Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - St. Louis Cardinals' Free Agent TARGETS Unveiled

Starting point is 00:00:00 A new ranking has the top 50 free agents listed and where their best fits are. How many of them have the St. Louis Cardinals written next to their names. Find out today on 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. I'm J.D. Hafford, a former national radio sports anchor. Born and raised in St. Louis and a lifetime Cardinals fan.

Starting point is 00:00:32 And I'm your host for Lockedon Cardinals, part of the Lockedon. podcast network covering your team every day. A big thank you to our everydayers for coming out each and every single day to be here with us throughout the season. And of course, now in the off season, for those of you who are new to the program, welcome. And we do hope you enjoy all of the Cardinals content that we give you. This is a show that serves Cardinal Nation and gives you all the info about the birds on the bat.

Starting point is 00:00:54 Today's episode brought to you by GameTime. Download the Game Time map, create an account, use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. On today's episode, we're going to talk a little. little bit about the Arizona Fall League. One of the Cardinals pitchers was recognized for his excellence. He's had an excellent start this fall. So we'll get to the info on that. But the main focus today is going to be about free agents. Many fans believe that the Cardinals who hardly spent any money in free agency this past season are going to keep it tight once again this year.

Starting point is 00:01:26 They don't think that they're going to spend a lot. Like if you go through the comments section, you'll see people like they're not going to spend a dime. The DeWits are being cheap. And that's not going to happen. And you have every reason to think that, considering, you know, how they went after things this past off season. And the fact that their focus and their resources have been going into developing players instead, right? Instead of buying free agents, they want to build their own stars, which is the smarter way to go

Starting point is 00:01:58 about it because you're not going to be able to afford the big stars because all the major market teams are going to pick and they're going to get taken away and you're never going to compete with them that way. Their idea is to, you know, give younger players a chance to perform instead of relying on veterans this past year. The possible work stoppage in 2027 is also on the minds of a lot of fans as well, which is completely understandable. I'm in the same boat. I feel like part of this is because of what 2027 might have in store that you know the the idea of like well I don't want to go buy an expensive free agent and then pay him while we're not doing anything. I don't want to get under that and maybe things change and there are new rules that are implemented.

Starting point is 00:02:46 I mean, things could go very differently in 2027 if we have a work stoppage and some things might have to change. But if we're just attacking this as what can we do for 2020? there are some things that can be done. And Heinblim has said on multiple occasions that he believes that ownership will spend. He's never been told they won't. If they decide to find some guys that truly they want to spend their money on and think are going to be a good fit for what the Cardinals are trying to do, they're not just going to go out on some random spending spree like, you know, some of these major markets teams will this year.

Starting point is 00:03:24 You know, a lot of experts believe that the Mets are just going to come. come out and just throw money at everything and just buy everybody and try to compete with the Dodgers that way. They're going to try to fix things with their bank account and not their brains, really, is what they're going to try to do. Cardos are going to operate that way. We know that. But they've got some holes to fill on this roster and signing a couple of free agents to fill those spots is something we'll discuss today. And it makes sense, you know, and again, this is not going out and buying five and six dudes and, you know, revamping this whole thing. It's just plugging in certain spots that you could use a solid free agent.

Starting point is 00:04:02 And that's kind of how you want it to be. You want to develop your own talent, build your own stars, and then you massage the roster, if you will, with free agents from the outside. You don't want to have to rely on buying free agents to make your team, you know, to find your star player. You know, you want to have those guys in house already. So Jim Bowden at the athletic, former GM. I'm sure you know who he is.

Starting point is 00:04:29 Released his top 50 free agents. And I've got the article linked in the description and in the show notes. So I want you to go check it out for yourself. But he does this each year. And he adds some commentary to each player talks about the contract and he thinks they're going to get in which teams are the best fits. Now it seemed like the Mets is an easy one for him. He's basically got them down for almost every top free agent in the top 50.

Starting point is 00:04:52 I think all of the top 10 he's got the Mets on there. And it's easy to put major market teams in there. Matt's Yankees, Phillies, Dodgers, Red Sox, Astros, Cubs. They're all in there because, you know, these teams have the funds to get almost anyone they want, you know. And some of them are a little more shy, like the Cubs haven't been spending crazy money the way they probably could or should. But who does he think like the mid-market, small market teams will be looking at that's, you know, that's the interesting stuff to me. How will the Cardinals, if they do choose to spend attack things this year?

Starting point is 00:05:32 In years past, you see the Cardinals probably listed around seven or eight of these guys on the list, not usually the top of the market names, but sprinkled in the middle and the back in there. And it's not really that much different this year. He's got them as a best fit team for four of the 50 free agents listed here. He does not have them among the top 10 free agents. which goes Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwerber, back-to-back, Kyle's. How about that? Pete Alonzo, Bramber Valdez, Bobichette, Alex Bregman, Ranger Suarez, Dylan Seas,

Starting point is 00:06:07 Japanese pitcher Totsuya Aime, I think is how it's pronounced. Tatsya, Tatsya, I may, is how it's pronounced. I don't know, I put a Sue in there for some reason. Tatsa, Tatsia, I may, and then Cody Beliger. Those are your top 10. And I don't think the Cardinals not being linked to any of them is really a shocker. A lot of those guys are going to command crazy money, and the Cardinals are going to do that. All right.

Starting point is 00:06:34 So let's start with the highest ring free agent that he does have them linked to. And that's at number 11. So it's not like it's that far down the list, but it's at number 11. And that's where he's got linked with, that's right, diving back's pitcher and former Cardinals fireman, Zach Gallen. And when I made my list of starting pictures that I thought the Cardinals would look at, I don't know, it was like a week or two ago. Gallon was at the top of my list as well for the Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:07:01 But here's what Jim Bowden had to say about him. Just two years ago, Gallin was the starting pitch for the NL in the All-Star game and finished in the top 10 in the Cy Young Award voting for the third time in four years. He followed that up last year by going 14 and 6 with a 3.65 ERA and was expected to be one of the top three-agent starters in this year's class. However, he had a down year, going 13. to 15 with a 4.83 ERA, a 4.51 FIP over 33 starts. For those of you who don't know what FIP is, because not everybody knows every single term that they use these days because there's a billion of them.

Starting point is 00:07:36 So I get it. FIPP is it stands for fielding independent pitching. And basically that evaluates a pitcher based on things that they can control. So your strike out your walks, your hit by pitches, your home runs. So 4.5.1 FIP, not great. Not great, Bob. Bowden continues saying his rate of strikeouts per nine innings was the lowest of his career at 8.2 down from 9.5 the previous year. He just turned 30. But over the past two seasons, he hasn't been the same pitcher he was at his peak.

Starting point is 00:08:05 Will teams see a pitcher who can compete for Cy Young's again or one who was more of a mid-rotation starter like he was the last two years? He then goes into what it might cost to get gallon salary comps. He goes with Seth Lugo, who had that two-year 46 million with of Wales, Sunny Gray, three years 75 with the Cardinals, Nathan Evaldi, three years 75 with the Rangers, and then you say Cacucci, three years 66.38 angels, I believe is where Cacucci is. So when you look at that, all of that sounds great, right? That's in the Cardinals ballpark. If he was willing to sign a two to three year deal or, you know, 75 million, I feel like the Cardinals will be fine with that. But then he lists the contract prediction. And, And he has got Zach Gallin signing a five-year $135 million deal at $27 million per.

Starting point is 00:09:00 And that is far longer than he's got, you know, than the other names that he brings up there in the salary comparisons. Like we're talking two, three, three, three, and then five, 135 at 27 million per. It's not the 27 million per that you kind of go, what? you don't bat an eye at that, but you bat an eye at five years at $135 million. And I believe that the reason it might get to that point is just because how many teams will be interested in him. The teams that he lists as bet fits, there's a bunch. He's got the Orioles, the Red Sox, the Tigers, Astros, Padres, Giants, Braves, Mets, Cubs, and Cardinals.

Starting point is 00:09:44 That's a lot of competition. And that shouldn't come as a surprise. You know, everybody wants more pitching. It's something you just can't get enough of, which is why the Cardinals are finally putting such a focus on it in their own organization and player development. Does five years sound good for a 30-year-old pitcher coming off of his worst year in the big leagues? No, no, it does not. Of course not. But that's the price of business these days.

Starting point is 00:10:11 And it's why you want to build your own pitchers and star players in your own system. you don't want to have to pay five years and $135 million for a 30-year-old who has had a bad year, is back-to-back years where things have declined a little bit. You don't want to be in that position. Now, if we're going to spend some money, I would spend it on a guy like Gallen. I think he would be an excellent addition. I think his numbers aren't as bad as they seem. I think there's plenty of juice left in the tank there.

Starting point is 00:10:46 I think he could be solid. And if you added him to a rotation and still had Sunny Gray, which everybody still expects that he will likely be traded. There's also a list on the athletic about the top 10 trade candidates. And Sunny Gray was like number seven, I think. So, but if you had, say, Sunny and Zach Gallen and then Liberator and then McGreevy, now we're kind of talking, right? Like, doesn't sound too crappy, does it?

Starting point is 00:11:16 Now, if they deal Sunny Gray, it would open up more money that they could spend on somebody like Zach Gallen, but then you're kind of right back where you were with just three legitimate starters. I know there's other names that are being kicked around to fill out the rotation for the Cardinals, but you got three, really, that you trust right now. So adding somebody like Gallen and making it four, I think that would be wonderful. But a lot of people are going to be after them because a lot of people are in the same boat where they're like, yeah, I don't think Zach Allen is as bad as his past year was. And they're going to want to talk to him as well.

Starting point is 00:11:52 So it kind of depends on where he wants to be. But I like that Bowden thinks that the Cardinals are somebody who will talk to him. And maybe he'd be interested in coming to St. Louis and finally pitching for the Cardinals, never did get up to the big league level with us when he was in our farm system before getting traded away for Marcel Ozuna. All right. So Bowden sticks with pitching for the Cardinals for all four of these spots. So moving forward, we got three more players. All three of them are relievers, by the way. One of them has already been in the organization before and is a former first-round pick.

Starting point is 00:12:23 We'll talk about them next coming up on Locked on Cardinals. The NBA is back and there is no better place to get in on the action than Fandall, the official sports betting partner of the NBA, even if you miss the start of the game or, you know, you want to ride the hot hand. Fandle has live bets on everything from who will score next to fourth quarter comebacks. bro, did you watch what happened on Sunday? Reeves for the Lakers went off on Sunday. You know, the Lakers don't have LeBron or Luca Danschitz right now.

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Starting point is 00:14:05 He does not have them listed under any position players, which doesn't really come as a shock either. Cardinals are kind of full. They got guys they want to see play every day, you know, trading Aronado. Wilson Contrero is probably staying. I don't foresee anything happening there ever. You got a large new bar out now with the heel issues, but there's still plenty of guys that they have in their system.

Starting point is 00:14:34 They would like to see those guys step up and become players instead of going out and spending money. Maybe some backup guys. Maybe that would be something they look into. But we're talking about the top 50 free agents here. So most of them, I don't think one or two, maybe we're considered like role players that he had listed, but he doesn't have the Cardinals link to any of them.

Starting point is 00:14:53 But he does have them listed for the number 34 free agent. And that would be right-handed pitcher Brad Keller, who was with the Cups this past season. So here's what he had to say about Keller. After a career spent mostly in the rotation with Kansas City, Keller made 14 of his 16 appearances in 2024 out of the bullpen, splitting the season between the White Sox and Red Sox. This year, he was in the bullpen full time.

Starting point is 00:15:18 After joining the Cubs, he embraced the role of here, in 68 games and posting an impressive 2.9-4-fip while being an integral part of the Cubs bullpen success. He set himself up for a bright future as a high leverage reliever. The best fits as far as teams for Mr. Keller. He's got the Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, Braves, Phillies, Tigers, Astros. So all these huge markets and that he's got the cardinals. Yay! He lists several relievers, his salary comps, and his contract prediction is two years and $15 million.

Starting point is 00:15:56 Money-wise, this makes perfect sense. If you believe in what Brad Keller did this past year and you look at his baseball savant page, like you like what you see, that type of money, certainly in the Cardinal's spending range, we know that having a deep bullpen can have a massive impact on your season. If there's one thing the Cardinals have been able to do in recent seasons very, very well, is Bill Bullpen's. They've had a strong bullpen the last couple of years. And it's worked out.

Starting point is 00:16:30 You know, this year they're able to trade away from it to get more prospects. And the bullpen was still pretty good even after they made those deals. You know, they've done a good job being able to put those together. And if the cardals want to move Kyle Leahy to the rotation, which seems to be what they want to do. Like if they had a wish list of things to work out in their favor, Kyle Leahy becoming a productive and trustworthy starter is probably right up there at the top of the list of things that they hope happens in 2026. Because that way they don't have to go spend money on another starter. And they could, you know, if they wanted to get just one, that would fill out your rotation. as you wait for other prospects to make their way up and get healthier.

Starting point is 00:17:15 That was another thing is that some of the guys that I'm sure they were hoping would be around in 2026 got injured last year. So don't have them available. But if Kyle Leahy steps in, then that's a big spot in the bullpen, though, that opens up. And since you're not spending money on a starter because you move Leahy up, that means you can spend more money on the bullpen, right? And you can do it on, spend it on somebody like Keller, who was four and two, with a 2.070 RA, three saves and 68 games. It would be a perfect match for that spot that Leahy held down in the bullpen. Again, the baseball savant page is dripping in red for Mr. Keller.

Starting point is 00:17:53 So there's not much to not like about what he offers. Thing is, though, when you hear these other teams, he's already been in Chicago, clearly enjoyed it there. They won, they went to the playoffs, staying with Chicago, makes a lot of sense. But then you got Dodgers. They needed a bullpen help their bullpen sucked this year. the Mets will buy everybody. The Braves, huge market.

Starting point is 00:18:16 Phillies, tons of money, tigers. Detroit's a huge market. Astros, huge market. Would you choose the Cardinals over those guys if they all came calling? How do you want them over to bring them to St. Louis? That's going to be the tough part. The next guy that they list would also be a very good fed. And this is a guy that Cardinal fans should be very much familiar with.

Starting point is 00:18:39 And that's former first round pick, Luke Weaver. who Bowden has listened, Bowden has listened at 36. I always want to call him Bowden because it's spelled like Bobby Bowden, but he pronounces it Bowden. So forgive me if I do that on multiple occasions. But anyway, Luke Weaver, Cardinals first round pick back in 2014 out of Florida State.

Starting point is 00:18:59 He was number 27 overall, same draft where they selected Jack Flaherty, just a few selections later at number 34. Weaver made it to the big leagues with the Cardinals, but ended up being part of that Paul Goldschmidt. deal in 2018. Then he bounced around a little bit. He got traded from Arizona to the Royals, then from Kansas City to the Mariners, who selected him off of waivers from KC. Then he went to the Reds and Free Agency. They released him. Then he signed back with Seattle before the Yankees took him off Seattle's roster via waivers. He was then a free agent again in 2023,

Starting point is 00:19:35 but re-signed with the Yankees. And now here we are in present day. Now here's what Bowden said about Weaver was one of the best high leverage relievers in 2024 for the Yankees, and he had a dominant first half of the season this year, posting a 2.91 ERA. It was a different story in the second half when he posted a 4.40 ERA, and there was speculation that he was tipping his pitches. This winter, teams will have to decide whether Weaver's second half issues are fixable and if he can be the pitcher he was in the first half. The best team fits listed for Luke Weaver. Yankees again, then the Braves, then the Giants, and then it simmers down a little bit. Then he's got the athletics, he's got the Angels, the Orioles, and the Cardinals. Contract prediction, two years, $20 million.

Starting point is 00:20:24 Again, money-wise, it makes sense. It really does. Weaver hasn't started a game since 2023. Would the Cardinals consider having him in a Stephen Matt's type of role where he can be stretched out a little bit? or is this, he's strictly a one-inning guy now? I wonder if that would appeal to him at all. He was not as good as Keller. But his chase, his width, his K-writes, those were all top tier.

Starting point is 00:20:52 Those were all top tier. He was excellent in those aspects. His expected ERA was awesome as well. So there's a lot to work with. And we know here in St. Louis when it comes to like tipping pitches, like we've heard that before, happened to guys. And, you know, we dealt with it with the, Miles Michael is this year, where it was like he was getting shelled and everybody was like,

Starting point is 00:21:11 what happened? And they figured out that maybe he was tipping his pitches a little bit. And then he rattled off like three or four excellent starts in a row. So tipping pitches is a real thing. And if that's what was going on with Weaver, obviously that's something that can be fixed. But both Ian Keller make a lot of sense for the Cardinals. If you're going to spend a little extra dough on a bullpen arm, those are two very capable guys that you would, I'm sure would enjoy having there. I've been impressed by Luke Weaver over the years. And I know he's, again, second half was a little bit of a different issue.

Starting point is 00:21:46 But like the velocity and everything. Like I was like, wow. So now you're starting to see why he was the first round pick. You're starting to see a lot of life in that arm. So that's good. That's good. So I like both of those guys. Make a lot of sense.

Starting point is 00:22:01 One more relief pitcher on the list where the Cardinals are listed as a good fit. The guy's got 90 saves over his last three seasons. So obviously that's going to be appealing. I'll tell you who he is next on Locked on Cardinals. NFL season is back. And honestly, there's nothing better than being in the stadiums surrounded by fans cheering on your team. But let's be honest, getting tickets can be a hassle between the cues, the login screens, and prices jumping at checkout. It is very, very frustrating.

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Starting point is 00:23:57 The Cardinals do not have a typical closer right now. And if they wanted to find one, there are a few of them out there on the free agent market this year. And there are a few that I think would be good fits. But there's only one that Bowden has them as a fit for. And that's former Nationals closer, Kyle Finnegan, who he's got ranked at number four. So here's what he's got to say about Finnegan was a free agent last winter after saving 88 games in his first five seasons in the majors with the nationals, but was disappointed when the best offer came late, a one year $5.38 million deal from Washington. He lived up to that contract and more before being traded to the Tigers, which led to his first postseason opportunity. He saved 24 games during the regular season between the Tigers and nationals and was at his best with Detroit down the stretch with a 1.50 ERA. in 16 appearances.

Starting point is 00:24:51 Best team fits much more reasonable for the Cardinals here. He's got the Tigers listed, which makes sense since they had them. And then he's got the Marlins, the raise, and then the Cardinals. Contract prediction, one year, $6.25 million. Another obvious fit when it comes to how much money you're spending. Similar to Phil Maton this past year has been a solid performer, but not a star, which is a little strange despite the 90s. in the last three seasons.

Starting point is 00:25:20 We know that the, you know, the saves get a lot of attention. So I was, I was shocked that Finnegan didn't get more offers during the last offseason. I was a little surprised. I thought it was something that the Cardinals would look into anyway. I thought that would have been a good addition. They waited and waited and got film made time instead. He's not a huge strikeout guy. He does get strikeouts.

Starting point is 00:25:47 Detroit, when he was with Detroit this year, he was actually. amazing. He had an 11 strikeouts per nine average, which was by far the highest in his career. It was only in the low sevens when he was with Washington earlier in the year. But he's still averaging 96.3 on the fastball. He's got a splitter and a slider. Ground ball percentage, which we know the Cardinals love their ground balls. Keep ball to ballpark. Put it on the ground so that our defenders can take care of it. That was very strong 82nd percentile on baseball savant. So that's plus. You know, the Cardinals have Jojo, Svonson, and O'Brien as closer candidates. But, you know, bringing in somebody who's got some experience as a closer, it's not going to hurt you.

Starting point is 00:26:32 And it's one year, six point, whatever was it at, six point two, that's not going to break you. That's peanuts. Why wouldn't you take a chance on that? And then if things work, you flip them at the trade deadline, just kind of like you did film any time, unless you're winning. then you don't do that, obviously. Another obvious fit. It makes a lot of sense. They don't have a real closer right now.

Starting point is 00:27:01 I know Jojo filled that role in pretty good at the end of the year. But, you know, you kind of want him to have him for the lefties because they don't have a lot of other left-handed relievers. Hellsley filled that role in recent years, also a free agent this offseason. and I'd be surprised if the Cardinals didn't talk with him about coming back to the team on a friendly deal to see if he can kind of resurrect what he's worth because it all went to hell after he went to the Mets, another guy that people thought was tipping pitches.

Starting point is 00:27:34 And that was the problem because the Vila was still there, but people just hit the piss out of his fastball life year. So it feels like a very cardinal thing to do to hit up Elsley again and be like, what do you think? What about a one-year deal with a player option or something like that? What do you think? And Bowden has him listed at number 37 in his top 50, but he's got the best fits as the Pirates, the A's, Tigers, Giants, and Reyes. I don't know how the Cardinals are not included in that. That seems like their area that they're going to be shopping. And he also doesn't have the Cardinals link to Devin Williams either. I found that a little

Starting point is 00:28:10 surprising, although that seems like a very cardinal move to bring in the St. Louis native, right? like he's from St. Louis. Why wouldn't you want to bring him home? Had a rough year in New York and a big city after doing so well with Milwaukee. Let you come back home. We'll get you into a smaller market, not as much pressure. He's got the Brewers, the Braves, the Reds, the Tigers, Rangers, and Giants is the best fits for Devin and Williams. I have no idea why the Cardinals wouldn't be listed there. That makes no sense to be. I think the Cardinals can benefit from another left-hand reliever to go with Romero and King. I think they should try to get one. Drew Pomeranz is out there.

Starting point is 00:28:45 there was with the Cubs this year, but he was the only one listed in the top 50 as far as like left-handed relievers. So obviously there's not many out there. So that's going to be difficult because people are going to want that. Other former Cardinals on his list included Jose Canton in 41, Jack Flaherty and 43, Paul Goldschmidt at number 49. He did not have the Cardinals link to any of them. What are your thoughts on the four guys that he does have the Cardinals? is linked to. Do you like them? All four of them makes sense. There's no argument there. They make sense. As I said, there are, there are others in here that I think the cardals should

Starting point is 00:29:24 also look at that I think, you know, even starters, you know, outside of Zach Gallen, I, I'd be calling Shane Bieber. He's got him at number 16. Chris Bassett at number 25. Zach Lattel at number 32, Nick Martinez, and number 39. I would check in on these guys and just see if there's any interest in coming to St. Louis. Bieber will probably be too expensive after what we've seen in the playoff so far, but I think the other ones could be legitimate targets for sure. So there are more that I think the Cardinals should be linked to. But I'm not Jim Bowdoin.

Starting point is 00:30:02 It's his list. But let me know what you guys think about his list and what you think about his thoughts about what the Cardinals could do. Real quick before we wrap up, shout out to the the Cardinals pitching prospect, darling Saladin. I don't want to screw up his name, but I think that's how he says it. Saladin Saladin? I think that's how he says it. Who's having a really good time in the Arizona fall league. That's the point.

Starting point is 00:30:25 Only four qualified fall league pitchers remain unscored upon. Saladin, the 22-year-old, one of them, punched out six across three innings of scoreless, long relief for Glendale, struck out the side in his first full inning, and then got the whiff of Rocky's top hitting prospect, Charlie Condon, who was a big time player in in college. He has logged so far seven scoreless innings this fall, striking out 10. 22 years old. All right. There's a picture of him when he was with the pure head chiefs this year. So that's another name to kind of keep in the back of your mind as the Cardinals

Starting point is 00:31:03 tried to find people to take over spots in the bullpen. I mean, we're not talking about an 18-year-old kid. He's 22. Maybe he's an I would rather see him than Chris Roycroft next year. I'll tell you that much. Anyway, keep it up. Keep it up, darling. All right. Thanks for making lockdown cardinals.

Starting point is 00:31:21 First listen every day. If you haven't already, give us a follow on X at L.O underscore Cardinals in a JD Sports Radio. TikTok and Instagram and Lockdown Cardinals, like, subscribe on YouTube, help our channel and our love for the Cardinals grow, almost at 13,000 subscribers. We'd love to get there this week.

Starting point is 00:31:34 If you enjoy daily Cardinals content, please like, subscribe. It really, really helps the channel. You have no idea how big it is. get harped at by the bosses. More, more, more. So help me, help you get more Cardinals content. You're the best fans of baseball for a reason.

Starting point is 00:31:52 I'll see you next time on Locked on Cardinals.

Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - St. Louis Cardinals' Free Agent TARGETS Unveiled

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