St. Louis Cardinals Aim for October Baseball with New Leadership
In a significant shift for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chaim Bloom has stepped into the role of president of baseball operations, pledging to revive the team’s tradition of success as they strive to return to postseason play. The Cardinals’ recent record of 78-84 places them fourth in the NL Central, marking their third consecutive season absent from the playoffs.
Commitment to Developing Homegrown Talent
Bloom emphasized the importance of player development in his plan to reform the Cardinals. “The Cardinals win first and foremost with players we develop,” he stated. He believes that the long-standing operational model that has served the franchise for decades remains viable. However, he insists on elevating the organization’s performance in acquiring and developing talent across all facets of the game.
Continuity with Team Management
Retaining manager Oli Marmol is part of Bloom’s strategy moving forward. He expressed a desire for continuity within the field staff, recognizing their commitment and understanding of the team’s dynamics. “I expect a lot of continuity. It’s a good group of people that really cares,” Bloom remarked.
The Future Focus: Competing and Winning
As he steps into this pivotal role, Bloom acknowledges the gap between the team’s current standing and its historical legacy. “We’re not where we want to be. We are not where our fans expect us to be,” he said. The St. Louis Cardinals boast 11 World Series titles, second only to the New York Yankees, with their last championship triumph occurring in 2011.
Bloom has set a clear goal for the organization: “Our goal is to field a team every year and compete for this division and a World Series championship.” He understands the need for agility in the competitive world of baseball and is firmly against conceding ground to rivals.
Exploring Trade Options
In the upcoming offseason, Bloom may look into trades involving high-profile players including Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras. However, each of these veterans has varying no-trade agreements:
- Nolan Arenado: 34 years old, two years remaining on contract, owed $42 million.
- Sonny Gray: 35 years old, one year remaining, with $35 million due in 2026.
- Willson Contreras: 33 years old, two years remaining, owed $36.5 million plus a $5 million buyout for 2028.
Bloom underscored the fluidity of player decisions, noting, “I don’t like to draw a line and say these guys are in and these guys are out. The game is too hard for that.”
Addressing Fan Concerns
Over the past three years, the Cardinals’ farm system has struggled to produce impactful players, leading to dissatisfaction among fans. CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. acknowledged this frustration, saying, “They love their Cardinals. They love their Cardinals winning. We’re going to make every effort to get back to that.”
With Bloom at the helm and a commitment to revitalizing player development, the St. Louis Cardinals hope to reclaim their place among the sport’s elite teams and deliver a season worthy of their legacy.
