Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer break down the St. Louis Cardinals recent moves to finalize their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft deadline. The guys discuss the decision to protect top prospects like Leonardo Bernal, Cooper Hjerpe, and Brycen Mautz, while analyzing the risk of exposing newly acquired infielder Blaze Jordan. They also dive into the surprising decision to cut flamethrower Jorge Alcala and what it means for the bullpen depth. Plus, with five catchers now on the roster—including Ivan Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, and Pedro Pagés—is a trade on the horizon? Finally, we react to the news of JJ Wetherholt and Brycen Mautz being named the organization’s Players of the Year. ⭐️ Become an STL Sports Central Insider: https://stlsportscentral.com/2025/11/15/stl-sports-central-insiders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer are live on Cards Central 365 to break down the St. Louis Cardinals looming 40-man roster deadline. With the Rule 5 Draft approaching, the front office faces tough decisions on which top prospects to protect. Will names like Leonardo Bernal, Cooper Hjerpe, and Brycen Mautz secure a spot? The guys analyze the current roster math and debate which "bubble" players might be cut or exposed to waivers. From the crowded catcher room featuring Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pagés, and Yohel Pozo, to the future of pitchers like Nick Raquet and Jorge Alcalá, no spot is guaranteed. Plus, a look ahead at top prospect JJ Wetherholt’s path to the majors in 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pittsburgh Pirates have quietly emerged as a serious suitor for Brendan Donovan, and the fit is better than anyone expected. Joe Roderick and Grant Salsman break down why Pittsburgh is motivated, how Paul Skenes factors into the Pirates timeline, which prospects could headline a deal, and whether the Cardinals would actually trade a key piece inside the NL Central. We also look at the risks of an interdivision move, how St. Louis could leverage Pittsburgh’s urgency, and what kind of return would justify dealing Donovan to a rival. Cards Central 365 is presented by DraftKings. The Crown is yours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke Slabaugh and Ethan Hannaford bring you Cards Central 365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy Karraker and Joe Roderick fire up the hot stove to break down what the general managers meetings in Las Vegas really mean for the St. Louis Cardinals. They dive into Brendan Donovan’s booming trade market after Derrick Goold’s reporting, which contenders like the Dodgers, Guardians and Pirates make sense, and what kind of starting pitching Chaim Bloom and Rob Cerfolio should demand in return. The guys also dig into the Cardinals catching logjam with Pedro Pagés, Iván Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, Yohel Pozo, Leonardo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez, and how that could be used to find real bullpen help. Later they hit on Sonny Gray’s no trade situation and possible fits with teams like the Giants, Braves and Angels, plus where Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras could land if the Cardinals fully commit to a reset. If you care about Cardinals trade rumors, Brendan Donovan’s value, Sonny Gray’s future, Nolan Arenado’s next team and how Chaim Bloom plans to rebuild the rotation and bullpen, this is your kind of hot stove show. Presented by DraftKings Sportsbook. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brendan Donovan has become one of the hottest names at the GM Meetings, with Derrick Goold reporting that if teams are doing their jobs, roughly twenty two clubs should be checking in on the Cardinals super utility man. The Yankees and Dodgers have liked him before, and now the Royals and Guardians are among the teams linked to Donovan as Chaim Bloom listens on almost everyone and looks to reshape this roster.  In this episode of Cards Central 365, Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer debate whether the Cardinals should trade Brendan Donovan at all, or put an extension in front of him and make him a core piece for the next winning Cardinals team. They dig into how he fits in a future lineup with Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II, why his versatility and contact profile age well, and what message it sends if St. Louis moves on from a “Cardinal for life” type player. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer map out the most likely 2026 St. Louis Cardinals rotation using in-house arms, then ask the big question: Does Sonny Gray get traded before Opening Day, or does he anchor the staff all year? They put Michael McGreevy in marker, Matthew Liberatore in pen, debate Andre Pallante’s role and tender decision, and size up Kyle Leahy and Quinn Mathews as spring options. They also discuss why at least one outside starter still feels inevitable, plus how a potential Lars Nootbaar or Brendan Donovan trade could return an MLB-ready arm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rumors are swirling around the St. Louis Cardinals as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Texas Rangers have shown interest in outfielder Lars Nootbaar. Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer discuss what that means for the Cardinals’ offseason, how Nootbaar’s injury could impact his trade value, and which teams might actually make sense as trade partners. Could Skip Schumaker’s connection to Nootbaar help fuel a deal? And would the Angels or another American League team jump into the mix? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer break down realistic St. Louis Cardinals moves for this hot stove season, focusing on value pitching instead of top-tier free agents. They talk one-year “pillow” deals and short two-year bets, the rotation holes after Miles Mikolas departs, and how bridge arms can buy time for prospects like Quinn Mathews and others. Names discussed include Walker Buehler as a bounce-back play, Lucas Giolito as a pricier longshot after his Tommy John return, and KBO standout Cody Ponce as a Miles Mikolas-style flier. They also hit strategy, contract ranges, and how these signings could create mid-season trade chips if things click. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luke Slabaugh and Ethan Hannaford bring you Cards Central 365. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alec Burleson just captured the National League Silver Slugger Award for utility players, giving the St. Louis Cardinals a rare offseason bright spot. But could it also make him a top trade chip? Joe Roderick and Ryan Fagan debate Burleson’s long-term value, how he stacks up against Nolan Gorman and Lars Nootbaar, and whether Chaim Bloom should consider selling high or building around one of St. Louis’s most consistent hitters. Presented by DraftKings, where the Crown is yours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munetaka Murakami has been officially posted, giving MLB teams a 45-day window to negotiate per ESPN. Alex Bregman just opted out in Boston and is back on the market per multiple reports. That suddenly crowds the third base landscape, and it matters for the St. Louis Cardinals as they explore a Nolan Arenado trade and reshape the roster under Chaim Bloom. Joe Roderick and Ryan Fagan break down how Murakami’s posting, Bregman’s free agency, and other corner-infield options like Kazuma Okamoto and Eugenio Suárez could impact the timing, destinations, and return for an Arenado deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Albert Pujols just lost out on another MLB managerial opportunity. After a reported nine-and-a-half-hour interview with the San Diego Padres, the club instead hired former reliever Craig Stammen. Pujols had previously been connected to the Angels opening, which ultimately went to Kurt Suzuki. That leaves the Colorado Rockies as the only team without a manager as of now. Pujols and longtime teammate Yadier Molina will next take the dugout at the 2026 World Baseball Classic, managing the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Could their performances there reignite MLB interest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff Passan reports that Nolan Arenado is more open to possibilities with his no-trade clause, and the St. Louis Cardinals could have an easier path to a deal this winter. Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer break down what the report means, which teams make sense, why an AL destination could be ideal, and how a broader Cardinals reset under Chaim Bloom shapes the timeline. They also discuss why the club should not let one decision stall the entire offseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB hot stove is officially here! The Cubs declined their three-year club option on Shota Imanaga, making him a free agent. Kyle Tucker also hits the market after his 2025 run with Chicago. Milwaukee exercised Freddy Peralta’s option while Brandon Woodruff declined his, and the first trade of the offseason is in, the Cubs sent reliever Andrew Kittredge to the Orioles for cash. Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer break down how these moves reshape the NL Central, what it means for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2026, and where Chicago and Milwaukee might go next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Masyn Winn just delivered a franchise milestone, winning the 2025 NL Gold Glove Award at shortstop, the Cardinals’ 100th Gold Glove all time, and becoming the youngest Cardinal to win the award. He edged out Mookie Betts among the finalists, capping an elite defensive season at short.  In this episode, Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer break down what Winn’s glove means for St. Louis in the Bloom era, and they dig into the big question, how much can the bat grow. They discuss lineup fit, OBP targets, realistic OPS ranges, and whether Winn profiles best as a table-setter or as a steady glove-first anchor who lifts the floor of a contending roster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Series is over. What can the St. Louis Cardinals emulate to get there? | Luke Slabaugh and Ethan Hannaford bring you Cards Central 365 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Yadier Molina be back in the St. Louis Cardinals dugout in 2026? Joe Roderick and Brenden Schaeffer react to Katie Woo’s latest report from The Athletic, which says the Cardinals don’t expect Yadi to join Oli Marmol’s staff next season, but could still find him another role. The guys also break down Chaim Bloom’s behind-the-scenes changes, including a new director of hitting, expanded scouting and international development, and shifts involving Dean Kiekhefer, Packy Elkins, and head athletic trainer Adam Olsen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Halloween from STL Sports Central! 🎃 On today’s episode of Card Central 365, Joe Roderick and Ryan Fagan discuss how Trey Yesavage’s World Series breakout could foreshadow what the Cardinals hope to develop in Liam Doyle, their 2025 first-round pick out of Tennessee. They compare Yesavage’s rise with the Cardinals’ revamped draft approach under Chaim Bloom, break down Doyle’s dominant SEC numbers, and explain why college pitchers are reaching the majors faster than ever before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams joins Randy Karraker on Cards Central 365 to talk about life after playing, why he jumped straight into coaching with the Padres’ Triple A El Paso Chihuahuas, and the mindset that made him one of MLB’s most dangerous pinch hitters. Adams breaks down approach vs exit velo, how the shift changed at bats, why routine is everything, and the story behind his “Big City” nickname. He also reflects on the 2014 NLDS home run off Clayton Kershaw, shares clubhouse lessons from Yadier Molina, Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman, David Freese, Jon Jay, and explains how John Mabry and Mark McGwire shaped his hitting approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices