Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Is the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2026 SEASON Already DOOMED By NL Central Improvements?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Life in the NL Central continues to get more and more difficult for the Cardinals. And the harsh reality is this team might be in last place when it's all said and done in 26. Can we handle that as fans? This is Locked on Cardinals. You are Locked on Cardinals. Your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked on podcast network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardinals fans.

Starting point is 00:00:30 I'm J.D. Hafforda, a former national radio sports anchor born and raised in St. Louis and a lifetime Cardinals fan and welcome in to another episode of Lockdown Cardinals. Part of the Lockdown Podcast Network now, the number one sports podcast network. Thank you to our everydayers for always being here with us. And if you are new, welcome in. Hope you enjoy the content. This is a show serving Cardal Nation and giving you all the info about the birds on the bat. Today's episode brought to you by our friends at Fandul.

Starting point is 00:00:53 It is the last call for football on Fandall. If you're a new customer, good news. Bet just $5. Get $200 in bonus bets if you went. Very simple. on today's show, the Cardinals announced today that they've made a decision on their telecasts for 2026. We've got the latest on the Brendan Donovan rumors after some interesting dialogue that came out of Seattle this weekend. But we're going to start today with it's another one of those bad news, good news type of situations.

Starting point is 00:01:18 It all kind of depends on how you look at it. The bad news, first off, how about a big superfinger to the groundhog who saw his shadow and has cursed us with six more weeks of winter as if we needed a reminder of how miserable Things have been outside. My toes are freezing. They're like they're still thawing out from all the snow and stuff. But getting past that, good news is it is February. It's Groundhogs Day, which means we've got spring training beginning this month. In fact, it's back in just 10 days from now.

Starting point is 00:01:50 On the 12th, pitchers and catchers will report. First full squad will be on the 16th. And that makes baseball nerds like myself very, very happy. I'm excited to have the season back. But 2026, it ain't going to be. easy, folks. It's going to be quite different than what Cardinals fans are used to because despite not putting their best foot forward in free agency last year, which we know, they only signed film a time. But the idea that a team centered around names like Sunny Gray, perennial all-stars,

Starting point is 00:02:20 like Sunny Gray and Nolan Aronado and Wilson Contreras, Brennan, Donovan, Mason Wynn, and more. At least there was some sense of hope that this team could and would compete for, at the very at least a wild card spot in the National League. And for a while, they were in the running for it. And it was fun. And we had a good time. But then reality sit in and things went south. And many of us believed going into the season last year, myself included, that they'd

Starting point is 00:02:48 finished right around 500. And they were close to that, 78 and 84. The hope was that, you know, if you had some guys outkick their coverage, to put it in different terms, since it is Super Bowl week, you know, They were able to do that play better than maybe we thought they were going to that they might have a shot at a wildcard spot, but alas, did not happen. And it was a lot of the same old same old, which made 2025 really feel like a waste of a season because not only did the hurdles not win anything. They didn't really get a jump on the whole reset that we all knew was inevitably coming. They just hovered and kind of waited for Mo to get the hell out of his share.

Starting point is 00:03:27 so Hym could get into this thing and start moving forward with life for the Cardinals, which he has done with the trades of Sunny Gray and Nato and Willie, perhaps Donnie and Jojo go at some point too. But those first three were the ones that had to go, right? They had to get rid of those guys. They had to move on. They ended up adding pitching depth at the major league and minor league levels. That had to happen as well because they were so thin.

Starting point is 00:03:53 They had to move on from, and I hate to pick on them, but just, you know, a veteran like a Miles Michaelist type. Like they needed to move on from that stuff. Like we don't need this where we're overpaying for older guys. Like it was time to just get rid of that. So now that the the financially painful and emotional side of saying goodbye to some of these guys, they played very well in a Cardinals uniform or done, the Cardinals are left with an extremely young and very inexperienced starting rotation

Starting point is 00:04:22 and average to below average bullpen, in my opinion. a group of young position players that will have a chance to learn and grow together as a team at the major league level. But there's going to be growing pains when you go to that. There's certainly upside here, but the floor is quite low as well because of the uncertainty that surrounds a young team like this. And because of that, you're starting to see the wind total predictions are creeping in. And the Cardinals are right around 70 to 71, depend on where you look. We're going to role with Fandall because they are friends of the show. So Fandle has them at 71. And that basically it takes you back to 2023, where they were 71 and 91, which was a miserable season.

Starting point is 00:05:10 For the rest of the division, they got Pittsburgh at 77, Reds at 82, Brewers at 83, Cubs at 88. All of these teams in the division have improved. The Cardinals included, the Cardinals, in my opinion, have improved what the big. overall plan was. But for 26, the rest of this division has taken bigger strides, made bigger steps. The pirates made some free agent signings. They had that big

Starting point is 00:05:36 trade with Tampa Bay to boost the offense to go along with the rotation that features Paul Skeens and Mitch Keller and Jared Jones, if he's healthy, top pitchy prospect, Bubba Chandler is here. The Reds just brought back E. E. E. E. E. E. E. E. Haneo Suarez on Sunday to add some thump to their lineup. The features L.A. La Cruz and South Stewart,

Starting point is 00:05:52 Noel V. Marte. They got a solid rotation. arguably the best one in the division with Hunter Green, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, Chase Burns. They were a wild card team last year with these guys. The Brewers, they did trade away Freddie Peralta, but they've done this before with Josh Hader and Corbin Burns and Devin Williams. You know, they see a star. They usually move on from that guy when he's going to become a free agent. And until they actually fail at one of these big moves that they have made over the years, I'm going to side with them and say they'll get through it without any problems.

Starting point is 00:06:28 They're coming off the 97 win season. They've got one of the best farm systems in baseball. I'm assuming they'll just plug some people in and they'll figure it out. And then there's the Cubs who, yeah, they lost Kyle Tucker, but they did sign Alex Bragman. They revamped their bullpen. They added Edward Cabrera to their rotation from the Miami Marlins. All signs are pointing to the Cardinals finishing in last place this year. I hate saying that out loud, but that's probably going to be what happens,

Starting point is 00:06:57 unless something catastrophic happens to some of these other teams. The pirates are the closest thing that could fall apart and fall back into the cellar again. You know, if skeins gets hurt, heaven forbid, because you don't like seeing injuries to anybody, but if skiing gets hurt, they're in trouble. If Mitch Keller goes down, they'll be in trouble. But you can't really sugarcoat this thing for the Cardinals or spin it using a bunch of ifs and butts to make them look better than what they really are. And the question I have really is, are fans ready for that? Can fans accept this?

Starting point is 00:07:37 Knowing that this is the pill, the big L pill that we have got to swallow for one year at least to get back to being the Cardinals organization that we're used to seeing, that we grew up being a part of. Personally, I'm ready for it. I was ready for it after the 2024 season. I didn't want to see them go through the motions again this year with that group. It was a shame that they couldn't get deals done last year, that certain players didn't want to leave St. Louis yet. That was a bummer because, again, 2025 ends up being a lost year because I don't feel like I learned anything.

Starting point is 00:08:12 I didn't gain anything. Hardly at all. Mason win got better, you know, as a defender. Great. we didn't get to see Gorman the way you wanted. You didn't get to see Walker the way you wanted, you know. Burleson became better. We got to see McGreevy come up,

Starting point is 00:08:28 a Livertore, got to become a starter. But we didn't learn as much as I wanted to. And this is going to be the year that I think we're going to get to that point. I mean, I'm just, aren't you glad that they ripped off the Band-Aid? Like, that's how I keep thinking about it. It's like you had this Band-Aid and you've got a wound that is what the Cardinals organization was. And you're covering it.

Starting point is 00:08:49 with a Band-Aid, you know, you had these guys that, they're going to keep you around and, you know, you're not going to become what the White Sox became or what the Rockies have become. You're not going to fall to those depths, but you're not going anywhere. And so finally they've ripped this Band-Aid off and it stung. Don't get me wrong. I don't like watching good baseball players leave our team.

Starting point is 00:09:12 I don't want to see Sunny Gray and Wilson Contreras and Nolinarrae be successful in another spot. I wanted them to win in St. Louis, but this had to happen, and now the healing has begun. There are reasons to be optimistic, for sure, specifically with the rotation. A lot of new names to go along with Libertorte, André Palante and Michael McGreevy. You brought in May, you brought in Dobbins, you brought in Fids. Leah's going to get a crack at the rotation. I would much rather watch that happen than see Fetty in Michaelis coming in or any other overpriced veterans at the time. come in and just fill the spy and eat innings.

Starting point is 00:09:52 I don't want to see that crap again. You got the beginning of the JJ Weatherhold era on the horizon. Gorman's finally going to get back to third base where he's most comfortable. Hopefully that helps him mentally and everything works out with him. Burley, full time at first base, finally has a position to call his own. Victor Scott and Jordan Walker have been working tirelessly this offseason on their swings. Yvonne Herrera, another year in his career. As a slugger, we'll see if he can figure it out behind the plate.

Starting point is 00:10:18 Mason win, gold glover, knee is healthy. There are things to be optimistic about and excited about. But the expectations are that this team will finish in last place. And that's a tough thing to accept when we've been as good as the cardals have been for so long. And now we're heading into spring training and we're all excited. And we're like, yeah, finally we're getting baseball back. But at the same time, we're going to get baseball back that is set to face. in 2026. Most people think that's what's going to happen. And when I say fail, I mean, fail in the

Starting point is 00:10:51 win-loss column because it won't be a failure if these players, these young players, make the steps and the strides that they're hoping that they will in 2026. So there's a way to still get some good out of this upcoming season despite not getting the wind total that you want. But I just hope everybody's ready for a season that seems destined to be a last. place team, despite all the young talent that they do have. And maybe they'll surprise us. And that would be great. But the reality is, it might be a long year, might be a long year.

Starting point is 00:11:27 Are you up for it? That's really the question as a fan. Are you glad they're going in this direction? Or are you salty that this is where it's gotten to? Let me know in the comments section. Up next, we're going to talk about Brennan Donovan. Because as of right now, he is still on this team. So we'll talk about what they said in Seattle over the week.

Starting point is 00:11:44 And it's got people going, hmm. We'll talk about it next on Lockdown Cardinals. It's the last call for football on Fandall, one final Sunday, one last kickoff. The final chance to get in on the action before the NFL season officially comes to a close. This is Super Bowl 60. In case you're wondering, and Fandul is making sure you're right in the middle of it with a special offer just in time for the biggest game of the year, whether you're backing the favorite, riding with the underdog or building one last same game parlay. This is the game everyone's been waiting for because whoever wins is going to hold that Lombardi trophy.

Starting point is 00:12:25 up high in the sky at the end of it all. This is where predictions turn into plays, stats, turn into storylines, and every snap feels bigger. It's the perfect way to cap off the season and make the Super Bowl even more exciting from kickoff to that final whistle. Seattle, New England, who are you rolling with?

Starting point is 00:12:41 I've been asked this at least a dozen times over this weekend, out with people. And I can't go against Seattle in this one. I have family that are from Boston and then are rooting for the Patriots. And I, cool if they win. But my eyes say Seattle. My heart, I'm rooting from a family member, but my eyes say Seattle.

Starting point is 00:13:05 But it's up to you. If you're a new customer, you bet just $500, get $200 in bonus vets if you win. Make it count, though, because after the Super Bowl, the season is over, sadly. Last call for football on Fandall, an official sportsbook partner of Super Bowl 60. Visit fandle.com to get started. Thanks for making it locked on card. That's your first listen of the day. Thank you for making.

Starting point is 00:13:28 Locked on the number one sports podcast network. You already live your team every day. Why not take it up a level and go add free? You can join the everyday air club today and get locked on Cardinals with no interruptions. Plus that member's only Discord access, which includes a group chat just for listeners of this show. You get all of that for just $5 a month and $50 a year. Go to Locked on STL Cardinals. That supercast.com or check the link of the show notes to learn more.

Starting point is 00:13:52 So Brennan Donovan is still a Cardinal as of, you know, the time is it now. looking at my clock here. So we're, we're creeping up on the two o'clock hour in St. Louis. So still here. He's still on the team. We're getting closer to spring training. As we know, some people are starting to believe that a trade involving Donovan is getting slimmer and slimmer by the day. The teams that have been rumored to be in on him are starting to wither away. One of those teams, the San Francisco Giants, went and signed three-time batting champion, Luis Arise, to fill their second base spot. So you can cross them off the list, which really kind of leaves the Mariners and the Red Sox, at least to me, as the last two standing.

Starting point is 00:14:34 Some believe that Boston might just be content with just rolling with top prospects, Marcel O'Meer, at third in place of Bragman, and then a combo of Romi Gonzalez and David Hamilton at second base. That doesn't do a whole lot for me, but if that's what Boston chooses to do, then so be it. Meanwhile, the Mariners have now lost E. E. E. E. E. E. E. E. E. E. E. E. H. H. O. Hous, who was on the team last year after the trade deadline move lost him to the Reds and had been Williamson, Leo Rivas, Cole Young, and Miles Mastrobone listed at second and third base, but also have their top prospect, Cole Emerson in the mix as well. He could play third. He could play second, I guess,

Starting point is 00:15:13 as well, depending on what they want to do. But this weekend, the Mariners had their version of our winter warmup. They had their fan fest over the weekend. And their president of baseball operations, Jerry Depoto, caught some Cardinal fans' eyes. I was one of them when he spoke about making a final move. Now, here are the quotes that he gave out. There's one more move that we feel like is in and we want to make. We've been grinding hard for the last handful of days to see if we can bring it through and hopefully we do. And then he also added in a different conversation, I do think there is one more player that is coming along for the ride that is not in a Mariners uniform just yet. Interesting comments. Because looking around the league, I have not seen the Mariners linked

Starting point is 00:16:07 with many other teams. Maybe they kick the tires on Nico Horner with the Cubs. I think the Cubs would be foolish to do that. I've said that before. So who the hell is he talking about? Brandon Donovan? Is this alluding to a deal with the Cardinals for Brennan Donovan? Could Jojo Romero be included along with Donovan to help sweeten the Potten get multiple picks, multiple top prospects that the Cardinals have been eyeing up to get them back? Is that something that's going on? Is that the conversations that's happening? That's what people are wondering. That's what Cardinal fans are wondering. Seattle fans are wondering too. They're scrambling too. They're like, okay, who's the move? What are we doing? What's it? What's up?

Starting point is 00:16:48 That nobody seems to really know. I know that Heim Bloom has stated on many occasions that, yeah, we're going to listen on Brendan Donovan, but we're not going to just give him away. That's not going to happen. You know, we don't have to trade him. So far, they've stood strong and haven't moved him for lesser offers. But none of us really know. We know the Cardinals want to maximize their return on Donnie, if they're going to deal them. They don't feel pressured to deal, but understand that he's got some worth at this moment.

Starting point is 00:17:27 They got to listen. If somebody's going to call and ask about somebody, they're more than happy to listen. Doesn't mean they have to accept the deal. But he's got worth right now. They're not going to hand him over. You're going to have to give them what they want. You don't need to meet their demands on the Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:17:41 And they just appear like they're more than happy to move into camp with Donovan on the squad. It's not a bad thing to have Brin and Donovan on your team, clearly. Fans are kind of split, though. Like if you go into the comment section, you can see people discussing whether it's a good or bad thing that Donnie comes back. Fans, you know, on one side will argue that once again, we're hanging on to an asset a little too long. Mo used to do this crap.

Starting point is 00:18:05 He would hang on to people too long and then their worth would get worse and worse. And then when you finally traded him, you didn't get what you wanted in return. Just recently, Ryan Helsley, I know they got a decent package return for the Mets. But remember, the thought was they were going to move him in the offseason and after he was coming off being the best closer in the national league. he was not the best closer in the National League in 2025 before he got traded. Maybe hung to him too long there. There's been other examples of this.

Starting point is 00:18:35 If you go ask a Boston Red Sox fan, what was one of the problems with High Bloom in Boston? Great as far as developing, you know, young talent, but a little nervous to make a deal. Had to make the Moogie Betts deal. We know that. That blew up in their face. That wasn't all on him. But that's what that's what. they'll tell you that he was a little hesitant to pull the trigger on certain deals.

Starting point is 00:19:01 That's how some people feel about this, you know, that he's got more worth now than he will later down the road. So you need to deal him immediately or you're going to risk him losing what value he's got. Things could get worse and then you get rid of him for nothing. The other side will say that Donnie is the kind of guy that you should hold on to in the first place and build around if nobody meets your, you know, the things that you want. and should be extended rather than dealt away. If you don't get what you're seeking in return,

Starting point is 00:19:31 you should be keeping somebody like Brennan Donovan. For obvious reasons, he can do a lot of great things for the Cardinals. He's a great guy, great clubhouse guy, great dude on the field, can play multiple spots. These are the guys you want to keep around. I think both of these things can be true at the same time. I don't think there's a one side's right, one side's wrong here. In my opinion, it just has the Cardinals in a good thing.

Starting point is 00:19:55 position because either way they go, they're probably going to do something positive for the organization. If you deal them and you get the top prospects you're looking for, good for you. If he sticks around and ends up being on your team in 2026 and ends up being an important veteran on a team that doesn't have a whole lot of those to help these guys grow, that's awesome too. The one negative is if you are planning to deal him no matter one, What if there's no even thought of extending Brennan Donovan, then now appears to be the best time to go ahead and pull the trigger on something. So we'll see if I'm Bloom and Jerry Depoto can figure this thing out in time.

Starting point is 00:20:38 If Donnie does get moved and Lars isn't ready for opening day because of the heel surgeries, it does make you wonder who's going to be in left field to start the season. Are you going to have a Fermin, a Sejee, a Herrera, a Nathan Church? Are they going to sign somebody? Miguel Anduhar is still out. there. Randall Gritchick, as I've mentioned, seems like he'd be a pretty good platoon fit, in my opinion, as far as a right hand of bat. Starling Marte, our old buddy Tommy fam is still floating around there too. They need a right hand of bad. They still need one

Starting point is 00:21:07 of those that can play in the outfield. And eventually the Donnie saga, it's going to come to an end. And hopefully they'll address that when it finally does. We'll see. One thing that did come to an end is what the hell is going to happen with the Cardinals TV telecast. Up next, The Cardinals have made a decision. They are launching Cardinals. com. TV for telecast this season. Got details about it coming up next for you on Lockdown Cardinals. Thanks for making Lockdown,

Starting point is 00:21:40 your first listen of the day. Thank you for making Lockdown on the number one sports podcast network. Now in a statement from the Cardinals on Monday, it was announced, which was good to hear that there was finally some finality to all of this, that Major League Baseball will produce and distribute all-in-market St. Louis Cardinals games for the 2026 seasons. Fans will be able to watch games on traditional cable and satellite providers as well as through Cardinals.tv, the MLB direct-to-consumer streaming platform accessible from the MLB app or MLB.com with no blackout restrictions. And a statement by Cardinal Senior VP of Business Operations, Anuk, Karunerotny, our top priority is making sure that Cardal's fans can watch their team as easily as possible.

Starting point is 00:22:24 Whether you prefer cable, satellite, or streaming, you'll have uninterrupted access to. to every in-market game through this new model. MLB brings world-class production capabilities, and we're excited about what this means for the future of Cardinals broadcasts. Fans can purchase a Cardinals.tv streaming subscription when packages go on sale on February 10th. Cardinals.tv can be purchased for $99.99.99 for the full season, or you can go 1999 per month.

Starting point is 00:22:54 Information on cable and satellite providers, including specific channel locations, will be announced at a later date. With today's announcement, the Cardinals become the 8th team whose local games will be produced and distributed by MLB, joining the Diamondbacks, Guardians, Padres, Rockies, Twins, Mariners, and Nationals.

Starting point is 00:23:13 In recent seasons, M&B produced, local games have incorporated national level innovations, including live drones, wire cam, right-field cameras with a shallow depth of field cinematic look, and two umpire cam formats, the mask-mounted camera behind home played, and the chest mounted camera in the field.

Starting point is 00:23:31 These broadcasts have also delivered unprecedented player access, introducing multiple first of their kind moments for MLB local coverage. MLB has won sports Emmy Awards for its local game production of the Padres and Twins, while MLB Network has won multiple national sports Emmy Awards for its game production since 2009. Additional information, including television broadcasters, and the 2026 spring training broadcast schedule will be announced in the coming weeks. Now, as far as the broadcasters go, according to our guy, Jeff Jones, over at the Belleville News Democrat, Chip Carey, Brad Thompson, and Mark Sweeney

Starting point is 00:24:05 are all expected to remain in their current Cardinals broadcast roles. However, changes are expected in personnel. Jim, the Cat Hayes, will return in a more limited capacity, as had been planned even before the Main Street Sports departure. Alexa Datt, who recently accepted a similar position with their hometown nationals, has left the St. Louis market, so we will not see Alex. and her blonde locks on TV anymore, which is a bummer because she did a great job. But it does remain unclear whether MLB produced broadcasts will continue with the current Cardinals pre and post game show format,

Starting point is 00:24:40 which frequently featured Alexa or Scott Warman or Al Roboski. So there are still plenty of things that still need to be answered as far as what's going on on the TV side, but at least this whole side of it, it's settled. cardinals. TV. That's where you're going to have to go to get your, get your Cardinals broadcast this year. And the idea is just to, you know, stop blackout issues within the Cardinals viewing area.

Starting point is 00:25:08 So hopefully this is a win. It seems like it'll be fine. I don't have any issues with it. I hope you don't either. But once again, cardals.tv is where you're going to want to go to get more information about this. So there it is. Thanks for making a lot of time.

Starting point is 00:25:23 Cardinals, your first listen every day. Maybe you haven't already. Please give us a follow on X at L0 underscore Cardinals at a JD Sports Radio. We're still on TikTok. We're still on Instagram at Lockdown Cardinals. We've been putting out a lot more shorts recently. So hopefully you've gotten a chance to see those. Please like, subscribe on YouTube, help our channel and love for the Cardinals grows.

Starting point is 00:25:39 We make the push for 14,000 subscribers. If you never miss an episode, a reminder that every day or club, it's here for you guys. Get locked on Cardinals ad free. Members only Discord access. Just head to Lockdowns.cadon SGL, cardinals. dot supercast.com to join the club. For those of you on video, we'll send you to that first ever 24-7

Starting point is 00:25:56 National Locked-on Podcast Network, YouTube channel and audio. Make your second list in Locked on MLB. You guys are the best fans in baseball for a reason. We'll see you next time on Locked on Cardinals.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - Is the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2026 SEASON Already DOOMED By NL Central Improvements?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.