Viva El Birdos
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Cardinals Signing Tarik Skubal is a Great Idea That’ll Never Happen
The article debates the unlikely but intriguing scenario of the St. Louis Cardinals signing free‑agent right‑hander Tarik Skubal. Citing ESPN’s offseason rankings, the author notes that a $400‑$500 million contract (Spotrac estimates $276 million over seven years) could fit within a projected 2027 payroll of $66 million, especially if the Cardinals allocate around $40 million per season for an ace. Benefits cited include leadership for young pitchers, marketing boost, and no farm‑system cost. However, the piece argues Skubal will favor contending teams like the Dodgers or Yankees, and concerns linger over his elbow bone chips and the Cardinals’ rebuild timeline. The takeaway: tempting on paper, but a Cardinals‑Skubal deal remains highly improbable.
Zombie Bullpen: Four Bargain Relievers the Cardinals Can Bring Back to Life
With Chaim Bloom steering the Cardinals away from pricey free agents, the team is eyeing four undervalued relievers who could revive a struggling bullpen. The list—right‑handers Bryan Abreu (Houston, 2026: 62.2 IP, 29.9% K, -0.3 WAR) and Hunter Harvey (Chicago, 4.0 IP, 22.2% K, -0.2 WAR), and left‑hander Caleb Thielbar (Chicago, 50.0 IP, 28.3% K, -0.2 WAR)—all posted sub‑0.5 WAR in 2026 yet boast standout metrics like high strikeout rates, elite velocity or chase percentages. Abreu’s 2025 peak (35.5% K, 41.2% whiff) suggests a bounce‑back ceiling, Harvey returns with 98 mph fastball potential, and Thielbar’s 35.8% chase rate ranks among the league’s best. If the Cardinals can secure them at modest contracts, they could add high upside at bargain prices.
A multi-year look at St. Louis Cardinals catchers
The article dives into a multi‑year statistical analysis of the St. Louis Cardinals’ catching corps, focusing on data from the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Using Statcast, Baseball‑Reference and FanGraphs datasets, the author compares catchers Ivan Pages, Yohel Pozo, Pedro Herrera, and Jimmy Crooks across metrics like catcher starts, wins, runs allowed, and especially Reliever Win Probability Added (WPA). Pages stands out, generating the highest positive reliever WPA and the best Shutdown‑to‑Meltdown ratio, suggesting he boosts bullpen performance more than his teammates. The piece also highlights differences in runs allowed per game and other defensive stats, offering a data‑driven look at how each catcher impacts the Cardinals’ pitching staff.
Important Dates for the St. Louis Cardinals Off-Season to Watch For
The Cardinals' off‑season calendar is packed with award announcements, meetings and looming deadlines. Key dates include Gold Glove winners on Nov 1, Hall of Fame contemporary ballot on Nov 2, Silver Slugger finalists (Nov 2) and winners (Nov 17), MVP and Cy Young awards throughout mid‑November, and the non‑tender deadline on Nov 20. Crucially, the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at 10:59 pm CST on Dec 1, triggering an expected lockout that could postpone the Winter Meetings (Dec 7‑9) and the draft lottery (Dec 8). Fans should watch these milestones as the league navigates the post‑World Series landscape.
What would it take for Cardinals to trade for CJ Abrams?
In a new “roster‑plug” series, the author argues the St. Louis Cardinals should make a bold move this offseason and target Washington shortstop C.J. Abrams. While Abrams boasts a solid bat (3.7 fWAR in 2025, .333 wOBA, 109 wRC+), elite baserunning (averaging 35 steals per season) and a decent arm, his defense is a liability—ranking in the 1st‑3rd percentile in range at shortstop for three straight years. The piece weighs the feasibility of shifting him to third base, where his arm strength (53rd percentile) is more acceptable, and examines the Nationals’ possible willingness to trade him. The author urges Cardinals fans to push for aggressive trades to improve the 2027 roster.
World Series Game Discussion: Brewers vs Rays Game 5 Wednesday
The 2026 World Series heads into Game 5 on Wednesday, with the Milwaukee Brewers facing the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. After the Rays clinched a walk‑off win in extra innings on Tuesday, the Brewers will start Jacob Misiorowski, while the Rays counter with Drew Rasmussen. The game tips off at 7 p.m. Central on Fox. Fans are invited to join the conversation and follow live updates.
Trying to Find Another Bad Cardinals Bullpen in recent times
The author compares the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals bullpen to past seasons, concluding it ranks among the franchise’s worst. In 2026 the staff posted a WAR rank of #25/30, with Gordon Graceffo as the lone bright spot and a slew of blown saves (including an eight‑save closer and George Soriano’s eight blown saves). Historically, the 2018 bullpen was similarly disastrous (ranked 25/30, 88‑74 record, missed the playoffs), while 2017, 2019, 2021‑2025 saw stronger arms like Giovanny Gallegos, Ryan Helsley, and Genesis Cabrera. The piece argues the Cardinals repeatedly treat the bullpen as an afterthought, risking repeat failures, but hints that future cycles may bring improvement.
World Series Game Discussion: Brewers vs Rays Game 4 Tuesday
The Milwaukee Brewers will try to lock up a world championship Tuesday night as they take a 3-0 series lead into Tropicana Field. The Rays will start RHP Griffin Jax while the Brewers will reportedly start Dustin May. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Fox.
St. Louis Cardinals Roster Autopsy
The Viva El Birdos piece dissects the St. Louis Cardinals’ disappointing 2026 season, blaming a lack of power and overall offensive weakness for the team’s low rankings—22nd in average and OBP, 29th in OPS, and 24th in home runs. The article notes the surprise firing of hitting coach Brant Brown and speculates on successors like Casey Chenoweth or Brandon Allen. It highlights key power players (Baez, Walker, Burleson, Bernal) and the decline of others such as Ivan Herrera and JJ Wetherholt, whose injuries and reduced ISO hurt run production. Defensive fundamentals remain a hallmark, but a shift toward swing‑and‑miss pitching under Chaim Bloom is also examined.
World Series Game Discussion: Brewers vs Rays Game 3 Monday
The Milwaukee Brewers travel to Tropicana Field with a commanding 2-0 lead in the World Series. They will start Robert Gasser while the Tampa Bay Rays will counter with Freddy Peralta. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Fox.
The Viva El Birdos Podcast – Episode 88: Interview with Jacob Odle Ft: Kyle Reis
In Episode 88 of the Viva El Birdos podcast (Oct 26 2026), Cardinals right‑handed pitching prospect Jacob Odle recounts his unexpected rise from junior‑college standout to MLB Draft League player and his eventual selection by St. Louis. He shares draft‑day anecdotes, training life in Florida—including a customized workout schedule and a weekly book club on decision‑making—and connections with fellow Southern‑California draftees Ariel Armis (Cubs) and Jacob Christian (Giants). Listeners get an inside look at Odle’s development regimen and mindset as he tackles the next step toward a major‑league career.
Possible free agent target for St. Louis Cardinals: Adrian Morejon
The author weighs the slim odds of the St. Louis Cardinals signing reliever Adrian Morejon, noting his elite 2‑WAR value and 28‑year‑old status. Using Fangraphs data, he estimates a contract around 5 years for $75‑$80 million—significantly higher than $50 million but below closer‑in closer Edwin Díaz’s $100 million deal. Morejon’s recent stats (70 games, 74.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 2.1 fWAR) suggest he could dramatically improve the Cardinals’ struggling bullpen, though his lack of name recognition and the steep price raise concerns. The piece outlines pros and cons of the potential free‑agent move.
Confidence levels among Cardinals’ lineup locks
Viva El Birdos breaks down the St. Louis Cardinals’ projected 2027 lineup as General Manager Chaim Bloom hints at limited offseason moves. The author rates JJ Wetherholt, Alec Burleson and Ivan Herrera as Tier 1, expecting them to anchor a potent top of the order after a solid 2026 showing. Jordan Walker and Leo Bernal land in Tier 2, with Walker praised for playing through discomfort. Early-season confidence is high for Nathan Church starting center field and Blaze Jordan edging Thomas Saggese at third base, though those spots remain uncertain. The piece forecasts a similar win total to 2026, emphasizing health management and modest roster tweaks rather than blockbuster trades.
World Series Game Discussion: Brewers vs Rays Game 2 Saturday
It’s game 2 of the World Series Saturday night in Milwaukee as the Brewers will start RHP Logan Henderson. The Tampa Bay Rays have RHP Drew Rasmussen scheduled to take the mound. First pitch and American Family Field is scheduled for 7pm and the game broadcast is available via Fox.
An A+ Year on the Farm? Grading Every Cardinals Prospect
The Viva El Birdos piece grades every St. Louis Cardinals prospect that began 2026 on the preseason FanGraphs list, assigning each a status—Stock Up, Stock Ticking Up, Stock Ticking Down, or Stock Down. Highlights include Sebastian Dos Santos (Low‑A SS) jumping to a "Stock Up" with a standout age‑18 season, Won‑Bin Cho (Double‑A OF) breaking out and earning a promotion, and Jack Gurevitch (Double‑A 1B/3B) smashing 32 homers for a "Stock Up" rating. Meanwhile, several prospects slipped, such as Yordy Herrera (Low‑A LHP) who was released and Matt Pushard (MLB RHP) who failed to stick after a Rule 5 pick. The article offers a concise, tier‑by‑tier recap of the Cardinals’ farm system performance in 2026.
World Series Game Discussion: Brewers vs Rays Game 1 Friday
It’s game 1 of the World Series Friday night in Milwaukee at American Family Field. The Tampa Bay Rays will start RHP Nick Martinez while it will be RHP Jacob Misiorowski taking the mound for the Brewers. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Fox.
Will the St. Louis Cardinals extend Alec Burleson?
The article examines whether the St. Louis Cardinals will lock up arbitration‑eligible outfielder Alec Burleson before his 2027 trade‑deadline value peaks. Burleson, who hit a solo homer on September 26, 2026, faces his second arbitration hearing this winter, prompting the Cardinals to consider an arbitration‑avoiding extension—a contract type that has declined since the 2022 CBA (19 deals in 2022, down to 6 in 2026). The piece compares recent arb‑avoiding deals (e.g., Crochet, Raleigh, Kirk) and assesses if Burleson fits the “goldilocks” profile for a long‑term lock‑in or simply a personal preference to skip arbitration. It also questions whether St. Louis has replacements if Burleson departs via free agency after 2028 or in a July 2027 trade.
Thoughts on the World Series
In a tongue‑in‑cheek essay, the author debates whether to root for the Milwaukee Brewers or the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series. He argues both clubs excel at analytics, run on low payrolls, and have never won a championship, making it hard to pick a side. Personal bias favors Milwaukee because the city “deserves a title,” yet he admits a schadenfreude pull toward Tampa Bay. He also notes the National League’s recent dominance and hints at future trades that could reshape rivalries. The piece ends without a firm conclusion, leaving fans to decide whose side they’ll take.
St. Louis Cardinals guide on who to root for in this World Series
Root for the Rays.
St Louis’ Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker, A Cardinals Success Story
Alec Burleson’s 2026 season cements him as a breakout power hitter for St. Louis. His chase rate lands in the 10th decile, and he swings at almost anything, turning zone extensions into home runs. Burleson boosted his hard‑hit percentage, improved his isolated power and, despite a modest 18.1% strikeout rate, led MLB in RBIs. In a neutral park he’d project roughly 31 homers. His transition to first base also shines, earning top receiver marks. The piece also notes Jordan Walker’s surge in isolated power and HR/fly‑ball ratio, but the focus remains on Burleson’s statistical rise.
Athletics, CBA and everything MLB in between
In a new MILLIONS livestream podcast, the author chats with former MLB.com and NBC Sports reporter Jessica Kleinschmidt about upcoming MLB CBA negotiations, the Rule 5 draft, and how the Oakland Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals are similarly rebuilding. They note the A’s appointment of POBO Taylor Smith, mirroring the Cardinals’ Chaim Bloom, and discuss potential impacts on fringe 40‑man roster players. The episode also teases future Athletics coverage and previews a Thursday interview with Double‑A pitcher Michael Watson and prospect analyst Kareem Haq.
The Viva El Birdos Podcast: Episode 86: Interview with Moises Rodriguez
In episode 86 of the Viva El Birdos podcast, Cardinals Assistant GM and Head of Player Development Moises Rodriguez talks International scouting. He outlines how the club’s talent pipeline—featuring prospects like Rainiel Rodriguez, Yairo Padilla, Emmanuel Luna and Leo Bernal—mirrors the impact of past signings such as Carlos Martinez, Alex Reyes and the late Oscar Taveras. The discussion covers scouting evolution, biomechanical evaluation, Caribbean and Asian market investments, and the debate over an international draft, offering insight into St. Louis’s strategy to restore MLB relevance.
ALCS Game Discussion for Guardians vs Rays Monday
The Tampa Bay Rays aim to clinch a World Series berth in Game 6 against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night at Progressive Field. Starting pitcher Freddy Peralta will try to silence Cleveland, while the Guardians rely on reliever Shawn Armstrong to force a decisive Game 7. The matchup begins at 7:08 p.m. Central, broadcast on Fox/FS1.
The Viva El Birdos Podcast Episode 87: Interview with Josh Jacobs
In Episode 87 of the Viva El Birdos Podcast (Oct. 19, 2026), hosts Jake and Scott sit down with MLB.com writer and Dealin’ The Cards host Josh Jacobs. Jacobs shares how he broke into MLB.com, the podcast’s rise to a major Cardinals‑focused platform, and dives into hot offseason debates on third base, centre field, and the pitching staff. The conversation also touches on the Cardinals’ short‑ and long‑term strategies, bullpen concerns, trade value of Jimmy Crooks, and prospects versus rentals like Brandon Marsh. Upcoming episodes will feature Cardinals’ scouting and pitching prospects, keeping fans updated through the offseason.
Looking at free agent second baseman for possible move to 3B
The Cardinals’ off‑season strategy hinges on shoring up weak spots, and with the free‑agent market thin at third base, the author suggests scouting second basemen who could transition to the corner. Highlighting Brandon Lowe—who posted a .260/.331/.493 line, 121 wRC+ and 4.9 fWAR in 2026—the piece weighs his $70 million, four‑year proposal against defensive concerns, a low‑percentile arm and limited 3B experience. While Lowe’s 35‑home‑run power could boost the lineup, his recent uptick in strikeouts and BABIP raises red flags, making him a risky, multi‑year gamble for St. Louis.
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