Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - St. Louis Cardinals Prepare for DRAMATIC Lineup SHAKEUP!

Starting point is 00:00:00 What will the Cardinals lineup look on March 26th when they open up the season against the raise? It's way too early prediction time 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, other Cardinals fans. I'm Jady Hafer, a former national radio sports anchor, born and raised in St. Louis and a lifetime Cardinals fan. And welcome to Locked on Cardinals, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network. now the number one sports podcast network.

Starting point is 00:00:39 Big thank you to all of you for being a part of this. Thank you to the everydayers for being here with us all along. For those of you who are new, welcome aboard. I hope you guys enjoy the content. This is a show serving Cardle Nation and giving you all the info about the birds on the bat today's episode being brought to you by GameTime. Download the GameTime app, create an account used code Locktime MLB for $20 off your first purchase. All right.

Starting point is 00:01:00 Way too early opening day predictions about what the lineup's going to look like, who's going to be in the starting rotation. I don't have all the answers for you, but I know a guy who does have some answers. Here he is. Thomas Govane from Redbirdrance.com. You can read his work there where they have like just a whole host of people talking Cardinals baseball throughout the season, the off season, so many fun stories that they have up there. Thomas, good to see you again.

Starting point is 00:01:29 And thanks for stopping by on this frigid Veterans Day across the Midwest. You guys do it okay in Casey? Yeah, it's been cold. I think I saw we're going to get up to 60 today, so it's a nice change of pace. Good for you guys. Yeah, we're still cold here. It's still frigid. I think it's a little over 30 degrees right now.

Starting point is 00:01:50 That's about what we're sitting, I think. Yeah, 35, 40 right around there. I hate it. I hate it, dude. We all need to move to a tropical island and talk cardinal baseball there together. Real quick, favorite movie? military movie. It's Veterans Day. A lot of good ones out there. Full Metal Jacket, saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, Black Hawk down. I could go on and on. I got to interview

Starting point is 00:02:16 Matthew Modine once from Full Metal Jack. It was actually what he was talking about when he was promoting stranger thing, so a little later on in his career. But obviously, that's a huge one with, you know, Private Joker and everything that goes on in that movie from the barracks scenes to the sniper scenes, that's good stuff. Do you have a favorite one that you tend to, when it's on TV, you just are like, yeah, I'm going to watch that. Yeah, it's called 1917. It came out in 2019.

Starting point is 00:02:44 Don't get the years mixed up there. But it follows those two British soldiers who are trying to deliver a message. It's kind of artsy. It's like one of those things where you leave the theater, you're like, that was good, but it wasn't, you know, that kind of thing. It's like a one-take, artistic. I enjoyed it. It was pretty good.

Starting point is 00:03:00 Yeah. See, this is the difference between me and Thomas. You have the intellect of Thomas with that type of choice. And I'm over here like, I like Top Gun, dude. Top Gun, Top Gun Maverick. You know, it's got the cool music. It's got the action, some humor, some tear-jerkers spots. Not a lot of Tom Cruise movies that I don't like.

Starting point is 00:03:21 I'm a popcorn type of movie guy. So, but let us know your guys' favorites in the comments section. And a big thank you for both of us to all the veterans out there for your sacrifice to our country. All right, let's talk some baseball, Thomas. That's why we're here. Way too early predictions on what this lineup could look like coming opening day in March. You recently posted on your ex account, which if you guys aren't following Thomas yet, you got to do that at Thomas Covey. What you thought it might look like come opening day at Bush Stadium against the raise.

Starting point is 00:03:54 So we're going to go through it, see what your thought process was as to why you chose the certain names that you did. And remember, fans, this is for fun. This is November 11th. Like, we are so early on this, but this is the fun stuff. You know, this is for conversation. No need to get your panties in a bunch about the choices that are made here. No moves have been made yet. But clearly Thomas thinks there will be some made at some point, as do we all. So, let's get into this. You did the batting lineup, too, which we'll just go through it in that order, just because that's where the names are. So leading off and playing shortstop,

Starting point is 00:04:31 you have the reigning NL Gold Glob Award winner, Mason Win. Curious as to what is it about Mason Winn that you like in the leadoff spot? Because I'm with you. If I have full, healthy Mason win, I kind of want them at the top of the order, too. What are your thoughts with that? Last year, I was more of like a Brendan Donovan,

Starting point is 00:04:49 Lars Neupar lead-off proponent. But this, for 2026, I think it just makes total sense to unleash Mason Lynn, Mason-Win, Let his speed play at the top. He sees a ton of pitches. I think he was like, I had the ninth or so in pitches played appearance last year among all baseball players. Just let it rip. Make him the star of a franchise.

Starting point is 00:05:08 Put him at the top. Use his speed. Have fun. Yeah. That is the one aspect that we've still kind of waited on with Mason. We've seen him with the pop. You know, we saw him in that first full season where, you know, he hit 15 home runs. Last year, the knee kind of held him back from, you know, having the power that he showed.

Starting point is 00:05:27 previously, but it's the speed that we know we exist. Like when you go and look at a sprint speed, we know he can run. He's very fast. We just got to get him on base more and let him run, which is, I agree with you. That's something that I think a lot of fans want to see too. We just want to see more aggressive base running. You know, this sport has taken a turn over the last couple of seasons to make it easier for people to steal bases and the Cardinals outside of Victor Scott or one of the teams that,

Starting point is 00:05:54 for whatever reason, they just don't, they don't try to do that. had all that often. So hopefully that'll be something that Mason went to bring to the top of the over. All right, batting second and playing at second base. You have the guy I referred to as Captain Clutch. His mama calls him Brendan. It's Brennan Donovan. Have him still on this roster from opening day. Excuse me. I've gone on record saying that as a fan, I want to keep him. I'm not actively trying to get rid of a person like Brendan Donovan, but I understand why the phone lines are open for anyone on the roster at this point. Is this choosing Brendan Donovan to bat second and played second base?

Starting point is 00:06:34 Is that personal preference just because you're like me and you don't want to get rid of them? Or do you think the cardals will really hold on to him and won't find a deal big enough to think it's worth moving on for Brendan? It's definitely my fan showing. I don't know. Logic probably tells me that he's gone. They'll find a trade partner. They'll get a nice package for him. I definitely want him to stay, lock him up to a long-term contract,

Starting point is 00:06:58 make him the voice in the clubhouse for this next core as we see them come up and rise. They need some leadership, and Brendan Donovan's shown that he can do that for the team. As far as where he is in the lineup, I'm flexible. Second base, I'd like to see him there. I think he's goal-goat potential there. Throw him second, throw him fifth in the lineup.

Starting point is 00:07:16 It doesn't really matter, but just get Brennan Donovan in there from a fan perspective. Yeah, I mean, if you're going to have somebody batting behind Mason and, you know, there's something you'll notice in this lineup that time that's put together. You know, it's, you know, it's like Hollywood, right, left, right, left. You know, you try to keep it so that you can deal with the matchups in the, in the bull pit for the opponents later on. But, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. And as much as it made sense for him to be a leadoff hitter at one point, just his numbers just don't work there. And he's much better in other spots in the lineup.

Starting point is 00:07:49 So I got no issues with that whatsoever having him batting. second. All right, batting third and playing in first base. You got the veteran Wilson Contreras, who I actually, I got roasted for good reason for daring to compare his numbers to that of the greatest first baseman ever in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. apparently, all kinds of people coming out of the woodworks, just destroying me for even comparing the two. Baseball card statwise, Vladi, 292, 23 home runs, 84 RBIs. Willie, 257, 20 home runs, 80 RBIs. I didn't realize that it was that far off, but apparently it was. So I realize he's not Vladdy Jr., you guys.

Starting point is 00:08:30 I get that. But I was giving him credit. He was awfully good last season when he was in the lineup, when he was healthy, and he was a surprise over at first base defensively. I hope he can continue to progress there. He seems to want to stay in St. Louis. So not shocking that you don't have him traded away playing for someone else. You don't see that as something that'll be.

Starting point is 00:08:53 probably happen, though, do you? I don't think so. He seems to want to say he's got that no trade clause. I mean, there's always the potential. He could change his mind based on what happens before. He gets, like, if we trade Nato, if we trade Sunny Gray, if we get, like, all these guys are starting to leave. And Wilson's like, oh, maybe I don't want to stick it out that I can see him being moved. But for now, I expect him to stay.

Starting point is 00:09:14 Yeah, I would as well. And if you can keep him in that lineup and keep him healthy, I don't see why he wouldn't be able to be a fantastic number three hitter. for this particular team. Real question is who's playing third base? People want to know. We also want to know who's on this pitching staff. We're going to get all those answers from Thomas coming up next here on lockdown cardinals. NFL season is back. And honestly, there's nothing better than being in the stadium surrounded by fans cheering on your team. But let's be honest, when you're trying to get tickets, that can be the problem. There's the

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Starting point is 00:11:19 Continuing down the predicted opening day lineup for the Cardinals with Thomas Govain from RedbirdRant.com. We have made it to the cleanup spot in the order. Batting cleanup. Left field. Yes, that's right. Left field, not de-aging. left field your silver slugger award winner alec burleson uh we know he had a fantastic year your opinion thomas what what was the most impressive thing about burleigh in 2025 for you

Starting point is 00:11:47 i have waffled on burly forever i wanted to trade him i want to i'm perfect i'm settled now keeping him in the lineup cleanup batting third whatever it may be um i think it's impressive just how he's improved every single year his w rc plus was 89 two years ago it was up to 124 last year. Every stat line that he has has gone up. He seems to be making necessary changes and improvements to be a regular player who's going to get better each year. I think that's nice to see. Yeah, the real question coming into 2025 was, what do you do against lefties with him? He smokes the right handers, but lefties, it was a real struggle. And he turned that around and was very good against lefties as well and kind of solidified himself as somebody that you

Starting point is 00:12:31 don't even have to take about out the lineup anymore matchups be damned it's like hey the guy hits like eventually you just got to realize that at every level that he's he's played he succeeded as a hitter and he gives you his all in the outfield we know he's not a great outfielder he doesn't uh you know have the the speed or whatever but nobody's perfect guys okay you know we're not going to find Mike trout at every position for the cardinals there's going to be some situations where they're going to have to deal with things that aren't exactly the best. But you got to have that bat in the lineup. He's going to play some first base when Willie needs a day off.

Starting point is 00:13:07 He'll do some dehing as well. But you got him in left field in this particular lineup. And I got no issues with that at all. Batting fifth and catching Yvonne Herrera. Honestly, Thomas, how sold are you on the idea of Ivan being the full-time catcher in 2026? Because I've heard the interviews with Hyde Bloom says, you know, he hopes he's a part of the solution behind the plate. He's coming off the surgery.

Starting point is 00:13:37 Wasn't all that good behind the plate before that, but he's got to play somewhere. You think catcher is where he belongs, or at least where he's going to start? Yeah, that's it. I think I'm optimistic that he starts opening day catcher. I don't want to see Pedro Pahey's as our opening day catcher again. I don't think Jimmy Crooks is quite there to get that mantle.

Starting point is 00:13:58 So I would suspect it's on here. Now that doesn't mean he's catching. 140 games. I wouldn't even expect him to catch 100 games. I think it'll be pretty even split between those two. And then Herrera will get a lot of time at DH as well. First base, maybe left field, why not throw him out? Let's get him to Silver Slugger next year. Yeah, yeah. I'm very excited about the future Yvonne Herrera. Again, you got to put him somewhere. And, you know, when you've got Willie at first, I've mentioned that I think Yvonne Herrera would make a good candidate to move over to the first base bag. But you saw working in left field last year. You know, they're trying to

Starting point is 00:14:33 find other spots so that they can keep that bad in the lineup because you can't take that one out either. He's got to be in there and you saw how the team would struggle when he wasn't around. You know, you got off to that hot start and then he gets hurt in Boston and you're like, oh my gosh. And, you know, there were issues throughout the year. But, you know, keeping him healthy, keeping him in the lineup. That's another reason why I don't want him catching anymore. if he's going to be susceptible to leg injuries, catching is not exactly the spot that I need that particular guy in. Batting sixth and over at third base. All right, here we go.

Starting point is 00:15:04 This is where we get into the first big like, ooh, we know that Nolan Aronano is once out. He's by all means probably already out. They're not going to bring this guy back. He's all but gone. Playing third base, if you would, please welcome. rookie of the year candidate, JJ Weatherholt, your top prospect. Putting him over a third makes a lot of sense. Do you like him at third long term, or do you think he plays second base in the long term at some point?

Starting point is 00:15:37 Yeah, as far as his position goes, I'm not quite certain. I like him at third base. I think his arm profiles better over there than Gorman and Brendan Donovan. Long term, I could see him shifting over to second base. I think that might be a good spot for him, depending on who we have come up at third. I think put him at sixth gives him a chance to have some pressure off of his back as a rookie. He still gets some run producing opportunities. They'll still see a decent amount of at bats, but it's not top five.

Starting point is 00:16:01 It's not top four where there's that pressure. It's exciting. I think that you could really let him loose next year. You lose the year of team control, but I don't love that argument. I want fun next year. And JJ, rather what would be fun? Yes. And remember, this is part of the whole spiel here, is this is for fun.

Starting point is 00:16:20 and this is who we want to see at those positions. So JJ Weatherholt, obviously a guy that, you know, you saw him do so, so well at double A. And then he got to AAA and he did even better, you know, and what is the point of keeping him down any longer? You know, people were mad last year that he wasn't up on the team at the end of the year. He kind of understood why. But having him on the opening day roster,

Starting point is 00:16:46 as long as everything goes smoothly in spring training, I don't have an issue with that. Some people say they'll wait until April, whatever the date is, April 15th or whatever. It might be to bring him up. But he's going to be on this team next year. It's going to happen. It has to happen. So I'm excited for it.

Starting point is 00:17:04 And I would love to see him there on opening day as well. Now batting seven in the DH role. Now remember, we had Burleson and left field. You've got Herrera behind the plate. Those guys did a lot of DHing last year. You've got Nolan Gorman. Tough couple seasons. Yet again, here we go with Gorman, where he's kind of blocked again, even if you trade Aronado. Donnie's at second. J.J. is over at third. You know, you're not going to part-time, JJ. You're going to give him the keys to the position if that's what you're going to do. Some fans are done with Storm and Gorman. Why are you keeping him, Thomas? What is it about Nolan Gorman that you think that Cardinals need to keep around? Realistically, if no one Aronados traded, I would believe that Gorman goes over to third. But I keep him around.

Starting point is 00:17:50 His power is just so enticing. It's not often you see that from the left side. I know you have to worry about the strikeouts. I know that he focused more on base last year and contact than power. But I think if you can get Nolan Gorman to that 25 home run mark at D.H from the left side, that's something you got to keep around. You'll get the 30% 35% strikeout rate. But to see those home runs, especially down in the lineup, that could be scary.

Starting point is 00:18:16 It could lengthen the lineup pretty heavily. Yeah, you're talking about the seventh spot in this particular lineup that we're going through here. And yeah, it's the same thing. I'm with you. It's like, how many other guys do you have that can do the things that he has the ability to do as far as just any swing can leave the ballpark? You know, the Cardinals are starving for some pop, you know, because if you've listened to the Heimbleum interviews, he talks about like he don't want the same type of hitter throughout the line. of you got to have guys who do different things and you can't just have all sluggers,

Starting point is 00:18:52 but at the same time you want a couple of really dangerous guys. And going through the order, you know, if there's a guy that you're afraid that can put one out on you at any moment, there's not that many that can do that. It's Ivan Herrera, maybe Wilson, and then it's Nolan Gorbett is right there. So it makes a lot of sense. And like he said, bottom of the lineup here, that's huge. If you can get 25, 30 home runs from that spot, batting eighth and in right field, another guy that a lot of fans have punted on already.

Starting point is 00:19:20 Jordan Walker, I'm like you. I think he gets another year before they start to think about moving on. We've seen the clips of him working this off season. What is your faith level in Jordan Walker bouncing back in 2026? Because I'm kind of like dying on this hill that Jordan Walker's going to end up showing up finally and become like, I keep comparing him to Joe Adele of the Angels where it's just feels like that kind of path is what he's on, where he's got all the skills. We just got to figure out how to unlock it properly.

Starting point is 00:19:54 And I heard Heim Bloom talking about just teaching him how to, you know, see the spin on a ball earlier. How he can recognize it earlier is a big thing for him. Right field, Jordan Walker. Is this the year, Tom, is predicted? Is this the year? Is he back? This is the optimism in you and me and that we both believe that this is the year.

Starting point is 00:20:17 They call that insanity, I think. I think they call that insanity, don't they? Anyway, yeah, I want to see Jordan Walker do well. And if 2026 is the year he does, I love it. So you're dying on that hill. I, in the back of my mind, I've said a couple of times, it's my stupid idea for the winter that we extend Jordan Walker to a six-year contract, and you pretty much reset his rookie, like the six years of team control at age 23

Starting point is 00:20:41 when he probably should have been brought up anyway instead of two, three years ago when we tried it. So that's my far-fetch dying on a hill idea about Jordan Walker as well. I want to see him do well. I think he has it in him. It's just a matter of can that show. Yeah, it's another guy that even his first year call, what he got called up? He was awesome.

Starting point is 00:21:01 It's not like he hasn't had a taste of success at the major league level yet. He did. And then things just went haywire. And I feel like he was getting a lot of different voices, telling him a lot of different things. and, you know, I feel like this is the one year. I think, you know, they're like, look, bro, let's get you back to what you do well. And, you know, I have faith in him. It could be blind faith at this point, yes.

Starting point is 00:21:28 But, you know, I just think they're going to give him one more year at least to back to it. I mean, he's 23. We're not talking about an old man here. We're not talking about a guy, you know, 26, 27, who is really at the end of his leash. Like, he's very, very, very. still. So keep that in mind. Finally, batting ninth and center field goglove nominee, Victor Scott the second, not a surprise. I think that, you know, we both can agree that if the

Starting point is 00:21:53 offense comes around to match the defense, he doesn't have to hit 300 or anything like that, but just get off base more so he can use that speed. He could be a real weapon for this offense, especially at the bottom of the order of that number nine hole. Yeah, he's projected for a sub 300 on base percentage next year. I don't love that. I'd like to take a seam around. 310, 315, then he can release his speed. That'd be nice at the bottom. Yeah, work on hitting breaking balls. That was his kryptonite last year.

Starting point is 00:22:22 On the bat, Jose for Mien, Jimmy Crooks and not Pedro Pai has. Are you trading Pedro away or is he just, you know, he's been bad. I don't care where Pedro Pai is. And then you have your first addition to the team, former Cardinal Lane Thomas. You have him as on the bench for the Cardinals. What is it that you like about Lane that would be a good fit for the Cardinals in 2026? Yeah, right-handed hitting outfielder who can play center. We've been looking for that since Tommy Fam at the trade deadline two years ago.

Starting point is 00:22:54 I think Lane Thomas could be like, he'll be average to below league average hitter, but that's fine because we have too many left-handed hitters on this roster. Yeah, and he's a great defensive glove, which fans obviously are they love his arm, everything so they're not going to complain too much about him and hopefully he continues to be a decent offensive bet you know he's had some pretty good years since the cardinals cut ties with him and set him off to Toronto so yeah so that's what the offensive side of things looks like in this way too early prediction but we're going to talk a little bit pitching next we've got some additions there as well specifically to the rotation we'll get into it next on locked on cardinals

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Starting point is 00:24:57 Sully. Daily blend of humor and baseball throughout the offseason. You can find it on YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcast. Thomas Govain from Redbird Ranch.com is here. We move on to the pitching staff. Three familiar names in your opening day roster. Some young arms here, Matthew Libertor, obviously, who, you know, did some good things last year. First full year is a starter. So you expect this growing pains.

Starting point is 00:25:20 No issues with anything there. Michael McGreevy finally gets his opening day spot in the rotation. Kyle Leahy, who we know they want to stretch you out and earn one of those spots in the rotation. If he can, they're going to give him every opportunity to do that. They like his makeup, not only what he did in the bullpen last year, but they just think that it'll transition into a starter pretty easily. So obviously you're looking forward to that. And then you've got two additions, Joe Ryan and Dustin May. Now, Dustin May is a guy that I've been a huge fan of, even when he's with the Dodgers.

Starting point is 00:25:55 Injuries have always been his issue. But he's a free agent. But Ryan, you would have to trade for. What do you like about Joe Ryan from Minnesota that you think would fit well with this Cardinal team? he's steady that's the thing with joe ryan it's a nice top of the rotation guy that you can rely on he'll get you your innings each year he's a he's just a steady solid pitcher he'd be the replacement for ryan hellsley in my mind i expect us to trade him and to get something in return for for sunny sorry sorry sunny gray yeah sorry sunny gray uh i expect us to trade sunny gray gets

Starting point is 00:26:29 some salary relief and then bring in joe ryan he's got good strikeout numbers he's a solid top of the rotation pitcher He's not probably other teams number one. Like you put him on the Dodgers, you put him on the Yankees. You know, like those big spenders. He's not there. But for the Cardinals, he could be exactly that. I think he'd be a nice leader for the rotation. He's 29 going to be 30 next year.

Starting point is 00:26:50 Still young enough. You have team control with him for two years. It fits pretty well for us. It would cost a lot. And I've been getting some flack on this for social media about how could we beat other teams trade without giving up Liam Doyle or Ranial Rodriguez or J.J. Weatherwell. And I don't know if we could. But it's just it's, it's, it's,

Starting point is 00:27:06 fun, it's dream. That's the idea here. Exactly. Figure it out, Heim Bloom. Talk him into it. You get to sell it here. You got to talk these people into the trades. I like the Dustin May stuff. I think I like that other people are starting to bring him up a little bit more. I just, I feel like he could be so nasty at times. And as long as, you know, health-wise, he's good to go, which it wasn't like, you know, some debilitating injury at the end of the year last year when he was with Boston. I just think he's worth a one-year deal. I just really do.

Starting point is 00:27:42 And if it doesn't work out, so be it. But this isn't a guy that you need to sign to three, four years. This would be like a one-year deal. Let's see if we can get him right. And if it works out, then kudos because the guy has got the pedigree to be very, very good and very nasty in the rotation. Bullpen wise. Familiar names, Jojo, Svanson, Palante, O'Brien, Grispo, King. You also have one prospect and one returning veteran. Let's start with the prospect. Tink Hintz. We know that he's another guy that's dealt with a lot of injuries. And I think I'm with you, man. I think that the dreams of a starting rotation spot with Tinkins, I think they're gone, man. He just cannot stay on the mound. But, can he survive a season as somebody in the bullpen? Maybe because he's one of those guys that's,

Starting point is 00:28:39 you know, he's like the numbers are great when he's healthy, right? Yeah, that's the key. He needs to be healthy. I think his stock plays up obviously in the bullpen, whatever strong pit is fastball is going to do really well there. It's sort of like a Jordan Hicks experiment. Let him throw 20 pitches, three nights, two, three nights a week. and just burn it all out.

Starting point is 00:29:02 He's not going to be set up closer. None of those roles for me. Just get him time. Get him warmed, get him ready, and let him see some major beginnings. It's time to see what Tinkins can do with this stuff. Yeah, get him on the mound and see if he can stay there. You know, I'd rather see him than go another round with the Chris Roycrofts of the world.

Starting point is 00:29:22 Like, at least with Ed's, you know, obviously a high draft pick. And people have thought highly ever who's a top 100 prospect for a couple of years here. So the talent is there. Let's see if we could take advantage of it and find a spot for him that, you know, he can remain healthy. It was a thing that, you know, very much like Reyes back in the day, too. Remember that the whole point? Same idea. He was going to be the starter and he could not stay on the mound.

Starting point is 00:29:45 And then he had that one great year and then he got hurt again, unfortunately. But it seemed to be working. And he was an all-star that year when they did move him to the bullpen. So maybe you can catch lightning in a bottle here with, with Tinkins and finally get some use out of him for the big league club. And then you have a name coming back to the team, not Ryan Helsley, which you tried to tease us with. It's actually Phil Maeton coming back to the team.

Starting point is 00:30:14 Makes a lot of sense. I mean, he was very good with the Cardinals, right? Yeah, he was. And that spot can be flexible. Like, Phil Maton just came to mind because he's familiar. He said he wanted to consider coming back. You didn't really want to leave the deadline. You could throw in Caleb Tealbar.

Starting point is 00:30:28 You could throw in any, you name. a reliever who's veteran and wants a one-year deal under $10 million. And that's a guy we could look at. I just like Phil Maytown last year. He's familiar. It'd be nice to see him back again. Yeah. I like it.

Starting point is 00:30:42 I don't think anybody would complain if he made his way back to St. Louis. And he was very good when he was gone when he went with the Rangers. He was excellent there as well. So I wonder if his market might be a little bit higher at this point just because he did have such a successful year. But maybe not. Spot that I would like to upgrade would be that John King. king spot.

Starting point is 00:31:01 Yeah. Enough of him, but, you know, there's a lot of decent lefties out there. I mentioned it in yesterday's episode that I was like, you could really upgrade that spot and find somebody very much comparable to Romero that, you know, can come in and get some strikeouts and stuff too. So that would be a spot for me. But overall, you know, I like the ideas of everything with the opening. Now, you just posted this not that long ago.

Starting point is 00:31:27 How much of this has already changed in your mind? at least the batting order has i've shipped it donovan down herera up but the names are staying i think for the best part joe ryan is a pipe dream for being honest i don't suspect him to come to the team but some sort of tradable starting pitcher i think i can see us swinging maybe throw in chris bassett or um tyler muller mrs bueller and the rotation like any of those free agent guys i think you can flex some of them but most of it I've stuck with, I think. What are your feelings on the Max Scherzer talk?

Starting point is 00:32:05 Because people keep bringing him up as if that is something that could be a possibility. I keep saying he's going to go somewhere where he's got a chance to win a ring. He just looked like he was having way too much fun with Toronto. Yeah, that's it. He's probably going to sign one more, I don't know, 41. He could probably pitch to 50 if he really wanted to. But I can see him sign a one-year deal for a winner, get a ring. It's going to take some serious like home cooking to bring him home.

Starting point is 00:32:32 There's other guys like a Devin Williams and stuff like that. Ryan Helsley. What are your thoughts on that real quick? Do you think they need to go out and get a legit closer with closer production over their career, a guy like maybe like a Kyle Finnegan or are you cool with what they got? I think Kyle Finnegan is different than Devin Williams, Ryan Helsley conversation. He's a tier below those two. we don't need that closer it's going to cost more i'd like to shock more than film aton

Starting point is 00:32:58 late inning guy who we could then flip or not costing too much money it's yeah that kind of thing makes sense all right guys uh make sure you guys are following thomas covane at thomas govane on x obviously he can read all of his work at redbird rants dot com so uh as always dude we appreciate you coming on to the show the beard looks great keep it going keep it growing my winter beard it's my winter beard yeah we got to stay warm this time of year. We know how to end to the Midwest. So, you know, keep it rolling, brother. Thanks for making Lockdown Cardinals. Your first listen every day. If you haven't already, give us a follow on X at L0 underscore Cardinals and at JD Sports Radio, TikTok and Instagram

Starting point is 00:33:34 and Lockdown Cardinals. Like, subscribe on YouTube and help our channel and love for the Cardinals. You guys are the best fans at baseball for a reason. We'll see you next time on Lockdown Cardinals.

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