, they have. You can see how what Baez did, Walker and Winn and Burleson did before him, and you can see from them the program set forth years ago by Jeff Albert and what it's become in the years since. Programs are individualized, of course, but in general terms what is available to Baez is what has been and will be available to Walker. Just like every hitter is different, their advancement and their improvement is too.

Drapery man: Why is Marmol coming back? Bloom should have his choice.

DG: He had a say in it. That's something to consider. He even added that this would be his choice.

mrr: starting Pitching, starting Pitching, starting pitching, starting pitching. Who do you foresee as a members of the 2026 starting rotation?

DG: The Cardinals don't even know at this point. McGreevy and Liberatore appear certain. Gray could be traded, or Bloom brought up the fact that a pitcher they need is the pitcher they have in Gray. Pallante will have to compete for that spot, and he'll find Leahy as a challenger for it. How that breaks down: Two spots taken, one spot open for in-house challengers, Gray possibly, and then there's an opening for a veteran starter who can bring balance and certainty to the innings, and that is where the Cardinals are likely to go shopping for a free-agent on a bounce-back short-term deal. They could look for a deal that allows them to trade the starter if he's great at the deadline, and thus they'll draw interest from starters who want to know they will get starts to rebuild their value and then have a chance to go win elsewhere.

Drapery man: Why is Marmol back? Bloom should put his man as manager. Players do not like Marmol base on the way he treated Tyler and Wilson publicly

DG: I get the sense from the number of times and ways you've asked this question, that you don't agree with Bloom's decision here and thus don't want it to be his choice. One thing Cardinals fans can take away from Bloom's first public comments is a support of Marmol that speaks to the months of conversations they've had that suggest they can work together.

jm: Do you think gray and Nolan will both be gone before next season? I'm expecting Chaim to turn things upside down looking for young talend

DG: All parties are open to this in a way they were not a year ago. I think the comments from the players suggest that they will be open to trades, and the Cardinals are motivated to find them.

It is difficult, not impossible, but increasingly difficult to see how they're both on the Cardinals' roster in spring training.

South City Steve: I know it is going to be 2026 not 2016, but Scherzer and Verlander on 1-year deals with Liberatore, McGreevy, and Leahy sounds a lot more exciting than anything we have watched since the 2022 trade deadline. $25m to not have to watch Mikolas or Pallante pitch in 2026 sounds like a smart investment, especially for fan engagement.

DG: One, not both. But imagine the situation they'd be signing into and how different that is than what either of them have sought before.

Colin B: I wonder if the MLBPA can win the PR battle on a salary cap by simply claiming, "We'll agree to a salary cap as soon as the owners agree to their own salaries being capped".

DG: Do owners take salaries? I think that would be a gambit that may not work out for the union. There is a way to take your suggestion and apply it to how a salary cap will work. So salary caps are usually set by negotiating a share of the revenue pie and then dividing it up. The union and the owners will agree on what "revenue" is -- no small thing when it comes to MLB and MLBPA; this is where their talks will break down, actually -- and then they negotiate where to slice that revenue pie. It's going to be around 44%-50%, for example. And then that slice is divided by 30 for the payroll cap.

If you want to rephrase your PR bid, then it would be like this: "The players will accept a salary cap as long as owners are willing to share the appreciation of their franchise value at the same rate as revenue."

Not as snappy. But more pointed.

12fan: OK, I miss Cardinals baseball! Thanks for the chat, it shortens the winter. Hoping Walker can improve. Is his trade value so low that they almost have to keep him?

DG: Not necessarily. There's always a team that will "dream" on a player's talent, and the Cardinals can try to seek out that team. What limits his trade value is the fact that he's got one remaining option and he's got service time that doesn't line up with his upside. So, the clock is ticking on getting the production expected while he's under contract control.

Colin B: Thank you for the response, that's very interesting. I think I agree, but I'll chew on it a bit. :-)

DG: Happy to help.

South City Steve: When the Cardinals were successful it felt like 7 of the 9 (now 10) positions were manned by guys who had minimal variance in their expected outcome, injuries aside. Those outcomes ranged from replacement level to elite but they were known. The past 5-7 years it feels like that scenario has flipped to 2-3 guys with known outcomes and 6-7 guys where we are always saying "if____ can take the next step..." or " if ____ can do what he did 2 years ago..." And the hit rate on those players has been very low. I hope by 2028 we are looking at more certainty in the everyday line-up.

DG: Part of what happened -- and I've really been trying to stress this in coverage over the past five, six, 10 years -- is the cost of certainty skyrocketed. The types of players you describe used to be uncovered on the margins because teams didn't value them the same way or didn't adopt the metrics that showed their value. Cardinals did. Cardinals took advantage. League caught up. More specifically, the market caught up and agents caught up and the price soared. I remember having this conversation with John Mozeliak about how they had to change their expectations of cost because what they built their team upon was now going to cost more, and when it came to pitchers it was going to mean higher cost and risk. Look at Nathan Eovaldi's career. If it was a decade earlier, he's a Cardinal and a Dave Duncan success story and a bang-for-the-buck starter. But in the current market he drew the salary of the certainty the Cardinals sought with the risk of injury they avoided. They didn't catch up to the market, they didn't produce the young pitching or impact hitting to supplement, and here they are.

And then when they did meet the market for pitching -- Gray, Gibson, and Lynn -- they didn't get the young hitters to advance in a way to help lineup.

Colin B: Do you foresee the loss of the 2027 season?

DG: I am concerned.

mattkindt: How much do you think lower attendance is due to team performance and how much of might be attributed to outside factors? And what do you think those other contributing factors might be? Politics, a new soccer team, the increasingly fractured way in which we consume media, etc.?

DG: It's all of those things for sure. The biggest, driving factor seems to be the product on the field -- not just winning, though that's the major part, but also the appeal, the style, the charisma, if you will. It seems to me that the Cardinals have been unable to capture the imagination of their fan base. I was thinking about that this week when a friend put on the song "Some Nights" by fun for his son. That song forever stirs images of the 2011 World Series for some Cardinals fans, and rightfully so. Did that set such a high bar for what a team can be, how a team can reward fans that anything else seems less, and anything since ... well, just cannot compete. No pun intended. This is a real conundrum for the Cardinals -- and it's really important that they find a way to invigorate the fans through winning, style, personality, whatever it takes, and that's the challenge ahead.

But there are other factors, for sure.

The economy should not be overlooked as a factor. People are spending their entertainment dollars differently. And baseball is entertainment. If movie theaters are having a difficult time getting folks to the theaters, then so is baseball and other sports. Streaming is fractured, and baseball fans are seeing their teams hopscotch from service to service. Will fans follow? And at what cost? I know from experience, that the younger generations are digesting baseball differently, and that too is a factor. Going to the ballgame? Or catching up on the highlights later? I know which takes less time and which costs less ... It's all of those things.

Fractures in the way we consume all entertainment. I'm not sure if it's politics, but since politics is everything these days, that's entirely possible. I don't think politics, perceived or realistic, can be dismissed as a reason why some folks don't attend. I also think that another factor that's small but has to be discussed is where people are getting their information and how trusted those sources are when they're making a decision to attend. I see the hogwash on Facebook, and I feel for readers who are blanketed with that and don't know or don't seek the real info they can trust.

Ken: "Jeff Gordon retired recently, and that was his area of expertise." Man I didn’t realize JG retired . Good for him. I really liked his writing and wit. Derrick you have worked with some very good writers and quality people. Present company included …

DG: I am very fortunate to have called many great writers and reporters colleagues, from the Picayune to the Post-Dispatch. And I am reminded of this daily. This past weekend, I got to attend a celebration/reunion for the great student newspaper at Mizzou -- the 70th anniversary of The Maneater -- and one of the Mizzou grads from the 1960s was praising the baseball coverage of Rick Hummel through the years. Hear, hear. And that was all before I got a chance to say, yep, I was fortunate to sit beside him at the ballpark for two decades.

Taylor: Hochman's article yesterday offered a "micro" glimpse at what Bloom had to say about a farmhand to you guys in his hour session post presser. Did he say anything else about a particular farmhand and/or their processes with them?

DG: He did not, no. But over the past several months, there have been articles that offer examples -- and there will be more ahead. Joshua Baez, if you see today's coverage, is another example. McGreevy is an early example that was covered and detailed earlier this season in the paper. And Matt Svanson is an example that fans got to see happen in real time, especially as he stayed in the majors because of adjustments he's made.

Jonathan: There's been smoke, but no fire so I thought I'd ask you- any merit to the Albert Pujols managing the Angels rumors?

DG: It's not rumors. He's a candidate for the job, and the Post-Dispatch is among the outlets that reported he'll interview. He's interested in managing, and the Angels aren't the only team likely to give him a look, or at least consider interviewing him.

Paulie: The Cardinals will have a hard time selling the fan base on rebuilding towards a consistent winner when they keep the same manager. I guess I don't see how he can be the leader and face of the club going forward and expect the fans to buy tickets and come to the park. Your thoughts?

DG: I am eager to see the role that Oli Marmol plays in promoting the team this winter. That will relate to ticket sales and message, and he has the ability to play a big role in that. There are things he does that fans have told me over the years really matters to them -- and here he is calling ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ home, getting involved in the community, and eagerly talking baseball strategy in detail, and even publicly acknowledging when his strategy doesn't work. These are things that fans both celebrated and criticized Tony La Russa for. I'm NOT comparing their achievements, but pointing some traits where Marmol has what fans want, or at least they've said they want from the manager in the past. And, yet, the criticism does seem to capture the negativity that drowns out anything and everything in some corners of the internet. It is entirely fair for the results of the past few years to frame and focus critical views of the manager, coaches, front office, and players. They all played a part. But we all know favorite targets emerge, fair or unfair. And there is an element of that going on, to me. I'm always hesitant to say that people buy tickets to go to a game to see the manager or see the front office. Kudos to the fans this year, because they definitely sent a message that they won't buy tickets because of the front office or frustration with it or the staleness of it.

Let's workshop this.

Go ahead and reply -- would you be willing to buy tickets to see the current roster, no changes, but with a new manager? Or, would you be more likely to buy tickets to see a new roster with the same manager?

KC Dave: RIP BPIP??

DG: No. I had two guests that just fell through, and that's frustrating. And then one of my co-hosts retired. There are plans afoot for a comeback.

His family was kind enough to give some of writers one of his signature bowties. What a meaningful gift.

Taylor: Have you heard anything solid about what Bloom et al. think about Quinn Mathews's season? If so, do they think he's still having problems with the major league baseball? Do they think there's ongoing problems related to his shoulder injury? Do they think it's mainly mechanical? Is there a sense of what his offseason plan might look like?

DG: Here is what Chaim Bloom said when asked specifically about Quinn Mathews during his session with beat reporters:

"For where expectations were going to the year. It was obviously a bumpy year. I don't really feel any differently about his upside than I did last year. I still think the future for Quinn is really bright in some ways. I hope we're looking back in year two or three and saying it was really good he went through some of those struggles at Triple-A because that level has been a struggle for him. Less so even about the opposition, it is more just about understanding himself and fighting himself at times from an identity and a command perspective. Definitely would want him to show that he has conquered some of those challenges, or at least gotten himself under control before we throw him in the fire here. But would love to see him come to camp in a great place and push himself into this picture."

Jonathan: Did you ever get to know Bob Broeg while breaking in with the PD?

DG: I did, indeed. Met him in college. Got to know him as a colleague when I was hired. I have two letters from him that I treasure.

chico: What's your prediction for Albert and Yadi in regards to managing?

DG: Albert Pujols will have a choice of managing options to pursue, and we'll see if that becomes an offer. His work to prepare for this opportunity has been impressive, and this offseason it sure seems likely that he's going to get his chance. And that makes sense.

At this point, Yadier Molina has been clear about his timeline for a return to the dugout, and it seems that he'll do so first as a coach in some role and then get into the system that considers him for manager.

Matt: What changes does Chiam anticipate in the international amateur market?

DG: They're going to expand the staff that is involved in player evaluation and player acquisition. They want to increase their investment in the area when it comes to scouting, signing, and development, and they've already increased and improved their tech and facilities at the academy in the Dominican Republic.

Rip Ripulski: Are the Cards going to increase their attention on Asia?

DG: To be determined. Bloom pushed back when I said they were at a geographic disadvantage and asked whether that was going to be a place they move away from due to the unlikely return. We'll see.

Redbird Farmhands: Any Chance we see Walker or Gorman play winter ball Derrick, any other names to watch?

DG: At last check, no. I did ask about this -- and the answer was no. Above in the chat, there's an answer that explores why. That said, I'll ask again, and we'll see as those rosters start to sort out.

Lu: Do you see reducing the years of player control as a bargaining chip to get the salary cap in place? IMO, this would be a much more effective way of dealing with teams running as a profit house (your Pirates, Marlins, A's..etc) than the salary floor

DG: I appreciate that you're thinking and presenting the proposal in there terms. I do not seeing that as a play that will work, or even that they are equivalent. The salary cap, to this point, has been a non-starter with the players and a hard line. One of the major reasons why is because there is a lack of trust.

Let me say that again.

A lack of trust.

Why does that matter? Well, when detailing above what it takes to create and set a salary cap, a big part of that is defining what revenue is. The union does not expect MLB to be forthright with that definition. They've had experience with this as the owners, you may recall, got a hefty payday from Disney for tech advancements not too long ago. Would that be revenue? It wasn't under the umbrella before ... This is a huge hurdle for any discussions, and you see how confrontational it can be when two sides don't agree on a definition, let alone how it's going to be carved up.

chico: After talking with Mo and Bloom,can you tell us how they are different?

DG: Ask me again after the GM meetings. I am eager to see how their approach is different -- not with the media, but with what goes into building a baseball team. Bloom is going to make it a priority to be clear and direct with the messaging. We saw some of that. Seeing more of that may differentiate the two. It think in that final week we definitely saw the enthusiasm that Bloom brought to what's ahead and we saw how Mozeliak was ready for something different.

Macman: I would go to more games with a manager who has an imagination to get runners moved around the bases, then just wait for the HR. Station to station baseball sucks and is boring

DG: Then you want a team that gets on base more than the current Cardinals team and has more opportunity to do that. The Cardinals had a .314 on-base percentage, and that ranked around 13th-lowest in the majors. With those times on base, they were 4% below average when it came to baserunning. At the same time, Winn was dealing with a knee injury that limited his running on the bases, and Scott had to get on base more often to take advantage. The manager says he wants what you want. The lineup does have to get on base to do it ...

KC Dave: My question was about the Best Podcast in Baseball. Hence, BPIB. I miss it

DG: I understood. That's how I answered. Thanks for listening. It's not dead. It ran into some production issues.

jyoung: You often talk about the love fans have for prospects outperforming current big leaguers, saying it's because they haven't failed yet, and calling it the backup QB syndrome. Is the same thing applicable to Bloom/Mo? It seems like there was just so much Mo fatigue that there's a general assumption that Bloom is going to come in, shake things up, do what needs to be done, and things will be good in a couple years. Other than hoping that to be true, do we have any facts or evidence yet of that, or are we just all excited for change but we should temper that a little?

DG: That is entirely possible, and it is also entirely understandable. I would not ever criticize someone for tempering their enthusiasm. That just seems healthy. That said, change is often reason to be excited when there's been a lot of the same for several years. Fans sought and hungered for change, so of course they should be excited by its arrival.

There is also a significant difference between Bloom and the Backup QB. Bloom has spent the past year building -- well, let's continue the analogy. He's spent the past year building and hand-picking and practicing with the offensive line he's bringing into the job. He's got a head start on the role that way, so it's not a case of he hasn't failed. He should arrive with support to give that new look, that new voice, and that change some substance already in place to build upon.

Ken: I have no problem going to see the Cards with Oli. Look at what he had to deal with. Poor starting pitching. No speed a the bases except VS. not much power . Low home run totals . Base running wasn’t very good either. He’s getting better at his job.

DG: Those are some of the same views and opinions the Cardinals leadership had.

12fan: I'd be more likely to buy tickets with this manager and an improved roster. Not sure Whitey or LaRussa could have gotten a lot more out of this group.

DG: I appreciate your reply to the question.

Thanks for joining in for the chat.

12fan: It seemed obvious to me that by July 1st Marmol did not want to use Fedde as a starting pitcher anymore. But, he was still on the roster and Marmol felt he had to start him. Is that an accurate read? Do you think the same wll be true under Bloom?

DG: That is a mostly accurate read. The staff was trying to and charged with improving Fedde to be the more competitive starter and best option for that role. There was also the thought that they could stack on the innings with him to save them from stacking on those difficult, bruising innings on a young starter. So, you nailed the top level, but there was nuance just beneath.

As far as your last question: Well, thus far, Bloom does not have that pitcher on the roster, and has not shown any interest in adding him. We'll see what the market has to offer when he goes shopping.

Joliet Dave: Pujols and Molina are much better off to get their managerial chops with another team. E

I didn't finish. Expectaion from fans would just be way to high!

DG: That is an interesting point that I had not considered. It's possible. I think it was more of the most compelling and admirable part of Mike Matheny becoming manager. There are many other things he said and did that I don't agree with, but I think he deserves a nod for taking that leap. He risked the love he got as a player for the criticism that is inevitable as a manager. That's a bold choice to be respected in my view -- the "Get in the arena" concept. Matheny experienced what you describe. Would Molina and Pujols? Cannot dismiss it.

Plays in Peoria: When does MLB release the Spring Training schedules?

DG: Should have been weeks ago. The WBC is part of the issue, it seems. Educated guess, it will come out on one of the days this offseason when there isn't a game scheduled.

Ryan: I struggle with the thought that Gorman hasn’t been given enough runway. He’s at 1400 AB’s. His defense is shaky at multiple spots. He what he is. If they want the fans to engage and trust the process, stop selling us Mantle or Rolen when it’s really a Gorman. We have eyes too.

DG: I haven't heard the Cardinals argue that he hasn't been given a runway. Quite the opposite. The Cardinals started Arenado and Donovan ahead of him often this summer because, in part, they had seen so much playing time for Gorman and had that track record that was more than any other young player.

I haven't heard Mantle (he's not a switch hitter) or Rolen (because of third base?) once from the team or any evaluator.

12fan: Not too long ago the Cubss tanked. They were where the Cardinals are now. Here is my question: Did the Cubs attendance take the same kind of hit when the team was bad? Are we the really the best fans in baseball?

DG: Let's start here: I don't think attendance is the only metric for being "the best fans in baseball." And, to be honest, in the closing weeks of the season I visited Seattle, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Wrigley, and Busch -- and in each place there was a graphic on the board or an introduction of the crowd as the "best fans in baseball." Seriously. Every single place uses that same phrase now.

As for the Cubs ... yes, sort of.

Coming out of their 100-loss season, the Cubs saw a drop in ticket sales by about 300,000, and they had two years of 2.6 million through the gate before starting to rebuild back to that 2.9 million, 3.0 million, etc. And in They got to 3.2 million in 2016 and 2017, and they were back to 3 million this year.

There is a huge difference, however.

Wrigley Field is a place to be and a place to be seen, and there have been times when during the Cubs tank, the ballpark had more Cardinals fans in it, or at least appeared to. Lots of red in that crowd, just as there's lots of blue these days when the Cubs visit ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´. Wrigley Field as a historic and happening neighborhood place takes on something different than a place to go see a ballpark. It is also a social event and place to be seen at. They sell that. They benefit from that. And the ticket sales get some steadiness as a result of that. Busch Stadium is not that same vibe (could it be?), not that same history.

Jason S.: Do you believe Mo accepts sufficient responsibility/blame for the current mess that this organization is in? I do not based on the comments I have read or heard, but I’m curious for your thoughts.

DG: What's "sufficient"? It sure seems like he has received plenty of blame/responsibility in print (he brings this up as you may have noticed) and from fans. Blame/responsibility from ownership? There's an argument from the pink-slip group that because he wasn't fired there isn't the accountability necessary. I get it. I don't agree with it. But I do understand how sports uses firing as a strong metric for accountability, and that didn't happen here. What did? He got to finish his contract. He turned down a chance to stick around, an extension. And he did have to go to ownership and share the opinion that a new voice was necessary. Whether he used the words you wanted or not, there was a gravity in that admission after 20 years of praising continuity and his consistency that shouldn't go unheard. That is the answer that, to me, took the responsibility for where they are.

Joliet Dave: Why does ownership feel, and I think you do too, that there needs to be a better experience at the ballpark. Ok, I'm 3 months short of 70 years old. My first game at Sportsman park was in 58 or 59. I Can afford to go to games. The experience I want is a winning team, a well played game. What is it that todays fans seem to need to attend, aside from affordability? And reading your comment above about wigley. Lipstick on a pig doesn't change that its a pig.

DG: You've come to the wrong chat. A) I like Wrigley. I like the carnival and the history. And B) I've been to other ballparks, and Busch has become dull. It needs a jolt. Todd Thomas has done a great job to bring enthusiasm and interaction to the ballpark, but he cannot do it alone. Yes, other parks have cinematic elements that fans enjoy -- whether you will or not, I don't know. But I do know that many fans do. I watch it happen. And I see fans engage and sing along with walk-up songs and entry songs and have their signature moments in games where fans take over. Again, that may not be for you. But it is for thousands in Philly, thousands in Seattle, thousands in Queens, thousands at Wrigley, and thousands upon thousands at other ballparks. I'm fortunate to see the event creation at other places. And Busch had that magic -- and can again. It just needs an update.

And the Cardinals are aware of this and they're making changes. They even trotted out some of the new looks and new ideas toward the end of the season. Plus, they had officials visit other places. It's almost like what they did with baseball ops they're also do with ballpark ops. And that's a good thing.

12fan: Derrick, you're right about Wrigley. It is a carnival and that in itself always draws a crowd. Part of that crowd will be baseball fans. Thanks again for chatting with us. Much appreciated.

DG: Very true.

DCG: Hey, Derrick: Off topic here, but Gordo's recent retirement caught me off guard and really affected me emotionally in a way that surprised me. I'v

As I was saying, Gordo's retirement really got to me. He was always one of my favorites at the PD, and, with his retirement, I think I realized that he was the last of the writers that I grew up with from the PD. I was already in my late teens by the time you came along. I was really hoping Gordo would do one last chat so that we could tell him how much we appreciated his work, and since I guess that won't happen, please pass that along. And, by the way, you now carry a pretty heavy mantle as that last link to the incredible run of sports writers that the PD has had. Fortunately, you carry on the tradition in a way that does the history of this paper proud. Thanks to all you and your colleagues, past and present do. You all are the reason I, who has not lived in STL in over 20 years, subscribe to the paper.

DG: I don't know a Post-Dispatch without Jeff Gordon's byline in it, and that is something that I too have a hard time imaging. And all of the things that he did in print for readers, he did tenfold for his colleagues in ways that were behind the scenes -- as a champion for the paper and its place in the city. He was part of a group that did set a high bar for quality and for the potential of the paper. Plenty of pressure to try and do what we can to maintain that.

Joliet Dave: Have you ever had discussions with M Carp? Does he have and coaching, managing aspirations?

DG: I have. He does at some point. He'll emerge as a coach somewhere. Could be college. Could be pros. He'll be called to it. Wouldn't be surprised if we see him some on TV, too, as he looks to spend this time with his kids before returning to a uniform.

Ryan: I for one don’t like the portrayal of Walker being an outfielder. He’s not. Not today, not tomorrow. Just stop the nonsense. He’s a 1b/dh. They have 2 rh hitting 1b/db types already. Take the best deal and move on.

DG: If you think he can be a first baseman, then it makes more sense for him to be an outfielder. Not sure what you expect from a first baseman, but the Cardinals experienced first hand -- no pun intended -- what happens when an outfielder plays first base just ... because. It didn't go well. DH, OK. Sure. But first base? If you are eager to play him there, then you should be fine with him in LF, too. And that's long been where teams think he'll play.

Ryan: But why did it take till July when a lot of us knew that last November. That’s the real question.

DG: Alternative options. Money/value. And also, mostly the alternative options.

Craftyrighthander: Thanks for the chat. We are lucky to have the type of coverage of the Cardinals that we have, in good times and mediocre times (you notice I didn't say "bad times" as I don't believe we really know what bad baseball over a period of five plus years is like). Can you give me a name from the minors, other than Doyle or Wetherholt) who is likely to make an impact on the major league club in 2026?

DG: Thanks for the kind words.

Luis Gastelum.

Jonathan: Is there any chance of you writing a Cardinals book in The Franchise series? The Yankees, Braves, Red Sox, Giants, and Twins all have one. I think Cardinal fans want to read a good book about their team. Thanks!

DG: I suppose there's always a chance. I wrote a book on Cardinals history that has gone through several editions thanks to the interest in it (and the sales of it!). I've got another project on the front burner this offseason that I really need to tackle.

CJ: When Chaim Bloom first joined the Cards FO in 2024, what was it that attracted him to STL? Was this pitched as him being Mo's successor initially, or was it truly just an audit of the organization that ultimately led to him taking over Mo's role organically? Chaim is well respected in the industry, so id presume he had a lot of options from other teams after getting let go by the Red Sox.

DG: He was interested in staying within the game, having a presence, but not the day to day grind that was usually required in the front office roles. He found a team in the Cardinals -- and they were not alone -- willing to give him that kind of role and eager to have his input, his advise. That kept him in the game, but also allowed him to set his own schedule, not have the demands of the job set that schedule. He was not promised anything, and nor did he promise the Cardinals he would stay after the 2024 season. It was truly an audit. And he got to set his own schedule. As that season ended, the conversation was had that formalized his role, his requirements, and then the move into the POBO job with a five-year deal that would start now. Six years of security has an appeal, as you can imagine. And so did getting to know an organization and ownership group for 24 months, not an interview that adds up to 24 hours ...

Jonathan: Best baseball card ever or best baseball card series ever?

DG: Everyone I hope has their own answer to this! I would lean toward Bo Jackson's Future Stars 1987 Topps card. That one is way up there for me. Best baseball series? Hard to argue against what 1989 Upper Deck did for design and excitement. Just a crisp looking card that others had to change to match.

Tackleberry: I want to give Mo props on one thing, through all the highs and lows he always had a very keen eye for 1-year veteran relievers. I’m glad he has moved on but that was an area where he had a very high ROI, even in the later years.

DG: True. And Chaim Bloom even referenced that as a place he intends to follow the lead for a move this winter. A reunion with Maton? Possibly.

Ryan: When I go back and look at scout grades for Bregman, they look alot like Wetherholts. Is that a fair comparison. Same size, former SS’s who’ll get/got moved at the MLB level

DG: I see the comparison. College player. Polished hitter. Upside power. Ones right-handed, the other left-handed. I tread lightly into the comps but it's hard for me not to see Dustin Pedroia's game in Wetherholt's. So many similarities.

aliveforoverhalf: Having grown up on major league baseball in ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ­´´ and having witnessed the ever mushrooming "atmosphere" or "experience" today's major league teams try to create, I must say that I find college and minor league ball much more enjoyable. You find yourself immersed in the game itself, not a bunch of distractions designed to bring people who ultimately have little or no interest in baseball for its own sake.

DG: Thank you for sharing this view.

Ryan: Can you share which teams have long to play him in LF? We’d all like a good laugh at their expense.

DG: The Cardinals. When I said teams, I meant that as a stand-in for evaluators. Scouts. Folks with other teams who evaluate talent around the majors or before the draft.

Paulie: I understand your comments about improving the atmosphere at Busch Stadium, but it never seemed to be a problem when they were winning. You can put all the lipstick on a pig you want but its still a pig.

DG: I have been very consistent in saying that winning is a big factor. It's not the only factor. It is a big factor. Winning is a big factor. When it comes to ballpark experience, winning is a big factor, even the biggest factor. I think we can all agree that success on the field is a big factor. So big that is a big factor.

But it is not the only factor.

This discussion can contain multitudes and nuance, and we can all also agree that winning is a big factor.

Jimbo Jones: You said "Go ahead and reply -- " so here's my reply. First, I absolutely think Marmol has done a good, maybe even great, job given what he HASN'T had to work with. But I don't go to the ball park to watch a good manager. I want to watch an exciting team. We certainly have some players that are fun to watch: Winn is electric, Nootbar can be electric when healthy, Donovan and Willson too. When you think back over the last 25 years (wow that hurts to say that), not only did you have the MV3, Beltran and Berkman, Molina, Carpenter and Waino, but you also had the Jedd Gyorkos, Ronnie Belliards, Gary Bennetts and Nick Puntos of the world that could provide that extra little spark (or shred a few jerseys) and get you over the hump. It's hard to go from years and years of THAT to multiple years of THIS...

DG: Thank you for sharing this viewpoint and for the details you offered.

Joliet Dave: OF at 1B? Jose Martinez?

DG: We were all there to see it.

Crowe: I want to second the well-wishes and appreciation for Gordo on his retirement. As DCG said above: it "affected me emotionally in a way that surprised me." I also want to express my appreciation for the high quality work of you and the other sports writers at StL PD.

DG: Thanks for saying that. I hope that Jeff Gordon swings by to read these comments, and I'll drop him a line to let him know.

Taguchi99: Hi Derrick, this may seem silly, but from a casual fan perspective, it's also hard to cheer for a team that doesn't seem to be marketing it's players very well. I know this season was hard because Arenado may have been traded so you can't really market him, and guys like Ivan, Burly, Masyn and VS2 were all really unknown quantities going into the season (don't want your commercials featuring a guy in Memphis) but I'm hoping the Cardinals get back to marketing guys to come and see instead of just the general gameday experience. Are their plans to get back to that if they can get the personnel?

DG: Not silly at all. This is a good thing for the team to do, and a good thing for fans to notice and discuss. Yes, from what I've been told. Yes. And they have several players with the personality to do it if the production also captures the imagination of fans. For sure.

Jimbo: Hi Derrick. You talked about a couple of official scoring changes in a recent Write Fielder, I believe, and you have, in the past, talked about keeping score and holding onto the scorebooks through the years. When an official scoring change is made weeks/months later, do you go back to that game's scorecard and change the scoring as well or make a note or something else?

DG: Yes, I usually do. Probably 97% of the time. If it happens after the end of the regular season -- that's about the only time I may not remember to do it.

Jonathan: Do many fans still keep score at the games anymore? I feel like it is becoming a lost art.

DG: Yes, some do. I saw several buy scorecards and then also keeping score at Wrigley Field just this past week during the season finale series.

Uncle Redbird: If we're looking to pool minor league talent that develops and arrives at the same time, is that likely A and AA players?

DG: Not exactly. But I get where you're coming from. It is definitely a mix of levels, but there could be some Class AAA in there, especially when you're talking about a starting pitcher these days or an outfielder. Like Baez could/should be there in Class AAA and be a part of the group you're describing.

Matt: Can you tease the new project for the offseason? Hoping it's not just clean out the garage or rake the leaves.

DG: Well, crud. Now you've reminded me I need to do those things too. Darn it.

South City Steve: Will DeWitt do his part when the time comes, and greenlight "modern dollars" for free agents/trades? While the draft and develop erosion was the main culprit of this rebuild, trying to spend $18m AAV on a $30m AAV deficiencies also was a major contributor to the lack of playoff winning baseball we have seen since 2016.

DG: Ownership has over the past 12 months consistently said that it would, and it has answered a question using a similar phrase -- pay what the market demands. And Bill DeWitt III recently went on the record to the Post-Dispatch saying that a goal would be to return to top third in attendance, top third in revenue, and top third in payroll -- he mentioned those as connected, and I'm sure you saw the quote in the Post-Dispatch. Or, hope you did.

DA: Dear Mr. Gould, Has Helene Hathaway Robinson Britton ever been considered for induction into the Cardinals' Hall of Fame? I think she would be a significant addition. Thank you for your time.

DG: Yes, though I do not recall how recently she was discussed. She was. I imagine she will be again. Strong case. And there have been lobbying efforts from at least one fan that I know of.

CRay: Want to add my appreciation for Gordo

DG: It's added!

Aaron Knopf: Bloom’s comments about Walker make it sound like his runway now extends to the offseason. So what will Marmol and Brown need to see in Spring Training to decide if he’s cleared for takeoff or sent back to the terminal?

DG: Improvement in pitch decisions, pitch selection, and the work in the cage on his stance that fits his comfort, his size, and still gets the swing that will lead to more success, in the opinion of the coaches.

Botch405: To answer your manager question: I think this fan base is tired of Marmol's word salad and remarks like he made about Matz a year ago when he had given up a six run inning that except for the one inning he threw the ball well! I am resigned to the fact that they will keep him, but this team, under him, did not play consistently tight baseball. They played sloppy, ran the bases sloppy, threw the ball around sloppy (wrong bases, etc) and used the excuse that they couldn't bunt because they didn't know how. When the team has "teachable moments" involving things they should already know, in SEPTEMBER, it makes the fans wonder where the Manager's focus was in April, May, June, etc. I'm sure Ollie is a wonderful guy, his team plays bad baseball. I would go more often to see the same players with a new manager that cleaned up their play. JMO.

DG: Thanks for contributing to the conversation. I have to be honest: I did not expect one comment from a Steven Matz start more than a year ago to be what set your opinion in concrete or any opinion. That is a big of a surprise for me. I appreciate you detailing your feelings beyond that.

Capstone: Let's assume the Cards do better in 2026, above 500, positive run differential. But they might still be 4th in the division. If 2027 has a work stoppage, could be 3+ years to get traction for playoff caliber team. But a more immediate question: what is the best draft position the Cards could get, assuming they are not in the lottery?

DG: They are in the lottery for 2026. They will have a small chance at the No. 1 pick.

DA: How does one lobby for someone's induction into the Cardinals' Hall of Fame? Thank you for your response.

DG: Letters to the Cardinals. Emails to members of the Red Ribbon Committee.

12fan: I live two and a half hours from the ballpark and usually get over 5 times a year for a game. I decided a long time ago that if I only enjoy the games they win I should just stay home. Even the best teams lose 40% of their games. I love the ballagme experience. There is just something magial about walking into a big league ballpark.

DG: Fair point. Thanks for sharing.

Aaron Knopf: Thanks for answering my question on Walker. If you have time for one more, your stories from 2024 showed how Andre Pallante learned from Kyle Gibson. Gibson seems like he’d be a great organizational fit as some kind of assistant coach. Have you heard whether this kind of role would interest him now that his playing career is over?

DG: He is coaching his kids and also running Big League Impact, the charity started by Adam Wainwright. When I've had a chance to talk with Kyle Gibson, those are the things that he wanted to do upon retiring. I will be sure to ask again if he sees himself as a coach at some point. Some connection with the Cardinals sure seems likely given their fondness for him, his proximity to the ballpark, and his interest. He's an asset for sure.

DCG: Derrick: Two questions about the upcoming CBA fight. First, I have a hard time believing the owners really want a salary cap primarily because that would require them to open up their books, a thing they have been staunchly against forever. How do you see that? Second, while the cap will be the main issue, what about reimagining the roster rules and allow a pitcher's taxi squad. With bullpens being asked to carry so many innings now, I don't see how the current model is sustainable unless they would be able to rotate the pool of available bullpen guys and not overwork them in the era of max-effort. Any chance this will be on the table?

DG: 1) Owners may try to seek a salary cap without doing that, and that's only part of why it's a non-starter with the players. As you suggest with your next question, the salary cap is going to be the main issue, and the driving force behind it being the main issue is defining from the get-go before even arguing over how it's split.

2) Yes. Something similar to this has been discussed before. There was, long ago, discussion about that healthy-scratch notion I wrote about and detailed in an article that got some run and mention as a possibility. So, yeah, creative uses of the roster and more roster spots where major-league salary and major-league service time can be accumulated is always a factor.

chico: I'm responding to scorekeepers,why don't they call more errors that should be? These guys are pros. Gordo was the best!

DG: There has been an emphasis on siding with the offense and hits, not errors. Baseball wants more offense. And providing better data for scorers has that result, too, more offense.

LawBird: Re: The Manager/Roster Question.

I went to plenty of games with Matheny managing a good roster, even though he made frustratingly boneheaded tactical mistakes near-daily (one is reminded of the "random number generator" comparison w/r/t Matheny's bullpen management). I think if Bloom gives Marmol a coherent roster construction, his teams will continue to overperform its true talent. So yeah, I'm very excited to go to games managed by Oli as long as the roster has more talent and fits together better.

DG: Thanks for joining in the conversation.

Scott Stewart: What would make be buy tickes? Actions by the Dewitts that show they are as concerned with winning as they are with preserving profits.

DG: You mean with the roster, right?

chico: But when a ball goes by infielders they get charged,but outfielders don't seem to.

DG: Like I said, offense. Two bases or three when it gets past an outfielder.

Paulie: I don't believe fans will buy into any real change happening until the manager changes. I would come much nearer to seeing the same team with different leadership than a different roster with the same leadership in the dugout.

DG: Maybe. I really think this winter could be interesting for the way Marmol takes a part -- a leading role? -- in selling the team and generating interest and messaging. He could be a big part of that public relations effort with the fans.

Hal: I am fine with Oli. But everyone should know the roster needs an infusion of talent.

DG: That is inarguable.

ATLCards: Read and appreciated BHochman's story that provided details on the investments in plaiyer development. Lot of talk about Cards minor league system falling behind and makes sense given calibre of players that came out of it lately. When did the Cardinals reduce spending on development? Did they simply cut the minor league budget and reallocate to MLB team?

DG: It was definitely partly that. It all pulls from the same budget. But it was also the timing. The pandemic and staff trims and layoffs and things like that played a large part, too. So you had a situation where the Cardinals cut their advisors from the front office, and they also reduced some of the minor-league staffing. They were already behind in staffing due to the rising cost of staying competitive and pursuing the top coaches, or the coaches/experts from the independent development groups. The Cardinals at one point looked into leasing a relationship with one of those companies, just to be cost effective. They also had some coordinators/coaches leave -- and then did not fill those positions. Yes, at the same time they took on Arenado's contract in a trade and that added to the cost of the payroll. So things shifted. It was all of these factors coming together.

Tim from NJ: Has Chaim Bloom been asked if he would welcome more former players back as guest instructors in spring training? Secondly, if Daniel Descalso left for another organization do you have any indication that Bloom would prefer an outside influence as a bench coach and shy away from a past cardinal player?

DG: I'm trying to think if Bloom has been asked that specific question, and I cannot be sure, except for I do know that he's at least been open to that because the Cardinals have made those invitations. Adam Wainwright was invited to take part in spring training this upcoming year, and Yadier Molina has also been invited to be a part of spring. And those came from the manager during the time everyone knew Bloom was taking over this offseason. David Freese, too. Ozzie Smith has a standing invite, and that's not going to change. Actions are the answer here more than whether a question was asked.

As for your second question: Good one. There are two candidates for that job that leap immediately to mind for consideration -- Jon Jay, who shadowed in that role this season would be possible, and that's also an entry point for Molina. Also keep in mind Donnie Ecker.

Millo: Derrick, Oli catches a lot of grief about his lineups. Isn't his voice 1 of a few different voices which make those game day decisions?

DG: It's the loudest voice, though. He takes input from plenty of sources, and he leans on his bench coach to take a big part in it. Obviously analytics, front office, training staff, and players also have their roles in it. But the manager writes it. Front office can shape the lineup by choosing the roster. That's the influence the front office can directly exert on the lineup.

Ken: Derrick if I saw this correctly did the Cardinals hire 20 coaches already with more to come ? These guys will be ready to play when they get to the show. Heck they probably are at Jordan’s house now ! Wow

DG: That number is an estimate from over the past year, not past week, and yes there are more to come. They also plan to expand the front office and scouting. This is happening over the next month, and is part of the conversations going on this week at Busch.

EPR: If JJ Wetherholt become a superstar, do you think DeWitt will sign him long term (i.e. 10+ years)? If I recall the longest contract signed was Holliday for 7 years.

DG: Yes, to both fronts. The idea would be to sign him before he's the superstar, and maybe when it becomes clear he's a star in ascension. But yes.

Tarp incident: Who is the most responsible for the drafting of the pitch to contact pitchers in the last 5 drafts? Examples: McGreevy, Cooper Hjerpe, Thompson. These seem like terrible picks for the 1st round.

DG: I'm not exactly sure how to answer this because Hjerpe had the highest strikeout rate in college ball when he was drafted and was considered one of the big swing-and-miss pitchers of his class, so not at all a pitch to contact guy, and similarly with Thompson, who set records for strikeouts at Kentucky and had success missing bats in the SEC. Again, not really the type of pitcher you're describing. Randy Flores led the draft. Setting the draft board is a combined effort with analytics and scouts, and they come to a consensus for the pick -- well, for the rankings and then the pick takes shape based on the picks ahead of them and then the financial agreement that the team can reach, which is on Flores and the signing scout to assure.

Ryan: What’s the dollar range the Cards will have to kick in to move Nolan A? $10-15M. More?

DG: Considering the Cardinals added on the $15 million salary for 2027, that is where conversations have usually started as what they owe. They owe what they added to the deal because it's on them.

Jonathan: Thoughts on Banana Ball?

DG: Pro. It's a great show from what I've seen. I enjoy the creativity. It's introducing baseball to a different audience, or bringing baseball to more fields of play. All of that is fanbananatastic.

Matt: Hjerpe has a career 12k/9. Not sure how that is pitch to contact. I like him, Cooper needs health.

DG: Exactly.

Ken: I asked this earlier Derrick . I just think Bloom is going to have to get a couple starters for depth in the free agent market. These guys young pitchers in the minors just don’t look ready yet. We have multiple injuries and having Pallante going 3 innings just killed the bullpen this

DG: That is entirely likely, yes. Bloom said as much for what he wants to achieve with trades and where he may go shopping in the market.

DCG: How could there be a cap without the owners sharing their revenue details? I mean, I realize the owners could just give a number and say that's that the cap we want, but they have to know that this would never be accepted, right?

DG: Exactly. Now you see the issue.

And if there's not trust between the union and the owners, how can the union trust that the owners are opening up all of the info necessary to arrive at a cap?

Oklama: Hi Derrick. Appreciate your time and energy in the chats. I've been thinking about the direction of the team as it continues its rebuild and the league heads toward what sounds like an inevitable lockout. Do you think there is any validity to the idea that the owners are going to holdout now for a salary cap or other items they want in the CBA more than they have in the past to try and take advantage of the Trump admin's stance against labor unions?

DG: Thanks for the kind words. That's a tough one -- and I would really have to do some more research and reporting to answer this with any degree of certainty. I know both sides are bracing for a work stoppage. We also know that once games start pealing off the schedule, both sides feel the financial pinch in a way that spurs movement toward a decision. We saw this the last time, and the forces that are in play will be the same this time -- with two new, sizable players in the arena: a national streaming deal and imminent expansion. Both need baseball being played to be revenue producers. That's a factor. I don't know how the administration and its attention will shape this. It's not possible for me to say it's predictable, or that what it indicates in Oct. 2025 is going to be what it does in March 2027, and it would probably be foolish for the owners to bank on what they hear now for their actions then.

larry harnly: the cards need a right-handed run producer to play left field. why not have herrera fill that position? doubtful if he can handle catching defensively and stay healthy.

DG: It's a fair question, and the answer -- and maybe even backing for your argument -- lies in comparing the production expected from each position. This past season, the average LF position produced a composite slash line of .246/.321/.403, and the Cardinals' group of left fielders hit .220/.303/.343. At a position like that, you want more thump, more production because the defense isn't usually that necessary to outweigh the bigger, brawnier, better bat. The opposite is true with catcher, where the better defensive play and skill is necessary at the expense some time of the bat. Average catcher in the majors put up a .238/.306/.394 slash line. Closer to LF than maybe we'd both expect; certainly more than I did.

Here comes Herrera with his .284/.373/.464 slash line. A clear impact above average hitter at either position, and significantly so at catcher. And that's the idea. If he can handle the position then he's the superior player there, and it's easier to find a LF who produces above average -- or it should be. Seriously. There are more options for sure. The next question -- and one that the Cardinals will explore in spring -- is whether the cost of 30-40 or more games of Herrera in the lineup is worth Herrera behind the plate. Even if he's reliable or average at catcher, that is a big question for this offense unless it has an alternative ready to go in LF that is superior.

Ken: Luis Gastelum. That’s not fare Derrick.. Can we all have some context? I’ve never heard of him

DG: The right-hander who became closer for the Texas League champs. He has long levers, lean profile, power, and real swing-and-miss stuff. At Class AA Springfield, he had a 4.02 ERA and 10 saves in 62 2/3 innings. And he also struck out more batters (92) than he allowed to reach base (74). He spent some time in spring training with the big-league team as a spare pitcher brought over from the minors. This spring, he'll come to camp as a non-roster invitee, poised to leave an impression.

Jonathan: The Blues made a very unpopular move of combining their television and radio broadcasts. Do you think that this could ever happen to the Cardinals and baseball?

DG: Cardinals say no, repeatedly. And then they say no again. And they have the largest radio network in MLB that commands a different style of product than what you're going to get with a simulcast.

Phil: I appreciate your patience in responding to multiple iterations of the same question on keeping Marmol, but there was an underlying assumption that you didn't address, and I am genuinely curious about it. Do you know whether Oli suffered any lingering loss of trust or respect in the clubhouse due to his handling of the O'Neill and Contreras situations in past years, or did players move on and generally have a positive relationship with him?

DG: You presume there was a lack of trust or respect following either of those events. There was not with the Tyler O'Neill situation. I'm not sure why this didn't resonate with fans at the time or subsequently because it has been written about and discussed often -- but O'Neill understood what happened and why Marmol said what he said, the players understood what happened and why it fell to Marmol to say something, and they all said as much on the record. The manager had to say what the players declined to say when pressed by the media about what happened. They knew the situation. As far as Contreras goes -- that wasn't entirely on the manager, as you know. There were pitchers who played a part, and then there were veterans who tried to mend that fence. Contreras saw that. He picked up on it. And to his credit he worked to mend things, to keep it all together, and to, yes, understand where the manager was coming from as he dealt with comments from pitchers. That was not a great situation for anybody involved, it was clumsily handled as any of them will tell you, and Contreras really stood out for how he handled it. He gained huge respect from his peers in that time. And he's had opportunities to ask out, and he's stayed. And he's had chances to question the manager, and he hasn't, doing the opposite. I understand why you ask, but your question presumes responses that did not happen and thus could not be "moved on" from. The weeks that followed reveal that -- and here we are years later.

Max B: There was a lot of brain drain from the front office (understandably) during Mo's tenure. Of everyone that left to run other organizations, is there anyone that ownership/Mo would've liked to have kept around?

DG: Brent Strom.

Ed AuBuchon: The best bargaining position for the MLB union would 2 highest payrolls in the WS.

DG: ... in 2026?

Paul W.: Catching up on the chat from the start, so just saw your question regarding old manager vs new manager, and I can say that I absolutely don't buy or not buy tickets because of the manager. He is the last person I'm watching on the field, particularly because he is not on the field. He's not striking batters out, or making great plays, or getting key its (or failing to do these things). It's the players, the moments, the unexpected I'm looking for. The manager sets those up (to some extent), but the players make those happen.

DG: Thanks for adding to the conversation, Paul.

Ed AuBuchon: With Schu the new manager of the Rangers might Oli lose a couple coaches?

DG: Possibly. As of this morning there wasn't any movement there.

Not from what I was able to learn.

Matt: Derrick, speaking of managers - taking you back to the '21 season here. I'll be honest, I was not a Shildt fan (mainly lineup construction) and my opinion of the time was that their 17 game win streak saved his job. To my surprise, the org still let him go that offseason. I know the reason was stated as "philosophical differences" but when did those differences take place? During or after the season? Do you think the orginization was thinking of making a mangerial change prior to the season being over?

DG: First, they weren't philosophical differences. I know the team said it, but I hope we can just move on from that after all these years and all the subsequent reporting/coverage. What the team said and why the team made the decision are different things. There were personality differences if you want to go that direction -- or, more precisely, conflicts or clashes. Some of them happened/surfaced in the days immediately after the season. Some had simmered from earlier in the season. There were concerns from Shildt about some of the things the Cardinals were choosing to do (specifically about decision-making and the absence of some formal Cardinals who help set a standard) and there were concerns that some members of the baseball operations could no longer work with Shildt. He had one year remaining on his contract, and Mozeliak would later say it was clear there wouldn't be an extension so better to move on immediately. When the team left LA, both the front office and Shildt expected to talk extension. Mozeliak said as much, on the record. That changed in the following days. I hope that helps with the timeline.

aliveforoverhalf: How do the official scorers for games get selected?

DG: Major League Baseball hires, trains, and what someone has to do and prove to be a scorer is serious.

DCG: But if the owners did that, then they wouldn't be bargaining in good faith. It would be like they were actively welcoming a lockout. Is that the case? Is there any upside for the owners to actually lock the players out? Do they think they'll get massive concessions that way? It's hard to envision.

DG: Yes, that's why they locked out players in 2023. To get concessions. Your questions, in several ways, answer themselves. Both from the union perspective but also from the view of why moves are made.

Paul W.: One other comment regarding evaluating Marmol based on this season: The Cardinals were 9 games over .500 at the end of June, and tanked from there. I can't say that is on Marmol. He didn't suddenly stop being able to manage, or to communicate with the players. He didn't start doing things differently. You can't blame him for the back half of the season without crediting him for the first half.

DG: And following that date, the Cardinals traded three relievers, put back together a bullpen that didn't miss a beat, and then played most of August with a handful of expected starters.

Darron: Can we take a minute and recognize the UNBELIEVABLE luck the Cardinals had with the health of their major league pitching? Did we have any starts lost to injury? Or major bullpen absences due to health? Then, let's take another moment of sadness for the awful injury luck that struck most of the other pitchers on the 40 man. My question: Are these just weird trends that we can expect to revert to the mean in future seasons?

DG: They did not have a starter go on the IL for an arm injury. They did not have a starter miss a start until the final day of the season, and even then it was only so Kyle Leahy could get a start. This is the first time in at least 45 years that the Cardinals did not have an arm injury to the group, per research by the Cardinals game day staff.

And it would be entirely fair to say it was luck, except for this ...

The Cardinals outlined their plan in spring training to keep starters healthy, and they gave details to the media who passed them along to the fans all throughout April and May about that plan and how it was shaping in-game and between-game decisions. Dusty Blake articulated it. Oli Marmol explained it. So, it's hard to just say it was luck.

It was partially luck, for sure.

But it was also, as Branch would say, the residue of design.

Chris: As a fan, the Chaim Bloom quote that meant the most to me and I'll be watching is "we're not conceding anything". I get not going after the stars in free agency but every year there are players on 1 or 2 year deals that make the all star team by exceeding expectations (usually for the Brewers). If he goes after players like that with some upside on short deals or non tenders where we do not have a young player ready, I'm good. I think the organization will gain some good will by demonstrating they are proactively trying to get better.

DG: I like how you presented this, and I too am eager to see how this plays out by the standards you've set here. Entirely fair.

Ken: And by the way The Post Dispatch has a good one in Lynn. I really like his stuff. He has a little of Ben Fred’s fire. You guys keep up the good work

DG: Thanks. And indeed!

milyabee: Our pitchers enjoyed an unprecedented level of health this year. How much of that can be attributed to Oli, Dusty, and staff? As we potentially look to fill a spot in the rotation, do you think FAs will take that into account? Seems like guys stand to lose big future earnings if they have a major injury.

DG: A significant amount. And give the pitchers plenty of credit, too. And it stretches back two years. And, yes, free agents will take note -- if not because they know about it but because of the plans that the Cardinals will bring to them as a sales pitch for signing with them. The role that Blake, Marmol, etc. play in that will be part of the conversation with free agents and their agents and they'll have detailed idea of the plan they'll put in place when they're making the offers.

Brian: I'm hoping what's going on between the Cards and their fans is less complex than you've described. Cory Doctorow has a new book coming out tomorrow, about the process he's described about how corporIate wealth extraction over time turns services we count on into garbage over time. I think Cards fans fear that has been happening to the Cardinals, and they are irate. The Cardinals are just not an institution where people are emotionally able to accept that process, and this year they bailed. I'm optimistic though because I don't think that's really what's been happening. I don't think it's a process of maximum wealth extraction no matter the effect on the product. I think it's just garden variety people making mistakes. They'll try harder/do better and I'm optimistic the fans will recognize the institution isn't going through Doctorow's process and will jump back on board. Also... kudos to the Post Dispatch. I think y'all are trying hard to give people value, this chat and other things like that being examples.

DG: Interesting thoughts here, and I'm eager to look into Doctorow's book. I enjoy his work, and it really sounds like this is something that could generate a lot of conversation. Thanks for the kind words. I tend to veer toward reasons aren't complex, they're just varied. It's the solutions that are complex because the reasons are so varied. But, in this case, as we've now heard often -- winning sure helps. Helps most of all.

Thanks for the kind words on the Post-Dispatch. I appreciate how you put it because that is on my mind daily.

12fan: Early in the year I was excited about Victor Scott II. As the year wore on he seemed to wear down. He completely lost confidence at the plate and then stuggled a few times with where to throw the ball. Any explanation for his fade?

DG: Nothing more than the obvious. It's a brutal league. It's designed to get hitters like him out, and adjustments are tough and experience is rocky. And all of those things played a factor, as did the fact that he spent the year with a team intent on giving him the chance to gather that experience at the highest level. He's better for it, and it sure seemed like there were distinct improvements toward the end. He has momentum.

q: Mr. Goold, I'm a subscriber because of your contributions and those of Daniel Guerrero, which is not to ignore the contributions of others on the sports page and those who see your work to print, including editors and copy editors. Thank you. The past few years, the Cardinals have made me feel exasperated, the reasons for which I attribute to Mo’s actions and Dewitt’s lack of action around development. Perhaps my reaction lacks nuance or understanding. I’d welcome your thoughts. Bloom's comments about Walker are one way to describe what I mean. When Bloom speaks of the importance of Walker's off-season, I infer that this young player has been prematurely forced to learn at the major league level as pitchers found and exposed holes in his swing. Hitters need to adjust and to develop, but the pressure put on Walker has been immense given the lack of middle of the order bats. Mo built the roster and, I believe, insisted Walker be on it. Dewitt crowed he’s always been a development guy, but he deprived his minor league teams of staff and resources, unlike those other clubs that caught up on such secrets as players with more certain outcomes. Hence my exasperation.

DG: There's a lot of what you write here that is fair -- but also easier to see in hindsight than at the moment. You have the gift of seeing how it played out for Walker, and they at the time three years ago did not. There has been a lot of internal review and discussion about how this is gone -- but not as much as there has been talk about what to do next. They cannot change the past three years. They can act for the next one. I would only really take issue with the idea that Mozeliak insisted Walker be on the roster. I didn't see it that way at the time, and I'm not going to project on the past that way now. There was pressure from many places to put Walker on the roster to start that year, not the least of which was the lack of an alternative because of spending elsewhere. I think the Cardinals' inability to maintain an edge -- wait, scratch that. The Cardinals' inability to find the next edge and how various attempts stalled along the way (it wasn't like they didn't see what was happening; they just had attempts to catch up slowed at times) caught up with them. All while urgent moves at the major-league level did not prompt them to make the one more move to fortify the lineup for a truly urgent run of contention. I wrote it in 2019: The worst place for an organization to be is in the middle, and it was still true in 2023 and 2024.

Avi Loeb: Hi DG, Daniel had a nice article about Baez's adjustments and breakout. Do you have any insight to how the new FO regards him internally? Like what they think his ceiling could be? or his median outcome? Is he the middle-of-the-order OFer that we all hoped Walker would become?

DG: They are high on his upside, his toolset and what he could bring, for sure. He has been mentioned as an impact prospect who made great strides, and the front office recently used him as an example of how not all development is linear and sometimes it takes patience to really see what a player is capable of. Baez was mentioned, Walker, and Chase Davis, was too.

Mike in KC: Perhaps the chat needs to reach Hochman's article from a few weeks ago -- Marmol has been an above Pythagorean manager. Meaning he has led teams that have won more than they were expected to win. His biggest problem: he's had bad teams. Is it any surprise that bad teams don't win as much as fans want them to?

DG: When fans aren't used to seeing those type of teams wearing this specific jersey ... perhaps.

But it's articles and conversations like this that help in that regard.

Asking for a Friend: Derrick, congratulations on another well documented season of Cardinal's baseball. Your insights and writing have laid another brick onto your pathway to Cooperstown. There is far too much pessimism following the transition of power from Mozeliak to Bloom. The Cardinals have several good long term pieces in place, the farm system will soon deliver two critical rotation pieces in Matthews and Doyle (Late in the 26 season), a potential all-star infielder in Wetherholt and potential lynch pin at catcher in Rodriguez. The bullpen, after the trade deadline also showed it had several promising pieces for the short term. The focus on player development showed some success with Joshua Baez producing a stellar season and the duo of Mautz and Henderson showing continued progress. All in all, the organization is in a positive position to turn this around in two years. The uproar over Marmol still being employed is a bit dramatic. Bloom will continue to evaluate Marmol and as this team continues their climb upward, if Marmol cannot adjust to the elevated expectations I expect Bloom to make a change when the time is appropriate. Rome wasn't built in a day. What say you?

DG: First, thank you for the tremendous compliment. That's heady territory. Heavy bricks, if you will.

Second, I think you outline well -- especially from the vantage point of where the team feels it has made strides and positioned itself.

My only addition here would be to add in some skepticism -- because no team is going to be able to contend consistently and sustain it if it only relies on homegrown talent. Homegrown core? Sure. Homegrown pitching? Not entirely. However the Cardinals reimagine or retool or rebuild or revitalize their ability to contend at some point they will have to add from the outside and meet the cost of doing business to do so. That isn't entirely cash, but ultimately it will take some spending of cash -- either to lock in players they acquire via trade or to outbid opponents or outwit opponents in who they sign as a free agent. And if fans are skeptical about the Cardinals doing that, that's fair -- until the team does. Ownership and leadership says it will augment a homegrown roster when it is ready to contend. OK. But there is a shortcut to being in contention while also developing. It takes spending their too. We've seen that work for teams. And I can see why fans would want that to work for the Cardinals too and be frustrated when the club takes another route.

Avi Loeb: Hi Derrick, thanbk you for your coverage this season. I hope you and your colleagues can enjoy some much deserved rest before the GM and Winter Meetings. Is there any word on whether the injured pitching prospects will be ready to go for the spring. I've seen on social media that Holiday and Hjerpe are at least playing catch. Will they? or Hence, Robberse? I assume Roby is likley out for all of '26 given how late in the season he underwent TJ.

DG: Yes, there is some word on that. Holiday and Hjerpe should be. Hence, yes. They are working with him on some training and mechanics that they think will give him better durability, and, yes, at some point in time they're going to talk about his role and if it's starter or relief. Robberse ... I'm not sure on the specific timetable. That's my failing. Roby may miss the entire 2026 season when it comes to non rehab-assignment outings. He could pitch late in the year and see some competition, but that is way way way off and not possible to really know giving how it will be based on how he responds to things he's not yet done on his rehab.

Tim from NJ: Where will the Cardinals select in the next draft? Are they eligible as a lottery pick again?

DG: We don't know yet because, yes, the Cardinals are eligible for the lottery.

Jonathan: About how many questions about the Cardinals generally come to a chat? Is there more, less, or about the same than just a few years ago? Thanks!

DG: There appeared to be several hundred in total today. It's hard to get an exact read because the window that I have peering into the questions only allows me to view 5-8 at a time, depending on how long they are. I don't get to see them all, honestly, especially when a dozen or so come in at the same time.

The amount of questions varies based on the time of year, the level of anger/angst, and what the team did recently. A change in the front office is a significant boost for questions, to be sure.

Sofa Kingdom: How do you see the outfield looking next year? Will VSII be the regular, everyday CF (his defense is stellar) and can he show enough offense to merit being a regular?

DG: The only guarantee at this point is Alec Burleson is out there if he's not at first base. There are many variables for the OF at this point, and it could see changes based on trades or offseason reviews.

Given the content of their end of season conversations, Lars Nootbaar and the Cardinals sure seem to want him to be a part of it, but they'll also see what other teams are interested.

Jonathan: Compliments to "The Write Fielder" It is always welcome to see and will be welcomed this winter. Could one issue (among many) for the "stagnation" with the fan base be that this team over the past few years has not seemed to have a large personality presence for fans to relate to and connect with? Just my two cents...

DG: Could be indeed. I would present that it did have those personalities, but they struggled to produce consistently or at the level that would amplify those personalities. Look to Nolan Arenado. If he was having his typical season, he has the the personality and style of play and performance than that would bring people to the ballpark.

Ben: As and Indiana basketball fan who had to watch beloved son Mike Woodson try and fail to lead the Hoosier basketball team, the idea of Yadi being manager of StL during a rebuild doesn't seem as much of a slam dunk as some people think. Molina and Pujols are both great baseball minds who I would love to be around the team, but there have been plenty of baseball greats who have had nowhere near the success in the dugout as they had on the field...

DG: I appreciate how this has surfaced as a topic and the thoughtful takes that have come along with it today. Well done.

Ed AuBuchon: So Alec Burleson won't be traded?

DG: I didn't say that, exactly. I guess it's going to be that kind of winter around here. This is a good reminder, and I'll aim to do better. The Cardinals are going to explore offers. Burleson has earned a spot in the planned outfield. Does an offer change that? Yes.

Or, rather, could an offer from another team change that? Yes.

He could also be at first base because the Cardinals found a deal that is agreeable to them and Contreras and away they go. There are a lot of things in play here.

Paul W.: Those complaining about the clubs of today didn't live through the 1970s or the 1990s. Even with the lack of success the last few years (with two years of sub-.500 records), it doesn't match the 1990s for mediocrity. I'm sadder about the possible ending of the HoF streak on the roster than this past season's outcome.

DG: That Hall of Fame streak is something to watch -- but we'll only know it in hindsight.

Millo: Derrick with the off season approaching, what does the chat schedule look like? Will they be weekly or spread out more? Makes the winter go much faster. Hopefully a lot to talk about.

DG: As of right now, the plan is the usual -- Cardinals chats every Monday, pending some conflict with news or the occasional travel to cover news. Daniel Guerrero and I will be at the keyboard for the Cardinals chat. I believe next week's chat will be from the road and less of a marathon, but still on Monday. Also, look for additional chats scheduled, per usual, from the winter meetings. All of that will be set up and scheduled in the coming weeks to fit with the constant Cardinals coverage.

Capstone: Which teams have a need/interest in a right handed first baseman/DH if Cards are open to trade?

DG: We'll know more in the weeks after the World Series, but potentially the Yankees.

The Reds.

The Brewers.

The Mariners.

The Orioles?

The list of teams that don't might be shorter than the list of teams that do.

Alright, this seems like a good spot to conclude the chat.

Tremendous discussion about the position of manager, the feelings of fans, and the topic of stars becoming leaders during a rebuilding era. That's just all great stuff. This has been a fantastic way to start the offseason. And the chat has set the bar high for the chats to come. Well done. Thanks for the great questions. I'll be sure to pass along your compliments to Jeff Gordon as well.

The chat will return.

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