Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - TRADE TALK: Should The St. Louis Cardinals Go ALL IN For Byron Buxton Or Joe Ryan At The DEADLINE?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Two big names have been mentioned as possible targets for the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline if they decide to be buyers. But should they do it? We'll discuss it 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. Haffern. And on today's show, we'll be talking about the loss on Wednesday, which was not a whole lot of fun. but we're going to begin with the social media rumor mill that is starting to churn out more and more content and begin to swir a little bit quicker, a little bit harder in regard to the Cardinals and the possible trade targets at the deadline, which is August 3rd this year. And the Cardinals have been one of the surprise teams in baseball. You know this. I know this. It's why I'm wearing this ugly shirt. They just took two or three from the Padres and they continue to win series and they continue to be good.

Starting point is 00:01:00 and many are wondering whether or not Heinbloom's approach at the deadline is going to be as a buyer, is it going to be as a seller, a little bit of both. And we know what the organization's goals were coming into the season. And they've been repeated to us over and over and over.

Starting point is 00:01:19 You know, the goal first and foremost was to rebuild this organization. They don't like using that word, but that's what it is. And the idea is to rebuild it for a sustainable success. It wasn't that like, boy, we don't, this, This sucks. We are a terrible franchise. Not really that, but they had gotten away from what made them one of the elite franchises. and that was player development, farm system. They needed to take care of that.

Starting point is 00:01:45 It had been ignored and not put enough money into in the few, I don't know, five, six, seven years at the end of there of Mo's regime as he tried to put money into the MLB roster instead of into player development, and it ended up catching up with them. But you got to take care of what's in-house before you can go outside the organization to find other players, which is why they got rid of some dudes to save some money. They didn't spend a whole lot in free agency last year. They were fully ready for this year to be a tough year on the field at the major league level.

Starting point is 00:02:21 And we believe that, you know, the signings of a guy like a Dustin May to a one-year deal was meant to be a bridge for both parties. You know, St. Louis was a place that offered a spot in the rotation. And then we could, if he turns things around, ship him off, get some prospect. in return. That was the idea, right? But those plans have changed a little bit now that the Cardinals are actually winning. They currently have the fourth best record in the National League, sixth best winning percentage in all of baseball. Even the most optimistic Nostromis wannabes did not predict this. Don't let anybody lie to you. They didn't predict this. I was one of the more optimistic guys. I was on the side of things that what I felt this team would

Starting point is 00:03:08 be was going to be similar to kind of what last year's record would be. And that was a competitive team for a bid. But eventually when you had to trade pieces away, you'd end up with something like a 78, 84 record like they were last year. At this time, they are now 40 and 32 and on pace to win 91 games. And this is a rebuild year, which is blowing everybody's mind, people in St. Louis, but also people in other circles of Major League Baseball, like, wait, how the hell? did what by talking with the uh locked on co hosts in the nl central you know everybody keeps bugging me about

Starting point is 00:03:43 it when when's our next episode going to be when the whole group gets together so you can just kind of sit back and and smile at them on i'm like i think they're afraid the only person who's not afraid of the cardinals in this division right now is uh is chuck and when i say afraid i don't think uh that's probably a bad word to use but but chuck with locked down brewers uh he's always respected the cardinals but he's like the only guy that probably is willing to sit down and discuss things because everybody else is having terrible seasons. Like the Pirates aren't having a good year. Reds are having a crap year for what were their expectations.

Starting point is 00:04:16 Same for the Cubs. Like the Cardinals aren't supposed to be where they are. But they are. They are. Maybe the greatest rebuild season of all time, right? So depending on how things go from here on night, Heinbloom, he's going to have some tough decisions to make. That's why he gets paid the big bucks.

Starting point is 00:04:32 do you reward your young team for outkicking their coverage, so to speak, and go get some guys, or do you stay the course and still ship off what could be valuable trade commodities in Dustin May, Jojo Romero, Riley O'Brien, Lars, Newpar, and whoever else people are interested in. You don't trade any of your young dudes. You don't have to trade anybody. Like, you know, people were toying with Alec Berluson getting traded last offseason. I'm like, what? They don't need to do.

Starting point is 00:05:00 Why would they do that? So, you know, those are the guys. Those guys, no, you're not getting Jordan Walker or Alec Berlinson or Yvonne, none of those guys, Mason went, none of those guys. You don't have to worry about them. But it's the guys who are a little bit older, make a little more money, coming to the end of contracts. Those are the guys that we're thinking about.

Starting point is 00:05:21 So today we're going to look into the two big names that have been brought up recently by Jeff Passon at ESPN, Minnesota. Minnesota Twins are somebody that people are wondering whether or not they're going to move their two big pieces, which are by Robxton and Joe Ryan. They've been mentioned over and over. They were mentioned last year. They continue to be mentioned as the twin struggle this year. They are in a rebuild.

Starting point is 00:05:47 We know this. Our buddy Thomas Cobain from Redford Grants.com wrote a little bit about what Jeff Passon put out, which was like his latest top 100 trade candidate list. said that while the Cardinals do have Dustin May, and this is Thomas writing here, while the Cardinals do have Dustin May, Riley O'Brien, Joe Romero, George Soriano, and Justin Brule listed as potentially tradable players, Passon has them primarily as sellers, but linked the club to nine different players if the Cardinals do decide to go the buyer route. And the two big names were Buxton and Ryan.

Starting point is 00:06:20 And Jeff Passan has the Cardinals listed as fits for both of these guys. So let's start with Byron Buxton, who we saw plenty of in the series in Minnesota as he thrashed our team. Goes bonkers in that three game series. It was one of the reasons why the Cardinals lost two of three. But he's been one of the best players in the league the last couple of seasons because he's been healthy here. He's been out in the field more. Biggest flaw in Byron Buxton's career is that he hasn't been able to stay on the field. But when he has been out there, the production has been outstanding.

Starting point is 00:06:53 32 years old at this point. Still's got two years left on his deal after the year at a little over 15 million per, which is not all that expensive in this day and age. To me, it would be an ideal fit. It would be a beautiful bat and a beautiful glove to add to what is already, I think, a solid Cardinals lineup. No offense to my guy, Nathan Church, who I loved dearly, but Buxton would be a major upgrade to the center field position.

Starting point is 00:07:20 And the thing is, it's going to cost a ton of. to get them. And blowing up your prospect pool after you just started building it back up seems to be against everything that Heinblum is trying to do. You'd have to be willing to deal from your catching pool, which is deep. So you don't really have an issue there. But I'm sure they're going to ask for Joshua Baez and probably a young pitcher like Tanner Franklin. They're not going to take any of your injured dudes that you don't want anymore. And it kind of reminded me of, you know, I went back and was like, you remember what the NASCAR? nationalals were asking for when the Cardinals were engaged with them about Juan Soto.

Starting point is 00:07:57 And I know Soto different age, different contract. I get all that. But that's the closest thing I have to compare it to that the Cardinals have been at least close to pulling a trigger on. And the rumor asking price that year was Jordan Walker, Mason, Wynn, Dylan Carlson, Nolan, Gorman, Andre Palante, and Zach Thompson. Now, in hindsight, would you have pulled the trigger on that deal knowing what you know now? would you have gone to put Juan Soto into your lineup and give up all of those guys? You're now starting right fielder, starting shortstop. Gorman was you're starting their basement, Andre Palante.

Starting point is 00:08:37 He's got eight wins so far this season. Zach Thompson has been hurt. Dylan Carlson washed out. But, you know, Soto didn't get the Padres anywhere when they shipped them to the Yankees after that, who lost in the World Series with him before he flipped over and signed with the Mets instead. So since he's left the nationals, he hasn't won anything. But yeah, it would have been cool to see Soto in that lineup with with Poole holes and Goldie and Nato and Yadi that final year.

Starting point is 00:09:05 But, you know, is this the team that, you know, one guy like a Buxton, are they one guy away from being better than the Dodgers, who is what you have to compare yourself to? Are you good enough to take down the Dodgers in a seven game series if you add Byron Buxton to the Cardinals, I say no. I don't think so. And the other side of it, too, is you have to remember that Byron Buxton also has a no trade clause. So you don't have to go anywhere if he doesn't want to. Passen also had the Phillies, the Padres, the Diamondbacks, the Braves, the Braves, the Braves, the Yankees, and the Rangers as a good fit with Buxton. Most of those teams

Starting point is 00:09:41 are in a better spot with their organization and way more aggressive than the Cardinals normally are. So I can't perceive that happening. If I'm the GM, I don't think I'm pulling the trigger on that one at this point. But what about a pitcher? What about Joe Ryan? He's the other twin that it was seen as a good fit with the Cardinals. So we'll talk about him and the possibility of bringing somebody like Joe Ryan into the mix for the Cardinals rotation. We'll do it next on Locked on Cardinals.

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Starting point is 00:13:03 shtal cardinals.com to claim your free trial. So if the Cardinals decide to go with, hey, offense, we're cool. We're all right here. Offense is not the biggest issue. Let's look for pitching. The highest guy passing has a fit for them. is Joe Ryan, who I think that he had as like the number five trade piece. And I think Buxton was number two, by the way. Terrick School Bowl was number one in case you're wondering.

Starting point is 00:13:33 But he lists that, you know, hey, here are the pitchers this year with a better K-walk percentage. Jacob Mizorowski, Paul Skeens, Jacob deGrom, Christopher Sanchez. Those are the only guys who are higher than Joe Ryan. Calling him a frontline starter is not just Minnesota nice. It's a reality and contenders, even ones with good rotations, will be lining up the moment the twins declare Ryan available. And again, this isn't a dude that's going to come cheap. One more year of control after this season. And we've seen Dustin May, Michael McGreevy, Andre Palante.

Starting point is 00:14:07 They holding down the fort pretty good here in St. Louis. They're leading the staff to a respectable level. But I don't think anybody considers an elite by any means. And you got Libby and Leahy who are going through their struggles still. Hunter Dobbins has looked good. in the few appearances we've seen. And as much as I would love to add somebody like a Joe Ryan, I mean, who wouldn't?

Starting point is 00:14:28 But the pitching depth in the system is what scares me the most. I think that's what needs the most work right now. You've got guys like Liam Doyle and Gerangelo Sanya and Quinn Matthews and Brandon Clark hurt, by the way. Yo heker Fuhardo. They're all works in progress. And then the drop off is very steep after them. And you got injured guys who can't help you this year.

Starting point is 00:14:53 Richard Fitz, Coerobie, Cooper Jerpies working his way back. Eishon Henderson's been hurt. They're all coming back from injuries. Now, if those guys were all healthy and producing, it would be an easier pill to swallow, especially with the draft capital that the Cardinals have coming up. But in my opinion, you need more guys like them to be around before you can start trading away from that pile of prospects to go get a guy like a Joe Ryan. And the twins would certainly want one or two arms in return. Plus, they're going to ask for a couple of offensive pieces and conversations

Starting point is 00:15:28 are always going to start with Rainio Rodriguez and Joshua Baez. Every single conversation will start with them, especially when you're aiming for all-star players in return. And if you're not comfortable moving them, then this conversation is pointless. If you're not willing to part with one of those guys, you're not going to get the top-end trade pieces at the deadline this year. That's just the reality of it. It's got to be guys who are in your top 10,

Starting point is 00:15:57 preferably in your top five. And I'm not comfortable with that. I don't know about you. I'm not comfortable with that whatsoever. I do not want to see them take all the good that they've done in this one year, making us all feel nice and warm inside about what the Cardinals are building here,

Starting point is 00:16:17 and then blow it. up by chasing trade pieces and veteran guys, things that other teams do all the time. Like the Boston Red Sox, for instance, had this great prospect pool and we're like, all right, well, now that we got it all loaded up, let's get rid of them all and use them to go get other pieces. And where's Boston right now? Yeah. Like, I don't want to see that happen in the Cardinals. They're so early on, and this is one year into this where Heim Bloom is fully in charge. I don't know he's been behind the scenes for a couple of years and stuff, but this is like the first big season of it, right? I'm not ready to do that. I don't want to see it happen. I think it's a

Starting point is 00:17:06 mistake. I need, I need Heim, I need the Cardinals, I need the fan base to stay disciplined, stay the course, the team you have, yes, it is exceeding expectations. And you, you yes, they've been a lot of fun. And yes, they are currently in a spot to be in the playoffs this year. That's awesome. Why would you go back and revert to doing the things you used to do, where you got rid of all the young guys to go get a veteran guy and it doesn't work? Why would you go down that road again? So enjoy this ride that we're having right now. Enjoy it. Enjoy looking at the prospects and looking what the future of this team can be. Don't punt on what will be future stability for the organization when you still have to beat the Braves

Starting point is 00:18:00 and you still have to beat the Dodgers just to get to the World Series before you have to face super teams like the Yankees. You know, like look what the rays are doing. Like that's the idea. With the rays and the brewers and these teams in smaller markets are doing, that's the blueprint. That's the idea. And then you just hope that you can. can make the additions that they haven't been able to do at some point to get to the World Series

Starting point is 00:18:30 and win a World Series. But you have to build up that prospect pool first. And we're off to a good start. And it looks good. But don't, don't get all excited and start seeing these flashy new toys and go, ooh, give me one of those. Because it's probably going to be a mistake. We're not ready yet. We're not there yet. At least in my opinion, maybe you differ. That's just me. Leave your comments. down below. Maybe I'm being a coward. Or am I being sensible? You tell me. Let me know in the comment section down below. We'll talk about

Starting point is 00:19:04 the loss on Wednesday. We'll get into that. Coming up next on Locked on Cargles. Have you ever noticed how the second you search for something online, the ads, they start popping up the ads for that particular thing. They start following you everywhere. Or maybe

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Starting point is 00:22:06 Thanks again for making lockdown. Carnals, your first list of the day. Thank you for making locked on the number one sports podcast network. Not much fun on Wednesday. That game sucked. It was awful. Cardinals get beat six to one by the Padres who avoid that sweep with the win. They kept the Cardinals from reaching that 10 games over 500 mark that everybody wants them to get to. They've now failed in all four attempts to get there and haven't reached 10 wins over 500. 2022 when Albert Pujols was here. Juan Soto would have got him over that hump, wouldn't be. But pretty dull game all around on Wednesday.

Starting point is 00:22:39 Cardos did get a quality start from Kyle Leahy, so don't take anything away from him. Six innings, three runs, seven hits, seven strikeouts, just one walk. The ball that went over Churches headed center field deemed a double, but that led to the third run, and that was a big mistake. And that became a pretty important run in this game because it would have been a two to one score instead of three to one. and you're just one swing away from tying the game up. Leahy pitched well enough to get the win,

Starting point is 00:23:06 but no offense whatsoever supporting him on a Wednesday. Cardo's only run scored in that fifth inning. And it was the only inning, actually, where they had more than one runner-on-based place. Jordan got the walk. Nathan Church had the single, ground out, moved him over, and Jordan gets thrown out at home plate. Remember it was on the Yvonne Herrera ground ball?

Starting point is 00:23:29 My voice is terrible today, by the way. I apologize. Ground ball on the infield to the first baseman, and they came home, which shocked everybody, but they get Blaise Jordan at home plate. Then Burley drove in the run with a single to right, which extended his hit streak to 17 games. That's career high, which is awesome. Herrera got hit by another pitch in this game.

Starting point is 00:23:48 The third time he was hit in the series, 19th time he's been hit this season, which is wild to me because this is not a guy that, like, hangs over the plate. Like, he's not, you know, he's got a very wide open stance. and they just try to bust him in. And, I mean, he gets popped good, too. It's not like he just, oh, a little Nick here and there. Now, he's getting hit in the ribs and the shoulder and the hands. And dude needs a suit of armor up there.

Starting point is 00:24:12 He needs more protection. My biggest issue from this game, and if you saw the short that I put out, the post game thing yesterday, it's just, it's Chris Roycroft. I cannot understand for the life of me why this dude is on this team still. And I hate being harsh about it. It's not personal. Chris Roycraft has never done anything wrong to me. I'm sure he's a great dude.

Starting point is 00:24:35 But what else do you need to see from him to make you move off the idea that he's going to be a productive arm for you at the major league level? Yeah, he's tall. And he looks like he should be somebody who would be a badass on the mound, but he's not. And we haven't seen it in three seasons. Over 50 appearances. The IRA is over six. There's nothing else to learn here. He just doesn't belong in the major leagues. And he wouldn't be here if Ryan Fernandez was healthy. I understand that. But like I said in that post game rant yesterday, they are wasting a 40-man spot on Chris Roycroft. There's no reason to keep him around. There's got to be something better out there than Chris Roycroft for this organization. Just has to be. And they got to go find it.

Starting point is 00:25:20 And it could just be in your system. Louis Gastilum, why not put him on the 40-man, DFA Roycroft. If he doesn't go and nobody signs him, then you can bring him back. Put them in your minors, but he doesn't need to be on your 40 man anymore. Put somebody who can help you on the 40 man. Cardinals are in Kansas City tonight to face the Royals. A couple of other names that Jeff Pass and brought up on the Royals. Michael Waka, former Cardinal first round pick. And then Seth Lugo was listed as fits for the Cardinals as well,

Starting point is 00:25:47 which seems more like their speed to me than, you know, the top guys like a Buxton or a Joe Ryan. Michael Waka coming back would be outstanding. I'd be fully on board with that. Seth Lugo. I wanted to sign him when he was. a free agent a couple years ago and they didn't do it. So we'll see how it works out. But

Starting point is 00:26:05 they don't have to face either one of these guys. I don't think in this. No, they got to face Lugo. So tonight's matchup is a tough one. Lefty, Noah Cameron. He's been very, very good recently. He'll be on the hill against Libby. Jekyll and Hyde Libby. We don't know what we're going to get. Friday, you got Michael McGreevy and Lugo, then a rare day off on Saturday because of the World Cup match that is at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. So they gave him the day off, which is why they're playing tonight instead. and then they'll play on Sunday, and it'll be May versus Colick on Sunday.

Starting point is 00:26:35 So that's what's going on. Thanks for making a lockdown cardinals. If you're first listed every day, if you haven't already give us a follow on X at L underscore Cardinals, TikTok, Instagram, and Lockdown Cardinals, like, subscribe on YouTube. Don't forget about the Everydayer Club. If you're somebody who listens and loves the Cardinals and you need content all day, every day, we got you covered.

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Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - TRADE TALK: Should The St. Louis Cardinals Go ALL IN For Byron Buxton Or Joe Ryan At The DEADLINE?

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