The Cardinals have let go of hitting coach Brant Brown, and replacement candidates are being floated. Assistant coach Casey Chenoweth, credited with Jordan Walker's rebound, looks like the internal favorite, with Brandon Allen and Dalton Hurd behind him. 🔍
FOX Sports' all-World Series roster includes ex-Cardinals David Freese, Chris Carpenter and Yadier Molina, all deserving picks. The glaring omission is Albert Pujols, a miss that has Cardinals fans quibbling with the list. 🧾
The Cardinals won't retain hitting coach Brant Brown for 2027 after two seasons, with the lineup finishing 2026 with the second-lowest OPS (.691) in MLB. Assistant Casey Chenoweth, praised by Jordan Walker, looks like the early favorite to replace him. 🔄
Sammy Hernandez, acquired from Toronto in the 2023 Genesis Cabrera trade, is emerging as another Cardinals catching prospect. He slashed .279/.411/.529 with 11 homers in 65 High-A games in 2026, and Tai Peete calls him an "auto double down the line." 🔒
Rays and Brewers reaching the World Series is a reminder that low payrolls still need star power. For the Cardinals, who went 2-11 against Milwaukee this year, the lesson is to acquire and keep stars; Chaim Bloom and Bill DeWitt Jr. know it, and some may already be in-house. ⭐
Could Alec Burleson get an extension? He's arbitration-eligible this winter, which puts him in the "arbitration-avoiding" class of deals. Those have cooled lately: 10 in 2024, 3 in 2025, 6 in 2026. Nothing is reported or agreed, so this is speculation. 🤔
Tekoah Roby, back from Tommy John surgery, has tossed 9 2/3 scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts in the Arizona Fall League. His fastball now sits mid-to-upper 90s, and he looks like a 2027 Cardinals rotation breakout candidate. 🔥
Cardinals could scout free agents-to-be Nick Martinez, Antonio Senzatela and Jorge Mateo in the Rays-Brewers World Series. Martinez (3.10 ERA, 180 IP) fits as depth, but his modest strikeout rate and projected $43MM price are concerns. 🔍
Cardinals history note: Scott Spiezio's Game 2 start in the 2006 World Series made him and his father Ed the first father-son pair to both appear in the Fall Classic for the same club. Ed's came in 1967. Scott went 0-for-3 that night, but the record stuck. 📜
A Cardinals blogger's World Series take: Brewers vs. Rays, and the pick is the Rays. Chief reason is the Brewers' trade for JoJo Romero and Dustin May, which a Brewers title would make look like a loss for St. Louis. 🔍
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Cardinals could run back the Dustin May playbook this winter: sign a veteran starter, then flip him for prospects. Kris Bubic, an All-Star in 2025 with injury-shortened seasons since, is one of five rotation targets named. 🎯
Cardinals' rotation spent 2020-2026 ranked 19th with a 4.34 ERA, but 2027 looks sharper. Quinn Mathews (3.83 ERA in nine starts), Pallante and McGreevy lead a young group, with Roby, Hjerpe and Fitts ready to contribute. Boring era: ending. ⚾
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Reportedly, ex-Cardinals exec John Mozeliak, now the Angels' interim GM, is expected to pursue Albert Pujols as manager after Kurt Suzuki's option was declined. Cardinals assistant GM Randy Flores is also seen as a top GM candidate. Nothing is official. 🎯
Riley O'Brien's All-Star closer role might need a rethink. Despite 38 saves, his post-break 5.11 ERA and inflated walk rate suggest the Cardinals should consider other bullpen options for 2027 to maintain their competitive edge.
Willie McGee's acquisition from the Yankees in 1981 was a game-changer for the Cardinals. The fleet-footed outfielder rose to legend status, especially during his 1985 MVP season, showcasing stellar speed and batting prowess. 🏆
Former Cardinals pitcher Jake Woodford is set to receive a 2026 World Series ring after his brief stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers this season. Despite minimal contributions, he will soon join the exclusive World Series champions club.
Nolan Gorman's future with the Cardinals looks bleak, as the team seeks a new direction at third base. With his struggles at the plate and the team's league-worst WAR at the position in 2026, Gorman may be on his way out.
Randy Flores, Cardinals' assistant GM, is reportedly attracting interest from the Houston Astros for their GM position. Flores' draft acumen has made him a hot commodity, as teams eye his knack for finding talent beyond early rounds. 🌟
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